CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
INDIANAPOLIS 500
PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT

MAY 18, 2023

KYLE LARSON, JEFF GORDON, AND GAVIN WARD met with the media prior to the third day of NTT INDYCAR Series practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Press Conference Transcript:

THE MODERATOR: “Good morning, everyone. Before we know it, we’re all going to be looking ahead to 2024 and the 108th running of the Indy 500 Presented by Gainbridge. For Arrow McLaren it will include a special, for some, I’m thinking about our late pal Robin Miller, a long-awaited shot at the Indianapolis 500 for Kyle Larson.

2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion expected to make his debut in a partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and Arrow McLaren.

Joining us this morning, the future driver for Arrow McLaren INDYCAR team, Kyle Larson.

Also joining us, Jeff Gordon, kind of knows his place around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Now the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports.

To the left, Gavin Ward, the racing director at Arrow McLaren.

Kyle, we’ll start with you. Certainly, you’re no stranger to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, or central Indiana, but how excited are you a year from now you’ll be going for your first Indianapolis 500, qualifying first, right?”

KYLE LARSON: “Yeah, no, it’s obviously very exciting. It’s been something that I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. I wanted to be patient and kind of wait for the timing to feel right. It feels right. Having Hendrick Motorsports be extremely supportive of it, supporting the efforts with Arrow McLaren, it’s something that I’m extremely excited about.

To have Rick and Jeff Gordon involved. Jeff kind of told me that I get to live out a dream of his. That’s really special also to me.

I’ve obviously come here a lot in a stock car. I lived in the area for a couple years. So this place for a long time felt like home or a second home to me.

In my opinion, this is the biggest race in the world, so you want to be a part of the big ones. Hopefully someday be a winner of a big event.

Look forward to it. Happy to be here today. Look forward to kind of taking in as much knowledge as I possibly can in a single day, just trying to better prepare myself for whenever I get behind the wheel.”

THE MODERATOR: “Jeff, Kyle alluded to it. Perhaps no one is more excited about this opportunity than yourself to check things out firsthand and get this perspective on everything. What do you hope to get out of today?”

JEFF GORDON: “First of all, we are excited to be here and be a part of this. It’s been a lot of fun working with Arrow McLaren, Zak Brown, Gavin, his whole team to pull this off.”

I’m kind of glad that Kyle said, This is something I’d really like to do one day. Do you think this is something that Mr. Hendrick and Hendrick Cars would want to support?

We’re happy that that’s all going to come true in 2024.

I think for today, it’s such a different world, right? This car. I think as a driver, driving a race car is sort of natural of what you need to go fast, to compete. But you’re talking about Indianapolis at 230-plus miles per hour, what it takes to get comfortable, what kind of language there is for a driver of the types of things that they’re talking about versus a stockcar or a sprint car.

For us, I think on the Hendrick Motorsports side, it’s building this relationship with Arrow McLaren so that next year we can do everything we can to maximize its full potential, get Kyle everything he needs, to get Arrow McLaren everything they need, to make sure that this effort goes as smooth as possible and gives them the best opportunity to get a great result.”

THE MODERATOR: Gavin, your thoughts? Kyle is known as a guy that can drive anything on four wheels. You have an opportunity to mold that here for what we think is the greatest race in the world.

GAVIN WARD: “Yeah, what better fit for a team like McLaren that’s taken to racing in a lot of different forms to have a driver like Kyle who has shown such versatility.

I think just for the team to build this relationship with Hendrick Motorsports, Hendrick Cars, is great. I think one of the best racing teams in the world, racing organizations in the world. Fun to kind of get that together.

Yeah, having this little bit of time to try to introduce Indianapolis Motor Speedway racing with INDYCAR to Kyle, get ahead of it here and show him a bit how we work, what’s involved. I think it’s a great opportunity.”

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Kyle, in many ways there’s been a lot of people in the area trying to help promote this for a long time. Do you feel this has been really 10 years in the making?

KYLE LARSON: “For me to run this event?”

Q. Yes.

KYLE LARSON: “I don’t know. I mean, maybe a little bit. I think when I was with Chip Ganassi Racing in the NASCAR stuff, I think a lot of people, maybe myself at times, thought that I would go immediately to try to compete in the Indy 500 for Chip.

I wasn’t as accomplished yet in the NASCAR stuff. I wanted to be able to not feel like I was taking a ton away from that stuff. Now I’ve been able to accomplish a lot in the NASCAR stuff. Hendrick is obviously always a consistent frontrunner. I thought you could take a little bit of focus away from that to run the Indy 500.

I don’t want to do this to just do it. I want to do it, take it serious, feel like I’m prepared enough to win.

Yeah, I feel like I’m surrounded by great people and looking forward for the opportunity. I’ve got 300 some odd days to try to get ready.”

Q. Mr. Brickyard, Jeff Gordon, you’re a legend of the Speedway already, but it was in the Brickyard 400. You drove the Indy 500 pace car one year. Your friend Jimmie Johnson competed last year. Kyle runs next year. How much do you miss the fact you didn’t get a chance to run here in this race?

JEFF GORDON: “Like Kyle said, it’s true, I did say to him he’s going to be able to live out a dream of mine. I go back to the mid to late ’80s when I was living here in Indiana, raced all around here. Every race car driver’s dream, if you race around Indianapolis, is to get here, to compete at this facility.

I watched guys like Rich Vogler, a few other competitors I raced with, come over here and do that. Certainly it was on my radar. But NASCAR came calling. Once that happened, I kind of shifted my focus to that.

I don’t know if really the right opportunity or it ever became serious enough after that to become a reality. So to me, this is equally as exciting because, one, I sure as heck right now don’t want to drive into turn one at 238 miles, whatever they’re running (smiling), but Kyle does. Kyle is capable of it.

The fact that Rick has never been to the Indy 500, we’re going to go to Le Mans this year, next year he’s going to come to the Indy 500, that’s extremely exciting for our organization, as well as the things we can learn from Arrow McLaren in what they do here to compete for this event. I think there’s crossover we can learn from one another.

Super excited. Excited for Kyle. As well as he has the ability. When he has the equipment and the resources, the people surrounding him, he has the ability to go do extraordinary things. We’ve seen him do it in other cars. I have no doubt that he’ll be able to do that in the Indy 500 next year, as well.”

Q. Jeff, you mentioned Le Mans. Rick has not been here. Do you foresee Hendrick five or 10 years down the road being a NTT INDYCAR SERIES team, partner?

JEFF GORDON: “I know what Rick’s answer would be if he was sitting here. It would be an absolute no (smiling).

He loves racing. He loves cars. When he comes here next year, he might change his mind a little bit. NASCAR is always going to be our primary focus, where our history, our legacy lies.

I will say that if you want to run a good business, you have to diversify yourself. We’ve seen ourselves get into GM defense manufacturing, we’re seeing ourselves go to Le Mans. We’ve dabbled a little bit in IMSA. We have a great relationship with Chevrolet and our friends at GM.

If there’s something that makes sense for us as a company, as Hendrick Motorsports, then we’re certainly going to look at it, look at whether or not it makes sense for us or not.”

Q. Obviously we’re talking next year, but was there any hesitation after what happened with Alex and Chase that maybe we need to pause this thing? How much has the philosophy changed behind the scenes at Hendrick Motorsports to let Kyle race outside of NASCAR?

JEFF GORDON: “I think our approach is that we want to support these guys in things that they want to take on. I mean, with Kyle, we’ve had this conversation a lot. He feels like that type of racing actually helps him get prepared and be sharp on Sunday in the Cup car. We’ve actually seen the results of that.

They have to make good, smart decisions, be in good equipment, not take too much risk when they’re involved in that, whether it’s racing or other things.

I can tell you I did a lot of extracurricular activities, even if it wasn’t in other race cars, throughout my entire career, and see the benefits of it.

We’re going to support our guys to do the same. We’re going to encourage them to really weigh out the risk versus the reward and make sure they’re in the best equipment with the best team and the best opportunity to go out there and make the experience a good one. That’s the way we look at this.”

Q. The preparation you’ve been able to do so far, it’s not ideal that you can’t actually get on the track, but the stuff you’ve been able to do off track, can you walk us through what you’ve been able to do so far?

KYLE LARSON: “Not a ton. I went to their race shop a couple weeks ago to get the first initial kind of seat insert formed to me. Still have to finish that whole process.

They gave me a big packet of stuff to look at, notes and dash displays, emailed me some onboard footage. I watched all of that. Kind of got a sense of just nice to see the onboard, see shifting, adjusting, all the cockpit adjustable things that they have, just seeing how the flow of the race kind of goes, how they position themselves behind people in traffic, stuff like that. Restart procedures, all of that. Pit stops, pulling into your pit sign, all of that.

But I don’t know when I’m testing yet. I don’t want to, like, pick people’s brains yet, other drivers’ brains too early on, then have to go to them in a few months and ask the same questions over again. I want to wait a little bit to pick their brains some. I definitely want to talk to guys who are familiar with stockcars and INDYCARs, Jimmie, Kurt, guys who have done this more recently.

Again, I don’t want to do it too early yet and get on their nerves when I go to ask them again later on (smiling).”

Q. Gavin, any chance you might use a test day to get Kyle out before the open test next year or is the plan to wait until then?

GAVIN WARD: “We’re looking at all options really to get as much track testing or readiness. We’re evaluating all that.

But, yeah, we’re keen. So simulator running, as well.”

Q. How much do you think Kyle can learn from the simulator?

GAVIN WARD: “I think it’s more about probably some of the basic stuff, just getting familiarized with the steering wheel, the adjustments in the cockpit, all that sort of stuff. Gives you a heads up on some seat fit work.

Realistically you have to run these things, run them in traffic. That’s what everyone is doing out here. That’s the most important side of it.

But I do think the program we’re running with Tony Kanaan this year, his involvement with the team, it sets us up in a good way to help. Tony and Kyle have raced together before. That’s a good relationship. I think he’s a good reference here to try and help Kyle learn the ropes here.”

Q. Kyle, of course you’ve driven a lot of multiple disciplines. It’s a year from now. What kind of preparations do you have to go into that might be different than what you’ve done in the past?

KYLE LARSON: “Yeah, I mean, I would say everything that I race is much more simple than an INDYCAR. The only kind of thing I feel like that I have to judge off of that was new to me, not overwhelming but just stressful, was when I did the Rolex for the few years that we did. Obviously different cars, but a lot more total different kind of foreign style racing to me, which I feel like INDYCAR stuff would be a little bit that way, with just race procedure stuff, the cockpits are way more in-depth than what I’m used to in anything that I race.

In a stockcar, I’m worried about turning on brake fans. If I don’t, it’s really not a big deal. Sprint car I have a wing valve. Late models nothing. Midgets nothing. In an INDYCAR, you got I don’t even know. You could probably tell me everything (smiling). You have boost, weight jackers, bars, all sorts of stuff that I want to be ready for and know when they tell me to do this or do that, I can be quick to it, not hesitate and give up something that might be crucial for the end of the race.

As far as the driving, the driving part of it I think, hopefully that all will come naturally. I don’t really know. I don’t have any experience yet to even have an opinion on what it could relate to or if it is totally just different than anything I’ve been in.

I feel like our NASCAR racing has trended a little bit closer to INDYCAR style of strategy, with fuel savings, stuff like that. I think I have more experience now than I would have had three years ago on that side of things.

There’s going to be a lot to soak in over the next year, and I look forward to the challenge. I love racing new vehicles to challenge myself and learn something new. I feel like ultimately it makes me a better race car driver.

I think no matter the result throughout this whole experience, I think I’m going to become a better race car driver from it. So, I’m excited about all that.”

Q. Kyle, when you’re doing the 500 next year, does it mean you do it at the same time as the Charlotte race as well?

KYLE LARSON: “The what?”

THE MODERATOR: Charlotte race.

KYLE LARSON: “Yes. It will be crazy.”

Q. Gavin, how much simulator preparation will you prepare for Kyle to get used to INDYCAR?

GAVIN WARD: “I think we’ll start simple, then we’ll see how useful we think it is and go from there.

The good news is the simulator we use is around the corner down by Hendrick. It’s pretty convenient.”

Q. Gavin, a lot of pressure. People are very excited about Kyle Larson. You have a year to prepare for him. What does it mean to have this responsibility, to have Kyle Larson in the team?

GAVIN WARD: “Yeah, I mean, I think of it as a privilege, honestly. Actually early on in the conversations about this is a possibility, and really just the concept of running an extra car regularly at the 500, Well, if you gave me Kyle Larson to put in it, I’d definitely want to do it is kind of my answer (laughter). Little did I know that was even a possibility.”

Q. You were just joking?

GAVIN WARD: “Yeah, just joking. We’ll find a way to make it happen if you can do that. Lo and behold (smiling).

As I said, I think we’re kind of proving the model here with Tony and getting that crew, which a lot of that crew is existing, so there’s a bit of a mix there. We get to prove that sort of model of the extra car.

Having this extra time to get ahead of it is a real advantage, I think. We have to be realistic about what you can really achieve. Yeah, no, I feel pretty good about it.”

Q. Kyle, your racing schedule is packed. With this program where you’ve known a year in advance you’re doing all this preparation for one single race, how is this different from a preparation standpoint, having so much lead time for one single race than what you typically do?

KYLE LARSON: “I mean, I don’t know. I feel like I prepare well for every event, but that’s leading up. Usually, I’ve got a couple days to prepare before it.

I think having this much time, knowing that I’m racing next year, I’m definitely going to pay more attention to all these days than I would have in the past, kind of see how that all goes, just to be really just more prepared for how the couple weeks of on-track time goes for next year, just to not be surprised by anything.

It’s been nice even being here the short amount of time we’ve been here today to see how they have things laid out. The hospitality, where the teams eat, engineering room, stuff like that. I didn’t know any of that before I got here today.

This is the only day I’m going to be able to come this year. Even just getting to get eyes on all that I think will help, little things like that, for next year.

Then, yeah, paying just closer attention to everything than I would have in the past. Me just being a fan in other years, you might just overlook things. You’re probably just looking at the quality of racing and stuff like that, where now I’ll be more in-depth in watching the race, watching what they do in practices. Then being able to listen to communication today is awesome as well.

I don’t know. I think there’s going to be a lot of stuff that comes up, too, throughout the next year that’s going to help prepare me.”

Q. Gavin, Kyle Busch recently said that Kyle Larson stole his ride at the Indy 500. Any truth to that? Comments or negotiations?

GAVIN WARD: “Nothing that I’m aware of on that (laughter).

Yeah, I mean, it’s nice to hear that we got a few people that wanted to be in that seat. We’re happy with our lot right now, but that’s good.”

Q. Kyle, from where you come up, growing up in California, you’ll be 31 next year, how humbling of an experience is it to know where you started to running the double next year, which very few people have done?

KYLE LARSON: “It is. It is a lot. Growing up with dreams — I don’t even know what my dreams were racing in California. I think I would have been happy to make a living as a race car driver, whether that be on the local level or national level like I am now.

Yeah, to be able to accomplish things I’ve accomplished in the relatively short career I guess you want to call it, I’m only 30 currently, hopefully I have a long ways to go. All the opportunities I’ve had to this point, being with Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon, everything they’ve been able to do for me the last few years has been spectacular.

I think, too, being able to compete in this event, I think it really more than anybody makes my dad really proud. That’s something that’s special to me. There’s definitely no bigger race to him than Indy 500. I know he’s wanted me to do it for a very long time. It’s going to be really special to see him kind of see me during driver introductions and stuff like that.

He’s a crier, so he’ll probably not even be able to watch the race because he’ll have tears in his eyes the whole time. That’s the thing that’s most special to me at this point, knowing I’m in the Indy 500 is making him proud.”

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.

As NASCAR’s elite Cup Series makes its highly anticipated return to historic North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend, many of the competitors, including Harrison Burton and other members of the No. 21 Motorcraft/DEX Imaging team have never experienced a Cup race there.

“I’ve never even seen the place,” Burton told reporters on a Ford teleconference last week. “It’s going to be a challenge for sure.”

It’s a different story for his Wood Brothers team, which ran 46 races on the 5/8-mile track before it dropped off the Cup schedule in 1996. The Woods ran their first race at Wilkesboro in 1957 with Jimmy Massey starting fifth and finishing 10th behind the wheel of the No. 21 Ford.

The team went on to score two poles there, both by team founder Glenn Wood, who ran five Cup races at North Wilkesboro, with a runner-up finish to Junior Johnson in 1958 after starting from the pole and a third-place finish in 1960 behind race-winner Lee Petty and Rex White.

Wood had four top-10 finishes at Wilkesboro in five starts, and suffered a blown engine after starting second in the fifth.

The Woods have two North Wilkesboro victories, both by Marvin Panch, and a total of 14 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes at Wilkesboro.

Burton said it would be cool to be the winner of the inaugural All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro, but he has other goals in mind too. To compete in the main event of the All-Star weekend, he’ll have to finish first or second in the preliminary Open or win the fan vote.

“Just making the show in general – it’s important,” he said. “Think about the amount of effort that goes into building these race cars for our guys at the shop, the amount of effort you put in preparing for these races. It’s important.

“It’s a big thing for the morale of everybody and a big thing for your sponsors. So, it’s always been important, especially when it’s a really cool event like this one I think will be. It makes it that much cooler.”

Practice for All-Star and Open drivers is set for Friday from 4 p.m. to 4:50. Qualifying, which will be determined by the Pit Crew Challenge (based on the speed of the pit stop), will begin at 5:45 p.m.

Two heat races for drivers locked into the All-Star race, are set to start Saturday at 7:20 p.m. and approximately 8:15.

The 100-lap Open is scheduled to begin just after 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, with the 200-lap All-Star race getting the green flag just after 8 p.m.

FOX Sports 1 will carry the TV coverage.

About DEX Imaging
DEX Imaging is the digital document imaging division of Staples, the world’s largest business solutions provider. DEX sells and services the broadest selection of copiers, printers and data management solutions, such as HP, Konica Minolta, Canon, Kyocera and numerous others.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES:
Reducing Operating Costs
Reducing Paper Consumption
Increasing Productivity

DEX Imaging has been the recipient of virtually every industry award since the company’s inception, including the JD Power & Associates Award for Best Customer Experience, the prestigious ProTech Service award by Konica Minolta, the Diamond Premier Dealer Award by Kyocera, and the Elite DEALER Award by ‘ENX’ magazine. Other accolades include being named ‘Best Place to Work’ by numerous business journals in the markets DEX serves.

About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Omnicraft®
Omnicraft is part of the Ford lineup of parts brands: Ford Parts, Motorcraft and Omnicraft. Omnicraft is the exclusive non-Ford/Lincoln parts brand of premium aftermarket parts. With over a century of parts heritage to build upon, Omnicraft provides excellent quality and fit and is a preferred choice of professional automotive technicians. To find out more about Omnicraft, visit www.omnicraftautoparts.com or contact your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 176,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Credit is available at corporate.ford.com.
*See seller for limited-warranty details.

Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the WoodBrothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.

5 KYLE LARSON

Age: 30 (July 31, 1992)

Hometown: Elk Grove, California

Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels

Standings: 9th

No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

DISHING ON DARLINGTON: In Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway, Kyle Larson worked his way to the front, scoring valuable stage points with a third-place finish in stage two. After leading 29 laps, he restarted on the front row with six laps to go in regulation. While battling for the lead, an on-track incident sent him into the wall, resulting in a 20th-place finish. On Saturday, he was victorious in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in a thrilling last-lap pass that saw the 30-year-old edge out his competitor in a door-slamming finish. Driving the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, Larson won stage one and later overcame a pit road speeding penalty before the final stage restart. The win was his 14th in the series.

ALL-STAR SUCCESS: Larson has won in two of his last three All-Star Race appearances. In six starts in the exhibition event, he has finished in the top two on three occasions, has led laps in five races and has an average finish of 8.50. Over the past 10 All-Star Races, he is the only repeat winner. The 30-year-old won at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2019 (after transferring in by winning the All-Star Open) and at Texas Motor Speedway in 2021. Larson’s win in Texas came in the first of the two All-Star Race events that the track hosted. In addition, he has two wins in the All-Star Open (in 2016 and 2019).

199TH TRACK: The historical return of NASCAR to North Wilkesboro Speedway will mark the 199th racetrack that Larson has raced at in any form. From dirt to pavement, oval to road course and everything in-between, the jack-of-all-trades in racing will meet a new track to challenge this weekend.

TRUCKS ON TRACK: The 2021 Cup Series champion will drive the Spire Motorsports No. 7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race this Saturday afternoon. The 250-lap race will allow Larson to get some extra laps in at the track before Sunday’s Cup Series race. In his career, the Elk Grove, California, native has made 14 Truck Series starts with two wins (Rockingham Speedway in 2013 and Eldora Speedway in 2016).

PIT CREW POWER: The HendrickCars.com pit crew is ranked as the fourth-fastest team on pit road based on their average four-tire stop time of 11.232 seconds across 13 races. Rear-tire changer Calvin Teague used to consider Charlotte Motor Speedway his home track, but the newly renovated North Wilkesboro facility pings even closer to home for the Taylorsville, North Carolina, native. The team’s five-man pit crew also includes Blaine Anderson (front-tire changer), R.J. Barnette (tire carrier), Brandon Harder (fueler) and Brandon Johnson (jackman), who will all perform for the first-time at the .625-mile track this weekend. Friday’s Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear will provide an opportunity to not only showcase their skills, but also earn the team a great starting spot in one of the All-Star Heat Races.

JINYA APPEARANCE: Earlier this month, Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team announced JINYA Ramen Bar as an Official Restaurant partner. On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, from 5-6 p.m. ET, media is invited to join Larson and Tomo Takahashi, CEO and Founder of JINYA Holdings, at JINYA’s South Park location in Charlotte, North Carolina, to interview the duo about the partnership. To learn more details about the deal, click here. Members of the media should RSVP by Friday, May 19, by emailing adarracq@hmsracing.com.

DOWN IN THE DIRT: Larson is prominently featured in a new five-part documentary series released by FOX Sports Films, titled DIRT: THE LAST GREAT AMERICAN SPORT. The series, which debuted on Tuesday, May 16, on FS1, chronicles legendary dirt competitors racing on dirt tracks across America. Check out where to catch each episode here.

HIGH LIMIT VICTORY: Larson won the third race of the inaugural 11-race High Limit Sprint Car Series on Tuesday night at Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, Ohio. Co-founded by Larson and his brother-in-law Brad Sweet, the next event for the series is on Wednesday, May 31, at Tri City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois. Check out the full schedule at highlimitracing.com.

HOME RACE HATS: This weekend’s race at North Wilkesboro will mark the sixth home race of the season for the HendrickCars.com team. For every HendrickCars.com home race this season (15 total), there will be an exclusive hat that is only available for sale on the trackside merchandise haulers, or available to win on HendrickCars.com. Less than 100 of each limited-edition hat will be made available to the public. This week’s North Wilkesboro themed hat will be released Thursday and can be found here.

HENDRICKCARS.COM IS HOME: About 40 miles south of North Wilkesboro is one of Hendrick Automotive Group’s 95 dealerships. Not in town for the race this weekend? Customers can shop one of their other 94 dealerships nationwide, or from the convenience of their home selecting the category, make, model and vehicle packages that are important to them from the nearly 30,000 new, high-quality pre-owned and certified cars, trucks and SUVs available at HendrickCars.com.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT

Age: 27 (Nov. 28, 1995)

Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia

Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia

Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson

Standings: 28th

No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, will be available to members of the media at the North Wilkesboro Speedway media center on Friday, May 19, at 3 p.m. ET.

DARLINGTON DOWNLOAD: Last weekend at Darlington Raceway, Chase Elliott earned his highest finish since returning from injury. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native started 21st and the team continued to make gains throughout the race. Elliott finished the first two stages in 13th and 12th, respectively, before battling inside the top 10 during the final stage. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion’s Chevrolet sustained some damage in one of the final cautions of the race, but the team opted not to pit ahead of the overtime finish. Elliott drove on to finish third, his best Cup Series finish at Darlington.

THE STARS ALIGNED: In 2020, Elliott earned his first career NASCAR All-Star Race victory, claiming the checkered flag at Bristol Motor Speedway. Elliott won stages two and three before crossing the finish line first in the final stage to earn the $1 million prize. The event was the only All-Star Race held on a short track and on a Wednesday. The driver of the No. 9 was the third-youngest All-Star Race winner at 24 years, 7 months, 17 days. Elliott is also one of four Hendrick Motorsports drivers to win the exhibition race and the Cup Series championship in the same year. The others are Jeff Gordon (1995, 1997 and 2001), Jimmie Johnson (2006 and 2013) and Kyle Larson (2021).

FATHER-SON DUO: With Elliott’s 2020 victory, he and his father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, joined Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the only father-son combinations to win the All-Star Race. Bill won it driving his No. 9 car at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1986 when he led all but one of 83 laps. Only one other driver (Kasey Kahne in 2008) has won the All-Star Race in the No. 9 – which is in a four-way tie for second on the list of most wins by car number in the exhibition race.

ALL-STAR STATS: Elliott, driver of the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, will make his eighth consecutive appearance in the NASCAR All-Star Race this weekend. His 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship and All-Star Race win lock him into the event for the rest of his career under current rules. The 27-year-old driver has finished inside the top 10 in five of his seven All-Star Race appearances and led in three of the last four races for a total of 74 laps. He has an average finish of 8.43 across his seven All-Star Race starts, third-best among active drivers with at least three starts.

QUICK STOP: This weekend, pit crews will pay a pivotal role in All-Star Race weekend. On Friday night, they’ll participate in the Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear to determine where the all-star drivers will start in their respective heat races. The No. 9 crew is known for being able to perform in high-pressure situations. In addition to helping Elliott in his quest for the 2020 championship, this over-the-wall crew was also named the 2021 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew and won the Pit Crew Challenge at Texas. The team remains the same as it has since 2018 and is comprised of Chad Avrit (rear-tire changer), Jared Erspamer (tire carrier), John Gianninoto (fueler), Nick O’Dell (front-tire changer) and T.J. Semke (jackman).

WINNING AT (NORTH) WILKESBORO: This weekend, the All-Star Race will be held at North Wilkesboro Speedway, a track that hasn’t hosted a Cup Series event since 1996. Elliott does have some experience at the track racing in a Late Model. As a 14-year-old, he visited victory lane at the short track in a PASS South Super Late Model event on September 4, 2010, in the first race the track had hosted since the mid ‘90s. Elliott participated in the ASA STARS National Tour event at the track this week. The race, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed to Wednesday evening. Elliott drew the third starting position, won the second stage, led nine laps and finished the event in third.

SEASON UPDATE: Since Elliott’s return to the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Martinsville Speedway in April after recovering from a fractured tibia, he’s gained 71 points on the playoff bubble. He currently sits 28th in the Cup Series point standings, just 63 markers outside of the provisional cutline for a playoff spot. Elliott would need to gain an average of five points per race on the cutline, starting with next weekend’s Coca-Cola 600, to make the playoffs as the standings are currently. In Elliott’s five races back, he’s finished 12th or better.

24 WILLIAM BYRON

Age: 25 (Nov. 29, 1997)

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle

Standings: 5th

No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, will be available to members of the media at the North Wilkesboro Speedway media center on Friday, May 19, at 1:45 p.m. ET.

TAMED: Starting fourth for Sunday’s race at Darlington Raceway, William Byron ran within the top five for the majority of the race. He scored a runner-up result in stage one and finished fourth in stage two. Making adjustments to the handling of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Byron remained in contention throughout the final stage, progressing to the front before ultimately taking the lead on lap 288. With the race going into overtime, Byron was able to hold off his competitors en route to his third win of 2023 – the most wins he’s had in a single Cup season.

MAKING HISTORY: Byron made history at Darlington with the No. 24, collecting the 100th win for the number at the Cup Series level. The No. 24 currently ranks fifth with 100 wins, behind the No. 3 (101 wins), the No. 2 (102 wins), the No. 43 (200 wins) and the No. 11 (229 wins) on the all-time list. Heading into this weekend’s All-Star Race, the No. 24 has scored the win three times, which is tied for the second-most wins by a car number in the exhibition event (all coming with Jeff Gordon). If Byron were to end up in victory lane this Sunday, the No. 24 would be tied for the most wins in All-Star Race history with the No. 48 entry of Hendrick Motorsports (4).

LOCKED IT IN: Sunday will mark Byron’s fifth start in the All-Star Race. For the third time in his Cup Series career, the 25-year-old is already locked in due to his wins from this season and last season. In 2019 and 2020, Byron was able to race his way into the main event with stage wins in the All-Star Open qualifier races. Across his four All-Star Race starts, Byron has two top-10 finishes. His best showing came in 2021 when he led the most laps (30), had the lowest cumulative finishing position across the first four rounds and scored his best finish of seventh after being shuffled from the front row for the final 10-lap dash.

BACK TO HIS ROOTS: On Tuesday, Byron got his first laps in at North Wilkesboro Speedway climbing behind the wheel of the No. 24 Super Late Model for Anthony Campi Racing. Qualifying was canceled and the ASA STARS National Tour race was postponed to Wednesday. Byron rolled off eighth, finished second in both stages, led 41 laps and came home with a runner-up finish.

TRUCKIN’ IT: Byron will also compete in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race this weekend at North Wilkesboro with Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM). While this is the fourth time he has pulled double duty in 2023, this will be Byron’s third truck start of the season. He has finished inside the top four in both of his previous truck starts this season. Running the No. 51 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado this Saturday, Byron is returning to the team where his NASCAR national series career began. In 2016, he won an unprecedented seven race wins en route to collecting rookie of the year honors and narrowly missing the Championship 4 race.

PIT ROAD PROWESS: The No. 24 pit crew has been strong on pit road with an average four-tire pit stop time of 11.128 seconds – the second-fastest average in the field. The No. 24 pit crew consists of Spencer Bishop (jackman), Jeff Cordero (front-tire changer), Orane Ossowski (rear-tire changer), Ryan Patton (tire carrier) and Landon Walker (fueler). They also had the fastest four-tire pit stop in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway at 11.278 seconds. On Friday, the No. 24 team will have the chance to show off their skills in the Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear, which will help set the lineup for Saturday night’s All-Star Heat Races.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: While this may be the first time for many racing at North Wilkesboro, Walker calls it home. The fueler of the No. 24 grew up there and was named an All-American offensive lineman in his hometown at East Wilkes High School. He earned a scholarship to Clemson University in 2007. Over four seasons at the university, Walker recorded 3,131 snaps with 49 starts at offensive tackle. In 2011, Walker was named team captain, the same season Clemson went on to win the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. The college football standout was then recruited by Hendrick Motorsports in 2012 and earned a position as the starting fueler for the former No. 5 (now No. 24) team in 2015.

LIBERTY U IS BACK: For the All-Star Race, Byron will sport his updated Liberty University paint scheme. Featuring a white base with navy flames and red accents, the Liberty University No. 24 will be sure to stand out on track. Liberty University has a long history with Byron starting back in 2014 in the late model ranks. Liberty University has been Training Champions for Christ since it was founded in 1971. Located in the mountains of Central Virginia, Liberty University is a liberal arts institution with 17 colleges and schools that offers more than 600 degree programs from the certificate to the doctoral level, on campus and online. Working on an undergraduate degree in strategic communication, Byron is now in his junior year at Liberty University through its online program. For a better look at Byron’s Liberty University paint scheme, click here.

48 Josh Berry

Age: 32 (Oct. 22, 1990)

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Blake Harris

Standings: 16th (owner’s points)

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED: Josh Berry will strap into the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports for the 2023 All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway. This will be his fourth start behind the wheel of the No. 48 entry filling in for an injured Alex Bowman. Since Berry did not automatically qualify for the main event, the 32-year-old driver will have to race his way in through the Open. He will have to finish in a top-two position in the Open to transfer through to the All-Star Race.

A MAN OF MANY HATS: On Wednesday night, Berry served as a crew chief for former Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the CARS Tour race. Together, the duo finished 16th. Prior to this race, Berry and Earnhardt Jr. had made three starts together, including the 2022 CARS Tour race at North Wilkesboro where they finished third.

LET THEM COOK: The No. 48 Ally Racing pit crew will compete in Friday’s Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear to determine the starting spot for their team in the All-Star Open. Last month at Richmond Raceway, the team achieved the best four-tire stop average at 10.388 seconds. The five-man crew consists of Andrew Bridgeforth (rear-tire changer), Jacob Conley (fueler), Allen Holman (jackman), Scott Riddle (tire carrier) and Donnie Tasser (front-tire changer).  

WINNING NUMBER: The No. 48 at Hendrick Motorsports is no stranger to success in the history of the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race, tallying four victories in the non-points paying event and claiming the top spot for wins. All four triumphs came with the former driver of the No. 48, Jimmie Johnson, winning the event in 2003, 2006, 2012, and 2013.

SAVE THEM ALL: Primary partner Ally and Bowman are teaming up this year to bring back the Best Friends Animal Society donation effort. Even though Bowman will be away from the track this weekend, the duo will make charitable contributions to the Humane Society of Wilkes, which serves the local community in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Bowman and Ally will donate $4,800 to Best Friends and the Humane Society of Wilkes. Ally will increase its donation to $10,000 if the No. 48 team wins on Sunday.

SUNDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: During the 2023 Cup Series season, the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will adorn two versions of its primary scheme. This weekend, the No. 48 Ally Chevy will have the “night” scheme for the second time this season. The black-based “night” scheme features plum and grapefruit stripes down the side with the sponsor in white lettering and the number in seafoam. The No. 48 Ally Chevy “day” scheme hosts a white base with a similar design to its nighttime counterpart. Check out all the angles of the new look here. 

HENDRICK
MOTORSPORTS /

Hendrick Motorsports

2023	All-Time	All-Star Stats
Races	13	1,322	38
Wins	5*	296*	10*
Poles	5*	244*	4
Top 5	17*	1,207*	41*
Top 10	25*	2,070*	69*
Laps Led	1,262*	78,579*	845*
Stage Wins	9*	88	N/A

*Most **Most (tie)

CLOSING IN ON 300: William Byron’s victory at Darlington Raceway leaves Hendrick Motorsports just four points-paying victories away from 300 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series. Twenty drivers have combined to reach the organization’s current total of 296 wins, which is the most in the sport by any one team. With five wins this season, Hendrick Motorsports has posted its 36th multi-win season in the Cup Series. The organization has won at least two races in each of the last 30 seasons.

FAN FEST IS COMING: Hendrick Motorsports will hold its annual fan appreciation event on May 26-27, 2023. Fan Fest will feature driver appearances, food trucks, activities for kids, photo opportunities, engine building demonstrations, pit stop exhibitions and more. Guided tours of the Hendrick Motorsports team shops will also be available. For more information about the festivities, click here.

WELCOME BACK, NORTH WILKESBORO: The NASCAR All-Star Race will mark the first NASCAR event at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 27 years. The .625-mile track hosted 93 Cup Series races from 1949 to 1996 and is the fifth track to host the all-star event. The Rick Hendrick-owned organization swept the final season of points-paying races as part of its four wins at the facility. Jeff Gordon won the last Cup Series race to date there on Sept. 29, 1996. Terry Labonte won the spring races in 1994 and 1996 and Geoff Bodine won the fall race in 1989.

PRE-RACE DIGNITARIES: Gordon will serve as the honorary pace car driver for the All-Star Race. Ray Evernham, who was Gordon’s crew chief for his 1996 win at North Wilkesboro and three of his Cup Series championships, will wave the green flag as the honorary starter.

PIT CREWS TAKE CENTER STAGE: This weekend will highlight the pit road athletes of Hendrick Motorsports. On Friday, (5:45 p.m. ET on FS1) the Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear will take place. All pit crews will complete a four-tire pit stop taking no fuel. The results of only the pit stop time will determine the starting lineups for both the All-Star Heat Races and All-Star Open.

FORMAT FOCUS: On Saturday night (starting at 7:20 p.m. ET on FS1), Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson will take part in one of the two 60-lap heat races to determine the starting lineup for the All-Star Race. The results of the first heat will set the inside row for the All-Star Race, while the results of the second heat will set the outside row. Josh Berry will race in Sunday’s All-Star Open (5:30 p.m. ET on FS1), which is a 100-lap race with a competition break around lap 40, and look to be one of the top-two finishers to transfer into the main event. The All-Star Race on Sunday night (8 p.m. ET on FS1) will be 200 laps with a competition break at or around lap 100. Following the competition break, only one additional set of sticker tires can be used. The winner of the event will take home $1 million.

TERRIFIC 10: Hendrick Motorsports has won the All-Star Race 10 times, which leads all organizations and is more than double of all the teams tied for second (at four wins). Five drivers have accounted for Hendrick Motorsports’ all-star victories, which is also the most among all teams. Jimmie Johnson leads the way with four wins (2003, 2006, 2012 and 2013), which is also the most among all drivers in all-star history. Gordon is next with three wins (1995, 1997 and 2001) and he is also the youngest winner of the event at 23 years, 9 months and 16 days. Labonte (1999), Elliott (2020) and Larson (2021) each have won the event once with the organization. The Johnson, Gordon and Labonte victories all came at Charlotte Motor Speedway, while Elliott won at Bristol Motor Speedway and Larson won at Texas Motor Speedway.

FROM ALL-STAR TO TITLE TOWN: The All-Star Race winner has gone on to win the Cup Series championship 12 times in the sport’s history. Hendrick Motorsports has accomplished that seven times, including in the years of its last three all-star victories. Gordon’s All-Star Race wins all came in title seasons. Johnson’s wins in 2006 and 2013 were during championship years. More recently, Elliott and Larson won this event ahead of their championship coronations.

STAR-FILLED STREAK: Counting this year’s event, the Rick Hendrick-owned organization has now had at least three cars in the All-Star Race field for 24 consecutive years. That streak is more than double of the next closest team, which sits at 11 straight years.

TRANSFERRING TO THE BIG SHOW: The organization has had a driver transfer from the All-Star Open into the main event on seven occasions. Gordon (1994), Ricky Craven (1997), Brian Vickers (2005), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2012), Alex Bowman (2018) and Byron (2019 and 2020) have all done this. Gordon, Craven, Vickers and Earnhardt Jr. each won the All-Star Open to advance, while Bowman and Byron won a stage of the Open to move into the All-Star Race.

QUOTABLE /

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway: “I don’t know what to expect at all. I feel like we’ve done really well on the short tracks this year and we won at Richmond (Raceway) and Martinsville (Speedway), two tracks I typically wouldn’t be good at. I’m excited to go to North Wilkesboro (Speedway). It’s got worn out pavement. I’m typically not the best at saving my tires, so I’m a little nervous about that. Going into North Wilkesboro this weekend, I think that the atmosphere is going to be great. We’ll see how it goes, but I think that this could be a great spot to just leave the All-Star Race. I do love going to different venues and I think that really shows who the “all-star” is and who the best driver in the sport is. It’s definitely an honor to have won at Charlotte (Motor Speedway) and Texas (Motor Speedway). If I could win at North Wilkesboro, that would be pretty amazing and something to be proud of. I’m really excited about the opportunity to go there and I never thought that I would race at that track.”

Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the team’s approach to the weekend: “I think it will be interesting for us to get there (North Wilkesboro Speedway), touch the track, feel it and see what it’s all about. There is certainly a lot of excitement and anticipation. Kudos to SMI (Speedway Motorsports, LLC.), NASCAR, North Carolina and everybody who has taken the initiative to get us back to this place. I know that it’s going to be really special to all of us to be there and feel the excitement of the event. For us, it’s still a competitive race and it has a trophy. We still want to go put our best foot forward so we are going to study and do all of the things that we can to be good and be competitive. There are certainly a lot of unknowns, which will be fun to battle through and is of course going to be the same for the whole (NASCAR) Cup (Series) field. Hopefully, we shake out on the good end of things.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on returning to North Wilkesboro: “Yeah, it’s been a little while (since I’ve been here). I guess about 13 years ago, kind of hard to believe. It is cool to be back. It has changed a lot. Doesn’t look anything like I remember it. All the infield and everything has changed. Hats off to whoever has done all the work in here because they’ve done a lot in a short time. It’s good to be back and there’s a lot of energy here obviously around this entire week. Not only from the spectators but as you can see there’s a lot of excitement to be here at a race as well.”

Elliott, on what to expect in the All-Star Race this weekend: “This place is old and worn out. It’s going to be hard to get a hold of throughout the All-Star Race. I hope it puts on a good show. I think it has the potential to do that. They’ve done a lot of work on the track in some different areas so that’s going to impact the way the race looks, too. I think I know about as little as anybody else at this point but certainly excited to be here.”

Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at North Wilkesboro: “I don’t think anyone really knows what to expect at North Wilkesboro (Speedway) exactly. There was a tire test there and there was some wheel force testing. It’s not the same until the teams and the drivers get there and they get them all on the track and run. Looking forward to it. It’s going to be a huge learning curve for all of us. It should be fun.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on his thoughts heading to North Wilkesboro: “It’s going to be cool for sure. We’re nervous about the weekend and not knowing what to expect. Luckily, I’m running the late model race this week. I’m excited to run that and get back in a Super Late Model again. It should be a lot of fun as well as give me a good idea of what the track is going to be like, and we can go from there. Right now, I’m just telling my guys to set it up how you think is best since we don’t really have any simulation for the track. It’s going to be pretty fun to see who hits the set up and who needs to make changes after practice.”

Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on how to prepare for North Wilkesboro: “I have as good of an idea on what the starting point is as anyone. We can kind of simulate what our travels should be here and there but otherwise we don’t have any data. There was a tire test earlier with three cars, but the track is going to be way different from then. The track will be more rubbered in this time from racing all week. It’s going to be some form of Richmond (Raceway) and Martinsville (Speedway) mixed – we think – but it’s North Wilkesboro (Speedway) and we don’t know what is going to happen really. We’ll have an hour to figure it out and I’m not sure how well anyone is going to hit the set up right away. Hopefully, by the end of Sunday night, we’re the group that has hit it.”

Blake Harris, crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on his thoughts of racing at North Wilkesboro: “I am looking forward to getting to North Wilkesboro (Speedway) this weekend. I have never been there for a Cup race, but I did make the Late Model Stock race last year when Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) raced and that was fun to watch. I love the old tracks, like the ones with history, and it’s really cool to see what they have done with the place to bring it back. We would go hiking with my family and drive through that place and see what it used to be. It’s super exciting to be able to go there and race on it. Josh (Berry) is familiar with that place and has made some laps around there in a Late Model, so I think we have an opportunity to play into his driving style. He was there Tuesday and was shooting us pictures of the track. For him to be plugged in the whole week with that and simulator time, it will keep him completely bought in on North Wilkesboro this week.”

Harris, on what he thinks the biggest obstacles will be at North Wilkesboro: “I think the whole weekend will be along our normal lines as far as execution goes. We have to unload as close as we can since we only have one practice. We don’t have the luxury of unloading with something far off since we have to go straight into the Open to qualify in that way. We will lean on our pit crew to get us a good qualifying position in the Pit Crew Challenge. I do think our setup will come into play and how well we can manage our stuff throughout the race, but starting with some decent track position will be key as well.”

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
NASCAR All-Star Race
North Wilkesboro Speedway
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
May 21, 2023

WELCOMING THE RETURN OF NORTH WILKESBORO

The long-awaited return of one of NASCAR’s most historic venues is up next as the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) takes on North Wilkesboro Speedway for the annual NASCAR All-Star Race. The .625-mile oval located just north of Charlotte, North Carolina, will become the fifth different venue to hold the annual non-points paying race for NASCAR’s premier series. Enriched in the sport’s history as one of NASCAR’s first tracks, this weekend will mark NASCAR’s return to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the first time in more than 25 years – making the track a fitting addition to the schedule as part of NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season.

The weekend kicks off Friday with the return of the Pit Crew Challenge, where crews will power off a four-tire stop with the pit stop time determining the lineup for the All-Star Heat Races and the All-Star Open Race. Saturday night will feature a set of two, 60-lap heat races to determine the lineup of the All-Star Race. The weekend will be capped off Sunday starting with the All-Star Open Race where drivers not already eligible for the main event will compete in a 100-lap race with the top-two finishers moving on to the 200-lap All-Star Race and a chance to compete for the one-million-dollar grand prize.

Drivers eligible for the All-Star Race include those who won a points event in 2022 or 2023, full-time drivers who are past All-Star Race winners and full-time drivers who have won a NCS championship.

Nine drivers from five different Chevrolet teams have met at least one of those requirements and have clinched a spot in the All-Star Race:

Hendrick Motorsports: Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and William Byron
Richard Childress Racing: Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch
Trackhouse Racing: Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez
LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: Erik Jones

JTG Daugherty Racing: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Chevrolet – the winningest manufacturer in NCS’ history – will help celebrate the return of North Wilkesboro Speedway as the official pace vehicle for the monumental race weekend. The Camaro ZL1 will pace NASCAR’s premier series in Sunday’s All-Star Open and the All-Star Race, and the Silverado RST will pace the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) in Saturday’s Tyson 250.

 
CHEVROLET TOPS IN ALL-STAR TRIUMPHS

The annual non-points paying event was added to the NASCAR Cup Series’ schedule in 1985 with Charlotte Motor Speedway hosting the inaugural event. In the event’s 38-race history, Chevrolet has recorded a series-best 20 victories. The Bowtie brand’s first All-Star Race triumph came in the inaugural event in May 1985 – recorded by Darrell Waltrip behind the wheel of the No. 11 Chevrolet for Junior Johnson & Associates. Team Chevy drivers have found recent success in the event, taking the one-million-dollar grand prize in three of the past four events – all captured at three different race tracks (Kyle Larson – May 2019 at Charlotte Motor Speedway; Chase Elliott – July 2020 at Bristol Motor Speedway; and Kyle Larson – June 2021 at Texas Motor Speedway).

The All-Star Race has seen 26 different winners in the event’s history with career Chevrolet driver Jimmie Johnson leading the charge with four total All-Star wins (2003, 2006, 2012 and 2013). Just behind Johnson on the all-time wins list includes NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jeff Gordon with three wins each – all recorded behind the wheel of a Chevrolet.

 
WINNING RECORD AT NORTH WILKESBORO

NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon parked Chevrolet in victory lane in the NASCAR Cup Series’ last appearance at North Wilkesboro Speedway in September 1996 – a battle between two of the greatest names in stock car racing, Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Sr., that saw the iconic No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet take the triumph.

The .625-mile North Carolina short-track has hosted 93 races for NASCAR’s premier series. Chevrolet has collected 32 all-time NCS victories at North Wilkesboro Speedway, with the manufacturer’s first coming in October 1957 with Jack Smith’s win in the Wilkes 160. The Bowtie brand went on a streak of wins at the track on a couple of different occasions with Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip collectively scoring five-in-a-row between April 1976 and April 1978, as well as five different drivers recording a combined eight-consecutive wins within the timespan of October 1984 to April 1988.

 
THE SITE OF A MILESTONE VICTORY

North Wilkesboro Speedway holds a special place in Chevrolet’s storied NASCAR Cup Series history as the site of the manufacturer’s 300th all-time win in NASCAR’s premier series. The milestone victory came after Dale Earnhardt Sr. drove the famed No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing to the win in the First Union 400 on April 20, 1986 – a season that saw the pairing of Earnhardt Sr. and Childress record their first of six championships.

 
MAKE THAT ANOTHER WEEKEND SWEEP

Chevrolet is coming off yet another powerhouse performance across all three NASCAR national series with the manufacturer making it three-for-three in trips to victory lane in last weekend’s NASCAR tripleheader at Darlington Raceway. A familiar feat for the Bowtie brand, this marks the third time this season that Chevrolet swept the weekend’s wins when all three NASCAR national series were in competition on the same weekend:

• Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

NASCAR Cup Series – William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1

NASCAR Xfinity Series – Austin Hill, No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Camaro SS

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – Kyle Busch, No. 51 KBM Silverado RST

• Richmond Raceway/Texas Motor Speedway:

NASCAR Cup Series – Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1

NASCAR Xfinity Series – Chandler Smith, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Camaro SS

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – Carson Hocevar, No. 42 Niece Motorsports Silverado RST

• Darlington Raceway:

NASCAR Cup Series – William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1

NASCAR Xfinity Series – Kyle Larson, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Camaro SS

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – Christian Eckes, No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Silverado RST

 
LEADING AT THE HALFWAY-POINT

The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series regular-season has officially met the halfway-point with 13 points-paying races remaining for drivers and teams to either win or point their way into the 16-driver playoff field and a shot at the series’ championship title. A look at Chevrolet’s 2023 NCS season highlights, to date:

• Four drivers from three different Chevrolet teams have collected a combined eight wins in 13 NCS points-paying races, giving the manufacturer a winning percentage of 61.5% heading into the second-half of the series’ regular-season. The manufacturer’s first NCS win of 2023 came in series’ season opener with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Camaro ZL1 team’s victory in the Daytona 500. The Bowtie brand went on to make it four-straight trips to victory lane in the series – marking the first time since 2001 that a manufacturer has swept the first four races in a single season in NASCAR’s premier series.
• Only three different drivers have become repeat winners in the series this season – all coming from the Bowtie brigade (William Byron – Las Vegas, Phoenix & Darlington; Kyle Larson – Richmond & Martinsville; Kyle Busch – Auto Club and Talladega). Byron’s win at Darlington Raceway last weekend took him one step ahead, making him the only three-time winner thus far this season.
• The reigning NCS Manufacturer’s Champion, Chevrolet has maintained the top position of the series’ manufacturer points standings through the duration of the 2023 season. Heading into the second-half of the series’ regular-season, Chevrolet holds a 38-point lead over its competitors.  
   
  KEEPING THE MOMENTUM ROLLING

Coming off back-to-back trips to victory lane in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Chevrolet will look to continue the hot streak and capture its first NCTS win at North Wilkesboro Speedway in Saturday’s Tyson 250.

The .625-mile North Carolina oval has a short history with the series – only hosting two races in NCTS’ history. The iconic venue found a spot on the NCTS schedule in the series’ debut season in 1995. The second – and most recent – appearance by the series came one year later with Jack Sprague and Hendrick Motorsports leading Chevrolet with a runner-up finish in the 1996 event.

With the second-half of the NCTS’ regular-season underway, Team Chevy’s Christian Eckes quickly became the series’ second repeat winner of the season after his victory at Darlington Raceway last weekend. Eckes’ win brought Chevrolet to its fifth victory in nine NCTS races this season – more than its manufacturer competitors combined. Chevrolet continues to sit atop the NCTS manufacturer points standings, extending its lead to 25-points.

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 20 NASCAR All-Star Race victories, including three of the past four events:

Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 at Texas Motor Speedway (2021)

Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 at Bristol Motor Speedway 2020)

Kyle Larson, No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Camaro ZL1 1LE at Charlotte Motor Speedway (2019)

· Chevrolet is the most recent manufacturer to win in the NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway – courtesy of Jeff Gordon and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team in September 1996.

· Hendrick Motorsports leads all NASCAR Cup Series teams with 10 All-Star wins among five different drivers: Jimmie Johnson (four, series-best), Jeff Gordon (three), Terry Labonte (one), Chase Elliott (one), and Kyle Larson (one).

· Only three drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series are repeat winners this season, all coming from Team Chevy (William Byron – Las Vegas, Phoenix & Darlington; Kyle Larson – Richmond & Martinsville; Kyle Busch – Auto Club and Talladega).

· In 13 points-paying NASCAR Cup Series race this season, Chevrolet continues to lead the series in wins (eight), top-fives (30), top-10s (55), stage wins (14) and laps led (1,748).

· Chevrolet leads the series in wins across all three NASCAR national series this season with eight victories in 13 NASCAR Cup Series races, seven victories in 11 NASCAR Xfinity Series races and five wins in nine NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races – all with a win percentage of more than 50%.

· With Grant Enfinger’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win at Kansas Speedway, GMS Racing is tied with Kevin Harvick Incorporated as the winningest Chevrolet organization in NCTS history with 43 all-time wins.

· Chevrolet’s series-leading eight NASCAR Cup Series wins this season have been recorded by drivers from three different Chevrolet teams: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (JTG Daugherty Racing), Kyle Busch (Richard Childress Racing), William Byron and Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports).

· Chevrolet drivers have recorded 14 of the 26 NASCAR Cup Series stage wins this season: William Byron (six; series-leading), Ross Chastain (five), Kyle Larson (two) and Chase Elliott (one).

· Chevrolet continues to sit atop the manufacturer points standings in all three NASCAR national series, leading by 38 points in the NASCAR Cup Series, 36 points in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and 25 points in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

· With its 41 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer’s Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Championships, and 841 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title of winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

 
FOR THE FANS:

· Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

· Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles in the Fan Midway including: NASCAR 75th Anniversary Camaro ZL1, Silverado 1500 Crew ZR2, Corvette Coupe 3LT Z51, Trailblazer RS, Blazer RS.

· Fans can also view Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Camaro ZL1 show car at the Chevrolet Display in the Fan Midway.

Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:

Friday, May 19

· Matt DiBenedetto: 1:15 p.m.

· Carson Hocevar & Lawless Alan: 1:30 p.m.

· Christian Eckes & Jake Garcia: 1:45 p.m.

· Nick Sanchez: 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 21

· Austin Dillon: 12:15 p.m.

· Kyle Larson: 4:45 p.m.

· Chase Elliott: 5 p.m.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

Wednesday, May 17: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Friday, May 19: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 20: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 21: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Tune In:

NASCAR Cup Series:

• NASCAR All-Star Open: 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 21
• NASCAR All-Star Race: 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 21

(FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series:

– Tyson 250; 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 20

(FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

 
QUOTABLE QUOTES:
ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 WORLDWIDE EXPRESS CAMARO ZL1

What do you think about going to North Wilkesboro this weekend?

“I’ve only ever driven by North Wilkesboro and known it as a closed racetrack. There has been a lot of hype over this race weekend and obviously Marcus Smith and a lot of others have put a lot of effort into making it happen. It will be fun to go up there and check it all out. I’m going to get my feet wet with the late model race and hopefully get more comfortable with the track, and then the truck race on Saturday afternoon before going for the million dollars on Sunday night.”

Everyone has a different perspective of North Wilkesboro, what do you remember about it?

“It’s neat to hear the different perspectives everyone has on North Wilkesboro. You hear a lot people talk about going there back when the Cup Series still ran there. And then you have guys like me who were little kids when the series stopped racing there and a fair amount of people who weren’t born yet. I hope everything goes smoothly with all of the different events and that the fans pack the stands and we can have a little fun this weekend.”

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BREZTRI CAMARO ZL1

A lot of drivers have North Wilkesboro Speedway circled as one of the most exciting races on the schedule this season. What are your thoughts about racing there?

“I’m excited to race in the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.. It’s such a huge event for our sport. I remember as a kid my dad won a Late Model race there and we got to take the elevator ride up to victory lane. Hopefully, we can do it for $1 million. We participated in the tire test in March. The tire fall-off is going to be fast, so managing tires during a long run will be important. I personally love old-school short-track racing. It’s going to be a physical race that my Richard Childress team is ready for.”

What does it mean to you to be a part of the group of drivers that gets to bring back racing at this historic track,?

“I think it’s very cool and important for our sport, and I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of history as one of the drivers competing in this year’s All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. I know they’ve done so much work to the track and the community is excited about having us there. North Wilkesboro Speedway is one of those racetracks where Richard Childress Racing has had a lot of success. I think we won five times with Dale Earnhardt. When I tested a couple of months ago, it was clear that it’s just a nostalgic place and I’m excited to run the All-Star race and see what we can do. Having a sold-out crowd to race in front of, there’s going to be nothing like it.”

What are you most looking forward to about the All-Star Race?

“I think the atmosphere is going to be electric. I love the format NASCAR came up with getting the pit crews involved. People are excited about it. I think this can become our Master’s event for NASCAR. It’s pretty much a second throwback weekend in a row, following Darlington Raceway. It’s going to be electric and we all want to have fun at the All-Star race. This is the track we can do that at. It’s going to be an experience – maybe even the best experience of the year for our sport. It’s something different, and I personally love the nostalgia associated with the track. I’m sure everybody is excited to see how the racing turns out and I think it will be great. It will be a blast from the past.”

The Dillon family has a lot of history at North Wilkesboro Speedway..

“It’s pretty cool because Mike Dillon was really good at North Wilkesboro Speedway. He earned two trophies there in the Late Model division, and has a second-place finish there as well. I’ll be walking the track with him to see if I can get any pointers. It’s been a minute since he earned one of those trophies, but I feel like a guy that’s good at a track is always good at it. My dad’s nickname back in the day was The Hurricane. One of the newspapers in Myrtle Beach named him that. He went to Myrtle Beach Speedway and rocked them like a Hurricane, I guess. The name Hurricane Mike definitely fits my dad very well. As a kid, when he would get mad he was like a hurricane.”

You’re racing for a Million dollars this weekend. You are one of the few drivers who had the opportunity to test there. Do you have an edge up on the competition, and how are you going to capitalize?

“It was great to participate in the Goodyear tire test to see the track, get on the track and test it out a little bit. We’ve got to get our car a little better. I think we’ve done that. It’s one of those things where you always want to make it better, and we can use what we learned at the test to try and do that. Racing at North Wilkesboro is going to be so special. We’re racing for a million dollars and those opportunities don’t happen every weekend for us. It’s a huge weekend for our sport and we’re going to do our best.”

KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1

Larson on racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway:

“I don’t know what to expect at all. I feel like we’ve done really well on the short tracks this year and we won at Richmond (Raceway) and Martinsville (Speedway), two tracks I typically wouldn’t be good at. I’m excited to go to North Wilkesboro (Speedway). It’s got worn out pavement. I’m typically not the best at saving my tires, so I’m a little nervous about that. Going into North Wilkesboro this weekend, I think that the atmosphere is going to be great. We’ll see how it goes, but I think that this could be a great spot to just leave the All-Star Race. I do love going to different venues and I think that really shows who the “all-star” is and who the best driver in the sport is. It’s definitely an honor to have won at Charlotte (Motor Speedway) and Texas (Motor Speedway). If I could win at North Wilkesboro, that would be pretty amazing and something to be proud of. I’m really excited about the opportunity to go there and I never thought that I would race at that track.”

CLIFF DANIELS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1

Daniels on the team’s approach to the weekend:

“I think it will be interesting for us to get there (North Wilkesboro Speedway), touch the track, feel it and see what it’s all about. There is certainly a lot of excitement and anticipation. Kudos to SMI (Speedway Motorsports, LLC.), NASCAR, North Carolina and everybody who has taken the initiative to get us back to this place. I know that it’s going to be really special to all of us to be there and feel the excitement of the event. For us, it’s still a competitive race and it has a trophy. We still want to go put our best foot forward so we are going to study and do all of the things that we can to be good and be competitive. There are certainly a lot of unknowns, which will be fun to battle through and is of course going to be the same for the whole (NASCAR) Cup (Series) field. Hopefully, we shake out on the good end of things.”

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1

Elliott on returning to North Wilkesboro:

“Yeah, it’s been a little while (since I’ve been here). I guess about 13 years ago, kind of hard to believe. It is cool to be back. It has changed a lot. Doesn’t look anything like I remember it. All the infield and everything has changed. Hats off to whoever has done all the work in here because they’ve done a lot in a short time. It’s good to be back and there’s a lot of energy here obviously around this entire week. Not only from the spectators but as you can see there’s a lot of excitement to be here at a race as well.”

Elliott on what to expect in the All-Star Race this weekend:

“This place is old and worn out. It’s going to be hard to get a hold of throughout the All-Star Race. I hope it puts on a good show. I think it has the potential to do that. They’ve done a lot of work on the track in some different areas so that’s going to impact the way the race looks, too. I think I know about as little as anybody else at this point but certainly excited to be here.”

ALAN GUSTAFSON, CREW CHIEF, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1

Gustafson on racing at North Wilkesboro:

“I don’t think anyone really knows what to expect at North Wilkesboro (Speedway) exactly. There was a tire test there and there was some wheel force testing. It’s not the same until the teams and the drivers get there and they get them all on the track and run. Looking forward to it. It’s going to be a huge learning curve for all of us. It should be fun.”

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1

Byron on his thoughts heading to North Wilkesboro:

“It’s going to be cool for sure. We’re nervous about the weekend and not knowing what to expect. Luckily, I’m running the late model race this week. I’m excited to run that and get back in a Super Late Model again. It should be a lot of fun as well as give me a good idea of what the track is going to be like, and we can go from there. Right now, I’m just telling my guys to set it up how you think is best since we don’t really have any simulation for the track. It’s going to be pretty fun to see who hits the set up and who needs to make changes after practice.”

RUDY FUGLE, CREW CHIEF, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1

Fugle on how to prepare for North Wilkesboro:

“I have as good of an idea on what the starting point is as anyone. We can kind of simulate what our travels should be here and there but otherwise we don’t have any data. There was a tire test earlier with three cars, but the track is going to be way different from then. The track will be more rubbered in this time from racing all week. It’s going to be some form of Richmond (Raceway) and Martinsville (Speedway) mixed – we think – but it’s North Wilkesboro (Speedway) and we don’t know what is going to happen really. We’ll have an hour to figure it out and I’m not sure how well anyone is going to hit the set up right away. Hopefully, by the end of Sunday night, we’re the group that has hit it.”

JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1

“I’m very curious to see what North Wilkesboro has to offer. Obviously, we are not locked into the big show, so we will have to race our way in. It will be interesting to see what the tires do, as it’s a low-grip racetrack with a lot of tire wear. Coming off a strong run in Darlington, I’m excited to see if we can turn some heads and get a Kaulig Racing car into the All-Star Race.”

NOAH GRAGSON, NO. 42 SUNSEEKER RESORTS CAMARO ZL1

“I’ve been looking forward to the All-Star race weekend. The “Vote for Noah” fan vote campaign has been pretty fun and the fans have really gotten into it. We’ve been handing out buttons and posting flyers everywhere. I hope to win the Open race and not need the vote, but either way, I want the No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Chevrolet in the main event. It’s going to be a wild race at a historic track where we can highlight our pit crews and team, have some fun and go for it all. I hope the fans have a blast. It’s going to be a special weekend and I am really just happy to have the opportunity to be a part of it.”

ERIK JONES, NO. 43 STP CAMARO ZL1

“It’s always exciting to get the chance to participate in an All-Star race and to get to do it at a historic track like North Wilkesboro is even more special. I took some advice from ‘The King’ as he said the track is so worn out it, tire fall off will be high. That kind of track really suits my driving style, With the iconic STP paint scheme on the No. 43 Chevrolet it will be like going back in time at North Wilkesboro. We hope to put on a good show for the fans of the No. 43. Richard (Petty) told me with this “Day Glo Red” I can’t hide from him – and with no points and a million bucks on the line, it’s going to be an aggressive race. It would be historic to put this car in victory lane again so we are going to do everything we can to make that happen.”

RICKY STENHOUSE JR., NO. 47 KROGER / COCA-COLA CAMARO ZL1

“Obviously, it’s nice to be locked into the NASCAR All-Star Race. When we show up, we’ll have a different agenda and focus on the car. Then we will see how strategy plays out through the race because everything is an unknown. One thing we do know is that tires will fall off a lot, and I’ve been watching old films where they had a lot of green flag runs. I’ve never made laps there, so I’m looking forward to getting on track.”

BLAKE HARRIS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1

Harris on his thoughts of racing at North Wilkesboro:

“I am looking forward to getting to North Wilkesboro (Speedway) this weekend. I have never been there for a Cup race, but I did make the Late Model Stock race last year when Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) raced and that was fun to watch. I love the old tracks, like the ones with history, and it’s really cool to see what they have done with the place to bring it back. We would go hiking with my family and drive through that place and see what it used to be. It’s super exciting to be able to go there and race on it. Josh (Berry) is familiar with that place and has made some laps around there in a Late Model, so I think we have an opportunity to play into his driving style. He was there Tuesday and was shooting us pictures of the track. For him to be plugged in the whole week with that and simulator time, it will keep him completely bought in on North Wilkesboro this week.”

Harris on what he thinks the biggest obstacles will be at North Wilkesboro:

“I think the whole weekend will be along our normal lines as far as execution goes. We have to unload as close as we can since we only have one practice. We don’t have the luxury of unloading with something far off since we have to go straight into the Open to qualify in that way. We will lean on our pit crew to get us a good qualifying position in the Pit Crew Challenge. I do think our setup will come into play and how well we can manage our stuff throughout the race, but starting with some decent track position will be key as well.”

GRANT ENFINGER, NO. 23 CHAMPION POWER EQUIPMENT SILVERADO RST

How cool is it that we get to return to North Wilkesboro Speedway with all its history this weekend?

“I am really excited for this weekend at North Wilkesboro. I never thought they would open it back up, but it is going to be really special to be the first NASCAR race back since it closed. They didn’t repave the track surface so it’s going to be the most tire wear and falloff that we’ve ever experienced. I was able to run a super late model there earlier in the week and learn a few things. We want to keep the momentum rolling in these next few races. My team has been working really hard and we are ready for another win.”

RAJAH CARUTH, NO. 24 WENDELL SCOTT FOUNDATION SILVERADO RST

As a driver who started your career on iRacing, how awesome is it that this track was basically reborn because of the sim?

“It’s pretty cool to head to a racetrack that became revitalized from the resurgence of sim racing. To see all of the hard work from everybody at iRacing, Dale Jr. and his team, and the Smith family has put in has been pretty awesome to see a racetrack that hasn’t been raced on since before I was born come back to life. I can’t wait to get to compete on it, and I feel confident that we should be able to have ourselves a good run. We’ve had some very strong trucks over the past couple of weeks and are starting to turn the page and have the tide turned in our favor. Hopefully we will have another good finish for the Wendell Scott Foundation, the men and woman on my No. 24 team, along with everyone at GMS Racing, GMS Fabrication, our body hangers, Chevrolet, Maury Gallagher, Mike Beam, and Ron Booth.”

DANIEL DYE, NO. 43 CHAMPION CONTAINER CORPORATION SILVERADO RST

Last year, you were able to race a Super Late Model around North Wilkesboro when the track was revived. How can you take that experience and translate it to the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series this weekend?

“It definitely doesn’t hurt that we ran a Super Late Model there last year! I wasn’t able to get the finish that we were hoping for, but to be able to feel the surface and get a general sense on the grip that this track has was a good thing. I’m looking forward to our first primary race with Champion Container on our No. 43 GMS Racing Chevrolet this weekend; the truck looks great and I’m thankful to have their support in front of a large viewing audience in person and on FOX.”

CHRISTIAN ECKES, NO. 19 GATES HYDRAULICS SILVERADO RST

Eckes on returning to race at North Wilkesboro:

“It’s pretty crazy to see everything that’s happened with North Wilkesboro in the last couple years and to be able to have a full race weekend there is going to be exciting. Our Gates Hydraulics team is looking forward to racing there. We had a lot of speed at Martinsville, so we’re anxious to get back to a short track and try to get another win. The win at Darlington last week was such a huge honor, and to join names that have won there is really special. This week wouldn’t be any different. There’s so much history at Wilkesboro, and it’d be awesome to join that list of winners too. Tire management is going to be the big key to getting it done this weekend. Whoever can keep the tires under them the best is probably going to come out on top, so we’ll try to do everything we can to save tires and be up front at the end.”

JAKE GARCIA, NO. 35 QUANTA SILVERADO RST

Garcia on racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway:

“It’s a cool opportunity to race at such a historic track. I obviously never was able to see races at Wilkesboro, but that track means a lot to the sport, so it’s great to be able to race there. Tires are going to be everything on Saturday, and how you manage them. I’ve raced at a lot of tracks in super late models that chew tires up, but Wilkesboro might be more abrasive than any other racetrack. Everybody at MHR has built great trucks and we’ve had a lot of speed the last several weeks. I think we’ll have another strong Quanta Services Chevrolet on Saturday, and if we can manage the race and our tires the right way, I think we can be up front at the end of the day.”

CHASE PURDY, NO. 4 BAMA BUGGIES SILVERADO RST

Are you looking forward to being a part of NASCAR’s return to North Wilkesboro?

“It’s such an iconic place and has a lot of history. The last race that they held out there I wasn’t even born yet, but I’ve seen the videos since the time I was a kid. It’s going to be really cool to race at a place that has a lot of history. Short tracks are my thing — what I grew up doing and made my career off of, so I’m excited to go there. We’ve had a really tough two weeks, but there is no reason we can’t get back to where we started the first five weeks of the season — knocking off top fives and top 10s.”

How do you prepare for a track you’ve never been to, and the series hasn’t raced at in years?

“I think the only thing you can do is go back and watch old race videos. I know myself personally and a few others that I’ve talked to, they’ve gone back and watched the last race from the 90’s that was held there just to see what racing stock cars was like out there. Some people say it hasn’t changed that much, but I have no idea what to expect and I think that levels the playing field. Everybody will be trying to figure it out at the same time and he who figures it out the best will probably win the race.”

Is there a track that you’ve raced at that you feel is similar to North Wilkesboro?

“The only thing similar that I can think of is when I used to run Late Models at Myrtle Beach and Greenville-Pickens. Very rough race tracks, very abrasive race tracks. I think tire saving is going to be big this weekend. Even though you get tires, I think you can burn your stuff up in a couple laps from what people are saying. I think managing your tires and knowing when to take off and when not to is going to be the key.”

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 51 HENDRICKCARS.COM SILVERADO RST

Are you excited to be running three races this week at North Wilkesboro?

“I’m excited for it for sure. The track looks gorgeous — it just really looks nice. The whole layout of the place has that feel of kind of a Wrigley Field or just a historic place that has a newness to it. I think the late model race will get me ready, running the truck race after that and running the Cup race on Sunday. Lots to do and feel like we don’t really know what we’re getting into yet. I think I practice at one o’clock on Tuesday, so I’ll tell you after that.”

 
Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2022): 41

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022

Drivers Championships:

Total (1949-2021): 33

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)

Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021

Event Victories:

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2023 STATISTICS:

Wins: 8

Poles: 4

Laps Led: 1,748

Top-five finishes: 30

Top-10 finishes: 55

Stage wins: 14

· Ross Chastain – 5 (Daytona), (Auto Club x2), (Dover), (Darlington)

· William Byron – 6 (Las Vegas x2), (Phoenix), (COTA), (Richmond), (Dover)

· Kyle Larson – 2 (Phoenix), (Bristol Dirt)

· Chase Elliott – 1 (Talladega)

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 841 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 738

Laps led to date: 247,292

Top-five finishes to date: 4,251

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,767

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,175

       Chevrolet: 841

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 821                                                           

       Ford: 721

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 174

 

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.