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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Race Preview: NASCAR All-Star Race

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Official Release
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Race Information

  • Track: North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, N.C.
  • Race Name: NASCAR All-Star Race & Open
  • Broadcast: Sunday, May 21st on FS1 8:00pm ET (TV), MRN (Radio) Sirius XM NASCAR Ch. 90
  • Team Entrants:

No. 42 | Noah Gragson & Luke Lambert – Sunseeker Resorts Chevrolet Camaro Zl1
No. 43 | Erik Jones & Dave Elenz – STP Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Noah Gragson, No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2023 NCS Season Stats

  • Starts: 13, Best start: 10th; Best finish: 12th (Atlanta); Laps led: 2; Current points position: 32nd

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

Vote for Noah Campaign: Noah Gragson takes the relationship with his fans very seriously. The two-time NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver (Truck Series, 2018 and Xfinity Series, 2022) winner went to great lengths this year to help drive votes for the NASCAR All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro. Earlier this month he visited the Wilkes County town and track, delivering Black Rifle Coffee to firefighters and even checked out the iconic Liberty Theatre sampling the famous popcorn. Fans have until 12pm ET on Saturday, May 20 to cast their vote. Click here for the campaign video and to vote for Noah.

New to Noah: Gragson was not born yet when the last NASCAR Cup Series event took place at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 1996. This is also his first attempt of the NASCAR All-Star Open race as a rookie in the Cup Series.

Better Late Model Than Never: Gragson will compete in the ASA Stars National Tour Super Late Model ECMD 150 at North Wilkesboro as a warmup leading into All-Star weekend. He is racing a “Noah For Mayor” paint scheme featuring the QR code where fans can vote Gragson into the All-Star race main event.

Seven-Time is also Four-Time: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB co-owner Jimmie Johnson has the most NASCAR All-Star wins among active drivers with four wins in the exhibition event, all of which occurred when the race took place at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. Johnson won the million-dollar event in 2003, 2006, 2012 and 2013.

Meet the Mayor: Gragson will sign autographs for fans from 2:30- 3:00pm on Sunday, May 21 at the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB trackside merchandise rig at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Quoting Noah Gragson: “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 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

NASCAR All-Star Race Stats

  • NASCAR All-Star Open Starts: 4; Best finish: 2nd (2018) Top-5s: 2, Top-10s:2
  • NASCAR All-Star Starts 2: Best finish 11th (2020)

2023 NCS Season Stats

  • Starts: 13; Best start: 8th; Best finish: 6th; Top 10s: 2, Laps led: 17, Current points position: 25th

About STP: For over 60 years, and for more miles than anyone can count, STP® has been one of the most trusted names in automotive care. Car enthusiasts, “Do-it-Yourselfers” and professional racers rely on STP® oil additives, fuel additives and brake and power steering fluids to keep their vehicles running better, for longer. STP® is headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. and is part of Energizer Holdings, Inc. Visit www.STP.com for more information.

STP – The “OG”: STP, which stands for Science, Technology and Performance, is a brand of oil additives, fuel additives and brake and power steering fluids, and was one of the original sponsors in the sport of NASCAR. The pioneer brand entered NASCAR in 1972 by sponsoring the world-famous Richard Petty team. Petty’s dominance on the track dubbed him “The King” during his era as he holds more records than any driver, including 200 career wins, more than 1,185 starts, and 27 victories in one season with a streak of ten in a row. STP sponsored Petty from 1972 until 1992 when he retired. The agreement between Petty and STP marked the first national-level sponsorship deal in NASCAR.

Four Score and Over Thirty Years Ago: Team ambassador Petty logged an impressive 66 starts at North Wilkesboro Speedway, collecting 15 wins, 33 top-five and 42 top-10 finishes. Of those 15 victories, eight came while Petty carried the famed STP colors on his racecar. His final win at North Wilkesboro came in the 1981 Northwestern Bank 400 making him the winningest driver in NASCAR Cup Series history at the legendary .625-mile Wilkes County oval. The victory was his 194th overall, and 107th short-track victory.

All Hail: Richard Petty will be honored with the most famous words in racing as he will serve as the grand marshal for the NASCAR All-Star Hauler Parade in Wilkes County, N.C., on Thursday, May 17 at 6pm ET. He will also serve as co-grand marshal with fellow NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Darrell Waltrip to kick off the NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday.

2022 Fan Vote Winner: Last season, Jones was the recipient of the All-Star Race “Fan Vote” for the event which took place at Texas Motor Speedway. He started the race 24th and finished 20th after a late race crash took him out of contention.

The history of “Day-Glo Red”: Former STP CEO Andy Granatelli always painted his own race cars a unique Day-Glo Red color, and when Richard Petty signed with the sponsor in 1972, Granatelli insisted on using the color for the No. 43. Petty pushed back, insisting on the traditional Petty Blue painted car entry. After several days of serious debate, the two racing giants finally reached a compromise to combine the two colors, and rest is history.

May is Melanoma Awareness Month: The month of May is Melanoma and Skin Care awareness – a cause very dear to the Jones family, as early cancer detection and care is one of the three pillars of the Erik Jones Foundation (EJF). Cancer detection and care have been a priority for Jones since his father, Dave, succumbed to the disease in 2016. Last October, Jones and his family attended the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) Gala in New York City, where Jones accepted the 2022 Courage Award on behalf of his late father. For more information visit: www.erikjonesracing.com/foundation/ .

Keeping up with ‘That Jones Boy’: Jones will sign autographs for fans at the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB trackside merchandise rig for 100 fans on Sunday, May 21 at 1pm ET. Wrist bands will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis on Saturday, May 20 starting at 8am and Sunday, May 21 starting at 11am. (Must have a wrist band for an autograph.)

Quoting Erik Jones: “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.”

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:

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

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

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

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

Kaulig Racing Weekly Advance | North Wilkesboro Speedway

By
Official Release
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NASCAR All-Star Race
North Wilkesboro Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Sunday, May 21 at 5:00 p.m. EST on FS1 (All-Star Open)
Sunday, May 21 at 8:00 p.m. EST on FS1

  • Kaulig Racing competed its first NASCAR All-Star Race in 2022 at Texas Motor Speedway with AJ Allmendinger.

Chandler Smith, No. 13 Quick Tie Products Camaro ZL1

  • Chandler Smith will attempt his first NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
  • Smith has made one previous NCS start earlier this season at Richmond Raceway, where he finished in 17th place.

“It’s really cool getting the opportunity to race at North Wilkesboro this weekend. The history of the track and how it all came back together is awesome. What I’m most excited for is the chance to hopefully transfer in and compete in my first All-Star Race. Tire falloff will be huge all night, but it’s something I’m used to with racing Late Models on short tracks all my life. I raced in the Late Model race there on Tuesday to get an understanding for the track, so while the Cup cars handle completely different, it gives a good baseline of what to expect.” – Chandler Smith on North Wilkesboro Speedway

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Campers Inn RV Camaro ZL1

  • AJ Allmendinger has competed in six NASCAR All-Star events with a best finish of seventh in the 2022 NASCAR All-Star Race with Kaulig Racing.
  • Allmendinger will compete in the NASCAR All-Star Open and attempt to race his way into the 2023 All-Star Race.

“It’ll be interesting to see the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro come together this weekend. It’s an exciting event for fans with a track that’s rich in grass-roots-racing history. It’s always an honor to be a part of the All-Star race, so hopefully we put a Kaulig Racing car in the main event.” – AJ Allmendinger on North Wilkesboro Speedway

Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro ZL1

  • Justin Haley has competed in one NASCAR All-Star Race in 2020. He finished the race in 14th place.
  • Haley will compete in the NASCAR All-Star Open and attempt to race his way into the 2023 All-Star Race.

“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.” – Justin Haley on North Wilkesboro Speedway  

 
About Kaulig Racing™

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started and has won back-to-back regular-season championships. Before becoming a full-time NCS team, Kaulig Racing made multiple starts in the 2021 NCS season and won in its seventh-ever start with AJ Allmendinger’s victory at “The Brickyard” for the Verizon 200 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The team expanded to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 with Justin Haley piloting the No. 31 Camaro ZL1, and an all-star lineup featured in the No. 16 Camaro ZL1. Haley will continue to drive the No. 31 full-time in 2023, alongside AJ Allmendinger, who will drive the No. 16 Camaro ZL1. The team will continue to field three, full-time NXS entries; the No. 10 Chevrolet driven by an all-star lineup that will be announced at a later date, the No. 11 Chevrolet driven by Daniel Hemric, and the No. 16 Chevrolet driven by Chandler Smith. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Racing: Aric Almirola North Wilkesboro/All-Star Advance

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Official Release
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ARIC ALMIROLA
North Wilkesboro/All-Star Advance
No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: NASCAR All-Star Race (non-points race)
● Time/Date: 8 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 21
● Location: North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway
● Layout: .625-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 200 laps/125 miles
● TV/Radio: FS1 / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Almirola grew up watching his racing heroes compete at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway and dreamed of one-day taking laps himself on the iconic .625-mile oval. This weekend, his dream will come true. Not only is he looking forward to racing on the track’s original asphalt surface, but also for the chance to compete for $1 million and a trip to victory lane. While the season has been rocky for the 39-year-old veteran, the No. 10 team’s short-track program has shown significant speed. Almirola kicked off the year by winning his heat in the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and leading the field to green in the feature race. The Smithfield driver continued to show top-five speed on the mile oval at Phoenix Raceway and the .75-mile Richmond (Va.) Raceway oval, and had a car capable of winning at on the half-mile Martinsville (Va.) Speedway oval.

● Martinsville’s .536-mile paperclip-shaped oval is the most comparable configuration to North Wilkesboro, which last hosted a NASCAR event in 1996. That bodes well for Almirola and the No. 10 team. He’s finished inside the top-10 in five of his last nine Martinsville starts, and his sixth-place finish there in his most recent visit April 16 is his highest finish of the season.

● Almirola will have to race his way into Sunday night’s All-Star Race by finishing first or second in the All-Star Open that precedes it, but he’s no stranger to racing his way in. In eight All-Star Open (or Sprint Showdown, as it was previously known), Almirola has one win, which came in 2021 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, and he’s finished outside the top-10 just twice. Almirola can also advance to the featured All-Star Race by winning the NASCAR Fan Vote. Fans can submit one ballot each day until 9 a.m. EDT Sunday.

● After years of complexity, the 2023 version of the All-Star Race has opted for simplicity. Two heat races on Saturday will set the starting lineup for Sunday’s main event – a 200 lapper with a competition break at or around lap 100. All laps (caution and green-flag) will count, and overtime rules are in effect to ensure a green-flag finish. Each team will start on sticker tires and have three additional sets to use. After the competition break, however, only one additional set of stickers can be used. The undercard All-Star Open, featuring drivers not previously eligible for the All-Star Race, will be 100 laps with a competition break at or around lap 40. Three Open drivers will advance to the All-Star Race – the top two race finishers and the NASCAR fan vote winner. All-Star festivities begin Friday evening with the Pit Crew Challenge to determine the starting lineups for the heat races and Open. Each car’s qualifying position will be based solely on its pit stop time. Teams must complete a four-tire stop; timing lines will be established one box behind and one box ahead of the designated pit box. The 22 drivers already locked into the All-Star Race field will be split into two 60-lap heat races on Saturday night, which will determine the starting lineup for Sunday’s main event. Results of the first heat will establish the inside row and results of the second heat will establish the outside row. The weekend concludes Sunday night with the All-Star Open and All-Star Race. Technical rules for the cars will remain the same as other NASCAR Cup Series short-track races. Those eligible for the All-Star Race include drivers who won a points event in either 2022 or 2023, drivers who won an All-Star Race and compete fulltime, and drivers who won a NASCAR Cup Series championship and compete fulltime.

● Smithfield has been a sponsor of Almirola’s for the entirety of his fulltime NASCAR Cup Series career – making it one of the longest-lasting partnerships in NASCAR. Smithfield is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. Its 63,000 team members are dedicated to producing “Good food. Responsibly.®” Smithfield is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated protein companies. The company has pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including its industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across its entire U.S. value chain by 2030. Smithfield believes in the power of protein to end food insecurity and has donated hundreds of millions of food servings to local communities.

● Beyond the 10 YouTube Series:In 2023, Almirola is continuing to share his life beyond the No. 10 Ford with season five of his award-winning YouTube series. Fans and media can subscribe on YouTube to see Almirola’s personality on and off the track. Episodes have already featured life as a dad, a husband and an athlete, and the show gives fans a unique perspective on what goes on in the life of a professional NASCAR driver. Fans can also follow Almirola’s social media channels: @Aric_Almirola on Twitter and Instagram, and @AricAlmirola on Facebook.

Aric Almirola, Driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

What are you looking forward to the most in your debut at the iconic North Wilkesboro Speedway?

“Just racing on that iconic racetrack. I think back to when I was a kid watching Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip when I was 6 or 7 years old and I was a fan of the sport. I’ve driven past it so many times on my way to Bristol and always dreamed of how cool it would be to race at North Wilkesboro, and now we get to do it.”

What is going to be the key challenge to racing at North Wilkesboro?

“Traction, traction, traction, trying to get those tires to hook up to that old asphalt. We are going to be driving these cars and I bet after about five laps we will not be able to get to wide-open throttle. You are going to be driving like there is an egg literally under the gas pedal. You have to push it down so slow and so smooth to try and make those rear tires stick to the track.”

You have to race your way into the All-Star Race this weekend. How do you feel about your chances, and how much pressure is there to make the main event?

“I feel like our short-track program is really strong and we run really good at Martinsville and really good at Richmond, and I feel like we’ll have a really good shot to race our way in. It certainly does add a lot of pressure. I’ve been in the Cup Series for 12 years and I’ve been in five or six All-Star races. It’s a huge deal to walk up on that stage for driver introductions, and you’re in that All-Star Race, you’re a part of the show. That’s what every racecar driver wants to do. The last thing you want to do is go up there with your race team and go home when the big show is still going to happen, so the All-Star Race is a big deal because of the fact that not everyone gets to race it, and it puts a lot of pressure on the guys in the Open to where they go all out and put it all on the line. You do not want to be watching it at home knowing you could race for a million dollars.”

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Aric Almirola

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer

Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Jerry Cook

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Engineer: Davin Restivo

Hometown: Asheboro, North Carolina

Engineer: James Kimbrough

Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

Spotter: Joel Edmonds

Hometown: Dobson, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Ryan Mulder

Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa

Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Tire Carrier: Tyler Bullard

Hometown: King, North Carolina

Jack Man: Sean Cotton

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Fuel Man: James “Ace” Keener

Hometown: Fortuna, California

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Chris Trickett

Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Jacob Cooksey

Hometown: Westbrookville, New York

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Tire Specialist: Russel Simpson

Hometown: Medford, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Steven Casper

Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Kaulig Racing Tags Road-Racing Expert Jordan Taylor for Upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series Event

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Official Release
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Taylor to Make First Start for Kaulig Racing at Portland International Raceway

Lexington, N.C. (May 17, 2023) – As NASCAR heads back to the west coast in June, Kaulig Racing is excited to announce the addition of road-racing expert, Jordan Taylor, to its All-Star driver line-up. Taylor will be at the helm of the No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro for his first NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) start at Portland International Raceway.

The 32-year-old is a seasoned veteran when it comes to road and street courses world-wide, currently competing full-time as a Corvette factory driver in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Taylor made his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) start earlier this year at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) while filling in for an injured Chase Elliott.

“I am really pumped to make my first Xfinity series start with Kaulig Racing, a team that has shown it can dominate at road courses,” said Taylor. “I’ve been fortunate in my racing career to compete at so many different tracks, and I’m looking forward to checking Portland off my list.”

Taylor has earned seven wins in the NASCAR Grand-Am Sports Car Series and 24 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship wins, and has competed in numerous prestigious events, such as 24 Hours of Le Mans and American Le Mans Series races.

“Matt Kaulig and I are super excited to have Jordan [Taylor] in the No. 10 car for Portland”, said team president, Chris Rice. “Adding another driver with this much road-course expertise will be a lot of fun. Jordan impressed a lot of people in his first NASCAR start at COTA, and I can’t wait to see what he will do in his first Xfinity Series start.”

Kaulig Racing will look to defend its title in the Pacific Office Automation 147 on June 3rd with Taylor and the No. 10 team, alongside teammates Chandler Smith and Daniel Hemric. Partnership announcement will come at later date.
 
About Kaulig Racing™

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started and has won back-to-back regular-season championships. Before becoming a full-time NCS team, Kaulig Racing made multiple starts in the 2021 NCS season and won in its seventh-ever start with AJ Allmendinger’s victory at “The Brickyard” for the Verizon 200 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The team expanded to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 with Justin Haley piloting the No. 31 Camaro ZL1, and an all-star lineup featured in the No. 16 Camaro ZL1. Haley will continue to drive the No. 31 full-time in 2023, alongside AJ Allmendinger, who will drive the No. 16 Camaro ZL1. The team will continue to field three, full-time NXS entries; the No. 10 Chevrolet driven by an all-star lineup that will be announced at a later date, the No. 11 Chevrolet driven by Daniel Hemric, and the No. 16 Chevrolet driven by Chandler Smith. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

ENERGY JUMPS ON BOARD FOR ELLIS, ALPHA PRIME RACING, FOR MULTI-RACE SPONSORSHIP

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Official Release
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Ryan Ellis and Alpha Prime Racing are proud to announce that Spider Energy Drink will be the primary sponsor for Ryan Ellis and the No.43 Chevrolet for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday, November 4th. Additionally, Spider Energy will be the secondary sponsor of the No.43 Chevy in the August race at Daytona International Speedway.

Spider Energy Drink is packed with serious energy. This formula is the perfect balance of electrolytes, energy-boosting B vitamins, Taurine, Guarana, Ginseng, and 240 mg of caffeine. Spider Energy is “THE ENERGY DRINK WITH A BITE!”. Spider Energy is known as one of the best-tasting energy drinks on the market, with a fresh-citrus, smooth and refreshing flavor, without the medicinal aftertaste associated with most energy drinks. Spider Energy Drink is created by Golden Grail Technology, doing business as Golden Grail Beverages (OTC: GOGY).

Each 16-ounce can of Spider Energy is packed with 240 mg of caffeine, 50 mg of Panax Ginseng, 50 mg of Guarana extract, and 300 mg of Taurine. Additionally, it is fortified with B-Vitamins and electrolytes.

Spider Energy offers four tantalizing flavors, Original Citrus Bite, Zero Citrus Bite, Strawberry Lemonade, and WidowMaker “Red, White, and Bite.” For more information on Spider Energy, head to https://spiderenergydrink.com/.

“I’m really pumped to work with Spider Energy,” said Ryan Ellis, driver of the No.43 Spider Energy Chevy Camaro. “As a father to a young child and someone who considers themselves to be pretty busy, Spider Energy is a great drink to grab on the way out to have a successful day. It’s got a great taste to it and doesn’t have that lingering aftertaste that most energy drinks have. I know once NASCAR fans discover it, they’ll be longtime customers!”

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Ryan Ellis and Alpha Prime Racing for the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race,” said Steven Hoffman, CEO of Golden Grail. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our brand ethos of promoting relentless energy and unparalleled performance. We’re confident that our support will fuel Ellis and the No.43 Chevrolet team to success.”

TUNE-IN INFORMATION:

The NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race will be broadcasted live on the USA Network beginning at 7:00 pm ET Saturday, November 4th. Practice will take place Friday at 4:05 pm local time, with single-car qualifying taking place Saturday at 1:00 pm local time.
Radio coverage will be on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM.

ABOUT GOLDEN GRAIL BEVERAGES:

Golden Grail Beverages (OTC: GOGY) www.GoldenGrailBeverages.com is a fast-growing company with a strategic mission to innovate, build and streamline the growth of its beverage portfolio through fiscally responsible investing. The company targets brands with a proven sales history, loyal consumer following, retail presence, and strong value proposition who need assistance to get to the next few levels. Golden Grail has been actively acquiring brands within emerging and growing beverage categories. Our robust product offerings include Sway Energy Drink, Spider Energy Drink, Trevi Fruit Essence Water, Tickle Water, Sketch Can for Tweens, Cause Water & KOZ Water helping reduce global plastic pollution, and Scorpion Energy Hemp/CBD.

Follow Golden Grail Beverages on social media:
● https://goldengrailbeverages.com/
● https://www.facebook.com/GoldenGrailBeverages
● https://www.instagram.com/goldengrailbeverages/
● https://twitter.com/goldengrailbev

ABOUT ALPHA PRIME RACING:

Alpha Prime Racing is a NASCAR Xfinity Series team co-owned by NASCAR driver Tommy Joe Martins and Alpha Prime Sports Founder and CEO Caesar Bacarella. The team was initially founded in 2009 under the name Martins Racing and has since grown into a three-car Chevrolet team, adding the No. 43 Chevrolet in 2023, primarily piloted by Ryan Ellis.

Flying Lizard Motorsports Rides Points Lead into Austin Race Weekend

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Official Release
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AUSTIN, Tex., (May 17, 2023) – Hot on the heels of a successful weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Lamborghini Super Trofeo, the team at Flying Lizard Motorsports switches gears to head to Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas for an action-filled weekend, adding a second car in the team’s Pirelli GT4 America to join the team’s three full-season entries in GT America powered by AWS.

“We have had a great start to the season in both of our GT4 and GT3 programs this year and are bringing a lot of momentum from the previous race at NOLA,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “These races are just so competitive, so we have to keep the focus and keep this podium streak going to ensure we are still in the fight for the championships all season long. COTA is a very challenging track and we feel we have a good setup for our cars, so we are looking forward to this weekend.”

A world-renowned motorsport and entertainment complex a short drive from downtown Austin, Texas, Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is a purpose-built facility designed specifically for Formula One. It features a challenging 3.41-mile-long circuit with 20 turns, including a steep uphill climb to the first corner known as Turn 1 or “The Hill.” The wide circuit allows for pack racing, always delivering intense battles for the fans and challenging races for the drivers. Flying Lizard Motorsports will have four races over the course of the weekend, also hosting a garage tour for the fans on Saturday.

Pirelli GT4 America

Race Length: 60 minutes

Classes: Silver, Pro-Am, Am

Race Start: 5/20 at 5:00 PM CT, 5/21 at 10:50 AM CT

With three top-five finishes in three races, the Lizard duo of Elias Sabo and Andy Lee enter the Austin race weekend tied for third in the Pro/am class driver rankings, with Flying Lizard tied for second in the team standings. Racing the No. 8 Aston Martin Vantage GT4, the pairing earned a podium finish at Sonoma Raceway in the season-opening race then came close to another podium finish when they came in fourth in race one last month at NOLA Motorsports Park. After a rain delay canceled race two in New Orleans, Sabo and Lee head into the Austin weekend eager for the competition to commence. In addition to the full-season program of Sabo and Lee, Flying Lizard will enter a second GT4 car this weekend in the Pro-Am class of Jason Bell and Michael Cooper. Bell will do double duty, also racing his full-season GT America effort. Also a former Lizard driver, Cooper is a multi-championship winner, most recently having secured the 2020 GT4 America championship title. Forty-two entries will compete in the double-header weekend, participating in a pair of races on Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21.

GT America Powered by AWS

Race Length: 40 minutes

Classes: GT2, GT3, GT4

Race Start: 5/20 PM at 1:00 PM CT, 5/21 at 8:40 AM PM CT

Riding into the race weekend as the GT4-class championship points leaders, Flying Lizard Motorsports will look to capitalize on their success with the team’s three GT4 entries. With two wins and an additional four podiums, the team will be a team to watch in rounds five and six of the championship. Jason Bell and the No. 2 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 and Elias Sabo in the No. 8 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 complete the team’s GT4 lineup in the bronze-only series, with Andy Wilzoch representing the team in his No. 460 Porsche 911 GT3 R in the SRO3 class. Though his season got off to a challenging start, Wilzoch has found a satisfying stride, progressing with each race weekend. He’ll be eager to continue that progression this weekend, aiming for a return to the podium. Twenty-four entries will compete in the race weekend, split into the GT4 and SRO3 classes.

Tune In

All four races will stream live for free on YouTube.com/GTWorld, taking place on Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21. Fans can follow Flying Lizard Motorsport on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for live behind-the-scenes happenings and important updates.

About Flying Lizard Motorsports

Based out of Sonoma, California, Flying Lizard Motorsports is one of the most iconic sports car teams in motorsports, having celebrated ten driver and team championships, as well as competed internationally at the 24 Hours of Le Mans eight times.

The Lizards burst on the American Le Mans Series scene in 2004, competing in the GT class until 2012. In 2013, the team moved to the GTC class, still competing in legendary events such as the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2014, the team expanded its program to include running two Audi R8 LMS in the TUDOR Championship, and in 2015, again expanded the program to include two Porsches in Porsche Club racing. Flying Lizard closed out the season with a dominating win at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Toyo Tires, a win they repeated in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The 2020 season proved the team’s most successful to date, earning four titles in the GT4 America championship. Flying Lizard Motorsports has proven to be a championship contender no matter the race series or race car. For more information, visit lizardms.com.

About 5.11
With offices around the globe, 5.11 ABR Corp. and its subsidiaries, including 5.11, Inc., work with end users to create purpose-built apparel, footwear and gear designed specifically to enhance the safety, accuracy, speed, and performance of tactical professionals and technical enthusiasts worldwide. 5.11 products exceed rigorous standards, which have allowed the brand to establish a reputation for innovation and authenticity, and become the premier choice for those who always have to be ready. 5.11 products can be purchased online, through authorized dealers and retailers, as well as at 5.11 company-owned retail stores.

Learn more about 5.11’s best-selling gear and accessories at www.511tactical.com. Find a full list of 5.11 company-owned retail stores at https://www.511tactical.com/locations/. Connect with 5.11 on Facebook, Twitter @511Tactical and on Instagram @511Tactical and #511tactical

5.11 ABR Corp. is a subsidiary of Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI).

5.11, 5.11 Tactical and Always Be Ready are registered trademarks of 5.11, Inc. All rights reserved.

About Apex Motor Club

Apex Motor Club is Arizona’s premier motorsports club located just 35 miles southwest of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and the only private motorsports club located within a major metropolitan area. APEX is the ultimate country club for automotive enthusiasts where car culture, racing and country club lifestyles converge. Enjoy an hour of track time in your latest acquisition, drive off track, into your privately-owned garage and join like- minded enthusiasts in the clubhouse for food, beverages, and activities.

To learn more about the newest racing circuit in the country, visit https://apexmotorclub.com

Mechanix Wear Named Presenting Sponsor of NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge during All-Star Race Week

By
Official Release
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NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (May 17, 2023) – Before NASCAR’s brightest stars take center stage in Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, the sport’s fastest pit crews will own the spotlight on Friday night. Speedway officials announced a new name for the pit crew competition, now known as the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear.

Harkening back to NASCAR’s popular pit crew challenges of the 1980s and 1990s, the high-octane, Friday-night pit road spectacle will consist of each team performing a four-tire pit stop with no fuel. The results of the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear will determine the lineups for Saturday’s All-Star heat races, as well as the All-Star Open on Sunday. Friday night’s event at North Wilkesboro Speedway will have a dramatic impact on the NASCAR Cup Series action all weekend.

For more than 25 years, Mechanix Wear has provided hand and knee protection to NASCAR and NASCAR teams. These partnerships have allowed the brand to test, develop, and improve products. Many of the innovations developed in NASCAR have made their way to consumer and commercial glove applications.

“Mechanix Wear is committed to providing high-performance work gloves with unmatched protection,” said Mechanix Wear Marketing Director Shawn Douphner. “Having been born in racing, we understand the demands of motorsports and have designed products to meet those challenges head-on.

“It was an obvious fit for our brand to be a part of this event, allowing us to help spotlight and champion these athletes who work with their hands and are so critical to the success of this sport.”

The NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear is preceded on Friday by the first official practice sessions of NASCAR weekend with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series scheduled on track at 3:05 p.m. and the NASCAR Cup Series scheduled for 4:05 p.m.

At 5:45 p.m., the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge takes place and will air on FS1, MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. All-Star Friday presented by Raymer Oil will conclude Friday evening with concerts by country music superstars Midland and Chase Rice in the North Wilkesboro Speedway Fan Zone starting at 7 p.m.

TICKETS:
NASCAR All-Star Race weekend ticket packages for all Friday/Saturday/Sunday activities, including NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series practice and qualifying sessions, the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear; Midland, Chase Rice and Dierks Bentley concerts; NASCAR All-Star Open; NASCAR All-Star Race and Tyson 250 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race are on sale. A full race week schedule can be accessed by clicking here.

Single-day tickets for All-Star Friday presented by Raymer Oil – featuring the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear, and the Tyson 250 and All-Star Race heat races on Saturday, are also on sale. Tickets can be purchased online at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com.

MORE INFO:
Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding NASCAR All-Star week and North Wilkesboro Speedway by following on Twitter and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan.

ABOUT MECHANIX WEAR:
Since the debut of the Original® work glove at the 1991 Daytona 500, Mechanix Wear has built a reputation as the leader in automotive, construction, industrial, and tactical hand protection. Our mission is to look beyond conventional ideas and continually innovate the most advanced gloves for working hands. The Tool That Fits Like a Glove®

Toyota Racing – Weekly Preview – 05.17.23

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: May 15-21, 2023

· NCS/NCTS: North Wilkesboro Speedway – May 20-21
· NHRA: Route 66 Raceway – May 21
· ARCA EAST: Flat Rock Speedway – May 20

PLANO, Texas (May 17, 2023) – For the first time since 1996, NASCAR competes at North Wilkesboro Speedway. NHRA also makes a return, as they compete at Route 66 Raceway for the first time in several seasons, while the ARCA Menards Series East runs at Flat Rock Speedway.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NCTS

Wallace coming on strong… Bubba Wallace continues to move forward in the Cup Series point standings. After his second straight top-five finish, Wallace is inside the provisional Playoff field for the first time since Phoenix in March. Wallace has registered five top-15 finishes in the last six races and ranks a season-best 15th in the point standings. The Alabama-native will also compete in the Truck Series event on Saturday in the No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage for the second straight week. He finished seventh in the truck in his season debut in Darlington.

Bell continues to rank high… Christopher Bell closed the gap to the top spot in the Cup Series standings with a top-15 finish in Darlington Raceway on Sunday. Bell still leads the series with eight top-10 finishes in 13 races this season. He will also be competing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series on Saturday, running a second entry for Hattori Racing Enterprises. The 2017 Truck Series champion has seven wins in 54 career starts in the series.

Heim looks to continue to close the gap… With another top-10 finish on Friday evening at Darlington, Corey Heim added to his series lead. The Toyota development driver now has seven top-10 finishes in nine races, and his 9.4 average finish also leads the league. With the run in Darlington, the Georgia native has closed within 15 points of the series lead.

Friesen adds another strong run… Stewart Friesen earned a season-best second place finish on Friday in Darlington, his second consecutive top-five result and third overall in the last five races as the Canadian ranks amongst the top-10 drivers for the first time this season.

Gray on track for career season… Tanner Gray finished third in Darlington – his third top-five finish this season in just nine starts. His three top fives are already more than he earned in the 2022 season. Gray comes into North Wilkesboro with three top-10 finishes in the last four races.

NHRA – Top Fuel | Funny Car

Torrence looking for first win this season… Steve Torrence leads the point standings after five races as he works toward his fifth NHRA title. Although he is leading the standings, Torrence is looking for his first win of the season. Torrence won the last running of the Route 66 Nationals in 2019.

DeJoria continues to impress… Alexis DeJoria continues to be on-track for a career season. Through five races, DeJoria has earned round wins in every race and is coming off a runner-up finish at the Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte. She sits in second in the point standings – less than three rounds out of the points lead.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA East

Sawalich ready to be back in Victory Lane… After dominating at Nashville Fairgrounds but coming up just one spot short, William Sawalich is looking for his second win of the season. The Minnesota-native holds the points lead after three races, with a six-point advantage over second.

Venturini makes his return to the driver’s seat… Venturini Motorsports co-owner Billy Venturini will make his return to the driver’s seat this weekend at Flat Rock Speedway. Venturini has one win, and 75 top-10 finishes in 161 ARCA starts. He last competed in 2007.

Stay Connected

https://www.toyota.com/racing @ToyotaRacing.com @ToyotaRacing

facebook.com/ToyotaRacing Camera With Flash on Apple iOS 11.3 ToyotaRacingMedia.com

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 22 electrified options.

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

GMS Racing NCTS Race Preview: North Wilkesboro Speedway

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Official Release
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Race Information

  • Round: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race No. 10 of 23
  • Track Location: North Wilkesboro Speedway – North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
  • Race Name: Tyson 250
  • Broadcast: Saturday, May 20th at 1:30 PM ET live on FOX (TV), MRN (Radio), and Sirius XM NASCAR Channel 90
  • Team Entrants:

No. 23 | Grant Enfinger & Jeff Hensley – Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet
No. 24 | Rajah Caruth & Chad Walter – Wendell Scott Foundation Chevrolet
No. 43 | Daniel Dye & Blake Bainbridge – Champion Container Corporation Chevrolet

Grant Enfinger, No. 23 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet Silverado RST

North Wilkesboro Speedway Stats

  • Grant Enfinger will make his first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start at North Wilkesboro on Saturday
  • ASA STARS National Tour Starts: 1; Best start: TBD; Best finish: TBD (ASA race to be ran tonight at 9:45 PM ET on FloRacing)

2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Season Stats

  • Starts: 9; Wins: 1 (Kansas I); Best start: 2nd; Top 5s: 3; Top 10s: 4; Laps led: 68; Current points position: 6th
  • About Champion Power Equipment: Since 2003, Champion Power Equipment has earned a reputation for designing and producing the market’s finest power equipment. From our original headquarters in Santa Fe Springs, California, Champion has expanded its North American footprint to include facilities in Jackson, Tennessee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Toronto Canada. Today, Champion’s product line has expanded to include portable generators, home standby generators, inverter generators, engines, winches and log splitters. With over 2.5 million generators sold in North America, Champion is a market leader in the power equipment field. Visit ChampionPowerEquipment.com for more information.
  • Chassis History/Info: Enfinger and the No. 23 team will compete with GMS Racing chassis no. 329 at North Wilkesboro. This chassis carried Grant to victory lane at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park last year in thrilling fashion, where he led 13 laps and made a late pass for the win in the first race of the playoffs. Grant most recently drove this Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2022, where he started and finished in the fourth position.
  • Jeff Hensley’s Milestone Start: Veteran Crew Chief, Jeff Hensley, will make his 450th-career start on top of the box in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series this weekend in North Wilkesboro. The 1990 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship-winning Crew Chief transitioned over to the Truck Series at the start of 2004, and has since won 20 races in his NCTS career with drivers Mike Skinner, Brian Scott, Timothy Peters, Ron Hornaday, Johnny Sauter, and Grant Enfinger.
  • Seat Time: This week, Grant Enfinger entered the ASA STARS National Tour race at North Wilkesboro Speedway to make his laps around the historic venue ahead of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race. The race was supposed to be ran last night, but due to rain showers, Enfinger will drive the No. 32 Chevrolet Super Late Model for GoFAS Racing tonight at 9:45 PM ET on FloRacing.
  • NASCAR Day Giveathon: Fans will have a unique opportunity to have their names placed on the bed top of Grant Enfinger’s No. 23 Chevrolet this weekend as part of The NASCAR Foundation’s 75-hour Giveathon. Donations of $25 or more made within the first 24 hour period starting Tuesday, May 16th at 5:00 PM ET through Wednesday, May 17th at 5:00 PM ET will be tallied up and represented on all GMS Racing entries at North Wilkesboro. Donations can be made here. - From The Drivers Seat: 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 Chevrolet Silverado RST

North Wilkesboro Speedway Stats

  • Rajah Caruth will make his first start of any kind at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday.

2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Season Stats

  • Starts: 9; Best start: 13th; Best finish: 6th (Darlington); Top 10s: 1; Current points position: 17th
  • About the Wendell Scott Foundation: Founded in 2011, The Wendell Scott Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization inspired by Wendell Scott, Sr. and provides services such as job-skill training, STEM education opportunities, mentoring, and other supportive services to at-risk, underserved youth between the ages of 8-18 years in Danville, Virginia and surrounding areas.

The Foundation’s mission of using educational attainment to end racial disparities in education and health is vital in addressing economic inequality and improving future success in African-American communities. For more information, please visit www.wendellscott.org.

  • Chassis History/Info: Rajah Caruth and the No. 24 team will compete with GMS Racing chassis no. 337 at North Wilkesboro. This chassis won on its debut at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2021 driven by Sheldon Creed, and was most recently raced at Martinsville Speedway earlier this year where Rajah finished in 25th place.
  • NASCAR Day Giveathon: Fans will have a unique opportunity to have their names placed on the bed top of Rajah Caruth’s No. 24 Chevrolet this weekend as part of The NASCAR Foundation’s 75-hour Giveathon. The Wendell Scott Foundation is one of the charities that have been selected as one of the beneficiaries for the campaign, and the team encourages its fans to join the cause. Donations of $25 or more made within the first 24 hour period starting Tuesday, May 16th at 5:00 PM ET through Wednesday, May 17th at 5:00 PM ET will be tallied up and represented on all GMS Racing entries at North Wilkesboro. Donations specifically benefitting the Wendell Scott Foundation can be made here.
  • Best-Career Finish: Caruth drove a fantastic race last time out at Darlington Raceway, where he positioned himself fighting for the win with just a handful of laps to go. Despite getting shuffled back on the penultimate restart, the driver of the No. 24 Wendell Scott Foundation Chevy climbed back to cross the finish line with a sixth place effort, posting his best-career finish in his 13th NCTS start.
  • Sunoco Rookie Battle: Rajah was the highest finishing rookie at Darlington with his sixth place finish in the Buckle Up South Carolina 200. Taking a look at the Sunoco Rookie of the Year points standings, Caruth holds down the third position, 69 points behind leading candidate Nick Sanchez and 33 points behind Jake Garcia in second.
  • From The Driver’s Seat: 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 Chevrolet Silverado RST

North Wilkesboro Speedway Stats

  • Daniel Dye will make his first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start at North Wilkesboro on Saturday.
  • Southern Super Series Starts: 1; Best start: 13th; Best finish: 17th (2022)

2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Season Stats

  • Starts: 9; Best start: 10th; Best finish: 13th (Kansas I); Laps led: 5; Current points position: 19th
  • About Champion Container Corporation: Founded in 1968, Champion Container has evolved into the premier general line packaging container distributor in the Northeast. From our seven strategically based locations we provide packaging container solutions to our valued domestic and international customers.

We serve a diverse customer base in the chemical, flavors and fragrances, paint, cosmetic, food, agricultural, and pharmaceutical industries. Small, medium, and Fortune 500 companies rely on Champion to deliver quality and service at a competitive price. Our strength, “just in time” shipments, is the value added provided through our own fleet of trucks and significant investment in inventory.

Our knowledgeable sales representatives and customer service associates have the expertise required to provide packaging guidance and solutions for the most unique and demanding projects. Companies rely on us to be their technical source in the ever-changing packaging container landscape. For more information, please visit www.championcontainer.com.

  • Chassis History/Info: Dye and the No. 43 team will compete with GMS Racing chassis no. 335 at North Wilkesboro. The chassis has a best finish of third place which was posted by Sheldon Creed in 2021, and last competed at Martinsville Speedway in April, where Daniel finished 31st after a late-race spin.
  • NASCAR Day Giveathon: Fans will have a unique opportunity to have their names placed on the bed top of Daniel Dye’s No. 43 Chevrolet this weekend as part of The NASCAR Foundation’s 75-hour Giveathon. Donations of $25 or more made within the first 24 hour period starting Tuesday, May 16th at 5:00 PM ET through Wednesday, May 17th at 5:00 PM ET will be tallied up and represented on all GMS Racing entries at North Wilkesboro. Donations can be made here.
  • Racetrack Revival: In August of 2022, Dye raced a Super Late Model in the Southern Super Series as part of North Wilkesboro’s “Racetrack Revival” that saw the track rise from the ashes in preparation for this historic weekend. Daniel would start from the 13th position and finish in 17th in his first start at the 0.625-mile short track.
  • Mental Health Awareness Month: Daniel Dye has partnered with NASCAR to promote Mental Health Awareness Month throughout the month of May. The Race To Stop Suicide will play a key role in these initiatives, and several pieces of content around the topic will be posted via Daniel’s social media handles.
  • Sunoco Rookie Battle: Dye’s 19th place finish at Darlington Raceway was the third best result of the contenders vying for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors. The driver of the No. 43 Chevrolet remains fourth in rookie standings, 93 points behind leader Nick Sanchez and 24 points behind teammate Rajah Caruth in third.
  • From the Driver’s Seat: 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.”

ABOUT GMS RACING:

GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series operating the No. 23, No. 24, and No. 43 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs for drivers Grant Enfinger, Rajah Caruth, and Daniel Dye. Since the team was formed in 2012, GMS Racing has won five titles across multiple series, including the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Truck Series championship, the 2015 ARCA Racing Series championship, as well as the 2019 & 2020 ARCA East championships. GMS has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. including operations for GMS Fabrication. The GMS Racing campus also houses operations for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, a team that competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

HighPoint.com Racing: Chase Briscoe All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Advance

By
Official Release
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CHASE BRISCOE
North Wilkesboro/All-Star Advance
No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: NASCAR All-Star Race (non-points race)

● Time/Date: 8 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 21

● Location: North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway

● Layout: .625-mile oval

● Laps/Miles: 200 laps/125 miles

● TV/Radio: FS1 / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Following the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, the NASCAR Cup Series will once again revisit the past with a trip to North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway for the 2023 All-Star Race. The .625-mile oval located in the hills of Wilkes County, North Carolina, had sat dormant for 25 years, save for a one-year respite in 2010 when local investors cleaned it up enough to host a handful of grassroots Late Model racing series before the track closed again in the spring of 2011. Once a staple of the NASCAR Cup Series when Winston cigarettes was its title sponsor, North Wilkesboro was cast aside, despite being a NASCAR original and hosting 93 Cup Series races since 1949, the last of which came on Sept. 29, 1996, when Jeff Gordon beat Dale Earnhardt by 1.73 seconds to win the Tyson Holly Farms 400. But thanks to an $18 million cash infusion from the state as part of the American Rescue Plan, as well as another seven-figure spend by track operator Speedway Motorsports, North Wilkesboro has been revived. It had a soft opening last August with Modified and Late Model racing before its grand reopening this week with five days of racing, from the CARS Late Model Stock Tour to the NASCAR Truck Series and, finally, the Cup Series via the non-points NASCAR All-Star Race at 8 p.m. EDT on Sunday. The track Enoch Staley built in 1946 – first as a five-eighths mile dirt oval where whiskey runners displayed their skill behind the wheel, along with their mechanical acumen for building cars that were faster than those of the revenuers, and two years ahead of NASCAR’s first season and three years before the first Strictly Stock (now Cup Series) race was held – is back, and the resto-mod of racetracks is ready for NASCAR’s return.

● After years of complexity, the 2023 version of the All-Star Race has opted for simplicity. Two heat races on Saturday will set the starting lineup for Sunday’s main event – a 200 lapper with a competition break at or around Lap 100. All laps (caution and green flag) will count, and overtime rules are in effect to ensure a green-flag finish. Each team will start on sticker tires and have three additional sets to use. After the competition break, however, only one additional set of stickers can be used. The undercard All-Star Open, featuring drivers not previously eligible for the All-Star Race, will be 100 laps with a competition break at or around Lap 40. Three Open drivers will advance to the All-Star Race – the top two race finishers and the Fan Vote Winner. All-Star festivities begin Friday evening with a Pit Crew Challenge to determine the starting lineups for the heat races and Open. Each car’s qualifying time will be based solely on their pit stop time. Teams must complete a four-tire stop; timing lines will be established one box behind and one box ahead of the designated pit box. The 22 drivers already locked into the field will be split into two 60-lap heat races on Saturday night which will determine the starting lineup for Sunday’s All-Star Race. Results of the first heat will establish the inside row and results of the second heat will establish the outside row. The weekend will concludes Sunday night with the All-Star Open and All-Star Race. Technical rules for the cars will remain the same as other NASCAR Cup Series short track races. Those eligible for the All-Star Race include drivers who won a points event in either 2022 or 2023, drivers who won an All-Star Race and compete fulltime, and drivers who won a NASCAR Cup Series championship and compete fulltime.

● This will be Chase Briscoe’s second appearance in the NASCAR All-Star Race. He started 11th and finished 18th in last year’s race, which took place at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. The year prior, he finished fourth in the All-Star Open and fell short of advancing into the main event.

● Before taking to the .625-mile North Wilkesboro oval in the No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing, Briscoe will compete in Wednesday night’s CARS Late Model Stock Tour event in a Chad Bryant-owned entry. Briscoe and Bryant previously worked together during the racer’s stint in the ARCA Menards Series, when he captured six wins enroute to the 2016 championship.

● With 13 points-paying events completed, Briscoe is 16th in the driver standings. The Cup Series’ next points race is the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway on May 28.

Chase Briscoe, Driver of the No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

Did you ever think that you’d have the opportunity to race at North Wilkesboro?

“No, and this has been something I’ve really been looking forward to. I’m still such a big fan of NASCAR and it’s been really cool to see a lot of the NASCAR 75 stuff, and now we’re going back to North Wilkesboro. That’s big for the sport. Guys like Dale (Earnhardt) Jr., have worked hard to get us back there and I’m excited to see the Truck Series and Cup cars out there, and to be a part of it. I know it’ll be an exciting race. The All-Star Race is one that a lot of guys want to win, already, and now it’s on a track that is so important to NASCAR’s history. It’s a good combination that should put on a good show.”

What do you expect to learn during the CARS Tour race that you can apply to the All-Star Race?

“To be truthful, I’m not really sure. I’ve never been in a pavement Late Model, so I don’t know how much of what I learn in that car will translate over, but I will be able to get a good understanding of the track and how it races. I know tire wear is going to be big, and it’ll be interesting to see if the track changes throughout a race or if it’s a quick fall-off that kind of stays the same after that. Really, I’m just excited to finally get to try out a pavement Late Model and race against guys that do this all the time. I think I can learn a lot from them when it comes to racing against drivers who are all at a higher level of talent and the best at what they do.”

No. 14 HighPoint.com Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Chase Briscoe
Hometown: Mitchell, Indiana

Crew Chief: John Klausmeier
Hometown: Perry Hall, Maryland

Car Chief: J.D. Frey
Hometown: Ferndale, California

Engineer: Mike Cook
Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Spotter: Joey Campbell
Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Shayne Pipala
Hometown: Frankfort Square, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Dakota Ratcliff
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Tire Carrier: Jon Bernal
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Jack Man: Michael Osinski
Hometown: Vestal, New York

Fuel Man: Corey Coppola
Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Stephen Gonzalez
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Interior Mechanic: Trevor Adams
Hometown: Naples, Florida

Tire Specialist: Keith Eads
Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

Engine Tuner: Jon Phillips
Hometown: Jefferson City, Missouri

Transporter Co-Driver: Todd Cable
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Rob Fink
Hometown: Mocksville, North Carolina

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