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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

VERGE MOTORCYCLES LAUNCHES NEW LIMITED EDITION $87,000 ELECTRIC SIGNATURE SUPERBIKE DESIGNED BY TWO-TIME F1 CHAMPION MIKA HÄKKINEN

By
Official Release
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Finnish Superbike Manufacturer Creates ‘Signature’ Model Designed by Finnish Racing Legend Mika Häkkinen Limited to Just 100 Bikes

World-famous F1 legend and two-time World Champion Mika Häkkinen has designed the signature model of a new electric superbike in collaboration with Finnish electric superbike pioneer, Verge Motorcycles. Just one hundred Signature bikes will be manufactured.

“I know from experience what it takes to develop a vehicle that embodies speed, precision and elegance. I wanted to design the bike right down to the smallest detail rather than just picking the color. Each bike is numbered and features an exclusive signature. This electric superbike represents the future of riding and is a testament to a life lived to the fullest,” says Mika Häkkinen.

The luxury superbike designed with Mika Häkkinen combines a stylish and bold design with Verge’s unique technologies. Perfected down to the last detail, the model represents the most powerful and advanced electric superbike on the market with a range of 350 kilometers and a fast-charging time of just 35 minutes. In addition, it features an integrated rim motor inside the rear wheel, which is a patented and internationally awarded innovation developed by Verge. This means that all of the power is transferred straight to the road and creates more space in the middle of the bike for the battery pack, while also lowering the bike’s center of gravity. This allows for low weight distribution, making handling the bike feel more nimble and light. The hubless design allows Verge to remove all moving parts like chains and cogwheels, leading to a streamlined design.

Based on the innovative Verge TS Pro performance platform, this new superbike embodies the same spirit of innovation, performance, and excellence that defined Häkkinen’s legendary career in motorsports. With sophisticated features like a hubless motor, instant torque, and fast charging capabilities, this platform represents the future of motorcycling technology. Capable of producing a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds, the special edition Verge Signature bikes also can reach a top speed of 200 km/hour, nearly 125 miles per hour. Offering an incredible 1000 nm of torque (more than 730 lb-ft), the special-edition Verge bike is balanced out by the company’s traction control system, ABS and customizable riding modes to keep the rider entirely in control at all times. Custom Brembo brakes help to increase stopping power, to further balance the incredible power harnessed within each superbike.

The Verge Signature is engineered from the highest quality materials in the world, incorporating carbon fiber fairings and a unique ceramic surface treatment that protects against scratches. A completely custom midnight suspension and pitch black shock absorbers combine with dark gray and silver surfaces to complete the exclusive livery detailing.

Mika Häkkinen and Verge Motorcycles teamed up at the beginning of 2023, when Häkkinen was appointed to the company’s Advisory Board. Häkkinen is also one of the investors in Verge Motorcycles. The Verge Signature model that Häkkinen and the company have designed represents two leaders in their respective fields joining to create something extraordinary.

“We are extremely proud to have F1 legend Mika Häkkinen design the signature model. He is one of the greatest drivers of all time. Breaking boundaries and enjoying the thrill of speed is something that we very much share in common,” says Tuomo Lehtimäki, CEO of Verge Motorcycles.

The unique superbike designed by Häkkinen is available for purchase via the Verge Motorcycles online store. It can also be purchased from the new Verge Motorcycles flagship store in Monaco, which will open in connection with the Monaco Grand Prix and is the superbike manufacturer’s first physical shop and showroom. With a U.S. base of operations in San Francisco, California, Verge Motorcycles plans to open the company’s first U.S. dealership in the near future.

The retail price of the bike without taxes is 80,000 euros or around $87,000. For more information, please visit www.vergemotorcycles.com.

Tyler Ankrum to make 100th Truck career start at North Wilkesboro

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Chad Wells for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Competing in his fourth full-time season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Tyler Ankrum is primed to achieve a milestone start. By competing in this weekend’s series’ return to North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the driver of the No. 16 Hattori Racing Enterprises Toyota Tundra TRD Pro will be making his 100th career start in the Truck circuit.

A native of San Bernardino, California, Ankrum made his first career start in the Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway in October, where he piloted the No. 54 Toyota Tundra for DGR-Crosley. By then, he had achieved the 2018 ARCA Menards Series East championship on the strength of four victories and 12 top-10 finishes in 14-scheduled starts. Starting 19th, Ankrum finished 18th in his series debut. He would return for the penultimate event of the season at Phoenix Raceway in November, where he drove DGR’s No. 17 Toyota to a strong sixth-place result after starting 15th.

In December 2018, Ankrum was named a full-time competitor for DGR-Crosley for the 2019 Truck season. He, however, was forced to miss the first three events on the schedule due to age restrictions, with his first start occurring at Martinsville in March as he finished 19th. During his next five scheduled starts, he racked up a total of three top-10 results, including a career-best third-place run at Texas Motor Speedway in June. For the following two events, however, Ankrum competed for NEMCO Motorsports after initially losing his ride at DGR due to sponsorship issues. After reuniting with DGR at Chicagoland Speedway in late June, he then achieved a breakthrough moment by notching his first Truck career victory at Kentucky Speedway in July after overtaking reigning series champion Brett Moffitt, who ran out of fuel, prior to the final lap. With a guaranteed spot to the 2019 Truck Playoffs, Ankrum finished in the top 10 in two of the final three regular-season events before the Playoffs commenced. With three consecutive top-20 results during the Round of 8, he managed to claim the final transfer spot to the Round of 6 by a mere margin. His title hopes, however, came to an end after finishing no higher than seventh during the Round of 6. With a 22nd-place finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November, Ankrum capped off the 2019 season in eighth place in the final standings. He also emerged as the 2019 Truck Rookie-of-the-Year recipient.

Prior to the championship weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November 2019, Ankrum announced that he will be joining GMS Racing for the 2020 Truck season. Piloting the team’s newly formed No. 26 Chevrolet Silverado, the Californian commenced his sophomore season with a 27th-place result at Daytona International Speedway in February after being involved in a late multi-truck wreck before notching three consecutive top-15 results. He then backed up the results by finishing in second place at Homestead in June before proceeding to finish in the top 10 six times during the final 11 regular-season events. The results were enough for Ankrum to make the 2020 Truck Playoffs, which he managed to transfer from the Round of 10 to 8 before being eliminated prior to the finale. With an eighth-place result in the finale at Phoenix Raceway in November, Ankrum concluded his second season in ninth place in the final standings. While he concluded the season winless, he tied his top-five results from the previous season (three), but earned two additional top-10 results (10) and improved on his average-finishing result from 15.3 to a career-best 13.4

Remaining at GMS Racing for the 2021 Truck season, Ankrum’s season commenced on a rough note by finishing no higher than 18th during the first five scheduled events before racking up his first top-five result of the season at Richmond Raceway in April. Another three races later, he achieved a strong run in the series’ inaugural event at Circuit of the Americas after finishing third while starting on pole position for the first time in his career. With only three additional top-10 results during the final six regular-season events, Ankrum failed to make the 2021 Truck Playoffs. By finishing no higher than 14th throughout the Playoffs, he concluded his junior campaign in 15th place in the final standings.

Following a two-year run with GMS and while driving a Chevrolet, Ankrum returned to the Toyota camp for the 2022 Truck season as he took over the No. 16 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Hattori Racing Enterprises. Commencing the season with a 28th-place run at Daytona after being involved in a late multi-truck wreck, he achieved a total of six top-10 results during the 16-race regular-season stretch, which were not enough for him to make the Playoffs for a second consecutive season. He, however, rallied by finishing no lower than 14th on the track throughout the Playoffs as he capped off the season in 12th place in the final standings. With a total of eight top-10 results throughout the 2022 campaign, Ankrum’s overall average-finishing result ended up being 14.6.

Through 99 previous Truck starts, Ankrum has achieved one victory, one pole, 10 top-five results, 35 top-10 results, 144 laps led and an average-finishing result of 15.9. He is currently ranked in 14th place in the driver’s standings and has finished in the top 10 three times, including a fourth-place result at Circuit of the Americas in March, through the first nine scheduled events.

Ankrum is scheduled to make his 100th career start in the Craftsman Truck Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday, May 20, with the event’s coverage to commence at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

Abel Motorsports Gains Ground Despite Damp Conditions

By
Official Release
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News from Abel Motorsports

WET WEATHER THE BIG WINNER ON OPENING DAY AT INDY

-ABEL MOTORSPORTS GAINS GROUND DESPITE DAMP CONDITIONS-

(May 16, 2023) SPEEDWAY, In- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

IndyCar’s newest team, ABEL Motorsports, based in Louisville, KY, had expected to put their newly updated Chevy/Dallara Indy 500 entry on track today for the first time. But a damp, soggy day forced IndyCar officials to scrub all on-track activity Tuesday, postponing the start of Indy 500 practice until Wednesday May 17 at noon ET.

That delay though could well prove beneficial to the ABEL team and driver RC Enerson. Enerson needs to complete an on-track refresher session at the wheel of the red and white #50 car before being cleared to practice and qualify for the 107th Indy 500 this weekend.

If Tuesday had run as scheduled, that wouldn’t have been possible and the team would have missed the first practice period. Now, with the rainout, Enerson will get his refresher laps in Wednesday morning and should be good to go with the rest of the 34 500 entries starting at noon.

“Today was one of those classic “sit and wait” days. It’s not a day we like. But I think it might be a blessing in disguise, because I’ll get to do my refresher in the morning and we should be good to go after that”, commented the 26-year-old Floridian. Enerson attempted to qualify for the Indy 500 two years ago but feels this year’s effort at the wheel of the ABEL Motorsports entry is a much better opportunity.

Team Manager John Brunner was disappointed with the rainout as well. “We would have liked to have had our install lap today, but nobody got to run. We didn’t lose any track time to anyone today. I like what they’ve done with the schedule for tomorrow. We’ll get the (ROP) refresher done in the morning and then we can run all day with everybody. I like where we’re sitting.”

Team Principal Bill Abel is just looking forward to seeing the red and white #50 car get on track. “For us (the rain) allowed us to get a few additional things done on the car that we needed to do. We went through tech (inspection) and we went back through tech again, which let us correct a couple of things we needed to fix. It just slowed things down a bit for us, kind of a reset time for us that’s probably good.”

Abel is also soaking in the atmosphere of the Indy 500 for the first time as a competitor. “For me it’s so unbelievable. It still doesn’t feel real to me. It’s such a cool thing, such a cool place to be. I can’t thank John Brunner, Neil Enerson, and RC enough for helping give us the chance to do this.”

ABEL Motorsports will be in action tomorrow, Wednesday May 17th starting at 10am. Official practice begins at Noon ET, with all sessions being streamed live on Peacock TV.

HaasTooling.com Racing: Ryan Preece North Wilkesboro / All-Star Race Advance

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Official Release
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RYAN PREECE
North Wilkesboro / All-Star Race Advance
No. 41 HaasTooling.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

● Last weekend at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, Ryan Preece joined his fellow competitors in celebrating the annual NASCAR Throwback Weekend by honoring his father, Jeff Preece. His No. 41 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) sported a throwback paint scheme to his father’s old Late Model and the first racecar Ryan ever took a ride in. The car and memories he shared with his father are what sparked his love for racing. Sunday’s Goodyear 400 marked Preece’s seventh career start at the “Track Too Tough To Tame.” From his 32nd spot on the starting grid, Preece rallied the entire 293 laps of the race, avoiding multiple on-track incidents en route to a 15th-place finish, his third top-15 of the season.

● This weekend, the series makes its highly anticipated return to the newly revived North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway for the 2023 All-Star Race and All-Star Open. Preece is one of 16 drivers looking to race his way into the main event by finishing first or second in the All-Star Open, which begins at 5:30 p.m. EDT Sunday and will be broadcast on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM Radio. The All-Star Race is set for 8 p.m. EDT. Preece also can advance to the All-Star Race by winning the All-Star Fan Vote. Fans can vote until 9 a.m. EDT Sunday and can submit one ballot every 24 hours.

● While North Wilkesboro Speedway was essentially dormant since NASCAR last raced at the .625-mile oval in 1996, its revival featured a soft reopening last year with the Racetrack Revival Modified events Aug. 2-3, featuring the Bootleg Bash in which Preece participated. Preece finished fourth in both races.

● 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.

● Through the first third of the season, Preece has shown improvement and consistency each weekend and has appeared to be coming into his own. He had a career weekend at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in April, earning his first Cup Series pole and leading a career-high 135 laps. Since then, although the results don’t show it, Preece has shown strength at various racetracks on the circuit.

● This weekend’s All-Star Race offers drivers and teams a winner-take-all respite from the points-paying season, which resumes Memorial Day Weekend with the annual Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. Preece will head to Charlotte 29th in the driver standings with 201 points. 

● Preece kicked off the 2023 season with a strong showing in the non-points Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, leading a race-high 43 laps but ultimately finishing seventh after a fuel pump issue. He has a best points-paying finish of 12th this season, which came at Phoenix Raceway in March.

● The No. 41 SHR Ford Mustang will sport a similar but different look this weekend, adding a new Haas Tooling Winner’s Circle logo to the hood of the red, white and black paint scheme. HaasTooling.com, the online tooling division of the U.S. machine tool builder Haas Automation, Inc., introduces the Haas Tooling Winner’s Circle, a membership program that offers customers free next-day delivery, discounted pricing on all products, and a lower threshold for free shipping. HaasTooling.com already offers industry-leading pricing and fast delivery on an expansive selection of cutting tools, toolholders, and workholding products. Now, Haas Tooling Winner’s Circle members will get the added benefits of free shipping on all orders over $49, free next-day delivery (on most orders) anywhere in the contiguous United States, and 5% off every tooling purchase. For even greater savings, the 5% discount may be combined with other promotions, and a single membership may be used for an entire company.

● HaasTooling.com is back again in 2023 on the No. 41 SHR Ford Musting, the cutting tool division of Haas Automation led by SHR co-owner Gene Haas. HaasTooling.com was launched as a way for CNC machinists to purchase high-quality cutting tools at great prices. Haas cutting tools are sold exclusively online at HaasTooling.com and shipped directly to end users. HaasTooling.com products became available nationally in July 2020. Haas Automation, founded in 1983, is America’s leading builder of CNC machine tools. The company manufactures a complete line of vertical and horizontal machining centers, turning centers, rotaries and indexers, and automation solutions.

● RaceChoice.com, a proud partner of Preece, has launched a special racing experience giveaway for fans. The winner will receive airfare and a two-night stay during Coke Zero 400 weekend at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. RaceChoice.com will also give the winners two pit passes for the race, set for Saturday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. ET, preceded by a meet-and-greet with Preece, driver of the No. 41 SHR Ford Mustang. Visit here for more information.

Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

What are you expecting this weekend at North Wilkesboro as NASCAR returns for the first time since 1996?

“Much like L.A., North Wilkesboro has been circled on my calendar. I think it’s going to be an awesome weekend. This track has so much rich history and it’s going to be so awesome to be behind the wheel of a Cup car at this track that the legends of our sport have raced on. It’s definitely the right time for our sport. We want short tracks. We want that style of racing, especially at North Wilkesboro, which eats up tires. For us racecar drivers, it allows us to go into our toolbox and do different things to save tires or make speed in the long run. I couldn’t be more excited. With the strategy and how old the asphalt is, it’s going to be such an exciting race. When you walk in there, you’re going to feel that history, the nostalgia, and the fans. They want it, and we want it as drivers, so it’s going to be something special.”

What’s going to be the biggest thing that drivers and teams have to focus on to succeed this weekend?

“Tires. The asphalt is so old and it’s really worn out, and that’s the kind of track I enjoy because you’ve got to be smart with your tires and manage them the right way. It’s going to be really fun for the drivers. Well, at least it’s going to be really fun for me. This track is right up my alley, honestly, and tire management is going to be huge. Every driver is going to have to be so smart when it comes to their tires and the strategy so that we can be in position at the end of the thing. If you watch races at North Wilkesboro from the past, they’re so exciting and that’s because of the decisions the drivers and teams have to make and the way the track races. I can’t wait.”

You’ve got to race your way into the main event via the All-Star Open. What’s your mindset heading into that race?

“When it comes to the Open, to be honest with you, I really feel like I have enough experience with tire management, especially on a track like this, to get out there and do it. I’m really looking forward to it. I know what’s on the line. This may not be a points-paying race, but that isn’t significant at all. I’m there to win, and this is a track that I feel suits my past experience and driving style and I feel confident in what I can do.”

No. 41 HaasTooling.com Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Ryan Preece
Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Crew Chief: Chad Johnston

Hometown: Cayuga, Indiana

Car Chief: Tony Cardamone

Hometown: Bristol, Virginia

Engineer: Lee Deese

Hometown: Rockingham, North Carolina

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Spotter: Andy Houston

Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Devin Lester

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Rear Tire Changer: Kevin Teaf

Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons

Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Kapil Fletcher

Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Fuel Man: Dwayne Moore

Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Joe Zanolini

Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Underneath & Interior Mechanic: Clint Leatherwood

Hometown: Rockmart, Georgia

Shock Specialist: Aaron Kuehn

Hometown: Kensington, Connecticut

Tire Specialist: Matt Ridgway

Hometown: Carrollton, Georgia

Engine Tuner: Jimmy Fife

Hometown: Orange County, California

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues

Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer

Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

Q Mixers Becomes ‘Official Non-Alcoholic Premium Mixer Sponsor’ of IMS

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 16, 2023) – Q Mixers, America’s leading premium mixers company, announces a multiyear partnership with Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) to become the “Official Non-Alcoholic Premium Mixer” of IMS.

The sponsorship was unveiled just in time for the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 28 at IMS.

“We’re very proud to partner with Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Q Mixers CEO Bob Arnold said. “Having the biggest American premium mixer brand team up with the largest single-day sporting event in the world is a natural fit and a great way to directly connect our dedicated fans. Both the spirits and racing industries are rapidly growing in popularity, so we’re excited to partner with a premium property like IMS to be their official mixer partner. Q Mixers is committed to further elevating the Indy 500 fan experience by providing the highest quality refreshments and premium cocktails.”

Q Mixers will serve specialty cocktails and offer on-site experiences at the Indy 500 and will be available in all suites, the Hulman Terrace Club and the 500 Club. Q Mixers’ signature cocktail – The Victory Lane – was created exclusively for IMS and is the “Official Premium Mixer Cocktail” of the Indy 500; a delicious mix of Q Mixer’s Hibiscus Ginger Beer, Crown Royal Whisky and a splash of lime.

“The Indianapolis 500 is known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” and it is the largest single-day sporting event in the world,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “The fan experience at IMS for the Month of May and Race Day includes a variety of sounds, sights, tastes and smells. Adding Q Mixers as an official partner of the track and the Indy 500 gives our fans another option to add some flavor to their time at the track.”

In addition to the Indy 500, Q Mixers will be proudly served at all IMS events, allowing fans to enjoy quality cocktails throughout the race season that includes the GMR Grand Prix, Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard presented by Advance Auto Parts, Verizon 200 at the Brickyard, Gallagher Grand Prix and the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks.

Q Mixers is America’s leading premium mixer company, proudly based in Brooklyn, New York. Q Mixers is committed to making all of your drinks spectacular. Q Mixers uses the highest quality ingredients, less sugar added and are always carbonated to perfection. Q Mixers can be enjoyed on their own or perfectly complimenting your liquor of choice – the mixing options are endless. Q Mixers offers 14 flavors including: Spectacular Tonic, Ginger Beer, Club Soda, Sparkling Grapefruit. Q Mixers can be found at America’s best restaurants, local grocery stores and available at major U.S. retailers, including Target and Amazon. For more information, please visit us at QMixers.com and follow us @QMixers.

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