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NCS AT MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY: Team Chevy Advance

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Official Release
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TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
NOCO 400
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville, Virginia
April 16, 2023

TEAM CHEVY SEEKS WIN #60 AT MARTINSVILLE

NASCAR’s three national touring series will take on the oldest track on the circuit this weekend with the .526-mile Martinsville Speedway on tap to host the fifth tripleheader race weekend of the season.

Famously known as “The Paperclip”, Martinsville is the only track that has hosted a NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race every year since the inception of the series in 1949. Chevrolet has a storied history at the iconic short-track with the series’ winningest manufacturer heading into the weekend with 59 NCS wins at the track – just shy of double the next ranking manufacturer competitor. The first of Chevrolet’s series-leading wins at Martinsville came in 1957 when Buck Baker drove his Chevrolet 150 to victory lane. The Bowtie brand went on a winning streak at the track on a couple of different occasions including seven in a row from October 2004 to October 2007, as well as eight consecutive triumphs from April 2011 to October 2014. Other models that have also collected a win at the .526-mile Virginia oval include Bel Air, Biscayne, Impala, Monte Carlo, Lumina, Impala SS and SS.

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS SHINES ON SHORT-TRACKS

Hendrick Motorsports leads all active organizations in NASCAR’s premier series with 56 short-track wins – all captured behind the wheel of a Chevrolet. 14 different drivers have contributed to the organization’s series-best short-track record, including all four of its current drivers.

Of Hendrick Motorsports’ 56 NCS short-track wins, 27 have come at Martinsville Speedway. Eight different drivers have powered the organization to a victory at the .526-mile oval, led by Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson who each have nine wins to their name. Hendrick Motorsports’ most recent win at the track came one year ago when William Byron took his first career grandfather clock in the April 2022 event. The organization posted a dominating performance in that race with Byron and teammate Chase Elliott leading a combined 397 of the race’s 403-laps, giving the organization a laps-led percentage of 98.5%.

BERRY MAKES THE MOST OF NCS STARTS

During his short tenure behind the wheel of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 for the injured Chase Elliott, Team Chevy driver Josh Berry has proven to be a Cup-caliber driver. The 32-year-old Tennessee native took his first ever laps in a Next Gen Camaro ZL1 when the series hit the track for a short 20-minute practice session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, ultimately finishing 29th in the race. Just one week later at Phoenix Raceway, Berry caught the eyes of many when he drove to a 10th-place finish, putting all four Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet’s in the top-10. A career-best for Berry came at Richmond Raceway when he took the checkered flag in the runner-up position in only his sixth career start in NASCAR’s premier series.

A championship contender in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) with JR Motorsports, Berry is known for his success in short-track racing . A long-time driver for JR Motorsports’ late model program, Berry jumped the ranks to the NXS in 2021 to compete in a part-time schedule behind the wheel of the No. 8 Camaro SS. He quickly found his way to victory lane with his first career NXS victory coming at Martinsville Speedway in April 2021.

The 2022 season marked Berry’s first full-time campaign in the NXS. The Team Chevy driver powered his No. 8 Camaro SS team to three wins last season with his most recent coming at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October 2022 – a victory that delivered Chevrolet its milestone 500th all-time NXS win, as well as his first career berth into the series’ Championship Four.

A notable favorite heading into the series’ return to competition at Martinsville, Berry currently sits in the fifth position in the NXS driver points standings with top-10 finishes in six of the seven NXS races this season.

 
NXS BACK ON-TRACK AT MARTINSILLE

The NASCAR Xfinity Series will make its 40th all-time appearance at Martinsville Speedway in Saturday’s ‘Call811.com Before You Dig. 250’. Chevrolet has recorded six NXS wins at the “The Paperclip” with two coming in 2021 courtesy of a JR Motorsports sweep (Josh Berry – April 2021; and Noah Gragson – October 2021). Chevrolet – the reigning NXS Manufacturer Champion – already has one short-track victory in the books this season with Kaulig Racing’s Chandler Smith’s first career win at Richmond Raceway just two weeks ago.

Returning to competition following the series’ first off-weekend of the season, Chevrolet continues to sit in command of the NXS driver and manufacturer points standings. Three drivers have powered the Camaro SS to a combined five wins in seven NXS races this season. Joining Smith on that list is series’ points leader Austin Hill (No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Camaro SS), who has amassed a series-best three wins thus far. AJ Allmendinger also contributed to the manufacturer’s win count this season at Circuit of The Americas when he returned to the series for the first time since moving up to full-time NCS competition.

 
SILVERADO RST LOOKING FOR A THREE-PEAT AT MARTINSVILLE

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ Long John Silver’s 200 at Martinsville Speedway will mark the series’ second short-track race of the season, but the first on asphalt. The Bowtie brand is coming off four top-10 finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend with the effort led by NCS regular William Byron in his first of three starts of 2023 behind the wheel of the No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports Silverado RST.

Chevrolet’s first NCTS win at Martinsville came with Mike Skinner behind the wheel of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Silverado in September 1996 – the series’ second appearance at the track. In 45 NCTS races held at the Virginia short-track, the Bowtie brand has collected 17 wins, two of which came in the series’ past two appearances at the venue with Zane Smith (No. 21 GMS Racing Silverado) in October 2021 and defending race winner William Byron (No. 7 Spire Motorsports Silverado) in April 2022.

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Martinsville Speedway:

Kyle Busch – 2 (2016 & 2017)

William Byron – 1 (2022)

Chase Elliott – 1 (2020)

· In 148 NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway, Chevrolet has recorded 59 wins and 55 poles – both of which are series-best.

· Hendrick Motorsports leads all active organizations with 56 all-time short-track wins in NASCAR’s premier series – all recorded behind the wheel of a Chevrolet. Of those victories, the organization has recorded a series-best 27 wins at Martinsville Speedway.

· Heading into the ninth points-paying NASCAR Cup Series race of the season, Chevrolet continues to lead the series in wins (five), top-fives (21), top-10s (36), stage wins (10) and laps led (1,079). Chevrolet’s win count, top-five finishes, stage wins and laps led thus far this season is more than double its manufacturer competitors.

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

· Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon, JTG Daugherty’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kaulig Racing’s Justin Haley delivered top-10 finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway marking the sixth time in eight points-paying NASCAR Cup Series races this season that at least three different Chevrolet teams were represented in the top-10.

· Chevrolet drivers have recorded 10 of the 16 NASCAR Cup Series stage wins this season: William Byron (five; series-leading), Ross Chastain (three) and Kyle Larson (two).

· Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman is the only driver in the NASCAR Cup Series to have a single-digit average finish this season with 9.9. The Chevrolet driver is also tied at the top of the leaderboard for top-10 finishes this season with six.

· Chevrolet sits atop the manufacturer points standings in all three NASCAR national series, leading by 23 points in the NASCAR Cup Series, 20 points in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and three points in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

· With its 41 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer’s Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Championships, and 838 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title of winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

FOR THE FANS:

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

· Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles at the Team Chevy Racing Display including: Tahoe Premier, Blazer RS, Trailblazer RS, Traverse Premier, 1500 Crew ZR2, 2500HD Crew Carhartt Diesel, Corvette Coupe 3LT Z51, Camaro ZL1.

Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:

Friday, April 14

· Grant Enfinger & Daniel Dye: 12:45 p.m.

· Nick Sanchez: 1 p.m.

· Chase Purdy: 1:30 p.m.

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

Saturday, April 15

· Jeremy Clements: 4 p.m.

· Parker Kligerman: 4:15 p.m.

· Sheldon Creed: 5:05 p.m.

Sunday, April 16

· Noah Gragson: 11:50 a.m.

· Ricky Stenhouse Jr: 12:10 p.m.

· Ty Dillon: 12:45 p.m.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

· Friday, April 14: 12 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

· Saturday, April 15: 12 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

· Sunday, April 16: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Tune In:

NASCAR Cup Series – NOCO 400; 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 16

(FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Xfinity Series – Call811.com Before you Dig. 250; 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 15

(FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – Long John Silver’s 200; 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, April 14 (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

 
QUOTABLE QUOTES:
ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 UNISHIPPERS CAMARO ZL1

How cool is it to have the “Hail Melon” move so well-known now?

“What’s really cool about it now, and what I’m most proud of is it’s never going to happen again. If it does happen in NASCAR, they’ll get penalized so that will probably deter people from doing it again. I didn’t realize it at the time how historical it was but it’s neat now to look back on it and think about how it’s a moment NASCAR’s history.”

There were so many fan reactions to the move at the end of the Martinsville, what was it like for you to see all of that?

“The cell phone camera views from Turns 3 and 4 looking down. They were filming the end of the race and most of them were following the 20 car around the whole track and there is a blur in the middle of all of their screens of my car. It was fun to hear their natural reactions when the cars slow down and to hear the roar, people yelling and asking what happened. I was on pit road and the car was broken and destroyed, and I’m trying to navigate crew members high-fiving me and I could hear the fans through my helmet and over the sound of the engine idling coming down pit road. I glanced up and people were pointing, cheering and high-fiving, and a few weren’t so kind gestures.”

KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1

Larson on his desire to get his first win at Martinsville Speedway:

“I want to win at any track that I haven’t won at. Martinsville (Speedway) has been a place I’ve struggled at pretty regularly. Last year, we had two good races at Martinsville. I feel like it is potentially in our future to win a race there. If I did, that would probably be the all-time biggest win of my life, because any time you can accomplish something that is difficult to you or you don’t think you can accomplish, it means a lot.”

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

Daniels on building on the foundation of last year’s results at Martinsville:

“(I’m) certainly optimistic going to Martinsville Speedway. Hendrick Motorsports, as a whole with the Next Gen car last year, had decent performance there. It is a different aerodynamic package than what we had last year, so there are some question marks around that. We will just have to work through it this weekend. It’s nice knowing that we have the foundation of performance last year with our company and hopefully we can build on that.”

KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 MARK III EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CAMARO ZL1

Do you think that Martinsville is the most challenging short track on the schedule? How physically and mentally demanding is racing at Martinsville?

“Martinsville is a challenging short track. I think with the Next Gen race car it’s become a bigger challenge just with the fact that everybody being a lot closer. Little setup differences with the old car meant an awful lot in speed and it seems like little setup differences with this car doesn’t really mean a whole lot so everybody runs the same speed no matter what so it just makes it tough to pass. Track position is everything. The aero affects when you get behind guys makes it tough to move around and find grip in other grooves in order to make moves. It seemed like with the old car you could definitely follow a lot better and keep yourself closer to the guy in front of you so if he made a little, tiny mistake you could pounce on that and make a pass.

The racing there is pretty demanding. I mean, you’re on the brakes all the time and steering all the time. You’re trying to feel that grip and not slip. You want to carry your speed as fast as you can while off the gas. The biggest thing that I learned that made me better at Martinsville is how fast can you go slow. You actually spend more of the lap off the throttle than you do on the throttle so it’s about figuring out how to go slow fast.”

How important is it to qualify well at Martinsville, not only for track position to start the race but also regarding pit selection?

“Qualifying well at Martinsville I think now is more important than what it once was. I remember it used to be that it didn’t matter how you qualified. I was never a really good qualifier at Martinsville but you could always race towards the front, pick up some positions on pit road, and get yourself in a good position for the end of the race. I think track position and pit selection with qualifying well is very important. There’s four to five really, really good pit stalls on pit road and if you can get one of those pit stalls then that can really make or break your day on pit road.”

You ran well in the Busch Clash. Does that give you optimism for a good run at Martinsville? Can you apply anything you learned there to Martinsville?

“Running well at the Clash I think gives me some pretty good optimism for Martinsville. I think we’re running the lower downforce package at Martinsville so to me, unfortunately, right now we’re kind of at a deficit with the lower downforce package. But if we can figure that out, then I feel like what we were able to do at the Clash will resonate and give us something for Martinsville that will keep us up front.”

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

Gustafson on racing at Martinsville:

“Martinsville (Speedway) is just such a unique place and it’s so tied to the roots of short-track racing that I came from and I think most people that compete in the sport have come from. I think that just makes it special. I enjoy racing there. You can see the car all the way around the track. You can see when you’re good and when you’re not good. You can see the contact. It’s just fun. A lot of things have changed over the years, generations of cars, tires and rules packages, but Martinsville for the most part stays pretty much the same, which is cool.”

AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 16 ACTION INDUSTRIES CAMARO ZL1

“We’re hoping we can make improvements on our short track program this weekend. We really struggled in Richmond so our primary focus is to improve on what we had there and keep moving forward.”

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1

Byron on his thoughts about Martinsville:

“Martinsville (Speedway) means a lot to me. I remember going there as a kid. Then, getting the win last April, especially with everything that was going on with my family, it meant a lot. I’ve always run well there, short tracks in general really. I think we have had really strong cars there lately, but we do have some room for improvement from the fall race last year. With how we’re running this season, though, I’m optimistic for this weekend.”

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

Fugle on what’s important at Martinsville:

“I feel like we’ve always run well at Martinsville (Speedway). Not only run well but we finish well. I think the biggest thing, though, to be good there is to put together a solid weekend. We learned that in the fall when we didn’t qualify well and it put us behind almost all race. Qualifying is important any time, but it’s probably most important at a place like Martinsville. If we have a good Saturday, it will propel us to have a good Sunday, and that’s out goal this weekend.”

NOAH GRAGSON, NO. 42 SUNSEEKER RESORTS CAMARO ZL1

Gragson on how he feels going into Martinsville:

“I am really excited for Martinsville, I had the opportunity to drive there in the 48-car last year, so going in with an idea in mind of what it is going to be like is a big learning opportunity from last year. I am excited to get the chance to battle with the 42 Sunseeker team this weekend, Martinsville has always been a good track for us. Trucks in Xfinity we won races there, so I am excited for it.”

ERIK JONES, NO. 43 ALLEGIANT CAMARO ZL1

Jones on how he feels going into Martinsville:

“I am excited about Martinsville, last year I thought in the fall there we ran pretty well, so hopefully we can take some of that momentum and learn a little bit about the short track package and what we had in Richmond to try and make it a little bit better. I am ready to get out there, hoping for another solid run, hopefully get up in the top 10 and contend.”

RICKY STENHOUSE JR., NO. 47 KROGER / TREE TOP CAMARO ZL1

“A strong run (fourth-place finish) at Bristol (Motor Speedway Dirt Race) is the way we needed things to go for us especially going into Martinsville Speedway. Martinsville is not one of our best tracks, but we are looking forward to going there because I feel like we’ve made some big improvements. At Martinsville, it’s all about qualifying well / good track position and staying out of trouble with our No. 47 Kroger / Tree Top Camaro.”

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1

Bowman on having crew chief Blake Harris back:

“It’s nice having him back, obviously. I think not having him at the track in the early part of the season was a setback. At the same time, I had Greg Ives back and we had a lot of time together, so communication wasn’t something we had to develop. Blake and I still worked closely at the shop on what I needed in the car, so I think it will just go back to business as usual this weekend.”

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

Harris getting back on top of the pit box:

“I am excited to get to Martinsville Speedway this weekend and have my first trip there with Alex (Bowman). He’s had success in the past there as have I with other drivers. I think it is one of his best short tracks and he runs really well there. There are a lot of specifics and driver inputs at Martinsville that complement his driving style really well. Hendrick Motorsports has a massive history of success there. Last year, they had speed in qualifying and in the race. Alex has only raced there once in the Next Gen car, so we have a year’s worth of development to get through and will hopefully go have a good weekend.”

Harris on reviewing the recent success of the No. 48 team for prep heading to Martinsville:

“I think when you look at the past success and every week this year, we have had speed. Most of the tracks we have gone to, we have had top-five speed. Just carrying Hendrick Motorsports’ speed and performance that we have had all season and using that as a solid baseline will help us a lot.”

DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 WORLDWIDE EXPRESS CAMARO ZL1

How is your season so far?

“Obviously, we want better finishes than what we have had the last few weeks. But if you look deeper you see that we had chances to win the race at Atlanta and COTA. We have some things to clean up, but everyone has a great attitude and we know if we can keep running well the finishes will come.”

What are your thoughts on Martinsville?

“I’m glad to be back on concrete and asphalt in Martinsville after last weekend on dirt in Bristol. We feel pretty confident in our Martinsville package. I’m ready to get back up front.”

GRANT ENFINGER, NO. 23 CHAMPION POWER EQUIPMENT SILVERADO RST

What does it take to be successful around Martinsville?

“Martinsville is definitely a ‘true’ short track. You’ve got to manage your fenders, you’ve got to manage your tires, and you’ve got to manage your temper when it comes to racing at that place. It feels like it’s a shorter race relatively compared to some of the intermediate races we run, and 100 laps goes by really quickly. You want to go there and qualify pretty well, because you’ve got to stay up front. It seems like if you get cycled to the back when you’re on equal tires, man you just use everything up. Maybe if you have to go to the back and you have a tire advantage, you could make it back up, but it’s tough. Hopefully we have a Champion Power Equipment Chevy good enough to win the race; Hensley and I have ran well here in the past and we have a pretty good record together on the short tracks, so hopefully we can rely on that and build off of what we had going for us in Bristol.”

RAJAH CARUTH, NO. 24 WENDELL SCOTT FOUNDATION SILVERADO RST

Martinsville Speedway was the site of your best-career NASCAR Xfinity Series finish; you haven’t raced there before in a truck, but do you have high expectations heading into this race?

“Honestly, I have the same expectations every week. I work just as hard heading into a racetrack that I’ve competed at 10 times just as hard as how I work heading into a track I’ve never seen before. I’m confident in my team for bringing a fast Wendell Scott Foundation Silverado RST for every race; we’ve certainly had the pace this year but it just hasn’t quite fallen our way. My preparations and my expectations don’t necessarily change week-to-week, but I would say that my confidence is a little higher since I was able to have the good run in the NASCAR Xfinity Series car in the fall and was also able to get some track time in a late model as well the past couple of years. I’m looking forward to getting there in a truck, I’ve seen the photos of several GMS Racing drivers have success there in years past, and hopefully we can do the same this weekend.”

DANIEL DYE, NO. 43 HEISE LED LIGHTING SYSTEMS SILVERADO RST

Martinsville Speedway seems to be a return to your short track racing roots, are you the most comfortable with this type of racing?

“Yeah, I’m pretty comfortable with short track racing, Martinsville is way different than anything I’ve ran before short track wise. But, it still is a half-mile track so I’m looking forward to it. We’ll see what Friday has in store for us through practice and qualifying. I’ve been looking at the weather, and with the new rain package that we have in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series it will be interesting to see if we run in the wet conditions or not. All in all, I’m happy to get back on the short tracks and get after it with our No. 43 Heise LED Lighting Systems team.”

CHASE PURDY, NO. 4 BAMA BUGGIES SILVERADO RST

After a tough week at the Bristol Dirt Race will it be good to get right back on track again Friday?

“I think you have to have short-term memory when you have a weekend like we had at Bristol. Especially when you were fast and had a shot at a really good finish and it was all taken away. We’ll debrief the Bristol race and move onto Martinsville.”

Do you enjoy short track racing?

“I’m really excited to get back to the roots of my racing, what me and a lot of other guys started in — short track racing. Martinsville is a fun place. There is always a lot of drama there and it is always action packed. I think it should be a good track for our No. 4 Bama Buggies team and I think it’ll put on a great show for the fans. I look forward to competing with the boss (Kyle Busch) and trying to get that 100th win before he does.”

What does it take to have a fast truck at Martinsville?

“You don’t want to be too free on entry and then you have to be able to turn the center and have drive up off. You have to make sure it really turns at the two-thirds mark and get off the corner with a lot of rear drive. If you can do that, then I think you’ll be good. And then of course you have to keep your nose clean because it’s a long race. You need to make sure you don’t tear stuff up early so that you are there at the end.”

KYLE BUSCH, NO. 51 ZARIZ TRANSPORT SILVERADO RST

What does it take to be successful in a truck at Martinsville?

“You have to have a truck that will turn the center without getting too loose in and too loose off. You also have to play the strategy right so that you can be up front at the end of the race and have enough tire left to hold people off. The last two truck races that I’ve won at Martinsville have been 250-lap races, with the race being 200 laps now things play out a little bit differently. With the new practice system, we’ll only have 20 minutes of practice to get our Zariz Silverado dialed in — that’s if the weather holds off. So, we’ll need to make sure we unload with a truck that is close because there isn’t much you can do to improve the handling with limited or no practice and then limited pit stops in the race. Last year we didn’t get a chance to practice or qualify and we didn’t do a good job of unloading close, so I had to drive way too hard just to run in the top five and used my stuff up and we were probably lucky to finish third. Hopefully, this year we’ll do a better job of unloading with a fast Zariz Silverado and we can go out and bring home KBM’s 100th win.”

 
Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2022): 41

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

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

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

Drivers Championships:

Total (1949-2021): 33

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

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

Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021)

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

Event Victories:

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

2023 STATISTICS:

Wins: 5

Poles: 3

Laps Led: 1,079

Top-five finishes: 21

Top-10 finishes: 36

Stage wins: 10

· Ross Chastain – 3 (Daytona), (Auto Club x2)

· William Byron – 5 (Las Vegas x2), (Phoenix), (COTA), (Richmond)

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

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 838 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 737

Laps led to date: 246,623

Top-five finishes to date: 4,242

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,748

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,172

       Chevrolet: 838

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 821                                                           

       Ford: 721

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 172

 
Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

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

Three Mercedes-AMG GT3 Teams Across Two IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Daytona (GTD) Classes Compete This Weekend at the Grand Prix of Long Beach

By
Official Release
-
IMSA, Long Beach Grand Prix, Long Beach, CA April 2022.

LONG BEACH, California – Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship shift from the two longest races of the year to the shortest sprint of the season at this weekend’s Grand Prix of Long Beach. Three Mercedes-AMG GT3 teams across a pair of GT Daytona (GTD) classes take part in Saturday’s 100-minute sprint race on the 1.968-mile Long Beach street circuit. The race can be seen live on the USA Network beginning at 2:00 p.m. PDT/5:00 p.m. EDT.

Round three of this year’s IMSA WeatherTech Championship, the Long Beach sprint follows January’s season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona and last month’s 12 Hours of Sebring. With a combined 36 hours of endurance racing, Daytona and Sebring are a major departure from the fast and flat-out sprint race that the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport customer teams tackle this weekend on the streets of Long Beach.

The championship-leading No. 79 WeatherTech Racing/Proton Competition Mercedes-AMG GT3 team and co-drivers Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella compete at Long Beach in the GTD Pro class. On track at the same time battling for GTD-class honors will be the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 of Russell Ward and Philip Ellis and the No. 32 Team Korthoff Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 co-driven by Mike Skeen and Mikael Grenier.

With a victory at Daytona and third-place finish at Sebring, the No. 79 team and drivers moved their full-season GTD Pro championship bid off to a fast start. The WeatherTech No. 79 team and drivers bring a 26-point lead over the nearest GTD Pro competitor, 708 – 682, to Long Beach. The early success has also given Mercedes-AMG the lead in the GTD Pro manufacturer championship standings by the same points margin.

In GTD, Team Korthoff and Winward showed race-winning performance comparable to WeatherTech Racing at both Daytona and Sebring but now look to Long Beach to secure their first strong race results of the season.

Korthoff and Winward combined to lead an amazing 562 GTD race laps at Daytona and Sebring but a string of typical endurance racing issues prevented them from leaving either race with a result indicative of their competitive pace.

A tight, two-day event, the weekend schedule starts with morning and afternoon practice sessions Friday, April 14, which set the stage for GTD Pro/GTD qualifying that afternoon at 5:15 p.m. PDT.

Race-day Saturday, April 15, features only the 100-minute WeatherTech Championship sprint race that is scheduled to go green at 2:05 p.m. PDT.

Jules Gounon, Driver – No. 79 WeatherTech Racing/Proton Competition Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It will be my first time in Long Beach, and for Dani also, so we are really looking forward to racing on the California streets. It is pretty amazing, it all sounds like Monaco in Europe. I am really looking forward to the race, I enjoyed the track on the simulator, and it is really good. Short, and you are running very close to the walls. It will be very important to maximize the traction and rotation of our WeatherTech Mercedes-AMG GT3. Some of the recent rule changes certainly don’t favor our car, but Dani and I love street courses and we will try to do anything to help. We are going to give it everything we have.”

Daniel Juncadella, Driver – No. 79 WeatherTech Racing/Proton Competition Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Long Beach is a new track for me. I have been on the simulator and watching online video to get an understanding of the layout. I have a pretty good history on street courses. I won the Macau Formula 3 race in 2011. I know how to experience the limits on street courses. I would compare Long Beach more to Pau (Circuit de Pau-Ville) in France, which is another famous street race. We have had a very good start on the season, and we are looking at keeping the momentum going as we start the sprint portion of the schedule.”

Mike Skeen, Driver – No. 32 Team Korthoff Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Going from the two longest races to the shortest event of the year will present a few challenges at Long Beach. Especially given the uniqueness of the street track layout. However, I have always enjoyed Long Beach and I look forward to hitting the streets!”

North Carolina Motorsports Association awards Max Siegel and Rev Racing

By
Official Release
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Concord, NC — Max Siegel was honored, tonight, by the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) at the 2023 Tribute in Motorsports Ceremony for his work in motorsports and dedication to NASCAR’s diversity initiatives. Siegel, CEO of USA Track & Field and Owner of Rev Racing, has dedicated most of his professional career to creating opportunities for underserved populations, most notably in the motorsports industry. The Association awarded Siegel with the NCMA Industry Award for his passion and commitment to creating cultural impact and change in motorsports. NASCAR President, Steve Phelps, presented the award to Siegel.

Siegel owns Rev Racing, located in Concord, North Carolina. Rev Racing is the competition arm of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program and serves as the NASCAR-supported racing team charged with developing female and minority drivers, and pit crew members in the NASCAR development series for future competition at NASCAR’s highest levels. Currently, Rev Racing competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS), the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, the NASCAR ARCA Menards Series (AMS) and the U.S. Legend Car Series. There are 9 full-time minority and female drivers competing for Siegel and Rev Racing, in the various Series, for the 2023 season.

NASCAR shares Rev Racing’s belief that minority and female audiences are underserved in America’s second largest sport. Siegel was brought on by NASCAR in 2009 to manage the competition side of the Drive for Diversity Program. Siegel is the former President of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and the first black president of a major NASCAR team. The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program was created in 2004 to develop and train ethnically diverse and female drivers both on and off the track. NASCAR Cup Series drivers Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suárez and Kyle Larson are alumni of Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program.

Over the last 20 years Siegel has made tremendous impact in this sport, providing opportunities to over 125 diverse and female drivers, over 100 diverse and female pit crew members, 20 plus interns and countless other disadvantaged youths, diverse vendors, scholarship recipients and young professionals, some of which now hold positions at the highest level of the sport.

“Every day I wake up and reflect on “why” I do what I do,” said Siegel. “It’s because I owe all the opportunities I have been blessed with to people who believed in me, supported me and gave me access to opportunities I never imagined were possible. To see the impact Rev Racing has had on the lives of those that have been a part of our program is rewarding. I am honored that our work is being recognized by our industry colleagues that we have collaborated with over the years. I am excited about the work we will continue to do to make this sport accessible and welcome to all and to develop the future stars of the sport.”

The NCMA Tribute in Motorsports Ceremony also recognized Bobby and Donnie Allison for their lifelong contributions in the sport, scholarship awardees, and five industry leaders, including Siegel.

About Rev Racing: Rev Racing seeks to obtain the highest quality applicants representing diverse backgrounds and develop them into successful NASCAR drivers. Started by Max Siegel in 2009, Rev Racing manages the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program. Rev Racing currently operates and manages drivers in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, and a youth racing initiative.

The Best Car Racing Games

By
SM
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Photo by cottonbro studio

Racing is a thrilling affair which is why various racing leagues have millions of fans across the globe. With iconic drivers and events, it’s no wonder this exciting sport seeped into the gaming industry. Car racing games are one of the most popular genres in the video game industry.

They allow players to experience the thrill and excitement of driving high-speed vehicles in a safe and controlled environment. With so many car racing games available, it can be challenging to determine which ones are the best.

Besides games, car racing fans can enjoy a variety of races on various platforms. Some of them happen to be online sportsbooks where bettors can bet online on sports events such as football, basketball, MMA, and others events. The main thing about them is to enjoy them responsibly.

When it comes to racing and video games, there are loads of titles out there. Here are some to get you started on your car racing journey:

Forza Horizon 4

Forza Horizon 4 is an iconic title by the creative minds at Playground Games and Microsoft Studios. It is set in an open-world environment in Great Britain, and players can explore the vast landscape and participate in various races and events. The game features over 450 cars from more than 100 manufacturers, making it one of the most extensive collections of vehicles in any racing game. Additionally, Forza Horizon 4 has impressive graphics, with realistic weather effects and stunning visuals that add to the immersion.

Gran Turismo Sport

Gran Turismo Sport is a racing game developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is the latest addition to the long-running Gran Turismo series and features an extensive collection of cars from various manufacturers. The game has a strong focus on online racing, with players able to participate in various tournaments and events. Additionally, Gran Turismo Sport has excellent graphics and sound, making it one of the most immersive racing games available.

Assetto Corsa

Assetto Corsa is a racing game crafted by Kunos Simulazioni. The game is focused on providing a realistic driving experience and features a wide range of cars and tracks. The game’s physics engine is one of the most advanced in any racing game, with accurate vehicle handling and tire physics. Additionally, Assetto Corsa has modding support, allowing players to create and share custom content.

Dirt 5

Dirt 5 is game from the minds of Codemasters and Electronic Arts. It is the latest entry in the long-running Dirt series and features a mix of traditional racing and off-road events. The game has a strong focus on arcade-style gameplay, with fast-paced races and exciting stunts. Additionally, Dirt 5 has impressive graphics and sound, with stunning visuals and realistic vehicle audio.

F1 2020

F1 2020 is another title by Codemasters and their partners at Electronic Arts. It is based on the 2020 Formula One season and features all the teams, drivers, and tracks from that season. The game has a strong focus on realism, with accurate vehicle handling and tire physics. Additionally, F1 2020 has an extensive career mode, allowing players to start as rookie drivers and work their way up the ranks.

Need for Speed Heat

Need for Speed Heat is a classic game from the developers at Ghost Games and Electronic Arts. It is set in an open-world environment in Palm City, a fictionalized version of Miami. The game features a mix of traditional racing and police chase events, with players able to customize their vehicles and compete in various races. Additionally, Need for Speed Heat has impressive graphics and sound, with realistic vehicle audio and stunning visual effects.

Project Cars 2

Project Cars 2 is an underrated title by Slightly Mad Studios and Bandai Namco Entertainment. It features a wide range of cars and tracks, with a focus on providing a realistic driving experience. The game’s physics engine is one of the most advanced in any racing game, with accurate vehicle handling and tire physics. Additionally, Project Cars 2 has impressive graphics and sound, with stunning visuals and realistic vehicle audio.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the world of car racing games offers a wide range of options for players to experience the thrill of high-speed driving. From realistic simulations to arcade-style gameplay, there is something for everyone.

How to Apply Decals to a Car Window

By
SM
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If you want to advertise your business or add some flair to your vehicle, there is no shortage of signage options available. One of the most popular solutions is car window stickers Brisbane. These decals can be applied to any window on your car to add branding, detail or information that turns your vehicles into 24/7 advertising. Car window stickers are normally installed by your signwriters. But the process is DIY-friendly, and you can handle it yourself if you’d like to save on the installation process.

What You’ll Need

Car window stickers from www.stickeryou.com are one of the most versatile types of vehicle signage. The best part is that they’re easy to apply. If you’re feeling brave, then you can go install stickers or window decals yourself! To apply a car window sticker, you’ll need:

  • Masking tape
  • Isopropyl alcohol or methylated spirits
  • Lint-free rags or paper towels
  • Decal application tool or a stiff credit card

The Installation Process

There are no tricks when it comes to installing car window decals. The process is simple, and if you work methodically then anyone can install brand new signage at home. The installation process is as follows:

  • Mark the Centrepoint – You only get one chance to apply your window decals properly. It’s worth taking some time to carefully measure and mark where you want the sticker to go. Avoid making marks directly on the window or on the panels of your car. Instead, use small pieces of masking tape and pencil lines to mark where the sticker needs to go. You can also use the pencil to make faint marks on the outer protective layer that’s covering the decal.
  • Clean the Window – The most important part of applying a decal is cleaning the surface. It’s worth washing your entire car before applying large decals. For small stickers you can get away with cleaning the window you’ll be working on.

Once you’ve washed the surface with soap and water, use a rag to wipe it down with isopropyl alcohol or methylated spirits. These solvents will clean off any remaining grease, fingerprints or dust that’s left behind.

  • Peel Off the Backing – Most car window stickers come sandwiched between two layers of transfer paper. This keeps each element of the sticker in the right place.

For small stickers you can remove the entire backing layer at once. Peel the layer back carefully to avoid disturbing any of the vinyl parts of the sticker.

For large stickers we recommend removing the backing layer in small sections. Starting at one edge, peel back a strip of the backing layer. Then, as you’re applying the decal, you can gradually remove more of the layer. This makes installation easier and helps prevent the decal from adhering to itself or to the wrong part of the window.

  • Apply the Sticker – Use the marks you made earlier to line the sticker up. Carefully lay the decal against the window and press it into the surface with a clean hand. It’s often easiest to start in the centre of the decal and work outwards. Try to avoid trapping any air underneath the sticker as you go.
  • Squeegee Any Air Bubbles – It’s normal to end up with a few air bubbles under a large decal. To remove these, you can use a special plastic installation tool or a credit card to gently push the air towards the edge of the sticker. If you have large air bubbles that won’t budge then you may need to make a small hole in the decal with a sharp pin. Try to avoid doing this wherever possible as it can shorten the life of the vinyl and adhesive.
  • Remove the Protective Layer – Lastly, you can remove the outer protective layer of paper and pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

How to Care for Car Window Decals

High quality car window stickers Brisbane can last for years – or even decades – when they’re cared for properly. The main challenge is that window stickers have to withstand dirt, harsh weather and UV rays. Each of these things can damage the sticker or its adhesive layer, eventually causing the edges to peel. If you want to get the longest life from your decals then you’ll need to regularly wash your car and clean the sticker. Removing dirt from the surface is the best thing you can do to protect the printed or coloured layers and prevent peeling. Wash the sticker as soon as possible if it becomes contaminated with substances like petrol or engine grease.

Stewart-Haas Racing: Martinsville NXS Advance (Cole Custer | Riley Herbst)

By
Official Release
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COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
Martinsville NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

  • Event: Call811.com Before You Dig. 250 (Round 8 of 33)
  • Date: Saturday, April 15
  • Location: Martinsville (Va.) Speedway
  • Layout: .526-mile oval
  • Time/TV/Radio: 7:30 p.m. EDT on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

  • Cole Custer couldn’t be happier to return to short-track racing after a one-week hiatus as the NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to the .526-mile Martinsville (Va.) Speedway paperclip-shaped oval for Saturday night’s Call811.com Before you Dig. 250. Custer scored his first top-five of the season two weekends ago on the .75-mile Richmond (Va.) Raceway oval and is ready for another strong outing under the lights at Martinsville. The No. 00 Haas Automation driver has been fast all season, but bad luck has gotten in the way of potential top finishes. His fifth-place run at Richmond elevated Custer to 10th in the driver standings, 81 points out of first, as he heads into his first career Xfinity Series career start at Martinsville with his eyes focused on its prestigious grandfather clock trophy.
  • Custer does have a dozen previous race outings at Martinsville under his belt – six apiece in the NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series. In the Cup Series, the 25-year-old from Ladera Ranch, California, has a best Martinsville finish of 13th in October 2020, and his most recent outing last October resulted in a 14th-place finish. Best of Custer’s six Truck Series races at Martinsville from 2014 through 2016 was his fourth-place finish from the pole after leading a race-high 96 of 200 laps in the October 2015 race. That was behind the wheel of the No. 00 JR Motorsports entry, which he also drove to a seventh-place finish from the third starting position in the October 2016 race, in which he led 17 laps.
  • Custer’s overall short-track history proves it is his strong suit. Included in his 13 top-10 finishes in 20 career short-track starts in the Xfinity Series was a victory at Richmond in April 2019 during his previous fulltime season in the series. He’s led a total of 365 laps in those 20 short-track starts.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

  • Riley Herbst can’t wait to get back on track for what has been shaping up to be a career-best season during Saturday night’s Call811.com Before you Dig. 250. His streak of top-10s to start the 2023 Xfinity Series campaign – six in the first six races – came to an abrupt end when he was involved in an accident that took him out of contention two weekends ago at Richmond (Va.) Raceway. The driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) arrives at Martinsville second in the driver standings, 12 points behind leader Austin Hill, after collecting 66 valuable stage points in the opening seven races, during which he’s led 38 laps. He’s looking to pick up where he left off at Martinsville in his most recent outing there last October, which resulted in a third-place finish.
  • Saturday’s Call811.com Before you Dig. 250 will mark Herbst’s sixth at Martinsville in the Xfinity Series. Four of his five previous starts there resulted in top-10 finishes. Prior to last October’s third-place run, in which he fought valiantly for the win over multiple late-race restarts, he posted a pair of sixth-place finishes at the .526-mile paperclip-shaped oval – in October 2020 and April 2022, respectively.
  • Herbst has come to excel on the short tracks in the Xfinity Series, as was evident last season. In addition to his sixth- and third-place finishes at Martinsville in the spring and fall races, respectively, he added a fifth-place finish in the April race at Richmond and a fifth-place finish at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in September. Saturday night’s race at Martinsville will mark Herbst’s 17th on a short track in the Xfinity Series. His first career short-track start resulted in a sixth-place finish in June 2018 at Iowa Speedway in Newton. Since then, Herbst has added 11 top-10s, including in his past three races at Martinsville.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang

Martinsville is such a polarizing track for drivers – some love it and some hate it. Where do you land on that scale?

“I really like Martinsville. Ever since I first went there in the Truck Series, I’ve always loved going there. It’s definitely a place that you will love when everything is going well and hate when it all starts going bad – mostly because when it’s bad, it’s really bad. Stewart-Haas Racing has had solid runs there in the Xfinity Series in the past, so hopefully we can learn from that and show up ready to win. It would mean a ton to win a Martinsville grandfather clock. I’ve come really close there a few times in the Truck Series, and we had a few good runs in the Cup Series. That’s a trophy that everyone wants to win, and Martinsville is a place where everyone wants to win, so you always go there wanting to get that clock.”

After scoring a top-five finish prior to the Xfinity Series off weekend on the .75-mile oval of Richmond Raceway, what are your expectations heading into this Saturday’s race?

“We hope to keep building on what we did at Richmond. Martinsville is a place where tempers can flare, though, and you have to be ready for that. Sometimes you just have to get going, so either you have to move people out of the way if they’re holding you up, or you get moved. It’s a place where, as the laps start winding down, you’re going to get aggression from the drivers trying to win that clock. Hopefully we’ll come out on top and continue to turn our luck around. We’ve had the speed, so hopefully we can park our No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang in victory lane on Saturday night.”

Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang

Richmond didn’t have the ending that you wanted, but there were a ton of positives that came out of it. Talk about that race and what you expect heading into another short-track race at Martinsville.

“Yeah, Richmond didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but there are a ton of positive things that we can take away. We got into a bad situation there, but prior to that we were leading laps, running up front and contending for the win. It proved that we can do that each and every week. I’m excited to head back to Martinsville now and try to take that same mentality from Richmond and from last October’s race. Everyone wants to bring home a grandfather clock, everyone wants to be the best at Martinsville. Sometimes to be the best, though, you have to do some beating and banging, and we’ve seen feelings get hurt. Either way, Martinsville is always a fun race.”

It was a season of growth for you in 2022, but it feels like you’re coming into your own in 2023. You’re leading laps, contending for wins, and consistently a top-five car. How has the journey been to get you to this point mentally?

“We’ve come a long way from that first season, and I’ve come a long way as a driver. It took me a while to understand that I’m Riley Herbst. I’m not Cole Custer, I’m not Chase Briscoe. I’m a completely different driver with a different style. Once I felt like I got that settled and would be able to be myself, have fun and try to drive the racecar the way I want to drive the race car, things started to turn around. I have so much confidence in Richard (Boswell, crew chief) and everybody on the No. 98 team. I know that they have confidence in me, and that’s what matters.”

Weekend schedule for Martinsville Speedway

By
Angie Campbell
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Photo by Ted Seminara for SpeedwayMedia.com.

This weekend NASCAR heads to Martinsville Speedway for some short-track racing.

Chase Elliott will also make his much-anticipated return to Cup Series competition after missing the previous six races due to a broken left leg sustained in a snowboarding accident on March 3.

“We’re looking forward to having Chase back in his race car to pick up where he left off,” Rick Hendrick said in a statement issued by Hendrick Motorsports Wednesday afternoon.

“Since the injury, he’s worked extremely hard and focused all his time and energy on returning to the No. 9 team. Throughout the last six weeks, he’s stayed fully engaged with everything we’re doing, and we know he’s chomping at the bit to get on the racetrack and compete for wins.”

Martinsville Speedway has hosted 148 Cup Series races since the first event in 1949. There have been 57 different race winners and this weekend 10 of those drivers will be competing on Sunday.

Denny Hamlin tops the list with five victories, followed by Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch with two wins each. Christopher Bell, William Byron, Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick have each visited Victory Lane once at the 0.526-mile track.

The Xfinity Series has hosted 39 races at Martinsville with 25 different race winners. Saturday’s race will host the second segment of the Dash 4 Cash competition. Justin Allgaier won the first segment at Richmond and will compete against Josh Berry, John Hunter Nemechek and Chandler Smith for the $100.000 bonus.

Friday night the Camping World Truck Series hits the track for the 45th race held at Martinsville. Four of the drivers entered have won previously at ‘The Paperclip” and include Kyle Busch (2016, 2019), Matt Crafton (2014, 2015), Grant Enfinger (2020) and Zane Smith (2021).

Friday, April 14

3 p.m.: Truck Series Practice – Group 1 & 2 – FS1
3:35 p.m.: Truck Series Qualifying (Impound) Single Vehicle/2 Laps/All Entries) FS1
5 p.m.: Xfinity Series Practice – Group 1 & 1 – FS1
5:35 p.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying (Impound) Single Vehicle/2 Laps/All Entries) FS1
7:30 p.m.: Truck Series Long John Silver’s 200
Stages 50/100/200 Laps = 105.2 Miles
FS1/MRN/SiriusXM
The Purse: $693,842
Post Truck Series Race: Press Pass

Saturday, April 15

4:35 p.m.: Cup Series Practice – Group A & B
FS2/MRN/SiriusXM
5:20 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying (Impound) Group A & B – Single Vehicle/2 Laps/2 Rounds) FS2/MRN/SiriusXM
7:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Call811.com Before You Dig. 250
Stages 60/120/250 Laps = 131.5 Miles
FS1/MRN/SiriusXM
The Purse: $1,403,623
Post Xfinity Series Race: Press Pass

Sunday, April 16

3 p.m.: Cup Series NOCO 400
Stages 80/180/400 Laps = 210.4 Miles
FS1/MRN/SiriusXM
The Purse: $7,324,203
Post Cup Series Race: Press Pass

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series News and Notes: Martinsville Speedway

By
Official Release
-

KRIS WRIGHT
No. 02 F.N.B. Corporation Chevrolet Silverado RST
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series News and Notes
Event: Long John Silver’s 200
Date: Friday, April 14
Venue: Martinsville Speedway
Location: Ridgeway, Virginia
Track Description: .526-mile(s)
Race: 200 laps / 105.2 miles

The Paperclip Review … This week marks Kris Wright’s third Martinsville Speedway appearance with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS). Because of its small size, tight corners and unique shape, the Martinsville Speedway is described most often as a paperclip. The Pittsburgh, Pa.,- native collected a career-best finish at ‘The Paperclip’ of 13thplace (2021). Wright made his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series track debut at the Martinsville Speedway on October 30, 2021.

In addition, Wright has one start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) at the Martinsville Speedway, resulting in a 26th-place
finish in 2022.

Short Track Stats: In five NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts on a short track (less than one mile in length), Kris Wright has an average starting spot of 22.8 and an average finish of 29.0 on short track racetracks.

The 28-year-old also has two combined NASCAR Xfinity Series starts on short tracks.

QUOTE WORTHY

Kris Wright, driver of the No. 02 F.N.B. Corporation Chevrolet
Silverado RST for Young’s Motorsports
On the Martinsville Speedway:
“Let’s get back to some short track racing at the Martinsville Speedway. I am really excited to have the opportunity to race
at Martinsville this week with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for some short-track action to round out our five
week stretch.”

Kris Wright on Social Media … To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, visit KrisWrightMotorsports.com, or connect with Kris Wright on Facebook (/KrisWrightRacing), Twitter (@KrisOnNASCAR) or Instagram (@krisonnascar).

Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series History at the Martinsville Speedway … This weekend
will mark Young’s Motorsports’ 28th, 29th and 30th NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at the Martinsville Speedway.

The organization posted a team best finish at the track of ninth-place with Austin Hill on March 26, 2018. The 27 previous starts at the longest continuously running track on the NASCAR schedule have earned Young’s Motorsports an average starting position of 20.1 and an average finish of 21.6.

Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series History … Since entering the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2012, the Mooresville, N.C.,-based organization has logged 424 starts from 49 drivers, resulting in solid performances that include two victories (Talladega Superspeedway 2019, 2021), seven top-five finishes and 31 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 22.1 and an average finishing position of 21.4.

Catch the Action … The Long John Silver’s 200 at the Martinsville Speedway will be broadcast on FS1 on Friday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. (ET) beginning with NASCAR RaceDay: Craftsman Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway. It will also broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 7:00 p.m. (ET). In addition, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series practice and qualifying at the Martinsville Speedway will air on Friday at 3:00 p.m. (ET) on FS1.

Chase Elliott to return at Martinsville

By
Official Release
-
Photo by Kirk Schroll for SpeedwayMedia.com.

CONCORD, N.C. (April 12, 2023) – Chase Elliott will return to the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the April 16 NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway after recovering from a leg injury.

Elliott, 27, suffered a fractured tibia while snowboarding on March 3 and underwent successful surgery at The Steadman Clinic, a U.S. Olympic National Medical Center in Vail, Colorado. The 2020 Cup Series champion rehabilitated in Colorado before returning to his home in Dawsonville, Georgia, in late March to continue physical therapy.

After being medically cleared Tuesday, Elliott tested Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning in the Chevrolet Driver-in-the-Loop simulator in Concord, North Carolina, before making the final decision to return at Martinsville.

“We’re looking forward to having Chase back in his race car to pick up where he left off,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Since the injury, he’s worked extremely hard and focused all his time and energy on returning to the No. 9 team. Throughout the last six weeks, he’s stayed fully engaged with everything we’re doing, and we know he’s chomping at the bit to get on the racetrack and compete for wins.”

Josh Berry has filled in for Elliott in five of the last six Cup Series events with a best finish of second, which came at Richmond Raceway. Jordan Taylor drove the No. 9 Chevrolet at Circuit of The Americas, starting fourth and finishing 24th in his Cup debut.

“Having such high-caliber drivers available was a huge benefit, especially under difficult circumstances,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “Josh and Jordan each brought a tremendous amount of professionalism to our team, and we’re truly grateful for their contributions. Their preparation and talent made a big difference. We can’t overstate it.”

Hendrick Motorsports has received a waiver from NASCAR to allow Elliott to be eligible for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

Kaulig Racing Weekly Advance | Martinsville Speedway

By
Official Release
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NOCO 400
Martinsville Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Sunday, April 16 at 3:00 p.m. EST on FS1

  • Kaulig Racing has made four starts at Martinsville Speedway in the NCS.
  • The team earned its third top-10 finish of the season at Bristol Motor Speedway, tying its season-best finish, after Justin Haley finished sixth in the Food City Dirt Race.

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Action Industries Camaro ZL1

  • AJ Allmendinger has made 23 NCS starts at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Allmendinger has two top fives and seven top-10 finishes with an average finish of 19th at Martinsville

“We’re hoping we can make improvements on our short track program this weekend. We really struggled in Richmond so our primary focus is to improve on what we had there and keep moving forward.” – AJ Allmendinger on Martinsville Speedway

Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro ZL1

  • Justin Haley has made four starts at Martinsville Speedway in the NCS.
  • Haley earned his best finish of the 2023 season at Bristol Motor Speedway after finishing sixth in the Food City Dirt Race.

“Martinsville is another super unique short track on our schedule. We didn’t have the best results last year, but I think we are gradually improving our short track program. We’re hoping for a good weekend after another top-10 finish at Bristol.” – Justin Haley on Martinsville Speedway  

Call 811.com Before You Dig. 250
Martinsville Speedway
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. EST on FS1

  • Kaulig Racing has made 15 starts at Martinsville Speedway in the NXS.
  • The team has earned three top fives and six top-10 finishes, including 99 laps led at Martinsville.
  • So far in the 2023 NXS season, Kaulig Racing has earned two wins, two pole awards, seven top fives and 15 top-10 finishes.

Derek Kraus, No. 10 International Order of T. Roosevelt Chevrolet Camaro

  • Derek Kraus will make his first start at Martinsville Speedway in the NXS this weekend and his second start in the series with Kaulig Racing.
  • Kraus has four previous starts at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) , earning one top-10 finish at the short track in 2020.
  • Kraus earned a top-10 finish in his first-ever NXS start with Kaulig Racing at Richmond Raceway in the ToyotaCare 250.

“It will be interesting to learn the differences between a truck and a Xfinity car at Martinsville. It’s a short track that takes a lot of patience, and I learned in the truck series that you need to be around at the end to have a shot. I can’t wait to get to work with the Kaulig Racing team again. We learned a lot together in my first start at Richmond and we can continue to build on that going into Martinsville.” – Derek Kraus on Martinsville Speedway

Daniel Hemric, No. 11 AG1 Chevrolet Camaro

  • Daniel Hemric has earned two top fives, three top-10 finishes and has an average finish of 6.8 in four starts at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Hemric has led 46 laps at Martinsville Speedway.

“We all look forward to short-track racing here at Kaulig Racing. Our short-track program has been hit or miss over the last handful of races. It was good to see our teammate get a win at the last short track in Richmond. Hopefully we can carry that momentum and go out and do a good job at Martinsville. It would be cool to put one of those grandfather clocks in my house!” – Daniel Hemric on Martinsville Speedway

Chandler Smith, No. 16 Quick Tie Products Chevrolet Camaro

  • Chandler Smith will make his first start at Martinsville Speedway in the NXS this weekend in the Call811.com Before You Dig. 250.
  • Smith earned a fourth place and sixth-place finish at Martinsville in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) in 2021 and 2022 and led two laps in the 2022 Blue Emu Maximum Pain Relief 200.

“It’s great to get right back to racing at another short track. These kinds of tracks are the ones I’m most comfortable at. It’s where I’ve grown up racing. I’ve driven a couple times at Martinsville before and really like the feel of it. It’ll be my first time in the Xfinity car there so it’ll be a new challenge compared to racing Trucks. It’s going to get physical with other cars and drivers, and I’m prepared for that.” – Chandler Smith on Martinsville 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.

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