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Meyer Shank Racing Hoping To Rebound at Texas Motor Speedway

By
Official Release
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Pataskala, Ohio (29 March 2023) – Meyer Shank Racing’s (MSR) INDYCAR program is looking for a Texas-sized helping of redemption this weekend, as the team looks to put a tough season opener in the rear-view mirror with Sunday afternoon’s PPG 375 at Texas Motor Speedway (Noon ET, NBC, SiriusXM Ch. 160).

The 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener lasted about four turns for both Simon Pagenaud and Helio Castroneves as they were involved in race-ending crashes on the opening lap at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Now the Ohio-based team looks to press the reset button on the 2023 campaign as it heads to the high-speed 1.5-mile TMS oval for 250 laps of four-wheel warfare in the team’s signature AutoNation / SiriusXM Hondas.

Castroneves returns to a track where his name is etched four times in Victory Lane, second among IndyCar winners at the Texas venue. The Brazilian has wins in 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2013 to his credit and he has led in 12 different races for a total of 503 laps at the front. His stablemate Pagenaud has a pair of second-place finishes in Texas and will look to take that final step up the podium this weekend.

MSR has five starts on the TMS oval and has a history of qualifying well, earning three top-six starts in its five attempts, with a best race-day finish of seventh coming in 2021.

Aside from the racing action, MSR will be looking forward to a big weekend of activation from its long-time sponsor, AutoNation. Castroneves and Pagenaud will kick off the weekend with an AutoNation Dallas dealership appearance, paired with a private fundraiser for DRVPNK, in support of Wipe Out Kids Cancer. Explore ways to contribute here.

“AutoNation’s mission is to drive out cancer. Having partners like Meyer Shank Racing joining us in the fight is outstanding,” said Marc Cannon, AutoNation’s Executive Vice President and CXO. “As one of America’s most admired companies, our Associates, Customers and brand partners are the reason why we have made DRVPNK our singular philanthropic mission.”

The 250-lap PPG 375 will air on NBC on Sunday starting at Noon ET. Saturday’s qualifying will be shown live on Peacock beginning at Noon ET. SiriusXM will also host live IndyCar Radio coverage of both sessions on XM Ch. 160.

Driver Quotes:

Helio Castroneves:

“I’m super excited to go to Texas, and that place brings me a lot of good memories and I’ve won there many times. Unfortunately, last year wasn’t a great race for us, however we know what we can do better and we’re really betting all of out chips on this one.”

Simon Pagenaud:

“Texas is a great track for our cars and we had a fantastic showing last year. It’s a track that I have had great results at, but I’m still chasing a win there. Tire degradation is going to be a massive game and last year it was quite important. This year we have a new aero package from IndyCar with a bit more downforce which should help the tires hold on longer and also keep the pack a bit more together. For me, this race is the beginning of my year. St. Pete unfortunately did not meet our expectations with the crash at the start of our race, so now it’s time to get some momentum going.”

Burton, Menards/Dutch Boy Team Ready For Richmond

By
Official Release
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Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Menards/Dutch Boy team are headed to the Commonwealth of Virginia, home of the Wood Brothers and the Burton family, hoping to for a strong home-team run in the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway.

The Wood Brothers have been competing at Richmond since 1959, when the late Glenn Wood made the team’s first start there, finishing second in the Richmond 200. Wood also won a Convertible Series race there in 1957.

“Any time the Wood Brothers team races in Virginia we’re excited about the weekend,” crew chief Brian Wilson said, adding that Richmond race, like many others in the early portion of the schedule, will see teams working to adapt to new rules for the 2023 season.

“There’s great opportunity as everyone is still learning about the new low-downforce short-track package.”

Wilson said a big part of racing in the Cup series is evolving with rule changes.

“With a drastic reduction in spoiler size and removing several under-body aero pieces, we know this package will require changes to the car’s set-up,” he said. “We’ve tried to utilize what we learned at Phoenix with this package and apply that during our simulator time through Ford Performance this week.

“Everyone on the Menards/ Dutch Boy Ford is excited to get to Richmond for Saturday’s practice and Sunday’s race.”

Practice for Sunday’s 400-lapper on the three-quarter-mile oval is set for Saturday at 10:05 a.m., to be followed at 10:50 by qualifying.

Sunday’s race is set to get the green flag just after 3:30 p.m. with TV coverage on FOX Sports 1. Stage breaks are planned for Laps 70 and 230.

Wood Brothers Racing

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

United Rentals Racing: Ryan Preece Richmond Advance

By
Official Release
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RYAN PREECE
Richmond Advance
No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Richmond 400 (Round 7 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 2
● Location: Richmond (Va.) Raceway
● Layout: .75-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 400 laps / 300 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 70 laps / Stage 2: 160 laps / Final Stage: 170 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Ryan Preece heads to Richmond Raceway this weekend for the sixth time of his NASCAR Cup Series career. He has a best finish of 20th (twice, 2019 and 2020) and a best start of 16th. Preece has also made four career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Richmond. Last season, he ran for BJ McLeod Motorsports in the No. 5 Ford, started sixth and finished 16th, his best Xfinity finish at the track. He also made one ARCA Menards Series East start in 2015 in the No. 41 for Doug Fuller. Preece started last of 35 cars and raced his way to a 14th-place finish.

● In one NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour start at Richmond Raceway in 2021, Preece started third and won the 156-lap race, leading 98 laps total. Preece ran the race for Ed Partridge in the No. 6 and dominated the entire evening.

● Six races into the 2023 season, Preece is 29th in the driver standings with 69 points.

● The Cup Series went left and right last weekend at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas for the first road course race of the season. It marked the series’ third visit to COTA, the 3.426-mile, 20-turn road course. Preece made his second start at the Texas course on Sunday, starting 26th and finishing 36th in the No. 41 Ford Mustang. Preece rallied to a 10th-place finish in stage one but the end of the race was tough as he got caught up in a wreck in the final laps.

● The 2023 West Coast swing wrapped up a few weeks ago at Phoenix Raceway and the series returned to the Southeast at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where Preece raced for the fifth time in his Cup Series career. He was credited with a 28th-place finish at Atlanta. Prior to Atlanta, the series wrapped up the 2023 West Coast Swing at Phoenix Raceway, where Preece ended with a 12th-place finish, his best points-paying finish of the season.

● Preece was a victim of circumstances in the second event of the season at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, getting caught up in a multicar accident on a lap-88 restart and ultimately finishing 33rd. The following weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Preece battled a tight racecar all day and was credited with a 23rd-place finish.

● Preece opened the 2023 season with a strong showing in the 65th running of the Daytona 500. He and the No. 41 Ford Mustang qualified 20th and logged the best 10-consecutive-lap average in final practice. On race day, Preece finished second in Stage 1 before getting caught up in a multicar accident on lap 181. He was unable to return to the race and finished 36th.

● United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI), the largest equipment rental company in the world, is serving as the primary sponsor of Ryan Preece and the No. 41 team of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) for select NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023. The partnership began with the non-points Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum, Feb. 4-5 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. United Rentals has an integrated network of 1,449 rental locations in North America, 13 in Europe, 27 in Australia and 19 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The company’s approximately 24,700 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others. The company offers approximately 4,700 classes of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $19.3 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Barron’s 400 Index and the Russell 3000 Index®. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Additional information about United Rentals is available at UnitedRentals.com.

Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

You’ve had success at Richmond Raceway in the past and won the modified race at the track in 2021, what’s it like to race at Richmond?

“Ever since we switched over to the NextGen Cup car, there are a lot of things that I’m starting to learn translate from what I used to race to what it is now. There’s a lot of things that are similar to the modifieds and a lot of things you’ve got to look for and be mindful of when it comes to that track. It’s one of those tracks that will sort of tempt you to be looking for maybe a little bit better turn or you can want a certain amount of forward drive and then you hurt other areas. It’s a really delicate balance of what you need in order to be fast there.”

With your short-track background, are you looking forward to this weekend’s race?

“I am really looking forward to Richmond this weekend, we’ve got this one circled for sure. I feel like after Phoenix, Richmond has turned into something that I’m really looking forward to. Phoenix was a good race for our team and we got our best finish of the season. We learned a lot that weekend after practice and qualifying. We didn’t show what we had in practice and qualifying but when it came time for the race, we really showed what we had. We were fast and our car was strong. My team and I were able to take notes from that race and I think we’ll be able to capitalize on what we learned there and the success we had and really put it all together at Richmond.

What is your team the most focused on now that we’re six races into the season?

“We have to be on offense now. I’ve been saying that for weeks now but it’s even more true now than ever. We have not gotten the finishes that we need and despite how we’re getting there, we’ve got to change the narrative. Our main goal is consistency now. We need to unload fast, qualify well and stay out of trouble to salvage good finishes. Our team needs good finishes.”

We had our first road-course race of the season at COTA last weekend, how did that go?

“I was really looking forward to COTA because I’m not a road-course racer and I don’t have a ton of road course experience but we worked really hard on that program leading up to the race. Road courses are all about strategy and if it works out in your favor or not. I felt like we had a good strategy and my crew chief Chad worked hard on what he thought would put us in the best position at the end. But we got a penalty and then toward the end of the race, the strategy did end up working in our favor when a caution came out and we were up there toward the front of the field. But you never go green at the end of those races and then we got swept up in other people’s messes and it ruined our day. It didn’t go great at all from that perspective but we did make gains on the road course program.”

No. 41 United Rentals 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

Second Cadillac to compete in Spa round of WEC

By
Official Release
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Bourdais, van der Zande add to depth of preparation for Le Mans in Hypercar class

DETROIT (March 29, 2023) — A second Cadillac V-Series.R will join the Hypercar lineup for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on April 29.

The gold No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R, co-driven by Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande, will compete for the victory alongside the sister No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R in the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R, co-driven by Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook, is contesting the full WEC season. They combined to drive to a fourth-place finish in Cadillac Racing’s WEC Hypercar debut March 17 in the 1000 Miles of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway and next will challenge for the win April 16 in the 6 Hours of Portimão at Algarve International Circuit.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to bring another Cadillac to the race at Spa in the FIA World Endurance Championship season,” said GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser. “Any opportunity that we have to prepare for Le Mans within the WEC rules and regulations is great.

“This will get the team even more ready to tackle that race as well as an opportunity to bring more Cadillac participation to the European race.”

Van der Zande has competed twice at Spa in LMP2 (2012, 2021), while Bourdais co-drove an LMP1 entry in 2012 and an LMP2 car in 2022 at the 4.35-mile, 20-turn Le Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Endurance racing has been taking place at Spa-Francorchamps for nearly 100 years and the 6 Hours of Spa has been a part of every WEC season to date.

“We are looking forward to the first WEC race where both of our Cadillac Hypercars will be participating,” said Mike O’Gara, director of operations for Chip Ganassi Racing which campaigns the Nos. 2 and 3 racecars in the IMSA Grand Touring Prototype and WEC Hypercar classes. “Cadillac and Chip Ganassi Racing believe that we are stronger when we race multiple cars on any given race weekend. The Spa event will serve as a much-needed dress rehearsal for the Le Mans 24-hour race.

“It will be a great opportunity for our ‘IMSA regulars’ to be immersed in the WEC rules and race procedures in anticipation of the big event in June.”

The Nos. 2 and 3 Cadillac V-Series.R racecars will be joined by the No. 311 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R for the centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Action Express Racing-prepared car claimed the pole for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 17 and went on to post Cadillac’s 28th prototype victory since 2017 and its third in a row at Sebring International Raceway with Pipo Derani, Alexander Sims and Jack Aitken sharing the wheel..

“We can’t wait for the Whelen Engineering Cadillac to join us at Le Mans and bring the whole family back together again,” Klauser added.

The No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R, running as the No. 01 in the IMSA GTP class, earned a podium finish in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona in January and started from the front row in the Twelve Hours of Sebring. The hybrid racecar led a field-high 120 laps and registered the fastest lap of the race (1 minute, 48.311 seconds; 124.308 mph) on the 3.741-mile, 17-turn course before retiring with a fuel distribution system issue.

Bourdais and van der Zande will aim to successfully defend their IMSA victory April 15 on the streets of Long Beach, California.

The Cadillac V-Series.R features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V8 naturally aspirated engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan. The body, codeveloped by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis constructor Dallara, incorporates key Cadillac V-Series production car design elements.

Renger van der Zande

  • Birthdate: Feb. 16, 1986
  • Birthplace: Dodewaard, Netherlands
  • Residence: Amsterdam
  • Family: Wife Carlijn, daughter and son
  • At Spa: 2012 – Co-driver with Thomas Holzer and Mirco Schultis of No. 31 Lotus in LMP2; qualified the car fifth in class. DNF. … 2021 – Co-driver with Alex Brundle and Jakub Śmiechowski of No. 31 Inter Europol Competition Oreca 07 in LMP2; qualified 11th in class. Finished fifth in class and eighth overall.
  • 2023 results: Co-drove to third place in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona after starting fourth; started second and classified eighth in class at the Twelve Hours of Sebring.
  • Notable: Co-drove to three victories in 2022. Win at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R upped his IMSA total to 18 wins, including eight with Cadillac Racing. … Two-time overall winner of Rolex 24 At Daytona in Cadillac DPi-V.R. … Won 2020 Petit Le Mans and Rolex 24. … 2016 IMSA GTLM champion. … Raced in Europe in Formula Renault, A1GP, GP2, German Touring Car, Porsche SuperCup, Intercontinental GT Challenge and WEC. … Marking 10th year of competing in sports car racing in the U.S. … Competed in two WEC races in 2022 in LMP2 class with Vector Sport.
  • Twitter: @Rengervdz

Quick Q&A: What fuels your competitive spirit? “To make the most out of and to optimize the whole package; the car, the team, the drivers, the strategy, and all the factors that get thrown at you during a race. It takes all everything to win a race and when you’ve done it better than others, that’s a good day.”

In one sentence, how would you describe the art of driving? “Finding the limit of your car for the conditions that are available.”

Sebastien Bourdais

  • Birthdate: Feb. 28, 1979
  • Birthplace: Le Mans, France
  • Residence: St. Petersburg, Florida
  • Family: Wife Claire, daughter and son
  • At Spa: 2012 – Co-driver with Nicolas Minassian of No. 9 Pescarolo Team LMP1 entry; qualified the car ninth. Finished 15th overall. 2022 – Co-driver with Ryan Cullen and Nico Müller of No. 10 Vector Sport LMP2 entry. Finished 16th overall.
  • 2023 results: Co-drove to third place in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona after starting fourth; started on front row and classified eighth in class in Twelve Hours of Sebring.
  • Notable: Co-drove to the 2021 Twelve Hours of Sebring victory in a Cadillac DPi-V.R. … Earned pole for 2022 Twelve Hours of Sebring with qualifying lap record of 1:45.166. … Co-drove the No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R to three victories in 2022. Victory at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park was his 10th IMSA win. … Competed in select WEC races in 2022 in LMP2 class. … Ford GT driver for Chip Ganassi Racing 2016-2018; won Rolex 24 At Daytona in 2014 and 2017. … 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE Pro class winner in 2016. … Competed in Formula One in 2008. … Four-time INDYCAR champion (2004-07); won 37 races total in Champ Car and INDYCAR.
  • Twitter: @BourdaisOnTrack

Quick Q&A: What fuels your competitive spirit? “Racing was my passion well before it became my job and thankfully the passion has remained. There is nothing else that excites and fulfils me more than driving a race car.” In one sentence, how would you describe the art of driving? “For me, it’s all about being one with the car. When you reach that state, it’s the most satisfying feel I know.”

No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R

Renger van der Zande, Sebastien Bourdais

Van der Zande and Bourdais return for their second season as teammates for the full IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Grand Touring Prototype season and two races in the FIA World Endurance Championship. They teamed with six-time INDYCAR champion Scott Dixon to place third in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona. In 2022, van der Zande and Bourdais co-drove the No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R to three victories — at Long Beach on April 9, at Belle Isle on June 4 and at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park on July 3 – starting from the pole in the former two. … CTMP was the 18th IMSA victory for van der Zande and 10th for Bourdais. … Bourdais set the qualifying lap record time at Long Beach and Belle Isle. He also set the lap record time in earning the pole for the Twelve Hours of Sebring and for the Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio.

No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R

Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, Richard Westbrook

Second-year entry in expanded Cadillac Racing factory program that is contesting the full WEC calendar. … The trio co-drove to fourth place in the IMSA season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona in preparation for the seven-race WEC season. They co-drove to fourth place in Cadillac Racing’s WEC debut March 17 in the 1000 Miles of Sebring. . … Bamber and Lynn return as teammates for the second year. They co-drove to the victory in the Twelve Hours of Sebring in 2022, along with runner-up finishes on the streets of Long Beach and Road America in the No. 02 Cadillac DPi-V.R. … They are joined for the 2023 season by veteran sports car racing driver Richard Westbrook, who co-drove a Cadillac DPi-V.R last season with JDC-Miller MotorSports. … Bamber, who owns his own race team, salutes his home country with a silver fern design on the sides of his helmet — a quasi-national emblem used for various official New Zealand symbol. … Westbrook earned an overall podium finish in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022. … Lynn most recently competed in the full WEC season in 2018-19. He was the teammate of Cadillac Racing driver Alexander Sims in the 2020-21 Formula E season.

Brennan Poole to make 100th Xfinity career start at Richmond

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Kirk Schroll for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Competing in his fifth season with at least one start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Brennan Poole is within reach of a milestone start. By taking the green flag in this weekend’s event at Richmond Raceway, the driver of the No. 6 Chevrolet Camaro will reach 100 career starts in the Xfinity circuit.

A native of The Woodlands, Texas, and the 2011 UARA-Stars champion, Poole made his inaugural presence in the NASCAR Xfinity circuit during the 2015 season when he joined HScott Motorsports with Chip Ganassi to pilot the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for 15 events. By then, he had made a total of 35 starts in the ARCA Menards Series while garnering six victories. Making his debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, Poole started 16th and finished ninth, which would be his best result of the season. He went on to make a total of 17 starts throughout the 2015 Xfinity season, where he notched another top-10 result at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July by finishing 10th. He also achieved 10 top-15 results and an average-finishing result of 12.4.

In 2016, Poole campaigned in the Xfinity circuit on a full-time basis behind the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro for Chip Ganassi Racing. Commencing his rookie season by finishing 27th at Daytona International Speedway in February, Poole notched two 10th-place results during the first eight events on the schedule. Then at Talladega Superspeedway in April, he dodged a last lap carnage involving leaders Joey Logano and Elliott Sadler to edge Justin Allgaier in a photo finish and notch what would have been his first career victory in NASCAR. Poole, however, was relegated back to third place in the final running order after NASCAR awarded the win to Sadler by virtue of being in first place when the caution for the final lap wreck was displayed and since Poole had assumed the lead after the caution was displayed. Despite falling short of winning at Talladega, the Texan notched another third-place run at Road America in August along with an additional three top-five results and nine top-10 results during the final 17 regular-season events on the schedule before claiming a spot to the inaugural 2016 Xfinity Series Playoffs. With his title hopes evaporating despite claiming three consecutive top-20 results during the Round of 12, Poole earned three top-11 results during the final four events on the schedule before finishing in eighth place in the final standings. Overall, he achieved four top-five results, 17 top-10 results, 11 laps led and an average-finishing result of 12.4 during his first Xfinity season.

Remaining at CGR for the 2017 season, Poole’s sophomore season commenced with a 26th-place run at Daytona after being involved in a late wreck. He rallied by posting four eighth-place runs during the following nine events. At Daytona in July, Poole notched his first career pole in the series and was running towards the front until he was bumped by William Byron and wrecked with Ty Dillon on the fronstretch. He rallied by finishing seventh. Throughout the 26-race regular-season stretch, Poole’s highest on-track result was a fourth-place run at Iowa Speedway in July as he recorded 12 top-10 results before making his second consecutive appearance in the Xfinity Playoffs. During the Playoff opener at Kentucky Speedway in September, the Texan notched a career-best runner-up result after finishing 14.5 seconds behind teammate Tyler Reddick. He then claimed back-to-back fifth-place results before transferring to the Round of 8. Following two consecutive top-12 results during the Round of 8, Poole entered the round’s finale at Phoenix Raceway in November with a five-point advantage over the fourth and final transfer spot to the Championship 4 finale. During the 23rd lap at Phoenix, however, Poole’s hopes of transferring to the finale evaporated after he collided with Caesar Bacarella in Turn 1, which sent Poole’s No. 48 Chevrolet into the outside wall with a blown right-front tire and significant damage that terminated his run. He went on to finish sixth in the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway and in a career-best sixth place in the final championship standings. Ironically, Poole achieved the exact number of top-five runs (four) and top-10 results (17) from his rookie season while capping off the season with 14 laps led and an average-finishing result of 13.5.

The following season, Poole lost his ride at CGR, but sued the team in June and alleged that the organization along with agency Spire Sports + Entertainment breached his contract by moving his sponsor DC Solar to sponsor CGR’s NASCAR Cup Series operations. With the settlement between all three parties being disputed out-of-court at the conclusion of the season, Poole proceeded by making a total of 27 starts in the NASCAR Truck Series from 2018 to 2021. He also campaigned in his first full-time season during the 2020 Cup season, where he finished 32nd in the final standings while competing for Premium Motorsports.

This past season, Poole returned to the Xfinity circuit with the intention of competing in the series’ three West Coast events for Mike Harmon Racing. He failed to qualify at Auto Club Speedway in February and at Phoenix in March, but managed to compete at Las Vegas in March, where he finished 37th following an early engine failure. Ultimately, Poole attempted to compete in 21 additional events with MHR, Jimmy Means Racing and JD Motorsports throughout the season, but successfully qualified for nine, beginning at Richmond Raceway in April and concluding at Phoenix in November. In a total of 10 starts, his best on-track result was a 14th-place run at Homestead with JD Motorsports in October.

Through 99 previous Xfinity starts, Poole has achieved a pole, eight top-five results, 36 top-10 results, 31 laps led and an average-finishing result of 16.7 while he continues to pursue his first victory across NASCAR’s top three national touring series. He has racked up an average-finishing result of 27.7 through the first six Xfinity events on this year’s schedule, with his best on-track result being a 13th-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway two races ago, and is ranked in 27th place in the driver’s standings.

Poole is scheduled to make his 100th career start in the Xfinity Series at Richmond Raceway on Saturday, April 1, with the event’s coverage scheduled slated to occur at 1 p.m. ET on FS1.

Mazda Joins Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Generation Automobile Fuels

By
Official Release
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HIROSHIMA, Japan, Mar 29, 2023 – (JCN Newswire) – The Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Generation Automobile Fuels (Research Association) and Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) are pleased to announce Mazda’s participation as a full member of the association. The Research Association was established on July 1, 2022 by ENEOS Corporation, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Subaru Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation, and Toyota Tsusho Corporation. Mazda’s entry brings the total number of participating companies to seven.

The Research Association promotes technological research on the use of biomass as well as efficient production of bioethanol fuel for automobiles to realize a carbon-neutral society. On October 25, 2022, the Research Association concluded with Okuma Town in Fukushima Prefecture the Basic Agreement on Establishment of New Business Facilities, and launched initiatives aimed at promptly and appropriately resolving challenges faced by the community. The research on improving production technology for bioethanol fuel and using CO2 generated during bioethanol fuel production, which the Research Association has been promoting as part of a range of diverse options for achieving carbon neutrality, coincide with the idea promoted by Mazda of providing more options with its multi-solution strategy, and this synchronicity led Mazda to take the step of joining the Research Association.

Hiroyuki Yamashita, Senior Principal Engineer responsible for technological research at Mazda, said, “We are very honored to have received this invitation from the Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Generation Automobile Fuels. Through the Research Association, we will work together with other member companies to promote research and development on production technology for bioethanol fuel and other technologies. We will make every effort to increase the potential of carbon neutral fuels, a promising option for achieving a carbon neutral society.”

In addition, Koichi Nakata, Chairman of the Board of the Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Generation Automobile Fuels, stated, “Carbon neutral fuels are a leading energy option for realizing a carbon neutral society. We are delighted that Mazda, which has accumulated considerable knowledge and technology relating to carbon neutral fuels, has become our new partner. The Research Association will further promote research on production technology for bioethanol fuel and the use of CO2 generated during that process.”

For more information, visit https://newsroom.mazda.com/en/publicity/release/2023/202303/230329a.html.

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Racing: Aric Almirola Richmond Advance

By
Official Release
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ARIC ALMIROLA
Richmond Advance
No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Richmond 400 (Round 7 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 2
● Location: Richmond (Va.) Raceway
● Layout: .75-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 400 laps/300 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 70 laps / Stage 2: 160 laps / Final Stage: 170 laps
● TV/Radio: FS1 / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● History at Richmond: In 21 starts, Aric Almirola has earned eight top-10 finishes and two top-fives on the .75-mile Richmond (Va.) Raceway oval. In his last six qualifying attempts there, he has started outside the top-10 just twice with a best start of sixth in the September 2018 race. Almirola’s best finish of fifth came in September 2018, his first year driving for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR). He finished eighth in his most recent Richmond start last August.

● The 39-year-old veteran also has five starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with a best finish of seventh.

● Almirola is ranked 14th in the last 10 NASCAR Cup Series races at tracks less than a mile in length with four top-10 finishes, one pole, and 36 laps led.

● Almirola’s 33 laps led this year marks his second-highest number of laps led through the first six races of a NASCAR Cup Series season. He led 69 laps through the first six races in 2019.

● Overcoming adversity is a hallmark of Almirola’s career. While the start to the 2023 season has not been what the No. 10 Smithfield Ford team feels it is capable of, due largely to bad luck and mechanical issues, Almirola has always seemed to find his way back on top. In 2021, the No. 10 team was in a similar points position (26th) through the first six races as it is this year (28th), but Almirola still made the playoffs for his fourth consecutive season at SHR. He is known to thrive as the underdog.

● In 2014, Almirola’s SHR teammate Kevin Harvick started the season in a fashion similar to Almirola’s start to this season. Harvick finished outside the top-30 on four occasions over the first seven races of the season and was 26th in the standings. From there, he went on to win five races and claimed the 2014 Cup Series championship.

● Last weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, Almirola raced as high as 12th place. But he was involved in a multicar accident on the last lap of the race and finished 30th.

● Almirola had a solid first two outings this season. First, he won his heat race and started on the pole during the non-points Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Then, in the points-paying season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, the 38-year-old veteran won his Duel qualifying race and led 16 laps of the Daytona 500 – the most laps he’s led at Daytona in 23 starts.

● Driver Points: Almirola arrives at Richmond 28th in the driver standings, 141 points out of first.

● Almirola’s career: In 430 career NASCAR Cup Series starts, Almirola has three wins, 28 top-five finishes, 91 top-10s, three poles, and has led 1,007 laps.

● Richmond is a home race for Smithfield Foods, whose headquarters are located just 80 miles southeast of the track. Fans will see the iconic white, black, and gold Smithfield Foods scheme adorn Almirola’s Ford Mustang this weekend. Smithfield has been a sponsor of Almirola’s for the entirety of his fulltime NASCAR Cup Series career – making it one of the longest-lasting partnerships in NASCAR. Smithfield is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. Its 63,000 team members are dedicated to producing “Good food. Responsibly.®” Smithfield is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated protein companies. The company has pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including its industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in U.S. company-owned operations and to reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across its entire U.S. value chain by 2030. Smithfield believes in the power of protein to end food insecurity and has donated hundreds of millions of food servings to local communities.

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

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

How would you describe your season so far?

“We’ve had speed. We’ve run up front. We’ve led laps. We just have not gotten the finishes that are indicative of how we have run. In life, that happens. The effort doesn’t always equal the results and that’s where we’re at right now. If we keep bringing fast racecars to the track, eventually our luck will turn. It can’t stay like this forever. The tide doesn’t always go out. It also comes in, so I know it will change.”

What are your thoughts on heading to Richmond this weekend?

“Finally we’re going to a place that I love to go to. These next six weeks are some of my favorite racetracks on the entire circuit. I’ve run really well over the years at Richmond. It’s a really special place for me to run. It’s the first Busch (NASCAR Xfinity Series) race I ran with Joe Gibbs Racing a long time ago. It’s only about 45 minutes away from Smithfield’s headquarters, so it’s a backyard race for them, and so we take a lot of pride in flying the Smithfield colors and running up front at Richmond. Hopefully, we can have a great weekend and start to turn our season around and get everything back on track.”

What kind of challenge does a short track like Richmond present?

“I would say Richmond is one of the most challenging racetracks we go to for managing your tires throughout the run. The first 10, 15 or 20 laps of the run can make you feel like Superman roaring through the field, but you will pay a major penalty for that by lap 40. It makes it fun because, when we show up at Richmond, it really is about managing tire fall-off and making sure your car stays consistent throughout the run as the tires fall off.”

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Aric Almirola
Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer
Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Jerry Cook
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Engineer: Davin Restivo
Hometown: Asheboro, North Carolina

Engineer: James Kimbrough
Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

Spotter: Joel Edmonds
Hometown: Dobson, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Ryan Mulder
Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa

Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Tire Carrier: Tyler Bullard
Hometown: King, North Carolina

Jack Man: Sean Cotton
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Fuel Man: James “Ace” Keener
Hometown: Fortuna, California

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Chris Trickett
Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Jacob Cooksey
Hometown: Westbrookville, New York

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller
Hometown: Monroe, New York

Tire Specialist: Russel Simpson
Hometown: Medford, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Steven Casper
Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy
Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Maximizing Your Vehicle’s Performance: A Comprehensive Guide

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SM
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Photo by Joey Banks on Unsplash

For many people, a vehicle is not just a mode of transportation; it is a way of life. Whether you are a professional racer, an off-roader, or just someone who wants to get the most out of their daily driver, maximizing your vehicle’s performance is essential. This comprehensive guide will provide you with the information you need to improve your vehicle’s performance, regardless of its make or model.

Keep Your Vehicle Maintained

The key to maximizing your vehicle’s performance is to keep it maintained. Regular maintenance helps to ensure that your vehicle is running at its best. This includes checking the oil, changing the air filter, and replacing any worn or damaged parts. It is also important to keep your vehicle clean, both inside and out. This not only improves its appearance but also helps to prevent rust and other forms of damage.

Upgrade Your Vehicle’s Parts

If you are looking to improve your vehicle’s performance, upgrading its parts is a great option. For example, installing performance brakes can improve your vehicle’s stopping power, while a high-performance exhaust system can increase horsepower and torque. You can also upgrade your vehicle’s suspension system to improve handling and cornering.

If you are looking for quality parts, consider Japanese truck parts. These parts are known for their durability and reliability, making them an excellent choice for any vehicle.

Choose the Right Tires

Tires play a critical role in your vehicle’s performance. They affect your vehicle’s handling, acceleration, and braking. When choosing tires, it is important to consider the type of driving you will be doing. For example, if you will be driving on wet or icy roads, you will want to choose tires with good traction.

Improve Aerodynamics

Improving your vehicle’s aerodynamics can also improve its performance. This includes reducing wind resistance by installing a spoiler or lowering your vehicle. Another option is to install a cold air intake system, which brings cooler air into the engine, improving its performance.

Use High-Quality Fuel and Lubricants

Using high-quality fuel and lubricants is another way to maximize your vehicle’s performance. Premium fuel can improve acceleration and fuel economy, while high-quality lubricants can help to reduce engine wear and improve overall performance.

Invest in OMP Race Suits

If you are a professional racer or an avid track enthusiast, investing in OMP race suits can help to improve your performance. These suits are designed to provide maximum protection and comfort, allowing you to focus on driving without distraction.

Know When to Call for RV Repair

If you are an RV owner, knowing when to call for RV repair is essential. Regular maintenance can help to prevent many issues, but sometimes unexpected problems can arise. It is important to know the signs of trouble, such as strange noises or poor performance, and to address them promptly.

Conclusion

Maximizing your vehicle’s performance requires a combination of regular maintenance, upgrades, and good driving habits. By following the tips in this comprehensive guide, you can improve your vehicle’s performance and get the most out of your driving experience. Whether you are a professional racer or just someone who loves to drive, these tips can help you achieve your goals. So, take the time to invest in your vehicle and watch as it performs better than ever before.

Why Selling Your Car for Cash Can Be a Quick and Easy Solution

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SM
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Photo Credit: unsplash.com/ Brian Lundquist

Introduction

Selling a car can be daunting, especially if you’re looking to get the best possible price for your vehicle. It can involve a significant investment of time and effort, including advertising, negotiating, and dealing with paperwork. However, selling your car for cash can be a quick and easy solution that offers several benefits. Cash for car companies can provide a stress-free way to dispose of your vehicle, with no need for advertising, immediate payment, and no hassle with paperwork. In this article, we’ll explore why selling your car for cash can be a great option and how it can help you get rid of your car quickly, easily, and with the added bonus of making a positive contribution to the environment.

Quick and Easy Process

Selling your car for cash is a straightforward and hassle-free process. Sell Your Car to Cash for Car Melbourne or a similar company near you, and you will typically receive a quote for your vehicle based on its make, model, year, and condition. Once you accept the offer, they will schedule an appointment to come and inspect the car. During the inspection, they will verify the condition of the car, and if everything checks out, they will offer you payment on the spot. The entire process can be completed in a matter of days, making it an efficient way to get rid of your car.

No Need for Advertising

One of the benefits of selling your car for cash is that you don’t need to invest time or money in advertising. Cash for cars companies has their own marketing and advertising channels, which means that they will handle the promotion and selling of your car for you. This can save you a significant amount of time and effort and can also ensure that you get a fair price for your vehicle.

No Hassle with Paperwork

Selling a car can involve a lot of paperwork, but cash for car services will handle your legal and administrative requirements. They will provide all the necessary forms, such as the transfer of ownership and cancellation of registration, and ensure that everything is completed correctly. This can save you the hassle of dealing with government agencies and other organizations and ensure that you comply with all the legal requirements.

Immediate Payment

Cash for cars companies offers immediate payment for your vehicle, which means that you can have cash in hand as soon as the sale is completed. This can be a significant benefit if you need cash quickly or if you’re looking to get rid of your car as soon as possible. You won’t have to wait for a private buyer to secure financing or write you a check, which can be a time-consuming and uncertain process.

Competitive Prices

Many people assume that selling their car for cash means accepting a lower price than selling to a private buyer. However, this is not necessarily true. Cash for cars companies often offer competitive prices for your vehicle, and you may be surprised at how much you can receive. Additionally, when selling to a private buyer, you may need to invest in repairs or cleaning to make your vehicle more attractive. With cash for car services, they will purchase your car regardless of its condition, which means that you can save money on repairs and maintenance.

Environmental Benefits

Selling your car for cash can also have environmental benefits. By selling your old car, you can help to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, which can help to lower air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, many cash-for-cars services have programs to recycle and reuse car parts, which can help reduce waste and conserve resources. By selling your car for cash, you can help reduce your environmental impact and positively contribute to the planet.

Conclusion

Selling your car for cash can be an efficient and stress-free way to dispose of your vehicle. With no need for advertising, no hassle with paperwork, immediate payment, and competitive prices, it’s a great option for those looking to get rid of their car quickly and easily. Cash for cars companies handles all the details for you so that you can focus on the more important things in your life. If you’re looking to sell your car, consider the benefits of selling for cash and explore your options with cash for cars services.

5 Reasons You Need to Tint Your Car Windows Right Now

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SM
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There’s nothing better than hitting the open road and feeling the wind in your hair. But, if you’re dealing with blinding sunlight or the prying eyes of strangers, it can really put a damper on your ride – not to mention uncomfortable temperature levels that could make for an unbearable drive.

That’s why car window tinting in costa mesa is such an important investment for any driver looking to maximize their time spent behind the wheel. Not only does tinted glass drastically reduce glare and block dangerous UV rays, but you’ll also enjoy a more comfortable ride as well as added security against potential intruders. In this blog post we’ll explore 5 reasons why it’s absolutely essential that you get car window tinting as soon as possible – because there’d be nothing worse than discovering these benefits after you’ve experienced all of them without it!

Protect your privacy

One of the main benefits of car window tinting is to protect your privacy and keep curious onlookers from seeing inside your vehicle. This can be especially important if you have valuables inside your car, such as electronics or luggage, that shouldn’t be on display for everyone to see. With a quality tint job, you’ll feel secure knowing that prying eyes are unable to see what’s inside your car.

Keep cool in the summer

No one likes to feel like they’re stuck in a sauna, and that’s exactly how it can feel when you’re driving around in the summer. But by window tinting your tesla, or other make of car, you’ll be able to reduce the heat inside your car significantly – up to 59% according to some studies. That means no more uncomfortably hot car rides, and you can keep your cool no matter how high the temperature is outside.

Enhance aesthetics

You don’t have to be an automotive enthusiast to appreciate the way window tinting can improve the look of any vehicle. Whether you’re driving a classic muscle car or a modern sedan, adding a tint job will make your ride look sleek and stylish. Not only that, but it’s also a great way to customize the exterior of your car and make it unique to you.

Reduce glare

Driving in bright or sunny conditions can be extremely dangerous, especially when the sun is shining directly into your eyes. With car window tinting, you’ll be able to reduce the amount of sunlight entering your vehicle and drastically reduce the chances of being blinded by a bright light.

Protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays

Last but not least, car window tinting has a number of health benefits as well. By blocking out up to 99% of the sun’s dangerous UV rays, you’ll be protecting your skin and keeping yourself safe from potential skin cancer or other damaging effects that can occur from long-term exposure.

Get Your Car Windows Tinted Today

Finding the right tinting option for your car’s windows is essential. Selecting a high-quality product and having it professionally installed can offer numerous advantages you may not have considered. Not only will you have an additional layer of privacy and protection within your vehicle, but you can also reap the benefits of added comfort when driving during the warmer months. The cosmetic improvement can spruce up any ride and make sure that no unwanted UV rays enter through the glass, protecting those in the car from unnecessary health effects.

If your vehicle’s glass is already showing signs of damage or wear, it might be worth considering window replacements from National Windscreens Group before applying a tint—ensuring both the safety and longevity of your upgrades. Furthermore, a little darkness on the window can help diffuse the sun’s glare and ensure safe practices while driving on a bright day. All these features come together to make tinting your car’s windows an important step toward enjoyable and secure rides with both family and friends – an investment you won’t regret in the least!

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