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Michael McDowell and No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops/Speedco Team Spring Richmond Competition Notes

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Michael McDowell and No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Team
Richmond Raceway Competition Notes

TEAM AND RACE NOTES:

Michael McDowell takes the Love’s Travel Stops colors back to the track this weekend. The No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops team will compete at the Richmond (Va.) Raceway this Sunday.

Sunday’s race will be the first points-paying short track of the season.

The race is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

COMPETITION NOTES:

The Love’s Travel Stops team is looking to start collecting top-10 finishes beginning this weekend. The Love’s Travel Stops Ford was in the top-three and then top-six at the end of the race at the Circuit of the Americas before being spun. The team finished 12th.

McDowell has a 13th-place finish at the Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway and could have finished in the top-10 in the Daytona 500 this season. He is looking to start collecting top-10 and top-five results.

CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON:

“We should have two or three top-10 finishes right now and probably be three or four spots higher in the points. Michael and everyone on the team are doing a good job and these better finishes will come to us.”

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:

“We just need to continue to execute properly and keep showing the speed. The season is young and we’re still coming together as a team. I am encouraged by what we’re doing and how we’re communicating during the week in the shop and at the track.

“There is a lot of potential with this group this season. It is not easy, but everyone is working hard. We will see the top-10 and top-five finishes come to us if we keep it up.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

GEARWRENCH Racing: Kevin Harvick Richmond Advance

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Official Release
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KEVIN HARVICK
Richmond Advance
No. 4 GEARWRENCH® 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

● Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 GEARWRENCH® Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), has made 796 career NASCAR Cup Series starts, with 128 of those starts coming on short tracks. And of his 60 Cup Series wins, eight have been on short tracks, with Richmond accounting for four of those victories. Harvick scored his first Richmond win in September 2006, his second in September 2011, his third in April 2013 and his fourth last August. His August win, however, was Harvick’s first with Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR). Despite being winless in his 16 prior starts at Richmond as a member of SHR, Harvick remained stout. He had three runner-up drives, nine top-five and 12 top-10 finishes, and only one result outside of the top-15.

● Harvick joined SHR in 2014 and has since recorded 37 of his 60 career NASCAR Cup Series wins, the most recent of which came at Richmond. In the Federated Auto Parts 400 last August, Harvick started 13th and drove into the lead for the first time on lap 334. He wound up leading twice for 55 laps, including the final 48 where Harvick legged out a margin of .441 of a second over second-place Christopher Bell.

● Harvick’s win last August at Richmond gave him 29 top-10s at the .75-mile oval, the most among active NASCAR Cup Series drivers. Next best is Kyle Busch with 27 top-10s. Who is the all-time leader in top-10s at Richmond? None other than “The King,” seven-time Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty. He earned 41 top-10s at Richmond in 63 career starts.

● Harvick has led 15,944 total laps in his NASCAR Cup Series career, with 1,235 of those laps coming at Richmond.

● The Richmond 400 will mark Harvick’s 44th NASCAR Cup Series start at the Virginia short track. His first start at Richmond came on May 5, 2001. That race was won by SHR co-owner Tony Stewart, who beat then three-time champion Jeff Gordon by .372 of a second. Harvick finished 17th in what was his 10th career Cup Series start. Eleven of the 43 drivers in that race have since been inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame – Stewart, Gordon, Rusty Wallace, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett, Ron Hornaday Jr., Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte.

● Harvick is the winningest NASCAR Xfinity Series driver at Richmond with seven victories. Kyle Busch is next best with six wins. Harvick finished among the top-10 in all but six of his 21 career Xfinity Series starts at Richmond.

● Harvick has also competed at Richmond in the NASCAR Truck Series and in IROC. He has made five Truck Series starts, the last three of which saw him finish second (2001), second (2002) and third (2005). And in his lone IROC start in 2004, Harvick finished fifth.

● GEARWRENCH is the No. 1 worldwide professional-grade mechanics’ hand tool brand, and the 90T reversible ratcheting wrench set is a prime example of its innovative tool lineup. GEARWRENCH flips the competition in this category by allowing users to engage a forward or reverse position without having to flip over the wrench. And with a 15 degree offset box end, there’s still plenty of clearance for one’s hands and knuckles. They’re the same ratcheting wrenches used by SHR, and they’re available in a 16-piece metric set and a 14-piece SAE set. Each wrench features color-filled markings, with molten orange for metric sizes and black for standard sizes.

Kevin Harvick, Driver of the No. 4 GEARWRENCH Ford Mustang

We just came out of a bump-and-bang race on the road course at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, where some of the new-to-NASCAR drivers – Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen and Jordan Taylor – were surprised at how much contact there was out on the racetrack. Is there a driver code when it comes to competing in these races?

“Well, the driver code is not what it used to be when I first started – when you would run into the back of somebody on a restart and lift their tires up off the ground because the nose was only 8, 9, 10 inches off the ground. It was much different then because there was a race etiquette that Ken Schrader and Bobby Hamilton and Dale Earnhardt and Mark Martin made sure that you understood. Usually, it came in ways of not being able to get your lap back when the caution came out. They would race you back to the yellow (flag) if you weren’t doing things appropriately on the racetrack. You also have to remember that the consequences were much different without the SAFER Barriers and the things that had happened at that particular point of time. You’re talking about hurting guys in a pretty serious way. The cars were less durable than what they are now, so a lot of times when you had stuff happen and you roughed people up and you were being rambunctious and it ended their day, it was looked upon as careless behavior and the car wasn’t able to handle it. Today, I really see it at the go-kart tracks. The things you currently see on the racetrack are exactly how all of them are taught to race. They’re taught to block, they’re taught to race in the rain, they’re taught to run into you and they’re taught to gouge on the restarts, and that’s just the way it is. It’s just a different upbringing as far as how you teach them to race compared to how I was taught to race, and there are a lot more situations where everybody has the resources and cars to get to the racetrack than putting your car together on a week-to-week basis where if you didn’t finish, you didn’t get to go for a few weeks. It’s a much different era of racing than what it used to be.”

This current-generation car does seem to be a little more forgiving than the previous-generation car when it comes to beating and banging. Those composite body panels don’t cut tires like the sheet metal of past cars used to. Does that give drivers a green light to lean on one another a bit more?

“You still have to be careful. Front-to-rear is fine with the foam and everything in the back of the car, but you still have to take care of the racecar. You still have a little more leeway than what you used to. You just don’t want to hit the wheels really hard because those parts will break.”

What’s OK and what isn’t when it comes to car-to-car contact at a short track?

“You can pretty much tell if it’s on purpose or not on purpose. You just have to be mentally prepared to know that there is going to be contact as you go through that race. You just have to try and stay as calm as possible. But, usually, if it’s the same guy that keeps having contact, then you know you have to do something different.”

When you won at Richmond last August, it was your second straight victory after winning the weekend before at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. How satisfying were those back-to-back wins?

“I think the most gratifying part of it all was the fact that we all worked through it together. Last year, this car was so drastically different from what we had before, and it forced you to look at things a lot differently than what you did before. For myself and Rodney (Childers, crew chief), we’ve been around this for a long time, and having to forget all of the stuff that you’ve done – you’re going to the same racetracks, but it’s a different thought process. It’s a different process of how you get to that answer than what it used to be. You had to be open-minded.”

When you have a car that isn’t capable of winning the race, how do you change your mindset to get the best out of your racecar on that particular day?

“That’s just something from when I wrestled in high school and raced our Late Models, it was always pounded into my head that it’s OK to not be good, but it’s not OK to quit. It’s never OK to not give it 100 percent. It’s never OK to quit grinding away for every single second of whatever it is you’re doing because you’re letting yourself down. And in this deal, you’re not only letting yourself down, you’re letting your whole team down, and I think that’s contagious, because nobody ever lets down. We can be off and struggling in a race, but we can keep ourselves on the lead lap and have a good pit stop and all of a sudden show up and finish fourth or fifth at the end of a race just because five or six of them have crashed and we’ve ground away all day at the little things and made our car a little bit better and hung in there and all of a sudden here we are. Sometimes it’s just about grinding away and doing the little things right. You don’t have to be the fastest, but if you just do more right than everybody else, you’re probably going to be pretty successful. There’s a lot of details that go into what we do to be good. Even with a slow car you can still find 100 details to make a slow car faster, and sometimes making a slow car faster is OK on certain days. Every day is different. Every day you have to find something to improve on and it’s a constant improvement.”

No. 4 GEARWRENCH Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Kevin Harvick

Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Crew Chief: Rodney Childers

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Robert “Cheddar” Smith

Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin

Engineer: Stephen Doran

Hometown: Butler, Pennsylvania

Engineer: Dax Gerringer

Hometown: Gibsonville, North Carolina

Spotter: Tim Fedewa

Hometown: Holt, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Daniel Coffey

Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Daniel Smith

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Jeremy Howard

Hometown: Delhart, Texas

Jack Man: Brandon Banks

Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Evan Marchal

Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Tyler Trosper

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Mechanic: Nick DeFazio

Hometown: Orange, California

Tire Specialist: Jamie Turski

Hometown: Trumbull, Connecticut

Engine Tuner: Robert Brandt

Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Transporter Co-Driver: Rick Hodges

Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Stephen Mitchell

Hometown: Woodville, Ohio

New “NASCAR Legends Presented by GEICO” Campaign Celebrates Legendary People, Places and Moments Throughout NASCAR’s 75 Years

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Official Release
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Campaign will come to life over four weeks through original social/digital content, advertising and at-track integrations, culminating with the launch of a fan sweepstakes

Daytona Beach, Fla. (March 28, 2023) – NASCAR this week is launching a new marketing campaign in conjunction with one of its Premier Partners as the sport continues celebrating its 75th anniversary. “NASCAR Legends Presented by GEICO” centers on telling stories of notable traditions and prominent pieces of NASCAR history across multiple touchpoints, from drivers and tracks to fans, moments and more.

The four-week window kicked off with a new television spot called “Mean It” that aired during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of The Americas. The spot showcases examples of legendary drivers, tracks and fans in the sport. The media plan also includes a radio spot and digital advertising.

The campaign will come to an exciting conclusion during the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 23 with the launch of a sweepstakes offering fans the chance to be the Honorary Starter as part of a legendary VIP experience of their own at the 2024 GEICO 500 at Talladega.

“You don’t grow from backroads and beaches to become the No. 1 motorsport in America without amassing plenty of legendary figures and memories along the way,” said Pete Jung, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at NASCAR. “We’re ecstatic about teaming up with our partners at GEICO to celebrate more of those stories with our fans and continue connecting NASCAR’s past, present and future through this campaign.”

Throughout its run, NASCAR Legends Presented by GEICO will be anchored by original social and digital content produced by NASCAR Studios, including the series: Photo Memories, Untold Stories, NASCAR Classics and NASCAR Rewind. Multiple pieces of content will roll out across NASCAR platforms each week, offering fans unparalleled perspective on some of their favorite moments and others they may be hearing about for the first time.

Fans can visit www.nascar.com/legends to see it all in one dedicated digital hub.

Content and additional campaign elements will be part of the NASCAR Experience midway activation at Richmond Raceway, Martinsville Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, including branded giveaway items for fans and on-stage interviews with legendary NASCAR personalities.

GEICO will incorporate the campaign into their own at-track activations during the GEICO 500 weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, and there will be official integrations with the NASCAR Hall of Fame as well.

The NASCAR season rolls into Richmond Raceway this weekend. Fans can tune in to the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 this Sunday, April 2, at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Tickets are available for purchase at www.nascar.com/tickets.

About NASCAR

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Pinty’s Series (Canada), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

About GEICO

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) was founded in 1936 and insures more than 28 million vehicles in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, GEICO constantly strives to make lives better by protecting people against unexpected events while saving them money and providing an outstanding customer experience. Along with personal auto insurance, commercial auto and personal umbrella coverages are also available. Homeowners, renters, condo, flood, identity theft, term life, and more coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Visit geico.com for a quote or to learn more.

Zane Smith and No. 38 Speedy Cash Ford F-150 Team Texas Motor Speedway Competition Notes

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Zane Smith and the No. 38 Speedy Cash Ford F-150 Team
Texas Motor Speedway Competition Notes

TEAM AND RACE NOTES:

Continuing their streak of consecutive races, Zane Smith and the No. 38 Speedy Cash Ford F-150 team will roll into the Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for Saturday’s SpeedyCash.com 250.

Racing with the Speedy Cash colors, Smith will be looking to get his third win of the season and park his F-150 in Speedy Cash victory lane at the mile-and-a-half oval.

Speedy Cash is an omni-channel lender that specializes in financial services such as installment loans, title loans, payday loans, personal lines of credit, check cashing, money transfers and money orders. Speedy Cash is a part of the Community Choice Financial family of brands which includes CheckSmart, easymoney, Check Into Cash, California Check Cashing Stores, and more. The Community Choice Financial family of brands provides personal lending and ancillary services at over 700 stores nationwide and online.

Smith is looking to get his first win at the track.

The SpeedyCash.com 250 will be held on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

COMPETITION NOTES:

The SpeedyCash.com team is the team to beat right now. Smith led the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports (FRM) NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team to its second win of the season last weekend at the Circuit of the Americas. Smith took over the regular season and playoff points lead, too.

The team brings chassis 151 to the track. It will see its first track time this season. It raced at other mile-and-a-half tracks last season, including the Texas Motor Speedway.

CREW CHIEF CHRIS LAWSON:

“We have some unfinished business to take care of in Texas. We’ve been friends with SpeedyCash.com for several seasons and it’s time we get them into Speedy Cash victory lane with us.

“This truck has shown great speed and we just need to make sure that we do the right things in preparation before we leave the shop. On the track, Zane is making the results speak for themselves.”

DRIVER ZANE SMITH:

“Texas is a tough track. You need to be out front at these mile-and-a-half tracks to have clean air. It makes a huge difference. That makes qualifying important and then staying up front. It’s tough to move back up through the field.

“I want to win every race at every track, but it’s special when you can win when your sponsor is the race sponsor, too. They have an awesome Speedy Cash victory lane. I want to raise a cowboy hat at the end of Saturday.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Swift Springs partners with Lee Faulk Racing

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Columbia, S.C. (March 28, 2023) – After joining the CARS Tour as a contingency sponsor for the 2023 season, Swift Springs has elected to expand their involvement with pavement short track racing.

Swift Springs has formed a partnership with Lee Faulk Racing & Development, which will see the company sponsor all of the team’s drivers as they pursue victories in the CARS LMSC Tour or in weekly events across the southeast.

The decision to team up with LFR was an easy one for Swift Springs Motorsports Director Frank Simonetti, who shares the vision of the Faulk family to put in a tremendous number of resources towards shaping the next generation of drivers.

“I can’t thank MPM Marketing enough for connecting me with the Faulks,” Simonetti said. “It’s a great thing for us to be involved with because Lee Faulk Racing is one of the premier teams out there. This is just another way for Swift to put their name out there and work with some great race teams.”

Simonetti added the history of LFR highlights the success of their driver development program, with some of the team’s notable alumni including 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, 2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Daniel Suarez.

With LFR having used Swift Springs products for many years, Simonetti saw an ideal

opportunity to bolster his already sturdy relationship with the Faulks and believes the program put together between will prove to be beneficial for everyone involved, especially when it comes to driver development.

Michael Faulk, who serves as a co-owner of LFR alongside his father Lee, is proud to be aligned with a respected and successful company like Swift Springs and fully expects to see the partnership flourish in numerous ways both on and off the track.

“We want to represent Swift to the best of our ability and take them to victory lane as much as possible,” Michael said. “We hope to build on this partnership and see it grow in the future by not only promoting Swift products but also exploring B2B opportunities between ourselves, Swift and other partners.”

For Simonetti, one aspect of LFR’s driver development that separates them from other organizations is their commitment to helping aspiring women drivers.

Along with fielding cars for Isabella Robusto in the CARS Tour, drivers like Toni Breidinger and dirt track standout Kaylee Bryson have competed for LFR over the past few years. By providing women chances to race, Simonetti believes LFR is providing them all the essentials to one day have great careers in the top levels of NASCAR.

“We like the idea of being able to promote the young drivers,” Simonetti said. “It’s always an amazing opportunity to work with young women and we need more of them in our sport. There are a lot of talented women that are finally getting those chances because of people like [the Faulks] and Toyota.”

Like Michael, Simonetti is confident the expanded relationship between the two sides will only lead to more positive development in the future, but he is currently focused on helping LFR find on-track success with their current group of drivers.

Simonetti stressed Swift Springs always has high expectations with any partnership they form in motorsports and believes their first year aligned with LFR will be one dominated by growth and efficiency.

“I’d love to see some of these women make it to victory lane,” Simonetti said. “It’s exciting to see young, talented drivers go to victory lane and [the Faulks] have plenty of talented people driving for them. This is a great opportunity for us to move forward and help develop the future of our sport.”

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About Swift Springs

Founded in 1997 as a motorsports division of Tokyo Hatsujo Manufacturing Co, Ltd., Swift Springs is an acronym that stands for Springs With Intelligence From Tohatsu. The company is the only spring manufacturer in motorsports that has their own foundry and makes their own material.

By doing this, Swift Springs has been able to formulate materials to fit any application for the construction of a spring, which has garnered the company a popular reputation in the motorsports community. Among the impressive clientele Swift Springs has amassed since its inception includes teams that have raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

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About McCallister Precision Marketing

McCallister Precision Marketing (MPM) focuses on assisting up-and-coming race car drivers with career advancement and promotion. McCallister Precision Marketing helps drivers build confidence in front of and behind the camera, giving them the tools they need to advance to the next level. The company also provides companies with a strategic plan for their sales, marketing and promotional needs. We believe in building positive relationships with our clients so that we may provide them with the most professional, yet personal guidance they need, in order to achieve their racing goals. Our clients include race car drivers, race team owners, companies and racing series’. We also work closely with charities and charity events. For more information on McCallister Precision Marketing, visit www.MarketWithMPM.com, email TonyaMac44@MarketWithMPM.com or call 803-361-6199.

Country Superstar Brad Paisley To Headline Firestone Legends Day Concert May 27

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INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, March 28, 2023) – Country music superstar Brad Paisley will headline the Firestone Legends Day Concert on Saturday, May 27 at the TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park in Indianapolis.

Special guests Russell Dickerson and Jackson Dean will open the show at 7 p.m. ET with individual performances.

The concert expands the celebration of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” into downtown Indianapolis the night before the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

“Concerts build tremendous energy and excitement in the lead-up to the green flag on Race Day,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “As fans enjoy country hits at the Firestone Legends Day Concert under the lights of downtown in a fantastic venue, we’ll have IMS ready to welcome more than 300,000 people beginning at 6 a.m. the following morning.”

Tickets will be available for purchase starting at 10 a.m. ET Friday, March 31 at LiveNation.com.

Fans can celebrate Legends Day presented by Firestone at both Indianapolis Motor Speedway and throughout downtown Indianapolis. Legends Day kicks off with the 107th Indianapolis 500 Public Drivers’ Meeting and driver autograph sessions at IMS. Fans then can make their way downtown for the AES 500 Festival Parade and the Firestone Legends Day Concert.

Paisley has earned his place in country music history as one of the genre’s most talented and decorated male solo artists.

For more than 20 years, Paisley’s songwriting and unmatched showmanship have won him numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards, including a highly coveted Entertainer of the Year honor and recognition as the most successful CMA Award co-host in history, alongside Carrie Underwood, for 11 consecutive years. A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001, Paisley has written 21 of his 25 No. 1 hits, and in 2008 became the first artist to achieve 10 consecutive Billboard Country Airplay No. 1 singles. The superstar’s past works have amassed nearly 5 billion career streams.

It was recently announced that Paisley will release his first album with Universal Music Group Nashville later this year, titled “Son of the Mountains.” The first new song off the forthcoming project, “Same Here,” with a special appearance by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was released Feb. 24, marking the first anniversary since the war in Ukraine began. “Same Here” was written by Paisley, Lee Thomas Miller and Taylor Goldsmith and produced by Luke Wooten.

Paisley’s additional endeavors include his new “American Highway” bourbon, his collaborations with Peyton Manning on the national Nationwide insurance ad campaigns and his partnership with Boot Barn® to develop “Moonshine Spirit by Brad Paisley,” an exclusive line of jeans, hats, T-shirts, jewelry, belts and woven shirts.

Dickerson, who is one of country’s hottest new talents and recently released his third album, wraps soul-mate symphonies with epic country devotion. His hits include R&B bangers with the swagger of a free spirit, plus the steady hand of a family man. With stadium-sized small-town anthems, he is a superstar on the rise who’s already been rewarded for opening up his soul and is now giving fans the full picture. Dickerson’s first hit and now a three-time-Platinum No. 1, “Yours” was a creative breakthrough and was followed by three more Platinum chart-toppers in the same vivid, personal vein – “Blue Tacoma,” “Every Little Thing” and “Love You Like I Used To.”

Dean is quickly earning a reputation for his old school, gritty, lyric-driven, outlaw style of country. Mature beyond his years, the 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist is also an old soul and skilled artisan whose pastimes include making leather goods, wood-burned art and disappearing into the woods to sleep under the stars. Dean’s single, “Don’t Come Lookin’,” was the fastest debut to reach No. 1 in 2022 and cemented him as the youngest solo male country artist to reach the top of the charts with a debut. Landing spots on the Billboard Hot 100, the soundtrack for Netflix’s “The Ice Road” and a John Dutton scene in “Yellowstone,” the song has more than 80 million streams.

As the Official Tire of Country Music and the Official Tire of the Indianapolis 500, Firestone has served as the presenting sponsor of Legends Day since it debuted in 2014. The partnership brings together two platforms – racing and music – that have played significant roles in the rich history of the time-tested Firestone brand.

The 107th Indianapolis 500 by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 28. Race Day tickets are on sale now at IMS.com or by calling or visiting the IMS Ticket Office. General admission tickets for Legends Day presented by Firestone start at $10. This ticket does not include concert admission. IMS gates will open at 8 a.m. and will close at 3 p.m.

Sheehan Takes Top Twenty Result in Rain Shortened Race at Road Atlanta

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Braselton, GEORGIA – March 27, 2023 – Tom Sheehan and the No. 97 LTK Insulation Technologies Damon Racing Ford Mustang team approached Round 3 of the 2023 Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series season with grit, determination and guile. The 2023 running of The Bennett/BridgeHaul Classic TA2 race held at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta warranted those indelible qualities considering the changing track conditions.

Prior to the third race of the season, Tom and the team tallied finishes of P22 at Sebring and P19 at NOLA Motorsports Park. The pride of New Hampshire focused on building consistency while keeping out of trouble.

Prior to Sunday’s race, Tom registered a time of 1:27.192 during qualifications for the race. This resulted in a P23 starting position for the LTK Mustang.

In the two opening laps, Tom slipped to P26 before a caution on Lap 6. Restarting in P20 on Lap 8, Tom worked his way up to P18 on Lap 9, his highwater position at Road Atlanta.

Clearly, Tom’s car was fast and competitive around the 2.54-mile road course. However, a double yellow and black flag with 15 minutes left in the race added a prevailing urgency to maximize on results.

Once the race resumed, Tom gained a position, provisionally placing in P20 once the race ended with heavy rain. A post-race penalty was assessed to one of Tom’s competitors, boosting the Granite State native to place P19.

Following the race, Tom reflected on a respectable race and result at the renowned road course.

“The guys did a great job,” Tom said. “We rolled off, worked hard and made the right changes. We got the car where I was happy with it. The race was truly exciting. It was fun.”

Tom added, “We were really conservative and kind of figured it would be caution filled. If we could just keep the car under us, keep it on the racetrack and have something for the end, we could have a decent day on the pace that we kind of established for the weekend. We did that.”

The resiliency displayed by Tom and the team were evident in the challenging, slick conditions. Likewise, he looks forward to a homecoming TA2 race following the two-month break.

“We have our chin up,” Tom said. “I thought we ran well. We fired off really good on that last restart and I had a lot of car and tire left. I thought we were the better car than the two or three cars in front of us. The team is looking forward to going back to Lime Rock and racing there again.”

Before Tom and the team made the trek back home, he offered his well wishes and thoughts to Scott Borchetta, a driver and team owner involved in a Lap 24, Turn 1 accident.

“Our thoughts are with Scotty who got hurt in that wreck,” Tom said. “It looked like a pretty big shunt. I’m hoping he heals up and I’m wishing him well for a quick recovery. You hate to see that.”

“He’s been running strong, and he works so hard,” Tom added. “He does a lot for the Series. We’ll welcome him with open arms when he recoups and hopefully it’s pretty speedy.”

Following the season’s three opening races during the Series’ Southern swing, Tom and the Damon Racing team will have some time off before preparing for the Trans Am Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut from May 26 – 29.

This year, Trans Am races are available for live streaming on Trans Am and SpeedTour’s YouTube channels with full playbacks immediately available after the race. Also, the races can be seen in edited, 60-minute features broadcasted on MAVTV’s Thursday night primetime slot at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Follow Tom’s social media channels via his Facebook page, Damon Racing, Instagram account, TomSheehanTA97, and Twitter account, TomTA2_97.

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TPC Racing and Team Driver David Williams Win First Porsche Sprint Challenge North America Race Sunday at Sebring

By
Official Release
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  • Second-Year Sprint Challenge Driver Williams Delivers TPC Racing its First Win with a Sunday 992 Am-Division Victory from the Front Row in his No. 237 Mission BBQ Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
  • Debuting TPC Racing Driver Tillman Schmid Secures Podium Finish in First Race on Slick Tires in Saturday’s Sprint Challenge Cayman Race in the No. 77 Monoflo International Cayman GT4 Clubsport
  • Shaun McKaigue Shakes Off Saturday Porsche Sprint Challenge Disappointment with Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) WeatherTech Sprint Race Victory in his TPC Racing 2012 No. 34 Porsche 997.2 GT3 Cup

SEBRING, Florida (March 27, 2023) – Wasting no time achieving one of their stated goals for the 2023 season, TPC Racing and team driver David Williams scored their first USAC Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama race win Sunday at Sebring International Raceway. Williams secured a close but flag-to-flag Sprint Challenge 992 Am-division victory, crossing the finish line third overall behind a pair of Pro-Am competitors and giving TPC its first Sprint Challenge victory in its third year competing in the all-Porsche racing series.

“It was a really great weekend for the TPC Racing team overall,” said Harris Levitas, TPC Racing Director of Race Operations. “We couldn’t be more excited to start the season off as well as we did. To collect our first win in the Porsche Sprint Challenge series is huge, but to start the season off collecting points in the way David Williams did with P2 in race one and then getting his first ever win in race two, those are just solid points going into the remainder of the season.”

Adding to the milestone weekend, the breakout victory – which followed a second-place 992 Am finish by Williams in Saturday’s season-opening sprint – came after he started Sunday’s race on the outside pole, his first front-row starting berth. In addition to the top 992 Am finishes, Williams battled in the overall lead pack in both of the weekend’s season-opening sprints.

“Since I started in IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup back in 2013, I never sat on the front row,” Williams said. “That was exciting in itself. And then to battle Sunday and even Saturday for the overall win is awesome. A lot of tough competition, tight, tight competition out there. It’s really cool to battle at the front of the pack. Everybody is so close, you make one little mistake and everyone is all over you, so it is really competitive and I am enjoying the hell out of it. I have been longtime friends and teammates with TPC Racing and I can’t say enough about these guys, they did a great job, and Sebastian Moreno, our driver coach, is fantastic.”

Adding to TPC’s top weekend, debuting team driver Tillman Schmid finished third in Saturday’s Sprint Challenge Cayman race in the No. 77 Monoflo International Cayman GT4 Clubsport. Schmid sealed third-place in the Pro-Am-class with a last-lap pass for the podium despite competing on racing slick tires for the first time.

“For Tillman Schmid in the Monoflo International Cayman GT4 Clubsport, it was just an amazing drive by him all weekend,” Levitas said. “Having never done more than certain levels of club racing in the past, and this being his first time racing on true racing slick tires, it was absolutely amazing to see him adapt to the car the way he did. Huge thanks and credit to David, Tillman, Shaun McKaigue and all of the TPC Racing team for all of the hard work and dedication that everybody put into this weekend. It wouldn’t be possible without all of the amazing driver coaching by Sebastian Moreno and everything that he did to get the drivers all set and ready for what they did on track.”

Schmid backed up Saturday’s podium debut with a fourth-place finish in Sunday’s Cayman race.

“We just focused forward, clicked them off one-by-one and made a last-lap pass for the podium,” Schmid said. “That was pretty sweet and definitely the top highlight reel of my small racing career. I just stayed patient and, working with TPC Racing, they have been coaching me and helping me along the way. I just tried to not force anything and waited for that opportunity. There were a few spots where I could have pressed the issue, but I wouldn’t have made the pass and just fallen back, but coming into Turn 7 on the last lap, the field was stacked up and I knew an accordion effect would catch him out. I went ahead and took to the inside right away and made the pass that way. Big thanks to Monoflo International and Henning Rader for allowing one of his employees to come out here and run his car. I am really looking forward to the rest of the season.”

TPC’s third 2023 Sprint Challenge competitor Shaun McKaigue moved off to a solid start in his 991-class campaign only to be taken out in an incident late in Saturday’s first race. McKaigue was uninjured, and the team believes his TPC Racing No. 134 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup escaped any structural damage, but the entry was still retired for the weekend in favor of immediately repairing the Porsche for next month’s race at Barber Motorsports Park. The No. 134 is currently being transported by TPC Racing personnel to a Tennessee-based race shop for bodywork repairs.

Despite the Sprint Challenge disappointment, McKaigue still scored a pair of podium finishes competing in the Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Spring Fling event that shared the Sebring weekend card with Sprint Challenge and other racing series. McKaigue drove his TPC Racing-prepared 2012 No. 34 Porsche 997.2 GT3 Cup in the HSR events.

“It was a great weekend,” McKaigue said. “The boys at TPC Racing put together a great car for me for Porsche Sprint Challenge and we were running pretty well. We had pretty good qualifying and a great first race going but, unfortunately, we got caught up in an incident that retired the car for the rest of the weekend. But TPC Racing also helped out tremendously with bringing our 2012 Porsche 997.2 here for some historic racing. We just had so much fun, HSR always has great events, and running back-to-back and on the same weekend with Porsche Sprint Challenge was just a great opportunity. I was competing against some much newer and high-horsepower cars, but it is just a testament to running your own race, staying consistent and running your laps. Everybody on track is so respectful and races clean.”

McKaigue won his Saturday HSR WeatherTech Sprint race and followed it up with a second-place finish in the GT Modern (GTM) division in Sunday morning’s one-hour B.R.M. Chronographes Endurance Challenge race. Remarkably, McKaigue, TPC and the 11-year-old Porsche split a GTM podium that included the winning 2016 Porsche 991 GT3R and the third place 2018 Porsche GT2/RS/CS.

“On top of the Porsche Sprint Challenge weekend, we were also running HSR with Shaun McKaigue in his Porsche 997 Gen 2 GT3 Cup Car,” Levitas said. “That was a really fun experience, being back with a 997, and what a difference Porsche has made in the last 10 years and various generations of these cars. It was really cool for Shaun to do so well in HSR and come away with a couple of podium finishes, including a race win. It was a great overall weekend. It was hot, it was a lot of work, some late nights, and the guys just did an outstanding job and I can’t thank everyone enough.”

Next up for TPC Racing in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America is rounds three and four of the 2023 season at Barber Motorsports Park, April 28 – 30.

About TPC Racing: TPC Racing is the Mid-Atlantic’s premier maintenance, service, tuning and modification center dedicated solely to Porsche sportscars. TPC Racing specializes in R&D and sales of high-performance modifications for Porsche sports cars and race cars, offering a wide range of vehicle upgrades. Best known for a line of forced induction solutions for the Porsche 911, Cayman and Boxster, a long-time focus on only one make, Porsche, has enabled TPC Racing to become experts in Porsche service, tuning, and racing. In 2000, TPC Racing began entering races under its own banner, scoring an SGS-class Championship in 2004 in the Grand-American Rolex Series and was a class winner in the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona, and captured the 2013 and 2016 IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA Gold Cup Championships. More information can be found at www.TPCRacing.com.

Important Things You Should Know About Motorcycle Laws

By
SM
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Photo by Alexey Malakhov on Unsplash

Motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation, especially for people who enjoy the thrill of riding on the open road. However, as with any vehicle, riders must follow laws and regulations to ensure their safety and the safety of others on the road. Here are some essential things you should know about motorcycle laws.

1. Licensing Requirements

In most countries, a rider must have a valid motorcycle license to operate on public roads. The process of obtaining a motorcycle license typically involves a written test, a road test, and completing a motorcycle safety course. Riders found to be operating a motorcycle without a valid license can sometimes face fines, penalties, and even imprisonment.

In Missouri, riders must possess a valid Class E motorcycle license or Motorcycle Endorsement to operate a motorcycle. These are legal requirements for operating a motorcycle in Missouri and must be obtained from the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The process of obtaining a Class E license includes passing the written and road tests administered by the Missouri Department of Revenue and completing an approved safety course.

Other states can also vary. You can learn more about Massachusetts motorcycle permits which are designed to allow motorcyclists and other drivers to safely share the road and help reduce risk for all drivers on Massachusetts roads.

2. Helmet Laws

Wearing a helmet is one of the most important safety measures a rider can take. Many countries have laws requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets when operating a motorcycle. These laws are in place to protect riders from head injuries in the event of an accident. Riders who are found to be violating helmet laws can face fines and penalties.

All riders and passengers must wear a U.S. Department of Transportation-approved helmet on public roads. The helmet must fit properly and have a securely fastened chin strap. Riders violating this law can face a fine of up to $100 or imprisonment for up to 30 days.

3. Motorcycle Insurance

Most countries require motorcycle riders to have some form of insurance coverage for their motorcycle. This coverage can include liability coverage, which covers damages or injuries caused to others in an accident, and collision and comprehensive coverage, which covers damages to the rider’s motorcycle. Riders need to understand their insurance coverage and ensure they have adequate coverage to protect themselves in an accident.

The cost of motorcycle insurance varies depending on the type of coverage and the rider’s risk profile. Riders should shop around to find the best rate for their needs.

4. Lane Splitting

Proponents of lane splitting argue that it can help reduce traffic congestion by allowing motorcycles to pass slower-moving vehicles quickly, while opponents cite potential dangers such as the increased risk of accidents and limited visibility for drivers who are not used to the practice. Additionally, some research suggests that lane splitting may benefit riders because they are less likely to suffer serious injuries if involved in an accident when compared with those who do not split lanes.

However, most studies suggest that there is yet to be a definitive answer about whether or not lane splitting should be allowed since each situation must be evaluated on its own merits. Ultimately, motorcyclists must weigh the risks against the benefits before deciding whether or not to engage in this activity.

5. Noise Regulations

Motorcycle noise is an issue that has been a source of contention in many cities. Motorcycles are typically louder than other vehicles, making them intrusive and disruptive to others in the surrounding area. Some states have adopted laws regulating motorcycle noise levels to address this problem.

In addition to state laws, local governments may impose restrictions on motorcycle noise. These regulations are typically based on decibel levels and may include penalties for exceeding the limits. Motorcyclists should familiarize themselves with local noise laws before riding to avoid potentially costly fines or other sanctions.

Lastly, riders are encouraged to be mindful of their noise levels and respect the rights of their neighbors when riding. This helps ensure that motorists remain safe and respectful on the roads but also helps maintain a peaceful atmosphere in the community.

6. Speed Limits

Speed limits are in place to help keep riders safe and adhere to the law. Riders should always obey speed limits at all times and never exceed the posted limit. Exceeding the speed limit can lead to serious consequences including fines, license suspension, or even imprisonment depending on the severity of the infraction.

In some states, additional speed limits may be in place for motorcycles. For instance, some states have enacted laws that require motorcycles to maintain a speed limit of 55 mph on interstate highways. Motorcyclists should familiarize themselves with local and state laws before taking to the roads to ensure they adhere to all applicable speed limits.

In conclusion, motorcycle laws are in place to ensure the safety of riders and others on the road. Riders must be aware of these laws and follow them to avoid fines, penalties, and even imprisonment. By understanding and obeying motorcycle laws, riders can enjoy the thrill of the open road while staying safe and responsible.

6 Common Injuries to Look Out for After a Car Crash

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SM
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Photo by C Joyful on Unsplash

Car crashes can be devastating, causing serious injuries and even death. Unfortunately, auto accidents are a common occurrence in the United States, with over 6 million reported each year. Even if you’re a perfect driver, you may find yourself involved in an accident through no fault of your own. As such, it’s important to stay aware of potential injury risks following a car crash. Here are 6 common injuries that can occur as a result of an automobile accident – so read on to learn more – from whiplash and concussions to broken bones and internal organ damage. So whether you’ve just been in a crash or want to know how to protect yourself in the future, this is all the information you need to stay informed.

1. Whiplash

This is a common injury that results from rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck. This can occur when a car is rear-ended or involved in an accident with higher speed impacts. Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, and ringing in the ears. A lot of accident settlements are impacted by whiplash diagnosis, so it’s important to seek medical attention and consult with expert vbr Lawyers if you think you may have suffered whiplash in the accident. Treatment for whiplash typically involves physical therapy exercises to help ease pain and improve mobility. 

2. Concussion

A concussion is a type of brain injury that can occur when the head experiences a violent jolt or shake. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, nausea and vomiting, and confusion. If you experience any signs of a concussion after an accident, seek medical attention immediately. Treatment for concussions typically involves rest and avoiding activities that could aggravate symptoms until cleared by a doctor. This is important because a severe concussion can cause long-term complications. And even a mild concussion can impair cognitive functioning, so it’s important to take any signs seriously. 

Such an injury can drastically affect your quality of life and can lead to long-term issues. As such, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary. It’s also important to pursue legal action against the liable party. The experts from www.malloy-law.com/virginia-car-accident-attorney can explain how the person responsible for the accident can be held accountable and help you receive compensation for medical expenses and other damages. Further, seeking legal advice can help protect your rights and ensure that you receive the proper care and treatment for any long-term effects of a concussion.

3. Broken Bones

These injuries are another common injury from car accidents, and they can range from minor fractures to major bone breaks. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the affected area. Treatment for broken bones typically involves immobilizing the area with a cast or splint and taking medications to help manage pain. Surgery may sometimes be required to repair the bone, such as shoulder injuries. A Houston shoulder surgeon who specializes in treating shoulder injuries and conditions can help you with your injuries. When broken bones are severe, they can cause long-term complications. This is why it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident. 

4. Internal Organ Damage

This is a potentially life-threatening condition that may occur after an accident. It typically occurs when the body is subjected to extreme acceleration or deceleration forces, such as those experienced in high-speed crashes. Symptoms of internal organ damage include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms after a car crash, seek medical attention immediately. Treatment for internal organ damage typically involves surgery to repair the damaged organs and medications to reduce swelling and manage pain. 

5. Spinal Injury

Spinal injuries can range from minor sprains to more serious fractures and dislocations. Symptoms of a spinal injury may include pain in the neck or back, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, difficulty walking, and paralysis. If you experience any of these signs after an accident, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Treatment for spinal injuries typically involves immobilization with a brace or cast, medications to manage pain and reduce inflammation, physical therapy exercises to improve mobility, and possibly surgery if needed. For example, surgery may be needed to repair a herniated disc or stabilize damaged vertebrae. For non-surgical treatment options, visiting an Auto Accident Chiropractor Near Me can help manage pain, restore mobility, and support recovery through tailored chiropractic care.

6. Soft Tissue Injuries

Injuries such as bruises and strains are common after car accidents. Symptoms may include swelling, tenderness, bruising, and limited range of motion in the affected area. Treatment for soft tissue injuries typically involves rest, ice therapy to reduce swelling, and over-the-counter pain medications to help manage discomfort. In some cases, physical therapy or surgery may be required if the injury is more severe. This is why it’s important to seek medical attention if you experience any signs of a soft tissue injury. Additionally, even minor injuries should be evaluated by a doctor to ensure proper healing. 

Car accidents can cause a variety of injuries, ranging from minor to life-threatening. It’s important to seek medical attention if you experience any signs or symptoms after an accident, as this will help ensure optimal recovery and minimize the risk of complications. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, contact a qualified personal injury attorney today to learn more about your rights and legal options. You may be eligible for compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related expenses.

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