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NTT, NTT DATA, INDYCAR Extend Entitlement Partnership with Multiyear Agreement

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Official Release
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  • Entitlement extension for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES officially commences in 2024 after completion of the current agreement.
  • NTT and NTT DATA continue as the Official Technology Partner of INDYCAR, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR Brickyard weekend.
  • Leading global technology and business solutions provider has benefited the sport through its Smart Venue application at IMS, enhanced mobile app and continued digital transformation of the sport.

DETROIT (Monday, March 27, 2023) – NTT, a leading global technology and business solutions provider, and NTT DATA have extended the entitlement partnership with INDYCAR, North America’s premier open-wheel motorsports series, through a multiyear agreement that also includes official technology partner status.

NTT has been the title sponsor of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2019 and will continue in that capacity with this multiyear extension that goes into effect in 2024. NTT and NTT DATA will continue as the Official Technology Partner for INDYCAR, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR Brickyard weekend.

“NTT is an excellent partner across our enterprise with strong expertise and a deep commitment to our sport,” said Roger Penske, chairman, Penske Corporation. “From Smart Venue technology at the Racing Capital of the World to the reimagined series mobile application, NTT is transforming the fan experience in new and innovative ways. We look forward to a bright future together.”

NTT helps organizations like INDYCAR with its digital transformations and remains committed to accelerating the future of sports. Of note, NTT’s Smart Solutions use proprietary technology to consume, analyze and transform massive amounts of data and deliver valuable insights.

“INDYCAR is a great partner for NTT DATA because of our shared commitment to driving innovation, increasing sustainability and delivering amazing experiences,” said Kaz Nishihata, chief executive officer, NTT DATA, Inc. “We also appreciate how INDYCAR is so diverse, with drivers from 15 different countries, and races that range from short ovals and superspeedways to road and street courses. It’s both an incredible sport and a wonderful example for our world.”

Some of the highlights of NTT and NTT DATA’s commitment to accelerating the sport’s future include:

  • Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a Smart Venue: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled optical detection technologies, combined with real-time entry gate flow rate data, provide the IMS operations and security teams more insight into current and possible scenarios at the historic venue. The technology allows the staff to see a broader venue picture in real time ranging from visitor and traffic flow to congestion points and security. At-gate IMS personnel also have mobile point-of-sale capabilities at their fingertips for digital ticketing and parking transactions – all to help manage the event venue more safely and efficiently. It also provides fans attending one of the world’s largest-attended, single-day events with real-time entry gate wait times through the IMS app and website.
  • INDYCAR App Enhancements and Growth: Powered by NTT DATA since 2019, the INDYCAR App has made dramatic gains in functionality, features and use. Over the last three years, downloads have grown by nearly 50 percent with users representing more than 200 countries and territories. A new version debuted for the start of this NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with a modernized look, upgraded navigation, and enhanced pre-race, live race and post-race experiences. It also returned fan favorite features such as driver-specific telemetry, live timing and scoring, multiple in-car cameras and driver-to-team radio communication. The INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA is free and available for download from the iOS App Store or Google Play.
  • INDYCAR Data Experience: NTT is providing fans with more race and driver data than ever before through multiple channels, including the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA and NBC television broadcasts. Utilizing 140 different data points from each car in the field and also the track, NTT delivers real-time, data-driven racing insights for fans to better consume and understand how a race is unfolding. AI and predictive data analytics allow NTT to provide fans real-time access to key in race aspects such as head-to-head driver battles for position, pit stop performance impact, fuel strategies and tire wear, leaderboard predictions, weather impact and much more.

“The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will continue to be a hub for progress and discovery with the extension of this world-class partnership,” said Mark Miles, president & chief executive officer, Penske Entertainment. “NTT is fully invested in the development and growth of our sport and has already established a terrific track record in our industry with problem-solving capabilities and access to top talent and tools.”

INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES have also been important partners to NTT. The sanctioning body and series have provided NTT with valuable opportunities for brand awareness, client engagement and a range of business-to-business (B2B) initiatives while spearheading a digital transformation within the industry. NTT also values its Penske Corporation business partnership as an important B2B platform. Participation in INDYCAR’s ongoing sustainability initiatives remains important as the relationships extend.

“As INDYCAR’s Technology Partner, we’re thrilled to continue our collaborations that enhance and expand the fan experience for motorsports and serve as proof points for data analytics, AI and other innovative digital technologies,” said Bob Pryor, chief executive officer, NTT DATA Services. “For more than a century, this racing series has pioneered innovations making driving safer for everyone, and by continuing this relationship, we will accelerate the pace of innovations and new technologies, particularly related to sustainability that ultimately can benefit organizations, communities and individuals around the world.”

To learn more about the NTT INDYCAR SERIES visit: https://us.nttdata.com/en/about-us/content/ntt-indycar-series

About INDYCAR

INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and its developmental series, INDY NXT by Firestone. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers – including two-time and reigning series champion Will Power, six-time series champion Scott Dixon, two-time series champion Josef Newgarden, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves and reigning 500 winner Marcus Ericsson – who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2023 season consists of 17 races in the United States and Canada and is highlighted by the historic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com. For more information on INDY NXT by Firestone, please visit www.indynxt.com.

About NTT

NTT contributes to a sustainable society through the power of innovation. We are a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and business as a mobile operator, technology infrastructure, consulting, and network provider. Our services include digital business consulting and managed services for applications, workplace, cloud, data center and networks, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. As a top 5 global technology and business solutions provider, our diverse teams operate in 80+ countries and regions and deliver services to over 190 of them. We serve over 80% of Fortune Global 100 companies and thousands of other clients and communities around the world.

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30 billion trusted global innovator of IT and business services. We help clients transform through business and technology consulting, industry and digital solutions, applications development and management, managed edge-to-cloud infrastructure services, BPO, systems integration and global data centers. We are committed to our clients’ long-term success and combine global reach with local client service in over 80 countries. Visit nttdata.com or LinkedIn to learn more.

A tale of two halves for ABT CUPRA XE in opening double-header

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Official Release
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It was a weekend of ups and downs for ABT CUPRA XE at the 2023 Desert X Prix, as the team narrowly missed a spot on the podium in the Round 2 Grand Final, despite a damaging crash during Round 1.

Off the back of their maiden victory in the Season 2 Finale in Uruguay, the opening race weekend of Extreme E Season 3 was not without its problems for ABT CUPRA XE. After a damaging roll in the first round’s Redemption Race, the team faced a time-pressured night shift to get the car ready in time for the next day of racing.

Nasser Al-Attiyah started the season’s campaign in Qualifying 1 Heat 1 on the Saturday. The Qatari fell to the back of the pack after contact with Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E. However, a roll for Andretti Altawkilat after the Switch Zone meant the team were able to climb the order to finish fourth.

While Qualifying 2 Heat 2 was a much more measured drive for the team, with flashes of speed keeping them in the mix throughout, Al-Attiyah and team-mate Klara Andersson were unable to make up for the mistakes made in Q1 and had to settle for a spot in the Redemption Race.

The Redemption Race was a chance to win some much-needed points, with Al-Attiyah getting a clean jump off the line to chase down NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team’s Tanner Foust in first. However, the five-time Dakar winner rolled following an attempt to pass the leader, forcing an early DNF for the team.

The subsequent task to recover the team’s ODYSSEY 21 was an arduous one, as it soon became clear that the nature of the repairs meant ABT CUPRA XE would have to switch to the championship car for Round 2.

It was an impressive shift and demonstration of true teamwork to get the ODYSSEY 21 prepared to race in the second half of the double-header, with Extreme E’s new race format offering a much-needed haul of points for the team.

The promise of a fresh start on Sunday initially looked at risk, when ABT CUPRA XE faced a 30-second penalty for switching to the replacement car in their first Qualifying Heat of the day.

To make the best of this poor starting position, the team chose a bold strategy, choosing to hang back and take on the Continental Traction Challenge in clear air. The tactics paid off as Andersson and Al-Attiyah secured the quickest time through the sector and improved their chances of reaching the Grand Final despite a P4 finish in the Heat.

This momentum was carried through to Qualifying 2, where Al-Attiyah’s aggressive overtakes meant he entered in Switch Zone in P1, 16.9 seconds clear of the pack. Andersson took over from her teammate to defend the advantage all the way to the finish. That Qualifying 2 win meant a sensational entry into the Round 2 Grand Final.

With an offset strategy the ABT CUPRA XE duo almost staged another brilliant comeback to claim a top three finish, but had to settle for fourth after missing out on a podium by just half a second.

Nasser Al-Attiyah, ABT CUPRA XE, said: “I will keep the weekend in good memory – especially after everything that happened on Saturday. Our comeback on Sunday with a win in the Qualifying race and a strong performance in the Grand Final was at least a small reward for the guys’ efforts. We learned a lot and will be racing for trophies and wins next time.”
Klara Andersson, ABT CUPRA XE, said: “The fact that we were able to race at all on Sunday is a small miracle and only thanks to the mega guys in the garage. We fought for a podium finish in the Grand Final until the last metre, but unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough. We’re still proud of our weekend and comeback and now come to the races in Scotland even hungrier for a win.”

With two races down, ABT CUPRA XE sits sixth in the championship standings with 15 points total. It will be all to play for once more when the Extreme E Season 3 action resumes on 13-14 May in Scotland.

To learn more about Extreme E, visit – www.Extreme-E.com

FactoryONE Sherco Results from Hard Enduro and Trials

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Official Release
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Round 2 NATC Podium - Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vetterly

It was a jammed packed weekend for FactoryONE Enduro and Trials teams.

Page, AZ and Center Hill, FL – The AMA Mototrials season kicked off this weekend in Florida with Pat Smage going p2 and p1 on the weekend. Alex Myers of sister brand Scorpa had great results going p3 and p3. Younger brother Will Myers finished p6 and p4 on the weekend. On the opposite side of the country, Cody Webb and Cooper Abbott were in Arizona for the second round of the AMA Hard Enduro series where Cody Webb took p2 honors with Cooper Abbott finishing p7.

Saturday’s round one of the AMA Trial season kicked off on a course that wouldn’t prove too difficult for the top finishers. A single dab was all that separated first from second with scores of one for winner Josh Roper and two for Pat Smage. Alex Myers on a Scorpa would go 3-4-2 for a total of nine points on the day, good enough for p3 on the podium. Smage and Roper were tied on one point each going into the last loop. Smage taking a point on loop one and Roper on loop. It would all come down to the final. Smage would be the first on the loop and would finish first with one unfortunate dab which would drop him to p2 as Roper came through the third loop clean.

Sunday’s round two would challenge the country’s top riders not only from a course standpoint, but also with 100 degree temperatures with extremely high humidity. This would test the pilots mentally and physically. Pat Smage would come away with the win with 16-6-2 for a total of 24 on three loops. He was followed by Josh Roper with 29 then Scorpa pilot Alex Myers with 44 and Will Myers with 47.

Over in Page, AZ, Cody Webb and Cooper Abbott were taking on round two of the AMA Hard Enduro Series, the Grinding Stone Hard Enduro. The format of the race for 2023 changed to a knockout-style event with multiple races that would ultimately pare down the field to the top 30 riders. Saturday’s race one would see Cooper Abbott rocket to a hole-shot from a unique starting style. The riders were required to stand behind their bikes, jump on, then start and go. Meanwhile, Cody Webb did not have the start he was hoping for allowing the entire front row to have a :10-second head start. He would turn that around however and would pass the field to finish p1. Cooper Abbott managed his ride knowing it was essentially a warm-up ride, coming in p5.

Race two would have the top 100 riders from the day before lineup for a one-loop race with added challenges along the way. This time Cody Webb would be the first over the starting hill, but would get wedged at the first climb, coming out dead last in his row at the crest of the first climb. Cooper Abbott managed another strong start and would be in the top three over the first climb. Trystan Hart and Ryder LeBlond would have a minute-plus lead on Webb and Abbott, who were riding in a group of five early on. Webb would eventually close the gap to second but would run out of track settling for p3. Abbott would stay in the group and finish p6.

The final race would be a two-hour endurance race on a four-mile loop with the most technical terrain the Grinding Stone course could throw at the riders. Cody Webb would get out to a quick start behind Trystan Hart and would push hard through the first lap. Cooper Abbott had a good jump off of the line, but made mistakes throughout the first loop that set him back in 10th place after one complete loop. Near the front, Webb would continue to put together consistent laps, but he would have to settle for p2. Abbott would ride much better throughout the rest of the race and would finish p7.

Supported Rider Hallie Marks finished p2 in Pro Women.

Supported team DC Racing Sherco competed in their first National Hare and Hound. Mason Ottersberg finished p2 in Pro2 with Jack Anderson finishing p5. Cayden Chidester finished p3 in amateur C class.

Results Link Trials
Results Link Hard Enduro
Photo Link Hard Enduro (@banta.visuals)
Photo Link Trials (@stephanievetterly_moto)

About FactoryONE Sherco: FactoryONE Sherco is a multi-time United States AMA championship observed trials team and multi-discipline Championship enduro team led by some of the top riders in the business. The Enduro team is led By Cody Webb who is a multi-time champion that competes in Extreme Off-Road, EnduroCross and FIM SuperEnduro. He is also the 2010 AMA Mototrials Champion. The Trials team is led by 13x AMA Champion Pat Smage (Smah-gee) on the men’s side; and 6x AMA Champion Louise Forsley (fours-lee) on the Women’s side. The trials team consists of four professional riders and two development riders.

Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Season-Opening HSR Spring Fling Concludes with Competitive Run of Sunday Feature Race Winners at Sebring International Raceway

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Official Release
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  • Overall and Prototype Group Wins in B.R.M. Chronographes Endurance Challenge Secured by Travis Engen in his GMT Racing 2005 No. 2 Audi R8 LMP
  • B.R.M. Endurance GT Modern (GTM) Victory by Thomas Gruber in the TAG 2016 No. 991 Porsche 991 GT3
  • B.R.M. Historic Honors Taken by Kenneth Greenberg in 1996 No. 836 Porsche 993 RSR prepared by Air Power Racing; Vintage Group B.R.M. Race Won by George Balbach in Ecurie Engineering 1966 No. 0 Porsche 911
  • Co-drivers Dean DeSantis and Josh Tuggle Secure GT Classic (GTC) B.R.M. Win in Heritage Motorsports 1969 No. 133 Porsche 911 RSR

SEBRING, Florida (March 27, 2023) – Five different Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Run Group winners were crowned after a clean-and-green B.R.M. Chronographes Endurance Challenge one-hour race Sunday that was the feature event of the final day of competition of the season-opening HSR Spring Fling at Sebring International Raceway.

The overall B.R.M. win was secured by the ageless Travis Engen who drove his equally timeless GMT Racing 2005 No. 2 Audi R8 LMP to yet another Sebring B.R.M. Endurance race overall and Prototype group win. Engen shared the overall top-three with the duo of Francesco Melandri and Nigel Greensall 2017 No. 24 Fransco Racing Ligier JS/P3 who co-drove to second both overall and in the Prototype division.

Third overall and first in GT Modern (GTM) went to Thomas Gruber in his TAG 2016 No. 991 Porsche 991 GT3. Gruber doubled-up on HSR feature race wins at the Spring Fling and also captured the victory in Friday night’s season-opening HSR Stoner Car Care Global GT race.

Dominick Incantalupo finished fourth overall in his 2014 No. 54 Roin Realty Holdings Oreca FLM09 to complete the Prototype podium with a third place showing while Jose Cortes completed the overall top five in the Olthoff Racing 2016 No. 75 Ligier JS/P3.

The remainder of the GTM podium finishers were not far behind the top five. Shaun McKaigue crossed the finish line sixth overall and second in the modern GT group in his TPC Racing 2012 Porsche 997.2 GT3 Cup while debuting driver Bill Fenech partnered with his coach and co-driver Chris Hall to make it an all-Porsche GTM top-three in the 2018 No. 015 Porsche GT2 RS/CS. The B.R.M. podium was one of three visits Fenech made to victory lane in his first ever race weekend of competition.

The B.R.M. Historic class honors went to Kenneth Greenberg in his 1996 No. 836 Porsche 993 RSR prepared by Air Power Racing. Greenberg battled throughout the 60 minutes with the similar Fransco Racing 1996 No. 96 Porsche 993 GT2 that Melandri and Greensall also drove in the B.R.M. race.

The Vintage group race was won by George Balbach in his Ecurie Engineering1966 No. 0 Porsche 911 and delivered some redemption. Balbach was leading a Saturday WeatherTech Sprint race only to be knocked from contention by a faulty spark plug, but his always-fast 911 didn’t miss a beat in Sunday morning’s one-hour B.R.M. race.

Jamie Busby finished second in Vintage in his KMW Motorsports 1970 No. 188 Porsche 914/6 while third went to the 1986 No. 114 Porsche 944 Turbo of George Kovakas. The quick 951-model Turbo Porsche is prepared by Kovakas and his brother David Kovakas.

Co-drivers Dean DeSantis and Josh Tuggle scored the GT Classic (GTC) victory in the Heritage Motorsports 1969 No. 33 Porsche 911 RSR. The winners shared the podium with DeSantis’ brother Damon DeSantis who finished second in the Heritage Motorsports 1974 No. 82 Porsche 911 RSR.

Next up on the 2023 HSR schedule is the milestone 45th HSR Mitty at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta that features this year a celebration of NASCAR’s 75th Anniversary, April 27 – 30.

About HSR: Now an International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) property, Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the race cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter and Instagram at @HSR_race. A dedicated website for the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA is available at www.Classic24hour.com.

PENNZOIL CELEBRATES THE NEXT MILE

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Long May We Drive is the reason Pennzoil exists. It’s a pledge to keep every engine better protected with the commitment to precision craftsmanship in every bottle of Pennzoil, where each detail helps lead to an unbeatable driving experience so all drivers can ignite their passions, for 110 years and counting.

The love of the drive is a common thread that connects us all, so Pennzoil is excited to introduce the Long May We Drive campaign, celebrating the thrill of driving and carving your own path on the open road. Whether you’re hitting the highway to road trip with family, venturing far from home to explore the outdoors, or conquering tough terrain, Pennzoil has been there to help keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently.

Every person has a unique story to tell when it comes to driving, and every vehicle can tell a thousand tales. No matter where and what someone drives, or whether cars are used for hugging curves in the road, commuting to work, or packing up kids and heading for the mountains, Pennzoil wants to celebrate the pursuit of the next mile with this campaign.

Featuring real drivers with a passion for car culture, Long May We Drive focuses on the stories of those who are passionate about taking care of their engine, those who relish the open road, or those racing into the record books track by track. One of those real drivers, who not only owns the road but moves the industry forward, is Larry Chen, an automotive content creator. Larry and his daughter are featured in the campaign, tinkering in the garage like a normal weekend, alongside a real cast of drivers including off road enthusiasts and a 5 star rated rideshare driver.

Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang and two-time NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Champion, is a key driver in this campaign, highlighting his dedication to pushing his engine to the limits.

Pennzoil is also proud to spotlight a budding relationship with motorsports enthusiast Torsten Gross. In the campaign, Torsten demonstrates his drive to celebrate mobility and challenge the norm. As a racecar driver and a C6 quadriplegic who uses hand controls, Torsten created the Just Hands Foundation to allow others in similar conditions to experience the thrill of driving at racecar speeds. Pennzoil is proud to champion his mission of equalizing mobility in motorsports, supporting the Just Hands Racing team’s development of more cars modified with hand controls to hit the racetracks nationwide so people with disabilities can experience the thrill of racing.

Cars provide an irreplicable source of freedom and self-expression. Wherever your car is going to take you, Pennzoil will be there. The Long May We Drive campaign serves as a reminder that each person’s path of driving is unique, and Pennzoil invites you to join in this exciting ride!

Burton Finishes 22nd at COTA

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#41: Ryan Preece, Stewart-Haas Racing, HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang,

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team overcame the loss of first gear early in Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and came away with a 22nd-place finish.

Burton started Sunday’s scheduled 68-lap race from 16th place, but lost first gear on a pit stop with two of 15 laps remaining in the opening Stage.

The loss of the lowest gear meant Burton couldn’t be as aggressive on restarts and in negotiating the slow-speed corners on the 3.41-mile, 20-turn race course.

He finished the first Stage in 34th place and the second 15-lap Stage in 28th.

Crew chief Brian Wilson elected to stretch the fuel in the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang before making the second stop of the day at Lap 39.

A caution flag flew just after the stop. As other drivers made their pit stops, Burton advanced to the front row for the subsequent restart with 25 laps left to run.

Without low gear he fell back and was running 28th when a caution flag flew four laps shy of the checkered flag.

Wilson brought the No. 21 Mustang to pit road for fresh tires and fuel.

Dodging wrecks ahead of him while being as aggressive as he could under the circumstances, Burton gained three spots on the first attempt at a green-white-checkered-flag finish. He continued his move forward over the final two Overtime runs, gaining three more positions and taking the checkered flag in 22nd place.

Burton and the No. 21 team now head to Richmond Raceway for next Sunday’s 400-lapper on the three-quarter-mile oval.

About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Omnicraft®
Omnicraft is part of the Ford lineup of parts brands: Ford Parts, Motorcraft and Omnicraft. Omnicraft is the exclusive non-Ford/Lincoln parts brand of premium aftermarket parts. With over a century of parts heritage to build upon, Omnicraft provides excellent quality and fit and is a preferred choice of professional automotive technicians. To find out more about Omnicraft, visit www.omnicraftautoparts.com or contact your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 176,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Credit is available at corporate.ford.com.
*See seller for limited-warranty details.

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 Wood Brothers 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.

Kaulig Racing Post-Race Report | Circuit of the Americas (COTA)

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Allmendinger Wins Back-to-Back NASCAR Xfinity Series Races at COTA

 Pit Boss 250 Presented by USA Today

AJ Allmendinger, No. 10 Celsius Chevrolet

  • AJ Allmendinger qualified on the pole for the Pit Boss 250 Presented by USA Today.
  • Allmendinger dominated the first stage in the No. 10 Celsius Chevrolet leading all 14 laps until the stage break. This was Allmendinger’s 12th NXS road course stage win, making him the series-leader for road course stage wins.
  • Allmendinger restarted on the 11th row in stage two and sustained right side damage when the field went five-wide going into turn one on the start. The No. 10 Celsius Chevy did not have a tire rub after this contact, so the team stayed out during the caution and restarted in 25th on lap 22. Charging through the field quickly, Allmendinger came back from over nine seconds back to finish sixth in stage two.
  • Restarting on the third row for the third stage, Allmendinger made his way to the front and battled with the No. 17 for the lead.
  • He went on to earn Kaulig Racing’s first NXS win of the 2023 season in the Pit Boss 250 Presented by USA Today.

“William Byron is one of the best ones in the sport right now, seeing all Cup races he’s winning. I knew it was going to be tough, I was just trying to fight to get back up to the front there. I’m so proud of everyone at Kaulig Racing. The Celsius Chevy was really hooked up, and with all the damage we had, it didn’t hurt the car. I spent a lot of years not winning anything, so I’m going to celebrate every one of them like it’s my last one. You never know. As much pressure as I put on myself, I’m always going to try to live up to it. The pit crew was awesome, and I’m so proud of everyone on this team.” – AJ Allmendinger

Daniel Hemric, No. 11 Chevy Accessories Chevrolet

  • Daniel Hemric qualified 11th for the Pit Boss 250 Presented by USA Today.
  • In the opening stage, Hemric had contact early on with the No. 20 car. With minimal damage on the right side, he was able to rebound and finish 13th in stage one.
  • After pitting under caution, Hemric gained 12 spots on a restart on lap 22 in the second stage, and went on to finish stage two in 16th.
  • In the final stage, Hemric maintained his track position and recorded his career best finish at COTA, coming home sixth.
  • Hemric was one of four drivers who qualified for Dash 4 Cash taking place at Richmond next weekend.

“What a battle this weekend was. I put us behind by not getting up to speed quick enough and didn’t do a great job putting together a lap in qualifying. Looking back, had I qualified better I could have been a little ahead of the carnage at the beginning of the race. I have a lot to clean up, but I had a really fast Kaulig Racing Chevy Accessories Camaro. I look forward to going to Richmond and being a part of the Dash 4 Cash.” – Daniel Hemric

Chandler Smith, No. 16 Quick Tie Chevrolet

  • Chandler Smith qualified 27th for the Pit Boss 250 Presented by USA Today but would start at the rear due to an unapproved adjustment prior to the start of the race.
  • Smith battled through contact with multiple cars and dealt with minor damage during the first two stages.
  • Spotter Freddie Kraft noted that Smith’s biggest area to work on going forward from stage one was to drive through the esses in a straighter line.
  • At the end of the second stage, Smith restarted in 18th and was told to save his tires instead of racing for stage points to save his car for the end.
  • He finished 12th in his NXS road course debut after adjusting his driving style all 46 laps.

“Our team dealt with a lot throughout the race today. We made contact with a few other cars just trying to learn the track. It was a hard day’s work, and I really appreciate my crew chief, Bruce (Schlicker), guiding me all day while making adjustments to better my understanding of the track. Honestly, 12th is not a bad result, but it’s time to get back in the top five next week at Richmond.” – Chandler Smith  

EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix

Justin Haley, No. 31 Celsius Camaro ZL1

  • Justin Haley qualified 23rd for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix
  • The first caution flag fell early on lap one, with Haley moving up three spots. Following his first pit stop of the day, Haley was forced to come back down pit road to cut a piece of the splitter that was rubbing his right front tire. He finished the first stage in 35th.
  • Haley made it back up to as high as 22nd before the green flag pit stops cycled through, putting him 25th at the end of the second stage.
  • During the final stage, the No. 31 car suffered power issues, but was repaired during a pit stop. Haley made it as far as 12th on one of three overtime restarts, was spun, and went on to finish 19th.

“We fought adversity throughout the entire weekend in our No. 31 Celsius Camaro ZL1. We lacked some speed in practice but were pretty decent in qualifying. We had to pit twice during our first stop and then had a battery issue. We just couldn’t get the track position back until the very end. We made it back up to 12th before we got spun on one of the restarts. With all the issues we fought, a top 20 was not bad for the day.” – Justin Haley

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Nutrien Ag Solutions Farmsmart Camaro ZL1

  • AJ Allmendinger qualified seventh for his 400th NCS start in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.
  • Allmendinger quickly moved through the field to finish third in stage one.
  • With the pit strategy, Allmendinger finished 13th in the second stage.
  • In the final stage, Allmendinger made it as high as second in the No. 16 Nutrien Ag Solutions FARMSMART Camaro. Two laps short on fuel, the team pitted under caution and restarted on the seventh row. On the restart, Allmendinger got a push from behind resulting in damage that ultimately ended his day with eight laps to go. He was scored 34th.

“Obviously the finish was not what we wanted but I’m really proud of the effort from the start of the weekend. To go from Friday where we were not good at all to being better Saturday. Not sure if our car was race winning, but thought we had a top three, top four call all day. Really disappointed to get caught up in the wreck and not really score any points but trying to take the positives out of it. We know that we can struggle early and find speed in the race car. We definitely had speed the whole race and ran up front. We’ve got to clean up some other stuff, but other than that, just taking the positives to get ready for the next road course and build on that.” – AJ Allmendinger  

 
About Kaulig Racing™

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

Buescher, 17 Team Earn Hard-Fought Top-10 at COTA

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Official Release
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Fifth Third Bank Ford Rebounds Big in Chaotic Ending at Road Course Race

AUSTIN, Texas (March 26, 2023) – Chris Buescher and the Fifth Third Bank team employed a never give up approach in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at COTA to earn a solid eighth-place finish, Buescher’s sixth-straight top-10 in road course racing.

“It was our first bumper car race of the year,” Buescher said after the race. “Our Fifth Third Ford Mustang ended up pretty solid there towards the end, we got a solid top-10 out of it. That’s a big testament to this team and its ‘never give up’ attitude.

Buescher had his work cut out for him starting from the 32nd position, but wasn’t fazed, even earning stage points in stage two on his way to the team’s second top-10 of the season.

“I had to really power through, and we had some issues there that probably came from getting run into … backwards a couple times. But, I’m proud of everybody. That was a good finish for a really hard-fought day.”

The opening stage of 15 laps had a pair of cautions, one on lap two for a spin by teammate Brad Keselowski, and the other at lap 11 as crew chief Scott Graves immediately called the No. 17 to pit road as the caution flew. Buescher was 19th on the ensuing restart and ended the stage in 20th.

Stage two, also 15 laps in distance, was less hectic with no full-course yellows. Buescher ran long on track and ultimately gained the lead for a lap before finishing fifth in the stage. From there, he was solidly inside the top-15 for the remainder of the day working to 11th by lap 43 on a restart.

After the last pit cycle played out with around 10 to go, Buescher got back to 16th on a restart with seven laps remaining before a string of yellow flags occurred, resulting in three-straight NASCAR Overtime restart attempts.

Despite a chaotic ending, Buescher maintained composure and maneuvered to seventh on what was the final restart, going on to finish eighth.

The No. 17 team returns to action next week at Richmond Raceway. Race coverage Sunday is set for 3:30 p.m. on FOX. Radio coverage can be heard on MRN and SiriusXM Channel 90.

NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – COTA

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Official Release
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CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
RACE: TEXAS GRAND PRIX DATE: MARCH 26, 2023

AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 DISCOUNT TIRE FORD MUSTANG

START – 3RD STAGE ONE – 2ND STAGE TWO – 22ND FINISH – 6TH

RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric finished with a respectable sixth-place finish at the end of Sunday’s Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas. The driver of the Discount Tire Ford Mustang was destined for a strong performance in Sunday’s 231.88-mile marathon, starting from third position after a fierce run in qualifying. Cindric wasted little time claiming the lead, doing so during the restart on Lap 5. In a spirited battle for the lead, Cindric remained among the top three throughout the opening segment, finishing Stage 1 in the second position. A lengthy pit stop on Lap 23 caused the driver of the Discount Tire Ford Mustang to lose significant track position, and he ultimately finished Stage 2 22nd in the running order. Cindric hovered around the 20th position early in the final stage, but maneuvered through various late-race cautions to secure his second top-10 finish of the season.

CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “Great to lead some laps. Good to be able to show some speed in our Discount Tire Ford Mustang. It’s one of those days where you win or lose as a team. There were quite a few miscues on pit road that probably kept us from having the track position. Then, it’s a fight. Fair recovery to finish sixth. A lot of things had to go our way for those restarts. But for a long, hot day, we never gave up.”

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/KNAUF FORD MUSTANG

START – 38TH STAGE ONE – 27TH STAGE TWO – 34TH FINISH – 21ST

RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 team had an up-and-down afternoon at Circuit of The Americas, ultimately concluding with a 21st-place finish. Despite starting towards the back of the field, Blaney made up eight positions on the opening lap and was up 15 spots by lap 10 in 23rd. Following a four-tire stop with a round of adjustments under caution on lap 12, Blaney crossed the line 27th at the end of Stage 1. On lap 17, Blaney was spun by the No. 5 on the entrance of turn 12, sending him into the gravel while sustaining damage to the left rear. Blaney brought the No. 12 Ford Mustang to pit road as the race remained green, causing him to go a lap down in 35th. He eventually rejoined the lead lap via the free pass following a caution on lap 41. With nine laps to go, Blaney broke into the top-15 on the restart before the race went into what would be the first of three overtime attempts. On the first overtime restart, Blaney was turned by the No. 91 at the apex of turn one, causing the left rear tire to go down before the caution flag waved. Blaney battled back through the field on the following two restarts before settling for a 21st-place finish.

BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “Certainly, wasn’t the day we were looking for. Starting in the back we managed to gain quite a few spots early but got hit really hard in the left rear and had to make repairs. Glad we had a shot late for a decent finish, but those overtime restarts are crazy and sometimes it works out and other times it doesn’t.”

JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG

START – 15TH STAGE ONE – 22ND STAGE TWO – 11TH FINISH – 29TH

RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano started 15th and finished 29th in a wild Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. The driver of the Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang ran amongst the top-10 the majority of the day before late race issues spoiled a good finish. Logano would receive an early pass-thru penalty for shortcutting the esses on lap six. The defending Cup Series champion managed to overcome the time lost to bring home a 22nd-place finish in Stage 1. Using early pit strategy, Logano made his way into the top-10 by lap 24 and brought home an 11th-place finish in Stage 2. He would run as high as second place by lap 41 and would settle in ninth when the caution waved with four laps to go. Logano managed to make it through the carnage of two green-white-checkered restarts, but unfortunately his luck ran out in overtime attempt number three when he was spun out. He would cross the line in 29th position at the race’s end.

LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “We had a decent day going with the Shell-Pennzoil Mustang. Paul (Wolfe) made some good strategy calls to gain track position. Felt like we had a top-10 car, but depending on how the end played out maybe a top-five. The restarts at the end normally play out that way and we ended up spun out. We’ll move on to Richmond.”

WHAT’S NEXT: The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Richmond Raceway on Sunday, April 2. Coverage of the event will be carried on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Mechanical Failure Ends Keselowski’s Day Early in COTA

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Official Release
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Wyndham Rewards Ford Solid Midway through Chaotic Road Course Race

AUSTIN, Texas (March 26, 2023) – In the return to COTA for the NASCAR Cup Series’ third event at the 20-turn circuit, Brad Keselowski’s day ended prematurely due to a mechanical failure. He finished 35th.

NASCAR’s newest road course rules were on display Sunday for the first time as stage breaks are eliminated, with stage points being awarded at the scheduled lap end of each stage under green-flag conditions. Keselowski worked his way up to 21st by the end of the opening stage of 15 laps that saw a pair of caution flags early, the first resulting from a spin by the No. 6.

Stage two ran all green as Keselowski finished 28th. He again powered his way into the top-20, advancing to 19th at lap 48 with 20 to go. Then, with 11 to go, his Ford Mustang came to a rest on the track as a mechanical failure sent him to the garage for the afternoon.

The No. 6 team returns to action next week at Richmond Raceway. Race coverage Sunday is set for 3:30 p.m. on FOX. Radio coverage can be heard on MRN and SiriusXM Channel 90.

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