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CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Emphatic Win in GTE Am Debut

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Official Release
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Catsburg, Keating, Varrone lead total team effort in WEC victory

SEBRING, Fla. (March 17, 2023) – Corvette Racing made an emphatic statement with a convincing GTE Am class victory in the 1,000 Miles of Sebring to open this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship.

Nicky Catsburg, Ben Keating and Nico Varrone drove the No. 33 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R to a two-lap victory at Sebring International Raceway to start its new program in the class. It was the 14th win for Corvette Racing at the 3.74-mile, 17-turn rough-and-tumble circuit since 2002.

Friday’s victory also was the second for Corvette Racing as a full-time WEC entrant, the first coming last season at Monza in the GTE Pro class. The team now has 123 worldwide victories.

That number is easy to understand when looking at the totality of Friday’s race. Each of the three drivers drove error-free stints with no contact and no risks taken. The engineering team rotated the three drivers through consecutively in order of ranking so neither Keating, Varrone or Catsburg had to get back in the Corvette.

The Corvette Racing crew also was the fastest of the GTE Am teams in the pitlane with a six-second advantage on the next-quickest team.

“No one at Corvette Racing could ask for a better start to our FIA WEC program than this win at Sebring for Ben, Nicky and Nico,” said Laura Wontrop Klauser, GM Sports Car Racing Program Manager. “All three put in excellent drives, the crew was the best throughout the class in the pitlane, and our engineers called a perfect race strategy. Ben really set the tone for this race with his opening three stints, and the performance continued from there with an incredible mid-race triple stint from Nico and then Nicky’s drive to close it out. Winning the first race of the season, in the United States and at Sebring is a storybook start that we will remember for a long time!”

The fight of the race early was Keating’s battle with Sarah Bovy in the No. 85 Porsche. Familiar competitors from last year’s WEC, the two swapped the lead in the opening laps before the Corvette settled in to a close second position for the first couple hours.

The Porsche gained a slight advantage by making its second stop near the 90-minute mark during a full-course yellow period while the Corvette made its second stop under green. Undeterred, Keating clicked off consistent, fast laps to keep the C8.R in the hunt and never dropped lower than second in class.

Last year’s winner in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the reigning GTE Am WEC champion, Keating made quite the debut in his first race with the Corvette program. He drove two hours, 40 minutes before handing over to Varrone for a triple-stint and nearly three hours in the C8.R.

He moved the Corvette into the lead when the 85 Porsche suffered rear damage and lost multiple laps. From that point on, Varrone increased his pace and more often than not was the fastest driver during his time in the C8.R. His only challenge came from the No. 77 Porsche, which got as close as 14 seconds to the lead after gaining a similar pit stop advantage under yellow as the No. 85 earlier in the race.

Varrone pressed on and continued to pound out sub two-minute laps while the Porsche’s pace fell off during its mid-race driver rotation to its Bronze-ranked driver. By the time of his iron-man three-plus hour stint, Varrone gave Catsburg the No. 33 Corvette – and a 90-second lead – for the final two hours.

It wasn’t a coast to the end, however. Catsburg had to contend with the usual late-day Sebring sunset and Hypercar entries that attempted to make desperate moves to keep track position in their own race. Like his teammates, he drove clean and measured stints to deliver an undamaged C8.R to victory.

Corvette Racing’s next event in the FIA World Endurance Championship is the Six Hours of Portimão on Sunday, April 15.

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 33 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – GTE AM WINNER: “There’s so much to say about today. If you look at the execution, it’s not like we were out-pacing everyone by so much. We just made zero mistakes. In the pitlane, I feel like we were by far the fastest team, which is a big credit to the guys. They’re working out so much… four days per week. It pays off. It’s super-nice to start the season off like this. Those guys (Keating and Varrone) in their first race for Corvette and their first win, I think that’s pretty cool. They did a flawless job so big hats off to everyone!”

More on Keating and Varrone: “This was the plan. But for them to do triple-stints in your first race with Corvette, it’s a lot more difficult than you think. It’s three hours in the car and it’s going to hurt at some point! But they each did a fantastic job.”

BEN KEATING, NO. 33 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – GTE AM WINNER: “It was mayhem out there, really. I started in second place, was able to gain the lead and then gave it up again. We got the early safety car that kind of changed the strategy up a little bit for us. It was not easy, for sure. Our car was sliding a lot more than it had in practice, so it was a lot more to handle and I think that was true for the other GT cars that I was watching while I was either following or looking in my camera to the back.

“I’m really proud of the way we won the race today. If you look across the field and you look at how we got to be two laps up on the field. It wasn’t because we were the fastest car. It was because we stayed out of trouble. Almost everybody had some sort of issue, and it was really tough with all the traffic. I’m sure (the other winners) would say the same thing. Especially as the race wore on, it really got into one line and the track got more difficult. I’m just really proud of all three of us that we were able to have a clean race.

“It’s really special for me to be driving something I sell and to be representing an American brand and winning the only American race for the World Endurance Championship and taking advantage of what I feel like is a home-field advantage. It was a really great job by everyone at Corvette.”

More on the win: “This is the only WEC race in the United States, so it’s really special here! The guys, the team did a great job. All the drivers just didn’t make any mistakes, which is pretty tough to do with all that traffic out there. And like I said with, I guess, five hours to go, I said it’s mayhem. And so we just stayed out of it. And pretty much everybody else ended up having some problem or another. And so it’s a nice way to win and also it’s really special. Hearing the American National Anthem and being under an American flag… I couldn’t ask for more. To all the fans, I would say thank you!”

NICO VARRONE, NO. 33 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – GTE AM WINNER: “What a dream. At Sebring with Corvette and winning the 1,000 Miles of Sebring, I’m super happy. I couldn’t ask for a better debut with the brand. A big thank you to all the guys, all the mechanics, all the engineers. Corvette Racing did a great job all week long. Ben did a great job with the start and in his first three stints. He got us to P2. Then I jumped in the car for three hours, which was tough. Then I handed it over to Nicky, who is a legend. We all know that he knows what to do. He brought it home safely and now I can’t be happier!

“This was a very difficult race for me. I had to do a triple stint in the middle. I’ve had to do a triple stint at Le Mans, but I have to say that Sebring is much more difficult! Ben did a great job at the start to get the car to me. The track was changing a lot during the whole race, so we had to figure out what was happening. Corvette Racing did a great job with that. They did a great job all week long. It’s a dream come true.”

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in nearly 80 countries with nearly 2.7 million cars and trucks sold in 2021. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Cadillac Racing makes impressive debut in WEC

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Official Release
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No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R just misses podium finish in 1000 Miles of Sebring

SEBRING, Fla. (March 17, 2023) — On the 11th anniversary of the first FIA World Endurance Championship race – on the Sebring International Raceway course – Cadillac Racing made an impressive debut in the Hypercar class.

The No. 2 Cadillac-V-Series.R co-driven by Alex Lynn, Earl Bamber and Richard Westbrook battled cockpit heat during afternoon temperatures that reach 84 degrees Fahrenheit, an international field of 11 Hypercars and the usual unpredictable 3.741-mile, 17-turn racecourse to place fourth in the 1000 Miles of Sebring.

Bamber, closing out the eight-hour race, finished 10.127 seconds out of the final podium spot. The No. 7 Toyota Gazoo Racing entry, which is comprised of three former Cadillac Racing drivers from the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship DPi era, won the race.

Like its run in the IMSA season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona in late January, the reliability and overall speed of the hybrid Cadillac racecar stood out.

“In 2022, the development of this car, the testing schedule, everything that we went through was so tough on the team, but we are seeing the results and we are so proud of all that work and effort that we put in. It was worth it,” said GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser. “We have a solid car and we can’t wait to get to the rest of the WEC season and the IMSA season and show the world how great it is.

“Every time we turn the car on we learn something. Whether if we move it or even if it sits still, we learn something and the racing is the best way possible to learn. So we can only grow and get better.”

The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R ran as high as third on multiple occasions to the twin Toyota LMH entries. Bamber led the way with 3 hours, 36 minutes (118 of the 237 laps) behind the wheel.

“No doubt it’s a strong and positive day for Cadillac Racing,” said Lynn, who drove to the fifth-place starting spot Thursday. “We started our WEC campaign with a fourth place and I think we would have taken that at the start of the weekend. This is the first time everyone has worked together on a brand new program, and to come 10 seconds within a podium with a team as strong as Ferrari is just a fantastic start with so much more to improve on.”

The six-hour race April 16 in Portimao, Portugal, is next on the WEC schedule. The hybrid Cadillac racecar will soon travel to its European base in Wedlingen, Germany, and be prepared for the second of seven rounds.

“The car was great. The pace was better than we expected, and we took advantage at the end of one of the Ferraris misfortune, but we’re racing for the podium and we gave it all we got,” said team manager and strategist Stephen Mitas. “We’ll keep giving it the same effort we’ve given it so far and try to build on this good result.”

Earlier in the day, the sister Cadillac V-Series.Rs swept the front row for the 71st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Pipo Derani, seeking his fourth overall victory in the race, qualified on pole with a lap of 1 minute, 45.836 seconds in the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R. Sebastien Bourdais drove the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R to second with a lap of 1:45.923. Cadillac has won the past two IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races at Sebring and four of the past six.

No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R

Alex Lynn: “No doubt it’s a strong and positive day for Cadillac Racing. We started our WEC campaign with a fourth place and I think we would have taken that at the start of the weekend. This is the first time everyone has worked together on a brand new program, and to come 10 seconds within a podium with a team as strong as Ferrari is just a fantastic start with so much more to improve on. We’re a team that wants to achieve good things, so whilst we respect it as a good result we come away feeling like we wanted more.”

Earl Bamber: “That was a tough one. We were fighting for a podium with the Ferrari and a little bit unlucky with a full-course yellow at the end. We were sort of best of the rest, so we’re going to push on. The team did a fantastic job first time in LMDh and it’s on to Portimao for the next race.”

Richard Westbrook: “I think we executed brilliantly. Obviously, it’s a new format for everyone, a new team since Daytona and to come very close to a podium on our WEC debut is awesome for this whole Cadillac program. I’m just very proud of everyone. We stayed out of trouble and on another day we could have gotten third. We’re only going to go forward now. We got so much data now to go through. It’s just so invaluable. It beats any eight-hour test.”

RSS Racing | Joe Graf Jr. Atlanta Motor Speedway NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Preview

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Official Release
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RSS Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway | Raptor King of Tough 250

Fast Facts
No. 38 RSS Racing Team:
Driver: Joe Graf Jr.
Primary Partner(s): JACOB Companies
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Steve Addington
Spotter: Joe Campbell
Engine: Roush-Yates Engines
Driver Championship Point Standings: 16th
Team Championship Point Standings: 19th
Starting Position: 27th (Qualifying canceled due to inclement weather).

Notes of Interest:

New Home: After spending the last three seasons with SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt (2020 – 2022), Joe Graf Jr. moved to RSS Racing during the offseason where he’ll spend the majority of the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series season competing for the Sugar Hill, Ga.-based team.

In addition to RSS Racing, Graf will also compete in a limited NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule driving the No. 19 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Fast Start: With a career-best seventh-place finish earned at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with RSS Racing and two respectable top-15 finishes with Joe Gibbs Racing at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway and Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway respectively, Graf enters Saturday afternoon’s Raptor King of Tough 200 at Atlanta 16th in the championship point standings.

RSS Racing’s No. 38 team has also had a solid start to 2023 – which has the team 19th in the owner championship standings guaranteeing Graf into Saturday afternoon’s starting field.

Welcome Aboard: Joe Graf Jr. and RSS Racing welcome JACOB Companies, a multifaceted construction firm as the primary marketing partner of the No. 38 Ford Mustang for the fifth NASCAR Xfinity Series race of the 2023 season.

The Raptor King of Tough 200 will mark the company’s first event as a primary partner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Joe Graf Jr. and RSS Racing, respectively.

Sponsor Intel: JACOB is a nationally certified, WBENC, woman-owned, multifaceted construction firm with a focus on construction, design and building services, structural concrete and technology. Jacob specializes in Hotels, Stadiums & Athletic Facilities, Parking Garages, Hospital & Healthcare facilities, Assisted Living facilities, Automotive Dealerships and High-Rise Structures.

As a full-service organization, we provide our clients with a wide range of design and technical support services for architecture, engineering, technology, land planning and development. The key to our success is in understanding that we are an extension of the owner.

We act in the owners’ best interest from the inception of the project in order to ensure its success.

Thanks For Your Support: With just nine percent of the 2023 Xfinity Series season complete, Joe Graf Jr. and RSS Racing would like to thank their associate marketing partners: AVOID, Bass Reaper Bait Company, Bucked Up Energy Drink, CoverSeal, EAT SLEEP RACE Apparel, fgrACCEL, G-Coin, GTECHNIQ, Lefcourt Brothers Racing, Model Electronics and ShopRite for their continued support.

Catch Him On The Dial: Before Joe Graf Jr. straps into his No. 38 JACOB Companies Ford Mustang on Saturday afternoon, the RSS Racing driver will be featured on “The Frontstretch” on SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel 90 with host Pat Patterson on Saturday morning, March 18, 2023, at approximately 10:00 a.m. ET.

Graf will also spotlight a new commercial featuring CoverSeal in several spots throughout the weekend, including the full four-hour program on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Atlanta Motor Speedway Stats: Joe Graf Jr. will make his sixth NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the 1.5-mile speedway on Saturday afternoon.

In his previous five starts, Graf has delivered a track-best of 23rd earned in the March 19, 2022, running of the Nalley Cars 250 after starting 23rd.

Overall, he has an average finish of 26.6 at Atlanta.

He has also completed 820 of 825 laps for a 99.4 percent lap completion.

Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Career Speedway Stats: At tracks classified as a speedway, Graf has competed in 49 NASCAR Xfinity Series races. He holds an average starting position of 25.7 and an average result of 25.9.

Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway | United Rentals 200 Race Recap: In his most recent NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway, Graf and the RSS Racing team showcased the No. 38 GTECHNIQ Ford Mustang in the fourth Xfinity Series race of the season.

After qualifying a respectable 24th – Graf battled the handling of his race car throughout the event leaving the Georgia-based team with a frustrating but lead lap 31st place finish at the checkered flag.

Sneaker Mania: Along with the adrenaline of the Motorsports competition, Joe Graf Jr. also has a vogue for hype sneakers. In his current collection, he owns and wears at least 90 limited edition sneakers – and his collection continues to grow every month.

The current estimated value of his collection tops $100,000.

From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Steve Addington is Joe Graf Jr.’s crew chief.

He will crew chief his 268th NASCAR Xfinity Series race as crew chief on Saturday afternoon and his 11th race in the Peach State.

In his previous 267 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected 11 wins, 10 poles, 68 top-five and 118 top-10 finishes.

Hello From The Other Side: Graf Jr. has two teammates at RSS Racing.

Veteran Ryan Sieg will drive the No. 39 CMRroofing.com Ford Mustang, while younger brother Kyle Sieg will drive the No. 28 RSS Racing Ford Mustang.

Ryan Sieg is set to make his 306th career Xfinity Series start overall and 13th at Atlanta. His best Xfinity Atlanta track finish occurred twice but most recently in the 2022 Nalley Cars 250, where he finished 10th after starting ninth for his family-owned RSS Racing team.

Kyle Sieg is set to make his 23rd career Xfinity Series start overall and third at Atlanta. His best Xfinity Atlanta track finish occurred in the 2022 Alsco Uniforms 250, where he finished 16th after starting 29th for his family-owned RSS Racing team.

Follow on Social Media: For more on Joe Graf Jr. visit JoeGrafRacing.com, like him on Facebook (Joe Graf Jr.), follow him on TikTok (@JoeGrafJr), Twitter (@JoeGrafJr), Instagram (@joegrafjr) and YouTube.

For more on RSS Racing, please like them on Facebook (RSS283839) and follow them on Instagram (@rss283839) and Twitter (@RSS283839).

Joe Graf Jr. Quoteboard:

On Atlanta Motor Speedway: “First, I am very excited and thankful to welcome JACOB Companies to the RSS Racing team this weekend at Atlanta. JACOB Companies has invested a lot of money in NASCAR throughout the years and I’m excited to be partnered with a very loyal partner who is committed to my racing career.

“Atlanta has been an OK track for me. We were running in the top-10 last March and were taken out on a restart. That stunk because were fast. We salvaged the day with an OK finish but I definitely want more this week, especially considering how bad we ran last weekend at Phoenix.

“Everyone worked hard at Phoenix, but we missed the setup. Hopefully, Atlanta is kinder to us and we can contend for a top-15 or better on Saturday afternoon.”

On 2023 Season Outlook: “This is a year of opportunity for me. I’ll be competing for two different teams which brings some pressure for me but only because I want to go out there and do my very best in every race run for both Joe Gibbs Racing and RSS Racing.

“I just need to stay focused, communicate with my team and utilize the knowledge that I’ve gained over the past three years to have my best Xfinity Series season yet.”

Race Information:

The Raptor of King of Tough 250 (163 laps | 251.02 miles) is the fifth of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2023 schedule. The 38-car field will take the green flag on Sat., Mar. 18 shortly after 5:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Performance Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90 (Satellite Radio).

About RSS Racing:

RSS Racing fields multiple entries in the NASCAR Xfinity Series led by mainstay driver Ryan Sieg.

RSS Racing has competed in NASCAR events since 2009 from its headquarters in Sugar Hill, Ga.

AM Racing | Brett Moffitt NASCAR Xfinity Series King of Tough 250 Race Preview

By
Official Release
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AM Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway | Raptor King of Tough 250

Fast Facts
No. 25 AM Racing Team:
Driver: Brett Moffitt
Primary Partner(s): AM Technical Solutions
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Joe Williams Jr.
Spotter: Tony Raines
Chassis Intel: AMR Chassis No. 1058
Engine: Roush-Yates Engines
Driver Championship Point Standings: 13th
Team Championship Point Standings: 15th (Tied)
Starting Position: 12th (Qualifying canceled due to inclement weather).

Notes of Interest:

Inaugural Journey: After spending the past several seasons as a full-time team in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, AM Racing will embark on its inaugural journey in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season with driver Brett Moffitt for the entire 33-race tour continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Raptor of King of Tough 250 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway.

Future Focused: With AM’s inaugural Xfinity journey set to continue at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga., the team has chosen veteran driver Brett Moffitt to lead the team’s campaign from the driver’s seat aboard the No. 25 Ford Mustang.

Moffitt, a native of Grimes, Iowa hails numerous starts across all three of NASCAR’s National Series, including the 2018 Truck Series championship with Hattori Racing Enterprises.

Moffitt, 30, arrives on the scene at AM Racing after a stint at Our Motorsports.

Back For More: The Statesville, N.C.-based team will sport the signage of AM Technical Solutions on the No. 25 Ford Mustang for the fourth of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season.

Headquartered in Austin, TX, AM Technical Solutions (AMTS) was founded in 1994.

AM Technical Solutions is a Global Architecture, Engineering & Construction firm specializing in the high-tech markets. AMTS has managed over $20B of global capital projects for over 170 different customers in 24 countries and across five continents.

Midnight Madness: For Saturday afternoon’s Raptor of King of Tough 250, AM Racing will feature a black No. 25 AM Technical Solutions Ford Mustang paint scheme.

Before the start of the season, the team held a social media campaign where race fans were able to vote for a number of black-themed AM Technical Solutions paint schemes for the first of two trips to Atlanta this season.

In an astounding voting process, the on-track product received more than 60 percent of the vote.

Thanks For Your Support: With the start of the 2023 season underway, AM Racing and Brett Moffitt would like to thank their associate marketing partners for their support: AIRBOX Air Purifier, CForce Bottling Company, Concrete Supply, Destiny Homes, Flying Circle, Kreuz Market, Lane Frost Brand, Mechanix Wear and Mobil 1.

Brett Moffitt Xfinity Atlanta Motor Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Raptor of King of Tough 250 will mark Moffitt’s sixth start at the 1.5-mile speedway.

In his previous five efforts, he has delivered one top-10, three top-15s and four top-20 finishes. His track-best result occurred during the 2021 summer edition of the Credit Karma Money 250 when Moffitt steered to a track best of sixth after starting 20th for Our Motorsports.

In addition to his previous five Xfinity Series races, the popular driver also has two NASCAR Cup Series starts at the Georgia race track to coincide with five NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts in the Peach State, including a victory in 2018 driving for Hattori Racing Enterprises.

Brett Moffitt Xfinity Series Speedway Stats: At NASCAR Xfinity Series tracks classified as a speedway 1.0-mile to 2.0-mile in length, Moffitt has made 45 starts throughout his career earning one pole and 15 top-10 finishes. He also holds an average finishing position of 15.7.

Brett Moffitt NASCAR Xfinity Series Career Stats: In 88 career Xfinity Series starts, Moffitt has earned two top-five and 24 top-10 finishes, including a second-place outing at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in February 2021.

In addition to 84 Xfinity Series starts, he has achieved 45 NASCAR Cup Series and 92 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts to his credit.

Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway | United Rentals 200 Race Recap: In the most recent NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway, Brett Moffitt and the AM Racing team continued to showcase their speed in their race cars in this year’s edition of the West Coast Swing.

A solid practice result for the No. 25 AM Technical Solutions Racing team was met with a respectable 17th-place qualifying effort.

During the United Rentals 200, Moffitt was able to rebound from an early race spin and utilize the remainder of the short 200-lap race to charge through the field and earn a respectable 13th-place finish.

In four races this season, Moffit has delivered one top-10, two top-15s and an average finish of 18.3.

From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Joe Williams is Brett Moffit’s crew chief.

He will crew chief for his 103rd NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday afternoon and his sixth race at the 1.5-mile facility in Hampton, Ga.

In his previous 102 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected one win (Auto Club Speedway | February 2022), seven top-five and 22 top-10 finishes.

Follow on Social Media: For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing) or follow them on Instagram and Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Brett Moffitt, please visit BrettMoffitt.com, like his Facebook page (Brett Moffitt Racing) or follow him on Instagram (@brett_moffitt_racing) and Twitter (@brett_moffitt).

Brett Moffitt Quoteboard:

On Atlanta Motor Speedway: “I am very optimistic about going to Atlanta this weekend. Atlanta is still much a speedway-type race and the cooler temperatures will probably make it feel like the spring race in 2022. We’ve showcased good speed with our No. 25 AM Technical Solutions Ford Mustang this season, so I hope we are able to continue that on Saturday afternoon with another top-10 run.”

On 2023 Season Outlook: “There has been so much effort put into the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series season and honestly, I am so excited about it. I cannot thank everyone on the AM Racing team enough for the opportunity and for taking a chance on me to lead them in the inaugural year.

“I believe we will exceed everyone’s expectations and not only will we challenge for race wins, but we will achieve them and contend for the 2023 Xfinity Series championship.”

Race Information:

The Raptor of King of Tough 250 (163 laps | 251.02 miles) is the fifth of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2023 schedule. The 38-car field will take the green flag on Sat., Mar. 18 shortly after 5:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Performance Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90 (Satellite Radio).

ABOUT AM RACING:

AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multi-faceted Motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

Established in December 2015, AM Racing is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

The family-owned team will compete in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series in its seventh year of competition.

The team has named Brett Moffitt and Christian Rose as their primary drivers for the 2023 Xfinity and ARCA Menards Series seasons.

How to Style Your Trucker Hat: A Guide for Everyone

By
SM
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Photo by Yang Deng on Unsplash

A trucker hat is a type of baseball cap that is typically made from mesh or nylon fabric. The front of the hat has a flat bill, and the back has a plastic adjustable snapback closure. Truckers have been wearing these hats since the 1970s, but they have only recently become popular among non-truckers.

The trucker hat has been a staple of fashion for decades. It has become an everyday accessory for all kinds of people, from celebrities to everyday folks. Whether you’re looking for a classic mesh style or something more modern and stylish, there are plenty of ways to make your own unique look with a trucker hat.

If you’re looking to add a trucker hat to your wardrobe, there are a few things you need to know about how to style them. Here is a guide for everyone on how to style their trucker hat.

Best trucker hats can be styled in many different ways. You can wear them with casual clothes, like jeans and a t-shirt, or you can dress them up for a more formal look. 

Here are a few tips for styling your trucker hat:

1. Choose the right size and fit for your head. 

Trucker’s hats come in different sizes, so make sure you know what size you need before you buy one. The bill should fit snuggly against your forehead, and the brim should not be too wide or too narrow.

2. Match it to other items of clothing and accessories. 

Your trucker hat can be used as an accent piece to help tie together an outfit or look. Choose colors that match other items of clothing and accessorize with pieces that complement the hat, such as sunglasses or jewelry. 

3. Wear it with attitude! 

Trucker hats can be worn with a confident swagger. Make sure you carry yourself with confidence and style when wearing a trucker hat.

4. Personalize it! 

If you want to stand out, customize your trucker hat by adding patches or pins that reflect your personality and interests. 

5. Choosing the Right Hat: 

When choosing the right trucker hat for your individual style, consider the shape, size, color and materials used in making it. Most retail offerings come in one-size-fits-all varieties but if you want something more bespoke, you should invest in a custom made option. This will ensure that you get exactly what you want as far as fit and construction. 

6. Picking the Perfect Color:

When selecting a color for your trucker hat, you should keep in mind both its aesthetic appeal and how it will work with your existing wardrobe. Stick to simple colors like blacks, whites, and greys if you’re looking for something subtle, or opt for bold hues such as bright reds and blues if you want to make more of a statement. 

7. Embellishing Your Hat: 

Adding embellishments to your trucker hat is one of the best ways to take it from basic to unique. Whether its studs, sequins or patches, there are lots of options out there that can help you express yourself through fashion. Adding rhinestones to the brim of your hat is a popular way to add some sparkle, or you could go for a more subdued look with a simple embroidered logo.

8. Wearing Your Hat: 

Once you’ve got your perfect trucker hat, it’s time to start wearing it! There are endless ways to style this versatile accessory, so feel free to experiment until you find what works best for you. If you’re going for a laid-back look, try pairing your hat with jeans and a t-shirt. For something a little more dressed up, try matching it with a sundress or skirt. No matter how you choose to wear it, rock your trucker hat with confidence and enjoy turning heads everywhere you go! 

Conclusion: 

The trucker hat is a timeless accessory that can be worn in a variety of different ways. With so many styles and colors to choose from, there’s sure to be one out there that fits your unique sense of fashion. So whether you’re looking for something subtle or bold, use this guide to create the perfect look with your very own customized trucker hat. Happy styling!

Bet the Maximum: The Key to Winning the Jackpot in Online Slots

By
SM
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Photo by Aidan Howe on Unsplash

The allure of hitting it big in game slot online is undeniable. With the simple click of a button, you can potentially win life-changing sums of money. But how can you increase your chances of winning that elusive jackpot? The secret lies in betting the maximum. 

The Relationship between Max Bet and Progressive Jackpots

Regarding online slots with progressive jackpots, betting the maximum becomes crucial. Progressive jackpots are designed to grow with each bet placed, a small percentage of which is added to the jackpot pool. As a result, these jackpots can reach staggering amounts, and the excitement of possibly winning it all is what draws many players to online slots.

Only the maximum bet qualifies you for the progressive jackpot in most online slots. This means that if you hit the jackpot-winning combination but haven’t placed the maximum bet, you’ll only receive a fraction of the prize. By betting the maximum, you ensure you’re eligible for the full jackpot amount, maximizing your potential return on investment.

The Importance of Bonus Features and Multipliers

Online slots are not just about spinning the reels and hoping for the best. Modern slot games like Coins.Game offer many bonus features and multipliers that can significantly increase your winnings. These features can be triggered by landing specific combinations of symbols on the reels or by placing the maximum bet.

Many online slots include bonus rounds activated when certain conditions are met. These bonus rounds can offer free spins, multipliers, or other rewards to enhance your gameplay experience and increase your winnings. By betting the maximum, you unlock the full potential of these bonus features, ensuring that you get the most out of your gaming session.

Understanding Payout Percentages and the Impact on Your Winnings

Payout percentages, also known as return-to-player (RTP) percentages, represent the amount of money an online slot will pay back to players over time. Online slots typically have higher RTP percentages than their land-based counterparts, making them more attractive to players looking for better returns on their bets.

When you bet the maximum, you often increase the RTP percentage of the game. Some online situs judi slot offer a higher RTP for max bettors, rewarding them with better odds and higher potential payouts. By wagering the maximum amount, you’re increasing your chances of winning the jackpot and enjoying better overall odds, which can translate to more frequent wins.

The Importance of Bankroll Management

While betting the maximum can lead to bigger wins, it’s essential to remember the importance of bankroll management and responsible gambling. Placing the maximum bet on every spin can quickly deplete your bankroll, especially if you’re playing on a limited budget. To make the most of your gaming session, set a budget and stick to it.

Consider adjusting your coin size and the number of paylines you’re playing to accommodate your budget while still placing the maximum bet. This way, you can enjoy the maximum benefits of betting without risking your finances.

A Few Final Thoughts

Betting the maximum in online slots is the key to unlocking the game’s full potential. Doing so increases your chances of winning the jackpot, triggering bonus features, and enjoying better overall odds. However, it’s crucial to remember to manage your bankroll responsibly to avoid overspending. 

NCS AT ATLANTA – Hendrick Motorsports’ Jeff Andrews and Chad Knaus Media Availability Transcript

By
Official Release
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NASCAR CUP SERIES
ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
AMBETTER HEALTH 400
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 17, 2023

JEFF ANDREWS, HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS’ PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, and CHAD KNAUS, HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS’ VICE PRESIDENT OF COMPETITION – Media Availability Transcript

Can you give us any more indication of what NASCAR is saying you guys did and what you’re going to try to argue on for the appeal?

Knaus: “Honestly, it’s pretty messy right now as we’re trying to figure out exactly what angle we’re going to take. I know that the whole industry went through a tremendous amount of work in the latter-stages of 2022 to try to get a new.. INAUDIBLE.. package from a cooling standpoint to help fix what maybe another OEM had problems with last year.

At the end of last year, everyone worked an awful lot; were very diligent on getting the spec parts developed. Everything done in the parity test that needed to be. When we started to get parts at the beginning of the 2023 season, we didn’t have the parts that we thought we were going to have. So through a tremendous amount of back and forth with NASCAR, the OEMs and the teams, there’s been conversations about whether we can clean up the parts, not clean up the parts. And it’s changed, quite honestly, every couple of weeks. So it’s been challenging for us to navigate and we’re just going to have to see what happens when we get through the appeal.”

There has been a lot of talk about maybe something you guys learned in Garage 56 with the louvers there that maybe were applied..

Knaus: “No, that’s not it at all. That’s a completely different package. It doesn’t even have the same cooling package or the same engine.. nothing of that translates.”

It was said that it was a voluntary inspection.

Knaus: “Yes, ma’am.”

Did NASCAR come to you and say ‘let us’, or did you go to NASCAR and say ‘hey, take a look at this’?

Knaus: “The way the voluntary inspections happen; when you show up to the race track with that type of a schedule, you have a mandatory safety and a mandatory engine inspection. Everything else beyond that is up to the teams. We typically choose to go ahead and put the car in for the voluntary inspection so that NASCAR has the opportunity to say ‘hey, we don’t like this’ or ‘maybe you need to tweak that’, or whatever it may be. And that’s been pretty much the standard cadence. I don’t know that there’s too many teams that usually go through the voluntary inspections and don’t get told ‘hey, you need to come work on this a little bit before you show back up tomorrow’.”

The statement stated that the communication documented was inconsistent and unclear. Was that with the manufacturer or was that directly with Hendrick Motorsports with specific questions that you guys had?

Knaus: “Yeah, there’s been dialogue. Like I stated, we submitted a part through the OEM to NASCAR, and then NASCAR chose the single source provider for those components. The components haven’t been coming the way that we expected them to be for a couple of the OEM’s as far as I know in the garage, and definitely all of the Chevrolet teams. So we started to have dialogue with them in early February about those problems.

So it was us through our aerodynamic department, through our OEM, back through NASCAR, back to us and back through our OEM. So there’s a significant amount of communication that’s been had. It’s definitely confusing. The timelines are curious, but they’re there.”

What you had done to the louver to make it fit, essentially, at Phoenix Raceway that created the issue, is that something you had done at Las Vegas, Auto Club or Daytona this year?

Knaus: “There was a parity test – as you guys know, we went to a new aerodynamic package when we went to Phoenix (Raceway). As they did that, what the OEM did when they went through the parity test, per NASCAR’s guidance, was to modify the louver.. INAUDIBLE.. to get the airflow correct through there so that we could fit inside the aerodynamic box that NASCAR created. So the OEM did that.. we went to Phoenix with what would be considered the new aerodynamic package – the small spoiler, the underbody treatments, all of that. All of that being the same thing in how the cars were tested to be proper for the parity test.”

Do you have an appeal date yet?

Andrews: “We have not received that yet.”

The communication issue regarding parts – is that just specific to louvers or has it involved other parts?

Knaus: “It’s been trying. Look, we’ve all jumped in bed on this thing together since we started this Gen-7 car. And that’s the thing that I think we’ve all prided ourselves on in the garage, is that there’s been a tremendous amount of give-and-take as we’ve tried to learn how to race this car and work together. It’s very disappointing to me that we’re sitting in this situation right now with a component that we’ve all come to the conclusion that it is not correct, and we’ve all tried to work to get it fixed because we’ve done that with other parts.”

Do you feel like the parts were faulty and that’s why you’ve been penalized, or did you modify the parts in a way that you thought was acceptable to NASCAR?

Knaus: “I can tell you this – we’ve got a brand new set of these parts that we can go pull off the shelf right now that NASCAR deemed illegal and inappropriate for us to race.”

Are you going to ask for the crew chiefs to be back next week if the appeal is not next week, or will you continue to use interim crew chiefs until the appeal is heard?

Knaus: “Jeff (Andrews) and I have discussed it with Mr. H (Rick Hendrick) and Mr. Gordon (Jeff Gordon), and we’re just going to see when the appeal comes down. We’re going to take it week-by-week and understand what it is that we need to do as the timeline develops.”

Are you working in conjunction at all with Kaulig Racing because they had an issue since they are a Chevrolet team, or because you’re two different organizations you’re doing your own thing?

Knaus: “We’re not holding hands right now at this point, but I’m sure there’s going to be communication as we get a little bit further. But to what level, I can’t disclose on that yet.”

To clarify, in the statement, it says the voluntary inspection took place and then it was four hours later that NASCAR came back and took them. Do you have any idea why there was such a gap.. why they didn’t just spot it then?

Knaus: “No, it’s really confusing. We knew there was some attention to that area when we first went through technical inspection. And that’s what’s really disappointing, to be quite honest, because we had plenty of time to get those parts off the car if they felt like there was something wrong. I can assure you if we knew there was going to be a four hour lag and we thought there was something wrong, they would have been in the trash can and burned with fuel somewhere so nobody would ever see them. We had no idea that we were going to be sitting in this position. So once again, really disappointed that we’re in the position that we’re in right now.”

Is the goal a full overturn of the appeal, a reduction or wait to see what happens?

Knaus: “We’re still working on that.”

You guys were penalized, Kaulig Racing was penalized.. do you have any idea why other teams weren’t doing what you were doing?

Knaus: “I don’t know if they were or weren’t.”

The statement stated that the severity of the penalty is similar to a post-race penalty.

Knaus: “From my perspective, I think it’s different. A voluntary inspection, I don’t understand why you would be hung and ordered for a voluntary inspection. Typically, you would be told ‘hey, you need to go work on that’ or ‘hey, we need to discuss what’s going on here’.”

Andrews: “If you look back at 2022 and the L2 penalties that were handed out, all of those were post-race inspection penalties. There was not a L2-level penalty handed out in 2022 during a pre-race – or at that point even a pre-inspection – where a part was taken and a penalty was issued.”

Generally, NASCAR says once the car is in the garage, it’s open for inspection and for parts to be taken. What is the argument for that it was voluntary or why is that different?

Knaus: “Because it specifically said voluntary inspection when you rolled into Phoenix. Specifically.”

Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, what’s the impact of having four crew chiefs suddenly suspended?

Knaus: “Yeah, you go through the depth chart pretty quick when that happens, obviously. But we’re very fortunate at Hendrick Motorsports and the leadership we have there. We’ve got some amazing people that can fill in and help us out through these trying times.

Obviously, Tom Gray has a tremendous amount of experience working closely with the No. 9 team and Alan Gustafson (crew chief). We’ve got Kevin Meendering, who unfortunately had to sit in last year on the No. 5. Greg (Ives), obviously he’s right at how with the No. 48. And Brian Campe is a great fit for the No. 24 team. We’re in a really good spot there. We feel like we can continue down the path of being successful; racing hard and doing what it is we need to do for our partners.”

With that said, why aren’t you one of the crew chiefs?

Knaus: “I’m too old, man. I don’t have it anymore.”

Do you feel like the harshest impact of the penalty is the 10 playoff points and any potential playoff points that could be gained by regular-season finishes?

Knaus: “I think it all is. It’s a terrible situation.. not only for us, but for the industry, to be quite honest with you. That’s what I dislike the most – it’s ugly, we shouldn’t be in this situation and it’s really unfortunate that we are because it doesn’t help anybody.”

You said it’s a terrible situation.. what is it about the situation that’s terrible?

Knaus: “We as a company, we as the garage – every one of these teams are being held accountable to put their car out there to go through inspection and perform at the level that they need to. The teams are being held accountable for doing that. Nobody is holding the single source providers accountable at the level they need to be to give us the parts that we need. Now, that goes through NASCAR’s distribution center and NASCAR’s approval process to get those parts and we’re not getting the right parts.”

How can that be fixed other than saying we need the right parts.. is that more on NASCAR’s shoulders?

Knaus: “Yeah, absolutely. There are so many areas that we need to continue to improve upon. And again, that’s where I’m probably the most disappointed is that we’ve been going down this path working collectively as a group for quite some time, and for this to pop up like this is really disappointing.”

Elton said NASCAR works with the teams to make sure the parts fit properly, but he specifically used the words ‘this was modified outside of those bounds’. It seems like you take offense to – we modified these for performance.

Knaus: “We have a CAD that has been submitted by the OEM, and the OEM gets that CAD from NASCAR. It’s NASCAR’s responsibility to make sure the parts we get fit the car.”

Are you saying you pretty much modified the parts to fit the hood?

Knaus: “We made sure our parts fit the hood, and the hood closed and did all the stuff that it needed to do.”

 

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

NASCAR Xfinity and Truck qualifying rained out at Atlanta Motor Speedway

By
Angie Campbell
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Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 20, 2022 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Xfinity Series qualifying sessions originally scheduled for Friday afternoon at Atlanta Motor Speedway were canceled due to rain.

The starting lineups were set by performance metrics outlined in the NASCAR Rule Book. It is comprised of 25% driver finish at previous race, 25% owner finish at previous race, 35% owner points and 15% fastest lap ranking in the previous race.

Craftsman Truck Series points leader Zane Smith will start on the pole for the Fr8 208 in the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Sammy Smith, who won his first race at Phoenix Raceway last week, will lead the field to green in the No. 18 Toyota for the Xfinity RAPTOR Tough 250 Saturday evening at 5 p.m. ET. It will be televised on FS1 with radio coverage by PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Starting Lineups:

https://www.nascar.com/results/racecenter/2023/nascar-craftsman-truck-series/fr8-208/stn/lineup/

https://www.nascar.com/results/racecenter/2023/nascar-xfinity-series/raptor-king-of-tough-250/stn/lineup/

Weather impedes Friday qualifying sessions at AMS

By
Official Release
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William Byron's hauler enters Atlanta Motor Speedway's infield Friday. (Photo courtesy: HHP)

HAMPTON, Ga. (March 17, 2023) – Mother Nature got the best of Friday’s afternoon qualifying at Atlanta Motor Speedway for both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series, as the respective sessions were canceled due to rain in the area.

NCTS points leader Zane Smith will start on the pole for Saturday’s Fr8 208 (2 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The subsequent lineup will be set by performance metrics per the NASCAR Rule Book: 15% of a fastest lap time position in the previous series event, 25% of the driver’s final race finish position in the previous series event, 25% of the owner’s final race finish position in the previous event and 35% of the Owner Points position.

Sammy Smith, who won last week’s showdown at Phoenix Raceway, will lead the pack to begin Saturday’s Xfinity Series RAPTOR King of Tough 250 (5 p.m. ET, FS1, PRN, SiriusXM).

While Mother Nature won the day Friday, forecasts for Saturday’s slate of on-track action at AMS are much more favorable. Qualifying for the Ambetter Health 400 precedes the doubleheader racing with the Fr8 208 and RAPTOR King of Tough 250 running back-to-back. The weekend culminates with the Ambetter Health 400 on Sunday.

Tickets and camping options for the weekend remain available at AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com or by calling 877-9-AMS-TIX.

About the Ambetter Health 400 weekend:

Atlanta’s spring NASCAR weekend is headlined by the Ambetter Health 400 on Sunday, March 19, with intense, door-to-door racing around the historic high banks of Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The race weekend also features Atlanta’s same-day NASCAR doubleheader on Saturday, March 18, 2022. The thrills of the Fr8 208 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race and the RAPTOR King of Tough 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race all happen in one action-packed day that race fans look forward to every year.

More information on the March 17-19, 2023, Ambetter Health 400 weekend and ticket availability can be found online at AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com.

Follow Atlanta Motor Speedway:

Keep track of all of Atlanta Motor Speedway’s events by following on Twitter, Instagram, and become a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Atlanta Motor Speedway mobile app.

Perkins Seeks New Light Heading To Atlanta

By
Official Release
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Blaine Perkins
No. 07 To The Point Inc. Chevrolet Camaro
NASCAR Xfinity Series News and Notes

Event: Raptor 250
Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023
Venue: Atlanta Motor Speedway
Location: Hampton, Georgia
Track Description: 1.5 mile(s)
Race: 163 Laps/250 Miles

Giving It A Go: Blaine Perkins will make his first Xfinity Series start on the new Atlanta Motor Speedway configuration this weekend.

Meet Blaine: Blaine will be appearing at the Team Chevy display Saturday March 18th at 12:30pm ET.

Quote Worthy

Blaine Perkins, driver of the No. 07 To The Point Inc. Chevrolet Camaro for
SS GreenLight Racing:

On racing at Atlanta: “Excited to get to Atlanta this weekend. We had good speed at Daytona and hopefully that translates to the reconfigured Atlanta track as well. I’ve always enjoyed pack style racing, just hoping we have luck on our side this weekend and come home with a good finish.”

Follow Blaine Perkins’ on Social Media … To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, visit www.BlainePerkins.com or connect with Blaine Perkins on Facebook (OfficialBlainePerkins), Twitter (@BlainePerkins21) or Instagram (@blaineperkins21).

Blaine Perkins Statistics

SS GreenLight Racing’s NASCAR Xfinity Series History…Since entering the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2015, the Mooresville, N.C. ,-based team has made more than 350 starts with multiple drivers. These include Cole Custer, Ross Chastain and Ross Chastain. SS GreenLight Racing has collected one win (Fontana 2022), eight top-fives, and 23 top-10 finishes.

Follow SS GreenLight Racing on Social Media: Keep up with SS GreenLight Racing news, notes, information, exclusive content and much more! visit www.ssgreenlight.com or connect on our social media channels. Follow along on Facebook (SSGreenLightRacing), Twitter (@SSGLR0708), Instagram (@ssgreenlightracing) and TikTok (SS GreenLight Racing)

SS GreenLight Racing Statistics

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Perkins and SS GreenLight Racing teammate Gray Gaulding head to Las Vegas Motor Speedway looking to rebound after a rough outing last weekend.. Gaulding will be behind the wheel of the #08 Panini NFT machine for team owner Bobby Dotter.

Card Collector: Blaine Perkins Racing has partnered with Panini America as a Brand Ambassador. Perkins joins SS GreenLight Racing and Panini sponsored teammate Gray Gaulding as a Panini athlete. To start your collection, visit Panini. #whodoyoucollect

Catch the Action … The NASCAR Xfinity Series RAPTOR King of Tough 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be broadcast live on FS1 on Saturday, March 18, at approximately 5:00 PM ET. It will also be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network (PRN).

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