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Christian Rose ARCA Menards Series Phoenix Raceway General Tire 150 Race Preview

Christian Rose ARCA Menards Series Phoenix Raceway General Tire 150 Race Preview

AM Racing | ARCA Menards Series

Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway | General Tire 150

Fast Facts

No. 32 AM Racing Team:

Driver: Christian Rose

Primary Partner(s): West Virginia Tourism | Secure Testing Services

Manufacturer: Ford Mustang

Crew Chief: Ryan “Pickle” London

Spotter: Tony Raines

Chassis Intel: AMR Chassis No. A-230

Engine: Ilmor Racing Technologies

Driver Championship Point Standings: 12th

Driver Rookie of the Year Standings: Sixth

Team Championship Point Standings: 12th

Notes of Interest:

Welcome Aboard: AM Racing returned to the ARCA Menards Series full-time in 2023 with Automobile Racing of America (ARCA) Rookie of the Year candidate Christian Rose behind the wheel of the team’s No. 32 Ford Mustang.

The 2023 ARCA Menards Series will mark the first time that AM Racing has competed full-time in the NASCAR-owned development series since Gus Dean drove for the organization during the 2018 season.

Meet Christian Rose: Rose, a former Division 1 baseball player for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore has traded the glove and bat in for a steering wheel and helmet and has set achievable goals for his first full season of stock car competition aboard the team’s flagship No. 32 Ford Mustang.

Rose joins the Statesville, N.C.-based team on the heels of a limited ARCA schedule in 2022 competing in a series of races on ARCA’s platform with Cook Racing Technologies which was highlighted by a career-best seventh-place finish at Kansas Speedway last October.

Additionally, Rose earned two additional top-10 finishes at Five Flags (Fla.) Speedway and Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway respectively.

Glad To Have You: To help steer Christian Rose and the AM Racing team towards a championship in 2023, the organization has recruited Ryan “Pickle” London to serve as crew chief of the No. 32 Ford Mustang this season.

London, a long-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series crew chief returns to AM Racing after spending the 2020 season with the team’s Truck Series program as the truck chief.

London has plenty of experience as a leader in the ARCA Menards Series, including guiding drivers Tom Hessert and Frank Kimmel to poles and leading Grant Enfinger to victories at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway and DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds in 2014.

In addition to the two wins as crew chief, the winning NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series crew chief has numerous ARCA top-fives and top-10 efforts to his credit.

Partner Support: The Department of West Virginia Tourism will serve as the primary marketing partner on Rose’s No. 32 Ford Mustang in Friday night’s General Tire 150.

The West Virginia Department of Tourism promotes West Virginia as a leading four-season travel destination and top state to live, work and retire.

Known as the Mountain State, West Virginia is one of the most scenic states in the United States and home to thousands of acres of parks and public lands, including America’s newest national park and 45 state parks and forests.

In addition to its majestic mountains and rolling hills, West Virginia is full of rich historic sites, enchanting art galleries, charming towns and an immense sense of belonging found only in its heaven-like landscapes.

Secured Partnership: In addition to the Department of West Virginia Tourism, Secure Testing Services (STS) will serve as a major associate marketing partner for the second of 20 races on the 2023 ARCA Menards Series tour.

Secure Testing Services LLC. is a nationwide leader in on-site drug testing located in Richmond, Virginia.

Quite simply, STS provides customized assistance to your organization’s Human Resources and Safety teams in achieving their compliance goals.

Up-Close View: For the second ARCA Menards Series race of the 2023 season, Christian Rose and AM Racing thanks to partner Secure Testing Services will hoist an in-car camera for the General Tire 150.

Rose and Secure Testing Services will share the in-car camera with race partner General Tire for the 150-mile race.

The event from Avondale, Ariz. will mark the first time that Rose has carried an onboard camera in series competition.

Thanks For Your Support: With the start of the 2023 season underway, AM Racing and Christian Rose would like to thank their associate marketing partners for their support: AIRBOX Air Purifier, Big Draft Brewing, Black Draft Farm & Distillery, Disability Opportunity Fund, Extreme Family Fitness, Flying Circle, Lopez Team, Mountaineer Rub, Mobil 1 and Whitetail Smokeless.

Helping The Cause: Through Rose’s partnership with partner Disability Opportunity Fund (DOF), the No. 32 AM Racing team will show support for IncrediBullStella and Stella’s Rescue Rehab for Friday night’s 150-lap race.

Stella’s Rescue Rehab (also known as IncredibullStella to their over 100k followers on social media) is a nonprofit 501c3 national advocacy organization that is focused on the pit bull dog breed.

Although its founder passed away of cancer in 2020, they continue to spread awareness for these loving and smart dogs in her memory, as well as fostering one dog at a time.

The Disability Opportunity Fund has generously made a significant financial contribution to Stella’s Rescue Rehab to assist with their operating costs this year.

Christian Rose ARCA Phoenix Raceway Stats: Friday night’s General Tire 150 at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway will mark Rose’s third start at the 1.0-mile race track.

In his previous two efforts, the Martinsburg, WV native has maneuvered a track best of 21st achieved in November 2022.

Christian Rose ARCA National Series Stats: In nine career ARCA National Series starts, Rose has earned one top-10 finish (seventh at Kansas Speedway | October 2022), while also showcasing four top-20 finishes overall.

Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway | BRANDT 200 Supporting Florida FFA Race Recap: In the most recent ARCA Menards Series race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Rose and the AM Racing team came out of the box with a strong performance.

After qualifying his No. 32 Department of West Virginia Tourism | Secure Testing Services Ford Mustang 13th, Rose quickly drafted to the front and led his first laps of competition.

A late-race caution set up for a chaotic finish that saw Rose cleverly pick up several positions that earned the driver a 12th-place result at the checkered flag.

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 Christian Rose, please like him on Facebook (Christian Rose Racing) or follow him on Instagram (@christianroseracing) and Twitter (@CRoseRacing).

Christian Rose Quoteboard:

On Phoenix Raceway: “After our solid showing at Daytona International Speedway, I am very optimistic about Friday night’s race at Phoenix Raceway. Without a doubt, I am hoping that the experience of two prior races at Phoenix will be beneficial on Friday night and we can collect a top-10 finish with our No. 32 Department of West Virginia Tourism | Secure Testing Services Ford Mustang.

“We just need another or lap or two and I thought we would have definitely had a top-10 finish, so we will try to finish what we started at Daytona with a strong result on Friday night.

“Pickle (Ryan London, crew chief) and the team have worked hard on this Phoenix car since Daytona and I can’t wait to climb in. I’m thankful to everyone, including my teammate Brett Moffitt for the continued support.”

On 2023 Season Outlook: “There’s a lot of hype and the AM Racing team has been extremely focused to make sure we are putting ourselves in a position to not only be competitive but also challenge for race wins and hopefully the championship too.

“I want to win a race this season. That’s a huge goal for me and I know with the great support of our partners, my team and myself – we are going to accomplish that goal.”

Race Information:

The General Tire 150 (150 laps | 150 miles) is the second of 20 races on the 2023 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Fri., Mar. 10 with a fifty-minute session from 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Group qualifying is set to follow at 4:00 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 6:00 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 2 (FS2) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (XM channel 391 | online channel 981) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities. All times are local (MT).

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.

Frankie Muniz; Rette Jones Racing Hope for Hometown Advantage at Phoenix Raceway

AVONDALE, Ariz.: After an impressive 11th-place performance in his ARCA Menards Series debut last month at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, global television, film star and professional motorsports athlete Frankie Muniz and his Rette Jones Racing (RJR) trek to Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway eyeing a top-10 finish in Friday night’s General Tire 150.

And while Daytona certainly brought a lot of attention to Muniz, Phoenix is bound to produce similar interest as the outskirts of the Avondale, Ariz. race track is considered home for the former Malcolm in the Middle television actor.

“It hasn’t been that long since I’ve been in a race car but it feels like an eternity,” said Muniz with a chuckle. “I had an absolute blast at Daytona with Mark (Rette, crew chief and co-owner) bringing me a very fast No. 30 HairClub Ford to contend with.

“We just missed a top-10 finish and while that was a huge bummer. An 11th-place finish to start my rookie season in ARCA Menards Series competition isn’t bad at all.”

While Muniz has yet to turn a professional lap on Phoenix’s one-mile oval, the local native has certainly spent several hours at the facility studying the track from an up close and personal perspective, while also studying film, photos and making laps on the simulator.

Muniz is hoping all the focus will pay dividends in his second career ARCA Menards Series start under the lights on March 10.

“When you race in your own backyard, you certainly want to put on a show,” added Muniz. “We have a lot of local support, not to mention some local marketing partners who jumped on board for this race, plus the nonstop support from the grandstands too.

“We are taking that same sturdy approach that we did at Daytona where we took our time, made the most of every lap turned and hope when the checkered flag waves on Friday night, we’re in a good spot.”

The Hot Chick, one of Phoenix’s premier restaurants will serve as the primary marketing partner on Friday night.

Nothing warms our heart like a little nostalgia. Groovy vibes, throwback jams, and a lineup of old-school video arcade games set the mood. Entertainment abounds with all of your favorite games, 30+ flat-screen TVs, a giant LED wall, a state-of-the-art audio-video system and the best local DJs.

They aim to bring together the best people in the Valley under one roof by offering an adult playground and unique escape in Old Town Scottsdale. Their food camper serves up fast-casual comfort food with an emphasis on fried chicken.

Juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, paired with house-made biscuits or sandwiched between a brioche bun – it’s a real winner-winner chicken dinner, especially when paired with an ice-cold beer or one of our specialty craft cocktails.

Let the good times roll!

“I really appreciate The Hot Chick and Republic Bank of Arizona for stepping up and supporting our race at Phoenix,” added Muniz. “The Hot Chick is one of the best eating establishments in town and with their relaxing upbeat atmosphere, I know we’re going to have a bunch more people rooting for us on Friday night.”

For former ARCA championship-winning crew chief Rette, he was extremely impressed with Muniz’s performance at Daytona and looks forward to seeing his attentiveness continue at Phoenix.

“Phoenix is a lot different than Daytona, but Frankie has been working hard for weeks trying to adequately prepare himself for Friday night. With the race being a combination race with the ARCA Menards Series West, there are going to be some new players that Frankie will have to battle with.

“But through the unknowns of Phoenix, I think Frankie will continue to showcase his ability as a race car driver and we can have another solid performance to kick off our 2023 season.”

For the 2023 ARCA season, Rette Jones Racing will continue its longtime partnership with Ford Performance but has upgraded its fleet to include the Ford Mustang continuing this weekend at Phoenix.

For more information, or to request an interview with Muniz, contact Athelo Group at adelara@athelogroup.com.

For more on Frankie Muniz please visit munizracing.com, like him on Facebook (FrankieMuniz4) and follow him on Instagram (@frankiemuniz4) and Twitter (@frankiemuniz).

For more on Rette Jones Racing, please visit RetteJonesRacing.com, like them on Facebook (Rette Jones Racing) or follow them on Instagram (@RetteJones30) and Twitter (@RetteJones30).

The General Tire 150 (150 laps | 150 miles) is the second of 20 races on the 2023 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Fri., Mar. 10 with a fifty-minute session from 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Group qualifying is set to follow at 4:00 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 6:00 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 2 (FS2) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (XM channel 391 | online channel 981) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities. All times are local (MT).

About Rette Jones Racing:

Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, Rette Jones Racing (RJR) was founded in 2015 with the intent of building a successful racing operation built around the fundamentals of hard work and a never-give-up attitude.

Owned by racers Terry Jones and Mark Rette, RJR plans to field a full-time entry in 2023 in the ARCA Menards Series, while also planning to field vehicles in the ARCA Menards Series East respectively.

The winning ARCA team also offers technical and setup intel as part of its technical alliance partnership program.

6 Useful Guidelines You Should Follow In Case Of A Truck Accident

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If you’re involved in a truck accident, your natural reaction is likely to be shock and confusion. In the midst of all this chaos, it’s important to follow certain guidelines that can help ensure you receive compensation for damages or medical bills. To understand exactly what you should do in case of an accident involving a commercial truck or semi-truck, check out these six useful guidelines. Also, you can check this out: Why are they called Semi Trucks?

Safety First

It’s no secret that safety needs to be top-of-mind in all aspects of our lives. When it comes to a truck accident, “safety first” should always be the mantra. Following basic guidelines can ensure that any accident you may experience is handled safely and quickly, resulting in minimal impact on both you and anyone else involved. Taking responsibility for your safety will enable a smoother response during an accident, help you return to normal daily activities faster, and give you peace of mind knowing you are prepared if something unexpected happens.

Contact an Attorney

One critical step is to contact an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can provide comprehensive legal advice, answer questions about accident-related rights and responsibilities, advise you about injury compensation claims, and identify any individuals or companies that may be held liable for the crash. Each state has its own laws governing truck accidents and how compensation is distributed, so be sure to choose a qualified lawyer with expertise specific to your state’s laws. For example, if the accident happened in Las Vegas, a Las Vegas truck accident attorney would be your best bet.

Similarly, you should seek a qualified truck accident attorney if you’re in the area. If a truck accident has had a major impact on your life and the lives of those around you, expert legal guidance can ensure that everyone gets the resolution and closure they deserve.

Report the Incident

When in the unfortunate situation of being involved in a truck accident, reporting the incident is the first step to take. It is easy to become overwhelmed and unsure of what needs to be done, but it’s important to remain calm under pressure. Knowing the guidelines for truck accidents can be invaluable. It is essential to remember that you should always call 911 first and foremost. Notifying the police is a necessity because it could help to determine who was at fault and provide legal protection. At the same time, it’s wise to make sure your Austin truck accident lawyer, or elsewhere, is informed and, if possible, present during this process. Having your lawyer involved early can help protect your legal rights from the beginning. They can offer immediate guidance on what to say or not say, help you understand your responsibilities, and ensure that nothing is done or omitted that could hurt your case later.

Document Everything

Documenting everything after a truck accident is essential to protecting your financial, medical, and legal interests. Obtaining accurate information about the vehicles, drivers, and witnesses involved in the accident is an important part of being well prepared should legal action arise. As soon as an incident occurs, take photographs of all vehicle damage. If you believe that a driver was at fault at any point, be sure to seek proper legal counsel to help you comprehend your rights and responsibilities within the law.

This is where an experienced local lawyer, like an accident attorney, becomes invaluable. They will use your photos of the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries, along with a detailed account of the event, to build a powerful claim. They understand how to interpret this documentation within your jurisdiction’s legal framework to establish liability and maximize your compensation.

Exchange Information

When you are involved in a truck accident, one of your top priorities is to exchange information with the other driver. Although it can be difficult in the heat of the moment, keeping calm and organized is key to getting back on your feet quickly. Make sure you obtain the other driver’s name, address, license number (and its expiration date), contact info, insurer, and policy number. Exchange your own information too. Additionally, record the names and contact information of at least two witnesses, and take photos of both vehicles and any property damage. You don’t want small details to slip through the cracks—follow these guidelines, and you’ll have accounted for everything necessary!

Photo by Gabriel Santos on Unsplash

Seek Medical Attention

When involved in a truck accident, it’s important to seek medical attention for any potential injuries. Even minor physical issues should not be overlooked, as they can lead to more serious problems if left untreated. After addressing any medical concerns and receiving the necessary care, check in with your doctor regularly to ensure that you’re making a full recovery, both physically and mentally. It may also be useful to maintain a complete record of expenses for any treatments or medications you require. The most important thing is that you prioritize your health and safety above all else–seek the help you need right away!

Overall, these 6 steps are important for truck accident victims to consider. Remember that safety should always be your first priority after such an incident, and it’s never a bad idea to contact an attorney. Of course, it’s up to the individual how they want to proceed, but having knowledge of these guidelines can help them think on their feet and prepare for disaster should one occur. We recommend keeping this crucial information readily available so you can act quickly and responsibly if you are ever faced with such an event.

How NASCAR may be the most over-sponsored sport in the USA

Photo Credit: Pexels.com/Alfred GF

NASCAR, or the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, is a popular motorsport in the United States that features high-speed races on oval and road tracks across the country. It is a sport that has a large and passionate fan base that is drawn to the speed, adrenaline, and excitement of the races.

NASCAR has grown to become a major player in the world of sports and entertainment, attracting millions of fans and generating billions of dollars in revenue each year. A large part of this revenue comes from the numerous sponsorships that are associated with the sport.

NASCAR sponsorships are essential to the financial success of the sport. The sponsorships can be found on everything from the race cars themselves, to the drivers’ uniforms, to the various equipment used in the races. These sponsorships help fund the teams and the races, as well as help promote various brands and products.

However, in recent years, some have argued that NASCAR may have gone too far with its sponsorship model, leading to an over-saturation of sponsorships in the sport. In this article, we will explore this idea further and discuss how over-sponsorship in NASCAR may be negatively impacting the sport.

NASCAR Sponsorship Overview

NASCAR’s sponsorship model is a complex system that involves multiple layers of partnerships and agreements. At the core of the system are the teams, which are responsible for racing the cars and winning the races. These teams are funded by various sponsors, who provide the necessary funding for the team to operate and compete in the races.

NASCAR also has its own set of sponsors, which are typically large corporations that invest significant amounts of money into the sport. These sponsors are often featured prominently on the track, on the race cars, and in various advertising materials.

NASCAR’s main sponsors include companies such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, and many more. These companies invest millions of dollars each year to be associated with the sport and to reach the millions of fans who watch the races on TV and attend the events in person.

In addition to these major sponsors, there are also a large number of smaller sponsors who provide funding to individual teams or drivers. These sponsors can be found on the cars, uniforms, and other equipment used in the races.

NASCAR’s sponsorship model has been successful in helping to fund the sport and attract new fans, but some argue that the sheer number of sponsors and advertisements may be having a negative impact on the sport’s authenticity and fan base. In the next section, we will explore the potential risks of over-sponsorship in NASCAR.

Examples of Over-Sponsorship in NASCAR

One of the most obvious examples of over-sponsorship in NASCAR is the sheer number of sponsors that can be found on the race cars, uniforms, and other equipment used in the races. It is not uncommon for a single car to have dozens of different sponsors, each vying for attention and exposure.

In some cases, this can lead to a cluttered and overwhelming visual experience for fans, with so many logos and brand names competing for attention. This can make it difficult for fans to form a strong connection to individual teams or drivers, as they are constantly bombarded with advertisements and marketing messages.

Another issue with over-sponsorship in NASCAR is the potential for sponsors to overshadow the sport itself. This can lead to a lack of authenticity and a sense that the sport is primarily a vehicle for marketing and advertising, rather than a true competition.

When compared to other sports, such as football or baseball, it is clear that NASCAR has a much larger number of sponsors and advertisements. For example, a football game may have a handful of sponsors, while a NASCAR race may have dozens or even hundreds of sponsors. This can be overwhelming for fans and may ultimately detract from the overall viewing experience.

While it is clear that sponsorships are an important part of NASCAR’s business model, it is important to consider the potential risks of over-sponsorship. By reducing the number of sponsors and focusing on a smaller set of key partners, NASCAR may be able to create a more authentic and engaging experience for fans. For example, many fans believe that there are ethics involved with sponsorships, while others believe that as long as the sport remains alive, it’s all fine and dandy. This is one of the reasons why there has been a little bit of controversy around casino sites sponsoring NASCAR and dividing the fan base accordingly. But due diligence ensures that the sport remains a true competition, rather than a marketing platform for these sites that sponsor NASCAR.

It’s important to note that over-sponsorship in NASCAR can also have financial consequences for the sport. If sponsors begin to see diminishing returns on their investments due to the cluttered and overwhelming nature of NASCAR sponsorships, they may be less likely to continue investing in the sport. This could lead to a decline in overall revenue and a loss of important partnerships for NASCAR.

The Negative Effects of Over-Sponsorship

Over-sponsorship in NASCAR can have several negative effects on the sport, including its authenticity and the loyalty of its fan base. When sponsors become the focus of the sport, rather than the competition itself, it can damage the overall viewing experience for fans.

One of the primary concerns with over-sponsorship is the potential for the sport to lose its authenticity. When sponsorships become the primary focus of the sport, it can detract from the sense of competition and the thrill of the race. Fans may become disillusioned with the sport, seeing it as primarily a platform for marketing and advertising, rather than a true test of skill and athleticism.

Another potential risk of over-saturation of sponsorships in NASCAR is the potential for sponsors to compete with each other for attention and exposure. With so many brands and logos vying for attention, it can be difficult for fans to form a strong connection to individual teams or drivers. This can make it more challenging for fans to identify with the sport and to feel a sense of loyalty or attachment to specific teams or drivers.

Another issue with over-sponsorship in NASCAR is the potential for the sport to become too commercialized. When the primary focus of the sport is on generating revenue and promoting brands, it can be difficult to maintain the integrity of the sport and to ensure that it remains a true competition. This can lead to a decline in the quality of the races and a reduction in the overall value of the sport.

In order to address these concerns, it may be necessary for NASCAR to consider reducing the number of sponsorships and focusing on a smaller set of key partners. By doing so, the sport may be able to create a more authentic and engaging experience for fans, and ensure that the focus remains on the competition, rather than the marketing and advertising opportunities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, over-sponsorship in NASCAR can have a number of negative effects on the sport, including the potential to impact its authenticity, its fan base, and its overall value. While sponsorships are a critical part of the sport’s business model, it is important to consider the potential risks of over-saturation.

By reducing the number of sponsorships and focusing on a smaller set of key partners, NASCAR may be able to create a more engaging and authentic experience for fans. This may help to promote a stronger sense of loyalty and attachment among fans, and to ensure that the focus remains on the competition, rather than the marketing and advertising opportunities.

Ultimately, it will be up to NASCAR to consider the potential risks of over-sponsorship and to determine the best way to balance the need for revenue with the need for authenticity and integrity in the sport. It is our hope that NASCAR will take these concerns seriously and take action to ensure that the sport remains a true competition and a beloved pastime for millions of fans across the country.

National Casino Review – Modern and Player-oriented

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A modern and very player-oriented National Casino concept that offers a truly comprehensive gaming experience is now available. Among other things, the site’s interface is polished to the max, the atmosphere is inviting and energetic, and the game selection is absolutely unrivaled. As for the games themselves, there are such treats as Gates of Olympus, based on ancient Greek mythology, the legendary and always enjoyable Sweet Bonanza, the cheerful and positive Fruit Party, the wacky and fun The Dog House, and the mysterious and stylish Wolf Gold. There’s also an excellent mobile casino and an official gaming license from Curacao. So come and play today with our National casino review. There are new, great prizes just waiting to be won.

National Casino experiences

This online casino offers a truly ironclad and comprehensive casino experience, the cornerstones of which are a clearly unparalleled interface that ensures that the player will want to return again and again, an atmosphere that encourages and encourages to take risks and excel, and a game selection that is bursting with unforgettable experiences hour after hour. On top of this, the player is also offered a very high-quality mobile casino, an official gaming license from Curacao, and a really simple registration process. So don’t delay any longer, come and play today!

Bonuses

Any active player will know that great bonuses are an essential part of a quality, modern online casino experience, offering new paths to ever-bigger cash wins. National Casino has clearly understood this too, as right out of the gate, players are offered a truly amazing welcome bonus, including 100% up to 500$ and 100 free spins. However, it’s worth remembering that this welcome bonus is for new customers only and comes with wagering requirements of 40x.

Wagering and bonus terms and conditions

Players should also be aware that bonuses may not be abused for any reason or under any circumstances, wagering requirements must be met before any winnings from the bonus can be claimed and the casino has the right to amend or withdraw the bonus if it so wishes.

Game Selection

There is a truly comprehensive and diverse range of games on offer, providing something to do for both traditional slot lovers and casual table game enthusiasts. Among the slot games, you’ll find incredible experiences such as Gates of Olympus, based on ancient Greek mythology, the legendary and always enjoyable Sweet Bonanza, the cheerful and positive Fruit Party, the wacky and fun The Dog House, and the mysterious and stylish Wolf Gold. The best table games include Jacks or Better, Double Chance, Boss the Lotto, and Grazy Chicken Extreme, as well as some really high-quality providers such as Amatic, Neonvalley, Nolimitcity, and Pragmatic.

Deposit and Withdrawal

This casino offers a very comprehensive and diverse range of payment options, making depositing and withdrawing your winnings very fast, easy, and very secure. You can withdraw your money via Neteller, Skrill, Paysafecard, Mastercard, Bitcoin, Flexpin, and many more. Each payment method naturally offers the fastest possible deposit time!

Customer Service National Casino

Quality customer service plays a very important role in the user experience of any online casino, as no one can avoid problems or stalemates forever. Fortunately, then, this online casino has a really friendly and cordial customer service team that is always just a few clicks away. The actual contact can then be made by the player, for example, by writing a message directly to the site’s live chat support or by sending an email to the customer service address.

Responsible gambling

In today’s online casino world, responsible gambling is a very relevant and essential part of the overall user experience, as more and more players are suffering from the ailments and symptoms caused by a gambling problem or addiction that negatively affects their quality of life. It is therefore really great that this online casino has a dedicated section just for responsible gambling, where players can find, among other things, ways to manage and control their own gambling, a ban on underage gambling, and, of course, general information on responsible gambling. Please contact Peluur if you think you may have a gambling problem.

Weekend schedule for Phoenix

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The NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series head to Phoenix Raceway this weekend while the Camping World Truck Series is off until March 18 at Atlanta Speedway. The ARCA Menards Series will kickstart the racing action with the General Tire 150 at 8 p.m. Friday night.

Chase Elliott is recovering from a broken left tibia he sustained in a snowboarding incident and JR Motorsports driver, Josh Berry, will fill in as the relief driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at all of the oval tracks. IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car driver, Jordan Taylor, is slated to drive the No. 9 at Circuit of The Americas. Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe won his first Cup Series race last spring at the 1-mile track and is the defending race winner.

Drivers to watch during the Xfinity United Rentals 200 at Phoenix include Austin Hill who has been on a hot streak with two wins in three events this season and Cup Series regular Kyle Busch.

Busch will make his second Xfinity start this season at Phoenix and is currently tied with Mark Martin for the most Xfinity Series wins at a single track. Busch has 11 wins at Phoenix and Martin won 11 races at Rockingham Speedway.

All times are Eastern.

Friday, March 10

5 p.m.: ARCA Practice – No TV
6 p.m.: ARCA Qualifying – Impound, Timed, All Entries – No TV

6:35 p.m.: Cup Series Practice – All Entries – FS2

7:40 p.m.: ARCA Driver Intros
8 p.m.: ARCA General Tire 150 (150 Laps, 150 Miles) FS2/MRN/SiriusXM

Saturday, March 11

12:35 p.m.: Xfinity Series Practice – FS1
1:05 p.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying – FS1
Impound: Single Vehicle, 1 Lap, All Entries – FS1

2:05 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying – Impound
Group A & B, Single Vehicle, 1 Lap, 2 Rounds
FS1/MRN/SiriusXM

4 p.m.: Xfinity Driver Intros
4:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series United Rentals 200
Stages end on Laps 45/90/200 – 200 miles
FS1/MRN/SiriusXM
Purse: $1,385,615

Post Xfinity Series race – NASCAR Press Pass

Sunday, March 12

3 p.m.: Cup Driver Intros
3:30 p.m.: Cup Series United Rentals Work United 500
Stages end on Laps 60/185/312 – 312 miles
FOX/MRN/SiriusXM
Purse: $7,453,660
Post Cup Series race – NASCAR Press Pass

Tales from the beat: A deer in headlights

RICHMOND, Va. - SEPTEMBER 9: Panoramic shot of Richmond Raceway, taken from the press box, some hours prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Federate Auto Parts 400 on Sept. 9, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo: Tucker White/SpeedwayMedia.com

On Aug. 25, 2013, HBO aired an episode of “The Newsroom,” titled “Red Team III.” In its third act, Will McAvoy recounts to the team of Atlantis Cable News’ defense attorneys about various historical figures and events: Claudette Colvin, Guiseppe Zangara and the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. He caps off each tale with “what if” scenarios revolving around how if one or a few tiny variables changed, then it would have a colossal knock-on effect on the trajectory of the United States.

I mention this, because I sometimes ponder the night of Sept. 9, 2017, and how a misplaced headset, a Sheetz cup of coffee, drowsiness and a Virginia state trooper prevented me from smashing into either a deer or guardrails.

One night in Virginia

About an hour earlier, I wrapped up my coverage of the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway. Kyle Larson took the checkered flag and set the field for the playoffs. That was after, of course, I went back up to the press box to retrieve a Racing Electronic headset that I accidentally left up there, came back down and found the door to the infield pedestrian tunnel padlocked. Thus, I walked around the Turns 1 and 2 grandstands to the infield vehicle tunnel on the backstretch.

At this point, I’m roughly 30 minutes from the interchange where Interstate 64 merges with I-81. At this point, I’ve been awake for almost 24 hours straight and had another two hours of driving to get to my Airbnb in Roanoke, Virginia. My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim (can you tell I like “Hotel California?”). So I stopped at a Sheetz for coffee.

Fast forward roughly 20 minutes later, I cruise down I-64, barely awake. A woman in a white jeep flashes her brights to signal she wants to pass. So I shift over to the outer lane and she speeds by me.

Now if you’ve ever driven down I-64 going to or from Richmond, you’ll know how the Virginia State Police loves to hide its cars in between the giant trees that separate I-64’s east and westbound lanes. Sure enough, out of the corner of my eye, I spot a black-hooded Ford Taurus. A few seconds later, I see red and blue lights flash in my rear-view mirror. Thinking it’s for me, I flip my turn signal and prepare to pull over. As my foot hovers over the brake pedal, however, it zooms by my car and pulls over the white jeep.

I breathed a sigh of relief and kept driving. Thankful I wouldn’t have to call my parents in the middle of the night to explain why I was pulled over and got a ticket in Central Virginia.

Shake hands with danger

Roughly a minute later, I’m about a mile from the interchange. As I round a turn, I spot a deer in the middle of the road. My eyes widen and I scream, “Oh shit!” I yank the wheel to the right and avoided the deer, but now my 2013 Ford Fusion’s pointed at a guardrail. So I jerk the wheel to the left and spin out. All the while, thinking, “Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit!”

Eventually, my car stops.

My hands trembled and I was breathing heavily. Once it occurred to me the car was motionless, I breathed another sigh of relief. Then my relief turned to terror when I realized I was on the road, sideways. With the driver’s side facing the direction of oncoming traffic. So then I slowly turned towards the window.

Not another car in sight.

Promptly, I pulled off the road and onto the shoulder, hopped out and circled the car. I spotted no damage and no flat spots on the tires. Satisfied nothing was wrong, I got back in and drove away.

Piecing the puzzle

It wasn’t until a year or two ago that I thought back on the night and realized the chain of events that both put me in and avoided a greater mess. The time I lost retrieving my headset, the cup of Sheetz coffee, the woman in the white jeep and the happenstance of the presence of a state trooper.

All of it coalesced into placing me in that exact moment of spacetime.

Change any one of these variables even slightly, and I’m either not in that position at all, or I or the white jeep plow into a deer or guardrail.

Maybe it’s only interesting to me, but those kind of minute details fascinate me.

Talk about tales from the beat.

Burton, DEX Imaging Team Preparing for Debut of New Aero Package at Phoenix

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 DEX Imaging team, along with their peers in NASCAR’s Cup Series, will run their first race under the circuit’s new rules for short track races in this weekend’s United Rentals 500 at Phoenix Raceway.

Brian Wilson, crew chief of the No. 21 DEX team, expects the new aero package to bring substantial changes to racing on the shorter tracks like the one-mile oval in the Arizona desert.

“The biggest storyline this week will be the new short-track aero package,” Wilson said. “This includes a large reduction in the rear spoiler as well as multiple changes to the under body.

“The result is much less overall downforce on the car. Everyone expects that the cars will be a handful for the drivers, which should lead to passing opportunities and a great race.”

Wilson said the DEX Imaging team will have data to rely on in preparing their Mustang for the weekend at Phoenix.

“Through Ford we’ve received all the wind tunnel information we need to know what to expect when we unload for the extended practice time at Phoenix,” he said, adding that he and the team also can look back to their notes from the season finale last year.

“Last fall’s race at Phoenix was a great end to the season for the No. 21 team. We qualified sixth and raced in the top 20 for most of the day. We’ll look to build off those notes this weekend.”

Wilson also said that he and the DEX team, as well as most others in the garage, will have this year’s fall race at Phoenix – the championship-deciding season finale – on their minds as they compete this weekend.

“Everyone knows how important Phoenix is in the fall, so with our Team Penske alliance we’ll collect as much information as we can to ensure a Ford victory this weekend and when we return for the Championship,” he said.

A practice session is set to start at 4:35 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (6:35 p.m. Eastern Time) on Friday. FOX Sports 2 will pick up the TV coverage.

Qualifying is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. with FOX Sports 1 carrying the TV coverage beginning at 2:05 p.m. Eastern.

The 500-kilometer (312-mile) United Rentals 500 is scheduled to get the green flag just after 12:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. Eastern Time) on Sunday with TV coverage on FOX.

Stage breaks are planned for Laps 60 and 185.

About DEX Imaging
DEX Imaging is the digital document imaging division of Staples, the world’s largest business solutions provider. DEX sells and services the broadest selection of copiers, printers and data management solutions, such as HP, Konica Minolta, Canon, Kyocera and numerous others.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES:
Reducing Operating Costs
Reducing Paper Consumption
Increasing Productivity

DEX Imaging has been the recipient of virtually every industry award since the company’s inception, including the JD Power & Associates Award for Best Customer Experience, the prestigious ProTech Service award by Konica Minolta, the Diamond Premier Dealer Award by Kyocera, and the Elite DEALER Award by ‘ENX’ magazine. Other accolades include being named ‘Best Place to Work’ by numerous business journals in the markets DEX serves.

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.

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Phoenix

5 KYLE LARSON

Age: 30 (July 31, 1992)

Hometown: Elk Grove, California

Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels

Standings: 14th

No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

RUNNER-UP AT LAS VEGAS: Last Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson finished second in the first two stages. In the final stage, the Elk Grove, California, native navigated to the front, leading 63 laps and building a four-second advantage over second place before a caution occurred with three laps to go in regulation. In overtime, Larson finished as the runner up to teammate William Byron. In three of the last five races at Las Vegas, Larson has finished in the top two and is currently 14th in the NASCAR Cup Series driver standings, 44 markers behind the leader.

MARCHING TO THE FRONT: Through three races in 2023, Larson has the most laps run in the top two (263). He also has the third-most laps run in the top five (322) and the fifth-most laps run in the top 10 (390). With 69 laps led on the year, the driver of the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet ranks third in that statistic.

SCENE OF A CHAMPIONSHIP: In fall of 2021 at Phoenix Raceway, Larson completed his run to the top by winning the Cup Series championship with crew chief Cliff Daniels. The victory capped off a historic first season at Hendrick Motorsports that saw Larson win 10 races as well as the NASCAR All-Star Race. The win at the westward track saw him become the first NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduate and Asian-American driver to win the championship in the sport’s top series.

DESERT WHEELING: The 30-year-old driver has one win, six top-five finishes and 10 top-10s in 17 starts at Phoenix. In his last eight starts at the Avondale, Arizona, facility, he has one win, four top-five finishes and seven top-10s – the latter mark is tied for second among drivers since the November 2018 race. Larson is tied for fourth with four top-10 finishes over his last six Phoenix races – a mark he shares with teammates Chase Elliott and Byron as well as Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. His 181 laps led since 2017 at the 1-mile track rank sixth among the field.

WESTERN BOUND: With two wins at Auto Club Speedway and a win each at Las Vegas, Phoenix and Sonoma Raceway, Larson has five Cup Series victories on the West Coast. That places him fifth among active drivers with left coast victories. Four of those triumphs have come in the last 14 western races.

ONE-MILE MOJO: The two 1-mile long tracks on the schedule – Phoenix and Dover Motor Speedway – have been some of Larson’s best tracks on the circuit. His six top-five finishes and 10 top-10s at Phoenix are tied for his second-best marks in those stats at any facility on the schedule. Only Dover has been a better track for the 19-time Cup Series winner with seven top-five finishes and 11 top-10s.

DRIVE ON HOME: This Sunday, Larson will drive the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 out West, but you can pick your own keys from any one of Hendrick Automotive Group’s 95 dealerships nationwide. Customers can also shop from the convenience of their home by selecting the category, make, model and vehicle packages that are important to them from the nearly 30,000 new, high-quality pre-owned and certified cars, trucks and SUVs available at HENDRICKCARS.COM.

WE’RE HIRING: Join 10,000+ others nationwide in working at Hendrick Automotive Group. Technicians and other positions are being hired at its dealerships throughout the country. Positions are open for all skill levels and offer tuition and training reimbursement. Individuals who are interested can apply at HENDRICKCARS.COM.

9 JOSH BERRY

Age: 32 (Oct. 22, 1990)

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson

Standings: 19th — Owner’s

No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

DRIVER UPDATE: As Chase Elliott continues to recover from a leg injury, Josh Berry will climb behind the wheel of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports this weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Berry will also drive at other upcoming oval tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. Road racing standout Jordan Taylor is set to compete for the team at Circuit of The Americas. Elliott’s recovery is expected to last approximately six weeks.

GREAT GUSTAFSON: On Sunday, Alan Gustafson will call his 37th Phoenix race as a Cup Series crew chief with his sixth different driver. The 1-mile oval is statistically one of his best tracks. In the veteran crew chief’s previous 36 starts there, he has collected four wins, 12 top-five results, 23 top-10s and 977 laps led. Gustafson’s four victories are tied with Hendrick Motorsports’ vice president of competition Chad Knaus for the second-most by a crew chief at Phoenix and came via four different drivers: Kyle Busch in 2005, Mark Martin in 2009, Jeff Gordon in 2011 and Elliott in 2020.

THE BERRY LOWDOWN: Berry, a full-time competitor in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, has three Cup Series starts under his belt. Last weekend in his Next Gen debut filling in for Elliott at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and battling a throttle issue, Berry finished 29th. The Hendersonville, Tennessee, native, has 65 Xfinity Series starts to his name, with five victories, 19 top-five finishes and 36 top-10s. The 2022 season marked his first full-time campaign in the Xfinity Series. He earned three wins and advanced to the Championship 4, ultimately placing fourth in the series standings. In 2020, he was the NASCAR Weekly Series National Champion.

BERRY’S PHOENIX FILE: While Berry has never competed at Phoenix in the Cup Series, he does have three Xfinity Series starts at the track, earning a best finish of third last March. In March of 2021, Berry ran as high as third, but an on-track incident took him out of the race. During his most recent start on the desert oval last fall, the 32-year-old had an average running position of eighth and ran 96% of the race inside the top 15, ultimately finishing 13th.

COMING HOME: No. 9 team fueler John Gianninoto, who grew up in Tucson, Arizona, will compete in front of his home-track crowd at Phoenix on Sunday. Gianninoto graduated with honors from Catalina Foothills High School and went on to play as an offensive lineman for University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2006 – earning his first letter in 2007 and becoming a team captain in 2010. In 2012, he participated in the NFL’s Carolina Panthers training camp before signing with Hendrick Motorsports that September. Gianninoto set a Guinness World Record in 2018, teaming with Sunoco for the most vehicles refueled by an individual in one hour (148).

KBB.COM IS BACK: This weekend is the first of two primary races for No. 9 team partner Kelley Blue Book. In January, it was announced that Kelley Blue Book extended its sponsorship of Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports with a two-year contract renewal. In addition to this Sunday’s race at Phoenix, the Cox Automotive brand will be the primary partner on the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the Cup Series playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sept. 24. You can view the paint scheme here.

THE TRUSTED RESOURCE: Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry for nearly a century. As the industry standard for generations, Kelley Blue Book provides transparent, objective information and data-driven, innovative tools for consumers, automotive dealers and manufacturers. The company publishes millions of market-reflective values weekly on its top-rated website KBB.com. Kelley Blue Book is a Cox Automotive Company.

24 WILLIAM BYRON

Age: 25 (Nov. 29, 1997)

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle

Standings: 13th

No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

WINNER WINNER RAPTOR DINNER: Going to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the second stop of the NASCAR Cup Series West Coast swing, William Byron and the No. 24 team proved they had the car to beat from the start of the weekend. After posting the fastest 10-lap average during practice, he went on to qualify second for Sunday’s race – the second time that he has started on the front row at the 1.5-mile track. When the field went green, Byron took the lead on lap 10 and went on to sweep both stages of the race for the first time in his Cup Series career. Despite losing the lead in the final stage, the driver of the No. 24 was able to power his way back to second before a caution sent the race into overtime. Restarting second, Byron made the pass for the lead just after the race went back green to score his first win of the 2023 season and fifth in the Cup Series.

ODDS AND ENDS: The 176 laps led by Byron on Sunday were the second-highest mark he has led in a single Cup Series race. In fact, with Sunday’s domination, Byron has led the most laps this season with 79 more circuits out front than the next closest driver. This is the third consecutive season that he has won a race within the first five races of the season.

WHO WAS WORRIED?: While the first two races of the 2023 season didn’t turn out like the No. 24 team wanted, the team’s Las Vegas results saw the group stand and deliver. After three points-paying races this year, Byron has spent 452 laps running in the top 10 – third-most among drivers. He has also spent a series-best 340 laps in the top five and 226 laps running in the top-two positions – second-most behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson with 263.

PIT ROAD PROWESS: In the first three races of 2023, the No. 24 pit crew has an average four-tire pit stop time of 11.19 – the fourth-best average in the field. The No. 24 pit crew consists of Spencer Bishop (jackman), Jeff Cordero (front-tire changer), Orane Ossowski (rear-tire changer), Ryan Patton (tire carrier) and Landon Walker (fueler). The No. 24 pit crew had a strong hand in the Las Vegas victory, helping Byron win the race off pit road during the final stop of the race.

VENTURING TO THE VALLEY OF THE SUN: Heading to a track that Byron has found success at in every level of NASCAR competition, he will return to Phoenix Raceway for the 11th time in his Cup career. Across his 10 Cup Series starts, Byron has a track-best finish of sixth (November 2022). In fact, half of his starts at Phoenix have been top-10 results. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native’s 307 laps run within the top five in 2022 were the fifth-most. He also is tied for the fourth-most top 10s in the last six races at the Arizona facility – four – with teammates Chase Elliott and Larson as well as Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin. In two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Phoenix, both coming in 2017, he started on the front row twice, won the November race and finished fourth in the March event. With the Xfinity win, he became the youngest driver in the series to reach victory lane at Phoenix at 19 years, 11 months and 13 days.

DYNAMIC DUO OUT WEST: In 2016, Byron was behind the wheel for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at the 1-mile oval with crew chief Rudy Fugle atop the pit box. The duo won the pole and went on to lead 112 laps. Unfortunately, an engine failure while Byron was leading with 12 laps to go ended his night early and his chance to advance on to the Championship 4. A week later at Homestead-Miami Speedway – the team ended up finding redemption and won.

RUDY’S PHOENIX PERFORMANCE: Going to Phoenix for the fifth time in his Cup Series crew chief career, Fugle has two top-10 finishes with 12 laps led in those previous four races. In fact, his best showing at this track is a sixth-place finish last fall. Aside from his Cup Series starts, the Livonia, New York, native has three Xfinity starts and eight Truck Series starts under his belt at the Arizona facility. In those eight Truck races, he has four pole awards and his drivers have led a total of 471 laps. While Fugle has only one Phoenix win (Erik Jones, 2013), he also has two runner-up results, four top-five finishes and six top-10s. His Truck Series drivers only finished worse than ninth two times, including the race with Byron that they dominated before an engine failure resulted in a 27th-place finish.

VALVOLINE RETURNS: Valvoline will make its first 2023 appearance as the primary sponsor of Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Phoenix this weekend. Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) is a leading worldwide marketer and supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, with sales in more than 140 countries. Established in 1866, the company’s heritage spans more than 150 years, during which time it has developed powerful brand recognition across multiple product and service channels. Valvoline ranks as the No. 3 passenger car motor oil brand in the DIY market by volume. To see Byron’s No. 24 Valvoline Chevy, click here.

48 Alex Bowman

Age: 29 (April 25, 1993)

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

Resides: Concord, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Blake Harris

Standings: 2nd

No. 48 Ally Best Friends Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

VIVA LAS VEGAS: Alex Bowman took home his third consecutive top-10 finish to open the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last Sunday. The driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 started the race 11th before finishing the first stage in seventh and the second stage in third. He took the checkered flag in third behind race winner William Byron and teammate Kyle Larson. Bowman’s third-place result makes him one of two drivers in the Cup Series to finish in the top 10 in each of the first three races this year. He is the first driver to accomplish this feat for the 14-time Cup Series championship-winning organization since Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2015.

FRONT RUNNER: Thanks to his three straight top-10 finishes, Bowman has amassed 285 laps completed in the top five and 428 circuits in the top 10. Both marks are fourth-best in the series.

HAVIN’ A RECORD YEAR: Bowman is off to his best start ever in 2023. He currently sits second in the regular season standings, just three markers behind the leader, Ross Chastain. This year, Bowman has garnered two top-five finishes, three top-10s and has an average start and finish of 5.33 – all his best marks through three races. He also won the DAYTONA 500 pole and has led in all the races. Bowman’s average finish is the best of all drivers in the Cup Series.

COUNT IT UP: With 85 points earned during the West Coast swing, Bowman has the second-most points scored among the field in the last two races. With one more race left in the three-race stretch, the driver of the No. 48 will look to make a move into the regular season points lead with another strong performance out West on Sunday.

BEST IN THE WEST: The 29-year-old has tallied two wins in the Cup Series at tracks on the West Coast since the start of the 2020 season. Bowman took home his first victory in that span at Auto Club Speedway in March 2020. In that race, Bowman won the first stage and finished second in the second stage, leading 110 laps en route to his second Cup Series victory. He scored his other West Coast win at Las Vegas in March 2022. In that event, Bowman won the first stage and led 16 laps, all but securing his spot in the 2022 Cup Series playoffs. 

HOMETOWN HERO: Heading home to take on Phoenix Raceway for the 16th time in his Cup Series career, the Tucson, Arizona, native has one top-10 finish at this track – a sixth-place finish in 2016. In that race, he started from the pole position, led a race-high 194 laps (his most in a single race) and spent 272 laps inside the top two for an average running position of 1.9. The Hendrick Motorsports driver also has six NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the venue with a best finish of eighth (2017) and one NASCAR K&N Pro Series West start (now known as the ARCA Menards Series West) in 2011 when he led 23 laps en route to a second-place result.

LET THEM COOK: The No. 48 Ally Racing pit crew was unstoppable in Las Vegas last Sunday. On lap 185, the five-man crew made the fastest stop to date of the 2023 season with a four-tire pit stop of 9.77 seconds. The over-the-wall crew is made up of front-tire changer Donnie Tasser, rear-tire changer Andrew Bridgeforth, tire carrier Scott Riddle, jackman Allen Holman, and fueler Jacob Conley.

PHOENIX PAINT: This weekend, the No. 48 Ally Best Friends Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will adorn the vibrant orange colors of Best Friends Animal Society as part of the paint scheme. Bowman and Ally have teamed up for the third consecutive year to help Best Friends “Save Them All.” This season, the duo will donate $4,800 each week to a network partner in each race market the Cup Series will visit. If Bowman wins, the animals win, too, as the donation will increase to $10,000. So far, the program has donated $362,000 to pets in need across the country. To see all angles of the scheme that will run this Sunday in Phoenix, click here.

HENDRICK
MOTORSPORTS /

Hendrick Motorsports

2023All-TimePhoenix
Races31,31253
Wins1**292*12*
Poles1**240*13*
Top 55*1,195*52*
Top 106*2,051*96*
Laps Led277*77,594*3,170*
Stage Wins2814

*Most **Most (tie)

CLOSING IN ON 300: William Byron’s win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway puts Hendrick Motorsports eight points-paying victories away from 300 in the NASCAR Cup Series. Twenty drivers have combined to reach the organization’s current total of 292 wins, which is the most in the sport by any one team.

EXTENDING THE STREAK: For the 38th straight season, the Concord, North Carolina, based team has won a race. The squad’s 39 seasons with a win are the most years with at least one victory in the Cup Series by any organization.

XFINITY SLATE SET: For the second consecutive season, Hendrick Motorsports will run a limited NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule with primary sponsorship from HENDRICKCARS.COM. Byron is set to drive the No. 17 Chevrolet at Circuit of The Americas on March 25. Kyle Larson will take two turns starting at Sonoma Raceway on June 10 and then at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 2. Alex Bowman gets behind the wheel on Aug. 19 at Watkins Glen International. Veteran crew chiefs Greg Ives and Kevin Meendering will oversee the effort. In last year’s four races, the No. 17 had two runner-up finishes, three top-fives and 71 laps led in its first action on the circuit since 2009. The organization has 26 wins and one driver’s championship (2003) in the series.

SWEEPING THE PODIUM: Hendrick Motorsports’ one-two-three finish at Las Vegas with Byron, Larson and Bowman, respectively, marked the third time in team history that the organization placed in at least the top-three spots of the finishing order. The previous two instances came in the 1997 DAYTONA 500 (Jeff Gordon won, while Terry Labonte finished second and Ricky Craven placed third) and the 2021 race at Dover Motor Speedway (Bowman won, Larson was second, Chase Elliott came in third and Byron grabbed fourth).

HIGH FIVE: Hendrick Motorsports is the only team to have at least one driver earn a top-five finish in all three races this season. Bowman finished fifth in the DAYTONA 500, Elliott was the runner-up finisher at Auto Club Speedway and the Byron-Larson-Bowman trio took the top three spots at Las Vegas.

DESERT DOZEN: The Rick Hendrick-owned organization has a series-best 12 wins among eight drivers at Phoenix Raceway. Jimmie Johnson tops the board with four, followed by Gordon at two victories. Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Elliott, Labonte, Larson and Mark Martin have each tallied one triumph at the 1-mile track for the team. Elliott and Larson’s wins came in the 2020 and 2021 championship races. The 14-time Cup Series championship-winning organization also leads the way in poles (13), top-five finishes (52), top-10s (96) and laps led (3,170) at the Arizona venue.

NEW PACKAGE AT PLAY: This weekend’s race at Phoenix will be the first for a new rules package designed to have a decrease in downforce on most short ovals and road courses. Teams will get a 50-minute practice session on Friday, starting at 6:35 p.m. ET. In addition, wet-weather equipment will also be available for this race in the event of rain. The sanctioning body’s intent is to use it in mild conditions to speed up the resumption of racing following a rain delay.

DATE WITH DESTINY: This year’s spring Phoenix race will be held on March 12. In the previous four instances of races held on that date, the winner of a March 12 race has gone on to win the championship three different times – with two of those happening for Hendrick Motorsports drivers. Gordon won at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1995 and went on to win his first title. Johnson won at Las Vegas in 2006 and earned his first championship later that season.

WEST SUCCESS: Hendrick Motorsports’ 42 wins on the West Coast are the most in the series and 18 more than the next closest team. Auto Club and Phoenix have been their most successful tracks on that side of the country with 12 triumphs each. Las Vegas has been the site of eight wins, while Sonoma has seen seven victories. Riverside International Raceway was responsible for three wins as well. Johnson’s 15 wins are the most among all drivers on the West Coast. Gordon (11), Larson (four), Bowman (two), Busch (two), Tim Richmond (two), Geoff Bodine (one), Byron (one), Earnhardt Jr. (one), Elliott (one), Labonte (one) and Martin (one) have all gone to victory lane for the organization out West.

TAKING STOCK IN THE TRENDS: Of the last 14 races on the West Coast, seven have resulted in victories for Hendrick Motorsports. Larson has four wins, while Bowman, Byron and Elliott have one each. On last year’s three-race western swing following the DAYTONA 500, the organization won two of the three races (Larson at Auto Club and Bowman at Las Vegas). This year’s West Coast stretch has seen Byron win at Las Vegas and each of the team’s four drivers earn a top-three finish.

QUOTABLE /

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at Phoenix Raceway: “I enjoy Phoenix (Raceway). 2021 was a great ending for us there, getting the win and (NASCAR Cup Series) championship. I feel like we’re usually on the cusp of being able to lead laps and win races there. It’s a unique track. Different than any other race track we go to. The shape of it, the size of it, the banking, etc. is unique to Phoenix. I also bought a place out here (Scottsdale) a handful of months ago, so it’s kind of like a home race for me now and I really enjoy going there.”

Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on having extra track time at Phoenix: “This past Sunday was good for us. I really felt like we would have had a great day in California but unfortunately, we missed out on that. Taking the momentum that we’ve had of those good performances (and) a little bit of confidence built from Vegas will be good going into Phoenix. Phoenix is still going to be a big unknown with the new package. None of the Hendrick (Motorsports) cars got to test in January with the new package. We haven’t had our hands on it or been able to touch it and feel it at the track. We will have to make best use of our practice time at the track on Friday and hopefully get it dialed in.”

Josh Berry, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on preparing for Phoenix: “Alan (Gustafson) and the entire team have been great to work with this week in getting me prepared for Phoenix (Raceway). Last week was a last-minute situation and my first time in a Next Gen, so to get the opportunity this week to be at the shop and sit down and talk through a lot of things with everyone on the team has been extremely helpful. This is still a really difficult situation and we’re all thinking about Chase (Elliott). We want him back and healthy as soon as he’s able. In the meantime, I’m thankful for the opportunity to fill in for him on the ovals.”

Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on preparing for Phoenix with Josh Berry: “This week there’s still been a lot of work to do, but we have a much better idea of what Josh needs for the cockpit, his seat and everything around that. Just going through all of that and being able to spend some time with Josh has been good. Having driven this car is the biggest thing for him and we’re now going to be more prepared heading to Phoenix (Raceway). Having that practice will be a big deal. Having those 50 minutes will help a bunch because we don’t really know his tendencies and driving style – what he would need relative to some of the other drivers. It will be nice to get that time and be able to draw some correlation and understanding.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the importance of track position at Phoenix: “I think that the craziest thing at Phoenix (Raceway) is the restarts. It’s all about lane choice and setting yourself heading into turn one. Track position is important throughout the whole race. Once you lose it, it’s hard to gain it back. We’ll be running the new short-track package for the first time this weekend and I’ll be interested to see how it does since I wasn’t one of the drivers to test it earlier this year. We have momentum on our side after the win last week, but we want to keep that going for sure.”

Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 on what he expects for this weekend at Phoenix: “I’m interested to see how this weekend goes. We have a very small taste of what happened at the organizational test that happened in January. They never tested exactly what we’re racing. We don’t know what to expect honestly. It’s like a simulation game and we hope we just have all the right information to work from. We’ll do our best to make all our changes during practice Friday.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on his expectations heading to Phoenix: “We have started off this season really strong and Phoenix (Raceway) is a place I have circled on my calendar. I ran good there once and haven’t had that kind of performance since then, so I am always eager to get back there and try to find success with it being my home track. Blake (Harris) and I are doing all we can to get ready for the race. I know the team is putting in the work to get our No. 48 Ally Chevy ready to hit the track. I am just ready to get to the track and get my redemption.”

Blake Harris, crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the start of the 2023 season: “When you look back at the start of our season, it starts with Daytona (International Speedway). We missed all the wrecks and scored some good stage points – it was a good points day. At the last two intermediates, we have had a lot of speed in our race cars. We had a solid day on pit road in Las Vegas. Having fast race cars and track position is really giving us the chance to capitalize early in the season. We focused on execution throughout the races and have been able to stay up front. We have scored stage points in every stage except one at Daytona. Being able to get a top 10 in the first three points races this season is really important. You have to be able to score stage points and have to have good finishes to put yourself in a prime position to make the playoffs, which is our focus. That is certainly something we plan on continuing at Phoenix (Raceway). Our expectation is to run in the top 10 and be able to capitalize at the end of the race.”

NCS AT PHOENIX RACEWAY: Team Chevy Advance

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
United Rentals Work United 500
Phoenix Raceway
Avondale, Arizona
March 12, 2023

 WRAPPING UP OUT WEST

Carrying the momentum from three consecutive trips to victory lane, Chevrolet drivers and teams in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) will head to Phoenix Raceway for the final stop of the western swing. The one-mile Arizona tri-oval will not only host the first short-track race of 2023, but also feature the highly anticipated debut of a new aerodynamic rules package that will be run on the series’ short ovals and road courses this season.

Sunday’s United Rentals Work United 500 will mark the NCS’s 54th appearance at Phoenix Raceway. Chevrolet is heading to the venue with a series-leading 25 wins. The manufacturer’s most recent NCS win at the track came in November 2021 when Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson clinched Chevrolet’s 33rd driver’s championship in NASCAR’s premier series.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) will also make the trek to Avondale, Arizona, with Saturday’s United Rentals 200 kicking-off the doubleheader race weekend. Both series will take on Phoenix Raceway twice this season with the venue returning as the site of NASCAR’s championship weekend for the fourth consecutive season.

CHEVROLET LOOKING TO GO FOUR-FOR-FOUR

Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron continued Chevrolet’s early-season success by leading the manufacturer to its third consecutive NCS victory of 2023 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 25-year-old North Carolina native became the third driver from the third different Chevrolet team to collect a win in NASCAR’s premier series this season.

“I think since the beginning of last year, Chevrolet has had a really good product, a really good car,” said Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 team. “That group just did a really good job of giving us a good body. We have great engines. Either camp you get engines, they work together.”

Byron joins fellow Chevrolet drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Camaro ZL1) and Kyle Busch (No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Camaro ZL1) on the season’s win list, making it the first time since 2010 that the same manufacturer has won the first three points-paying races of a NCS season. Chevrolet was the last manufacturer to accomplish that feat with wins recorded by Jamie McMurray (Daytona – Feb. 14, 2010) and Jimmie Johnson (Fontana – Feb. 21, 2010; Las Vegas – Feb. 28, 2010).

“We’ve got good teams and the teams are working together better now than we ever have,” continued Fugle. “I think there’s something to be said for that. Eric Warren (Chevrolet’s Director of NASCAR Programs) is pushing all of that. Just really proud of the Chevrolet bunch and how they’re pushing us to work together to get better as a group.”

BOWTIE’S BACK-TO-BACK PODIUM SWEEPS

William Byron not only led Hendrick Motorsports to its first NCS win of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway but also a sweep of the top-three finishing positions. Kyle Larson (No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Camaro ZL1) took the checkered flag in the runner-up position with Alex Bowman (No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1) finishing third, marking the third time in the organization’s history that the Chevrolet team swept the top-three spots in a race. The organization’s last podium sweep happened at Dover Motor Speedway in May 2021, with the team taking it one step further to place all four of its drivers in the top four (Bowman – race winner; Larson – second; Chase Elliott – third; Byron – fourth).

Chevrolet has now taken the top-three finishing positions in two of the three points-paying NCS races this season, with the manufacturer also claiming a one-two-three-four finish at Auto Club Speedway just one week prior.

WEEKEND SWEEP IN THE DESERT

The Bowtie brand took control of the tripleheader race weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, claiming the victories across all three NASCAR national series races at the 1.5-mile Nevada oval last weekend.

In his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCTS) start of the season, Kyle Busch drove his No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) Silverado RST to the win, extending Busch’s series-leading NCTS win count to 63. The triumph also marked KBM’s first win under the Chevrolet banner after the organization joined the manufacturer at the beginning of 2023.

NXS points leader Austin Hill became the first repeat winner of the season, taking his No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Camaro SS team to victory lane in Saturday’s NXS Alsco Uniforms 300.

William Byron’s win in Sunday’s NCS Pennzoil 400 capped off Chevrolet’s weekend sweep. The victory was Byron’s first at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and his fifth career victory in 183 starts in NASCAR’s premier series.

On three separate occasions in 2022, Chevrolet drivers powered the Bowtie brand to a weekend sweep when all three NASCAR national series contested on the same weekend:

NCTS at Mid-Ohio (July 9, 2022): Parker Kligerman, No. 75 Henderson Motorsports Silverado RST

NXS at Atlanta Motor Speedway (July 9, 2022): Austin Hill, No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Camaro SS

NCS at Atlanta Motor Speedway (July 10, 2022): Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1

NCTS at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (July 29, 2022): Grant Enfinger, No. 23 GMS Racing Silverado RST

NXS at Indianapolis Road Course (July 30, 2022): AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Camaro, SS

NCS at Indianapolis Road Course (July 31, 2022): Tyler Reddick, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Camaro ZL1

NCTS at Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 2, 2022): Matt DiBenedetto, No. 25 Rackley W.A.R. Silverado RST

NXS at Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 2, 2022): AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Camaro SS

NCS at Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 3, 2022): Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1

WINNING WAYS WITH RCR

With the 2023 season in full swing, a common force has been at the top of the leaderboard: Richard Childress Racing. The Chevrolet team has made it’s way to victory lane in either the NCS or NXS in each of the first three race weekends this season. The impressive streak started with Austin Hill’s win in the NXS season-opener at Daytona International Speedway, marking the 28-year-old Georgia native’s second consecutive triumph in the event. The following weekend, Kyle Busch claimed the win at Auto Club Speedway in just his second points-paying start with the organization. Most recently, Hill became the first repeat winner of the NXS season, making a last-lap pass to take the victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With a combined three wins and two drivers already locked into a playoff spot in their respective series, Richard Childress Racing is proving to be an early force to be reckoned with this season.

PACING IN THE STANDINGS

Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain took over the top spot in the NCS points standings following a third-place finish at Auto Club Speedway, marking the first time in his career that he has led the standings in NASCAR’s premier series. Chastain will head to Phoenix Raceway maintaining the lead after accumulating points in both stages and taking home a 12th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Other Chevrolet drivers holding a top-five position in the standings are Alex Bowman and Daniel Suarez, sitting in the second and fourth positions, respectively. Bowman and Suarez are the only two drivers that have yet to finish outside of the top-10 in the series’ first three races this season.

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· NASCAR Cup Series victories by active Chevrolet drivers at Phoenix Raceway:

Kyle Busch – 3 (2019, 2018, 2005)

Kyle Larson – 1 (2021)

Chase Elliott – 1 (2020)

· In 53 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Phoenix Raceway, Chevrolet has recorded a series-leading 25 victories. Chevrolet team Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at the track with 12, recorded among seven drivers: Terry Labonte (1994), Kyle Busch (2005), Jeff Gordon (2007, 2011), Jimmie Johnson (2007, 2008 sweep, 2009), Mark Martin (2009), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2015), Chase Elliott (2020) and Kyle Larson (2021).

· William Byron delivered Chevrolet its third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, making it the first time since 2010 that the same manufacturer has won the first three points-paying races of a NCS season.

· Chevrolet’s first three NASCAR Cup Series wins of 2023 have been recorded by drivers from three different Chevrolet teams: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (JTG Daugherty Racing), Kyle Busch (Richard Childress Racing) and William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports).

· Chevrolet drivers swept the top-three finishing positions for the second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series race. Hendrick Motorsports recorded a one-two-three finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, marking the third time in the organization’s history to accomplish that feat.

· Chevrolet drivers have taken at least 50 percent of the top-10 finishing positions in each of the first three NASCAR Cup Series races of 2023, with at least three different Chevrolet teams contributing to the manufacturer’s top-10 finishes in each of those races.

· Chevrolet drivers Alex Bowman and Daniel Suarez are the only two drivers to record top-10 finishes in each of the first three NASCAR Cup Series races this season.

· With three races in the books for the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series, Chevrolet leads the manufacturer and driver points standings in both series. The reigning Manufacturer Champion leads the NCS manufacturer points standings by 22 points, while also leading the NXS manufacturer points standings by nine points.

· With its 41 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer’s Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Championships, and 836 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title of winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

· Chevrolet will pace the field at Phoenix Raceway this weekend. The Camaro SS will lead the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Saturday’s United Rentals 200 and the Camaro ZL1 will lead the NASCAR Cup Series in Sunday’s United Rentals Work United 500.

FOR THE FANS

· Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Phoenix Raceway.

· Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles the Fan Midway including: Silverado ZR2, Blazer RS, Silverado 1500 2LT, Camaro ZL1, Corvette 2LT Convertible, Tahoe Z71 and Equinox 1LT.

· Fans can also view Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Camaro ZL1 show car at the Chevrolet Display in the Fan Midway.

Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:

Saturday, March 11

· Parker Kligerman: 12:30 p.m.

· Daniel Hemric: 12:45 p.m.

· Chandler Smith: 1 p.m.

· BJ McLeod: 2 p.m.

Sunday, March 12

· Daniel Suarez: 9:15 a.m.

· Corey LaJoie: 9:30 a.m.

· William Byron: 9:55 a.m.

· Ty Dillon: 10:15 a.m.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

Friday, March 10: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 11: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 12: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Tune In:

· NASCAR Cup Series – United Rentals Work United 500; 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 12

(FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90).

· NASCAR Xfinity Series – United Rentals 200; 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 11

(FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90).


QUOTABLE QUOTES:

ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 KUBOTA CAMARO ZL1

How do you feel going into Phoenix this weekend?

“We’ve been back to Phoenix since the fall race last year and tested with NASCAR. We’ll have a different aero package with less downforce that we’ll be working through this weekend. It’s a steep hill we are going to have climb to be as competitive as we were in the fall at Phoenix. It’s going to feel like a different racecar this weekend. I think the topic will be how much less downforce we all have and how much we are all sliding around. We will find out if it actually makes the racing better.”

Qualifying was admittedly a challenge last year. Anything different at Phoenix this year?

“I just try to wrap my head around putting the car at the limit for one lap. Its high risk, but it is high reward to start up front. Last fall at Phoenix it obviously took us a while to get up front and we don’t want that to happen again.”

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BETMGM MARCH MATCHUPS CAMARO ZL1

What are your thoughts on Phoenix Raceway?

“Our RCR teams have had a strong start to the 2023 season and we’re looking to keep the momentum up this weekend. Phoenix Raceway is a tough short track and one of those places where you hit it, or you don’t. This track is challenging. I’m looking forward to it though because it’s such a fun track for drivers. It could be a good place for the No. 3 BetMGM team.”

How do you feel about the whole West Coast swing?

“I like the West Coast swing. The first race can be pretty tough. I usually come back home after that one, but my family and I stay out between Las Vegas and Phoenix. It’s a fun trip for us. We get some good racing in to start the season. You can really see and evaluate where you are at compared to the competition. We get to race on three different types of tracks. Auto Club Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Phoenix Raceway are all quite different. It’s a good start to the season on the West Coast.”

Phoenix Raceway can bore a lot of fruit for the end of the season since that is where the Championship race is held. How important is Phoenix Raceway’s Spring race for the end of the season?

“Our goal is to get to the Championship, so Phoenix Raceway should be a very important race for us. I want to go out there and perform. Phoenix Raceway hasn’t been a great place for us recently, so we’ve got to get our cars better for that type of track.”

KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1

Larson on racing at Phoenix Raceway:

“I enjoy Phoenix (Raceway). 2021 was a great ending for us there, getting the win and (NASCAR Cup Series) championship. I feel like we’re usually on the cusp of being able to lead laps and win races there. It’s a unique track. Different than any other race track we go to. The shape of it, the size of it, the banking, etc. is unique to Phoenix. I also bought a place out here (Scottsdale) a handful of months ago, so it’s kind of like a home race for me now and I really enjoy going there.”

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

Daniels on the benefit of extra track time at Phoenix:

“This past Sunday was good for us. I really felt like we would have had a great day in California but unfortunately, we missed out on that. Taking the momentum that we’ve had of those good performances (and) a little bit of confidence built from Vegas will be good going into Phoenix. Phoenix is still going to be a big unknown with the new package. None of the Hendrick (Motorsports) cars got to test in January with the new package. We haven’t had our hands on it or been able to touch it and feel it at the track. We will have to make best use of our practice time at the track on Friday and hopefully get it dialed in.”

KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN CAMARO ZL1

How critical are managing the restarts at Phoenix?

“Phoenix restarts are fun, they’re challenging but fun. You know you have that big, wide front straightaway where the dogleg is that you can go all the way to the flat down on the apron and be five, six, seven wide or whatever and then you have to funnel down into a two-wide turn. That gets a little dicey but you know it’s cool when you can run different lines and kind of be out of the crowd a little bit and make some passes on some restarts and get some positions on that. I’ve been fortunate to be fast on some restarts in years past and that kind of helps me get some spots right off the bat on a restart. And then you kind of settle in line and you go racing from there.”

Is it easy to get a speeding penalty on pit road at Phoenix?

“To me I don’t think speeding on pit road is that easy or different at Phoenix versus Bristol or Martinsville or even Richmond for that matter. The timing lines are all pretty well written out and you kind of have an idea of what you’re supposed to do when you roll through the corners and stuff like that but yeah it’s a little dicey with having to lower and raise your speed for the different sections of pit road. I think that’s where the good guys really excel and I feel like I’m one of those good guys.”

JOSH BERRY, NO. 9 KELLEY BLUE BOOK CAMARO ZL1

Berry on preparing for Phoenix:

“Alan (Gustafson) and the entire team have been great to work with this week in getting me prepared for Phoenix (Raceway). Last week was a last-minute situation and my first time in a Next Gen, so to get the opportunity this week to be at the shop and sit down and talk through a lot of things with everyone on the team has been extremely helpful. This is still a really difficult situation and we’re all thinking about Chase (Elliott). We want him back and healthy as soon as he’s able. In the meantime, I’m thankful for the opportunity to fill in for him on the ovals.”

ALAN GUSTAFSON, CREW CHIEF, NO. 9 KELLEY BLUE BOOK CAMARO ZL1

Gustafson on preparing for Phoenix with Josh Berry:

“This week there’s still been a lot of work to do, but we have a much better idea of what Josh needs for the cockpit, his seat and everything around that. Just going through all of that and being able to spend some time with Josh has been good. Having driven this car is the biggest thing for him and we’re now going to be more prepared heading to Phoenix (Raceway). Having that practice will be a big deal. Having those 50 minutes will help a bunch because we don’t really know his tendencies and driving style – what he would need relative to some of the other drivers. It will be nice to get that time and be able to draw some correlation and understanding.”

AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 16 ACTION INDUSTRIES CAMARO ZL1

“Phoenix will be interesting with the new, lower downforce aero package they are coming out with. Practice will be very important to go out there and get a good feel for it with the new car. I felt like we learned a few things in the fall race last year, so hopefully we can take what we learned and match it up with the aero package and try to make our short track program better. I felt like that was our weakness last year, so we are definitely going to focus hard on that to get ready for the short tracks we have coming up.”

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 VALVOLINE CAMARO ZL1

Byron on the importance of track position at Phoenix:

“I think that the craziest thing at Phoenix (Raceway) is the restarts. It’s all about lane choice and setting yourself heading into turn one. Track position is important throughout the whole race. Once you lose it, it’s hard to gain it back. We’ll be running the new short-track package for the first time this weekend and I’ll be interested to see how it does since I wasn’t one of the drivers to test it earlier this year. We have momentum on our side after the win last week, but we want to keep that going for sure.”

RUDY FUGLE, CREW CHIEF, NO. 24 VALVOLINE CAMARO ZL1

Fugle on what he expects for this weekend at Phoenix:

“I’m interested to see how this weekend goes. We have a very small taste of what happened at the organizational test that happened in January. They never tested exactly what we’re racing. We don’t know what to expect honestly. It’s like a simulation game and we hope we just have all the right information to work from. We’ll do our best to make all our changes during practice Friday.”

JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1

“As an organization, Phoenix is one of our weaker tracks, but it’s also a track that you have to go into with a new mindset. Phoenix is always changing, due to the resin formula, as well as the new, short-track package, so there are some unknowns going into the weekend. I feel like we’ve had decent speed at Phoenix in the past, so hopefully we are able to get a feel for the track early and execute.”

NOAH GRAGSON, NO. 42 SUNSEEKER RESORTS CAMARO ZL1

“I’ve had some great success at Phoenix and we have some good notes from the No. 43’s test earlier this year. We had a tough race in Vegas last week and have some things to work on, but I love going to Phoenix and have had some really great runs there. We need a solid weekend – a good qualifying session and a good race – and that is our focus.”

ERIK JONES, NO. 43 ALLEGIANT CAMARO ZL1

You and your team were able to test back in January. What are some key takeaways from your time spent in the session to help your team prepare for this weekend?

“Yeah, hopefully we are able to take some of what we learned from the test there as far as this new aero package goes. It’s nice to have some at least have some laps on it compared to the rest of the field and have somewhat of an idea of how the car is going to drive and handle. We did a couple of long runs as well at the test, so we have a baseline of where our car is going to trend. You know, Phoenix was a tough track for our LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team last year, but we got better in the second race, so hopefully with some of this extra knowledge, we can go out there and have a solid run with the No. 43 Allegiant Chevy.”

RICKY STENHOUSE JR., NO. 47 THOMAS’ CAMARO ZL1

“Phoenix, not real sure there’s a lot that is new with the downforce package. We have some notes from the test, and we have some ideas that should make us good. We will see how it shakes out in practice.”

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY BEST FRIENDS CAMARO ZL1

Bowman on his expectations heading to Phoenix:

“We have started off this season really strong and Phoenix (Raceway) is a place I have circled on my calendar. I ran good there once and haven’t had that kind of performance since then, so I am always eager to get back there and try to find success with it being my home track. Blake (Harris) and I are doing all we can to get ready for the race. I know the team is putting in the work to get our No. 48 Ally Chevy ready to hit the track. I am just ready to get hit the track and get my redemption.”

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

Harris on the start of the 2023 season:

“When you look back at the start of our season, it starts with Daytona (International Speedway). We missed all the wrecks and scored some good stage points – it was a good points day. At the last two intermediates, we have had a lot of speed in our race cars. We had a solid day on pit road in Las Vegas. Having fast race cars and track position is really giving us the chance to capitalize early in the season. We focused on execution throughout the races and have been able to stay up front. We have scored stage points in every stage expect one at Daytona. Being able to get a top 10 in the first three points races this season is really important. You have to be able to score stage points and have to have good finishes to put yourself in a prime position to make the playoffs, which is our focus. That is certainly something we plan on continuing at Phoenix (Raceway). Our expectation is to run in the top 10 and be able to capitalize at the end of the race.”

DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 FREEWAY INSURANCE CAMARO ZL1

How is your season so far?

“We are off to a good start. We have had rocket ships at most of the races. You can always be better, but Trackhouse Racing is giving us great equipment and our pit stops have been really fast this season.”

Three top-10s in three races. Is a top-10 the expectation in each race now?”

“No. It’s to win.”

How helpful will be Friday’s practice in Phoenix?

“It will be helpful for everyone as we try to get used to the new low downforce package and try to get into a rhythm. I don’t really have an answer on what is going to happen. It’s going to be different but we won’t know until Friday.”

How do you feel the response has been to you as far as attracting your fellow Hispanics into the sport? But how much do you think you have helped being at the Cup level?

“You know, it helps a lot. I’ve been doing this already for several years. I have noticed that every year, with a lot of work from myself, NASCAR, my sponsors, the racetracks, the Daniel’s Amigos, every year we get better, every year we have a bigger community on the track.

“But something I learned is that consistent work is paying off, is getting better. But success on track just brings it to a whole different level. At the end of the day you are going to be way more attached to something if you know that your guy and your person that is just like you – in my case obviously Hispanic – is being successful. In my opinion, winning races, being in the Playoffs, contending almost every weekend, that played a huge role.

“And in my opinion, 2022 has been the biggest step I have seen in my racing career in Cup when it comes to the Hispanic community. So it’s amazing. I feel like we are in a huge momentum right now. Obviously 2023 we’re expecting to be an even more successful season.

“I think myself, NASCAR, Coca-Cola, Freeway Insurance and all the people that helped me put these things together, we are definitely moving the needle.”


Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2022): 41

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

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

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

Drivers Championships:

Total (1949-2021): 33

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

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

Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021)

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

Event Victories:

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

2023 STATISTICS:

Wins: 3

Poles: 1

Laps Led: 425

Top-five finishes: 9

Top-10 finishes: 16

Stage wins: 5

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

· William Byron – 2 (Las Vegas x2)

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 836 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 735

Laps led to date: 245,969

Top-five finishes to date: 4,230

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,728

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,170

       Chevrolet: 836

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 820                                                           

       Ford: 720

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 170


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.