Home Blog Page 159

Palou Saves Best for Last To Win Milwaukee Pole

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025) – It’s about time to shed the notion Alex Palou isn’t an oval ace, isn’t it?

Palou won the NTT P1 Award on Saturday for the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 on the final attempt of the qualifying session, turning a two-lap average speed of 162.971 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Palou, who clinched his fourth NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship on Aug. 10 at Portland, earned his sixth pole this season.

“I knew I had a good car,” Palou said. “I just wanted to get everything out of it, so I just fired as much speed as I think it could handle and a little bit more, and it sticks. It feels amazing to get a pole here.”

Palou has produced a magical season so far that resulted in his third consecutive championship. He has won eight races, tied for the third-most in one season in INDYCAR SERIES history, including his first oval victory in the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in May.

This is Palou’s second oval NTT P1 Award this season, as he won from the pole in July in the second race of the Iowa Speedway doubleheader. This was his 12th career pole overall and third on an oval, as he captured the top spot for the 2023 Indianapolis 500.

Palou dramatically seized the pole from David Malukas, who was on the verge of winning his first career NTT P1 Award after turning an average of 162.256 in the No. 4 Clarience Technologies Chevrolet of A.J. Foyt Enterprises as the 18th car on the 1.015-mile oval in the 27-car field.

Still, Malukas will start on the front row for the race Sunday (2 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network) after tying his career-best qualifying performance.

“Before he went out, I told the guys, ‘He looked fast in practice one; he’s going to be the one to beat,’” Malukas said. “As soon as I saw that first lap, saw him come out of (Turn) 4, I was like, ‘All right, that one looked pretty good.’

“We’re going to be starting on that front row here in Milwaukee. We can still do a lot from up there.”

The contrast in strategy between Palou and Malukas on their respective warmup laps was interesting and reflected the different choices made by the field as they prepared to take the green. Malukas warmed up at 159.264 mph, while Palou cruised past the flag stand at 151.187 on his warmup, saving wear on his Firestone Firehawk tires before stepping hard on the gas for his two-lap run.

Pato O’Ward qualified third at 162.078 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. He will be joined in the second row of the starting grid by 2024 Milwaukee race winner Scott McLaughlin, who qualified fourth at 161.758 mph in the No. 3 Sonsio Vehicle Protection Chevrolet of Team Penske.

Six-time series champion Scott Dixon qualified fifth at 160.951 in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, but he will move back nine spots on the starting grid as a penalty for an unscheduled engine change beyond the season’s allotment.

Will Power qualified sixth at 160.819 in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. That run capped a strong day for Team Penske, for which Power earned the team’s first victory of the season Aug. 10 at Portland. Josef Newgarden qualified eighth at 160.330 in the No. 2 Snap-on Team Penske Chevrolet as the legendary team will try to earn its first oval victory of the season Sunday.

There was one incident involving contact and another near-miss during qualifying.

Felix Rosenqvist did a quarter-spin in the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian on his first qualifying lap, backing into the SAFER Barrier in Turn 4. The rear of the car suffered moderate damage. Rosenqvist was unhurt.

That incident occurred just minutes after Colton Herta slid his No. 26 Gainbridge Honda through Turn 2 and then did a half-spin to the left exiting that corner. But Herta showed incredible car control to walk the tightrope between throttle and wheel input to keep the car off the walls.

19-Year-Old Racing Phenom Connor Zilisch to Drive Trackhouse Chevy in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. – Connor Zilisch, one of the hottest prospects in NASCAR history, will race a Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet full-time in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series.

The 19-year-old Zilisch and Trackhouse Racing founder and owner Justin Marks announced Saturday at Daytona International Speedway that they’ve reached a multiyear agreement for Zilisch to drive for the three-car team that has already won five Cup Series races this season with drivers Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen.

“This day has been a dream of mine for a long time,” said Zilisch, who has been a Trackhouse developmental driver since 2024 and competes this season for JR Motorsports, where he leads the Xfinity Series with seven race wins.

“Cup racing has been the goal since joining with Chevrolet and Trackhouse, and while I didn’t know it would come this soon, I feel like I’m ready,” Zilisch said. “I know the challenge that awaits entering the Cup Series as a full-time driver, but I feel that with the support of Trackhouse and Chevrolet, this is the right situation for me. I won’t be making any predictions for success next year. All I promise is to put in 100 percent effort, learn all that I can, plus have a little bit of fun along the way!”

Ten years of competitive kart racing, including a stint in Europe as an 11-year-old racer, gave the Mooresville, North Carolina, native the tools to adapt quickly when he moved to compete professionally in early 2021.

Since then, Zilisch has enjoyed success in every series he’s entered. In the last two years, he won the 2024 Rolex 24 and the 12 Hours of Sebring as well as five ARCA races, two NASCAR Truck Series poles, plus a victory in a CARS Tour late model race.

He swept the pole and won the race in his Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International in 2024, and his dominance driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in 2025 has been remarkable. He’s won six times in just 22 races and leads the driver points despite missing a race after an accident at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Since returning to the driver’s seat at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in May, Zilisch has reeled off 12 consecutive top-five finishes, including six victories: Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway, Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway, Indianapolis (Ind.) Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International and Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

Marks raced against Zilisch in Trans Am competition and watched the youngster at the Trackhouse Motorplex go-kart track in North Carolina. Since signing Zilisch to the developmental program, he has gotten to know Zilisch as a driver and as a person.

“Connor is a rare talent that comes along every few decades,” said Marks. “I have watched Connor grow from a kid racing go-karts at the Trackhouse Motorplex to an up-close seat as he beat all of us in the Trans Am races a few years ago. He quickly adapted to everything we have put him in, and what he is doing with JR Motorsports in Xfinity this season is historic.

“Connor is very mature, poised, and I know ready for Cup racing in 2026. He’s been mentored along the way by former racer Josh Wise and Dr. Eric Warren at General Motors. I can speak for everyone at Trackhouse Racing when I say we have a tremendous amount of faith in this young man.”

Warren, Vice President of Global Motorsports Competition for General Motors, predicts that Zilisch talent will lead to success in the most competitive racing series on the planet.

“We are excited for Connor to get the opportunity to compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026,” said Warren. “What Connor has been able to accomplish in NASCAR over the last year has been remarkable. He has the drive and commitment to put in the work on and off the track, and we look forward to seeing his continued success in NASCAR’s top division.”

Trackhouse has already raced Zilisch in the Cup Series three times in 2025. He recorded an 11th-place finish at Echo Park (Atlanta) Speedway in June and showed tremendous speed at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, in March and Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in May.

Marks expects the team to announce Zilisch’s car number, sponsorship, crew chief, and crew lineup in the coming weeks.

The Trackhouse Racing story has been a meteoric rise in world motorsports. The Trackhouse team began competition in 2021 as a single-car race team with driver Daniel Suárez behind the wheel. The team achieved success on and off track in 2021, running competitively and reaching out to non-traditional NASCAR audiences. Its culturally diverse pit crews, new sponsors and fresh openness are pillars of the Trackhouse philosophy.

The team has expanded to three full-time Cup Series entries and has logged 13 victories since 2021, including wins by Ross Chastain at Charlotte in May, Van Gisbergen in Mexico in June, as well as the Chicago Street Race and Sonoma in July, plus Watkins Glen in August.

Trackhouse Racing joined the MotoGP grid in 2024, bringing an American team back to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing for the first time in over a decade. Trackhouse Racing MotoGP is determined to be a competitive force on and off track in partnership with Aprilia as its official factory-supported team.

Kaulig Racing Named Anchor Team for Ram’s Return to NASCAR

Daytona Beach, FL (August 23, 2025) – Ram officially confirmed today that Kaulig Racing will become the anchor factory team for the truck maker’s highly anticipated return to NASCAR, starting with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026.

Kaulig Racing, founded a decade ago by Ohio-based entrepreneur, community leader and philanthropist Matt Kaulig, is poised to field up to five Ram 1500 trucks in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series starting with the February 13, 2026, season kick-off race at Daytona International Speedway. The race will mark the first time a factory supported team will carry the Ram badge in a NASCAR race since 2012.

“This partnership represents far more than a new chapter in Kaulig Racing’s history, it’s a union of shared values,” said Matt Kaulig, owner of Kaulig Racing. “Over the past decade, our team has built a legacy rooted in performance, integrity, and giving back to the community. To now join forces as the anchor team for Ram’s return to NASCAR is both an honor and a responsibility. Together, we’re ready to set a new standard on race day and in the impact we make off the track.”

Ram’s return to racing was officially unveiled during a live NASCAR event at Michigan International Speedway on June 8. The announcement featured a Ram 5500 towing a custom-built trailer designed for smoky donuts—courtesy of Ram’s NASCAR concept truck.

“We needed a partner that truly aligns with the Ram brand and embraces our unconventional approach to NASCAR,” said Tim Kuniskis, Ram CEO. “With Kaulig Racing, we found the perfect synergy to drive our ’Last Tenth’ culture forward.”

The announcement marks a monumental moment in the history of the burgeoning team.

“We are proud of what the men and women of Kaulig Racing have accomplished over the past decade,” said Kaulig Racing President, Chris Rice. “Special thanks to Ty Norris for his dedication to Kaulig Racing and helping get us to the next level.”

Kaulig Racing currently fields two chartered entries in the NASCAR Cup Series and three teams in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, scoring 29 race wins over the last seven seasons across the two series.

As Kaulig Racing continues to build its Craftsman Truck Series teams for the 2026 season, the driver line up for its inaugural season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will be announced at a later date.

Kaulig Racing will make its NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut with Ram under the lights at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 13, 2026, live on Fox Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SIRIUS XM NASCAR Channel 90.

About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 27 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

About Ram

Ram offers a full lineup of pickups and commercial vehicles: light-duty Ram 1500, heavy-duty 2500/3500, 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab and ProMaster vans.

Ram light-duty and heavy-duty pickups offer products in the fastest growing segment within the pickup space—Sport trucks. Ram introduced the largest variety of off-road performance trucks the brand has ever offered, including the new Ram 1500 RHO with more horsepower per dollar than any other performance off-road pickup.

In the commercial business, Ram offers the Chassis Cab line with features to help customers and upfitters. Ram Professional is making considerable changes in process, execution and resources with a focus on commercial offerings, dedicated B2B-focused expertise, and sales and service support, which are critical to growing in this segment.

Ram continues to outperform the competition, setting the benchmark in the most important areas for truck buyers:

  • America’s Best Full-size Truck and Van Powertrain Limited Warranty 10 years/100k miles
  • Segment-first: 1,000 lb.-ft of torque with Cummins Turbo Diesel
  • Most luxurious: Ram 1500 Tungsten with air suspension, 24-way massage seats and 540 horsepower
  • Ram 1500 and Heavy Duty: Best ride and handling with five-link solid rear axle with available, segment-exclusive, active-level air suspension
  • Ram 1500 RHO: Best off-road performance per dollar
  • Ram ProMaster: The most cargo space available in any traditional full size cargo van
  • Ram Power Wagon: Most off-road capable full-size pickup

Ram is improving market competitiveness and growth while maintaining pricing power through products, services and electrified offerings. Aligned under the global presence of the Stellantis Pro One commercial vehicle organization, Ram currently offers a wide range of products globally, from the Ram 700 compact pickup to the Ram 5500 Chassis Cab and a range of ProMaster vans.

Ram is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow Ram and company news and video on:
Company blog: blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Media website: media.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Ram Truck brand: ramtrucks.com
Facebook: facebook.com/RamTrucks
Instagram: @ramtrucks
Twitter: @RamTrucks, @StellantisNA
YouTube: youtube.com/RamTrucks, youtube.com/StellantisNA

How Vehicle Type Affects Car Insurance Costs

Photo by depositphotos at https://depositphotos.com/

The vehicle the individual drives is another important element that defines the cost of car insurance. Insurance firms use the make, model, age and value of a car in determining their premiums. There are cars that represent a greater risk of accidents, theft, and repair costs and as such, insurance charges differ. Knowing the way car type affects insurance costs can assist car buyers to take informed decision when buying a carModelyear Requirement Modelyear requirement is the requirement that you have to be of a certain age to get a certificate of entitlement, and you could be aged 18 or have a license of certain type eg 18 years and up, or no license.

The cost of insurance is not only based on the vehicle in question but also on the perceived risk to insurers of financial loss associated with that particular vehicle. Sports cars, deluxe cars, and used cars could be associated with high premium costs because it is expensive to repair them or they are more prone to thefts. On the other hand, cars that have a good safety record, or which are inexpensive to replace, will be charged more favorable rates. These factors are vital when one wants to balance how to choose a vehicle with affordable insurance cover.

Effect of Vehicle Value on Insurance Rates

The value of a car is one of the main factors which influence the premium of car insurance. High-value cars are more expensive to fix or repurchase, and this factor pumps up the insurance company. Because of this, the owners of high-end or luxury cars tend to pay more on insurance covers than ordinary car owners.

The insurance firms also consider the effects of depreciation to cover the cost of insurance Cars or trucks that have high amounts of retained values could be beneficial to insurers but initially, the cost of replacing or repairing is major. Knowing the way auto insurance is impacted by the value of a car will assist the buyer in making a choice between a car that delivers the desired performance and yet is affordable on the insurance front in the long run.

Influence of Vehicle Type and Model

These insurance rates are greatly affected by the available type and model of a vehicle. Performance cars and sports cars tend to be more expensive to insure as they are attributed to higher speeds, and also are at a higher risk of accidents. Sedans and minivans and other family cars are instead associated with lower premiums because of their strength and lower risk of car theft.

Insurance companies additionally give thought to model specific security benefits and past assets records. Cars with good crash ratings, or vehicles with high levels of safety technology can be considered lower risk and can earn lower rates. Motorists are advised to consider the style and the specifications of a car when considering the insurance costs as this directly determines the calculations of insurance costs.

Impact of Age and Condition of Vehicle

The age and condition of an automobile is a significant element in automobile insurance rates. Newer cars can be more costly to replace and newer cars are likely to incur a higher premium depending on the set of features that a car has or how expensive it is. Older vehicles, being in most cases cheaper to insure, may not have the latest in safety systems and can also affect the rates.

Maintenance and general condition also weighs in on the cost of the coverage. Car insurance may be more favorable when it comes to well-kept cars that may have fewer chances of experiencing mechanical failures or accidents. Maintaining a vehicle in good condition not only helps preserve its resale value, but may also help it get cheaper car insurance.

Safety Features and Technology

Safety features have a direct impact on insurance costs. Cars fitted with anti lock brakes, airbags, collision avoidance and other safety rich cars may be rated to a lesser premium. Insurers acknowledge that these are characteristics that minimize the chances of accidents and injuries and the result is less exposure to their finances.

Better technology is also available to alert or better inform the driver of their situation, which might include lane departure warnings or automatic emergency braking and such technology will lead to a better safety rating. Cars with high strength safety features are not only safe to its occupants but also expenditure worthy in the long run in terms of insurance. A car purchase can be constructive in terms of protection and in terms of the money it costs to run.

Risk of Theft and Vandalism

The insurance is more expensive on some types of vehicles that have a higher likelihood of theft or vandalism. Vehicles such as sports cars, luxury models, or those with a high resale value have also been most targeted, and it is this reason that insurers can face more claim cases. The easier a car is to secure or the less alluring it is to a thief, the lower will be the premium.

Insurance firms pay attention to the crime rates and past thefts scenarios in the area to determine rates. Other preventive measures vehicle owners can resort to are installing anti-theft devices or parking in safe places that can keep them safe. Knowing how likely it is that a car will be stolen or damaged, can give drivers an idea of what to expect regarding insurance prices and make sound decisions.

Conclusion

The type of car, its worth and options will significantly influence the cost of car insurance policies. Cars with a higher value of commencing progress and models with high replacement costs normally have higher premiums whereas modest non-luxury cars that are not subjected to risk driving have a cheaper premium. Coverage costs also depend on factors like, safety technology, age, condition, and risk of being stolen.

Considering such factors, drivers can make smart decisions, regarding the purchase of a car and the choice of insurance. It is necessary to reconcile the personal preferences with the practical issues connected with car insurance and auto insurance expenses to make both of them safe and affordable. Selecting an appropriate vehicle is one way to save money in the long run and experience an easier time purchasing insurance.

ARCA Menards Series at Madison International Speedway: Badger 200 Unofficial Results & Post-race Notes

ARCA Menards Series at Madison International Speedway:
Badger 200 Post-race Notes

  • Max Reaves (No. 18 Cook Out Toyota) scored his second career ARCA Menards Series victory in just his third career start in Friday’s Badger 200 at Madison International Speedway. Reaves started from the General Tire Pole after setting the fast lap in time trials and led every lap on his way to the win.
  • The win is the eighth victory across the ARCA Menards Series platform in 2025 for Joe Gibbs Racing. The team has won ARCA Menards Series races with Brent Crews at Phoenix Raceway and with Reaves at Elko Speedway, ARCA Menards Series East races with Crews at Rockingham Speedway and Reaves at Five Flags Speedway, Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, and Flat Rock Speedway, and in the ARCA Menards Series West at Sonoma Raceway with William Sawalich.
  • Lavar Scott (No. 6 Max Siegel Inc. Chevrolet) finished second for the second consecutive week. It was Scott’s tenth top-five finish in fifteen ARCA Menards Series starts in 2025.
  • ARCA Menards Series championship points leader Brenden “Butterbean” Queen (No. 28 BestRepair.net Chevrolet) finished third after starting second. Queen entered the race with a 34-point lead over Lavar Scott, and will head into next Sunday’s Southern Illinois 100 at DuQuoin State Fairgrounds with a 33-point lead.
  • Isabella Robusto (No. 55 Mobil 1 Toyota) finished fourth, rebounding from a 21st-place finish last Sunday at Springfield. It is Robusto’s sixth top-five finish in 2025.
  • Julian DeCosta (No. 70 Nitro Kart Toyota) finished fifth in his ARCA Menards Series debut, the final car on the lead lap.
  • Mason Mitchell (No. 25 Detour Sunglasses Toyota) finished sixth in his first start at Madison since 2014. Mitchell, the 2014 ARCA Menards Series champion, raced as high as third before a loose condition effected handling late in the race.
  • Jason Kitzmiller (No. 97 A.L.L. Construction Chevrolet) finished seventh, his eleventh top-ten of the season and his best finish on a short track since he finished sixth at Elko Speedway in June.
  • Kaylee Bryson (No. 17 LSI / MMI Chevrolet) recovered from an oil fire in practice to finish eighth in her ARCA Menards Series debut. Bryson was driving for 2023 ARCA Menards Series West owner champion Bruce Cook’s Cook Racing Technologies team.
  • Tony Cosentino (No. 10 Diebold Pool Service Ford) finished ninth, his first top ten finish of season and his first since a seventh-place finish at Elko Speedway in 2023.
  • Willie Mullins (No. 3 CW Companies Ford) finished tenth, his third consecutive top-ten finish. He finished tenth at Berlin Raceway and ninth at Elko Speedway.
  • The next race for the ARCA Menards Series is the Southern Illinois 100 at DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. The race will be televised live on FS1 starting at 8:30 pm ET on Sunday, August 31. Live timing and scoring data and live race audio will be available at ARCARacing.com.

About ARCA 
The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly and regional tour racing all across the country, the organization to sanctions over 100 races per year in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, ASA STARS National Tour, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit , or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing). 

About Menards
A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 236 stores in 15 states.  Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building.  You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more.  To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!

Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture.  Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries.  And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more. 

Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too!  For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.

RCR NXS Race Recap: Daytona International Speedway

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet Team Make Strategic Calls, Leading to Fourth-Place Finish at Daytona International Speedway

Finish: 4th
Start: 10th
Points: 4th

“I was so bad in the first stage, that we fell all the way back to 20th. Danny (Stockman) went to work and got the car better. We stopped complaining about it and got ourselves in position to win. Obviously it’s really unfortunate to come up short. I guess I don’t really know how to win from where I was lined up in fifth, with two teammates in front of me and a top lane that I knew was going to fall apart. It was kind of a hands-tied situation. If I ran it back, I would take the top lane, expecting the No. 70 to shove the No. 21 out, and try to fill that hole. Really unfortunate that we didn’t get the win, but still a good points day for our Whelen Chevrolet team.” -Jesse Love

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Global Industrial Chevrolet Team Collected in Last Lap Crash to Finish in 25th-Place at Daytona International Speedway

Finish: 25th
Start: 4th
Points: 5th

“After getting shucked out on the Overtime restart, the No. 48 and I were rolling hard in the top lane. We had a ton of momentum and a heck of a run. I hate our race ended with a torn up car, but unfortunately, that is just superspeedway racing. Sometimes you are going to win them, and sometimes you are going to end up on the hook. I’m actually surprised we didn’t have more crashes with how much cars were moving around out there tonight. My Global Industrial Chevrolet wasn’t handling the greatest. It moved around quite a bit and was really tight on corner exit. Our car reacted to the air differently than it has in the past, but all in all, I’m proud of our No. 21 group for putting ourselves in position to have a chance at the win.” -Austin Hill

Kaulig Racing Race Recap | WaWa 250

No. 11 Celsius Chevrolet

Start: 21st
Stage 1 Finish: 13th
Stage 2 Finish: 16th
Finish: 19th

Justin Haley made up eight positions during Stage 1 of the WaWa 250, finishing 13th. He pitted for four tires and fuel, before starting the second stage from 17th. It took Haley just 12 laps to take the lead in the No. 16 Celsius Chevy. He led a total of seven laps, before eventually losing his help. He slid back to 16th, where he finished the second stage, which ended under yellow for a wreck. During the stage break, Haley gained eight spots on pit road, before starting the final stage from ninth place. Haley lost his help once again but managed to stay in the lead pack, before the caution came out with 11 laps to go. The green flag came out with six laps remaining, but Haley was eventually collected in a final-lap wreck, ending his night before the checkered flag. He was scored 19th.

“Appreciate the invite back from Matt Kaulig and Kaulig Racing! We had a competitive No. 11 Celsius Chevrolet and led some laps. Unfortunately, we got involved in a last-lap incident, but I really enjoyed being back in the Xfinity Series.” – Justin Haley

No. 16 Campers Inn RV Mobile Medic Chevrolet

Start: 9th
Stage 1 Finish: 7th
Stage 2 Finish: 3rd
Finish: 32nd

Happy with the handling of the No. 16 Campers Inn RV Mobile Medic Chevrolet, Christian Eckes finished seventh in the opening stage. He radioed that he needed track position more than anything, and crew chief Alex Yontz made the call for a two-tire pit stop during the stage break, ensuring Eckes gained four spots on pit road to start the second stage. Eckes continued making ground and sat third when the caution flag came out with two laps remaining in Stage 2, ending the segment under yellow. As the caution flag came out with 11 laps to go, Eckes sat eighth. With four laps remaining, Eckes was in position to take third place but was hooked on the outside. The No. 16 was unable to finish the race, and Eckes was scored 32nd.

“We had a super fast Campers Inn RV Camaro tonight. I thought it was more than capable of being a race-winning car. It’s unfortunate that it just didn’t to our way, but we have two more races to go execute and hopefully make a run for the playoffs.” – Christian Eckes

No. 10 Martech Services Company Chevrolet

Start: 17th
Stage 1 Finish: 15th
Stage 2 Finish: 17th
Finish: 35th

Although the No. 10 Martech Services Company Chevrolet fired off slightly free, Daniel Dye gained two spots in the opening stage, finishing 15th. During the first stage break, he pitted for four tires and fuel, before starting the second stage from 15th place. Coming to two laps to go in the second stage, a wreck brought out the caution flag, as Dye drove down pit road to avoid the wrecking cars ahead of him. He finished the stage in 17th and pitted for four tires and fuel during the break, before starting the final stage from 11th place. Dye radioed that he struggled passing, noting that he lacked help as the caution came out with 11 laps to go. He sat 17th as the field went green with six laps remaining but was collected in a wreck just two laps later. He was scored 35th.

“It’s always good to come home and race in front of a home crowd. We were able to race inside the top 10 for a portion of the race and had a fast No. 10 Chevrolet. Unfortunately, what seemed to be the inevitable happened, and we got caught up in a crash.” – Daniel Dye  

About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 27 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

Toyota GAZOO Racing – NXS Daytona Post-Race Report – 08.22.25

TOYOTA GR SUPRAS EARN TWO TOP-10s AT DAYTONA
Brandon Jones, Dean Thompson Lead Toyota in Xfinity Race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 22, 2025) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Brandon Jones led Toyota with a sixth-place result in Friday night’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

Sam Hunt Racing’s Dean Thompson also earned a top 10 with a seventh-place finish in Friday’s rain-delayed race.

Toyota GAZOO Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Daytona International Speedway
Race 24 of 33 – 250 miles, 100 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, Parker Kligerman*

2nd, Sammy Smith*

3rd, Justin Allgaier*

4th, Jesse Love*

5th, Sam Mayer*

6th, BRANDON JONES

7th, DEAN THOMPSON

12th, WILLIAM SAWALICH

24th, ARIC ALMIROLA

30th, TAYLOR GRAY

*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

BRANDON JONES, No. 20 Menards Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 6th

Can you talk about tonight’s race?

“It’s always insane here. It’s a shorter race this time so the strategy played out a little bit different. I was just happy to have a really good day. I think we got points in each stage so that was beneficial and then to come home in the top five – it’s hard to finish these races out. The first one here was so short for us with only making five laps. We didn’t have a ton of notes to really go off of. We had a decent Talladega race which we had some solid stuff from, but nice to finally put one together here. We have Talladega again in the Playoffs so this race was important for us to just kind of learn just a little bit more about what we need to take to Talladega when we get to the Playoffs. It was a learning day. I was happy with a lot of the moves that we made — aggressive when we needed to, cautious when we needed to. Maybe a couple more laps, I don’t know. Highest finisher of the Toyota team so we’ll take it and go on to Portland and that will be a good one.”

DEAN THOMPSON, No. 26 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing

Finishing Position: 7th

How was your race tonight?

“It was a pretty up and down day. My guys brought a really fast Thompson Pipe Group Toyota GR Supra. I started really nice and kind of fell back immediately. Cut through the field, fell back, cut through the field, fell back. We probably passed the most cars in the field than anyone else today. It’s a testament to our team and to our race cars. I’m just happy for a top 10.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 49 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Mayer Posts Fourth Straight Top Five Finish in Daytona Xfinity Race

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Wawa 250
Friday, August 22, 2025

Ford Unofficial Finishing Results:

5th – Sam Mayer
16th – Harrison Burton
17th – Sheldon Creed
27th – Kyle Sieg
31st – Ryan Sieg

SAM MAYER, No. 41 Audibel Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “The intensity definitely picked up there at the end of this crazy race, but we were just a little bit short again. I’m really proud of these Haas Factory boys. This Audibel Ford Mustang was amazing. I’m really proud of everyone that put it together. We just got to the front too little too late. We were in a really good spot, I felt like, if we had another crack at it, but, overall, a really solid day. You can’t feel too bad about finishing one of these things.” HOW ABOUT THE CONSISTENCY YOU’VE SHOWED WITH TWO RACES TO GO BEFORE THE PLAYOFFS? “Yeah, it’s great to be consistent and all, but you want to win because when it comes to the playoffs, the bonus points you get are the only thing that matters. We’re gonna keep working on that. We have two more shots at it, and I think we’ll be good at both of those races, so it’s just a matter of getting the job done. The W is the only thing on the mind right now.”

SHELDON CREED, No. 00 Ollie’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “A good day overall for not being able to qualify and just slowly made ourselves up to the front. We got good stage points there in stage two and was able to lead some laps. I kind of lost control when I didn’t want to and I don’t know what they were doing behind me. They were just playing with each other’s runs and kind of lost us control a little bit. We were getting back in position to fight for it and then there was the first caution with 10 to go and that gave us enough damage to have to pit to get a new left-front tire. That popped the tire, so we had to stop there, and then I kind of new coming from the back on a green-white-checkered that we were gonna probably drive into a crash, knowing how this place works, and that’s kind of exactly what happened. Overall, our Ford Mustang was really fast. I’m thankful for Ollies and Ford and Roush Yates Engines. I felt like we were really good all night.”

A Detailed Guide – How Are Car Dimensions Measured?

When we’re about to buy a car, the first thing we excitedly think about is the design, color, or horsepower. That’s how we overlook one of the important factors: the car size. Car dimensions mostly determine how comfortable and practical your ride’s gonna be. Sometimes people buy a huge SUV that won’t fit in their garage, or a tiny car that doesn’t feel comfortable for a family ride. In those cases, we feel the importance of a car dimension.

To be honest, car dimensions aren’t a complicated thing. You just need to learn the basics. Here, we will give you a basic to advanced car dimensions guide.

In this writing, we will learn what defines a standard-size car, check out different car types, and see how dimensions are measured. We’ll also go over the important exterior and interior measurements and answer some common questions.

What is a Standard Size Car? 

Standard cars are kinda bigger than mid-size cars, offering a good mix of space, comfort, and fuel efficiency. They are smaller than full-size cars but can carry five people and some luggage. It is perfect for carrying a family and suitable for a small garage. 

Types of Car Sizes 

City Cars:

A city car is a small, easy-to-drive vehicle, perfect for busy roads and tight parking spaces. It also offers benefits such as low running costs, easy driving, and low maintenance. But it has a small boot space. So, they are affordable and great for short trips around town. 

Superminis:

A supermini car is kinda bigger than a city car but smaller than regular family cars. It is often called a B-segment car. It has enough space for small family trips.

Hatchbacks:

Hatchbacks are a mix of small cars and SUVs. But it’s a big back door that lifts, and the roomy inside is its special feature. You can use it for different purposes.

Large Cars:

Large cars are bigger than mid-size cars and offer more space. They are comfortable for long trips. It can carry many people and has good safety features. They come with a powerful engine. But the problem is that it uses more fuel and is harder to park.

MPVs:

MPVs, or multi-purpose vehicles, are made to carry more people than SUVs. They have extra seats and lots of room. This feature makes them great for families or groups.

SUVs:

An SUV, or Sports Utility Vehicle, is a car that’s comfy like a normal car. But it can also handle rough roads. It’s taller, roomier inside, and looks strong. Most SUVs today are great for families and everyday use.

A Complete Guide – How Are Car Dimensions Measured? 

Car dimensions sound technical, but they are very simple. If you understand it, you can buy your car as per your needs. It will give you a clear understanding of the space your car takes. This knowledge will help when you drive in narrow city streets, park in a small garage, and so on. Let’s break down the process here. 

Length: 

The length of a car is measured from the front to the back, including any protrusions. It gives you the total size of a vehicle from end to end. The idea of car length is especially important for parking a car inside a garage or driveway. Longer cars offer more interior space but are very hard to park in tight spots.

Width: 

Some manufacturers list two methods for measuring a car’s width. 

First way: You need to measure the car at its widest part from one side mirror to the other.

Second way: The Other way is measuring without the mirror. 

Knowing the width is important for driving through narrow streets. It also helps your car fit into garages or pass through gates.

A wider car always feels more stable on the road. But it will challenge you in tight parking spaces.

Height:

Height is measured from the ground to the top of the car. This can be the roof or an attachment like a roof rail. It helps to know if the car can fit in parking structures, garages, tunnels, or low-height spaces.

Wheelbase:

The wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear axles (the points where the wheels connect to the car). This measurement affects a car’s stability and legroom. A longer wheelbase ensures interior comfort and smoother rides.

Ground Clearance:

Ground clearance is the distance between the bottom of the car and the ground. It shows the car’s height above the road. It matters for driving on bumpy roads or over obstacles. Cars with higher ground clearance, like SUVs, can handle rough roads or avoid damage to their bumpers. Cars with low ground clearance, like sports cars, are very stable at high speeds but face problems on bumpy roads or over obstacles.

Two Essential Car Dimensions – Exterior and Interior

Exterior Dimensions:

Height, Length, Width:

Height, length, and width define a car’s physical footprint. 

Here, the length of a car affects parking and driving space.

Width defines whether it fits or not in narrow streets or garages.

And, the height of a car determines clearance and interior feel.

So, together they determine the presence of a car on the road.

Wheelbase, Ground Clearance:

The wheelbase affects the handling, stability, and ride comfort of a car. A longer wheelbase often gives smoother driving. Ground clearance is an important criterion of a quality car. It helps in rough terrain and speed bumps. It prevents a car from scraping underneath. Those impact performance and usability.

Interior Dimensions:

Headroom, Legroom, Shoulder Room:

Most people often neglect headroom, legroom, and shoulder room when going for a purchase. If your car has enough headroom, tall people will feel comfortable and will not feel cramped. Legroom ensures comfort in long journeys. Finally, shoulder room ensures the comfort of multiple passengers sitting side by side.

Cargo Space:

Cargo space is one of the most important dimensions for families and frequent travelers. Cargo space is mainly the car’s trunk. The bigger the cargo space, the more you can carry gear or luggage. It is mainly measured in liters or cubic feet. The space can vary depending on whether the seats are folded flat.

Conclusion:

Car dimensions are more than a specification sheet. It directly affects the car comfort, use cases, and so on. From exterior measurements to interior factors, both are very important for a car’s overall dimensions. If we understand it, we can make smarter choices in the budget. 

Whether you’re buying a compact city car, a family MPV, or a rugged SUV, the knowledge of dimensions will ensure your best buy.