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INDY NXT by Firestone Added to Brickyard Weekend at IMS

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Official Release
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INDYCAR Development Series To Kick Off NASCAR-INDYCAR Weekend

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023) – INDYCAR officials have announced an adjustment to the 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone schedule, adding the developmental series to the historic Brickyard Weekend in August at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix will take place Friday, Aug. 11 on the IMS road course, joining the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and NTT INDYCAR SERIES for one of motorsports’ premier events in North America. It’s the only event in which both the top divisions of NASCAR and INDYCAR compete on the same circuit during the same event weekend.

“To feature INDY NXT by Firestone during this elite NASCAR-INDYCAR weekend is a tremendous opportunity,” INDY NXT by Firestone Director Levi Jones said. “This season, 19 INDY NXT entries will compete for the 2023 championship – the most since 2009. It is a growing series matching the growing INDYCAR paddock and a phenomenal moment to showcase the next generation of stars on a huge stage.”

This change will put INDY NXT into the spotlight on two marquee weekends at IMS instead of just one. INDY NXT’s May 12 race date, held in conjunction with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ GMR Grand Prix weekend, will be shifted to the Aug. 11 date keeping the 2023 INDY NXT schedule at 14 races. INDY NXT will continue to race as scheduled Saturday, May 13 on the IMS road course.

The addition to the Brickyard Weekend schedule at IMS is the latest in a series of moves meant to highlight the pathway to North America’s premier open-wheel racing series.

Last month, INDYCAR announced an increased $1.4 million purse for the 2023 INDY NXT championship with the champion receiving benefits to be applied to an oval test at Texas Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 Open Test and Rookie Orientation Program, an entry for the 2024 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and an entry for an additional 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES event.

The INDY NXT season begins Sunday, March 5 on the Streets of St. Petersburg. Peacock will provide live streaming of the race in the United States with additional coverage available from the INDYCAR Radio Network via the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

Updated 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone Schedule

DateVenuesBroadcast TimeBroadcast
Sunday, March 5Streets of St. Petersburg9:50 a.m. ETPeacock
Sunday, April 30Barber Motorsports Park12:50 p.m. ETPeacock
Saturday, May 13Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Road Course		1 p.m. ETPeacock
Saturday, June 3Streets of Detroit Race 112:35 p.m. ETPeacock
Sunday, June 4Streets of Detroit Race 212:35 p.m. ETPeacock
Sunday, June 18Road America11 a.m. ETPeacock
Sunday, July 2Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course11:30 a.m. ETPeacock
Saturday, July 22Iowa Speedway11 a.m. ETPeacock
Sunday, Aug. 6Streets of Nashville10:05 a.m. ETPeacock
Friday, Aug. 11Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Road Course		4:50 p.m. ETPeacock
Sunday, Aug. 27World Wide Technology Raceway3:55 p.m. ETPeacock
Sunday, Sept. 3Portland International Raceway1:10 p.m. ETPeacock
Saturday, Sept. 9WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 13:25 p.m. ETPeacock
Sunday, Sept. 10WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 212:50 p.m. ETPeacock

Alfonso Ribeiro Named Honorary Pace Car Driver for the Pala Casino 400

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Official Release
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Veteran Entertainer Will Lead Field to Green for Final NASCAR Race on the 2-Mile Oval

FONTANA, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2023) – Auto Club Speedway announced today that veteran entertainer Alfonso Ribeiro will serve as the honorary pace car driver for the Pala Casino 400, the final NASCAR Cup Series race on the famed 2-mile oval on Sunday.

Ribeiro serves as host of ABC’s longest running show, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and worked alongside Tyra Banks to co-host “Dancing with the Stars” for its 31st season.

“We’re ecstatic to have a performer of Alfonso’s caliber leading the field to green for the historic final race on our 2-mile oval,” said Auto Club Speedway President Dave Allen. “As a veteran in the television industry, Alfonso is all about entertaining and bringing joy to fans. He’ll find himself right at home here at Auto Club Speedway, where fans are first.”

Ribeiro, who began his electrifying 30-year career starring in the Tony® award-winning musical “The Tap Dance Kid,” took Broadway by storm early on with his unique style of musical and performing prowess. Tapping and dancing his way into the music industry, Ribeiro found himself working with the likes of Michael Jackson early on, appearing in his 1984 Pepsi campaign promoting his diamond record, Billie Jean, as well as producing multiple singles through Island Records.

Ribeiro transitioned seamlessly from stage to TV, where his career found its home after landing a role on NBC’s “Silver Spoons.” Continuing his partnership with NBC, he spent six seasons establishing his iconic role as Carlton Banks on NBC’s smash-hit, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Ribeiro soon stepped behind the camera to direct. Projects like “Meet the Browns,” “Are We There Yet?,” “One on One” and “Shake It Up” litter his expansive portfolio.

The Pala Casino 400 on Sunday will put an exclamation point on both an era in NASCAR history and a riveting double header race weekend. The NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Production Alliance Group 300 will begin the action-packed weekend on Saturday. Tickets for the Pala Casino 400 and the Production Alliance Group 300 are available for purchase at www.AutoClubSpeedway.com.

About Auto Club Speedway

Located 50 miles east of Los Angeles in Fontana, Auto Club Speedway is California’s premier motorsports facility, hosting over 320 days of track activity each year including a NASCAR Cup Series weekend. The two-mile D-shaped oval is one of the fastest tracks on the NASCAR circuit. The Speedway is also home to numerous movie, television and commercial productions, photo shoots, new car testing, club racing and a variety of racing schools. For more information on events at Auto Club Speedway, call 1-800-944-RACE (7223), visit www.AutoClubSpeedway.com or download the new NASCAR Tracks App at www.autoclubspeedway.com/nascar-tracks-app/

About NASCAR

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

Wright Motorsports Welcomes Adelson and Skeer to SRO America Programs

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Official Release
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BATAVIA, Ohio. (February 22, 2023) – Wright Motorsports has expanded to a two-car effort as the Ohio-based team enters a new season in the 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS and GT America Powered by AWS. Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer will race the No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R (type 991.2) in the Pro/Am class, joining the returning and previously announced duo of Charlie Luck and Jan Heylen in the No. 45 Porsche. Adelson will also contest an entry in the GT America series, a separate sprint racing effort for Bronze-rated drivers.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Adam and Elliott to the team,” said Team Owner John Wright. “In a very short amount of time, Adam has proven he has real talent behind the wheel, and together with Elliott, they did a great job in the Pirelli GT4 America championship last year. Both series offer lots of track time and strong competition, and we’re eager to get started.”

After participating in track days in a Porsche 911 GT3 in 2018, Las Vegas native Adam Adelson began his racing career in 2019 at age 22. He found his feet in the Porsche Sprint Trophy West and by 2021, advanced to the competitive ranks of the Pirelli GT4 America and the new GT America powered by AWS. He returned for a sophomore season in both series, finishing second in GT4 America with co-driver Elliott Skeer after accumulating three wins and eight podiums. In GT America, he celebrated two wins and five podiums, racing solo in the single-driver sprint series.

The 2023 season will see Skeer’s return to Wright Motorsports after the racer secured the 2015 IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama (now Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America) with the team. Since then, Skeer has competed across North America’s most competitive series, including the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the Pirelli GT4 America Pro/Am class.

The two will again pair up for a full-season effort, competing in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America series. With the exception of the season finale at the Indianapolis 8 Hour, each race weekend of the GT3 series will host a pair of 90-minute races. Adelson and Skeer will compete in the Pro/Am class, where each driver is required to drive for half of each race and partake in a driver change over the course of the 90-minute stretch.

Adelson will also participate in the single-driver GT America series, created for Bronze-rated competitors who get to enjoy a pair of 40-minute races each race weekend. The series will run in support of the headlining GT World Challenge America championship, racing on some of the best tracks North America has to offer. The team will begin the season at Sonoma Raceway in California’s Wine Country, March 31 to April 2. From there, the pair of series will journey to many fan-favorite race tracks such as VIRginia International Raceway, Watkins Glen International, Road America, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For more information, visit wrightmotorsports.com.

Adam Adelson // No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R

I’m beyond excited to be racing with Wright Motorsports in GT World Challenge America and GT America this year. When I made the decision to enter my first year of GT3 class racing, it was a no-brainer that Wright was the Wright choice. They have incredible racing pedigree and experience, and I have no doubt in my mind that they’ll do everything they possibly can to put Elliott and I at the front of the field. Elliott won the Porsche GT3 Cup with Wright in 2015, and now being his co-driver, I hope to do something along those lines with him this year in our 911 GT3R.

Eliott Skeer // No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R

I am ecstatic to be back at Wright Motorsports for the 2023 SRO season! Knowing the operation John has cultivated has me looking forward to how both Adam and myself will grow as racers and succeed in GT3 with all the necessary support behind us from such an experienced team. The SRO GT3 field has strengthened each year and continues to bring a world-class talent pool and I cannot wait to dive into and fight within, the ability to also make the jump with your best friend as a codriver makes the experience even more special.

To me, everything about this feels Wright and I am eagerly counting down the days until we take the green flag at Sonoma. I have full trust in the WM team, in my codriver, and in our Porsche, to maximize every opportunity we can on and off track.

In a nice way, it’s like returning home.

2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge America and GT America Schedule

March 30 – April 2, 2023

Sonoma Raceway

Sonoma, California

April 28-30, 2023

NOLA Motorsports Park

Avondale, LA

May 19-21, 2023

Circuit of the Americas

Austin, Texas

June 16-18, 2023

VIRginia International Raceway

Alton, Virginia

August 4-6, 2023

GT America Powered by AWS

Nashville, Tennesse

August 18-20, 2023

Road America

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

September 22-24, 2023

Sebring International Raceway

Sebring, Florida

October 5-8, 2023

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis, Indiana

Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.

Advance Auto Parts Named Official Sponsor of Checkered Flag for NTT INDYCAR SERIES

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Official Release
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Advance Auto Parts - flag

Advance Also Becomes Official Automotive Aftermarket Retail Partner of INDYCAR, IMS

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023) – Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider, today announced a multiyear agreement to become the official sponsor of INDYCAR’s checkered flag used at each NTT INDYCAR SERIES race through the 2025 season.

The partnership connects Advance’s distinctive logo, which features the checkered flag icon, with the iconic flag NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers aspire to see first at the end of each race.

Through the agreement, Advance also becomes the official automotive aftermarket retail partner of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). Advance’s marks will be displayed on the iconic IMS Scoring Pylon and other digital boards throughout the “Racing Capital of the World” for its signature events, including the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in May and the Brickyard Weekend tripleheader in August.

“We’re honored to welcome Advance Auto Parts to both the INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway families,” said Mark Miles, president & CEO Penske Entertainment Corp. “Advance is a world-class and highly respected brand, and the perfect partner emblem to display on the checkered flag welcoming our NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers to the finish line at the iconic Yard of Bricks and across all of our events.”

Advance’s partnership with INDYCAR will include a charitable component during the 2023 season. As race-winning drivers strategically use “advance” as a verb in their post-race interviews, Advance will gift winning drivers a cash prize to be donated to a charity of their choice.

“It’s a privilege to associate the Advance brand and our checkered flag with those used at the Indianapolis 500 and every INDYCAR race,” said Jason McDonell, Advance’s executive vice president of merchandising, marketing and eCommerce. “We know INDYCAR fans are incredibly passionate about the sport, its heritage and future. Whether they’re road-tripping to the next race or tackling their everyday commute, race fans know we’ll be ready with quality auto parts and expert advice to help them advance to their own checkered flag.”

Advance and INDYCAR also will team up on a unique content series viewable on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Leading into each race weekend, INDYCAR will create a video highlight reel celebrating the most exciting wins and checkered flag moments at that track, giving race fans an opportunity to witness some of auto racing’s most historic wins though archived footage.

The 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season starts with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday, March 5 (Noon ET on NBC, Peacock, INDYCAR Radio Network).

ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY BRINGS THE PARTY TO NASCAR WEEKEND

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Official Release
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HAMPTON, Ga. (Feb. 22, 2023) – NASCAR weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway is always packed with thrilling racing on the track and great entertainment off the track – and the Ambetter Health 400 weekend is no exception.

Atlanta hosts 850 miles of racing across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series during the March 17-19 weekend. When cars aren’t on the track, race fans will enjoy parties that make race weekend a can’t-miss event.

This year the fun gets started on St. Patrick’s Day Friday night after NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying with the Camper Appreciation Party in Bootleggers. Fans will enjoy complimentary hamburgers, hot dogs, and Coca-Cola beverages, Legends racing on Atlanta’s ¼ mile short track, and a Q&A session with NASCAR driver Chris Buescher. Best of all, it all comes free of charge as a thank you to fans at the track during race weekend, with dozens of TVs showing live sports and a great social atmosphere around Bootleggers’ massive 360-bar.

Returning for its second year in the infield, the Peach Pit kicks off the infield party after the checkered flag drops on the RAPTOR King of Tough 250 on Saturday night. The Peach Pit will be packed with games and activities, plus live music on its concert stage from Back In Black performing AC/DC’s biggest hits into the night. NASCAR driver Todd Gilliland will stop by for a Q&A, and the night is capped off with a colorful fireworks display. Any ticketholders or fans camping at the track welcome to join the party at the Peach Pit for no additional charge.

All of this is on top of the previously announced Parmalee pre-race concert before the Ambetter Health 400 on Sunday, March 19, and all the driver appearances and attractions fans will enjoy in Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Fan Zone throughout the weekend.

Tickets and camping for the Ambetter Health 400 weekend March 17-19 are available now at www.AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com or by calling 877-9-AMS-TIX.

About the Ambetter Health 400 weekend:

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

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

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

Follow Atlanta Motor Speedway:

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

Stewart-Haas Racing: Fontana NXS Advance (Cole Custer | Riley Herbst)

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Official Release
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COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
Fontana NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

• Event: Production Alliance Group 300 (Round 2 of 33)
• Date: Saturday, Feb. 25
• Location: Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California
• Layout: 2-mile oval
• Time/TV/Radio: 5 p.m. ET on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

• Cole Custer is going home. The Ladera Ranch, California, native is looking his third NASCAR Xfinity Series win in a row at Auto Club Speedway Fontana, California, during Saturday’s Production Alliance Group 300. He was victorious in his previous two Xfinity Series outings on the 2-mile oval in 2019 and 2022. In 2019, he qualified his No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) Ford third, then beat runner-up Kyle Busch by 1.927 seconds, leading 29 laps along the way. Last year, Custer piloted in the No. 07 Ford Mustang for SS GreenLight Racing to the victory by a .565-of-a-second margin over runner-up Noah Gragson.

• Returning to Custer’s No. 00 SHR Mustang this weekend is Production Alliance Group (PAG). Tustin, California-based PAG is a premium live-event and creative development company. Its creative works can been seen at concerts, award shows, sporting events, and corporate events. From the lights to the sound and everything in-between, PAG is the creativity and execution behind it all. Coincidentally, it was in victory lane after the 2019 Xfinity Series race that the PAG-SHR relationship began. Custer first met company president and CEO Dale Sahlin. The two kept in touch, and PAG ultimately decided to increase its presence within NASCAR via SHR’s Xfinity Series program.

• The Production Alliance Group 300 will be Custer’s fifth Xfinity Series start at Fontana and his seventh overall. He has two NASCAR Cup Series starts at the track. Prior to his back-to-back wins in the Xfinity Series, Custer had a sixth-place finish in the March 2018 race after an accident ended his Fontana Xfinity Series debut in 2017. He’s got his eye on victory lane once again after a strong ninth-place outing in last Saturday’s season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

• On Friday night at Fontana, Custer will participate in the track’s annual Pedal Party. The event kicks off the race weekend with a bike ride around the track, during which fans get a chance to take their wheels onto the asphalt joined by drivers. Custer will ride on the Burgeon’s Heating & A/C party trailer that will roam the infield to signal the beginning of the bike ride and the race weekend. The party starts at 5 p.m. PT.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

• Riley Herbst will be a newly minted 24-year-old when he rolls into Auto Club Speedway for Saturday’s Production Alliance Group 300. His birthday is Friday (Feb. 24) and he’s hoping to celebrate by parking his No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for SHR in victory lane. Last Saturday, Herbst picked up right where he left off in 2022 by scoring a sixth-place finish in the season opener at Daytona, where the No. 98 team showcased its speed and fortitude by running in the top-three for a majority of the race. It was the first race with Herbst’s new teammate, the ninth-place-finishing Custer.

• Herbst also made his first NASCAR Cup Series start in last Sunday’s Daytona 500, driving the No. 15 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing. While the Las Vegas native struggled in the initial laps, he rebounded by avoiding mayhem on his way to a 10th-place finish, his second of the weekend. Herbst became only the second driver in NASCAR history to record a top-10 in his Cup Series debut in the Daytona 500, joining Terry Ryan, who made his debut in the 1976 edition of The Great American Race and finished sixth. He is also the fourth driver in NASCAR history to score a top-10 in his first career start in the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series.

• Herbst’s strong run at Daytona sets the stage for his arrival at one of his stronger tracks. Fontana is the site of his career-best Xfinity Series finish of second, earned in his first start at the track in 2020. He equaled that result a little less than five months later with another runner-up finish at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta. Herbst’s next Xfinity Series outing at Fontana also resulted in a top-10 finish. After a one-year hiatus in 2021, the series returned to the track for last year’s race, which he finished ninth.

• Monster Energy has supported Herbst throughout a majority of his career and continues its support of him in the No. 98 Ford Mustang. Fontana will be a hometown race for the brand as its headquarters are located in Corona, California. On Friday, Herbst will visit the facility to meet and thank employees for their support of his career. Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, the company supports the scene and sport. Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports partnerships, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 00 Production Alliance Group Ford Mustang

You’re returning to Fontana, where you’ve won in your past two Xfinity Series starts. What is it about the track that appeals to your driving style?

“I love Fontana. It’s probably my favorite racetrack on the circuit. It’s a great track because you’re moving around so much, slipping and sliding, and there are so many different racing lines you can use depending on what your car wants. We’ve won there in the Xfinity Series twice and it’s where we first met our sponsors from PAG, so that was all very cool. I’d love to bring them another win there this weekend.”

After a strong outing last weekend at Daytona that ended in a top-10 finish, what are your expectations for the No. 00 team this season?

“I think some people could look at it and assume that I’m thinking, ‘Poor me, I’ve gone back to the Xfinity Series.’ For me, there’s not really any ‘poor me’ in it. I’m excited to go out and compete for wins. There’s always some emotion but, at the end of the day, once you really think about it, I’m excited about the thought of going to win races in the Xfinity Series this season. It’s no secret that we want to go out and win races and compete for a championship. If we’re not, it’s a disappointment. We can talk as much as we want about it, but now we have to go and do it.”

Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang

Back to Fontana – you scored top-10 finishes in your previous two visits to the track with the Xfinity Series. Talk about your expectations for the weekend.

“I’m excited to go back to Fontana. It’s one of my favorite tracks. I think we have shown that we have the speed to compete, so now we just need to perform. We have a secret weapon with Cole Custer on our team. He’s really good there and I’m hoping to learn from him as we go through the weekend. The goal is to put an SHR car in victory lane and I’m hoping we can turn that second from 2020 to a first this weekend. It would mean the world to get a win in Monster’s hometown.”

One race into this NASCAR Xfinity Series season, how competitive do you think the series is this year?

“The Xfinity Series is as competitive as it’s ever been in its history. In 2023, we have a lot of good drivers in the series and that makes it more special when you do well and win races. There are also a lot of drivers from last year that have moved up to Cup and it’s a new playing field. I think you saw it last week at Daytona, but people seem to be more patient and willing to work together. I’m excited to race this group of drivers and, hopefully, we can make it to victory lane.”

Toyota Racing – Weekly Preview – 02.22.23

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: February 20-27, 2023

· NCS/NXS: Auto Club Speedway – February 25-26

PLANO, Texas (February 22, 2023) – After opening the 2023 season at Daytona International Speedway last weekend, NASCAR heads back to California for the final races on the two-mile Auto Club Speedway circuit.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS

Bell plans to continue strong start… Christopher Bell had a strong start for the 2023 season with a runner-up finish in Thursday’s Duel before a third-place result in the Daytona 500 on Sunday. Bell comes into California looking for his first top-five finish in the NASCAR Cup Series at Auto Club Speedway. He earned a strong third-place result in Xfinity Series action in 2019.

Truex desires second Fontana triumph… Martin Truex Jr. battled through crash damage to finish in the top-15 in the Daytona 500, but the former Cup Series champion is looking for much more at Auto Club Speedway this weekend. He won in dominating fashion at Fontana in 2018 by leading 125 of 200 laps and has scored three top-10 finishes in the last five races at the track.

Hamlin looking for first Auto Club victory… In the final race on Auto Club Speedway’s two-mile circuit, 48-time Cup victor Denny Hamlin is looking to add the track to his Cup Series success. Hamlin has had multiple strong runs at the track, but is looking for his first victory. He has scored multiple top-five finishes, including a track-best third in 2008 and 2016.

Reddick going for two… Tyler Reddick will be back behind the wheel of his No. 45 Toyota Camry TRD on Sunday. Reddick will also compete in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) aboard a Toyota GR Supra for the first time as he races the No. 24 GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing (SHR). The two-time NXS champion has made two starts at Auto Club Speedway – with top-10 finishes in both. Reddick will make several NXS starts for SHR this season – including next weekend at Las Vegas – before Connor Mosack makes his first of 20 scheduled starts in Phoenix.

Nemechek looks to continue strong start… John Hunter Nemechek missed starting the NXS season with a win by mere inches on Saturday in Daytona and is looking for more success this weekend. The North Carolina-native sits third in the point standings after the season-opener and is looking for his first Fontana win this weekend.

Stay Connected

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About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 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 more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 20 electrified options, with more in showrooms later this year.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

HaasTooling.com Racing: Ryan Preece Fontana Advance

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Official Release
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RYAN PREECE
Fontana Advance
No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Pala Casino 400 (Round 2 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Feb. 26
● Location: Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California
● Layout: 2-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 200 laps / 400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 65 laps / Stage 2: 65 laps / Final Stage: 70 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Ryan Preece opened the 2023 points-paying season with a strong showing in Sunday’s 65th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Preece and the No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) qualified 20th and had the best 10-consecutive-lap average in final practice. He finished second in Stage 1 and was running up front for a majority of the second stage until he was caught up in a multicar incident in Turn 2 on Lap 183. Preece was unable to return to the race and finished 36th. Of note, Preece had the fastest lap of the race at 196.468 mph.

● Sunday’s Pala Casino 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, will be Preece’s third Cup Series start at the 2-mile oval. His first came in 2019, when he started 26th and finished 23rd. He second was in 2020, when he started 20th and finished 30th. He has three NASCAR Xfinity Series appearances at Fontana with a best finish of eighth in 2019.

● Returning to the SHR No. 41 Ford Mustang in 2023 is HaasTooling.com, the cutting tool division of Haas Automation led by team co-owner Gene Haas. HaasTooling.com was launched as a way for CNC machinists to purchase high-quality cutting tools at great prices. Haas cutting tools are sold exclusively online at HaasTooling.com and shipped directly to end users. HaasTooling.com products became available nationally in July 2020. Haas Automation, founded in 1983, is America’s leading builder of CNC machine tools. The company manufactures a complete line of vertical and horizontal machining centers, turning centers, rotaries and indexers, and automation solutions.

Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

You had a strong showing at Daytona despite the unfortunate finish. What can you take from that and use moving forward?

“Track position is everything at Daytona, we learned that after qualifying and the Duel. It wasn’t the result we had hoped for and worked for, but I just want to focus on the fact that we had such a fast HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang. This opportunity is exactly what I wanted, so it’s unfortunate because I felt like we were going to put ourselves in position to give ourselves the chance to be in contention and win the race, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Hopefully, we keep unloading fast Ford Mustangs like we did this weekend, and we’ll have some fun. I’m looking forward to getting to Fontana and really getting this season started.”

You’re heading to a track with a completely different configuration than what you experienced in the first two races of the season. What are your expectations for this weekend’s race at Fontana?

“Yeah, we’ve gone to two completely different racetracks so far and we’ve had speed at both of them, so I know this weekend is completely different and more of a baseline track that most teams are looking at to see the speed. I feel confident going into it that we’re going to unload fast. Hopefully, we consistently have speed all weekend and start continuing to lay the foundation that we have with our team.”

How is your chemistry with the team?

“The communication is there. It’s really easy to work with Chad (Johnston, crew chief) and our entire group so far. It’s as if we’ve been working together for over a year. Outside of just my race team, whether it’s the fabrication shop, paint shop, the floor guys or parts room, they see me around. I feel like I already earned their respect. I’m there pretty much every day, and they see it. I’m right there with them. I already feel comfortable there, and with the foundation we’ve built. It’s just continuing to build the house and going through the steps. I’m certainly excited going forward and very eager to see how we are off the truck, and really where we’re going to be moving forward.”

No. 41 HaasTooling.com Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Ryan Preece
Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Crew Chief: Chad Johnston
Hometown: Cayuga, Indiana

Car Chief: Tony Cardamone
Hometown: Bristol, Virginia

Engineer: Lee Deese
Hometown: Rockingham, North Carolina

Engineer: Scott Bingham
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Spotter: Andy Houston
Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Devin Lester
Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Rear Tire Changer: Kevin Teaf
Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons
Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Kapil Fletcher
Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Fuel Man: Dwayne Moore
Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Joe Zanolini
Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Underneath & Interior Mechanic: Clint Leatherwood
Hometown: Rockmart, Georgia

Shock Specialist: Aaron Kuehn
Hometown: Kensington, Connecticut

Tire Specialist: Matt Ridgway
Hometown: Carrollton, Georgia

Engine Tuner: Jimmy Fife
Hometown: Orange County, California

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues
Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer
Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

JR Motorsports — NXS Fontana Preview

By
Official Release
-

JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
TRACK: Auto Club Speedway
RACE: Production Alliance Group 300 (150 laps / 300 miles)
DATE: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023

Broadcast Information – TV: 5 p.m. ET on FS1 / Radio: 4:30 p.m. ET on MRN and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Sam Mayer
No. 1 Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet
• Sam Mayer heads to Fontana for only his second start at Auto Club Speedway. He earned a sixth-place finish last year in his inaugural run at the 2-mile oval.
• The young driver is coming off a thriving run at Daytona International Speedway where he made a late move for the lead but ended up in a multi-car incident, relegating him to a 27th-place finish in the season-opener.
• In 23 starts on tracks measuring between 1-2 miles in the NXS, the Franklin, Wis. native has recorded six top fives, 11 top 10s and has led 45 laps, the second most of any size track.

Josh Berry
No. 8 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats & ATVs Chevrolet
• Josh Berry will make his second career start at Auto Club on Saturday. In his only other start on the 2-mile oval, Berry finished fourth last season.
• On 2-mile tracks in his NXS career, Berry has three total starts (two at Michigan and one at Auto Club). In those three events, Berry earned a pair of fourth-place results and one sixth-place effort for an average finish of 4.7.
• In his first start in the No. 8 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats & ATVs Chevrolet, Berry was vying for the victory at Daytona before running out of fuel in the late going. He finished 26th after leading 17 laps.

Brandon Jones
No. 9 Menards / Patriot Lighting Chevrolet
• Brandon Jones has made six starts at the 2-mile California oval with a best finish of seventh during the 2019 season.
• The 26-year-old Georgian started third and led three laps in this race last season before being involved in a multi-car incident on lap 155, which handed him a 33rd-place finish.
• On NASCAR’s 2-mile ovals at Auto Club and Michigan, Jones has recorded two top fives and seven top 10s.
• Jones was solidly inside the top five last week at Daytona before going for a spin down the backstretch with two laps remaining. The No. 9 battled back to a 14th-place finish in the season-opening race.

Justin Allgaier
No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet
• Justin Allgaier’s third-place finish last weekend at Daytona
was the 100th top-five of his JRM career dating back to 2016.
• In 13 NXS starts at Fontana, the driver of the BRANDT
Professional Agriculture Chevrolet has scored a best finish of
second, coming in this event in 2018.
• To accompany the runner-up result, Allgaier has amassed seven top 10s, including in five of the last six races at the Southern California oval.
• In his NXS career on tracks 2 miles or larger, the Illinois native has recorded one win (Indianapolis – 2018), 21 top fives and 40 top 10s in 78 career starts.

Driver Quotes

“I have really been looking forward to getting back to Auto Club. We had a super fast Chevrolet there last year that allowed us to run up front and ended with a sixth-place finish. Coming off of Daytona, Mardy (Lindley, crew chief)and the No. 1 team gave me an awesome race car and we were really shooting for the win. Unfortunately, landing on our lid on the final lap was not in our plans but we’re learning from it and ready to get to California. “ – Sam Mayer

“Fontana is such a fun track to race on. With its worn out surface and multi-grooves, you can really race anywhere around the track. I can’t wait to get there this weekend and see what we can do with our BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet. Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and all the guys on this No. 7 team have done a great job to start the year. We’re sure to have the same speed we showed last week in Daytona when we hit the track Saturday morning.” – Justin Allgaier

“We had a really fast Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats & ATVs Chevrolet last week at Daytona and I’ve been pretty comfortable at 2-mile tracks, so I’m ready to see how we do at Auto Club this weekend. We had a real shot at winning Daytona, and Taylor (Moyer, crew chief) and our No. 8 team are prepped and ready to get it done this weekend in California.” – Josh Berry

“We had a lot of speed last week at Daytona, which gives this Menards/Patriot Lighting team confidence as we head to Auto Club. JR Motorsports was fast here last year and I’ve had speed here in the past, so hopefully, we can get momentum moving our way and be battling for the win at the end of the race.” – Brandon Jones

JRM Team Updates:

• JR Motorsports at Auto Club: JR Motorsports has competed at Auto Club Speedway a combined 49 times in the NXS. Over the course of these 49 starts at the 2-mile facility, JRM has tallied one win, 11 top fives and 29 top 10s. JRM’s only win came during the 2015 season when Kevin Harvick drove the No. 88 to Victory Lane.
• Bass Pro Shops CLUB Card: Earn two percent back in CLUB Points on Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s purchases and at participating Cenex locations. Earn one percent back everywhere else Mastercard is accepted. You can earn unlimited CLUB Points that never expire for open accounts. Redeem points for merchandise at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s or at Bass Pro Shops restaurants and resorts through the mobile app. Apply now.
• Souvenir Rig: All four JRM drivers will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports/LEGACY M.C. souvenir rig on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. local time

RISI COMPETIZIONE ANNOUNCES 12 HOURS OF SEBRING DRIVER LINE-UP FOR 2023

By
Official Release
-

Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 No. 62:
Davide Rigon (ITA)
Daniel Serra (BRA)
Gabriel Casagrande (BRA)

Houston, Texas (February 22, 2023) … Risi Competizione will be competing at the 71st annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring race in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship on March 18. As previously announced, the Houston, Texas-based Ferrari team is working to defend its 2022 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) Championship this season with Ferrari Competizioni GT official drivers Davide Rigon and Daniel Serra.

The new driver being announced for the team at Sebring is Brazilian Gabriel Casagrande. The 28-year-old native of Francisco Beltrão regularly competes in the hugely popular Brazilian Stock Car Pro Series, where he won the championship title in 2021. Prior to entering the Stock Car series, Casagrande competed in Formula 3 and Formula Renault. He’s also raced in the Porsche Cup Brazil and GT Sprint Race Brazil. Casagrande is looking forward to getting his first chance to drive the Ferrari 296 GT3 with Risi Competizione.

Risi Competizione driver, Gabriel Casagrande
“The team will be back at Sebring this year as we race to defend the Michelin Endurance Cup in the GTD Pro class with Davide and Daniel,” said Giuseppe Risi, Team Principal. “We’ve added a young Brazilian driver, Gabriel Casagrande, to drive alongside them. Again, this year will be a double weekend with WEC (World Endurance Championship) and we’re looking forward to getting back to a special track that we have some good memories and victories since our first year racing in 1998.”

The American Ferrari team competed in January at the Rolex 24 At Daytona with the new Ferrari 296 GT3 in its inaugural race but unfortunately suffered a rare DNF when they withdrew after the halfway point due to floorboard damage following an incident.

Last year the No. 62 Risi Competizione team finished ninth in class at the 12 Hours of Sebring with Rigon, Serra and Italian Eddie Cheever III driving the Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020. Serra captured the pole in the GTD Pro class at the 3.74-mile, 17-turn central Florida road course in its 70th annual race.

For more information, please go to www.risicompetizione.com and follow us on Facebook/RisiCompetizione, Twitter @RisiComp and Instagram @RisiComp.

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