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Kaulig Racing Weekly Advance | Auto Club Speedway

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Official Release
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Pala Casino 400
Auto Club Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Sunday, February 26 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX

  • Kaulig Racing has made two starts at Auto Club Speedway in the NCS, both in 2022 with Justin Haley and Daniel Hemric
  • Hemric currently holds the best finish at Auto Club Speedway for the team, after earning a top-10 finish in the 2022 Wise Power 400

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

  • Sunday will be AJ Allmendinger’s first start with Kaulig Racing at Auto Club Speedway in the NCS
  • In Allmendinger’s only NXS start at Auto Club Speedway with Kaulig Racing in 2022, he earned the team’s first pole award at the track and recorded a seventh-place finish

“Auto Club is a fun race track that always allows a lot of passing. It’s the last race there on this configuration; it’s very bumpy and very line-sensitive at times, but it’s also a race track that when you’re hooked up, it can be a lot of fun to drive. I felt like the cars last year in the Cup race were really quick. Hopefully we can unload, be really fast, and I can get comfortable with the race track really quickly and try to carry the momentum that we have from last week.” – AJ Allmendinger on Auto Club Speedway

Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro ZL1

  • Justin Haley made his first start at Auto Club Speedway in the NCS in 2022 with Kaulig Racing, where he finished 23rd.
  • Haley and Kaulig Racing had previous success together at Auto Club Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS), when Haley earned one top five and a top-10 finish in two starts with the team

“Auto Club is a track we actually kind of struggled at last year, as well as the other two-mile racetracks. We have definitely put some time into figuring out what we need arrow-wise to be faster, so I feel like we got a good grasp of it going into the weekend. Multi-groove racetracks are extremely fun to race on and have a lot of character to them, so this a fun one I’m looking forward to.” – Justin Haley on

Auto Club Speedway  
Production Alliance Group 300
Auto Club Speedway
NASCAR Xfinity (NXS)
Saturday, February 25 at 5:00 p.m. ET on FS1

  • Kaulig Racing has made nine starts in the NXS at Auto Club Speedway
  • The team has recorded one pole award, one top five and four top-10 finishes at Auto Club Speedway

Austin Dillon, No. 10 LA Golf Chevrolet

  • Austin Dillon has made six starts at Auto Club Speedway in the NXS
  • Out of those six starts, Dillon recorded one win and five top-five finishes
  • The Production Alliance Group 300 will mark Dillon’s sixth start with Kaulig Racing in the NXS since 2018

“Auto Club Speedway is one of my favorite tracks, and I’ve been successful there before in the NASCAR Xfinity Series so I can’t wait to get there this weekend with Kaulig Racing. Those guys have such a strong program. It’s a bigger track, and the bigger tracks suit me well because you can really move around and find speed. Restarts are going to be very important. You have to have speed at the beginning of a run and then hold it for a long run. If you can’t take off you get beat on the restarts and if you can’t hold on they’re going to lap you at the end of a run. You have to have a good balance between the short and the long run. If you can do that, you’ll be pretty good.” – Austin Dillon on Auto Club Speedway

Daniel Hemric, No. 11 Poppy Bank Chevrolet

  • Daniel Hemric has made four starts at Auto Club Speedway in the NXS
  • Out of those four starts, Hemric has led 20 laps, recorded one top five, two top-10 finishes, and has an average start of fourth and average finish of 8.8

“I’m proud of everyone at Kaulig Racing and their efforts to kick the West Coast swing off. I’m excited to go to a track that everyone loves and enjoys visiting. With this being the final time that we race on the two-mile configuration at Auto Club, we are going there treating it like it could be the last time we walk out of there. The possibility of winning would be ideal, and that’s just what everyone on the No.11 Poppy Bank Chevrolet is trying to do. I’m looking forward to that chance.” – Daniel Hemric on Auto Club Speedway

Chandler Smith, No. 16 Quick Tie Chevrolet

  • Smith has no prior experience at Auto Club Speedway.
  • Smith will make his first NXS start at Auto Club Speedway in the Production Alliance Group 300

“I’ve never raced at Auto Club Speedway before, so this will be a new experience altogether for me. I’m looking forward to taking the Quick Tie Chevy Camaro away from the superspeedway and to a track that relies on more throttle control and driver input. Hopefully, we will build off our 12th-place finish at Daytona and grab our first top-ten of the season.” – Chandler Smith on Auto Club Speedway  
 
About Kaulig Racing™

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

Reser’s Fine Foods Racing: Martin Truex Jr. Pala Casino 400 Advance

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Official Release
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Martin Truex Jr.
Pala Casino 400 Advance
No. 19 Reser’s Fine Foods Toyota Camry TRD for Joe Gibbs Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Pala Casino 400 (Race 2 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 26
● Location: Fontana, California
● Layout: 2-mile oval
● Format: 200 laps, 400 miles
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Truex and the No. 19 team for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) set the tone for the season right out of the gate by winning the 150-lap feature in the non-points Clash at the Coliseum on Feb. 5. Truex won his heat race, then went on to lead the final 25 laps of the feature en route to a victory that gave him and the team much-needed momentum heading into the 2023 season. He’s hoping a trip back to Southern California can net his first points-paying win of the year.

● Reser’s Fine Foods is back as primary sponsor on the No. 19 Toyota this weekend in Fontana. This is Reser’s 11th season as a partner with JGR and 3rd season with Truex. Reser’s is the leading provider of fresh refrigerated deli salads, sides, and prepared foods. Family owned and operated, Reser’s has been a proud sponsor of good times at racetracks, picnics, BBQs, and affordable family meals since 1950. Reser’s family of brands include Reser’s American Classics, Main St Bistro, Stonemill Kitchens, and more. With more than 4,500 employees, Reser’s operates 14 facilities in the US, Mexico, and Canada and actively supports the communities it serves. Visit resers.com to learn more.

● Truex has one win, two top-five finishes and seven top-10s and has led a total of 236 laps in 21 career Cup Series starts at Fontana. Truex’s average Fontana finish is 17.2.

● Truex notched his lone Fontana victory back in 2018 when he qualified on the pole and went on to lead a race-high 125 laps en route to his win on the 2-mile oval.

● While he doesn’t like to play favorites, Truex certainly excels at tracks with worn-out surfaces, where driver skill is key to managing the tires and the racecar over the course of a long race. At three such tracks, Auto Club Speedway, Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, and Homestead-Miami Speedway, Truex has notched four wins, 13 top-five finishes, and 29 top-10s and has led 1,382 laps.

● With his 15th-place finish in the Daytona 500, Truex heads to Fontana 10th in the standings, 20 points from the lead, as the Cup Series continues its stretch of 17 consecutive race weekends without a break in the schedule.

Martin Truex Jr., Driver of the No. 19 Reser’s Fine Foods Toyota Camry TRD

Having won at Fontana, does it make it bittersweet that the track in its current configuration might be going away?

“It does. I love the racetrack, it’s one of my favorites and I’m not one to pick favorites. It will be a bit bittersweet going out there for the last time with the 2-mile oval. I’m going to miss it and hopefully we have a good last showing out there, it’s been good for us. All I’m going to do is go out there a think about how we can win and have a great weekend with our Reser’s Fine Foods Toyota. Reser’s is the sponsor of our team and of good times, so I can’t think of a better time than winning, and that’s what we will work toward this weekend.”

With the pavement so worn at Fontana, what are the challenges to get your car where it needs to be for 400 miles there?

“For starters, you want to be able to race in between the seams. If you don’t hit that right, you lose a ton of grip and a ton of traction. If you don’t hit that right, it can really change how your car drives. Between the bumps and the tire wear, there are a lot of challenges. You start the run, you feel like superman and you have a ton of grip and the car is really hooked up into the track. After 10 laps, then 15 laps, then 20 laps, it just gets worse and worse and you are sliding around a lot and wearing the tires out. There’s a real balance there of having a car that well balanced but you have to make sure the car can take off on short runs and restarts, but also in the long run with the tires because the thing is sliding all over the place and running against the wall and moving lanes around. It’s just a fun track to be able to do that.”

Where the most challenging part of Fontana to get figured out in order to be successful there?

“Turn two is probably the toughest part of the track because it’s the tightest radius. The exit of the corner is a lot tighter than the exit of turn four and down the front straightaway. There’s also less banking off of turn two, as well. That’s definitely the trouble spot and the most challenging place to get your car working well at Fontana.”

Was it a huge relief to get the monkey off your back by getting the win in the Clash?

“Yeah, absolutely. I think points or whatever, it’s a big deal. Winning in the Cup Series is a big deal. It’s a big win. Going winless last year and then to be able to go out and do that, it’s huge for us, it’s huge for me. I feel so good about our team and what we’re doing and what we can do. We showed that last year at times but not consistently enough, and then we did have some heartbreakers that were disappointing. Hopefully this year we’ll have a little better luck and we’ll be able to take care of a lot more things ourselves. Now that we have Daytona behind us and getting to some of these tracks where things are a lot more in our control, it’s exciting, for sure.”

How difficult was last season on you?

“It was tough, we never gave up. We worked hard and had a lot of headwinds, a lot of things working against us. At the end of the day, we didn’t win and we needed to win, so missing the playoffs by three points and just all these things that happened. We were right there. We could have turned the season around by just one of those things going right. We were fourth in points at the end of the regular season and we didn’t make the playoffs. It’s crazy to think about it. That’s the way the season played out, and we had to have one of the little things turn our way and they never did. This year we’re just going to work hard. I’ve never seen a team more determined. We’re fired up for the year and going out and winning the Clash showed us that we’re doing the right stuff and we’re going to be fine.”

No. 19 Reser’s Fine Foods Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Martin Truex Jr.
Hometown: Mayetta, New Jersey

Crew Chief: James Small
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Car Chief: Chris Jones
Hometown: Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Engineer: Nick Burton
Hometown: Arvada, California

Engineer: Jeff CurtisHometown: Fairfax Station, Virginia

Spotter: Drew Herring
Hometown: Benson, North Carolina

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Ryan Martin
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Virgina

Mechanic: Todd Carmichael
Hometown: Redding, California

Interior/Tire Specialist: Tommy DiBlasi
Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Engine Tuner: Gregg Huls
Hometown: Beatrice, Nebraska

Transporter Driver: Kyle Bazzell
Hometown: Fairbury, Illinois

Transporter Driver: Eddie DeGroot
Hometown: Baldwinsville, New York

Over-The-Wall Crew Members

Gas Man: Matt Tyrrell
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Jackman: Kellen Mills
Hometown: Mesa, Arizona

Tire Carrier: CJ Bailey
Hometown: Outer Banks, North Carolina

Front Tire Changer: Lee Cunningham
Hometown: Leaf River, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Danny Olszowy
Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky

Tree Top® Partners with 2023 DAYTONA 500 CHAMPION
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and the Kroger Racing Team for First Time

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Official Release
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Fresh off winning the iconic Daytona 500, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. showcases Tree Top on the No. 47 car in the Pala Casino 400 on Sunday.

SELAH, Wash. (February 22, 2023) – Following his thrilling victory at the Daytona 500, 2023 DAYTONA 500 CHAMPION Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will race the No. 47 Ralphs/Tree Top® Camaro ZL1 at the Pala Casino 400 on Sunday, Feb. 26, at Auto Club Speedway. Tree Top will be featured as the primary sponsor of Stenhouse Jr.’s car when the 200-lap event returns to the two-mile, D-shaped oval in Fontana, California.

“All of us at Tree Top are incredibly excited to be a part of the Kroger Racing team,” said Brad Olsen, vice president of marketing, Tree Top. “We kicked off the season with a huge win at the Daytona 500. Now, we’re looking forward to more great things ahead, starting this weekend at the Pala Casino 400 in Fontana where Tree Top will have great visibility on Ricky’s No. 47 car.”

Headquartered in Selah, Washington, Tree Top is a farmer-owned leading producer of high-quality, simple-ingredient fruit-based products, including apple juices and sauces. As part of the brand’s partnership with the Kroger Racing team for the 2023 season, Tree Top’s apple sauce and apple juice will be displayed on the No. 47 Camaro ZL1.

“It’s been fun promoting our partners and our team after winning the Daytona 500,” said the 2023 DAYTONA 500 CHAMPION Ricky Stenhouse Jr. “We’re looking forward to Auto Club Speedway and having Tree Top on our race car. We finished in the top 10 there last year, and it will be great to help spread the word about Tree Top’s sauces and juices at Auto Club and all season long. We want to keep the momentum going with Tree Top after our big win in the No. 47 Kroger®/Cottonelle® Camaro at Daytona together.”

Live coverage of the Pala Casino 400 at the Auto Club Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 26, begins at 12:30 p.m. PT (3:30 p.m. ET) and airs on FOX, MRN Radio Network and SiriusXM Satellite NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

About Tree Top: Tree Top is a farmer-owned cooperative owned by nearly 1,000 apple and pear growers. The cooperative was founded in 1960 in the heart of Washington’s apple country. Tree Top has led the way in premium-quality juices and apple sauce. With their fruit expertise and trusted sources of fruit, they now produce the widest array of fruit-based products and solutions for consumers and for most of the world’s leading food and beverage manufacturers.

Tree Top operates seven production facilities near the fruit in Washington, Oregon and California to create healthful fruit products made from simple ingredients to the delight of consumers around the world. To learn more, please visit TreeTop.com.

Tree Top operates seven production facilities near the fruit in Washington, Oregon and California to create healthful fruit products made from simple ingredients to the delight of consumers around the world. To learn more, please visit TreeTop.com.

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.

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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.

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