Home Blog Page 1612

PELLA WINDOW & DOOR OF GEORGIA TO BE THE PRIMARY SPONSOR OF RYAN ELLIS & THE NO.43 CHEVY IN ATLANTA

By
Official Release
-

Alpha Prime Racing is proud to announce today that Pella Window & Door of Georgia will be the primary sponsor for Ryan Ellis and the No.43 Chevrolet at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 18th. This will be Pella Window & Door of Georgia’s first race as a sponsor in NASCAR as they make their debut at the fast 1.5 mile oval located just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

The race at Atlanta Motor Speedway will mark Ellis’ fifth race of the 2023 season and his first race at the new format of Atlanta Motor Speedway.

When Ellis announced his 24-race schedule on December 20th, 2022, Atlanta was not on that initial slate of races. Brian Robbins, President & Owner of Pella Window & Door of Georgia, joined the team to keep Ellis in the No.43 Chevy. This sponsorships solidified Ellis’ position in the No.43 seat through June, keeping his hopes alive to compete in his first ever full-time NASCAR season.

Pella Window & Door of Georgia is a local and family owned business that sells, installs and services Pella Products that are backed by Pella Corporation with some of the best warranties in the industry. Pella Window & Door of Georgia offers support for Residential Replacement, Remodel and New Construction as well as Commercial projects servicing the majority of the State of Georgia. Stop by one of our showrooms to see and operate a variety of energy-efficient windows and patio doors in full scale, including beautiful wood-clad, low-maintenance vinyl, and durable fiberglass products as well as entry doors.

Visit a Pella Window and Door Showroom today, or schedule a free in-home consultation and see how Pella can help turn your vision into a reality.

“My family and I have been life-long Nascar fans, so to get this opportunity to be a part of the team with Ryan Ellis and Alpha Prime Racing as they chase an Xfinity Series Championship is exciting. Ryan and I share a similar career story of perseverance, hard work, and dedication to achieve our dreams, so supporting Ryan and this race team was an easy choice.” said Brian Robbins, President & Owner of Pella Window & Door of Georgia.

“I’m so thankful for the partnership with Pella Window & Door of Georgia. I’ve gotten to know Brian a bit over the last few months as we’ve talked about doing this race together and it seems like we both have a very similar story. We’ve both been working our whole lives to build our businesses – his, obviously with Pella and seeing the growth within that organization to be where he’s at today is phenomenal. I always love partnering with hard-working folks like him and I hope we can bring him a ton of new customers and a great finish on Saturday” said Ellis, driver of the No.43 Pella Window & Door of Georgia Chevy.

Ellis continued, “I’m really looking forward to trying this new Atlanta format. It looks like nothing I have ever raced before and from speaking with some other drivers, we’re not really sure what to expect as 2022 had two very different races in the two Atlanta dates. Brian and Pella Window & Door of Georgia stepped in and is a huge part of the reason I still have a lot of hope and faith in our ability to put a full-time season together with the No.43 team and Alpha Prime Racing.”

“This partnership with Pella Window & Door of Georgia is exciting for many reasons but what excites me the most is the positive impact it has on Ryan’s pursuit of racing full-time this season,” said David Schildhouse, Vice President of Alpha Prime Racing. “Brian and his team stepped up in a big way to bridge an early gap in Ryan’s schedule. I believe that a show of support like that will be a source of inspiration for Ryan as he takes on Atlanta, a racetrack we view as an excellent opportunity for success.”

About Pella Window & Door of GA:
Pella Window & Door of Georgia is a local and family owned business that sells, installs and services Pella Products that are backed Pella Corporation with some of the best warranties in the industry. Pella Window & Door of Georgia offers support for Residential Replacement, Remodel and New Construction as well as Commercial projects servicing the majority of the State of Georgia. Stop by one of our showrooms to see and operate a variety of energy-efficient windows and patio doors in full scale, including beautiful wood- clad, low-maintenance vinyl, and durable fiberglass products as well as entry doors.

Visit a Pella Window and Door Showroom today, or schedule a free in-home consultation and see how Pella can help turn your vision into a reality.

About Alpha Prime Racing
Alpha Prime Racing is a NASCAR Xfinity Series team co-owned by NASCAR driver Tommy Joe Martins and Alpha Prime Sports Founder and CEO Caesar Bacarella. The team was originally founded in 2009 under the name Martins Racing and has since grown into a three-car Chevrolet team, adding the No. 43 Chevrolet in 2023, primarily piloted by Ryan Ellis

Zariz Transport Going Truckin’ with Kyle Busch

By
Official Release
-

Intermodal drayage specialist signs multi-year deal to adorn No. 51 Silverado

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 7, 2023) – Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) announced today that Zariz Transport, a fast growing intermodal drayage company specializing in transporting containers from the ports, has signed a multi-year deal to be the primary sponsor on owner-driver Kyle Busch’s No. 51 Chevrolet Silverado for all five of his races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series beginning in 2023. In addition to Busch’s five-race schedule, the Florida-based company will serve as an associate sponsor for the 18 remaining races for the No. 51 team and has reached a multi-year renewal to be the presenting sponsor of The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund annual gala.

Busch will make his 2023 Craftsman Truck Series debut March 3 at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway and his five-race schedule will also include, Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Tex. on March 25, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on April 14, Kansas Speedway in Kansas City on May 6 and Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa. on July 22.

‘Rowdy’ is the winningest driver in Craftsman Truck series history with 62 career wins. He heads into 2023 with an active streak of winning at least one race in each of the last 10 Truck Series seasons (2013-2022), which is the longest streak in series history. The Las Vegas native has won 37.6% (62/165) of the Truck Series races he has entered in his career and has finished first or second in 56.7% (93/165). In addition to his Truck Series leading 62 wins, he also ranks first all-time among Truck Series drivers in driver rating (123.7), average finish (6.5) and is second in laps led (7,636).

“Through working with Kyle and Samantha as the title sponsors of their Bundle of Joy gala, we recognized that there was a business synergy between Zariz and KBM and that the opportunity to align ourselves with one of the most successful drivers in the history of NASCAR is going to be very beneficial to us as we continue to grow our company,” said Yaakov Guzelgul, Founder and CEO of Zariz. “We look forward to seeing our logo on the No. 51 in the coming years and hosting our employees and customers at the track to cheer on Kyle as he looks to add more wins to an already impressive resume.”

“I’m really excited to have Zariz as the primary sponsor on my No. 51 Silverado for my five races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the coming years,” Busch said. “Samantha and I were introduced to Zariz through our foundation and immediately developed a great connection with them and we are honored that not only have they committed to the Truck Series sponsorship for multiple years, but they’ll also continue being the presenting sponsor of our Bundle of Joy Fund gala. We feel that introducing them to NASCAR consumers and people within the industry on the national stage through the Craftsman Truck Series makes perfect sense given the nature of their business and I can’t wait to make them a part of KBM’s winning tradition.”

Busch is a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (2015 & 2019) and is tied for ninth on the all-time Cup Series wins list with 60. In addition to being the winningest driver in Truck Series history, Busch also holds the all-time wins record in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (102) and was that series’ champion in 2009. He is the all-time wins leader combined across NASCAR’s top three series with 224 and is the only driver in history to sweep all-three NASCAR touring series in the same weekend, doing it at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in 2010 and repeating the feat in 2017.

About Zariz Transport:

Our goal is to be a one stop shop for shipments of all complexities. In 2018 Zariz Transport Inc. was established with that goal as our purpose. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Zariz is here to solve the challenges our customers are facing on a daily basis. Our team services some of the largest importers into the Eastern seaboard of the United States. Our customers include Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller family-owned businesses.

About Kyle Busch Motorsports:

Since debuting in 2010, Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) has quickly established itself as one of the most successful teams in all of NASCAR. Owned by two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch and fueled by his passion for winning, the organization holds the Craftsman Truck Series records for most career wins (98) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).

KBM prepares a fleet of race-winning vehicles out of its state-of-the art 77,000-square-foot facility in Mooresville, N.C. Fans can stay up-to-date with all the latest KBM news online at www.KyleBuschMotorsports.com, by liking the team on Facebook (KBMteam) and by following the team on Instagram (KBMteam), and Twitter (@KBMteam).

PANINI AMERICA HEADLINES GRAY GAULDING’S RETURN TO XFINITY SERIES WITH SS GREENLIGHT RACING AT DAYTONA

By
Official Release
-

Fort Worth, TX. (February 8, 2023) – Standout Management Group (SMG) and NASCAR driver Gray Gaulding are excited to announce today that they will be returning with primary sponsor Panini America, the Official Trading Card partner of NASCAR, and SS Greenlight Racing for multiple races throughout the 2023 race season. Gray will compete full time in the Xfinity Series starting on February 18th at Daytona International Speedway running in the Panini America #08 Chevrolet Camaro.

Gaulding and SS Greenlight Racing will return with the Panini America paint scheme that saw Gaulding take second place at Talladega in 2019. Gaulding also finished 6th at Bristol Motor Speedway later that season in a similar Panini America paint scheme that also highlighted Panini’s Donruss trading card brand and Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the hood. Mahomes would go on to win his first Super Bowl defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Panini America has several additional paint schemes it will plan to introduce during the season that will promote its Panini NFT Blockchain platform. Panini’s Blockchain platform allows sports fans to collect digital trading card NFTs in U.S. dollars across multiple sports and around Panini’s most popular trading card brands at www.paniniamerica.net/blockchain.

“When Gray reached out and shared with me that he was returning to SS Greenlight for the 2023 season, it seemed like a no-brainer to rekindle the magic we had previously in 2019 and 2020,” said Jason Howarth, Vice President of Marketing at Panini America. “After speaking with SS Greenlight owner Bobby Dotter about his plan for Gray, it only reinforced that we could attempt something special. We can’t wait for Daytona.”

Gaulding, who turns age 25 on Friday, returns to Xfinity full time with SS Greenlight after finishing 13th in the overall standings in 2019 and achieving 2 top-10 finishes in 6 starts in 2020 including a 2nd place finish at Daytona. Since 2014, Gaulding has a combined 147 starts across NASCAR’s top three series.

“I cannot express how grateful and pumped I am to be back at the track full time with our sponsor partner Panini America along with Bobby Dotter and all my guys at SS Greenlight. Jason and Bobby continue to believe in my ability as a brand ambassador and driver and I do not plan to let them down,” says Gaulding. “Since we started this journey together in 2019, I know that I am where I belong and could not ask for a better opportunity! I am confident that we will have an amazing season and will try our hardest to make the chase!”

“I’m really looking forward to rekindling our relationship this year and picking up where we left off in 2019” said team owner Bobby Dotter. “It feels like Gray was just making laps in my parking lot in Bandoleros and after partnering with Gray in 2019 and 2020, I think there are still some magical moments ahead in 2023.”

Several new sponsor partners will be announced prior to the Daytona race and throughout the upcoming season. Make sure to catch all the race action on FS1 starting at 5:00 PM Eastern Time Saturday, February 18th.

About Panini America
The Panini Group, established over 60 years ago in Modena, Italy, has subsidiaries throughout Europe, Latin America and the United States. Panini is the world leader in officially licensed collectibles and is the most significant publisher of collectibles in the U.S., with official licenses for NASCAR, NFL, NFLPA, NBA, NBPA, FIFA, UFC, WWE, College, Disney and other key properties from many other licensors. Panini is also the exclusive trading card and sticker partner of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Elite 11 and Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

Panini has distribution channels in more than 150 countries and employs a staff of over 1,200. For more information visit us at www.paniniamerica.net, www.paninigroup.com or
http://blog.paniniamerica.net/. You can also follow Panini America on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

About SS GreenLight Racing
As one of the most tenured teams in all of NASCAR, SS GreenLight Racing has been a development hub for drivers looking to climb the ranks. Led by owner Bobby Dotter, the team has fielded entries in either the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series or NASCAR Xfinity Series competition since 2001. Since entering the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2014, SS GreenLight Racing has made more than 350 starts. The Mooresville, NC based team has collected one win (Fontana 2022), eight top-fives, and 23 top-10 finishes in those starts. For more information, visit ssgreenlight.com.

About SMG
Standout Management Group is a sports and entertainment talent management and activation agency headquartered at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. SMG is considered as an “outside the box” agency that works with brand partners and celebrities to help brands “stand out” from the rest by leveraging motorsports, music and other professional sports platforms. Additionally, SMG uses advanced technology solutions and data capture methods to maximize activation results. For more information, visit www.standoutmg.com.

KRIS WRIGHT RETURNS TO YOUNG’S MOTORSPORTS

By
Official Release
-

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 8, 2023)—In anticipation of the NextEra Energy 250 at the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Kris Wright and Young’s Motorsports have announced a partnership for the 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) season.

The 28-year-old will pilot the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Young’s Motorsports in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2023. Wright returns for a second season at Young’s Motorsports. He made 16 starts with the organization during the 2021 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season.

“Everyone at Young’s Motorsports is thrilled to welcome Kris (Wright) back to the team for the 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season,” Tyler Young, team principal at Young’s Motorsports, said. “His contagious energy and positive attitude have certainly been missed.

“Without a doubt, the additional experience he has gained on the track over the past two seasons will certainly be an asset to our program as we look toward a competitive season. With hard work and perseverance, I know this can be a stellar season for Kris representing our flagship number and team in the Truck Series. Daytona is right around the corner!”

Wright enters his fourth season in NASCAR’s three top-tier series. He made his NASCAR debut on August 16, 2020, at the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway Road Course in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. He has collected 34 starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, and 16 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS).

In 2022, the Pittsburgh, Pa., -native competed in 17 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and nine NASCAR Xfinity Series events.

“I am really excited to get back in the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado RST for the 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series,” Wright said. “Young’s Motorsports has supported me throughout my NASCAR career. I am excited to have their support once again, under the Young’s Motorsports banner. Let’s get the 2023 season underway.”

F.N.B. Corporation will be returning to NASCAR with Wright for its fourth consecutive season and will be partnering with him throughout the season. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., F.N.B. Corporation will be the primary partner of the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado RST piloted by Wright for Young’s Motorsports at the Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 17.

Wright has two starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at the 2.5-mile tri-oval in Daytona Beach, Fla. He posted a career-best 12th place finish at the Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2021, with Young’s Motorsports. The result produced a career-best finish in the series for Wright. In three combined NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts on restrictor plate tracks (Daytona International Speedway and the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway), Wright has an average finish of 22.3.

The NextEra Energy 250 at the Daytona International Speedway will be broadcast live on FS1 on Friday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. (ET). It will also broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. For additional information, news, and the latest updates, please visit KrisWrightMotorsports.com or connect with Kris Wright on Facebook (/KrisWrightRacing), Twitter (@KrisOnNASCAR) or Instagram (@krisonnascar).

About F.N.B. Corporation
F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states and the District of Columbia. FNB’s market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; and Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina. The Company has total assets of approximately $42 billion and nearly 340 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, government banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing. The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services. FNB’s wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance.

The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FNB” and is included in Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index. Customers, shareholders and investors can learn more about this regional financial institution by visiting the F.N.B. Corporation website at www.fnbcorporation.com.

COLBY HOWARD INKS WITH CR7 MOTORSPORTS

By
Official Release
-

Howard to Compete Full-Time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for CR7 Motorsports

STATESVILLE, N.C. (February 7, 2023)—CR7 Motorsports, owned by Codie Rohrbaugh, will field a single-entry in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) with a new driver in its stable. Colby Howard has been named the full-time driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Silverado for the 2023 season.

Howard enters his second full-time season in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, and his fifth season in NASCAR’s top-tier series. In 2022, Howard had three top-10 finishes with an average finish of 19.4, including 10 laps led.

Howard made his series debut on November 8, 2019, at the Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway. In two seasons (2019, 2021) racing a part-time schedule in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Howard made five starts, including two top-15 place finishes. He entered three NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series events with CR7 Motorsports.

In 2021, he competed in 21 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) events, as well as 22 events in 2020. Howard has five starts (2018, 2019, 2022) in the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Menards Series, with four top-10 finishes.

The Simpsonville, S.C., -native has 46 career starts in NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series with four victories, 20 top-five and 39 top-10 finishes at the NASCAR Home Tracks of Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Speedway and Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway. Howard has also made three starts in the Champion Racing Association (CRA) Late Model Stock Tour.

Proving to be both versatile and adaptable behind the wheel, he has eight starts in the Southeast Limited Late Model Series with two wins and has also earned one win and three top-five finishes in three starts in the Southeast Limited Late Model Series Challenger Division. In the Show Me the Money Series Pro Late Models, he earned three wins, four top-five and four top-10 finishes in five starts in 2019. In addition, he made one start (2019) in the CRA JEGS All-Stars Tour presented by Chevrolet Performance.

“It was an easy decision for us to put Colby (Howard) in the No. 9 Chevrolet Silverado with the speed he showed two years ago when he ran select events with our team, and also with the impressive season he had last year,” Rohrbaugh said. “I have been very pleased with the work and dedication he has put into CR7 Motorsports during the off-season. We have a lot to prove this year.”

CR7 Motorsports will enter its sixth NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season.

In 2016, Rohrbaugh founded CR7 Motorsports, based in Statesville, N.C. CR7 Motorsports boasts seven years of ARCA Menards Series competition with drivers Jason Kitzmiller and Rohrbaugh, collecting 10 top-10 finishes. The team also has three top-five finishes and eight top-ten finishes in 70 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts. In the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, CR7 Motorsports has had four drivers; Blaine Perkins, Grant Enfinger, Colby Howard, and Rohrbaugh.

Rohrbaugh spent four years as a driver in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Petersburg, W.Va., -native has 36 starts in the series, including two top-five finishes and five top-10 finishes. In addition, he is a veteran of the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East and CARS Solid Rock Carriers Tour.

Michael Shelton, winner of the 2012 championship and seven victories as a crew chief in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, has been named competition coordinator at CR7 Motorsports. He will work with team owner Rohrbaugh and oversee the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series teams.

Shelton comes to CR7 Motorsports with experience in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series where he served as crew chief. The 51-year-old from Stanley, N.C., provided guidance for Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM), formerly Turner Motorsports, and also for Athenian Motorsports. He has previously manned the helm for drivers James Buescher, Cody Coughlin, Spencer Davis, Todd Gilliland, Kaz Grala, Riley Herbst, John Wes Townley, Scott Wimmer, and Rohrbaugh.

For additional information, news and the latest updates, please visit CR7 Motorsports’ Twitter page @CR7_Motorsports, and on Instagram at @cr7motorsports. “Like” CR7 Motorsports on the official Facebook page at facebook.com/CR7- Motorsports.

Fuel Cell Bus Trials on the BRT Hikoboshi Line

By
Official Release
-

First concrete initiative to increase commercial FC mobility options in local transportation

TOKYO, Feb 8, 2023 – (JCN Newswire) – Fukuoka Prefecture, Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT), and Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) have entered an agreement to conduct trials of a small fuel cell electric bus (FC bus) that runs on hydrogen, an environmentally-friendly next-generation energy source, on the BRT Hikoboshi Line (officially “Hitahikosan Line BRT”), a bus rapid transit system planned for launch around the summer of 2023.

This initiative will be the first implementation of the partnership agreement between Fukuoka Prefecture and CJPT, entered into on December 26 last year, to expand commercial FC mobility and create a sustainable hydrogen society with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality. Fukuoka Prefecture and CJPT will work with JR Kyushu to hold the trials with a view to bringing FC mobility to local transportation.

With the cooperation of communities along the line, JR Kyushu is working toward the launch of the BRT Hikoboshi Line, which is under development based on the concept of being “kind to people, communities, and the future.” Expectations are that the trials of a next-generation small FC bus will further advance efforts toward regional development as an environmentally friendly transportation option.

Going forward, Fukuoka Prefecture, CJPT, and JR Kyushu will collaborate in preparing to launch the trial runs as follows.

  1. Overview of the initiative

Trial runs for the practical application of next-generation small FC buses that run on hydrogen energy

Significance and aims of the trials

  • The trials aim to deepen awareness of hydrogen as a future energy source by using it to operate a local transportation system familiar to residents while achieving region-wide sustainable growth.
  • By verifying the feasibility of adopting FC mobility, the trials will increase the options for local transportation and help create a green transportation system.
  • While bringing the use of hydrogen to local transportation, the trials will lead to the development of areas along the Hitahikosan Line BRT.

Roles of each party

Fukuoka Prefecture: Overall coordination and support for improving the environment of the trial runs CJPT: Development planning for the next-generation hydrogen bus and coordination of the trial vehicle JR Kyushu: Operation of the trial vehicle on the BRT Hikoboshi Line

  1. Trial vehicle

Vehicle styling

Drawing on the image of hydrogen as an environmentally friendly energy, the trial vehicle is styled to reflect the blue skies prevalent along the route of the BRT Hikoboshi Line. The use of a pattern that depicts the flowing robes of Orihime―a name for star Vega and lover of Hikoboshi (the star Altair) from Japanese legend―creates a unified and original styling for all vehicles to operate on the BRT Hikoboshi Line.

Vehicle overview

Small FC bus 1 vehicle
FC bus based on the Toyota Coaster, 20-seater(1) with actual seating for 14 (planned)

Length x Width x Height 6,990 mm x 2,100 mm x 2,630 mm
Second-generation FC system from Mirai FCEV, with outstanding environmental performance of zero CO2 emissions during operation(2)

Trial period

Approximately fall 2023 to spring 2025 (planned)

Additional information

Detailed information, including the start date and timetables of the trial to be conducted prior to the trial runs and the actual trial runs, will be announced at a later date.

(1) Includes driver’s seat
(2) FC mobility options are environmentally friendly vehicles that use a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, which does not generate CO2 emissions during use.

For more information, visit https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/38698094.html.

ROUGH WEEKEND FOR SEXTON GATLIN RACING IN ARIZONA – PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR MARCH 3RD AND 4TH RACES

By
Official Release
-

(Lakeside, CA, February 6, 2023) USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series rookie Grant Sexton had a rough weekend at the season openers at Cocopah Speedway on January 27th and 28th. The teen saw his first start of the year come to an early end due to mechanical ills on Friday. Twenty-four hours later he was put out for the night by another car in his heat race. The team is now preparing for rounds three and four of the USAC/CRA Series at the Central Arizona Speedway on March 3rd and 4th.

The first night at Cocopah saw the debut of Sexton Gatlin Racing’s brand-new Triple X sprint car. When he first jumped up to full-size sprint cars from lightning sprints in 2022, Sexton, the 2021 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Champion, started with a pair of older cars. So, the Lakeside, California teen was looking forward to not only his first shot in the Triple X but his first ever time racing at Cocopah.

“It was pretty intimidating at first because it is a really fast track,” the teen said after the race. “But once I got out there on the track, it was real smooth and I was able to drive it in there a little harder than I thought I was going to be able to. I just got comfortable pretty fast.”

“Oh man, I loved it,” Sexton continued when asked about the new car. “It was definitely lighter than the cars I have driven before. I could point it in any direction I wanted to and it would go there. Just honestly, I was trying to keep up with the horsepower of those other guys with big old motors in them.”

Sexton began his first night in the new car by qualifying 17th in the 19-car field with a time of 17.681. That effort put the 18-year-old in the first heat race where disaster nearly struck at the start of the second lap of the 10-lapper. In front of Sexton, two cars got together. One of them ended up in the crash wall and started flipping just past the flag stand. By the time Sexton got to turn one, the car was still flipping and it was coming down toward the inside of the track. With the fans in the stands and thousands more watching on Speed Sport TV, the flipping car came within two feet of landing on top of Sexton. Fortunately, he escaped without getting clobbered but the situation clearly gained his attention.

“Oh man, that was real close,” Sexton related. “The guy on my inside kept slowing down at the same pace as me. So I couldn’t get lower like I wanted to. I was just watching this guy almost tumble on top of me. It was pretty scary. It could have been a real mess for us if he ended up on top of me.”

After the narrow miss, Sexton restarted the heat race and placed seventh. That set the handsome young driver in the 15 starting spot for the main event. He was poised and ready for his first 30-lap race of the year but things didn’t go as planned.

“As soon as the car fired off (for the main) it wasn’t firing on all cylinders or something,” he lamented. “It just wasn’t right. I knew it from the get-go. Once I got on the gas it got way worse so I pulled it in (before the race started). The motor ended up getting blown up.”

The early end on Friday sent the crew scurrying to get the backup car ready for Saturday. The backup is an older, heavier car and it was powered by a 360 engine. He was going to give up weight and a lot of horsepower to most of the competition. Despite that, his time of 17.777 was just a tick slower than his qualifying effort from night #1.

Twenty-four hours earlier, disaster was narrowly averted in his heat race. In his heat on the second night, things did not work out quite as well. The driver directly in front of Sexton spun leaving the teen nowhere to go and he hit the spinning car. Although the damage was probably a lot less than what would have been incurred if the flipping car had landed on top of him the night before, the tangle ripped the rear end out of Sexton’s car and broke the front axle. The damage ended his night.

While the cars need some attention, the team, led by crew chief David Bezio, will have things turned around and ready to go for the races in Arizona on March 3rd and 4th. Despite the issues the team encountered in the openers, Sexton will head into that weekend as the USAC/CRA Series leader in rookie points. A week after the Arizona races, SGR will field cars for Grant in the open sprint car class and his father Brent and older brother Dalton in the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series opener at the Imperial Valley Raceway.

Sexton sends out big thanks to his crew chief, 2011 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year Bezio, Tava Lopez, Cody Griggs, Nita “Nanna” Gatlin, and his father Brent. They have all been busting their tails to get the Triple X Chassis, Johnny Motorhead 410 ready for this week’s openers at Cocopah.

SGR has been busy all winter getting ready for another successful year in 2023. If you or your company is interested in becoming a partner with this front-running team, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com

Sexton/Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2022 season possible. Keys Brothers, East County Electric Works, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Johnny Motorhead, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, and Swift Powdercoat.

Sexton Gatlin Racing 2023 Racing Results

1-27-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Grant 16th A Main

1-28-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Grant DNS

3 Essential Aspects of Keeping Your Car’s Aesthetics on Point

By
SM
-

Men love their cars almost as much as they love dogs, and one could call these four-wheeled beasts man’s second best friend. 

For a lot of guys, keeping their cars in tip-top condition is a must. A well-maintained ride is also essential to retain its value and longevity. Have you just gotten a brand-new car? Or are you simply trying to start maintaining your old ride properly? 

Regardless of what kind of owner you are, there are many things you can do to keep your ride looking fresh and clean, and today, we’re going to look at three of them.

#1. Regular Washing and Waxing

These are two of the simplest yet most effective methods to keep your car looking fresh.

Washing your car regularly is the first step in maintaining a clean and fresh appearance. Dirt, grime, and other contaminants tend to build up on the surface, causing a car to look dull and dingy. To keep your ride looking its best, try to wash it at least once a week with mild soap and water.

However, while a good weekly wash can be more than enough, waxing your car has a number of additional benefits. The wax acts as a barrier between your car’s paint and the environment, protecting it from UV rays, bird droppings, and other damage.

Waxing also helps to enhance the shine and luster of your car’s paint. As the wax is applied, it fills in any tiny scratches and scuffs, creating a smooth and even surface that reflects light better. This results in a brighter and more vibrant appearance that gives you the “new and shiny” look that car owners desire so much.

In addition to keeping your car looking clean and fresh, washing and waxing can also have other benefits. These two methods can extend the life of your vehicle by preventing rust and other forms of corrosion, which can cause costly and unsightly damage over time. 

#2. Get a Car Wrap

If you are looking for a more simplistic yet effective method, consider Paint Protection Film (PPF), more commonly known as “car wraps,” which is made from high-quality vinyl material that is specifically designed to withstand the elements. This means it can protect your car’s paint from the sun, rain, and other environmental factors that tend to dim the luster of the paint.

The “wrap” nature of it also means that it has the benefit of being easily removed. 

One of the best aspects of this option is that you can change the look of your vehicle whenever you like without damaging or changing the original paint. This makes car wraps quite an affordable and effective way to switch things up anytime you get bored of having the same look.

Wraps have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people opting to get wraps instead of having their cars painted. Why? Because paint jobs can be expensive and take a long time to complete. (Especially if the car needs to be disassembled to be painted.)

With a car wrap, the process is much faster and less expensive and can be completed in a matter of days rather than weeks. This is especially true if you get it done from a professional car wrap service. You essentially want to find a place that has enough experience in dealing with a variety of cars and has been in the business for a while. 

A lot of times, getting a wrap done at a mediocre place can leave you feeling pretty disappointed. You might notice bubbles and ripples in a few areas that ruin the entire look.  

The best places usually have decades of experience and can provide a variety of other services as well, such as paint protection films, color-change wraps, and stripes and graphics, to name a few. 

#3. Car Detailing

Regular detailing is another essential step in keeping your car looking its best. Detailing involves thoroughly cleaning the interior and exterior of your vehicle as well as performing any necessary repairs and maintenance.

Car detailing generally goes through several steps, such as exterior washing, where a high-pressure washer removes accumulated dust and mud from the surface of the car. This wash needs to be thorough, with special attention paid to areas that are prone to dirt build-up, such as the wheels, underbody, and door sills.

Auto detailers then go through several other steps, such as claying, polishing, and interior cleaning.

To get the most out of your detailing appointment, choose a reputable shop that uses high-quality equipment. A good detailer will not only clean your car but also check for any signs of damage, such as chips or cracks in the paint, and perform any necessary repairs.

Detailing services can remove scratches, scuffs, and other signs of wear and tear, leaving your car looking as good as new.

Conclusion

Few things are as satisfying as a car that’s shiny and fresh. However, It can be difficult to maintain your ride if you aren’t sure what you should be doing. Washing, waxing, detailing, and wrapping are but some of the ways that car owners can ensure their rides keep that “fresh out of the shop” look.  

It’s always best to entrust any car work to a professional. The last thing you want is to try and wing it yourself and end up making a mess of things. You don’t want to use your precious ride as a practicing bench for delicate jobs like car wrapping. Leave that to the pros so you can have peace of mind. 

Useful Tire Care and Maintenance Tips From the Pros

By
SM
-
Photo by Artem Podrez

Tire care and maintenance are essential parts of your car’s overall health. It’s not just about keeping your tires in good condition to ensure a safe ride, but wheel balancing and alignment also helps maximize the life of your tires and maintain their performance. But how do you keep on top of tire care? Taking advice from professionals who have years of experience in this field can help you make sure that your vehicle is running smoothly for as long as possible. In this article, we’ll discuss some useful tips from the pros when it comes to taking care of your tires.

Check Your Tires Regularly for Wear and Tear

In order to ensure your tires are in good condition, it’s important to check them on a regular basis. Look for signs of wear and tear such as cracks or bulges. While you can use a tire tread depth gauge to get an accurate reading of the amount of tread left on your tires, simply inspecting them visually can give you an idea as to their condition. Furthermore, regular inspections can help you identify any potential problems early on before they become a bigger issue. Furthermore, it’s important to check the air pressure of your tires as well. Under-inflated tires can lead to excessive wear, decreased fuel efficiency, and safety risks.

Rotate Your Tires Regularly

Doing tire rotation is very important to ensure even wear and tear on all four tires. It’s recommended that you rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or as suggested by the vehicle manufacturer. Additionally, it is important to check the alignment of your tires after a rotation. This will help improve the lifespan and performance of your tires by offering them even wear and tear. In addition, it can help reduce the chances of tire-related problems such as excessive vibration, premature wear, and poor handling. Furthermore, it’s important to have your tires balanced after every rotation. This helps ensure that the tires are balanced correctly and will help improve performance and increase longevity.

Make Sure That You Replace Any Damaged or Worn-Out Tires

When inspecting your tires, pay special attention to any signs of damage or excessive wear. If you find that the tread is too low or if there are signs of cracks and bulges, it’s important to have them replaced immediately. Worn-out tires can mean unsafe driving conditions and could also lead to further damage being caused to other parts of the car. Additionally, it’s important to also have any nails or other objects that may be stuck in your tire properly removed and patched up by a professional.

Inspect Your Wheel Alignment at Least Once a Year

Wheel alignment should be checked at least once a year and is important for preserving the lifespan of your tires. Poor wheel alignment can lead to excessive wear on some parts of your tire, while other areas may remain unaffected. It’s important to have it checked regularly as a poor wheel alignment can significantly reduce the life of your tires, as well as the performance of your vehicle. Furthermore, it’s important to have your tires balanced as well. This helps ensure that the tires are evenly balanced and can help improve performance and extend their lifespan.

Maintain Proper Air Pressure Levels in Each Tire (Including the Spare)

That way they are not over-inflated or under-inflated, which can lead to uneven wear patterns on the tread surface of the tire(s). In addition, it’s important to make sure that you are using the correct air pressure level according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Under-inflated tires can lead to excessive wear and poor fuel economy as well as safety risks. It’s also important to check the air pressure of your spare tire just in case you need it. Furthermore, it’s important to regularly inspect the valve stem for any signs of damage or wear.

Align and Balance Your Tires After Every Rotation

As mentioned previously, it’s important to have your tires balanced after every rotation. This helps ensure that the tires are properly balanced and can help improve performance and extend their lifespan. Additionally, it’s important to check the alignment of your tires as well. Poor wheel alignment can lead to excessive wear on some parts of the tire, while other areas may remain unaffected. Furthermore, it’s important to make sure that your tires are aligned correctly as this can help improve performance and handling as well as reduce the chances of tire-related problems such as excessive vibration, premature wear, and poor handling.

In conclusion, following these simple tire care and maintenance tips can help ensure that your tires last longer, perform better, and are safe to drive on. It’s important to keep a regular check on the condition of your tires as well as have them rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or as suggested by the vehicle manufacturer. Additionally, it’s important to inspect your wheel alignment at least once a year and maintain proper air pressure levels in each tire (including the spare). Furthermore, it’s important to have your tires balanced after every rotation, as well as aligned properly. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your tires last longer and perform better.

Gus Dean Returns to Venturini Motorsports for Part-Time 2023 ARCA Schedule

By
Official Release
-

CONCORD, N.C.: Two-time ARCA Menards Series winner Gus Dean is returning to the potent Venturini Motorsports for a limited schedule this season beginning with the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on February 18, 2023.

Dean, 28, returns to Concord, N.C.-based team after a four-race schedule which resulted in four top-five finishes highlighted with a track-best fifth-place finish at Daytona and a season-high fourth-place effort at Michigan International Speedway.

From February to August, the Bluffton, S.C. native had an average finish of 4.8.

A competitor in the ARCA Menards Series since 2016, the veteran racer returns to the “World Center of Racing” for a seventh time focused on delivering Venturini Motorsports their sixth consecutive ARCA triumph at the 2.5-mile superspeedway aboard the team’s flagship No. 25 Toyota Camry.

Dean scored his first career ARCA Menards Series victory in just his second start at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in 2016 but had been cursed at Daytona over a period of five previous races until he returned to the track on the ARCA scene in 2022 where he qualified second and recovered from being collected in a mid-race incident to collect his then 14th career ARCA top-five finish.

“I am pumped up about returning to Venturini Motorsports in 2023,” said Dean. “I am looking forward to building on the success we achieved last season and I strongly believe this season we can turn our success into checkered flags and get ourselves a win or two throughout the year.”

Last month, Dean said he wheeled the best superspeedway car of his career during the annual preseason ARCA testing at the iconic race track which saw the No. 25 Toyota Camry run one of the fastest laps of the weekend and give the Kevin Reed Jr.-led team momentum leaning into the first of 20 races on the 2023 schedule.

“I can’t begin to describe how fast our Toyota Camry was during the test last month,” added Dean. “It was really fast every single run. We just made it better and better throughout the two-day test and I left the track knowing it was the best superspeedway car I have ever had. I hope we are able to build on the success and our notes during the event weekend and I can keep the Venturini Motorsports’ streak alive at Daytona and capture my third but biggest win of my ARCA career.”

Venturini Motorsports’ Billy Venturini says having a veteran like Dean back in the team’s lineup this season is important.

“I feel really positive about Gus at Daytona,” said Venturini. “He is the most experienced of all the drivers on our roster. I feel like he can bring a veteran calmness to the team. Without a doubt, he should be able

to contend for the win and improve the team as a whole with his leadership.

“Looking past Daytona, it’s just great to have him back. He will contend to win races beyond Daytona with us in 2023 and we look forward at that opportunity with him in our No. 25 Toyota Camry.”

Added Dean, “the Venturini Motorsports team really welcomed me with open arms last season and they continued to make me feel like I was a member of their family. That is important to me. Billy, Mr. Bill and Mrs. Cathy (Venturini) and the entire Venturini Motorsports team believe in me and my abilities and as a race car driver there is no better feeling than that.

“I am ready for Daytona and cannot wait to get there.”

In addition to Daytona, Dean will return to ARCA competition with Venturini Motorsports at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April, Michigan International Speedway in August and Salem (Ind.) Speedway in September.

Additional ARCA races with Venturini Motorsports could be added as the season progresses.

Dean, a fan favorite is poised to have a busy 2023 season between ARCA, Late Models, Mud Truck Racing and a hopeful sporadic appearance or two in one of NASCAR’s National Series.

“With no championship on the line for me this season, it’s about having fun,” sounded Dean. “Whether that’s competing with Venturini Motorsports in ARCA, DLP Motorsports in Late Model competition or the other racing endeavors we have planned for this season. Of course, the urge to still compete full-time is there, but it takes marketing partners and a lot of financial commitment to make it happen.

“Until we can hopefully put ourselves back into that position again, we’ll take the path that has been laid out before me and make the most of it. Venturini Motorsports is going for an unprecedented sixth straight ARCA victory at Daytona and I want to be that driver that gets it done for them!”

Before Dean buckles in at Daytona, he will have a busy week leading up to the 2023 ARCA season opener, as he’ll also be competing at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway in the highly contested World Series of Asphalt driving a Pro Late Model for DLP Motorsports.

“It means everything to us to have Gus represent DLP Motorsports,” said David “Buggy” Pletcher, owner of DLP Motorsports. “Not only is Gus a great person but he is a talented driver. It’s good to have a driver of his caliber with all the experience he has for the other younger drivers to bounce ideas and such off each other.

“We can definitely win with him down there. He has come a long way and is considered a veteran now. He will be an asset to us as a driver but also as a teammate for our other DLP Motorsports driver Gavan (Boschele). Hopefully, we have the right combination that will allow him to continue to show his abilities.”

For more on Gus Dean, please visit GusDean.com, like him on Facebook (Gus Dean Racing) and follow him on Twitter (@GusDean).

1...1,6111,6121,613...6,644Page 1,612 of 6,644