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Cadillac Racing bullish on hybrid car for 24-hour debut

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Three Cadillac prototypes to take green flag for 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona in GTP class

DETROIT (Jan. 24, 2023) — Nine Cadillac Racing drivers, their respective team personnel and a large support group have the common goal of visiting Victory Circle in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Excitement has been building for the debut of the three Cadillac hybrid prototypes in the reborn Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class with the command to start engines Saturday, Jan. 28, for the twice-around-the-clock race given by grand marshal Mark Reuss, president of General Motors.

The No. 01 Cadillac prototype led the three-car contingent in the 20-minute qualifying session on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway road course by claiming a second-row spot. The No. 02 Cadillac prototype qualified fifth and the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac qualified sixth.

Cadillac Racing has earned the overall victory in the Rolex 24 At Daytona – the traditional season-opening race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – four times since the 2017 debut of the DPi class. Not one has come from a pole start.

“I think there’s always a big excitement coming into a new season, especially with the first event so big,” said 2021 DPi champion Pipo Derani, co-driver of the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac prototype with Alexander Sims and Jack Aitken.

“After you do this for a few years, you learn how to control your emotions. Everything just falls into place. You just do what you have to do. Once you focus on that and know you have that support from the team, then you’re also more relaxed.

“There’s really nothing different to do than what you’ve already done and those things have worked because we’ve won races and championships. That also helps you calm down and focus on the important things. Come race day and come Sunday afternoon, you hope everything fell into place and you have the shot at victory in this event.”

Design of the new race car began more than two years ago, with on-track development beginning in July 2022. Cadillac Racing continues to collect data and gain insights about the car, its systems and the new Michelin tires with every on-track session. And the race will be a learning opportunity for future events.

GTP entries have five free practice sessions available over Thursday and Friday.

“There has been a ton of work leading up to that moment here in Daytona to get ready and get the cars there,” said Sebastien Bourdais, co-driver with Renger van der Zande and Scott Dixon of the No. 01 Cadillac entry. “Every time there’s a regulation change, you show up at Daytona, the hardest race of the year, it’s a 24-hour race, and it’s in January. Nobody feels ready, but you’ve got a job ahead and you have to make the best of it. Thanks for all of the efforts the team has done whether at Cadillac or at Ganassi. Looking forward to a great season, and it starts today.”

The electrified Cadillac prototype features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan, with a seven-speed sequential gearbox. IMSA has specified the power output at 670 horsepower, including the hybrid system; weight at 1,030kg without fuel and driver; and a maximum of 8,800 RPM.

Cadillac, the only LMDh manufacturer with a naturally aspirated engine in the GTP class, will seek to build on its legacy of success in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona with its fifth overall victory 2017. The list:

  • 2020 (Renger van der Zande, Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon, Kamui Kobayashi)
  • 2019 (Renger van der Zande, Fernando Alonso; Jordan Taylor, Kamui Kobayashi)
  • 2018 (Christian Fittipaldi, Filipe Albuquerque, Joao Barbosa)
  • 2017 (Jeff Gordon, Jordan Taylor, Ricky Taylor, Max Angelelli)

Also, since 2017, a Cadillac prototype has recorded 27 victories in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition – the most by any manufacturer — and three Manufacturer Championships.

Cadillac midway display

Spectators can see the lineup of exciting Cadillac performance vehicles at the Cadillac display in the midway. Times:

Friday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Vehicles: 2023 Escalade-V, 2022 CT5-V, 2022 CT4-V, 2022 CT5-V Blackwing, 2022 CT4-V Blackwing, 2023 CT5-V Blackwing safety car

Cadillac Racing driver lineup for Grand Touring Prototype class

No. 01 Cadillac (qualified fourth)

Sebastien Bourdais: “I think (qualifying) is a strong start; obviously not the pole but as close as we can get without getting it. I think it bodes well for the race. Now it’s just about executing, making no mistakes. It’s like a crash course of learning. There’s so much to absorb, so much to figure out, so much to strategize with the new car because up until not long ago we were completely in practice mode trying to get the car reliable, tire testing, this and that and the other and then all of a sudden get ready for the biggest race of the season. It’s a big adjustment, mind switch and get into the racing vibe for a 24-hour race with my two great teammates. We’ve learned a lot of the car and we’re gaining confidence.”

Renger van der Zande: “I’m excited how close the field is; everybody is within a couple of tenths (of a second) and that’s an impressive effort for a new class, new regulations and for the systems that have been put in place to go racing for the future. Starting fourth is an amazing achievement and a compliment to whole team.”

Scott Dixon: “I’m looking forward to the race this weekend. It’s kind of crazy when you look at the preparation from when the first car arrived to its development of it and how the technology has shifted. It’s been fun to work with it, so I think everyone is excited to finally get to the race. There’s been a lot of prep and lead time and expectations for this one. It’s one of my favorite races of the year. You get to drive the car a lot, you get to have some fantastic racing. I think this year one of the largest fields that we’ve seen in years. It’s going to be fun, but I think it will possibly a race of reliability as well. Knock on wood that we’ve done as much as we can as a group between Cadillac, GM and Chip Ganassi Racing that we can make it to the win and be fighting for the win.”

No. 02 Cadillac (qualified fifth)

Richard Westbrook: “We had a productive three days at the Roar. We got exactly what we were searching for, which is more miles, more knowledge about the car, more knowledge about the tire and more knowledge about the whole new formula that we’re going into. Now we’re all out there together, we can see our pace against everyone else and it just makes us all more even more determined and excited with one eye on the future.”

Earl Bamber: “A good qualifying with everyone learning these cars. We can see already that it’s ultra-competitive and it’s a true credit to IMSA, the manufacturers, the teams and everyone who’s been involved to make for a great race.”

Alex Lynn: “I really am enjoying driving this car and it’s giving me really good feedback. We’re improving so much with each session and it’s a really enjoyable job when you start making huge strides on improving this brand-new vehicle that we got, so I’m excited for the race.”

No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac (qualified sixth)

Pipo Derani: “The car is working well and the most is that it looks like we have a good car for the race. That’s our goal. We’re trying to use every session that we have, even qualifying, to learn more about our equipment. Any time we can be on track it helps us get better and improve the car. Not the fantastic final result in qualifying but lots of data has been gathered that will help us next week.”

Alexander Sims: “We’re working through things in the practice sessions and there are still some things for us to learn with these new cars. We have time this week to try a few things. In the first part of the race we have to take it step by step and try to improve, even if it means making changes during the pit stops – just tweaks we can do during the race – because it’s about being fast at the end and being there at the end. It’s an incredibly tight field and Pipo (Derani) was compromised in qualifying with the red flag, not getting a reference beforehand while others did.”

Jack Aitken: “We didn’t get a huge amount of mileage (during the Roar) just with red flags and weather, so this week we’ll keep building on what we’ve learned and get the car dialed in more on specifics. We’re all disappointed with the quals, but it’s probably the least important qualifying of the year for us. I’m looking forward to getting track time in practice and excited to compete for the first time in the race with this team.”

About Cadillac

A leading luxury auto brand since 1902, Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio that features distinctive design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com.

BRISTOL DIRT SHOWCASE TO OPEN DIRT RACING SEASON WITH INTENSE LATE MODEL ACTION AT BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

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Official Release
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BRISTOL, Tenn. (Jan. 24, 2023) – The 2023 dirt racing season at Bristol Motor Speedway will get underway on Saturday, April 1 with the Bristol Dirt Showcase, a powerful doubleheader of Late Model dirt racing action, track officials announced today.

The Steel Block Bandit Late Model Series and the American All-Star Series will share the spotlight during the event and take to the clay high-banks of dirt-transformed Bristol Motor Speedway for a full day of Late Model racing action. It will be the season-opening race for the American All-Stars and the second race of the season for the Steel Block Bandits.

The Steel Block Bandits are a premier 17-race dirt Touring Series for Steel Block Late Models that competes across seven states including the Carolinas, Virginia and Tennessee. North Carolina racer Dustin Mitchell is the defending series champ in the Steel Block Bandits and Virginia’s Tyler Bare was the season runner-up.

The 29-race American All-Stars Series holds feature races at 18 tracks, primarily in the Southeast and Midwest with cars that compete utilizing 604 Late Model crate engines that can be purchased directly from Chevrolet dealerships. Knoxville, Tennessee’s Hayden Cardwell is the defending series champion.

At the Bristol Dirt Showcase both series will be competing for a purse that offers a $5,000 winner’s share.

“We are looking forward to having these two new Late Model dirt racing circuits test their drivers on Bristol’s dirt-covered high banks,” said Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “This will be the first time this year that fans can come out and check out the Bristol dirt layout for 2023 and we are expecting thrilling races in both series.”

Pit passes for the Bristol Dirt Showcase can be purchased at BMS ticket windows on April 1. Pit passes are $40 for adults and $20 for kids 12 and under. In addition to infield access, Pit pass holders also will be able to access a designated section of grandstand.

The weekend following the Bristol Dirt Showcase, BMS will welcome the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to town for the much-anticipated Food City Dirt Race weekend, April 7-9. The two NASCAR Series will go back to their roots with Saturday night’s Bristol Truck Race on Dirt (8 p.m. FS1 and PRN Radio) and Bush’s Beans Qualifying (FS1) and Sunday night’s primetime NASCAR Cup Series Food City Dirt Race (7 p.m., FOX and PRN Radio). On Friday, teams in both the Cup Series and Craftsman Truck Series will be able to fine-tune their machines during Bush’s Beans Practice Day.

About Bristol Motor Speedway
Forged amid the scenic mountains of Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia state line, Bristol Motor Speedway is The Last Great Colosseum, a versatile multi-use venue that hosts major auto races, football games, concerts and many other captivating events. The facility features a 0.533-mile concrete oval race track with 28-degree corner banking and 650-feet straightaways that offers racing in several NASCAR touring series, highlighted by two major Cup Series weekends each year. In 2020, the track also served as host of the prestigious NASCAR All-Star Race, and in 2021 began converting to a temporary dirt track each spring to take the Cup Series back to its racing roots. While at the track, fans are offered a unique viewing experience courtesy of Colossus TV, the world’s largest outdoor center-hung four-sided video screen with a 540,000-watt audio system. The adjacent quarter-mile dragstrip, Bristol Dragway, offers more than 50 events annually, including the marquee NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. The Thunder Valley Amphitheatre presented by Ballad Health transforms Bristol Dragway into a premier outdoor concert venue for the world’s greatest music performers. Three football games have kicked-off inside the oval, most notably the 2016 Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol, where border rivals the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech met before an NCAA-record crowd of 156,990. In existence since 1961, Bristol Motor Speedway was purchased in 1996 by Speedway Motorsports, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States.

RISI COMPETIZIONE PRE-RACE REPORT FOR 61ST ANNUAL ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA

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Official Release
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Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 No. 62:
James Calado (GBR)
Alessandro Pier Guidi (ITA)
Davide Rigon (ITA)
Daniel Serra (BRA)

Daytona Beach, Florida (January 24, 2023)…Houston, Texas-based Risi Competizione is back to Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., for the 61st anniversary of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 28-29, 2023. After many years of success with the Ferrari 488, which won 500 races globally, this year the team is bringing a new Ferrari 296 GT3 to the 3.56-mile speedway road course.

With a 61-car field and a brand-new car, the team have their work cut out for them. The Risi team’s participation in the Roar Before the 24 allowed them to test the car in near race conditions after only having a short shakedown in Texas following delivery and prior to transport to Daytona, where they qualified P9 in the GTD Pro class.

Risi Competizione 2023 Daytona drivers, James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi, Davide Rigon and Daniel Serra, all Ferrari Competizioni GT factory drivers, have experience with testing the car and are no stranger to the Florida superspeedway. This quad of drivers finished second last year in the 60th running of the twice-around-the-clock endurance event and lead a good portion of the race. They return this year ready to climb one step further and pilot the always demanding race to victory.

Calado and Pier Guidi ended the 2022 race season on a high note after capturing their third FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) LMGTE Pro championship as co-drivers. They also helped deliver the FIA WEC Manufacturer’s Championship to Ferrari. The duo will contest FIA WEC this season in the new Ferrari 499P as Ferrari returns to the top class.

Rigon and Serra helped Risi Competizione win the 2022 IMSA Michelin Endurance (IMEC) GTD Pro Team Championship, along with becoming the IMEC GTD Pro Driver Champions. They are back with Risi this season for all four IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, Daytona 24-hour, Sebring 12-hour, Watkins Glen 6 hour and Petit Le Mans 10-hour, endurance races in the new Ferrari 296 GT3 Prancing Horse.

(L-R) Ferrari Competizioni GT factory drivers and Risi Competizione teammates for the 2023
Rolex 24 At Daytona include Alessandro Pier Guidi, Daniel Serra, James Calado, and Davide Rigon
Rick Mayer, Risi Competizione Race Engineer:
“We are glad to be back at Daytona with the four pro drivers. It’s a challenging and full field again this year and we have a new car we’re tweaking for its first race, but we expect to be there by race start.”

James Calado, driver No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3:
“Pleased to be back with Giuseppe Risi and the Risi crew for another Rolex 24. We were so close last year and had such an amazing battle to the finish. We so want to get on that top step and take home a victory. It’s a new car and there’s much to do but we have the right combination for a promising result next Sunday afternoon.”

Alessandro Pier Guidi, driver No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3:
“Memories of last year at Daytona are still fresh. We ran a strong race but finishing second is always painful. In a 24-hour race though, you never know what may happen so we just will go in prepared for anything and do the job required.”

Davide Rigon, driver No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3:
“As always, I’m happy to be back with Risi Competizione, and not just for the Rolex 24, but also for Daniel and me to defend the (IMSA Michelin) Endurance Cup. Daytona is just the first of the four endurance races.

“It was not an easy Roar at Daytona. Of course, it was so nice to drive the new 296 GT3 in Daytona with the super team Risi. Everybody was getting used to the car, so it was a good shakedown, so to say. Qualifying was challenging. Now we are focused to prepare everything well for the race.”

Daniel Serra, qualifying driver No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3:
“Although we had some challenges for qualifying last weekend, the Ferrari 296 GT3 is an exciting new car and there are always adjustments to make with a new car. The Risi crew do a good job and we expect to be ready for the always exciting 24-hour challenge at Daytona.”

Risi Competizione, who counts this year as its 22nd entry in the historic twice-around-the-clock Florida endurance race, has competed with Ferrari models since its start in 1998. The team’s inaugural year featured a Ferrari 333SP in the WSC class. Their GT racing successes, starting in 2003, includes competition with the Ferrari 360, 430, 458 and most recently 488 Prancing Horse models. Team Principal Giuseppe Risi now continues his Ferrari racing legacy in America with the newest GT addition to the Ferrari race family, the 296 GT3.

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

Nolan Siegel Joins Sean Creech Motorsport for the Rolex 24 At Daytona

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Official Release
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Young Californian to contest his second 24-hour race at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (24 January 2023) – Sean Creech Motorsport (SCM) officially completed its Rolex 24 at Daytona driver lineup today with the addition of Nolan Siegel – an open wheel and sports car veteran despite his young age.

The 18-year-old Palo Alto, Calif. native joins João Barbosa, Lance Willsey and Nico Pino behind the wheel of the pole-winning No. 33 SCM Exelixis/Focal One Ligier JS P320, as the Jupiter, Fla.-based team contests the first of two home races.

Jumping into a kart at the age of 8, Siegel moved up to the USF Pro Championships (formerly the Road to Indy) open wheel ladder system beginning in 2019. In 2023, he will compete in INDY NXT (formerly Indy Lights) – just one step below the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. In 2019, he began racing sports cars as well, contesting Michelin Pilot Challenge, Prototype Challenge and WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events.

Siegel will drive three vastly different race cars over the course of the week. He tested on Monday his INDY NXT Dallara IL-15 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He then on Friday he returns behind the wheel of the No. 39 Porsche 718 GT4 RS CS for the four hour IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge event (Friday, 1:45 p.m., Peacock TV).

“Thanks to Sean and to Lance for this opportunity!” said Siegel. “The priority for me this week is getting to know the team, getting laps in the LMP3 car, and getting into the WeatherTech sessions now that all the classes are running at different speeds than last year. Of course, it will be a balance on Thursday and Friday, between that and the IMPC sessions and race on Friday. This is the first time I’ll race two different series on one weekend but I’m not the only driver doing it and I’ll have enough time to focus on both.

“This team has a great car, with two second place finishes in this race and pole last weekend,” Siegel continued. “Luck always plays a part, but this is a very experienced team – I’ve raced against them before and they’re always competitive. I don’t see why we can’t win. I’ve watched IMSA since I was a little kid in karts so it would be a huge milestone to win this race. It’s a dream for every driver.”

“Nolan brings a good deal of experience,” said team principal Sean Creech. “He also knows IMSA procedures – pass arounds, class splits, all the processes that are a big part of sports car racing. There’s night racing, with the lights coming into the car, with the speeds of the cars around you and how the faster cars can really dive bomb into Turn One and the Le Mans Chicane. The closing speed of the GTP cars is so much faster than the LMP3 car so it’s a lot to take in, to be aware of. He has experience at Daytona in these cars and that’s huge for us.”

19-year-old Danny Soufi tested with the team at last weekend’s Roar Before the Rolex 24. While the team was impressed with his pace and consistency, they felt that the track time was not sufficient to get him up to speed with the nuances of IMSA racing that would enable him to perform at the level the team believes he is capable of.

“We had the opportunity to test Danny last month and bring him on board as a valued member of this team,” said Willsey. “He did a very good job last weekend with the practice time available but in the end, the time was not sufficient to give him the chance to perform at the level we know he’s capable of, or to get up to speed with IMSA’s rules in regard to multi-class racing. We look forward to working with him over the next two months in anticipation of his involvement at Sebring.”

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s season opener gets underway on Thursday, with three sessions including night practice. The 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona takes the green flag Saturday at 1:40 p.m. Eastern. The race will be broadcast live in the U.S. on the NBC family of networks, beginning and ending with network NBC. The race will also be live streamed in its entirety on Peacock TV. International viewers can watch via IMSA.tv, with IMSA Radio also available at IMSA.com.

SCM thanks partners Exelixis, Focal One and Jerich International for their continued support.

About SCM
Team leader Sean Creech has competed in a multitude of sports car series from 1990 until the present day, includingGroup C, IMSA GTP, WSC, Grand-Am, SRO World Challenge, and IMSA. SCM will contest the full WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023 with João Barbosa and Lance Willsey. http://seancreechmotorsport.com/

About Exelixis
Founded in 1994, Exelixis, Inc. is a commercially successful, oncology-focused biotechnology company that strives to accelerate the discovery, development and commercialization of new medicines for difficult-to-treat cancers.https://www.exelixis.com/

About Focal One
One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime in the United States. The Focal One® HIFU Prostate treatment offers patients a non-invasive outpatient procedure to target prostate tissue while avoiding the common side effects such as loss of urinary continence and sexual function. The Focal One treatment uses high-performance, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to precisely target and ablate the prostate, allowing patients to quickly return to normal activities.
http://www.focalone.com/

About Jerich International
Jerich International is a family-owned global group of companies that offers large-scale trade and industry customers a holistic logistics approach to freight forwarding through global supply chain management. The company makes use of tailor made concepts, extensive know how and immeasurable experience to set industry-leading practices in logistics. https://www.jerich.com/

Mazda MX-5 Cup Returns to Racer.com for 2023 Livestreams

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Official Release
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January 24, 2023 – Fans will be able to catch some of the best racing in the country live from their computers or phones as the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires will once again be streamed live at Racer.com in 2023.

The hugely competitive series will open its seven-event 2023 championship season as part of the Rolex 24 at Daytona this week at Daytona International Speedway. With over 30 identically prepared Mazda MX-5 Cup machines entered, the full field will not only be pursuing the $250,000 year-end championship prize on offer from Mazda, but also a significant per-race payout in 2023.

Every event on the Mazda MX-5 Cup schedule will feature two, 45-minute sprint races to be livestreamed on Racer.com. The livestreams are produced by NASCAR Productions, and feature play by play and commentary from the IMSA Radio squad headed by John Hindaugh and Shea Adam.

“We firmly believe that the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup is some of the best racing on the planet and it is fantastic that fans from around the world will be able to watch it live,” said Jonathan Applegate, Program Manager, Mazda Motorsports North America. “We were very pleased with the increases we saw in the metrics with this approach last season and are looking forward to another big year starting with this weekend in Daytona.”

This year’s Daytona lid-lifter will see 11 rookies, six previous race winners, and two series champions all take to the drafting-friendly track, which saw an incredible five-wide finish in the 2022 edition of the race.

The outstanding Mazda MX-5 Cup on-track content has proven popular for Racer.com, North America’s leading general interest motorsports website.

“The Racer.com audience has continued to expand and hosting the MX-5 Cup livestreams has been a great way to connect our community with the Mazda races, which are just fantastic to watch,” said Racer VP of Sales and Publisher Bruce Kukuk. “Our viewership and engagement with the MX-5 Cup races in 2022 turned out some great viewership numbers, including 255,000 total views and continued to grow as more and more fans discovered where to go to catch the races. We are thrilled to be hosting the races again this year.”

Each MX-5 Cup car is built in Daytona Beach at Flis Performance, with the championship managed by Andersen Promotions. Thursday’s Round One race is slated to go green at 5:30pm ET, while Friday’s race will begin at 10:15am ET. Live timing for all sessions is available at MX-5Cup.com.

About: The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. The series has been operated by Andersen Promotions since 2017 and is currently sanctioned by IMSA. Mazda-powered grassroots champions can earn Mazda scholarships for this pro-level series. The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup awards more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships.

Find out more at http://www.mx-5cup.com.

Wright Motorsports Ready for VOLT® Lighting IMSA WeatherTech Debut

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Official Release
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NEXT UP: IMSA ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY | JANUARY 26-29

EVENT PREVIEW: Wright Motorsports Ready for VOLT® Lighting IMSA WeatherTech Debut

DAYTONA, Fla., (January 24, 2023) – This weekend, the 2022 Michelin Pilot Challenge champions will make their IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut at the Rolex 24 At Daytona with Wright Motorsports. Alan Brynjolfsson and Trent Hindman advance to the top IMSA series, the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, racing the No. 77 VOLT® Lighting Porsche 911 GT3 R (type 992) with Max Root and Kevin Estre.

“We’re honored to have Alan, Trent, and the VOLT effort run with Wright for the 2023 season,” said Team Owner John Wright. “They did an incredible job in last year’s Michelin Pilot Challenge championship, and they’re off to a strong start already this season. Making the step up to the WeatherTech series and joining the Porsche family is an exciting move for them, and they have what it takes to fight for the win.”

Pre-season testing at the Roar Before the 24 took place last week, and the bright yellow Porsche lit up the track as each of the drivers cycled through to get situated with the new car. During the opening sessions, the team ran initial new-car shakedowns, going through a basic checklist of items as the drivers and engineers became acquainted with their new machinery. With Wright’s two decades of experience racing Porsche machinery, every minute was used most efficiently to prepare for the following week’s competition, the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Unofficially, the No. 77 VOLT® Lighting Porsche will start the race from 17th place in the GTD class, one of five classes competing in the event. The GTP, LMP2, and LMP3 classes consist of varying types of prototypes while the GTD Pro and GTD classes strictly run with machinery based off of street cars from the world’s leading manufacturers. The GTD Pro class features all-professional driver lineups, while the GTD class driver lineups offer a mixture of professional and amateur-ranked lineups. The GTD class is the biggest run group, making up 40 percent of the 61-car field.

Activities for the Rolex 24 At Daytona will begin on Thursday, January 26 with the first of five practice sessions in two days. The start of the 61st Rolex 24 at Daytona begins at 1:40 PM Eastern on Saturday, January 28, concluding exactly 24 hours later on Sunday afternoon. The broadcast will air live from the wave of the green flag to the drop of the checkered flag on Peacock, NBC Universal’s streaming platform. The first hour of the race will also air live on NBC before switching to the USA Network. IMSA Radio will offer live coverage worldwide without brakes on imsaradio.com. For all event information, follow the team on social media or visit wright motorsports.com or imsa.com.

Alan Brynjolfsson

This race is very different for me than anyone on the team and probably most people in the paddock. It’s brand new to me, so I’ve got a completely different focus and perspective. I’m just looking to learn, be humble, be safe, and get more comfortable and be better. That’s a hundred percent of my focus in this race. Our job and mission right now is to learn the ergonomics, the feel of the car, how it handles, and the environment.

Trent Hindman

It has been a very positive week, all things considered: Brand new car and a new team, and for VOLT, a new championship. The No. 77 moving to GTD has been a good learning experience.

It was good to get everybody through the car during the Roar. That was the main thing: Learning what each of our individual jobs are when it comes to me, Alan, Max, and Kevin, and working on executing those individual jobs as best we can. It’s really fun to see Alan in a WeatherTech series session. It has been a very long time coming and he’s found a home really quick. It’s a pleasure to be a part of that process and we’re still always going to be searching for more performance come the Rolex 24.

Max Root

I’m very excited to be here for my second Rolex 24. I’m happy to be with Wright Motorsports this time around, and we’re definitely learning the new car and trying to dial it in as much as possible. Spending the week before testing has been immensely helpful for our development. Now it’s just all about focusing on putting it all together and getting the drivers changes right, as well as all the other things we want to get right during the race leading up to the big weekend.

Kevin Estre

I’m very happy to be here and race another Rolex 24. It’s a new team, new car, and new teammates for me. It’s difficult to know exactly where we stand, but we definitely made some improvement during the Roar learning the car and the new tricks we have to implement in this car to be quick at Daytona. We’re definitely not where we want to be, but we’re working on it. It’s great to be with the Wright Motorsports team. It’s a program I’ve been racing against for years. Now I can see it from the inside and see how they’re so successful. We can’t wait to start the race week, hopefully with better balance of performance and a good spirit.

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.

About VOLT® Lighting

Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, VOLT® Lighting manufactures and distributes quality indoor and outdoor lighting products and systems. VOLT® is the largest manufacturer of professional landscape lighting in the world. For more information, visit www.voltlighting.com or contact the company at customersupport@voltlighting.com or 813-978-3700.

About Adelie Technik

Founded in 2011 Adelie Technik, a Service Disabled Veteran Small Owned Business (SDVOB) deploys the highest caliber engineers and consultants for our customers needs. Adelie is focused on delivery of your solution to your customer on your schedule. Adelie can deliver solutions ranging from PC deployment up to full DataCentre builds and beyond. Our engineers can also migrate your environment to the cloud. For more information on Adelie Technik, see adelietechnik.com.

We represent the highest quality in racing safety with the intention of maintain our position at the top. With 50 years in the industry, Sabelt is the world’s premier safety equipment manufacturer. A result of intense research and development.

Boot Barn Expands Partnership with Front Row Motorsports

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Official Release
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Western and Work Wear Retailer Continues Relationship with Gilliland and Smith in Fan-Friendly Activities

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 24, 2023) – For the third consecutive season, Boot Barn, the largest western and work wear retailer in the nation, will partner with Front Row Motorsports (FRM). Expanding their partnership, Boot Barn will be the primary partner of the No. 38 Ford Mustang team for four races in the NASCAR Cup Series and will continue their partnership with the No. 38 Ford F-150 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship team. New in 2023, Boot Barn will add various elements to bring fans closer to the FRM drivers and connect them with the Boot Barn brand.

Fans will be welcomed to the newly named Boot Barn garage when they visit FRM in May for Boot Barn Fan Day. Fans will be greeted by the Boot Barn mobile unit to shop. A date, time, and details of the Boot Barn Fan Day will be announced later. Boot Barn Fan Day will highlight the various lifestyles that comprise Boot Barn’s nationwide community as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series makes its long-awaited return to the North Wilkesboro Speedway. Boot Barn will also be the primary partner of Todd Gilliland in the NASCAR All-Star Open as he races to advance into the All-Star race at the North Wilkesboro Speedway.

A week later, Boot Barn will return to the Charlotte Motor Speedway as the primary partner on the No. 38 Ford Mustang to end an exciting month of racing and activities. They will again join the team at the Daytona International Speedway in August, the Kansas Speedway in September, and the season finale at the Phoenix Raceway.

“We are fortunate to have such a great partnership with Boot Barn because they really engage with the fans and our team,” said Gilliland. “I am just a huge fan of everyone behind Boot Barn and how great the cars always look. Hopefully, we can deliver impressive results in 2023 with Boot Barn on the sides and hood this season.”

Boot Barn will also serve as the primary partner of Zane Smith and the No. 38 Ford F-150 team for three races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as they chase their second championship. They will join Smith at Martinsville Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and Lucas Oil Raceway Park.

“Boot Barn was a huge part of our success last season,” stated Smith. “We never finished outside the top three when we raced with their scheme. This year, I want to put Boot Barn in Victory Lane. I also love what they are doing with our race shop and getting more fans involved, too. That’s pretty cool.”

“We are thrilled to continue growing our partnership with Front Row Motorsports into 2023,” said Stephen Loscko, Director of Marketing and Media at Boot Barn. “Todd and Zane really represented the Boot Barn brand well, both on and off the track. They are enthusiastic about our partnership, and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish in this new season.”

For more information about Boot Barn, visit www.bootbarn.com.

ABOUT BOOT BARN

Boot Barn is the nation’s leading lifestyle retailer of western and work-related footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and children. The Company offers its loyal customer base a wide selection of work, western, country, and lifestyle brands. As of the date of this release, Boot Barn operates 335 stores in 41 states, in addition to an e-commerce channel, www.bootbarn.com. The company also operates www.sheplers.com, the nation’s leading pure play online western and work retailer and www.countryoutfitter.com, an e-commerce site selling to customers who live in a country lifestyle. For more information, call 1-888-BOOT-BARN or visit www.bootbarn.com

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Cabo Wabo Tequila: The First Official Tequila Sponsor of NASCAR

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Official Release
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Multiyear agreement cements the brand’s status as Official Tequila of Daytona International Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Michigan International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – (Jan. 24, 2023) – Cabo Wabo, an unquestionably Mexican tequila made with an undeniable American attitude, is now officially a NASCAR partner.

NASCAR and Campari America announced today that Cabo Wabo Tequila is the first-ever “Official Tequila Sponsor of NASCAR.” As part of a wide-ranging, multiyear agreement, Cabo Wabo Tequila becomes the Official Tequila of Daytona International Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Michigan International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

“Cabo Wabo’s reputation for doing things bigger, bolder and better perfectly aligns with the spirit of our sport,” said NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer Jeff Wohlschlaeger. “We welcome Cabo Wabo Tequila to the NASCAR family as we begin the celebration of our 75th Anniversary season.”

For Cabo Wabo Tequila, celebration isn’t possible without its unmatched commitment to excellence. A super-premium tequila born in the agave fields of Mexico and praised in bars and backyard barbeques across America, Cabo Wabo is Thick Cut tequila made using 100% Blue Weber Agave. Each sip evokes full-on agave flavor thanks to the purposefully thicker cut distillate of agave used to deliver a more unfiltered, raw agave-forward taste. It’s this unmistakable taste that goes with an unmistakable American attitude – one that cuts no corners and makes no apologies, inspiring all to revel in the good life.

“NASCAR fans are known for the same brand loyalty as our beloved Cabo Wabo Tequila fans,” said Campari America’s Vice President of Marketing Andrea Sengara. “Like our tequila, NASCAR fans live unapologetically and expect nothing but greatness from their race day, and their race day drinks. With this partnership, we’re delivering on both and giving fans a new way to bring the bold to their favorite sport.”

Fans will quickly notice Cabo Wabo’s bold attitude at some of NASCAR’s biggest events, including the DAYTONA 500. Throughout the season, the brand will activate via branded on-site experiences, presenting sponsorships of concerts, a consumer sweepstakes, racing-themed digital and social media content, and more.

Cabo Wabo is all about living, working and playing hard. That’s why the brand is giving fans 21 and older a new way to level up their race watching experience either at the track, or from the comfort of their own home with a Cabo Wabo Smokeshow. The Cabo Wabo Smokeshow combines the bold flavors of Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila with smokiness of Montelobos Espadin Mezcal and is served over ice with a lime wheel garnish.

The NASCAR season begins Sunday, Feb. 5, with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, an exhibition featuring the sport’s biggest stars and performances by international superstars Cypress Hill and Wiz Khalifa. Two weeks later, on Feb. 19, the regular season begins with the DAYTONA 500. Both races will air live on FOX. Whether watching a race on T.V., or live at the track, Cabo Wabo reminds you to always drink responsibly. The brand recognizes that sometimes the boldest thing we can do is take our foot off the gas. It is encouraging fans to downshift every once in a while and hydrate in between drinks with a “Make the Pitstop” onsite experience featuring complimentary water and co-branded reusable water bottles.

To learn more about Cabo Wabo Tequila, click here.

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’).

About Cabo Wabo Tequila

Cabo Wabo is an unquestionably Mexican tequila made with an undeniably American attitude. It embodies the freedom to live, work and play hard, without limitations or borders. The award-winning tequila is born in the agave fields of Mexico, where the process of making the liquid starts with only the best piñas to ensure its 100% Blue Weber Agave delivers super-premium quality and taste. From there, we purposefully use a thicker cut of the agave to produce a more unfiltered, raw, agave-forward taste. The result is a Thick Cut tequila that screams bigger, bolder and better with each sip and shines with smooth, authentic flavor and a unique personality. Please visit www.CaboWabo.com to learn more about the Cabo Wabo portfolio: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and our signature cocktail, The Caborita. Please drink responsibly.

About Campari Group/Campari America

Campari Group is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spreading across Global, Regional and Local priorities. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. Campari Group has a global distribution reach, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. Campari Group is headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, and owns 22 plants worldwide with its own distribution network in 23 countries. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001.

Campari America LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano N.V. Campari America has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America manages Campari Group’s portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Grand Marnier®, Campari®, Aperol®, Wild Turkey® Kentucky Straight Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, The Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Forty Creek® Canadian Whisky, BULLDOG® Gin, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolón® Tequila, Montelobos® Mezcal, Ancho Reyes® Chile Liqueur, Appleton® Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew® Rum, Coruba® Rum, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®, Averna®, Braulio®, Cinzano®, Mondoro® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.

Zeigler Auto Group, Live Fast Motorsports, and Josh Bilicki Launch #LiveZeiglerFast Fan Engagement Campaign

By
Official Release
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Includes VIP Tickets to Chicago Street Race, COTA, and Charlotte Road Course

KALAMAZOO, MICH. (January 24, 2023) — Zeigler Auto Group today announced its season-long #LiveZeiglerFast fan engagement initiative in partnership with Live Fast Motorsports and Josh Bilicki. The major giveaway for the campaign will be two VIP tickets to the highly coveted Chicago Street Race in July with details on how to enter to be released at a later date.

“Our fans are the most important element of our sport and without them, we would not be racing on the weekends. Most fans see the action on track but do not have the chance to see what happens behind the scenes. Thanks to Zeigler, we have the opportunity to share this unique experience with a few very lucky individuals!,” said Bilicki who will be behind the wheel of Live Fast Motorsports’ flagship No. 78 Camaro after Zeigler announced its 2023 multi-race partnership with the driver and team.

Starting today, fans can enter for a chance to win two all-access VIP passes for Zeigler’s upcoming 2023 NASCAR Cup Series debut race on Sunday, March 26 at the Circuit of Americas (COTA).

FANS CAN ENTER NOW BY:

Following @zeigler_racing on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Upload a picture of how you #LiveZeiglerFast using the hashtag

The contest, now open, will run through Saturday, February 28 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Additional information and contest rules can be found at zeiglerracing.com/livezeiglerfast.

“Being able to partner with Zeigler Auto Group and give back to our fans is an opportunity we are really excited about,” said Co-owner of Live Fast Motorsports, Matt Tifft. “Going to experience a NASCAR race live and in a VIP fashion is an experience people never forget.”

Besides VIP tickets to the upcoming Circuit of Americas race in March and the widely-coveted Chicago street race in July, the 2023 #LiveZeiglerFast Fan Engagement Campaign will also include VIP tickets to Charlotte ROVAL in October. Winners for these three major races will receive VIP access for two guests, signed memorabilia, an in-person meet-and-greet with Bilicki and more.

Other opportunities to win all season-long will include exclusive swag, special offers and incentives, and virtual meet-and-greets with Bilicki and more.

“NASCAR fans are some of the most passionate sports fans out there, which is exactly why we entered the world of NASCAR sponsorship to begin with,” said Aaron Zeigler, president and owner of Zeigler Auto Group, a Glassdoor’s 100 Best Places to Work award-winning company.

“We’re thrilled about our 2023 NASCAR Cup Series partnership with Josh and Live Fast Motorsports, and look forward to having the opportunity to interact with race fans on a much closer level than we ever have before.”

Zeigler’s Driving Vision Podcast interviewed Live Fast Motorsports owners Tiff and BJ McLeod shortly after their partnership announcement with Zeigler and Bilicki.

About Live Fast Motorsports

Live Fast Motorsports is a single-car Chevrolet Camaro team based in Mooresville, NC., competing in the NASCAR Cup Series under the No. 78. The team is co-owned by B.J. McLeod and Matt Tifft. B.J. McLeod also serves as the team’s driver. Jessica McLeod, CEO of Live Fast Motorsports, gives a progressive outlook in breaking down barriers in the sport of NASCAR and inspiring opportunities for women in the sport for generations to come.

About Zeigler Auto Group

Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 78 franchises across 35 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.

Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.

The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns and operates Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.

Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,300 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2022. The family-owned and operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan.

Honda and GS Yuasa Reach Basic Agreement Toward Collaboration for a High-capacity, High-output Lithium-ion Battery

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Official Release
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TOKYO, Jan 24, 2023 – (JCN Newswire) – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) and GS Yuasa International Ltd. (GS Yuasa) today announced that they have reached a basic agreement toward collaboration for a high-capacity, high-output lithium-ion battery. The two companies will discuss specifics with the goal of establishing a joint venture company by the end of 2023.

In order to address the rapidly growing demand for batteries, the two companies reached this agreement to work toward the joint research and development of lithium-ion batteries and battery production methods that will be highly competitive in the global market, as well as the establishment of a supply chain for key raw materials and a highly-efficient battery production system.

Based on the agreement, the two companies will work toward the establishment of a joint venture company by discussing a broad scope of collaborations including the following:

  • Research and development of a high-capacity, high-output lithium-ion battery, primarily for EV use, and the required production methods
  • Establishment and management of intellectual properties including patents related to the joint research and development
  • Planning for products that utilize technologies resulting from the joint research and development, and planning for the required sales channels
  • Designing of an efficient production operation including the supply chain for key raw materials

Comments by Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President and Representative Executive Officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
“Honda is striving to realize carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities Honda is involved in by 2050. Honda and GS Yuasa have already been working together on lithium-ion batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and this new collaboration will further accelerate Honda’s electrification strategies toward the achievement of our carbon neutrality goal.”

Comments by Osamu Murao, President and Representative Director of GS Yuasa International Ltd.
“Based on our corporate philosophy of ‘Innovation and Growth,’ GS Yuasa has been taking on challenges to create energy technologies while amassing a broad range of knowledge and know-how related to batteries. Through this new collaboration with Honda, we will contribute to further diffusion of electric vehicles, offer enhanced comfort and peace of mind to customers worldwide and strive to create new value for the realization of carbon neutrality.”

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