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Corvette Racing Rounds Out FIA WEC Lineup in No. 33 C8.R

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Official Release
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Nico Varrone joins Keating, Catsburg for seven-round GTE Am championship

DETROIT (Jan. 13, 2023) – Corvette Racing is completing its lineup for the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship with young Argentinian driver Nico Varrone joining Ben Keating and factory driver Nicky Catsburg. The trio will team together in the No. 33 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R in the GTE Am category.

It’s the second straight full-season program in the FIA WEC for Corvette Racing, which celebrate its 25th season of competition in 2023. The campaign will be the first for the Corvette program in GTE Am, where the sporting rules require at least one Bronze-level driver, as rated by the FIA. One professional-level driver is allowed along with a second Bronze or Silver-rated driver.

The combination of Catsburg, Keating and Varrone will contest the full seven-race WEC calendar including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. The season begins with the 1,000 Miles of Sebring on Friday, March 17.

Although he’s new to Corvette Racing, the silver-rated Varrone got an early taste of the mid-engine Corvette C8.R during testing following the 2022 WEC finale at Bahrain and in a private test at Sebring in December.

Although his early racing focused on karting and single-seaters, Varrone’s most recent success has come in sports cars with victories in both prototype and GT cars. Among them are wins in the GTE Am category of this year’s European Le Mans Series along with a victory in the 24H Series’ round in Barcelona earlier this season.

This is the second consecutive year that Corvette Racing will compete in multiple GT championships around the world. Its campaign in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship begins in two weeks with the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

NICO VARRONE, NO. 33 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “I’m really, really happy and over the moon for this opportunity. It always was my dream to be at this level and be on a team with a magnificent brand like Corvette Racing. To be paired with two legendary drivers like Ben and Nicky also is very special. I have to say a big thank to you to Jeroen Bleekmolen for recommending me. He is close to both Ben and Nicky so it’s quite a nice feeling. I can’t wait for us to start with this program.”

“It’s really special at Corvette Racing. I’ve never been inside a factory team, and I was expecting things to be kind of quiet and different. But it’s such a nice feeling because Corvette Racing is a big family. You have fun with the crew guys, the engineers and the drivers. They are so open to talking about things that it’s really special. Nicky and Ben also are guys who have always watched on TV. To share a car with them is something I never could have imagined.”

“I’ve driven other GT cars but the Corvette is one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in a racecar. It’s a natural and proper racecar, for sure. The confidence it gives in the high-speed corners, the traction and the braking of the car is amazing. It fits me just right. I felt comfortable almost right away. I was expecting it to be like other GT cars I’ve driven, but to me it’s more similar to a prototype. It’s a mega sensation for the drivers. I enjoyed every lap I’ve done so far. I can’t wait for more.”

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in nearly 80 countries with nearly 2.7 million cars and trucks sold in 2021. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Lone Star Racing Returns to IMSA Competition with Anton Dias Perera and Scott Andrews for Mercedes-AMG GT4 Michelin Pilot Challenge Campaign

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Official Release
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Perera and Andrews Set for Majority of 2023’s Michelin Pilot Challenge Grand Sport (GS) Races in No. 27 Lone Star Racing/Bluff City Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4

CRESSON, Texas (January 13, 2023) – Winning Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing team Lone Star Racing returns to IMSA competition for the first time since the 2019 season this year with a Michelin Pilot Challenge Grand Sport (GS) program for third-year co-drivers Anton Dias Perera and Scott Andrews in the No. 27 Lone Star Racing/Bluff City Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4.

Perera and Andrews contest their first race with Lone Star in the four-hour Michelin Pilot Challenge season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) Friday, January 27. The team also plans to compete in March’s second Pilot Challenge race of the year at the 12 Hours of Sebring to kick-off a select schedule of events that will see the Lone Star/Bluff City No. 27 compete in at least the majority of this season’s GS races.

“I am very excited for 2023,” Perera said. “Our Mercedes-AMG GT4 was a blast to drive last season and I think we have a strong package. Lone Star Racing is a top level team and Mercedes-AMG is in their DNA.”

Michelin Pilot Challenge competition is new to Lone Star Racing but the team is highly experienced with the Mercedes-AMG GT4 and GT3 platforms. The team purchased a Mercedes-AMG GT4 in its first year of availability in North America in 2018, and it is rare to not find at least one of the cars in the team’s race shop in Texas as they maintain and prepare several AMG GT4s for customers.

Lone Star has also won North American GT races with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 and amassed a solid string of victories and podium results with the cars in several series. The most recent victory came in last October’s Intercontinental GT Challenge Indianapolis 8 Hour where Lone Star provided its Mercedes-AMG GT3, technical and logistics support and all paddock and pitside support equipment for a championship-clinching victory by Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing and co-drivers Raffaele Marciello, Daniel Juncadella and Daniel Morad.

“All of us at Lone Star Racing are excited to be able to partner with Anton and Scott to continue the development of the Bluff City Racing car and drivers,” said AJ Petersen, Lone Star Racing Team Manager and Technical Director. “This is our return to IMSA competition for the fist time in a few seasons. The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series is a first for us, but we know the game and are certainly not new to firsts. We have been running in different racing series the last couple of years with successful outings, race wins and a string of podium finishes. I’ve been impressed with Anton’s and Scott’s approach and enjoy working with them. We are all pulling in the same direction and will continue to establish a strong foundation.”

After running a Mercedes-AMG GT4 in his IMSA debut three years ago, Perera returned to the “Silver Star” with Andrews for the final three races of the 2022 season and immediately impressed.

Perera drove competitive opening stints in all three rounds and joined Andrews in concluding the year with a best finish of fifth in the season-ending race at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. One race earlier at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR), Andrews was leading on the last lap only to run out of fuel with the waving checkered flag in sight. The team’s first race back in the Mercedes-AMG GT4 was at Road America where Andrews was battling for a top-five and even podium-finish in the late stages before the car lost a rear wheel.

“I am really looking forward to getting back into IMSA racing, especially with the Mercedes-AMG GT4,” Andrews said. “We had some great results with the car at the end of last year. Anton seems to gel with the car, and his pace was fantastic as his development keeps skyrocketing. I am really excited to be with Lone Star Racing and have been really pleased with AJ’s attention to detail so far. I really think that we can enter the season at Daytona kind of where we left off in 2022.”

Andrews has seen some recent success at Daytona, including co-driving to the Rolex 24 LMP3 class victory in 2021. He secured another Rolex 24 podium showing with a third place GTD-class finish last year in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. Both years Andrews also raced with Perera in the four-hour GS race that is the Friday feature event of each year’s Rolex 24.

“There will be a lot more competition I think in GS racing this year with the so called ‘Pro-Pro’ driver lineups,” Andrews said. “So, it will be a big challenge for us, but I have faith in Anton, in the team and certainly the car, and we will see how we go. Overall, I am very excited.”

After previously adding a third driver to the team for the four-hour Daytona opener, Perera and Andrews compete as a duo this year.

“For me and Scott Andrews, this is our third season in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series,” Perera said. “I have full confidence in our team manager AJ Petersen’s ability to execute at a high level. The objective is always a full season campaign, but we will see how we start off in Daytona and then in Sebring.”

Lone Star Racing competes in the 2023 season with the support of ACS Manufacturing and Bluff City Racing.

About Lone Star Racing: Based at Motorsport Ranch within the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area in Cresson, Texas, Lone Star Racing is competing in the No. 27 Lone Star Racing/Bluff City Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 in the 2023 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series. Lone Star Racing and its team members have won races across North America spanning sprint and endurance racing formats. The crew has worked together on many different teams and various types of cars, developing a strong bond and proven capability that gives them a competitive and winning advantage. Lone Star Racing competes with the support of primary partner ACS Manufacturing, Inc. (www.ACSManufacturing.com). Look for Lone Star Racing and team owner/driver Dan Knox on Facebook and follow the team on YouTube at Lone Star Racing, on Twitter and Instagram at @LSRTeam and on the official team web site at www.LoneStarRacingTeam.com.

Hattori Racing Enterprises retains Tyler Ankrum for 2023 Truck season

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Simon Scoggins for SpeedwayMedia.com!

Tyler Ankrum will be returning for a second full-time stint in the No. 16 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Hattori Racing Enterprises for the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.

The news comes as the 21-year-old Ankrum from San Bernardino, California, is coming off his first campaign with the organization. Throughout the 23-race schedule this past season, he finished in the top-10 eight times, led four laps and recorded an average-finishing result of 14.6 before settling in 12th place in the final driver’s standings.

LiUNA! (Laborers’ International Union of North America) will be returning to sponsor Ankrum’s truck in 21 of 23-scheduled races for this upcoming season. In addition, veteran crew chief Doug Randolph will work atop the No. 16 pit box to guide the Californian. Randolph spent the previous three seasons in the Xfinity Series with Brandonbilt Motorsports.

“It’s an honor to return to [Hattori Racing Enterprises] and the Toyota family in 2023,” Ankrum said. “There was already a solid foundation in place at HRE, and with the addition of Doug [Randolph] to the organization, I know we can achieve our goals as a team – get back to victory lane and be a strong playoff contender. LIUNA has grown to be more than just a partner over the last three seasons. They have come to be more like family. It is an honor to carry their colors for the fourth consecutive season and represent the more than 500,000 members for their 120th birthday celebration in 2023.”

Ankrum made his inaugural presence in the Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway in October 2018 after winning the ARCA Menards Series East championship, where he piloted the No. 54 DGR-Crosley Toyota Tundra to an 18th-place result. After finishing sixth in his second series start at Phoenix Raceway in November, he was announced as a full-time competitor for DGR-Crosley for the 2019 season. Despite being absent for the first three events on the schedule due to age restrictions and losing his ride with the team midway into the season due to sponsorship issues, he managed to secure his first career victory at Kentucky Speedway in July and grab a spot for the 2019 Truck Playoffs, where he proceeded to finish a career-best eighth in the final standings.

Prior to joining Hattori Racing Enterprises in 2022, Ankrum spent the previous two seasons at GMS Racing, where he accumulated a total of six top-five results and 15 top-10 results. He qualified for the 2020 Truck Playoffs and finished ninth in the final standings, but missed the Playoffs in 2021 and settled in 15th place in the final standings.

Through 90 previous starts in the Truck circuit, Ankrum has achieved one victory, one pole, nine top-five results, 32 top-10 results, 129 laps led and an average-finishing result of 15.6.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Tyler back for his second season with our team and continuing the partnership with Toyota Racing,” Shige Hattori, Owner of Hattori Racing Enterprises, added. “Tyler has been through the playoffs and has a lot of Trucks Series experience. With Doug [Randolph)]coming on board for the 2023 season, we look to build great chemistry with Tyler and the team. We want to get him back to victory lane and be a strong playoff contender.”

With his plans for the 2023 season set, Ankrum is scheduled to commence his second Truck Series stint with Hattori Racing Enterprises at Daytona International Speedway. The series’ opener is scheduled to occur on February 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

NASCAR PLAYOFFS AND INDYCAR/NASCAR TRUCK EVENTS HIGHLIGHT FULL CALENDAR OF RACING, ENTERTAINMENT IN 2023

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Official Release
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• NASCAR Playoffs include Sept. 23-24 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 weekend
• NTT INDYCAR SERIES/NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series together again for April 1-2 doubleheader
• Full calendar of the best in sports and entertainment events

FORT WORTH, Texas (JAN. 13, 2023) – Texas Motor Speedway’s 2023 major event schedule is an incredibly strong mix of the best motorsports and car culture along with music and outdoor entertainment that has something for just about everyone.

There’s everything from the NASCAR Playoffs weekend and the first NTT INDYCAR SERIES oval race of the season, car shows and competitions and the Ducks Unlimited Expo, the four-day Hwy 30 Music Fest and Bandas y Trocas Hispanic concert and truck show, and then wrapping up the year with the family-favorite and speedway tradition Gift of Lights holiday light show.

“There’s definitely something for everyone on the Texas Motor Speedway events schedule in 2023,” said Texas Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Mark Faber. “Our primary anchors are obviously the Sept. 23-24 NASCAR Playoffs and April 1-2 NTT INDYCAR SERIES/NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series weekends. That said, our long-standing motorsports and car culture events like the Goodguys Lone Star Nationals, LS Fest, and FuelFest always attract great crowds. We are also very proud to continue the success of recent additions including the Ducks Unlimited Expo and Bandas y Trocas. Finally, aligning with the Hwy 30 Music Fest for a four-day country music festival in late October opens up additional opportunities for the facility to further solidify itself as a Fort Worth sports and entertainment destination.”

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series are once again paired up for an amazing April 1-2 doubleheader weekend of both open-wheel and truck racing after 23 years together but the last three years apart. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 250 is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, where 2022 race winner Stewart Friesen will attempt to repeat while holding off reigning series champion Zane Smith and a full field of veterans and young guns who will be beating and banging their way to earn the opportunity to take the checkered flag and drive into SpeedyCash.com Victory Lane.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES earns full focus April 2 with the Texas INDY 375 where two-time and reigning TMS race winner Josef Newgarden made a dramatic last-lap, last-turn pass for the lead from the outside lane against Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin in what turned out to be the series’ closest margin of victory on the 2022 schedule. Newgarden will certainly be a driver to watch in 2023 but will have his hands full with his Team Penske teammates as well as six-time series champion and five-time TMS winner Scott Dixon, 2021 winner Patricio “Pato” O’Ward and a full field of others.

The NASCAR Playoffs invade Texas Motor Speedway Sept. 23-24 for the NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 and the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300.

The Sept. 23 Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 will be the second of three races in the Round of 12. Last year’s race saw Noah Gragson earn his seventh victory of the season and fourth straight, tying a series record set by Sam Ard in 1983. Gragson has moved on to the NASCAR Cup Series but the battle for the win in 2023 will be just as tight between top championship contenders like Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill, Daniel Hemric, as well as a few Cup drivers enjoying a Saturday afternoon behind the wheel.

The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 will be the first of three races in the Round of 12. Tyler Reddick pulled into SpeedyCash.com Victory Lane after last year’s race but has since moved from Richard Childress Racing (RCR) to 23XI Racing. Kyle Busch, the winningest driver at Texas Motor Speedway with 18 victories across NASCAR’s three national series, has something to prove with his move to RCR. Reigning series champion Joey Logano (TMS Spring 2014 winner), three-time TMS winner and past Kevin Harvick, and past champions Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson will be just a few of the many elite drivers attempting to move on to the next round of the playoffs with a win at The Great American Speedway.

Texas Motor Speedway 2023 Major Event Schedule
March 10-12 Goodguys Lone Star Nationals
April 1-2 NTT INDYCAR SERIES/NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
April 15 FuelFest
May 5-7 Ducks Unlimited Expo
May 19-20 LS Fest
May 27 Bandas & Trocas (Bands & Trucks)
Sept. 23-24 NASCAR Cup Series/NASCAR Xfinity Series (Playoffs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1 Goodguys Lone Star Nationals
Oct. 19-22 Hwy 30 Music Fest
Nov. 23- Jan. 1 Gift of Lights

Season tickets and camping for Texas Motor Speedway’s 2023 major event season are on sale now. Save up to 33 percent versus buying individual tickets, take advantage of interest-free monthly payments, get the best seat selection and more. All-new reduced rates are available for the GEICO Infield, GEICO VIP and WinStar World Casino & Resort Lone Star Circle camping areas. Click HERE for more information and to purchase season tickets.

MORE INFO:
Keep track of all of Texas Motor Speedway’s busy schedule by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest news and information on the speedway website and TMS mobile app.

Chicago Pneumatic to Support McDowell at Premier NASCAR Events in 2023

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Official Release
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Program Also Includes Partnership of Gilliland and No. 38 Team

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 13, 2023) – Chicago Pneumatic (CP) and its Compressors and Air Treatment division has increased its support of Front Row Motorsports (FRM) for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series race season. The bold black and red brand colors of CP Compressors will be on the No. 34 Ford Mustang during the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in May and when the NASCAR Cup Series makes its debut on the streets of Chicago during the July 4 weekend. CP Compressors will be a major associate of the 2021 Daytona 500 champion Michael McDowell and the team all season.

As it did in 2022, CP Compressors will also support Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Ford Mustang team. Gilliland and the No. 38 team will carry the brand colors at the Michigan International Speedway in August. This is the fourth year that CP Compressors will partner with FRM.

“We can’t wait for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season with Front Row Motorsports,” said Maggie Rogers, Communications and Branding Marketing Manager, Chicago Pneumatic Compressors. “Our partnership continues to grow just as the team is seeing it’s most success on the track. We’re proud that FRM is winning a championship with CP Compressors in their race shop, and we want to continue to help build their program while letting NASCAR fans learn more about us.”

The CP Compressors and Air Treatment division is a market-leading manufacturer and distributor of compressed air products. They offer both fixed and variable speed compressors that range in sizes from 3 – 350 HP and come with the option to be either tank-mounted or base-mounted, as well as the availability for integrated dryers. No matter what the application, CP Compressors have a model to fit all needs for those at home or in business.

“We are really thankful for Chicago Pneumatic,” said McDowell. “They have come on board to our organization and have really helped us move forward. They are giving us that winning edge at the race shop with their products and more fans are recognizing what a great company they are. I’m proud to have them support our team at some of our biggest races this season.”

Fans can go to www.cpcompressors.com to learn more.

ABOUT CHICAGO PNEUMATIC COMPRESSORS

Chicago Pneumatic Compressors is a market leading manufacturer and distributor of industrial compressed air products such as screw compressors, piston compressors and air treatment. When you are in need of a professional air compressor, CP Compressors is sure to have the right solution. We have used our years of experience to design compressors that are professional and reliable, and to tailor our products to your needs. Visit www.cpcompressors.com for more information.

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.

Rinnai Partners With Tony Stewart in NASCAR and NHRA

By
Official Release
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Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe Along With Tony Stewart Racing’s Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan To Carry Rinnai Branding in 2023

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Jan. 13, 2023) – Rinnai America Corporation, a manufacturer of the No. 1 selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in North America, has partnered with Tony Stewart and his racing entities in NASCAR and the NHRA to promote its line of products using his diverse motorsports portfolio.

In NASCAR, fans will see the red Rinnai logo in an associate position on Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 14 Ford Mustang driven by Chase Briscoe in the NASCAR Cup Series. In the NHRA, Tony Stewart Racing drivers Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan will carry the Rinnai logo in the Camping World Drag Racing Series, with Pruett running a full Rinnai primary sponsorship on her Top Fuel dragster in two events – the NHRA Winternationals March 30-April 2 in Pomona, California, and the NHRA Carolina Nationals Sept. 22-24 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hagan will sport a full Rinnai livery on his Funny Car in the NHRA New England Nationals June 2-4 in Epping, New Hampshire, an event the three-time champion has won four times, including in 2022.

“Our expertise in tankless water heating is unmatched, and this partnership with Tony Stewart and his NASCAR and NHRA teams allows us to tell that story in a thrilling, team-oriented environment that emulates the quality and dedication we put into our products and service,” said Frank Windsor, president, Rinnai America Corporation.

“The similarities of our business to racing are numerous, especially when speed, efficiency and superior quality are keys to success. Performance is paramount, and that’s something Rinnai has always understood. It’s part of our overall commitment to our customers, and racing embodies that commitment.”

The NASCAR Cup Series encompasses a total of 39 events in its milestone 75th season, beginning with the non-points Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum Feb. 5 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and ending with the season finale Nov. 5 at Phoenix Raceway. The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series includes 21 events in 2023. Its 72nd season starts with the NHRA Gatornationals March 9-12 in Gainesville, Florida, and concludes with the NHRA Finals Nov. 9-12 in Pomona.

“We’re incredibly proud to have this partnership with Rinnai because it shows the strength of our motorsports program,” Stewart said. “NASCAR and NHRA offer two very different fan experiences, and combined they touch every corner of the country. Rinnai and its customers get the best of both worlds because our program allows a number of choices to promote its products and services.”

In addition to branding on racecars, Rinnai becomes the official tankless water heater of Stewart-Haas Racing and Tony Stewart Racing. This designation highlights Rinnai’s brand promise of “Creating a healthier way of living®”, a mantra that is at the forefront of all the company’s efforts. By continuing to offer quality products and services to homeowners and organizations, Rinnai is aiding in providing businesses and homes with energy-efficient hot water options for cleaner and healthier living.

The announcement of the partnership comes after a series of milestone events for Rinnai America.

“We opened a new manufacturing facility last year in Griffin, Georgia, that has allowed us to combat shipping delays and supply-chain challenges,” Windsor said. “In this facility we manufacture our new RE Series Tankless Water Heater, the first and only non-condensing unit with a built-in pump. That product, along with our ability to manufacture in the United States, is another reason why we’ve partnered with Tony Stewart and have become the official tankless water heater of Stewart-Haas Racing and Tony Stewart Racing.”

About Rinnai:

Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances, including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances, and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is the No. 1 selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in the United States and Canada. Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $3.3 billion. With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and Creating a healthier way of living®. For more information about Rinnai’s entire product line, visit www.rinnai.us.

NASCAR and Rev Racing Reveal 2023 Drive for Diversity Driver Development Class

By
Official Release
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Eight Drivers will Participate in the Program

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 13, 2023) – NASCAR and Rev Racing announced today the next generation of drivers participating in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program. Following a national and international search, eight talented drivers were selected to the newest class after participating in the Advance Auto Parts Drive for Diversity Combine.

Lavar Scott, Andrés Pérez de Lara, Jaiden Reyna and Justin Campbell are returning to Rev Racing for the 2023 season. Paige Rogers, Eloy Sebastián López Falcón, Caleb Johnson and Nathan Lyons will make their debut in 2023.

Nick Sanchez, who participated in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program in 2022 and won the ARCA Menards Series Championship with Rev Racing last year, is advancing to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Sanchez will pilot the No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet for Rev Racing with its technical alliance partner, Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM).

Rajah Caruth also graduated from the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program and will be competing full time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driving the No. 24 for GMS Racing. Caruth is a prominent iRacer who made his transition to the racetrack in 2019.

“We’re excited to welcome our newest class of drivers and be a part of their growth and development,” said Jordan Leatherman, NASCAR’s Director, Diversity and Inclusion. “We’re proud to see Nick Sanchez and Rajah Caruth graduate from the program and start a new chapter in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Their success reflects their talent and hard work.”

Drivers were selected after participating in the Advance Auto Parts Drive for Diversity Combine held in November of 2022 in Charlotte and South Boston, Va. Participants from the United States and Mexico were evaluated by judges from across the NASCAR industry. Each driver was assessed in different areas from physical fitness and on-track performance to media and marketing skills.

“We are extremely energized by the talent we saw this past November at the Combine,” said Max Siegel, Rev Racing Owner. “We look forward to the season ahead and developing this amazing class of incoming drivers. This year’s class represents a talented pipeline of NASCAR’s future stars. Our entire Rev Racing organization is committed to being a championship contending team and one of the premier development programs in NASCAR. We couldn’t be more proud of our accomplishments last season and of Nick and Rajah’s growth. We remain especially thankful to Chevrolet and Gainbridge for investing in Rev’s growth into the truck series with Nick Sanchez. This will be a pivotal year for our organization and this next class of drivers.”

The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program was created in 2004 to develop and train ethnically diverse and female drivers both on and off the track. NASCAR Cup Series drivers Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suárez and Kyle Larson are alumni of this program, which is operated by Rev Racing in Concord, N.C.

Suárez made history in 2022 becoming the first Mexican-born driver to win a race in the NASCAR Cup Series. A trailblazer in NASCAR, Suárez also made his mark in the sport when he won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in 2016. In 2023, Suárez enters his third season driving for Trackhouse Racing, a team owned by Justin Marks and Pitbull.

Wallace is the first Black driver to win multiple Cup Series races. In 2021 he became the first Black driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race in almost 60 years. In 2023, Wallace enters his third season with the 23XI Racing team owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.

Larson is the first graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program to win a NASCAR Cup Series championship. The Northern California native of Japanese descent won the 2012 K&N Pro Series (now ARCA Menards Series) Championship with Rev Racing. Currently, he’s the only Asian-American driver competing regularly in NASCAR Cup Series.

The 2023 class features the following drivers:

Andrés Pérez de Lara – ARCA Menards Series: The Mexico City, Mexico, native, 17, returns to Rev Racing after competing in the NASCAR México Series and NASCAR México Challenge categories. He is 2022’s NASCAR México Challenge champion.

Lavar Scott – ARCA Menards Series East: The 19-year-old from Carney’s Pointe, N.J., returns to Rev Racing after securing 1st place at Hickory Motor Speedway and his first career win in the NASCAR Truck México Series at Autódromo de Querétaro in Mexico in 2021.

Justin Campbell – NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model: The 17-year-old Griffin, Ga., native returns to Rev Racing for his third season after earning two top 5s and two top 10s in the 2022 Cook Out Summer Shootout in the semi-pro division.

Jaiden Reyna – NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model: The Cornelius, N.C., native, 16, returns to Rev Racing after securing two 1st place finishes at Lincoln Speedway in the young lion division. Reyna also finished a career high 2nd place at Florence Motor Speedway in the late model division.

Paige Rogers – NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model: The 19-year-old from Fort Wayne, Ind., will make her debut with Rev Racing in 2023. Rogers is the 2021 runner-up in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Late Model Sportsman division at Corrigan Oil Speedway.

Caleb Johnson – INEX Legend Car Series: The Denver, Co., native finished 5th in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series point standings. The 14-year-old also has an iRacing background.

Nathan Lyons – INEX Legend Car Series: The 13–year-old originally from Texas, moved to Concord, N.C., to pursue his dream to race in NASCAR. Lyons had five top 10 finishes in the 2022 Cook Out Summer Shootout Outlaw Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Eloy Sebastián López Falcón – INEX Legend Car Series: The Oaxaca, Mexico, native will make his debut with Rev Racing in 2023. The 17-year-old is 2022’s NASCAR Truck México Series champion.

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 Rev Racing

Headquartered in Concord, N.C., Rev Racing, owned by Max Siegel, operates the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, which is the industry’s leading developmental program for ethnic minorities and women drivers and pit crew members. For more information about Rev Racing visit http://revracing.net or follow on Twitter @RevRacin.

Lexus to Exhibit Customized Models Showcasing Diverse Lifestyles at Tokyo Auto Salon and Tokyo Outdoor Show 2023

By
Official Release
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  • The “RZ SPORT CONCEPT”, a concept model exploring the joy of performance and customization unique to battery EVs
  • The “RX OUTDOOR CONCEPT”, “ROV CONCEPT 2” and “GX OUTDOOR CONCEPT”, concept models based on the “Overtrail Project”, which offers a variety of outdoor lifestyle experiences coexisting with nature
  • “LX 600 ‘OFFROAD’ TEAM JAOS 2022 ver.”, a vehicle competing in the BAJA1000, one of the world’s most grueling off-road races

TOKYO, Jan 13, 2023 – (JCN Newswire) – Lexus will exhibit the “RZ SPORT CONCEPT” and “LX 600 ‘OFFROAD’ TEAM JAOS 2022 ver.” at Tokyo Auto Salon 2023, to be held at Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, for three days from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 January 2023. The brand will also debut the “RX OUTDOOR CONCEPT”, “ROV CONCEPT 2” and “GX OUTDOOR CONCEPT” for the first time at the concurrently held Tokyo Outdoor Show 2023.

Tokyo Auto Salon

The two concept cars to be exhibited at the Auto Salon embody the Lexus vision to achieve a carbon neutral society and offer a range of diverse lifestyles, adhering to the corporate concept of “Diverse lifestyles to enjoy with beloved cars” and “Making ever-better motorsports-bred cars”.

RZ SPORT CONCEPT (Produced by Masahiro Sasaki)

The “RZ SPORT CONCEPT” will be on display offering the unique driving experience of a battery EV combined with the joy of customization, while still contributing to the realization of a carbon neutral society. Based on the first dedicated Lexus battery-electric model “RZ”, this model is equipped with high output 150 kw motors in the front and rear to achieve even more powerful driving performance. The vehicle has been lowered by 35 mm and features custom aero parts, larger diameter tires and full bucket seats in both the front and rear.

Under the supervision of racing driver Masahiro Sasaki, who was involved in the development of the RZ, this model offers improved driving performance and the added joy of customization. The exterior color “HAKUGIN” is based on a pure, clear white base that produces a delicate shining texture when illuminated by light, while the blue accent color evokes the clean and dynamic performance of battery EVs, accentuating the sporty image.

LX 600 “OFFROAD” TEAM JAOS 2022 ver

The LX 600 “OFFROAD” TEAM JAOS 2022 ver. from TEAM JAOS, operated by JAOS Co., Ltd., that participated in the 2022 BAJA1000, will also be exhibited. The BAJA1000 is one of the world’s toughest off-road races, with less than half of the competitors finishing each year – all those who do finish are said to be winners because of the grueling, non-stop race over approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) off-road from start-to-finish. The vehicle entered in the competition was modified according to the “Stock Full Class (unmodified production vehicle class)” regulations with a primary focus on safety enhancements. The BAJA1000 project with TEAM JAOS is still ongoing as part of a three-year project. The competition vehicle continues to evolve as it accumulates racing experience. The vehicle will be on display at the TGR booth in the East Hall during the event.

For more information on the LX 600 “OFFROAD” TEAM JAOS 2022 ver., please visit the JAOS Corporation website below.
URL: www.jaos.co.jp/teamjaos/2022/

For more information, visit: https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/lexus/38566175.html.

Early Favorites to Take Home the 2023 F1 Drivers’ Title

By
SM
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Last year, Max Verstappen and Red Bull won the F1 2022 by an absolute landslide. Now, a new season is afoot, meaning that all those drivers and teams who were racing without hope of winning at the back end of 2022, now have fresh hope that they can be title contenders this year. We look at three of the drivers who are likely to be in the running in the 2023 F1 season.

Max Verstappen 

It’s no surprise that Max Verstappen is again a favorite to win the F1 in 2023. Last year, the second-ranked driver in the F1, Charles Leclerc, won three races, while the third-ranked driver, Sergio Perez, won two.

Max Verstappen won a total of 15 races in 2022. That’s how dominant the Dutchman was—he won five times as many races as the next-best driver, and triple the amount that the rest of the podium won combined. Backing Verstappen to carry on this momentum and win his third F1 championship in a row in 2023 is the obvious decision, and the bookies’ odds represent this. It will take some convincing for many punters to put their money anywhere else.

Lewis Hamilton

Seven times over the past two decades Lewis Hamilton has been crowned champion of an F1 season.

Indeed, 2022 was not his year, with the Brit finishing sixth, having not won a race and only podiumed nine times. However, form is temporary, but class is permanent. Hamilton has every chance of rekindling his strong form from years gone by and putting in a big title run in 2023. After the way that Hamilton was harshly robbed of an eighth title in 2021, it’s not surprising that the 38-year-old had a dip in 2022. 

However, this year is a new season and an excellent opportunity for Hamilton.

For those brave enough to place a bet on the seven-time champion winning his eighth title this season, head to these Formula 1 betting sites to back Hamilton. Chances are, Lewis Hamilton will be back better than ever, and as the second favorite at the bookies, will give Max Verstappen a run for his money. 

Charles Leclerc

After the first three races last year, betting odds were blowing up with bets in favor of Charles Leclerc. The 25-year-old had won two of the first three races of the season and was sitting in the box seat to claim the title in 2022. This was before anyone knew that Max Verstappen would hit the kind of form that he did, meaning Leclerc would only win one more race in the entire season.

Despite this, Leclerc was still able to finish second overall in the F1 rankings last year. With a fresh start this year, there’s every chance that the Monacan will be able to take the lessons he learned last season and transform them into victory this year. With a new boss at Ferrari as well in the form of Frederic Vasseur, expect Leclerc to be a genuine title contender in 2023.

Larson sets Indy 500-Coke 600 double bid in 2024

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Kirk Schroll for SpeedwayMedia.com.

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson will be vying for the Memorial Day ‘Double Duty’ challenge by competing in both the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2024.

In an announcement made on Thursday, January 12, Larson, who pilots the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports in the Cup circuit, will also be piloting a Chevrolet entry for Arrow McLaren in the NTT IndyCar Series for the 108th running of the Indy 500. Larson’s McLaren entry will be back by his Cup Series owner Rick Hendrick, who will co-own the entry, and sponsored by HendrickCars.com.

The announcement comes as Larson, who will attempt to make his IndyCar debut next season, is coming off his eighth full-time season in NASCAR’s premier series and second driving for Hendrick Motorsports. Having won the 2021 Cup title on a strength of 10 victories and during his first season at HMS, Larson achieved three victories before finishing in seventh place in the 2022 final standings. He also achieved a total of four poles, 13 top-five results, 19 top-10 results, 635 laps led and an average-finishing result of 14.1 throughout the previous Cup season.

“I’m super excited,” Larson, a 19-time Cup winner, said. “Competing at the Indianapolis 500 is a dream of mine and something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time – since I was a child before I ever began competing in sprint cars. To do it with McLaren and Mr. Hendrick especially is a dream come true. I’m grateful for the opportunity and am really looking forward to it even though it’s still about a year-and-a-half away. I’m really looking forward to competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Charlotte 600 and maybe even get a win or two that day.”

In announcing his plans for the ‘Double Duty’ challenge, Larson will attempt to become the fifth competitor to accomplish the feat that was first started by the late John Andretti in 1994 and was soon followed by Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch.

Busch is the latest competitor to pull the ‘Doubly Duty’ feat in 2014, where he competed between Andretti Autosport and Stewart-Haas Racing. Stewart, who competed in the double twice (1999 and 2001), is the lone competitor to successfully complete the double’s 1,100 miles of racing between the two events in the same day after finishing sixth at Indy with Chip Ganassi Racing before finishing third at Charlotte with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Like Larson, the 2024 ‘Double Duty’ bid will also mark a new first for team owner Rick Hendrick, who will own an IndyCar entry for the first time in his career. The 2023 season is also set to mark Hendrick’s 40th season as an owner in NASCAR’s premier series, where he has accumulated an all-time record 14 championships and 291 victories. He has also accumulated 239 poles, 1,190 top-five results, 2,045 top-10 results and 77,317 laps led.

“Having the opportunity to support Kyle, partner with an elite team like Arrow McLaren and promote HendrickCars.com in one of the world’s great auto racing events is truly unique,” Hendrick said. “All of us are competitors. Putting Kyle in top-level equipment and allowing ample time for him to prepare for such a difficult challenge was important. It’s going to be very, very special to field a Chevrolet in the Indy 500 as a car owner. A collaboration like this was what we needed to make it happen, and fortunately the stars aligned. We’re 100% committed to doing it right and look forward to working with Zak [Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing] and his organization.”

Like Larson and Hendrick Motorsports, the 2024 season will also mark McLaren’s first participation in the ‘Double Duty’ challenge in a storied career highlighted with 12 drivers’ championships, eighth constructors’ titles and 183 victories in Formula One competition. The McLaren manufacturer has also made a total of three trips to Victory Lane in the Indy 500 three times, with the first occurring in 1972 with Mark Donohue. After achieving a second Indy 500 victory with Johnny Rutherford in 1974, McLaren’s latest Indy 500 victory occurred in 1976 with Rutherford.

The Arrow McLaren team, which has been rebranded from Arrow McLaren SP, is set to field three full-time entries in this year’s IndyCar season for drivers Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist and Alexander Rossi. The 2013 Indy 500 champion Tony Kanaan is also set to pilot a fourth Arrow McLaren entry for this year’s 107th running of the Indy 500.

“Adding Kyle Larson with a HendrickCars.com partnership to the Indy 500 lineup in 2024 is exciting for our Arrow McLaren team as well as for race fans,” Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, added. “He’s a complete driver, known for racing anything on wheels, so I’m looking forward to seeing what Kyle can do in an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car. It’s been great working with Rick Hendrick and [Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman] Jeff Gordon to pull this together, so a big thank you to them for what’s to come in May 2024.”

Additional details regarding Larson’s number and car livery for the Indy 500 remains to be determined.

With his plans for the 2024 Memorial Day weekend set, Larson’s 2023 Cup Series season is set to commence at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the second annual Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum, which will occur on February 5 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. This event will be followed by the 65th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, which will occur on February 19 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

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