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RFK Weekly Advance | Phoenix II

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Official Release
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Roush Fenway Keselowski Weekly Advance | Phoenix II

The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season comes to a close this weekend out West as Phoenix Raceway hosts the Championship race. Jack Roush has 17 wins all-time at Phoenix including seven in the NCS, while Chris Buescher is coming off a career-best P10 finish there this spring.

NASCAR Cup Series Race at Phoenix
Sunday, Nov. 6 | 3 p.m. ET
NBC, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90

Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Kohler Generators Ford Mustang
Chris Buescher, No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang

Hooked on Phoenix

Roush Fenway has 299 combined starts at Phoenix, totaling 17 wins, 75 top-five and 135 top-10 finishes. RFK Fords have nine poles and have led 4,031 laps at the 1-mile track.

Winning in the Desert

RFK has won at Phoenix in all three of NASCAR’s major divisions, with the organization’s first win coming in the fall of 1993 with NASCAR Hall of Famer and former driver Mark Martin in the NCS. RFK won the second-ever NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Phoenix in 2000 and former driver Greg Biffle claimed the organization’s 100th overall NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Phoenix in 2009.

Former driver Carl Edwards also won at the track that fall to give RFK the season sweep. All in all, six drivers have won NASCAR races for RFK at Phoenix (Martin, Biffle, Edwards, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Joe Ruttman). In addition, Edwards swept Phoenix in the fall of 2010, winning both the NXS and NCS events.

Xfinity Success

Phoenix was one of the strongest tracks for RFK’s Xfinity program. In 93 starts, the organization won eight times, earned 27 top-fives, 53 top-10s and has led 1,406 laps. RFK most recently went to victory lane with Edwards in Nov. 2010. Its eight wins rank most of any track on the circuit behind only Charlotte (12), Darlington (15), Richmond (9) and Rockingham (10).

Tale of the Tape

RFK has started 170 NCS races at Phoenix, recording a total of seven victories, 35 top-five finishes, 61 top-10 finishes, four poles and has led 2,291 laps. Edwards earned RFK’s most recent victory at Phoenix in the March 2013 event.

RFK Phoenix Wins

1993 Martin Cup

1997-2 Ruttman Truck

2000 Burton Cup

2000 Burton NXS

2001 Biffle Truck

2001 Burton Cup

2001 Biffle NXS

2002 Kenseth Cup

2005-1 Busch Cup

2005-2 Edwards NXS

2006-2 Kenseth NXS

2008-2 Edwards NXS

2009-1 Biffle NXS

2009-2 Edwards NXS

2010-2 Edwards Cup

2010-2 Edwards NXS

2013-1 Edwards Cup

JR Motorsports — NXS Phoenix II Preview

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Official Release
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JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
TRACK: Phoenix Raceway
RACE: NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship (200 laps / 200 miles)
DATE: Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022

Broadcast Information – TV: 6 p.m. ET on USA / Radio: 5:30 p.m. ET on MRN and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Sam Mayer
No. 1 Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet
• Sam Mayer heads to Phoenix Raceway with a chance to finish inside of the top eight in the drivers standings in his first fulltime season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
• Mayer came on strong late in the season, finishing inside the top 10 in seven of the last 10 races.
• The 19-year-old performed admirably through the NXS Playoffs with only one finish outside the top 10 and an average finish of 6.5.
• In five starts on tracks measuring 1-mile in length in the NXS, Mayer has one top five and two top 10s, with a best finish of fifth coming at Dover Motor Speedway earlier this year.

Josh Berry
No. 8 Tire Pros Chevrolet
• In his first full-time NXS season, Josh Berry is one of four drivers who will compete for a championship at Phoenix by virtue of his win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He joins JRM teammates Allgaier and Gragson to comprise three of the four championship contenders.
• In two starts at the 1-mile desert oval, Berry has one top five and one top 10, with a best finish of third coming in the spring race this season.
• At the 1-mile Dover in April, Berry led 55 laps before earning his first win of the 2022 season. The win also locked the 32- year-old into the NXS Playoffs.

Noah Gragson
No. 9 Bass Pro Shops / TrueTimber / Black Rifle Coffee Chevrolet
• Noah Gragson will lead the Championship 4 into Saturday’s season finale at Phoenix as both the top seed and the most recent NXS winner on the 1-mile oval. Gragson led 114 laps on the way to his first win there in 2022. It was the first of eight victories so far this season.
• In seven career NXS starts at Phoenix, Gragson has the victory, two top-five and four top-10 finishes. His 114 laps led in the spring race represent the lion’s share of his 146- lap total.
• Gragson will compete for the series championship for the second straight season on the 1-mile desert oval. He will be joined by JRM teammates Berry and Allgaier.

Justin Allgaier
No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet
• Justin Allgaier enters the 2022 season finale at Phoenix as one of four competitors vying for the NXS championship.
• Allgaier, a five-time participant in the Championship 4, earned his way into the title fight by way of a fifth-place finish last weekend at Martinsville Speedway.
• In 24 career NXS starts at Phoenix, Allgaier has scored two wins, eight top fives and 16 top 10s. The JRM driver most recently went to Victory Lane at the 1-mile oval in the fall of 2019 while leading 85 laps.
• Allgaier currently ranks first in laps led (498), laps run inside the top 15 (4,455), quality passes (537) and fastest laps run (310) in the Valley of the Sun, according to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics.

Driver Quotes

“Unfortunately things didn’t go our way last weekend and we aren’t able to race for a championship, but we can go out there and try some things to get ready for next year. Our goal now is to just go out and win the race to end the season strong. Good luck to our JRM teammates. Hopefully one of them can bring the championship trophy back to the team.” – Sam Mayer

“We worked hard all year long to get ourselves in this position, and that is a testament to all of the hard work that not only Jason (Burdett, crew chief) and all the guys on this No. 7 team did, but to everyone at JR Motorsports as a whole. To have three cars in the Championship 4 with a chance at winning the title is truly remarkable. We all know what lies ahead of us now. We just need to have a smooth weekend and do all we can to make sure we are in the right place at the right time to bring home this championship. I know we are going to have a BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet capable of getting it done, we just need to go out and execute. We are ready.” – Justin Allgaier

“Phoenix is a fun track and it’s one of my favorites that we race at each year. We’ve had strong races the couple of times we have been there and I know this Tire Pros team is doing everything they can to make sure we unload with that same speed on Friday. I have all the confidence in the world in this group. Hopefully we’re lifting that trophy and celebrating in Victory Lane Saturday evening.” – Josh Berry

“Winning the championship has been our goal all year long, and we won at Phoenix in the spring. This weekend, it’s for all the marbles, and this Bass Pro Shops/TrueTimber/Black Rifle Coffee team is at its best when something big is on the line. It’s been a great season for all of us on the No. 9 and for JR Motorsports, so the way to close it out is to win and bring a championship home with us.” – Noah Gragson

JRM Team Updates:

• JR Motorsports at Phoenix: JR Motorsports has competed at Phoenix Raceway a combined 88 times in the NXS. Over the course of those starts at the 1-mile facility, the organization has tallied four wins, 22 top fives and 47 top 10s. The most recent win for the organization came with Noah Gragson earlier this season, securing his opportunity to race in the NXS Playoffs.
• Championship Hunt: For the second time in six years, JR Motorsports holds three of the four spots in the Championship 4 to vie for the NXS Championship. The only other time it happened for JRM came during the 2017 season when Justin Allgaier, William Byron and Elliott Sadler all battled for the coveted title, with Byron coming out on top. Overall, JRM is the only team to have at least one car in the Championship 4 every season since the playoffs began.
• Team Chevy Display: JRM drivers Justin Allgaier, Josh Berry and Sam Mayer will be at the Team Chevy display located in the Phoenix Raceway fan zone on Friday, Nov. 5 from 2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. local time.

Toyota Racing – Weekly Preview – 11.02.22

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: November 1-7, 2022

· NCS/NXS/NCWTS/ARCA: Phoenix Raceway – November 4-6

PLANO, Texas (November 2, 2022) – NASCAR crowns its season-long champions at Phoenix Raceway this weekend.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS | NCWTS

Bell proves to be clutch again… Christopher Bell did exactly what he needed to do in Martinsville on Sunday as the Oklahoma-native scored his third win of the season to advance into the Championship 4 for the first time. By qualifying for the Championship 4, Bell becomes the first driver in NASCAR history to qualify for the Championship 4 in all three national NASCAR tours. Bell has two top-10 finishes in five Cup Series starts at Phoenix Raceway along with a NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at the track in 2018.

Gibbs looking for first title… Ty Gibbs is looking for his first national NASCAR championship this weekend at Phoenix Raceway. The 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year and ARCA Menards Series champion has won six times in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season. The 20-year-old has two starts at Phoenix, with a best of second last spring.

Majeski plans to earn title in first full-time year… Ty Majeski and ThorSport Racing have proven to be a perfect match as the Wisconsin-native is in the Championship 4 for the first time in his first full-time Truck Series season. Majeski – who has won two of the last three races – is making his second Truck Series start at Phoenix. He finished 11th in his series debut in this race in 2019.

Smith desires a championship… Chandler Smith is motivated to close out the year with his first championship. Smith, who was last season’s Truck Series Rookie of the Year, was dominant in this race one season ago as the Georgia-native won the pole and scored his second career Truck Series victory.

Rhodes looks to repeat… Ben Rhodes is looking to become just the second repeat Truck Series champion on Friday evening. Last year, Rhodes made a late-race charge to drive up to third to beat all of his other competitors. If Rhodes wins his second straight title, he will join Matt Crafton as the only repeat titlist in the Truck Series.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA West

Smith pulling double duty… Sammy Smith will look to close out his ARCA Menards Series campaign with another victory. The 18-year-old, who won the ARCA Menards Series East title earlier this season, has six national tour wins. He finished third in the spring at Phoenix after leading 79 laps.

Stay Connected

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About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 43 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With the more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, more than a quarter of the company’s 2021 North American sales were electrified.

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

Parker Chase Returns to Phoenix For ARCA Season Finale

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Official Release
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AVONDALE, Ariz: Parker Chase isn’t done trying for his first ARCA victory in 2022.

While his partial schedule in the premier ARCA Menards Series is complete, Chase will return with the potent Venturini Motorsports this week to kick off Championship 4 weekend at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway in Friday morning’s Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100.

The ARCA Menards Series West finale presents an opportunity for Chase to collect his seventh top-10 overall this season, but also an opportunity to rebound at the Avondale, Ariz. race track after a less-than-ideal 20th place finish in the General Tire 150 in March.

“I’m looking forward to getting to Phoenix this weekend,” said Chase.

We had such a fast Venturini Motorsports Toyota earlier this season but we didn’t get the finish I felt we deserved. I’m glad that I have the chance to return and finish what we started on Friday morning.

“Phoenix is a fun place to race. It certainly is a momentum-type race track, but there is also plenty of space to race but it can be treacherous too. It’s not an easy place to negotiate but that is what makes it so much fun.”

The 100-lap race on November 4 is expected to be an ARCA Menards Series West race that will be full of intensity. In a relatively short race with a stacked field and a championship to be decided, Chase believes that action will start from the drop of the green flag.

“I’m expecting Friday’s race to be a lot like last year’s ARCA West finale,” recalled Chase. “There were over 30 cars entered and the battle was hot and heavy right from the start. With a lot more experience on my side this season, I believe as a driver I’m better prepared and I hope we can showcase that with our No. 15 Ontivity | Vertical Bridge Toyota Camry.”

Looking for his third ARCA top-five finish of the year and first since finishing second at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in July, Chase believes that opportunities will present him and his Venturini Motorsports to contend for his first career ARCA victory.

“I’ve had an absolute blast with Venturini Motorsports this season,” added Chase. “We have done a lot together this year. We have qualified inside the top-10 in all but one race – led at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and have two second-place finishes to boot.

“I want to win though. That’s what we are going to Phoenix to do. It’s achievable, especially with Venturini Motorsports. Yes, the competition will be tough and yes, the drama will likely come into the picture, but we will be ready and hopefully when that checkered flag waves on Friday, we will be the ones hoisting the trophy in Victory Lane.”

Since 2020, Chase has 14 ARCA Menards Series starts to his credit with a career-best finish of second twice at Daytona International Speedway (Feb. 2022) and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (July 2022).

Overall, he has earned three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes and holds an average series finish of 8.9.

For more on Parker Chase, please visit ParkerChase.com, like him on Facebook (Parker Chase), Instagram (@parkerchase) and follow him on Twitter (@parker_chase19).

The Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 (100 laps | 100 miles) is the 11th of 11 races on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series West schedule. A combined practice and qualifying session begins on Thursday, November 3, 2022, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) beginning at 11:30 a.m. MT (2:30 p.m. ET) on Friday, November 4, 2022. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire festivities. All times are local (MT).

GMS Racing NCWTS Race Preview: Phoenix Raceway

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Official Release
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Grant Enfinger, No. 23 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet Silverado RST

Phoenix Raceway Stats

  • NCWTS Starts: 5, Poles: 1 (2020), Best finish: 4th (2018), Top-5s: 2, Top-10s: 2, Laps led: 12

2022 NCWTS Season Stats

  • Starts: 22, Wins: 1 (IRP), Best start: 3rd, Top 5s: 7, Top 10s: 11, Laps led: 44, Current points position: 7th

— About Champion Power Equipment: Since 2003 Champion Power Equipment has earned a reputation for designing and producing the market’s finest power equipment. From our original headquarters in Santa Fe Springs, California, Champion has expanded its North American footprint to include facilities in Jackson, Tennessee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Toronto Canada. Today, Champion’s product line has expanded to include portable generators, home standby generators, inverter generators, engines, winches and log splitters. With over 2.5 million generators sold in North America, Champion is a market leader in the power equipment field. Visit ChampionPowerEquipment.com for more information.

  • Chassis History/Info: Enfinger and the No. 23 team will compete with GMS Racing chassis no. 345 at Phoenix Raceway. Debuting earlier this season, Enfinger has driven this Chevrolet to two top-five finishes in two starts at Richmond Raceway, where he finished fourth, and Kansas Speedway, where he finished fifth. Grant looks to keep this finishing streak alive in the Arizona desert.
  • Career Milestone: Friday’s Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix Raceway will mark a special milestone for Grant Enfinger, as the veteran will make his 150th career start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The driver of the No. 23 Chevrolet made his series debut at his home track of Talladega Superspeedway on October 30th, 2010, and since then has won five pole awards and seven race wins – including two with GMS Racing at Talladega and Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Champion Power Equipment has been right there with him nearly every step of the way, showcasing one of the strongest driver/partner relationships ever held in the series. In commemoration of this milestone, the team will run a special decal on Enfinger’s truck this weekend.
  • Season Recap: In his highly-anticipated return to GMS Racing, Grant Enfinger proved that he and the No. 23 team can perform at a championship caliber level. Though he was eliminated from the playoffs after the last race, Enfinger heads into the season finale scored seventh in the drivers’ points standings, with fifth place still in sight. The driver of the No. 23 Chevrolet led 44 laps and posted seven top-fives along with 11 top-10 finishes during the 2022 campaign, and won at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in dramatic fashion. Enfinger’s best qualifying effort was third place at Darlington Raceway.
  • Driver Appearances: Fans attending the race weekend in Phoenix will have two opportunities to meet Grant Enfinger on race day, with times highlighted below:

Friday, 11/4 – Team Chevy Stage – Both GMS Racing drivers will host a Q&A session at the Team Chevy stage in the Phoenix Raceway fan-zone from 12:45 PM to 1:00 PM local time.
Friday, 11/4 – NCWTS Autograph Session – Both GMS Racing drivers will participate in an autograph session inside the Phoenix Raceway infield from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM local time.
- GE Quote: Enfinger ‘s thoughts on Phoenix Raceway and his season with GMS Racing:

“Phoenix Raceway is a unique place on the schedule. As a driver, you can begin to notice that the track surface is beginning to age a little bit, which is always good. Both corners are different so you have to compromise and adapt your driving styles for each end of the track. Jeff Hensley and I have a solid baseline to add onto the already stellar notebook that GMS Racing has here, so I’m definitely looking forward to finishing our season off right this weekend.

2022 has been a challenging season for us at GMS Racing, but everyone has rallied and pulled together to make the absolute most of it. Having the support from everyone at Champion Power Equipment, Chevrolet, and GMS Fabrication has been incredible this year. While I wish we were going to be fighting for a championship this weekend, I can hang my head high knowing that we have a lot of exciting things ahead of us over the off season. We aren’t looking past this weekend however, as I think we have a great chance at playing spoiler and chasing our second win of the season. It’s going to be fun!”

Jack Wood, No. 24 Quick Quack Car Wash Chevrolet Silverado RST

Phoenix Raceway Stats

  • NCWTS Starts: 1, Best start: 15th, Best finish: 20th (2021)
  • ARCA Starts: 1, Best start: 7th, Best finish: 29th (2021)
  • ARCA / K&N West Starts: 3, Best start: 7th, Best finish: 11th (2019)

2022 NCWTS Season Stats

  • Starts: 22, Best start: 10th, Best finish: 13th (Atlanta), Current points position: 23rd
  • About Quick Quack Car Wash: Headquartered in Roseville, California, Quick Quack now owns and operates over 140 locations across Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, and Utah, with continued growth throughout these regions. Quick Quack takes pride in having been awarded “The Best of…” or “The Favorite” car wash in every community where a Quick Quack can be found. Additionally, Quick Quack has been recognized as a leader in establishing an environmentally friendly and sustainable business.

As the company continues to grow, the founding partners never lose sight of the Quick Quack mission to Change Lives for The Better. Through their Random Quacks of Kindness, community fundraisers and organization sponsorships, Quick Quack is honored to give back to the communities they serve. Learn more by visiting www.dontdrivedirty.com.

  • Chassis History/Info: Wood and the No. 24 team will compete with GMS Racing chassis no. 302 in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway. This Chevrolet Silverado RST has one pole on its resumé at Texas Motor Speedway in 2020, along with one win at Darlington Raceway in 2021, both with Sheldon Creed at the wheel. Though it has not competed in a race at Phoenix Raceway before, Wood most recently drove it at a similar track in Richmond Raceway earlier this season, where he finished 23rd.
  • Season Recap: Wrapping up his first full-time season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Jack Wood enters the season finale at Phoenix Raceway scored 23rd in the drivers’ points standings. Wood, who competed for Sunoco Rookie Of The Year honors this season, is currently shown as the third-highest performing rookie on the tour. The driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet will be credited with a best qualifying effort of 10th place at Nashville Superspeedway and a best finish of 13th at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
  • Driver Appearances: Fans attending the race weekend in Phoenix will have plenty of opportunities to meet Jack Wood, with dates and times highlighted below:

Thursday, 11/3 – Quick Quack Car Wash Tolleson Location – Wood will take a visit to the Quick Quack Car Wash location close to the racetrack at 2620 S 99th Ave, Tolleson, AZ 85353 from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM local time.
Friday, 11/4 – Quick Quack Car Wash Display – Wood will be signing autographs at the Quick Quack Car Wash Display in the Phoenix Raceway fan zone from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM local time.
Friday, 11/4 – Team Chevy Stage – Both GMS Racing drivers will host a Q&A session at the Team Chevy stage in the Phoenix Raceway fan zone from 12:45 PM to 1:00 PM local time.
Friday, 11/4 – NCWTS Autograph Session – Both GMS Racing drivers will participate in an autograph session inside the Phoenix Raceway infield from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM local time.
Sunday, 11/6 – Quick Quack Car Wash Display – Wood will be signing autographs at the Quick Quack Car Wash Display in the Phoenix Raceway fan zone from 11:15 AM to 11:45 AM local time.
- JW Quote: Wood’s thoughts on ending his 2022 season at Phoenix with GMS Racing:

“Out of all of the tracks on the schedule, I have the most experience at Phoenix Raceway. I’ve ran a few West Series races before with my family team, and have also driven an ARCA car as well as a truck with GMS Racing. I’m confident ending our season there, and I think that it’s a place where if we are able to hit the setup right, we can have a good day.

Overall heading into our last race, I would like to say thank you to everyone at GMS Racing for everything they’ve done for me over the past two years. It has been a great experience to become a part of this organization and I’ve learned a lot with them. Everyone has put in a huge amount of effort into this season through the ups and the downs, and they haven’t given up on me, so we’re going to give it everything we’ve got to crack into the top-10 and finish strong.”

ABOUT GMS RACING:

GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series operating the No. 23 and the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs, as well as the ARCA Menards Series with the No. 43 Chevrolet SS. Since the team was formed in 2012, GMS Racing has won five titles across multiple series, including the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship, the 2015 ARCA Menards Series championship, as well as the 2019 & 2020 ARCA Menards Series East championships. GMS has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. including operations for GMS Fabrication. The GMS Racing campus also houses operations for Petty GMS, a two car full-time NASCAR Cup Series team formed in 2021.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Klara Andersson to compete for ABT CUPRA XE at season finale in Uruguay

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Official Release
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2 November 2022, London: Former Championship Driver and FIA World RX star Klara Andersson will start alongside Nasser Al-Attiyah for ABT CUPRA XE at the final race of Extreme E Season 2.

The 22-year-old Swede replaces Jutta Kleinschmidt, who continues to recover from an injury suffered at the previous race in Chile. Kleinschmidt was ruled out of competing in Extreme E’s South American debut following a crash in Free Practice 2.

Thomas Biermaier, ABT CEO, commented: “We are in constant touch with Jutta and sincerely wish her a continued good recovery.

“At the same time, we are pleased that we managed to have Klara [Andersson] in the team for the season finale after her strong debut in Chile. After the podium finish, our goal is clear: we want to end our second season in Extreme E, in which there have been some ups and downs, on a high.”

Getting behind the wheel at the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix marked a long-awaited series debut for Andersson, and the Swedish protégé showed no sign of nerves as she helped the team step onto the podium to take third.

This marked ABT CUPRA XE’s first podium of Extreme E Season 2 and meant a top three finish for Andersson in her very first race in the Championship.

Klara Andersson, ABT CUPRA XE, said: “It was great how the entire team pulled together and gave me such a warm welcome. The fact that we were on the podium 48 hours later was a great finish for everyone in the team and for me, of course. The organisers continue to develop all areas: the events are becoming more and more professional, and the technology of the cars has also improved significantly within one season.

“I’ve never been to Uruguay before, so even the whole journey is an adventure. We now can sort ourselves out in advance, clarify open questions and prepare in a structured way. Onsite, I’ve got the course walk to get to know the track and two Free Practice sessions to get used to everything before Qualifying – a normal race weekend, in other words.

“I’m delighted that ABT and CUPRA have put their trust in me and that we will be competing in the final together. It’s a great challenge and I’m already a bit excited. We’re pushing together for a good end to the team’s season. We saw in Chile that we have the pace for this. We’ll build on that.”

Andersson also picked up the Zenith ‘Moment in Time’ Award for her performances for ABT CUPRA XE in the Semi-Finals and Final, the highlight being an exceptional overtake on No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing’s Sara Price in Semi-Final 2.

As well as competing in Extreme E this year, Andersson is already enjoying a strong 2022 season. She is currently competing in World RX as the first permanent female competitor in WRX history with Construction Equipment Dealer Team.

Andersson recorded her best WRX result to date by finishing third in Portugal – becoming the first-ever female driver to step on the podium in the championship’s history.

Catch the Swede in action at the Season 2 finale in Uruguay, as the Championship heads to Punta del Este for an exciting showdown in just under a month’s time (26-27 November).

To learn more about Extreme E, visit – www.Extreme-E.com

About Extreme E:

Extreme E is a radical new racing series, which will see electric SUVs competing in extreme environments around the world which have already been damaged or affected by climate and environmental issues. The five-race global voyage highlights the impact of climate change and human interference in some of the world’s most remote locations and promotes the adoption of electric vehicles in the quest for a lower carbon future for the planet.

To minimise local impact, Extreme E races will not be open to spectators, with fans instead invited to follow the action through live TV broadcast, and on social media.

The St. Helena, a former passenger cargo ship, has undergone a multi-million Euro refit to minimise emissions and transform her into Extreme E’s operations hub. The ship will be used to transport the championship’s freight and infrastructure, including vehicles, to the nearest port, minimising Extreme E’s footprint, as well as being used to facilitate scientific research through its on-board laboratory.

Extreme E is also pioneering hydrogen fuel cell technology which will enable its race fleet to be charged using zero emission energy. This innovative solution from AFC Energy uses water and sun to generate hydrogen power. Not only will this process emit no greenhouse emissions, its only by-product will be water, which will be utilised elsewhere on-site.

Season 2 Calendar: 

Neom, Saudi Arabia
19-20 February 2022
Sardinia, Italy
06-07 July 2022
Sardinia, Italy
09-10 July 2022
Antofagasta, Chile
24-25 September 2022
Punta del Este, Uruguay
26-27 November 2022

About Continental Tires: Founding Partner and Official Tire Partner

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. Continental generated preliminary sales of €37.7 billion in 2020 and currently employs more than 235,000 people in 58 countries and markets. In 2021, the company celebrates its 150th anniversary.

The Tires business area has 24 production and development locations worldwide. Continental is one of the leading tire manufacturers with more than 56,000 employees and posted preliminary sales of €10.2 billion in 2020 in this business area. Continental ranks among the technology leaders in tire production and offers a broad product range for passenger cars, commercial and special-purpose vehicles as well as two-wheelers. Through continuous investment in research and development, Continental makes a major contribution to safe, cost effective and ecologically efficient mobility. The portfolio of the Tires business area includes services for the tire trade and fleet applications, as well as digital management systems for tires.

About ENOWA

About ENOWA: ENOWA is a world-class energy, water and hydrogen company founded in NEOM, Saudi Arabia. ENOWA produces and delivers clean and sustainable resources for industrial and commercial applications using a customer-centric smart and connected system, designed to be circular and takes advantage of NEOM’s optimal solar and wind energy profile. ENOWA benefits from NEOM’s greenfield site, which has no legacy infrastructure, to advance Energy, Water, and Hydrogen innovation.

ENOWA will act as a catalyst and incubator for developing new, sustainable energy and water businesses while creating a robust economic sector regionally. Through its commitment to renewable energy and efficient water management, ENOWA seeks to become a global reference for industry leaders and setting a benchmark for sustainable economic circular systems around the world.

For more information, please visit enowa.neom.com

About NEOM: NEOM is an accelerator of human progress and a vision of what a New Future might look like. It is a region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea being built from the ground up as a living laboratory – a place where entrepreneurship will chart the course for this New Future. It will be a destination and a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for exceptional livability, creating thriving businesses and reinventing environmental conservation.

NEOM will include hyperconnected, cognitive towns and cities, ports and enterprise zones, research centers, sports and entertainment venues and tourist destinations. As a hub for innovation, entrepreneurs, business leaders and companies will come to research, incubate and commercialize new technologies and enterprises in groundbreaking ways. Residents of NEOM will embody an international ethos and embrace a culture of exploration, risk-taking and diversity.

For further information email media@neom.com or visit www.neom.comand www.neom.com/en-us/newsroom

About CBMM: Founding Supplier

CBMM is the world leading supplier of niobium products and technology. Headquartered in Brazil, with offices and subsidiaries in China, Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States.

CBMM offers technical innovation to customers around the globe through a team of over 2,000 highly trained, dedicated professionals providing cutting-edge niobium products and technology to over 400 clients in around 40 countries.

About PANGAIA

PANGAIA is a materials science company on a mission to save our environment. We are a global collective of one heart and many hands — scientists, technologists, designers — creating essential products from innovative tech and bio-engineered materials.

About LVRSustainable
LVRSustainable is the section of LuisaViaRoma that offers a carefully curated selection of the best sustainable brands and carries out special collaborations with non-profit entities, charitable organisations, and brands to support social and environmental causes. LVRSustainable aims to build a global sustainable community and to promote supporting conscious fashion based on the following criteria: organic, vegan, fair trade, eco-friendly, women’s empowerment, community engagement, recycling & upcycling, and luxury craftsmanship.

About LuisaViaRoma
LuisaViaRoma is one of the world’s leading online luxury fashion retailers. Founded in 1929 by the Panconesi family with the opening of a small hat boutique on Via Roma in Florence, to then creating LUISAVIAROMA.COM in the 2000s it became the first online fashion platform to combine an avant-garde concept store with a strong digital presence. Currently, over 230 people from all over the world work at LuisaViaRoma. Based in Florence, the company ships to over 120 countries and closed 2020 with a turnover of approximately 180 million euros, of which over 90% resulting from online sales and over 75% from purchases by international customers.

About Zenith: Official Timekeeper and Founding Partner

ZENITH: TIME TO REACH YOUR STAR.

Zenith exists to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams and make them come true – against all odds. Since its establishment in 1865, Zenith became the first watch manufacture in the modern sense of the term, and its watches have accompanied extraordinary figures that dreamt big and strived to achieve the impossible – from Louis Blériot’s history-making flight across the English Channel to Felix Baumgartner’s record-setting stratospheric free-fall jump. Zenith is also highlighting visionary and trailblazing women – past and present – by celebrating their accomplishments and creating in 2020 its first-ever collection dedicated entirely to them, Defy Midnight.

With innovation as its guiding star, Zenith features exceptional in-house developed and manufactured movements in all its watches. Since the creation of the El Primero in 1969, the world’s first automatic chronograph calibre, Zenith has gone on to master fractions of the second with the Chronomaster Sport and its 1/10th of a second precision and the DEFY 21 with a precision of 1/100th of a second. Zenith has been shaping the future of Swiss watchmaking since 1865, accompanying those who dare to challenge themselves and break barriers. The time to reach your star is now.

About Allianz: Founding Partner and Official Insurance Partner

The Allianz Group is one of the world’s leading insurers and asset managers with more than 100 million private and corporate customers in more than 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing around 790 billion euros on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage 1.7 trillion euros of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we are amongst the leaders in the insurance industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2020, over 150,000 employees achieved total revenues of 140 billion euros and an operating profit of 10.8 billion euros for the group.

About Vodafone Business: Official Technology and Communication Partner

With expertise in connectivity, global scale and the leading IoT platform, Vodafone Business is a leading technology communications company helping organisations succeed in a digital world and keeping society connected. Vodafone’s purpose is to connect for a better future, enabling an inclusive and sustainable digital society, and many of its solutions have sustainability and inclusivity embedded.

Unique in its scale as the largest pan-European and African technology communications company, Vodafone transforms the way we live and work through its innovation, technology, connectivity, platforms, products and services. Vodafone operates mobile and fixed networks in 21 countries, and partners with mobile networks in 52 more. As of 31 December 2021, they had over 300m mobile customers, more than 28m fixed broadband customers and over 22m TV customers.

This collaboration will see Vodafone Business leading innovations and capabilities such as 5G, MPN, IOT and MEC, integrated into Extreme E’s global operations and will include full involvement in the purpose- driven elements of the series, with special prominence on Extreme E’s Legacy Programmes and the Science Laboratory on board the St Helena.Through its IOT solutions, Vodafone Business is helping sustainability efforts, including agriculture, forestation and decarbonisation of energy grids.

Find out more on http://www.Vodafone.com/business and follow Vodafone on its social media channels:

Twitter: @VodafoneGroup

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone

About ALLCOT:

ALLCOT Group, Extreme E’s Official Environmental Credit Supplier, provides innovative project development, carbon markets, and sustainability advisory services since 2009. Allcot’s unique approach is based on using Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, its linkage to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), non-market approaches, and other market mechanisms.

ALLCOT Group aims to lead and accelerate the global transition towards a climate-neutral society by 2050. ALLCOT provides knowledge and expertise to implement climate change intervention initiatives and carbon projects that rely on nature-based and technology-based approaches.

ALLCOT supports firms and public bodies in developing their own emission reduction initiatives by providing consulting services for various carbon quantification standards (CDM, VCS, GS), as well as for various sectors (forestry, waste, renewable energy, transportation, sports). The entire carbon credit value chain is encompassed by these consulting services created under the Paris agreement.

To learn more about ALLCOT, please visit www.allcot.com

About Neat Burger: Official Vegan Partner

Neat Burger is one of the world’s fastest growing plant-based sustainable burger chains, backed by key investors Formula 1 Champion and X44 Extreme E team owner, Lewis Hamilton, and actor and environmentalist, Leonardo DiCaprio.
Established in 2019, Neat Burger has achieved not only a loyal fanbase but industry recognition too, having won for a second year running the UK’s Best Vegan Restaurant of the Year at the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards and it was nominated for the 2021 GQ Food & Drink Sustainability Award. Most recently, the brand was awarded PETA’s inaugural Company of the Year Award for its game changing approach to plant-based diets, encouraging people to eat delicious, protein-packed plant-based meals.

As part of its mission to create a sustainable future, Neat Burger is working with Eden Reforestation Projects on its large-scale reforestation initiatives. In 2021, Neat Burger funded the planting of over one million mangrove trees in Madagascar.

About EY: Official Innovation Partner

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, strategy, transaction and consulting services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.

About INTERprotección: Official Insurance Broker

INTERprotección is composed of a group of Mexican insurance, reinsurance and surety bond brokerage companies. With global presence and recognition, INTERprotección has more than 40 years of experience in management and comprehensive risk consulting in the Mexican market. Its business model is focused on bringing the client to the forefront and offering them the best service through innovative and disruptive products, more recently with its new brand ​inter.mx,​ its insurance digital platform that is transforming the insurtech game. Follow INTERprotección on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter ​@I​NTERproteccion

About Enel X Way: Official Smart Charging Partner

Enel X Way is the Enel Group’s new global business line entirely dedicated to electric mobility. Currently, Enel X Way manages approximately 320,000 charging points, both directly and through interoperability agreements in place worldwide1. As a global platform for e-mobility, the company is focused on developing flexible charging technologies and solutions to improve the customer experience by supporting the electrification of transport for consumers, businesses, cities and public administrations

Find out more on https://enelxway.it/en/home and follow Enel X Way on its social media channels:

LinkedIn: Enel X Way

Twitter: @enelxway

Instagram: @enelxway

Facebook: @enelxway

1 Public and private charging points, including points of interoperability.

About XITE ENERGY: Official Energy Drink Partner

XITE ENERGY was founded by Oliver Bennett and Megan Jones straight out of university two years ago. XITE brings disruptive innovation within the beverage industry; a new frontier to energy drinks. Designed around functionality but with no limitations on health, XITE ENERGY uses functional ingredients that are fused together to provide a cognitive boost, combining natural flavours, natural caffeine and zero sugar.

LaJoie to make 200th Cup career start at Phoenix

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Jeff Clemons for SpeedwayMedia.com.

With the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season less than a week away from concluding, Corey LaJoie is set to achieve a milestone start. By competing in this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship event at Phoenix Raceway, the driver of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will fulfill 200 career starts in NASCAR’s premier series.

A native of Kannapolis, North Carolina, and the son of two-time Xfinity Series champion Randy LaJoie, Corey LaJoie made his inaugural presence in the Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September. By then, he had recorded five victories in the K&N Pro Series East and made two career starts in the Xfinity Series between Richard Petty Motorsports and Biagi-DenBeste Racing. Driving the No. 77 Ford Fusion for Randy Humphrey Racing, LaJoie started and finished 41st in his Cup debut. He then made his second Cup career start three weeks later at Charlotte Motor Speedway for RHR, where he finished 35th after starting 42nd.

Prior to the start of the 2017 Cup Series season, LaJoie joined forces with BK Racing on a part-time schedule. During the first of two Duel events at Daytona International Speedway in February, he rallied from being involved in a late multi-car wreck, where he wrecked Paul Menard and Reed Sorenson in the closing laps, to finish 16th and earn a transfer spot for the 59th running of the Daytona 500, where he finished 24th. He ended up competing in all but four of the 36-race schedule between the Nos. 23 and 83 Toyota Camry for BK Racing. His best on-track result throughout his schedule was an 11th-place run at Daytona in July.

For the 2018 Cup season, LaJoie piloted the No. 72 Chevrolet SS for TriStar Motorsports. Commencing the season with a 40th-place run during the 60th running of the Daytona 500 due to an engine failure and making a total of 23 starts, LaJoie’s season-best result was a 16th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September.

In 2019, LaJoie joined Go Fas Racing to pilot the No. 32 Ford Mustang in the Cup Series on a full-time basis. After commencing the season with an 18th-place run during the 61st running of the Daytona 500 and recording three top-20 results through the first 17-scheduled events, LaJoie notched his first top-10 career result in the Cup circuit after finishing sixth at Daytona in July. He went on to post a seventh-place result at Talladega Superspeedway in October before settling in 29th place in the final standings and in his first full-time stint in NASCAR’s premier series.

Remaining at Go Fas Racing for the 2020 Cup season, LaJoie commenced the season on a harrowing note after being involved in a final lap accident during the 62nd running of the Daytona 500. Entering the tri-oval, LaJoie was battling for a spot in the top 10 when he rammed into the upside-down No. 6 Ford Mustang piloted by Ryan Newman driver’s side that sent Newman’s car airborne before landing back on his roof. Despite the impact that damaged the front nose and windshield of his No. 32 Ford, LaJoie, who managed to finish eighth, emerged uninjured. He went on to finish in the top 20 five times throughout the 36-race schedule before finishing in 30th place in the final standings. By then, LaJoie surpassed 100 career starts in NASCAR’s premier series.

Following a two-year run with Go Fas Racing, LaJoie inked a multi-year deal to pilot the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE for Spire Motorsports, beginning in 2021. He finished ninth during the 63rd running of the Daytona 500 in his first event with Spire before posting five top-20 results during the next 23-scheduled events. At Michigan International Speedway in August, LaJoie missed the event following a positive COVID-19 test. From his return at Daytona in August through the season finale at Phoenix Raceway in November, he posted two additional results in the top 20 before finishing in 29th place in the final standings.

This season, LaJoie kicked off his second stint at Spire Motorsports with a 14th-place run during the 64th running of the Daytona 500. Two races later, he finished 15th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March before achieving his first top-five result in the Cup Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway another two races later in the schedule. The top-five run for LaJoie occurred after he rallied from being involved in an early multi-car pileup, where he spun backwards through the frontstretch grass. He went on to record five additional top-20 results during the following 13 events.

Then when NASCAR returned to Atlanta in July, LaJoie led a career-high 19 of 260-scheduled laps as he was battling Chase Elliott for the win during a three-lap shootout to the finish. After losing the lead to Elliott with two laps remaining, LaJoie made a move to the outside of Elliott on the final lap when he was blocked and forced into the outside wall in Turn 1. The contact and scrape stalled LaJoie’s momentum as he then veered below the track before shooting back across the outside wall and wrecked along with Kurt Busch and Cole Custer. The incident knocked LaJoie to a 21st-place result in the final running order after being in position of winning his first NASCAR Cup event. Despite posting three additional top-20 results during the final seven regular-season events, LaJoie did not accumulate enough points to move out of the top-30 cutline in the standings nor qualify for the 2022 Cup Playoffs. Through nine of 10 Playoff events, he has achieved three top-15 results and is currently ranked in 31st place in the drivers’ standings.

Through 199 previous Cup starts, LaJoie, who will be returning to Spire Motorsports for the 2023 season, has achieved one top-five result, five top-10 results, 57 laps led and an average-finishing result of 26.9.

LaJoie is scheduled to make his 200th Cup Series career start in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Championship event at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, November 6, with the event’s coverage to start at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

John Hunter Nemechek – No. 4 Pye-Barker Fire & Safety Tundra Camping World Trucks Phoenix Preview

By
Official Release
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John Hunter Nemechek: Driver, No. 4 Pye-Barker Fire & Safety Toyota

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Overview:
Event: Lucas Oil 150, Race 23 of 23 (Championship 4)
150 Laps – 45/45/60; 150 Miles
Location: Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway (one-mile oval)
Date/Broadcast: Nov. 4, 2022, at 10 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

Neme’chek’ the Facts:

John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 4 Pye-Barker Fire & Safety team head to Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway for the final race of the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series campaign. Nemechek’s bid for a spot in the Championship 4 for the second consecutive year came up short as the No. 4 team experienced multiple flat-tire issues in the Round of 8 finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The tire issues set back the 25-year-old driver multiple laps early in the race and ultimately took the checkered flag in 35th.

The second-generation driver heads to Phoenix Raceway this Friday for his ninth start in Camping World Truck Series action. In his first eight starts, he has posted 31 laps led, two top-five and five top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.9. Nemechek has also made three NASCAR Cup Series start at the one-mile oval, earning a best finish of 25th in the Spring 2020 event. Earlier this season, Nemechek notched a fifth-place finish for Sam Hunt Racing piloting the No. 26 GR Supra in the Xfinity Series back in March. Across five Xfinity starts, he has two top-five and five top-five finishes.

With one race left in the Camping World Truck Series season, Nemechek leads Truck Series regulars in poles (seven) and is second in driver rating (101.9) and average starting position (7.8). He also sits third in laps led (372).

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, an industry leader in commercial fire protection since 1946, will serve as the primary sponsor for Nemechek at Phoenix. Pye-Barker, who acquired Nemechek’s long-term partner Fire Alarm Services in 2021, has served as the primary sponsor on the No. 4 Tundra five times this season.

Nemechek is a 13-time winner in Camping World Truck Series action, winning at least one race each season from 2015 to 2018 for his family-owned team, NEMCO Motorsports, and returning to victory lane in 2021 and 2022 with KBM. Across 146 career starts in NASCAR’s third division, he has compiled nine poles, 1,553 laps led, 49 top-five and 80 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.5.

Eric Phillips returned to lead the No. 4 team in 2022. His 43 career Truck Series victories make him the winningest crew chief in Truck Series history, with 34 of those coming while at KBM including five last year. Phillips led the No. 18 team at KBM in its debut season in 2010 and helped build the organization into one of the premier teams in all of NASCAR before departing at the end of the 2014 season. Under his guidance, the No. 18 team won eight races in its inaugural campaign and became the Series history to capture an owner’s championship in its first season of competition. In 2014, the Illinois native led the first team in Truck No. 51 team to an owner’s championship and his team’s 10 wins spearheaded KBM to a single-season Truck Series record of 14 wins. At Phoenix, Phillip’s drivers have collected three wins, one pole, five top-five and seven top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 10.2 across 11 starts. He was victorious at the one-mile oval with KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch (2011), Brian Scott (2012), and Erik Jones (2014).

John Hunter Nemechek, Driver Q&A:
Reflect on your two seasons with Kyle Busch Motorsports.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity that Kyle, Toyota, TRD and everyone has given me to be a part of KBM. I’m proud to be a part of the KBM family and winning races over the last two years with a regular season championship and a final four appearance. The goal was to step back and be able to win races and I’ve been able to do that with the support and personnel at KBM.”

What would it mean to end your tenure at KBM going out with a win at Phoenix on Friday?
“It would mean a lot to end with a win and getting the final win with KBM and Toyota. Eric, all of the No. 4 guys, Kyle, the KBM employees in the machine shop (Rowdy Manufacturing), the fab shop, and all of our partners.”

John Hunter Nemechek Career Highlights:

  • 13-time winner in Camping World Truck Series action, winning at least one race each season from 2015 to 2018 for his family-owned team, NEMCO Motorsports. Across 146 career starts in NASCAR’s third division, has compiled nine poles, 1,553 laps led, 49 top-five and 80 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.5. Registered a career-high and series-leading five victories in 2021, earned the NCWTS Regular Season championship and finished third in the final standings after qualifying for the Championship Four for the first time in his career.
  • Produced three top-10 finishes and an average result of 22.4 while competing for rookie of the year honors in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2020. He recorded a career-best eighth-place finish twice, both coming at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
  • Across 67 career XFINITY Series starts, has totaled two wins, one pole, 570 laps led, 17 top-five and 37 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.5.

John Hunter Nemechek’s No. 4 Pye-Barker Tundra TRD Pro:
KBM-56: The No. 4 Pye-Barker Fire & Safety team will unload KBM-056 for Friday night’s race at Phoenix. Nemechek has raced this Tundra on four different occasions in 2022, most recently at Kansas Speedway where he started on the pole, led a race-high 88 laps, and swept all three stages en route to his second win of the season. Overall, KBM-056 has made 15 starts, recording two wins (Nemechek – 2021 & 2022), four top-five and eight top-10 finishes with an average finish of 11.9.

KBM-56 Performance Profile

KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM drivers have collected six wins, six poles, 953 laps led, 15 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 9.1 across 34 starts at Phoenix Raceway. The organization’s six victories at the Arizona track have come with five different drivers, with Chandler Smith’s victory in last year’s event being the most recent. Kyle Busch won in 2011, Brian Scott in 2012, Erik Jones went back-to-back in 2013 and 2014 while Daniel Suarez claimed the top spot in 2016.
  • KBM holds the Camping World Truck Series records for most career wins (98) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). With his victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 19, Corey Heim became the 18th different driver to win a Truck Series event for KBM. In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
  • The No. 4 has 18 career victories at KBM and was the number for both of the organization’s driver championships.

TeamSLR Duo Set for Trans Am Season Finale at COTA

By
Official Release
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Fulltimer Connor Mosack Looks To Lock Down Second Place in TA2 Championship While Part-Timer Chris Liesfeld Seeks Breakthrough Run in Record 55-Car Field

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Nov. 1, 2022) – With 11 races down and one to go, the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is set to end its season this Sunday at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas.

TeamSLR driver Connor Mosack looks to put an exclamation point on his second year of TA2 competition with a victory in the 30-lap, 75-minute race around the 3.426-mile, 20-turn road course so he can secure a career-best second in the final championship standings. Mosack will have a wingman in driver Chris Liesfeld, who returns to TeamSLR for his fifth start of 2022. The duo will be part of a record field of 55 TA2-class entries that eclipses previous high of 52 cars that took the green flag for last year’s season finale at COTA. Mosack will again wheel the No. 28 Open Eyes/Nic Taylor Custom Fit Underwear/M1 Racecars Ford Mustang while Liesfeld returns to the No. 96 Fields Racing/M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro.

Mosack finished second last year at COTA to clinch third in the championship. The 23-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, set sail in 2022 with nothing but the championship in mind. Despite some early season challenges, he was a model of consistency, scoring a series-best five pole positions and rallying his way into title contention with four podium finishes that included his second career victory at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International in September. He was within striking distance of the title heading into the season’s penultimate round at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton on Oct. 8, entering the weekend 16 points behind two-time and defending TA2 champ Rafa Matos. Mosack took the checkered flag in second place, ahead of Matos, which would have narrowed the 16-point gap heading into this weekend COTA. But Mosack was assessed a 40-second penalty for contact deemed avoidable, moving him down to 17th in the official finishing order. He heads to COTA second in the championship, but an almost insurmountable 30 points behind the front-running Matos.

Bettering last year’s third-place finish in the final standings would be a bittersweet consolation for Mosack, who will be racing as a newlywed for the first time after marrying his longtime sweetheart, the former Daryn Lundberg, on Oct. 15. To do so, he’ll need to ward off the challenges of veteran Thomas Merrill, who’s two points back in third place in the championship, and newcomer and VIR race winner Brent Crews, who’s another point back in fourth. Mosack and Crews occupy the top two spots in the Peter Gregg Young Gun standings with just three points separating them.

Liesfeld is coming off a 13th-place finish at VIR, his best result this season and equaling the 13th-place run he earned on the streets of Nashville, Tennessee, in his first of three TA2 outings last year. The 47-year-old Liesfeld owns and operates Fields Racing, which has competed in an array of racing disciplines over the years, including Stock Car Championship Series, Spec Miata, SCCA Pro, and Trans Am.

Meanwhile, in the race within Sunday’s TA2 race, Jeff Holden of Snohomish, Washington, will look to clinch the 2022 Trans Am Western Championship TA2 title in M1 Racecars equipment. The 37-year-old driver of the No. 11 RelaxAndCBD.com/Dakota Lithium/Mid Valley Transmission Chevrolet Camaro holds a 12-point lead in the driver standings over Ken Sutherland behind three wins and a runner-up finish in the season’s first seven events.

Riding along with TeamSLR once again this weekend is ScreenYourMachine.org, an initiative created in 2016 by TeamSLR founder Scott Lagasse Jr., a colon cancer survivor, in partnership with the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) to educate individuals about the importance of getting age-appropriate screenings for all types of cancer.

“I was still in my early 30s when I was diagnosed, but I knew something was wrong so I didn’t waste any time and I went and saw my doctor,” said Lagasse, whose quick decision paralleled his quickness in a racecar. “They caught it early and that was my saving grace. The treatment worked, but young-onset colorectal cancer is rising. I wasn’t some outlier. In people ages 55 and younger, incidence is rising by two percent every year.”

Connor Mosack, driver No. 28 Open Eyes/Nic Taylor Custom Fit Underwear/M1 Racecars Ford Mustang:

What’s your mindset as you head to COTA second in the championship?

“This is our first race where points really don’t matter, so we’re going to go there with the mindset of trying to maximize the weekend. It’s really win or nothing, that’s really what we’re going there for, so we’ll do whatever it takes. I think we had the speed there last year, and we’ve been faster everywhere we’ve been this year. I think that’s a good sign, and hopefully we can go finish this year off with another win.”

How differently do you execute the race when you’re not as concerned about points?

“It definitely changes things a little bit. When you’re really focused on the big picture, the whole season, especially earlier in the year, you’re a little bit more willing to give and take and you’re OK with finishing second or third or fourth some days when your car’s not all there. You may not race guys as hard as you could just to make sure you get a good finish. At COTA this weekend, if it comes down to the last few laps and we’ve got a shot, we can be all the more aggressive without a championship to lose.”

You saw COTA for the first time last year and came home with a second-place finish that clinched third place in the championship. How helpful will it be to head back there a second time?

“Having past experience there will be huge. It’ll matter more than at any other track we go to just because of how complex COTA is. It’s got so many corners and they’re all different, so it’s just a place where the more you go, the more comfortable you get there and the faster you’ll be. I feel like my experience there last year will help us right out of the gate and we can just continue to build on that. I’ll know more of what I’ll need out of the car, as well, and that’s always really important when it comes to having good speed all through the weekend.”

There is just so much to that racetrack. Where would you say are the best opportunities to make gains?

“You have a lot of passing zones there, but you also have a lot of areas where you can’t pass, either. You’ve got a few straightaways where you can definitely take advantage of someone going into the harder braking zones, and that’s definitely where we’re going to have to make most of our passes, at least on guys who are close to our speed. Turn one is always a good place to pass on the way to the back straightaway. Those are some pretty good corners to be able to outbrake somebody. You definitely want to be able to make a move into turn one if you can because if you don’t get them there, you’re pretty much stuck behind them all the way through the esses until you get to the back straightaway.”

How would you assess your second season in TA2 with TeamSLR?

“I feel like it’s been a really good season. I’ve been really happy with the team and our speed and the cars we’ve brought. It’s been a big step up from last year, and I think that’s all you can ask for. Obviously, we’re a little disappointed we haven’t won more races this year, but we’ve been on the pole or finishing second or third at a lot of races this year. Just had a couple of DNFs (Did Not Finish) earlier in the season and that put us behind, points-wise. That’s part of racing, sometimes, and I feel we’re going to do our best to overcome that and hopefully come home with a win this weekend to cap off the season. These cars are a lot of fun. I love working with the Lagasses.”

Chris Liesfeld, driver No. 96 Fields Racing/M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro:

What are your thoughts as you head to COTA for your fifth race of the season, and with the experience of having raced there for the first time last year?

“Going to COTA last year for the first time, I had a little work on the simulator before getting there, but obviously nothing compares to actually being there. With the time we had to work with, it was all about learning the track and trying to get up to speed in the process, and we came away with a 20th-place finish after a kind of up-and-down race. Going back there this year will be more about working on myself and finding more speed, not so much about just figuring out the track. Coming off of VIR, I’m feeling good after that race. I really need to carry that momentum to COTA because I feel like I’ve been improving, I’ve been getting better as a driver, and I feel like every race I’m seeing improvements in myself. Hopefully I can finish near the front of the field, which will make me feel better going into next year.”

How would you describe COTA?

“The fast part of the track at COTA on the way to the backstraight is a lot like my favorite types of tracks like Lime Rock and VIR and Watkins Glen. I do enjoy the higher-speed stuff like that because they’re just scary enough that I guess you have to have respect for it. When you get to the hairpin turns, they’re not my favorite. I get frustrated sometimes trying to keep patient, and COTA has its share of those, which I thought I struggled with last year. It takes discipline and that’s something I’ve been working on. When you get to the low-speed stuff, it’s really easy to just want to jump on the throttle, but when you do that, it can mess up your lap. So that’s been getting a lot of my attention, lately.”

This will be your fifth and final race this season after returning from a lengthy hiatus to drive in three races last year. How would you assess your progress as a driver?

“I’d definitely like to do more than five races. It’s just a matter of trying to balance it out with the other things going on in my life. A huge part of it has been about managing expectations at the racetrack. If I only do five races, as long as I’m getting better, that’s what’s important. If I could just make it to the races at the beginning of the season, that would help the cause a lot, not having to work so hard to get caught back up again like I have to by starting midway through the season. I’ve improved this year, but it’s not where I want to be. I can do better. Linking all the corners together on any given track to find that perfect lap, that’s what it’s about, and then doing it again the next lap, and the one after that, and so on. When I can consistently put together fast laps, then I’ll really start to feel good about it. When you know you can do that but you’re not able to make it happen on a regular basis, it gets to be a little frustrating, but that’s part of the challenge and that’s what I’m chasing.”

About TeamSLR:

TeamSLR competes fulltime in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli in a multifaceted effort that includes dedicated entries in the TA2 division, customer programs, driver coaching and car construction. Its history dates back to 1985 and covers a wide spectrum of motorsports, including NASCAR, IMSA, SCCA, ARCA and ASA. TeamSLR is a family-owned organization run by Scott Lagasse Sr., and Scott Lagasse Jr., The father-and-son duo have combined to win more than 100 races and seven championships across a variety of series and styles of racecars, from paved ovals to road courses to dirt tracks. For more information, please visit us online at www.TeamSLR.com, on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram and on LinkedIn.

Corey Heim – No. 51 Crescent Tools Tundra TRD Pro Camping World Trucks Phoenix Preview

By
Official Release
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Corey Heim: Driver, No. 51 Crescent Tools Toyota
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Overview:
Event: Lucas Oil 150, Race 23 of 23 (Championship 4), 150 Laps
45/45/60; 150 Miles
Location: Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway (one-mile oval)
Date/Broadcast: Nov. 4, 2022, at 10 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

The Story on Corey:

Corey Heim and the No. 51 Crescent Tools team head to Phoenix Raceway for the final race of the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Despite a fifth-place finish by Heim in the final race of the Round of 8 at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, the No. 51 team was eliminated from the owner’s playoffs after finishing seventh on the playoff grid, 42 points below the cutoff for advancing to the Championship 4.

Heim will be making his 16th start of the Truck Series season Friday night. He proved himself capable of winning Truck Series races early in the season picking up wins in his second start of the season at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway and his sixth start of the year at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, but also had several tough results. Despite the two wins, he posted an average finish of 19.5 across his first eight Truck Series starts of the 2022 season. Since taking over the wheel of the No. 51 for the remainder of the season in the last race of the regular season, Heim has produced consistent results, with four top-five and six top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 8.9 across the last seven events.

Across 15 total Truck Series starts this season, Heim has produced two wins, two poles, 64 laps led, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 14.5. The 19-year-old driver leads the Truck Series rookie of the year standings by 184 points over Lawless Alan and has been named the rookie of the race eight times. Heim will look to join three other KBM drivers that have won the award, reigning winner Chandler Smith, William Byron (2016) and Erik Jones (2015). Overall, Heim sits 14th in the driver point standings, despite only starting 15 of the 22 events, and is ahead of seven competitors that have started all 22 races.

Friday’s 150-lap event will mark Heim’s first Truck Series start at Phoenix, but he has three starts in other series. He finished second in the 2021 ARCA Menards Series event at the one-mile track and eighth in the 2020 ARCA Menards West Series event. He also made one start in the NASCAR K&N West Series at the Arizona track, which resulted in a 25th-place finish.

The Georgia driver picked up his first career Truck Series victory in just his fifth start earlier this season at Atlanta and won again at Gateway in is ninth start. With two victories across his first 10 Truck Series starts; Heim became one of just 12 drivers in series history to net multiple victories in their first 10 starts. Kasey Kahne and Mike Skinner each produced five victories, Mark Martin collected four wins, Ron Hornaday Jr., Ted Musgrave and William Byron brought home three checkered flags and Heim, Kyle Busch, Erik Jones, Rich Bickle, Clint Bowyer and Tony Stewart all delivered two wins.

Heim picked up his ninth career ARCA Menards Series victory Sept. 10 at Kansas Speedway. Across 43 career ARCA Menards Series starts he has produced 814 laps led, 31 top-five and 41 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 4.3. Heim finished second to Ty Gibbs in the 2021 ARCA Menards Series championship standings.

Mardy Lindley returned to KBM for his second season atop the pit box of the No. 51 team. Lindley has led his team to six wins since coming to KBM at the start of the 2021 season, including two with Heim and one with Kyle Busch this year. In 2021, his drivers produced three victories, two with Busch and one with Martin Truex Jr. Before arriving at KBM, Lindley guided his drivers to 32 wins and four ARCA Menards Series East championships since 2013, including back-to-back titles with Sam Mayer the last two seasons. Additionally, he earned the ARCA Menards Series Sioux Chief Showdown championship with Mayer in 2020. Behind the wheel, the second-generation driver won 11 races on the Pro Cup Series from 2000 to 2006 and was crowned the series champion in 2001. Lindley’s drivers have an average finish of 18.5 across two Truck Series starts at Phoenix.

Crescent Tools, a premier hand tool brand from Apex Tool Group, will be the primary sponsor on Heim’s No. 51 Tundra TRD Friday night at Phoenix.

Corey Heim, Driver Q&A:

Reflect on your two seasons racing for KBM.
“I’m super grateful for my experience at KBM. From my first start to my last, I feel like I have learned so much racing for Kyle and being a part of a top-notch organization.”

You’re set to win the Rookie of the Year despite not running the full season. Talk about that accomplishment.
“It certainly means a lot. It wasn’t something I came into the year setting my sights on, considering if any of the full time rookies make the playoffs, I wouldn’t have a chance. But I take every race one week at a time and try to perform to the best of my ability, and throughout my career it’s always given me the best results at the end of the season. So, I’m very grateful when it’s all said and done that I get to take Rookie of the Year home.”

What would it mean to close out the season with your third win on Friday night?
“It would definitely mean a lot for me. I feel like we have had the pace in a lot of races this year to contend for wins. Tw0 race wins has been great for me this year, but I’m definitely not satisfied, and my sights are set on the trophy Friday night.”

Corey Heim Career Highlights:

  • Picked up first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway March 19, 2022 in just his fifth start. Across 18 career starts has two wins, two poles, 66 laps led, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 15.0.
  • With two victories across his first 10 Truck Series starts, the 19-year-old driver became one of just 12 drivers in series history to net multiple victories in their first 10 starts. Kasey Kahne and Mike Skinner each produced five victories, Mark Martin collected four wins, Ron Hornaday Jr., Ted Musgrave and William Byron brought home three checkered flags and Heim, Kyle Busch, Erik Jones, Rich Bickle, Clint Bowyer and Tony Stewart all delivered two wins.
  • Finished runner-up in the ARCA Menards Series championship standings in 2021 after collecting six wins, three poles, 406 laps led, 16 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 3.1 across 20 starts.
  • Across 43 career ARCA Menards Series starts has nine wins, 814 laps led, 31 top-five and 41 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 4.3. Picked up his first career ARCA Menards Series victory at Kansas Speedway Oct. 16, 2020.

Corey Heim’s No. 51 Crescent Tools Tundra TRD Pro:

KBM-66: The No. 51 Crescent Tools team will unload KBM-66 for Friday night’s race at Phoenix Raceway. It is the same Tundra TRD Pro that Heim picked up his first career Truck Series victory earlier this year at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway. KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch also picked up a victory with this Toyota at Atlanta in March of 2021. Most recently Heim earned a fourth-place finish with KBM-66 in June at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.

KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM drivers have collected six wins, six poles, 953 laps led, 15 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 9.1 across 34 starts at Phoenix Raceway. The organization’s six victories at the Arizona track have come with five different drivers, with Chandler Smith’s victory in last year’s event being the most recent. Kyle Busch won in 2011, Brian Scott in 2012, Erik Jones went back-to-back in 2013 and 2014 while Daniel Suarez claimed the top spot in 2016.
  • KBM holds the Camping World Truck Series records for most career wins (98) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). With his victory at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway earlier this year, Heim became the 18th different driver to win a Truck Series event for KBM. In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
  • With 40 victories, the No. 51 is the winningest number in KBM’s Truck Series fleet.
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