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Mixed fortunes for Ferrari, small fortune for Red Bull

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Official Release
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Mexico City. 28 October 2022 – The FORMULA 1 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX Presented by Heineken began at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez in front of 108,981-strong crowd, when Ferrari reminded us how unpredictable the sport can be. The celebration of 60 years of Formula 1 commenced with eyes on the future as Mexico City welcomed the three-year renewal of its race contract with first track session showcasing some youngsters aiming for a Formula 1 drive in the years to come.

Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari topped the times in the opening session with a 1:20.707, but teammate Charles Leclerc brought proceedings to a standstill in the longer second session when he hit the barrier hard on the outside of Turn 8.

“I’m okay – but not the car,” said a rueful Leclerc, and the Ferrari mechanics face a late night as they repair what looked like substantial damage to the car’s rear end. George Russell went on to top the times for Mercedes with a 1:19.970, and the fans waving ‘Go Checo!’ flags saw local hero Sergio Pérez finishing fifth, but the day’s biggest news came off-track.

Before track action began, Red Bull Racing learned they must pay $7 million for a breach of F1’s cost cap in 2021. The team also faces a 10 per cent reduction in the time spent in wind-tunnel testing of its new car for 2023. Governing body the FIA called this ‘a minor sporting penalty’, but Team Principal Christian Horner said it could mean a loss in lap times of between a quarter and a half a second.

Meanwhile the Alpine team welcomed the news that Fernando Alonso’s seventh place in the last race in Austin has been reinstated on appeal, meaning that the French outfit now enjoys an 11-point lead over McLaren as they fight for fourth spot in the Constructors’ Standings.

Looking at the future, the one-hour opening session featured five young drivers looking to cement their own places at the top of the sport for 2023 and beyond.

F1’s global reach was underlined as Jack Doohan of Australia, the 19-year-old son of 500cc legend Mick, had his first outing in an official F1 session with Alpine Renault, while 21-year-old American

Logan Sargeant enjoyed another rehearsal for a probable full-time drive with Williams in 2023.

Nyck de Vries, the 27-year-old Dutchman who is already certain of graduating to the grid full-time in 2023 with Alpha Tauri, enjoyed another useful session for Mercedes, adding to the outstanding points finish he recorded in a one-off race with Williams at Monza this year.

Also running was Pietro Fittipaldi, 26-year-old grandson of two-time F1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi, who is reserve driver for Haas but also had to stop early with engine problems.

The session stopped two minutes early when the Alpha Tauri of 20-year-old New Zealander Lawson pulled to a halt with its brakes on fire. But Lawson had the consolation of finishing best of the temporary quintet in 16th place.

The most dramatic moment of that session came when World Champion and three-time Mexico winner Max Verstappen spun his Red Bull without hitting the walls. “Unbelievable!” chuckled Verstappen. “I couldn’t control it – so little grip.” He will hope for more on Saturday as he bids to take pole for the second time in Mexico.

For further information on FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO 2022 Presented by Heineken visit: http://www.mexicogp.mx/

About the FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO 2022 Presented by Heineken

Recognized with the award “F1’s Best Event” for the five past editions, the FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO 2022 Presented by Heineken has proven to be much more than a sporting competition to become an unparalleled promotional platform to share with the world Mexico City’s rich cultural heritage and tourist attractions.

About Formula 1®

The history of Formula 1® began in 1950 and is the most prestigious motorsport competition in the world, as well as the most popular annual sports series in the world. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1 and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™.

Formula 1 is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LSXMA, LSXMB, LSXMK, BATRA, BATRK, FWONA, FWONK) attributed to the shares of the Formula One Group.

The logo of F1 FORMULA 1, FORMULA 1, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX, PADDOCK CLUB and related brands are registered trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula 1 company. All rights reserved.

For further information about Formula 1®, visit: www.formula1.com

About CIE:

Corporación Interamericana de Entretenimiento, S.A.B de C. V. www.cie.com.mx

Established in 1990, Corporación Interamericana de Entretenimiento (“CIE”) (BMV: CIE) is an outstanding participant in the out-of-home entertainment industry in Latin America. It promotes and produces concerts, music festivals, theater shows, and sporting, family and cultural events. CIE operates Centro Citibanamex, which is a venue for expositions and conventions in Mexico City, and the amusement park El Salitre Mágico in Colombia. The Company also produces corporate events and events for the public sector. CIE promotes and markets the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Mexico City.

Corporación Interamericana de Entretenimiento is a publicly traded company whose shares have been listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange since 1995 under the ticker symbol “CIE.”

Franklin Road Apparel Enters Season Finale at Austin Trans Am Looking for High Notes

By
Official Release
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Austin, TEXAS – October 28, 2022 – Former XGT Champion and Franklin Road Apparel Showtime Motorsports Team Principal Ken Thwaits can surely be satisfied as the 2022 draws to a close with the annual finale at Circuit of The Americas. Ken himself has been on the podium four times in TA Class events – at Sebring, Road Atlanta, Sonoma and Lime Rock Park. He goes into the final weekend of the season with 208 points in the TA Class Drivers Championship. That puts him in P4 overall, just five points behind Amy Ruman and 11 behind Tomy Drissi and in range with a shot at championship podium places.

2022 also saw the team score their first wins in the TA Class with Paul Menard triumphant at Charlotte and Justin Marks taking the checkered flag at Watkins Glen. To those stellar results we can add podium finishes for Paul Menard who finished in P2 at Road America and Keith Grant filling the same position at Virginia International Raceway, giving the Franklin Road Apparel team a hugely impressive total of 353 points in the TA Class alone.

Meanwhile over in TA2, former Champion Cameron Lawrence has made the podium at Road Atlanta and Lime Rock Park. Cameron currently sits in P9 overall with 153 championship points, while others to have contributed include Carl Rydquist, Ken himself and the exciting young talent Dylan Archer, whose partnership with Food Processing Equipment Company takes him through 2023.

Cameron and Dylan are flying the flag for Showtime Motorsports at COTA having both finished in the top ten at VIR in the previous round. Ken meanwhile will be looking to outscore Tomy Drissi and Amy Ruman, both former champions, and see where he finishes up in the TA Driver Championship on the season.

We spoke to Ken ahead of the near 900-mile trip southwest from his Tennessee base to Austin and the Formula One Circuit which saw Max Verstappen claim the honors in the United States Grand Prix just a few days ago.

“It’s been a great year,” said Ken as he prepared the team for the final weekend of the season. “As a team, we’ve won a couple of races and had numerous podium finishes in both classes. We’ve established ourselves as major players and there isn’t anyone in Trans Am who doesn’t know the Franklin Road name now.”

“The thing with success is, you always want more. So, the goal is to build on what we’ve done this season and look to do as well – if not better – next year. We’re still relatively new to Trans Am and we’re learning all the time. The cars require so much work and effort and that’s thanks to the whole team that we grow and succeed.”

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is a grade 1 FIA-specification 3.427-mile motor racing track and the current home of the Formula One United States Grand Prix. Billed as The Mission Foods Austin SpeedTour, the spectator experience at an SVRA event is like no other motorsport. The paddock area is always open to spectators, offering an up-close level of access to cars and drivers. Attendees can check out the garages and see real vintage race cars getting prepped for the track. Racegoers will see why the vintage racing community is one of the most friendly and knowledgeable groups of people in the car world. Additionally, vendors on site offer everything from classic car memorabilia to auto detailing products. Fans can get a bite to eat and enjoy the historic racing backdrop to what always ends up being a fantastic weekend of motorsports.

Qualifying for both TA races this weekend is from 4:45pm on Saturday with the TA Class race bright and early at 9:30am on Sunday morning and the TA2 race at 11:45 am. Both races are over 34 laps of the track. The racing broadcast will be on CBS Sports Network in the coming weeks. Check local listings for details.

About Showtime Motorsports:
The Showtime Motorsports team is based in Franklin Tennessee and is the power behind the Franklin Road Apparel brand. Showtime is responsible for preparing the cars for the track and keeping Ken Thwaits’ outstanding classic Camaro collection in tip top condition. Showtime Motorsports have now entered cars in both the TA and TA2 classes in the legendary Trans Am muscle car series with growing success. Showtime has a dynamic, passionate and hugely talented staff of professionals dedicated to success and excellence both on and off the track.

Dietrich Mateschitz’s Lasting Impression on NASCAR and Other Race Drivers

By
Official Release
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Photo by Ferhat Deniz Fors on Unsplash

Red Bull Racing has been very successful, with five world championships in the last 12 years. That’s mostly thanks to Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. This is mainly due to Dietrich Mateschitz, who owned the team from 2004 until his death in October 2022. 

Mateschitz’s thirst for adventure and adrenaline was well-established and also propelled the careers of a number of NASCAR drivers. In everything from car racing to Super Bowl predictions, Mateschitz ultimately became an intrinsic part of it all. 

Mateschitz created Red Bull, the well-known energy drink that can now be bought almost everywhere. He invented it when he came across Krating Daeng, an energy drink in Asia that first became available in 1975. 

Growing Wings

Red Bull subsequently became a resounding success in terms of product sales and business. Mateschitz founded it in 1984 together with Chaleo Yoovidhya, the developer of Krating Daeng, and the rest is history.

The energy drink was first marketed in Austria, but later in Europe and the whole world. It turned out to be a major source of income for Mateschitz, who then began to invest heavily in the world of sports.

His adventure in Formula 1 began in 2004, 20 years after the founding of his company. In 2004, the Austrian became the owner of Jaguar Racing.

This after Red Bull ended its previous association with Sauber, 60% owner and main sponsor of the F1 team in 2001. That came after Red Bull talent Enrique Bernoldi was not hired as a driver but, rather, Kimi Raikonnen.

Mateschitz then decided to buy Jaguar Racing and change the name to Red Bull Racing. A year later, in 2005, he struck again by acquiring the Minardi F1 team along with Gerhard Berger and renaming it Toro Rosso.

It would become the sister team to Red Bull Racing, under the same ownership. This laid the foundation for later success. Along with the F1 teams, Mateschitz made a huge contribution in many other ways within the sports racing world, from MotoGP to NASCAR. He gave more than a few drivers a chance behind the wheel, many of whom would never have had an opportunity if it wasn’t for his support. 

Ups And Downs Of Racing

It was a while before Red Bull Racing would really take off. Sebastian Vettel joined as a driver in 2009 after impressing at Toro Rosso. The German won the World Championship with Red Bull Racing in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, and Mateschitz was set.

Then came an eight-year drought, when Mercedes began to dominate Formula 1 under Lewis Hamilton, and the Briton won title after title. At the same time, Red Bull stayed number two along with Ferrari.

In 2016 there was Max Verstappen, who, like Vettel, had impressed at Toro Rosso. For the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, he had his Red Bull debut as a replacement for Daniil Kvyat. Daniel Ricciardo and Kvyat had been driving for the Austrian team for years but failed to give the team a title behind Mercedes.

Verstappen won his first F1 race in a Red Bull by beating Räikkönen. Then, both Verstappen and the Milton Keynes outfit got better each year until the team was able to really challenge Hamilton and Mercedes for the first time in 2021.

This resulted in a world championship. With the current course of 2022 and Verstappen’s age, 25 at the beginning of the 2023 season, Red Bull appears to remain a dominant force in Formula 1 under the financial leadership of Mateschitz.

Red Bull Finds NASCAR 

The Austrian businessman’s Red Bull Racing Team competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series from 2006 to 2011. He also owned the Red Bull Ring, home to Red Bull Racing, and since 2014, the permanent organizer of the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix. Mateschitz bought this circuit in 2004 when it was still called the A1 ring.

In addition, he is also the one who created the Red Bull Salzburg soccer club in Austria. His company still has teams in Leipzig in the German Bundesliga, Bragantino in Brazil’s Brasileirão, and the aptly-named New York Red Bulls in MLS.

Ice Races, Le Mans, and A Woman Inspiring the Next Generation at the Grassroots Level: NASCAR News and Notes

By
SM
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One of the fantastic things about motorsports is that there is always something to talk about, whether you are discussing technological advancements, on-track skirmishes that lead to fights, or discussing how a race weekend conflicts with following your NFL picks.

In this blog post, we’ll take a flying lap around some of the NASCAR news and notes you may have missed that are important to the sport’s future.

NASCAR Meets Ice and Le Mans

Yes, that title is correct, and not for referencing NFL predictions for games in December. You will actually be seeing NASCAR competing on an ice circuit very soon.

In 2023, NASCAR meets ice for the first time in the series’ history. While this is not the American NASCAR series, NASCAR’s European series just got significantly more interesting with the addition of the first ice race to be held in Rovaniemi, Finland. There are six grand Prix weekends and 24 total championship races on the 2023 European NASCAR schedule, and none will be more focused on by casual NASCAR fans and fans of other categories of motorsports than the frozen non-Championship NASCAR Arctic Ice Race season opener in March 2023.

NASCAR’s continued expansion into the crowded European motorsports scene includes the first Arctic Ice, includes a historic entry into a legendary endurance competition as a part of NASCAR’S 75th-anniversary celebrations. Since 2012, the 24 Hour of Le Mans has reserved a special single-slot class garage (#56) that it introduced and reserved for innovative automobiles. For NASCAR’s 75th anniversary, Le Mans and the FIA have reserved garage 56 for a special NASCAR entry.

Dubbed the “Garage 56” project, Hendricks motorsports are preparing one of the series’ Chevrolet Camaro’s to run out of garage 56 for the legendary 24-hours of Le Mans endurance race. Two weeks after the IndyCar Indianapolis 500 and Formula 1’s Monaco Grand Prix are run, the final of the three crown jewels of motorsports, the 24 hours of Le Mans will be run with NASCAR participation for the first time in 47 years.

The NASCAR cup series in America is running on the same weekend as the 24 hours of Le Mans, so it’s unlikely that any of the NASCAR cup series active competitors will be available or released for the endurance race. German sports car and Le Mans veteran Mike Rockenfeller is expected to be in the car, alongside IMSA Endurance Racing teammate and NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson for Le Mans. At the same time, team owner Rick Hendrick would like to see NASCAR legend and 2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona winner Jeff Gordon fill out the Garage 56 lineup.

A Canadian Indigenous Woman Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Racers

While the likes of Tatiana Calderón returning to Formula 2 and the reigning W series champion Jamie Chadwick serving as a test driver for the Williams F1 team (and hopefully into a competitive single-seater category for 2023), women are slowly making their way toward a seat in the pinnacle of motorsports. Formula 1 has been a male-dominated series, with only two women qualifying and starting a Formula 1 Grand Prix. The same can not be said for NASCAR; another woman is blazing her path in motorsports, leaving a trail for the next generation of female racers to follow.

Throughout history, over 125 women have qualified and raced under the NASCAR banner in many series. Racers like Jennifer Jo Cobb in NASCAR’s Truck Series have carried the flag for women in motorsports for over a decade. At the same time, Danica Patrick switched from a single-seater series (IndyCar) to NASCAR and had a long career on track. Maybe one day, we’ll see the likes of Gracie Trotter, Natalie Decker, or Toni Bredinger racing full-time in the NASCAR Cup series.

In Canada, while many people search the internet for NFL expert picks, an Indigenous woman is blazing her path through regional racing circuits, following the path of other Canadian women who have raced under the NASCAR banner, like Maryeve Dufault, Kat Teasdale, or Sarah Cornett-Ching.

Destiny Klym has Indigenous roots in the Opaskwayak Cree Nation of Manitoba, Canada. However, Klym is originally from Saskatchewan, Canada, where she began her racing career on a rural dirt track. Sure, Klym may only have had three races in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series in 2017, but Klym’s passion for motorsports was borne from a connection to her racing father, and her impact on the sport won’t be measured by on-track success.

Sometimes representation plants the seed of inspiration for the next generation. Klym was the first Saskatchewan and Indigenous woman to compete in a NASCAR-sanctioned event. She currently competes in the International Motor Contest Association and is blazing another path in a male-dominated world as a welder: an essential skill for a racer without the luxury of a pit crew and a desire to fix their race car. Seeing Klym competing on the track or working on her car -or any other woman or marginalized individual, for that matter – could be the seed that plants itself into a young girl’s mind changing her trackside experience from apathy to interest to a desire to be the World Champion.

Destiny Klym may have never had a career on the NASCAR Cup or Xfinity Series as a goal. Still, Destiny’s destiny might actually be to have a significant grassroots impact and inspire the woman who will be the first NASCAR Cup Series Champion.

Has The 2022 NASCAR Playoffs Been A Success – Or Not?

By
SM
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NASCAR has continually searched for ways to capitalize on the intensity that the playoffs have in other sports. There’s nothing better than the excitement of a Game 7 in the NBA, NHL, or MLB. March Madness in college basketball has the true win-or-go-home feel, and of course, there is no sporting event that matches the Super Bowl. 

The Slots Paradise US casino is busy every weekend with NASCAR bets because each race is important, and field events like auto racing and golf can have long-shot odds for surprise winners. NASCAR has also had a playoff since 2004, but they’ve undergone many tweaks to try and fine-tune and emulate at least a portion of the thrill of the other major sports. 

Changes In the 2022 Playoffs 

The NASCAR playoffs underwent many tweaks for the first ten years of their existence, but the format has stayed pretty consistent since 2014. The postseason was expanded to 16 drivers competing in four rounds. After each three-race segment, four drivers are eliminated until the final four drivers compete in one Championship Race for the season championship. 

Every driver that is still active in the postseason, starting with the round of 16, can punch their ticket to the next round with a win. After each stage, the points reset until the winner-take-all Championship Race. 

While the format has stayed the same, the schedule has switched up a bit for the 2022 postseason. Homestead-Miami has replaced Richmond, and the races at Texas and Kansas have found different spots in the rotation. We could see Texas moved even further back in the schedule moving forward as the temperatures in late September were still so hot that tires were sticking to the track. 

Have the Playoffs Been a Success In the Past? 

Fans are somewhat mixed on whether NASCAR even needed a playoff in the first place. It’s a long 40+ race season with many different track types. Some purists think that whichever driver accumulated the most points over that grind should be named the best driver of the year and not whoever gets hot at the end of the season. 

There are two problems with not having a NASCAR postseason. The first is that many times a driver would wrap up the points championship with two or three races left in the season, which made those final events essentially meaningless. That, and no other major sport, just rewards the best regular season team just ask the 2001 Seattle Mariners, who finished 116-46 but did not make the World Series. 

Looking back on history, having a playoff has definitely changed how some drivers are perceived. Jimmie Johnson is undoubtedly a legend, but of his five straight playoff wins from 2006-2010, only two would have stood under the old points format. 

When Johnson and Tony Stewart won the playoffs those years, Carl Edwards was robbed of being a 2X champion (2008, 2011). Chase Elliott would also still be chasing his first championship, as it was Kevin Harvick who was the points leader in 2020 when Elliott won the playoffs.

2022 NASCAR Season Was a Unique One 

While the Championship Race in Phoenix has yet to be raced, the 2022 NASCAR playoffs have been interesting. The first three winners of the postseason were Erik Jones, Bubba Wallace, and Chris Buescher, none of whom qualified for the round of 16. 

The good thing about the NASCAR playoffs is the same thing that made the regular season that much more interesting in 2022, which is parity. 16 different drivers won during the regular season, and Buescher’s victory made it a record-tying 19th racer to win in 2022. 

Ultimately, fans are going to be tuned into Phoenix for the Championship Race, and that’s what NASCAR wants. Having three or four races down the stretch that don’t mean anything because somebody has already wrapped up the title is boring, and they don’t make money. 

Some regular-season points leaders might not like the postseason format, but the answer to them is to just go out and win the playoffs.

Joe Graf Jr. | SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt Martinsville Speedway October Event Preview

By
Official Release
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SS Greenlight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Martinsville (Va.) Speedway | Dead On Tools 250

Fast Facts
No. 07 SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt Team:
Driver: Joe Graf Jr. (@JoeGrafJr)
Primary Partner(s): Bucked Up Pump N’ Grind Energy Drink
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Joe Williams
Spotter: Frankie Kimmel
2022 Driver Points Position: 27th | 2022 Owner Points Position: 21st
Engine: Roush Yates Engines (RYE)

Notes of Interest:

Full of Energy: Bucked Up Energy Drink and its sister products will continue their role as the primary partner of Graf’s No. 07 Ford Mustang this weekend.

Martinsville (Va.) Speedway is the 19th race of 2022 and 50th race overall in a multi-year, multi-race deal with the former ARCA Menards Series winner.

For the first time this year and in recognition of Halloween, the team will promote Bucked Up’s Pump N’ Grind flavor.

Whether you’re addicted to the pump or the grind, this flavor delivers your daily reminder the work doesn’t stop.

Pump N’ Grind is the flavor of juicy grapes fresh off the vine, combined with forbidden fruit — crisp sweet apple with aromatic notes of knowledge and conquering life.

About Bucked Up Energy: Bucked Up started in 2013 when twin brothers Ryan and Jeff Gardner started marketing a product called Deer Antler Spray. After selling thousands of bottles to GNCs nationwide, the company morphed into what is now Bucked Up, a full-fledged vitamins and supplements manufacturer.

The company has gone from its humble beginnings to becoming the No. 1 best-selling pre-workout brand that’s available in over 10,000 stores worldwide.

Plenty Of Other Bucked Up Products Available Too: Don’t forget that Bucked Up Energy now offers more than 10 quenching options, but several of their popular flavors include Rocket Pop, Gym ‘N’ Juice, Mango Tango and Pink Lemonade now include low-stim options.

Low-stim has the same innovative ingredients that make their OG formula so powerful for focus, mood, motivation and energy. Bucked Up made just one small change and they have been surprised by the resulting epicness.

Boasting a modest of 100mg of caffeine, Bucked Up Low-Stim delivers the same energy, focus, mood, motivation – while reducing the common side effects that come from too-much caffeine, jitters, sleeplessness and anxiety.

Stay Tuned: For next weekend’s season finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway, Joe Graf Jr. and SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt will showcase a new partner for the 200-lap event.

The new partner will utilize the Xfinity Series Championship Race to debut their product to the NASCAR community on November 5, 2022.

Thanks For Your Support: With more than 93 percent of the 2022 Xfinity Series season complete, Joe Graf Jr. and SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt would like to thank their associate marketing partners: AVOID, Bass Reaper Bait Company, CoverSeal, EAT SLEEP RACE Apparel, fgrACCEL, G-Coin, Gtechniq, HazHeart, Model Electronics and ShopRite for their continued support.

Catch Him On The Dial: Before Joe Graf Jr. straps into his No. 07 Bucked Up Pump N’ Grind Drink Ford Mustang on Saturday afternoon, the SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt driver will be featured on “The Frontstretch” on SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel 90 with host Pat Patterson LIVE on Saturday morning, October 29, 2022, at approximately 10:00 a.m. ET.

Graf will also spotlight a new commercial featuring Bucked Up Energy’s Buck Shot in several spots throughout the weekend, including the full four-hour program on Sunday, October 30, 2022.

Get It While It’s Hot!: Joe Graf Jr. and partner EAT SLEEP RACE are accepting pre-orders on new tee-shirt apparel from driver and partner Bucked Up Energy Drink and their Miami-vibe look from Homestead-Miami Speedway!

Available in sizes from small to 3XL and from $29.95 to $34.95.

Please note, this is a pre-order-only Listing. The pre-order period ends Monday, November 8, 2022.

The expected ship date is approximately Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

Click here for additional information and to place your order.

Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Martinsville Speedway Stats: Joe Graf Jr. will make his fifth NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the 0.526-mile speedway on Saturday afternoon.

In his previous four starts, Graf has delivered a track-best of 15th earned in the October 30, 2020 running of the Dead On Tools 250 after starting 32nd.

Overall, he has an average finish of 25.0 at Martinsville.

He has also completed 946 of 1,018 laps for a 92.9 percent lap completion.

Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Career Short Tracks Stats: At tracks classified as a short track, Graf has competed in 14 NASCAR Xfinity Series races. He holds an average starting position of 26.6 and an average result of 22.8.

Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway | Contender Boats 300 Race Recap: In his most recent NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, Graf and the SSGLRwJL team showcased the No. 07 Bucked Up Miami Energy Drink Ford Mustang in the final intermediate race of the season.

After qualifying a solid 17th last Friday afternoon, Graf maintained a solid pace but with the track conditions constantly changing and the lack of yellow flags, it left little opportunity for the SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt team to make the necessary adjustments to vault back into the top-20.

However, a late race caution proved to be beneficial as Graf utilized the final restart of the race to his advantage climbing from 27th to 24th at the checkered flag.

Sneaker Mania: Along with the adrenaline of the Motorsports competition, Joe Graf Jr. also has a vogue for hype sneakers. In his current collection, he owns and wears at least 90 limited edition sneakers – and his collection continues to grow every month.

The current estimated value of his collection tops $100,000.

From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Joe Williams is Joe Graf Jr.’s crew chief.

He will crew chief his 97th NASCAR Xfinity Series race as crew chief on Saturday afternoon and his fifth at the famed paperclip race track.

In his previous 96 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected one win (Auto Club Speedway | February 2022), seven top-five and 21 top-10 finishes.

Hello From The Other Side: Graf Jr. has a teammate at SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt. Veteran Brandon Brown will drive the No. 08 Solid Rock Carriers Ford Mustang on Saturday afternoon for his 30th start of the 2022 season.

Brown is set to make his 149th career Xfinity Series start overall and fifth at Martinsville. His best Xfinity Martinsville track finish occurred in the 2020 Draft Top 250, where he finished 18th after starting 12th for his family-owned Brandonbilt Motorsports team.

Follow on Social Media: For more on Joe Graf Jr. visit JoeGrafRacing.com, like him on Facebook (Joe Graf Jr.), follow him on TikTok (@JoeGrafJr), Twitter (@JoeGrafJr) and Instagram (@joegrafjr).

For more on SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt, please like them on Facebook (SS GreenLight Racing) and follow them on Instagram (@ssgreenlightracing) and Twitter (@SSGLR0708).

Joe Graf Jr. Pre-Race Quote:

On Martinsville Speedway: “It’s hard to imagine that there are just two NASCAR Xfinity Series races left this season. It seems like just yesterday we were all preparing to go to Daytona in February.

“I like Martinsville. It’s one of my favorite short tracks. It is a very demanding race track and certainly one that relies on rhythm and hitting your marks every lap. If you don’t drive the track exactly how you are supposed to, it can make for a long race.

“Our simulator session went very well this week and I feel like we will continue to showcase the speed that we have over the last couple of months in practice and qualifying on Friday.

“Our No. 07 Bucked Up Pump N’ Grind Ford Mustang looks excellent with the Halloween scheme and I’m hoping we are able to spook some of the competition and duplicate our top-15 finish from last October.”

Race Information:

The Dead On Tools 250 (250 laps | 131.5 miles) is the 32nd of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2022 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, October 28th from 4:00 p.m. – 4:35 p.m. Qualifying follows shortly after 4:35 p.m. The 38-car field will take the green flag on Saturday, October 29th shortly after 3:00 p.m. with live coverage on NBC, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

About SS Green Light Racing with Jeff Lefcourt:

As one of the most tenured teams in all of NASCAR, SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt led by team owner and former driver Bobby Dotter and new partner Jeff Lefcourt has been a mainstay entry in the sport fielding entries in either the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series or Xfinity Series competition since 2001.

SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt will continue with a two-car program in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2022.

RCR Event Preview – Martinsville Speedway

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Official Release
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Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway … In 182 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Martinsville Speedway, RCR has seven victories, including five by Dale Earnhardt (1985-fall, 1987-spring, 1988-spring, 1991-spring, and 1995-fall). Ricky Rudd won the fall race at Martinsville in 1983, which was RCR’s first Cup Series win on an oval. Kevin Harvick won the 2011 spring race at Martinsville, his first victory at the .526-mile paved speedway. The team owns 31 top-five and 65 top-10 finishes entering Sunday afternoon’s race. Team owner Richard Childress made his first start at Martinsville Speedway on April 10, 1972, and reeled off four top-10 finishes sprinkled across the 1976-1978 seasons.

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Martinsville Speedway … RCR has one NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at Martinsville Speedway. Kevin Harvick captured the 2006 event in dominating fashion, leading 149 of 250 laps. Clint Bowyer, Harvick’s teammate, finished a close second, crossing the finish line .271 seconds behind. Harvick and Bowyer combined to lead 207 of the event’s 250 laps enroute to a 1-2 finish. In seven NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Martinsville, the Welcome, N.C., based team has one win, one pole and three top-five finishes.

Introducing the Carolina Cowboys … Driven by the same passion for performance that guides his race team, Richard Childress’ latest endeavor brings Professional Bull Riding to the Carolinas. The Carolina Cowboys represent Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in the PBR Team Series, an elite new league featuring the world’s top bull riders in games that began in July 2022. The team is operated by Richard Childress Racing with 2018 Daytona 500 Champion Austin Dillon serving as General Manager.

Catch the Action … The NASCAR Xfinity Series Dead On Tools 250 at the Martinsville Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, October 29, beginning at 3 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Follow Sunday’s Action at Martinsville … The NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at the Martinsville Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, October 30, beginning at 2 p.m. ET on NBC. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

This Week’s Dow Camaro ZL1 at Martinsville Speedway … In 17 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Martinsville Speedway, Dillon earned his best finish of third in April 2022 at the half-mile short track after starting from the 23rd spot. He also has a fifth-place finish at the track (April 2017). He has made five appearances at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Truck Series, earning his best finish of third in October 2011.

Dow brings a science and engineering crew who is driven by limitless curiosity to the RCR Team … Austin Dillon and the RCR team are again supported by Dow’s materials science expertise and technologies this season. Backed by the power of data analysis and virtual modeling, Dow develops and manufactures high-performance components and materials custom-made for the No. 3 car. Dow and RCR’s partnership has expedited innovation and shortened testing time in the automotive industry by recreating in the lab one of the most extreme environments – the racetrack. After eight years of collaboration, Dow scientists and RCR engineers are continuing to work together to make the No. 3 car faster, safer and more precise. Stay up to date with Dow’s exciting developments at www.dow.com/sports and follow us on Twitter @DowSports & @DowNewsroom.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

How do you feel about short tracks like Martinsville Speedway?

“Martinsville Speedway is a place where you get in there and can really race hard, so I’m really excited to get there this weekend. It’s a short little paper clip, with hard-braking corners. We’ve had some solid runs there, including a third-place finish in the Spring race. I think that we can go back and do it again. We have Dow back on the car, and we’ll be pumped when we get there with all of their customers from DAP. I haven’t gotten that Martinsville clock yet, but we’ve had good runs on all of the short tracks this year..”

This Week’s 3CHI Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Martinsville Speedway …Tyler Reddick will be making his sixth NASCAR Cup Series start at Martinsville Speedway this weekend. The driver of the 3CHI Chevrolet has a best finish of eighth in the 2021 spring event and has been running at the finish in all five events he has competed in. Reddick has an identical average starting and finishing position at the .526-mile Virginia speedway (16.80). He enters this weekend’s race at Martinsville 12th in the Cup Series drivers standings.

3CHI Blazed the Trail for Another Industry First … 3CHI and Richard Childress Racing created another first with their partnership for the 2022 NASCAR season. 3CHI began with roots as a CBD producer and quickly became a pioneer in science-based hemp and cannabis innovation. The company was the first to commercially develop and market Delta 8 THC, and today, 3CHI is an industry leader with unsurpassed product quality and purity as verified by top independent labs and benchmark organizations. 3CHI products are sold in a majority of the United States, and the company produces and markets a variety of gummies, tinctures, lotions, edibles and vape products. All 3CHI products meet federal requirements for full legal compliance, with a commitment to promoting responsible adult use. See 3CHI.com for more information.

TYLER REDDICK QUOTE:

A lot of things have changed with the Next Gen car since the first Martinsville race earlier this season.

“The teams are a lot closer after our first race at Martinsville. Looking at this weekend for us, finishing solid at Homestead-Miami Speedway would have been very important because it gets us toward the end of either Group A. In the spring we were like the third car on the racetrack for qualifying and track still had a bunch of rubber on it from practice and the track just doesn’t have the speed. We’ve seen that at Richmond and a number of tracks so you want to go out toward the end of your group. Unfortunately for us our DNF is going to put us at the front of Group A. Hopefully our 3CHI Chevrolet has good race balance when we get there and we’re able to get a decent pit stall, but more than likely we’ll have to claw our way to the front. I know I don’t sound very optimistic but that’s just the reality of how qualifying has been with this car. I’ve got two more chances to finish this year on a high note. From here on out I want to get a couple more spots in the points if I can but it got a lot harder after Homestead.”

This Week’s Whelen Engineering Chevrolet Camaro SS at Martinsville Speedway…

Sheldon Creed will make his second NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday afternoon. Creed qualified fifth and led six laps in his first Martinsville start in April before mechanical problems derailed his solid run. He led 34 laps in the most recent NASCAR Xfinity Series short track event in Bristol, Tenn., before he was involved in an accident. Creed has two top-10 finishes in five Truck Series starts at Martinsville with a best finish of eighth-place in 2020. The driver of the Whelen Engineering Chevrolet enters Martinsville 14th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver standings.

About Whelen … Whelen Engineering is a family-owned company with a pioneering spirit and a passion to protect the lives of those who protect and serve others. The company mission is to provide industry-defining safety solutions around the world, while creating a community of problem-solvers who are inspired to push boundaries and continue our legacy of delivering ground-breaking innovation. As a global leader in the emergency warning industry, Whelen has been trusted to perform since 1952, when George Whelen III invented the first rotating aviation beacon. Whelen now encompasses two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire with over 750,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space and the largest design staff in the industry. Every part of every Whelen product is proudly designed and manufactured in America. We embrace quality as our foundation, we celebrate innovative engineering in every product we produce.

SHELDON CREED QUOTES:

You ran well at Martinsville Speedway earlier this season so you must be looking forward to going back there this weekend …

“I was able to qualify inside the top-five and ran top-five a lot of the day at Martinsville Speedway in the the Spring, plus we led some laps. I feel good going back. We have some short tracks under our belts and we’ve learned some more and have gotten better. Hopefully we can go back and run up front again.”

How big of a factor are brakes at Martinsville Speedway?

“I don’t think it will be as big of a factor when we go back. You do have to take care of the brakes and honestly the balance of the car can play a big role in how much brake we’re using. If you’re really tight or really loose you might use more brake just to keep it turning or keep the rear tires underneath you. I don’t see brakes being an issue. Hopefully we can have speed in general.”

This Week’s Global Industrial Chevrolet Camaro SS at Martinsville Speedway … Austin Hill enters this weekend’s race at Martinsville Speedway fifth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series standings, two points below the fourth-place cutline and a spot in the Championship 4. Hill grabbed a fourth-place finish in his first Martinsville Speedway start in the Xfinity Series earlier this season, one of 11 top-fives he has racked up. Hill made 11 NASCAR Truck Series starts at the paperclip shaped oval, scoring three top-10 finishes including a second-place finish in 2021.

About Global Industrial Company … Global Industrial Company (NYSE:GIC), through its operating subsidiaries, is a value-added industrial distributor. For more than 70 years, Global Industrial has gone the extra mile for its customers and offers more than a million industrial and MRO products, including its own Global Industrial exclusive brands. With extensive product knowledge and a solutions-based approach, Global Industrial helps customers solve problems and be more successful. At Global Industrial, “We can supply that®.”

AUSTIN HILL QUOTES:

How much did you learn at the spring race at Martinsville Speedway that will help you this weekend?

“I think the biggest thing over the season, racing on all different types of racetracks, is just being a little more vocal on what I need in the Global Industrial Chevrolet. I felt like our car was tight and we needed to be better at Martinsville. I don’t think I was vocal enough of voicing my opinion on wanting the car freed up as much as I needed it. I’ve learned that over the season, to be able to trust my instincts and what I need to be better if I am really tight and to make the car better on pit stops so we’re not always one adjustment behind. I think we’ve done a really good job at that throughout the year and that’s one reason you see us run a lot better even if we aren’t that great at the start of the run. We get a lot better at the end of the run because I’m a lot more aggressive on my calls on what I need in the racecar. At Martinsville you have to be aggressive. You have to stay up front all day, try to get stage points, and stay inside the top-10 and if the melee happens you’re out of the way.”

If you lose track position at Martinsville, can you make it back up?

“If you lose it early in the race and your car is very, very good, I think you can make it up. If you get past halfway your car has to be really, really fast to even have a chance. It’s so tough in this series especially at a place like Martinsville because everybody is so close on lap times. When you go out to qualify, half a tenth can put you qualifying fifth or back to 15th. It’s so close and if you have to go to the back I just don’t see you recovering. You can’t get caught up in someone else’s mess but still be aggressive at the same time. You have to keep that track position. Restarts are crucial. You don’t want to lose two or three spots because it’s hard to get those spots back especially when you’re running inside the top-10.”

Beard Motorsports Sees Gold in That There Hill

By
Official Release
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Austin Hill To Make Six NASCAR Cup Series Starts with Beard Motorsports in 2023

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. (Oct. 28, 2022) – Beard Motorsports has selected Austin Hill to drive its No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro in a limited NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2023. The non-chartered, single-car team will run six races with Hill beginning with the 65th Daytona 500 on Feb. 19 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

Hill competes fulltime in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and is in the midst of wrapping up an impressive rookie campaign that has seen the 28-year-old racer from Winston, Georgia, score two wins and make the NASCAR Playoffs. Prior to joining RCR for his maiden Xfinity Series effort, Hill spent four, fulltime seasons in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, winning eight races and qualifying for the NASCAR Playoffs three times.

“From the moment I started in quarter midgets back home in Georgia, racing in the NASCAR Cup Series has always been my goal,” Hill said. “I’m incredibly grateful to Richard Childress for giving me the platform to race and win in my first season in the Xfinity Series, and for the opportunity the Beard family has provided me to run more races in Cup.”

Family has played a major role in Hill’s NASCAR ascent. The married father of three operated his own race team alongside his dad, Bryan, for years. If there’s anyone who appreciates the tight, family atmosphere of Beard Motorsports, it’s Hill.

“We’re a proud, family-run race team and these six races in 2023 are moments we’re really looking forward to,” said Amie Beard, executive vice president, Beard Motorsports. “No job is too small here at Beard Motorsports, and if anyone can appreciate that, it’s Austin. He’s raced and run his own team and been successful. It’s helped make him a really good driver and an even better person and we’re thrilled to have him as part of our team.”

After Daytona, where Hill will have to race his way into The Great American Race because Beard Motorsports has no guaranteed starting spot in the Daytona 500, Hill will drive the mighty No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro April 23 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, July 2 at the Chicago Street Course, Aug. 6 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Aug. 26 at Daytona and Oct. 1 at Talladega. Sponsorship for each of these races will be announced at later dates.

“Austin has really seized the opportunities that he’s had in his young career. He’s won in Trucks and here he is winning in his first year in the Xfinity Series. It’s all very impressive. He brings a lot of talent and just a really strong desire to compete, and that’s a great combination for us to have at Beard Motorsports,” said Mark Beard Jr., executive vice president, Beard Motorsports.

Beard Motorsports has typically run just four races a year – two at Daytona and two at Talladega. For 2023, the decision was made for the generational race team founded by the late Mark Beard Sr., and now run by his wife, Linda Beard, to expand its schedule in order to be a part of the inaugural street race in Chicago and to also compete in the Beards’ home state of Michigan since Beard Motorsports is located two hours north of the 2-mile oval in Mount Pleasant.

“Our family has grown up in Michigan and we’ve all grown up around racing, so being able to race at our home track is something we’re genuinely excited to see happen,” Linda Beard said. “It’s an excellent way to promote Beard Oil Distributing. We’re a third-generation, family company that has always called Michigan home. We’ve been providing fuel and lubricants exclusively to contractors for more than 50 years, and now we’ll be able to say ‘Thank you’ to a lot of those customers at a race that’s right in our backyard.”

Beard Motorsports has proven to be the little team that could, a modern-day David competing against the Goliaths of the NASCAR Cup Series. The team employs just one fulltime person – crew chief Darren Shaw – and has since its debut in the 2017 Daytona 500 when it finished 11th with driver Brendan Gaughan. Beard Motorsports regularly punches above its weight, a fact highlighted just two months ago when Noah Gragson drove the No. 62 Beard Oil Distributing Chevrolet Camaro to a superb fifth-place finish in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona.

The 2023 Daytona 500 will mark Beard Motorsports’ 22nd NASCAR Cup Series race and its 11th at Daytona. For Hill, it will be just his second career start in NASCAR’s premier series. Hill made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in August at Michigan, where he drove to a respectable 18th-place finish.

Flying Lizard Takes Championship Fight to Portugal for Lamborghini Grand Finals

By
Official Release
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Team to give away kid’s electric Unicorn Lamborghini to lucky fan

SONOMA, Calif., (October 28, 2022) – Ten years have passed since the Flying Lizard Motorsports brand has been seen in professional competition outside of North America, and next week, the sports car racing champions return to Europe to close out the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America championship in Portugal. With ten rounds of racing complete, the No. 64 Lamborghini Newport Beach-sponsored car of Tom Tait (Am) and the No. 14 Lamborghini Newport Beach car of Slade Stewart will close out the 2022 season at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão. Slade Stewart enters the event leading the LB Cup class by nine points and will have two final races to clinch the title.

“What a great first season we have had for Flying Lizard Motorsports in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo championship,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “This series has been so fun to race, extremely competitive and very well run. To have a shot at a championship title in our first venture into Super Trofeo shows the depth of our team. Tom and Slade have done an amazing job on track this year, we have had a great time and some great racing, and we are all looking forward to spending time in Portugal. We have never raced at Portimão and I hear so many great things about this track, we can’t wait to get there and hopefully close out this season on a high note!”

The event will begin with five practice sessions spread out between Tuesday, November 1, and Wednesday, November 2. On Thursday, the participants will have two practice sessions before a pair of 20-minute qualifying sessions that will set the grid for the final two Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America races of the season on Friday, November 4, crowning the new 2022 champions.

A total of 27 entries will be coming from the North American series to represent the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) at the international event. Tom Tait and the No. 64 Lamborghini will be one of eight cars competing in the Am class, eager to close out the 2022 season with a podium finish. With three wins in his No. 14 pink unicorn Lamborghini, Slade Stewart enters into the final doubleheader of the year as the LB Cup points leader. Nine points separate Stewart from Jon Hirshberg and Ofir Levy, who sit tied for second place with 94 points while Charlie Martin and Jason Gagne-Heats hold third place with another tie at 92 points. A 15-point award goes to each race winner, and then 12 points to second place, 10 to third, then 8, six, five, and four. One point is awarded for pole position, of which Steward has won five in ten completed races.

The global portion of the Grand Finals begins on Saturday, November 5 with another 20-minute pair of qualifying sessions were the various Super Trofeo series combine to set the grid for the final set of races. The Lamborghini Grand Finals features a combination of the North America, Asia, and Europe-based championships, competing together for two final races on Saturday and Sunday, the 5th and 6th, respectively.

With 15 turns over 2.891 miles, the Algarve International Circuit is located in the Algarve region of Portugal. The track will be new to the Lizard competitors and engineers, though the team has spent ample time testing in the United States and on simulators for the big event.

The set of four races will air live with English commentary on the Lamborghini Squadra Corse YouTube page, and Flying Lizard Motorsports will offer live updates and behind-the-scenes content on the team’s social media channels the week of the event.

In Previous News

Earlier in the week, the Lizards and Slade Stewart announced a giveaway contest that has already begun at will conclude on the final race day. The group will giveaway an electric kids’ pink Lamborghini, decaled to match Stewart’s race car. For more details on the announcement, click here.

Slade Stewart | No. 14 Lamborghini

We are really excited heading into the US and World Finals in Portimão. It has been an incredibly exciting season up until now; learning a new car and pretty much all of the tracks, a professional series in Lamborghini Super Trofeo, working with the premier race team in the business, Flying Lizard Motorsports. All I can say is it has been an awesome experience so far. We have had our highs getting on the podium, we have had our lows, at races like Road America. Through all of it, we have charged forward and head into the Grand Finals leading the points series for LB Cup. I have to extend a special thanks to the FLM family, the fans, Tom Tait, Andy Lee, Eddie Martin, and my wife and children for their support and coaching.

Tom Tait | No. 63 Lamborghini

It has been a very fun and challenging year, and a year of learning from a number of very experienced people including but not limited to some on-track and psychological coaching from PT, Corey Lewis, Andy Lee, pranks, and advice from my teammate Slade Stewart, and a lot of personal coaching from my wife Faye Tait, who has attended every race.

Flying Lizard Motorsports has provided Slade Stewart and me with a very professional, successful, and seasoned group of race-winning people, all working together to form, in our opinion, the best team in the paddock. Competing for FLM and Pietro Frigerio’s Lamborghini Newport Beach has been a fantastic opportunity! The skill level of the racing drivers competing in the 2022 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship is very high, and a number of these drivers can finish amongst the pro drivers. New tracks and fast drivers have made every race very challenging.

We have improved our finishing result at each 2022 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship race, and we finished in the top 5 in the last U.S. race at VIR.

Flying Lizard Motorsports has a long history of winning many championships and currently leads the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Championship in the LB Cup category, with Slade Stewart (aka. the best teammate in the world). The Flying Lizard Motorsports team and drivers will be pushing very hard at the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Grand Finals in both the AM category and the LB Cup category to achieve podium and championship results. We look forward to the challenge!

Event Schedule

Tuesday, November 1

8:15 AM – 9:45 AM (4:15 AM – 5:45 AM EDT) Track Walk

11:25 AM – 12:25 PM (7:25 AM – 8:25 AM EDT) Test Session 1

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM (9:45 AM – 10:45 AM EDT) Test Session 2

4:05 PM – 5:05 PM (12:05 PM – 1:05 PM EDT) Test Session 3

Wednesday, November 2

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM (5:00 AM – 5:50 AM EDT) Test Session 4

11:00 AM – 11:50 AM (11:00 AM – 11:50 AM EDT) Test Session 5

Thursday, November 3

9:10 AM – 10:10 AM (9:10 AM – 10:10 AM EDT) Free Practice 1

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (7:30 AM – 8:30 AM EDT) Free Practice 2

3:40 PM – 4:00 PM (11:40 AM – 12:00 PM EDT) Qualifying 1

4:10 PM — 4:30 PM (12:10 PM — 12:30 PM EDT) Qualifying 2

Friday, November 4

11:00 AM – 11:50 AM (7:00 AM – 7:50 AM EDT) Race 1 – Live on Facebook

3:50 PM – 4:40 PM (11:50 AM – 12:40 PM EDT) Race 2 – Live on Facebook

Saturday, November 5

7:45 AM – 8:00 AM (3:45 AM – 4:00 AM EDT) Warm Up

10:15 AM – 10:35 PM (6:15 AM – 6:35 AM EDT) Qualifying 1

11:45 AM – 12:05 PM (7:45 AM – 8:05 AM EDT) Qualifying 2

2:45 PM – 3:35 PM (10:45 AM – 11:35 AM EDT) Grand Finals Race 1 – Live onFacebook

Sunday, November 6

12:00 PM – 12:50 PM (8:00 AM – 8:50 AM EDT) Grand Finals Race 2 – Live onFacebook

Lizard Lamborghini Merchandise

About Flying Lizard Motorsports
Based out of Sonoma, California, Flying Lizard Motorsports is one of the most iconic sports car teams in motorsports, having celebrated ten driver and team championships, as well as competed internationally at the 24 Hours of Le Mans eight times.

The Lizards burst on the American Le Mans Series scene in 2004, competing in the GT class until 2012. In 2013, the team moved to the GTC class, still competing in legendary events such as the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2014, the team expanded its program to include running two Audi R8 LMS in the TUDOR Championship, and in 2015, again expanded the program to include two Porsches in Porsche Club racing. Flying Lizard closed out the season with a dominating win at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Toyo Tires, a win they repeated in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The 2020 season proved the team’s most successful to date, earning four titles in the GT4 America championship. Flying Lizard Motorsports has proven to be a championship contender no matter the race series or race car. For more information, visit lizardms.com.

About Lamborghini Newport Beach

Lamborghini Newport Beach is the authorized sales & service franchise for Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. serving Orange County, California.

Representing Lamborghini since 2010, Lamborghini Newport Beach is continuously one of the top US retailers year after year. With many years of combined experience, their team of professionals has all the knowledge and expertise necessary to assist you with purchasing the Lamborghini of your dreams, or properly maintaining the one in your garage. All Lamborghini Newport Beach technicians are fully factory certified, and all sales staff holds master certifications. Their newly opened state of the art facilities are now located at 44 Auto Center Drive, inside the Irvine Auto Center.

General Motors’ Keith Rodden to Join Richard Childress Racing as Crew Chief of the No. 3 Chevrolet in 2023

By
Official Release
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Rodden’s pairing with Austin Dillon Highlights Strength of Chevy Racing Program: Justin Alexander Named RCR’s Director of Vehicle Performance

WELCOME, North Carolina (October 28, 2022) — Keith Rodden will join Richard Childress Racing as crew chief of the No. 3 Chevrolet driven by Austin Dillon in 2023.

Rodden, an experienced crew chief and race engineer, most recently worked on the Motorsports Competition NASCAR strategy group at General Motors. In that role, Rodden focused on working with Chevy race teams on how to best approach track tests, practice sessions, and race events to optimize race results. He also worked as the General Motors WFT project lead, serving as test team crew chief.

A North Carolina State University grad and Denver, North Carolina native, Rodden began his professional motorsports career in 2003 with owner Andy Petree. He worked as either a crew chief or engineer with top-tier NASCAR teams such as Hendrick Motorsports, Evernham Motorsports, Richard Petty Motorsports, Team Red Bull, and Chip Ganassi Racing. Notably, Rodden worked for over a decade with Kasey Kahne, including as crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports.

“The addition of Keith Rodden to the Richard Childress Racing team highlights the ‘One Team’ approach to our race program and the commitment that our manufacturer partner has made to elevating all of the Chevy NASCAR teams with a shared approach to data gathering and technical development,” said Andy Petree, vice president of competition for Richard Childress Racing. “I’ve known and worked with Keith Rodden since the beginning of his NASCAR career, and I can confidently say that he will be a great match for Austin Dillon and our team at Richard Childress Racing. We’d like to thank Justin Alexander for his contributions to the No. 3 team and know that he will do a great job continuing to support RCR in his new role.”

Rodden assumes crew chief duties from Justin Alexander, who has been named the director of vehicle performance for Richard Childress Racing. Alexander guided Dillon to all four of his NASCAR Cup Series wins as crew chief of the No. 3 Chevrolet.

“In working with Richard Childress Racing, and in particular the No. 3 team, over the years, I’ve been really impressed with their competitive nature, dedication to hard work and emphasis on partner relationships,” said Rodden. “I’m looking forward to getting back into a team crew chief role and doing so with one of the strongest teams in the Team Chevy family. “

For more information, please visit rcrracing.com.

About Richard Childress Racing:

Richard Childress Racing (rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 16 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2022 NASCAR Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR champion, 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet), along with two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Tyler Reddick (No. 8 Chevrolet). RCR fields a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series program with Sheldon Creed (No. 2 Chevrolet) and Austin Hill (No. 21 Chevrolet).

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