Ty Dillon, No. 42 SunseekerResorts.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Dillon at Homestead-Miami Speedway: The driver of the No. 42 Chevrolet has made six previous NASCAR Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a best result of 22nd place in 2018.

Dillon has also led 26 laps in five starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at the track, earning one top-five and three top-10 finishes, with a best result of second place in 2016. In four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, Dillon has two top-10 finishes with a best result of sixth place in 2011.

• Career Milestone: Ty Dillon will achieve a noteworthy milestone at Homestead on Sunday, as he straps in for his 200th-career NASCAR Cup Series start. Dating back to the beginning of Dillon’s Cup career, which started on August 31st, 2014 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the veteran has posted two top-fives, seven top-10s, and has led 76 total laps, with a best-career finish of third position at Talladega Superspeedway.
• Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts: Dillon’s primary partner, Sunseeker Resorts, along with parent company, Allegiant Travel Company, recently donated $100,000 in relief efforts to communities affected by Hurricane Ian. In addition, Allegiant has set up a donation link with the American Red Cross where fans can make their own contributions to the cause as well. The Petty GMS team will run a special decal on Ty’s car with a QR code that directs fans to the donation link. For more information, please visit https://www.redcross.org/donate/cm/allegiantair-pub.html/.
• About Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor: Opening in 2023, Florida’s newest luxury resort located in Charlotte Harbor is the first resort property of Sunseeker Resorts, a wholly owned subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company. Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor occupies over 22 waterfront acres with 785 guest rooms, including 189 Signature Sunsuites™. Set upon the Peace River and Florida Gulf Coast, this premier resort offers 20 original food and beverage concepts; including seven stand-alone restaurants, eleven bars and lounges, two poolside offerings and a 25,000-square-foot multi-dining experience. Additional hotel amenities include a waterfront promenade, two unique rooftop and waterfront pool experiences, 60,000-square-feet of combined convention space, full-service spa and salon, a 7,100-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center with four group exercise studios with specialty instructor lead classes, three retail and market shops, and an 18-hole championship level golf club exclusive to hotel guests only. The resort is conveniently located within a short drive of Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, Sarasota, St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Tampa airports. For more information, visit www.sunseekerresorts.com. Follow us on Instagram: @sunseekerresorts and like us on Facebook: @sunseekerresorts.
• Breast Cancer Awareness: As part of a team tradition, Ty Dillon will be honoring several women who have been affected by breast cancer with pink ribbons lining his No. 42 Chevrolet at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. The women highlighted are family members of Petty GMS employees directly associated with his team.
• Ty Dillon Sightings: Fans attending Sunday’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway will have a chance to see Ty Dillon before the race:

No. 42 Petty GMS Chevrolet Merchandise Trailer: Dillon will be onsite at the team merchandise trailer in the fan midway area from 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM local time on Sunday prior to the Dixie Vodka 400. Fans can stop by to purchase new merchandise and get it signed at the same time.

• From the Drivers Seat: Dillon’s thoughts on racing at Homestead-Miami

“Homestead is one of those places that every driver likes to run. It’s so unique, and having the ability to maneuver around using all types of different lines really makes it a fun challenge. I’m interested to see how our Sunseeker Camaro will drive here since this will be the first race at the track with the NextGen car, but at other low grip places this year we have shown some speed. Managing our tires is going to be one of our highest priorities, so if we can do that throughout the race and stay in contention, I think we will have a solid showing.”

Erik Jones, No. 43 Morgan Law Group Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Jones at Homestead-Miami Speedway: This weekend the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway where Erik Jones will make his sixth-career Cup Series start. In his previous five starts at the track, Jones has a best finish of third in 2019.

In the Xfinity Series, Jones has two starts on the two-mile track with a best finish of third in 2015 followed by a ninth-place finish in 2016. In the Truck Series, Jones has one start in 2015 when he finished sixth enroute to earning the NASCAR Truck Series Championship.

• Erik Jones Sightings: Fans attending Sunday’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway will have the chance to see Erik Jones before the race:

US Air Force: Erik Jones will make his way to the US Air Force display in the fan midway area from 10:20 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. ET on Sunday morning prior to the Dixie Vodka 400.

• Breast Cancer Awareness: The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and all Petty GMS and GMS Racing teams will honor individuals throughout the month who are battling, are survivors and those who have succumbed to the disease. Each vehicle will carry pink ribbons with the names of family members and friends submitted by Petty GMS and GMS Racing employees. During this month, we honor all those affected by this disease.
• Welcome The Morgan Law Group: The Morgan Law Group will serve as the primary partner on the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro for Sunday’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This will mark their first and only primary race of the 2022 season with Erik Jones and the No. 43 team.
• About The Morgan Law Group: The Morgan Law Group (www.policyadvocate.com) provides effective and efficient insurance claim representation to homeowners and business owners nationwide, including Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and California. Whether an insurer has denied, delayed, or underpaid a property damage claim, they aggressively pursue the best possible result for their clients, the policyholders. Their team has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of policyholders. They can help resolve all types of property damage claims, including hurricane damage, roof leaks, shower pan damage
• From the Driver’s Seat: “Homestead is a track that can be pretty fun. We went down and tested a few weeks ago and felt like we learned a good chunk of things that affect balance and what we can do with our car down there. It’s a tough race. You’re up against the fence trying to make a lot of speed and not make a mistake. I think we have a shot to run really well at Homestead as long as we can keep it out of the wall and keep ourselves up front. I think we can have a good day with our Morgan Law Group Chevy.”

ABOUT PETTY GMS:

Petty GMS competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, operating the No. 42 Chevrolet for Ty Dillon and the No. 43 Chevrolet for Erik Jones. Founded in December 2021, Maury Gallagher, championship team owner of GMS Racing, purchased a majority interest of Richard Petty Motorsports. Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty, known as “The King,” remains a key stakeholder of the organization. For more information, please visit www.pettygms.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

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

Crew chief Brian Wilson and the rest of the No. 21 DEX Imaging team are hoping two days of hard work last month at Homestead-Miami Speedway will lead to a strong run in Sunday’s Dixie Vodka 400 at the 1.5-mile track in south Florida.

Driver Harrison Burton and the DEX team already have capitalized on the lessons learned at the Homestead test as they competed on similar tracks in recent weeks.

Wilson said he expects the data gathered in the test will come into play in a bigger way this weekend.

“At the Homestead test a month ago, the No. 21 team was able to work through two days of a test plan which resulted in competitive speed and valuable data,” he said. “As we go back it also gives us a deeper notebook than we have at most tracks this year.”

Wilson said he, Burton and the team were able to work on several aspects during the test.

“Most of the first test day was spent on aero runs,” he said. “This data has been used over the past few weeks to improve on the already fast body of our Ford Mustang.

“The second day we focused on mechanical set-up items. We were able to find a set-up that Harrison was happy with which also produced very competitive lap times.”

Wilson said he expects to continue to make use of the information gathered last month.

“I believe that it was this test that helped us take the lead at Texas and qualify in the top ten at Las Vegas,” he said. “We’ll try to continue our progress this weekend as we return to Homestead.”

Cup Series practice at Homestead is set for Saturday at 10:05 a.m. and will be followed by qualifying at 10:50.

Sunday’s 267-lap, 400-mile race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 2:30 p.m. with TV coverage on NBC.

Stage breaks are planned for Laps 80 and 165.

About DEX Imaging
DEX Imaging is the digital document imaging division of Staples, the world’s largest business solutions provider. DEX sells and services the broadest selection of copiers, printers and data management solutions, such as HP, Konica Minolta, Canon, Kyocera and numerous others.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES:
Reducing Operating Costs
Reducing Paper Consumption
Increasing Productivity

DEX Imaging has been the recipient of virtually every industry award since the company’s inception, including the JD Power & Associates Award for Best Customer Experience, the prestigious ProTech Service award by Konica Minolta, the Diamond Premier Dealer Award by Kyocera, and the Elite DEALER Award by ‘ENX’ magazine. Other accolades include being named ‘Best Place to Work’ by numerous business journals in the markets DEX serves.

Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
Dixie Vodka 400
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead, Florida
October 23, 2022

PLAYOFFS ROUND OF 8 TRIPLEHEADER: HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY

For the first time since the track held its last Championship race for all three NASCAR national series in 2019, Homestead-Miami Speedway will make its return to the post-season schedule to host a playoff tripleheader race weekend. The 1.5-mile South Florida oval will mark Race Two of the Round of 8 for the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS), while holding the position of the Round of 8 elimination race for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS).

CHEVY LOOKING TO GO BACK-TO-BACK AT HOMESTEAD

Two opportunities remain for Chevrolet’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff drivers to take a win and a ticket to the Championship 4. Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron and the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team has an extra boost of confidence heading into Race Two of the NCS Round of 8, with the team returning to Homestead-Miami Speedway as the track’s defending winner.

In the series single appearance at the 1.5-mile Florida oval in 2021, Byron became the youngest winner at Homestead after coming from deep in the field in the 31st starting spot. Byron drove his Chevrolet-powered machine to the Stage Two win, going on to lead 102-laps en route to Chevrolet’s first NCS win of the 2021 season. The victory marked Chevrolet’s sixth in 23 NCS races at the track.

In the opening race of the NCS Round of 8 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain was just one spot shy of clinching a spot in the Championship 4 in his first career playoff appearance. A strong performance on pit road by the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1 pit crew put Chastain in prime track position throughout the race, with an exceptional stop under caution with 71 laps to go giving Chastain a front row starting spot for the restart. Chastain went on to lead a race-high 68 laps before losing the lead with just three laps remaining, resulting in a runner-up finish for the team.

Another strong finish by Chastain moved the 29-year-old Florida native up to second in the NCS points standings, with an 18-point advantage over the playoff cutline. Joining Chastain in the top four of the standings is 2022 NCS regular-season champion, Chase Elliott, who sits third in the standings and 17-points above the playoff cutline. William Byron moved up one position to fifth in the points standings; and while he’s six-points below the cutline, Byron is heading into the final two races of the Round of 8 as the defending winner at both tracks.

A look at where the Team Chevy NCS playoff drivers stand heading into Race Two of the Round of 8, including season numbers and career stats at Homestead-Miami Speedway:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1 – 2nd in Playoff Standings (18-points above cutline)

Victories: 2

Top-Fives: 12; Top-10s: 18; Laps Led: 692

Average Finish: 14.2; Stage Wins: 6

At Homestead-Miami Speedway:

Average Finish: 28.333

Of Note:

• The 2022 season marks Chastain’s first career appearance in the NCS playoffs.
• Chastain posted top-five finishes earlier this season at two tracks in the Round of Eight, including Martinsville Speedway (5th).
• In six of the seven 2022 NCS playoff races thus far, Chastain has finished in the top-13.  
  Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 – 2nd in Playoff Standings (17-points above cutline)

2022 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Champion

Victories: 5 (series-leading)

Top-Fives: 12; Top-10s: 19; Laps Led: 803

Average Finish: 12.0; Stage Wins: 6

At Homestead-Miami Speedway:

Top-Fives: 2; Top-10s: 3

Average Finish: 9.000

Of Note:

• The 2022 season marks Elliott’s seventh consecutive appearance in the NCS playoffs.
• Elliott has advanced to the Championship 4 the past two seasons, winning his first career NCS Driver Championship in 2020.
• Elliott is one of just two former NCS champions that makeup the 2022 NCS Playoffs Round of 8.  
  William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 – 5th in Playoff Standings (6-points below the cutline)

Victories: 2

Top-Fives: 5; Top-10s: 9; Laps Led: 714

Average Finish: 16.2; Stage Wins: 4

At Homestead-Miami Speedway:

Victories: 1

Top-Fives: 1; Top-10s: 2

Average Finish: 18.250

Of Note:

• The 2022 season marks Byron’s fourth consecutive appearance in the NCS playoffs.
• Bryon’s career-best finish in the NCS playoffs came in 2021, finishing the season 10th in the final points standings.
• Byron is the series’ most recent winner at the final two tracks of the NCS Round of 8 (Homestead-Miami Speedway – 2021; Martinsville Speedway – April 2022).  
  CHEVROLET SCORES MILESTONE WIN, CLINCHES NXS MANUFACTURER’S CHAMPIONSHIP

Josh Berry’s trip to victory lane at Las Vegas Motor Speedway also marked a monumental day for Chevrolet’s history in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Berry’s victory delivered Chevrolet its 500th all-time victory in the NXS, while also clinching its series-leading 24th NXS Manufacturer’s Championship. This marks the sixth consecutive season that Chevrolet has taken the title in the series.

Chevrolet was able to secure the NXS Manufacturer’s Championship title with three races remaining in the 2022 season. The coveted title comes after a dominate season for the Camaro SS, with Berry’s victory marking the 23rd win in 30 NXS races this season. Of those wins, 20 have been recorded in the last 22 races, including the streak of the past nine in a row.

BERRY PUNCHES TICKET TO NXS CHAMPIONSHIP 4

In his first full-time season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, JR Motorsports’ Josh Berry and the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro SS team will fight for the championship title. Berry’s third NXS win of the season didn’t come without a fight. Battling with fellow Chevrolet playoff driver AJ Allmendinger on a late race restart, Berry proved the speed of his No. 8 JR Motorsports Camaro SS; making contact with the wall before taking the lead for the final time. Berry’s victory was celebrated alongside his JR Motorsports teammates, with Noah Gragson finishing second and Justin Allgaier finishing third to make it a 1-2-3 sweep for the Chevrolet team.

With Berry’s automatic berth into the Championship 4, three spots remain for NXS playoff contenders to win and continue their championship hopes. Gragson’s 18th top-five finish of the season kept the 24-year-old Nevada native at the top of the points standings with a 44-point cushion over the playoff cutline. Justin Allgaier sits in the fourth position and 15-points above the playoff cutline, giving Chevrolet three drivers in the top four of the standings with two races remaining in the NXS Round of 8.

ONE LAST CHANCE TO ADVANCE

Major playoff implications are on the line for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoff contenders, with Saturday’s Baptist Health Cancer Care 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway marking the third and final race of the series’ Round of 8.

After damage sustained in a late-race crash in the series’ last race at Talladega Superspeedway, Chevrolet’s playoff contender Grant Enfinger and the No. 23 GMS Racing Silverado RST team will enter the Round of 8 elimination race eighth in the playoff points standings. Sitting at 29-points below the playoff cutline, a win is at the top of mind to keep Enfinger’s championship hopes alive. “Knowing the task at hand, I can’t wait to unload our Champion Power Equipment Chevy in Homestead,” said Enfinger. “Jeff (Hensley, crew chief) and I have run well there in the past, and with the low grip and high tire wear, that place has always been one of my favorites. We know what we need to do, so now it’s all about our execution.”

Consistency has been key for Enfinger and the No. 23 GMS Racing Silverado RST team through the playoff run. Enfinger kicked-off his 2022 NCWTS playoff campaign with a win at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and with five races complete in the series’ playoffs, Enfinger has recorded an impressive four top-five finishes.

PINK ‘MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER’ CAMARO PACE CAR RETURNS FOR HOMESTEAD

Chevrolet’s partnership with the American Cancer Society and its ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ initiative marks its 12th consecutive year in 2022. To help raise awareness, a specialty-themed pink Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE will serve as the official pace car for three NASCAR Cup Series races during the month of October, including Sunday’s NCS Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. For every lap run under caution, Chevrolet will donate $350 to the American Cancer Society to honor ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’. The 267-lap, 400.5-mile NCS playoff race at Homestead will mark the second of three races that are part of the initiative.

The first NCS event that is part of the program took place at Talladega Superspeedway earlier this month. The specialty-themed pink Camaro pace car led the NCS for 25 laps under caution at the 2.66-mile Alabama superspeedway, bringing Chevrolet’s contribution total to $8,750 towards the campaign so far.

 
BOWTIE BULLETS

· Victories by active Chevrolet drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway:

   William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (2021)

· In 23 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Chevrolet has recorded six victories, including the series’ most recent appearance at the 1.5-mile South Florida oval (William Byron – February 2021).

· Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series playoff contender, William Byron, is the series’ defending winner at both of the remaining tracks in the Round of 8, including Homestead-Miami Speedway (February 2021) and Martinsville Speedway (April 2022).

· Tyler Reddick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a 3.000. Reddick captured back-to-back NASCAR Xfinity Series championship titles after taking the win at Homestead in 2018 and 2019, both accomplished behind the wheel of a Chevrolet-powered machine.

· Chevrolet leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins with 18 in 32 points-paying races. The Bowtie brand also continues to lead its manufacturer competitors in top-fives (76), top-10s (145), laps led (3,853) and stage wins (26).

· Seven Team Chevy drivers have combined 26 NASCAR Cup Series stage wins:

   Tyler Reddick 2 - Fontana x2

   Alex Bowman 1 - Las Vegas, Kansas

   Ross Chastain 6 - Las Vegas, Darlington, Charlotte, Pocono, Richmond, ROVAL

   William Byron 4 – Phoenix, Atlanta, Talladega, Darlington

   Daniel Suarez 2 – COTA, Charlotte

   Chase Elliott 6 – Martinsville x2, Charlotte, Atlanta x2, Talladega

   Kyle Larson 4 – Bristol, Sonoma, Pocono, Texas

· JR Motorsports’ Josh Berry delivered Chevrolet its milestone 500th all-time NASCAR Xfinity Series win last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The victory also clinched Berry’s spot in the NXS Championship 4 in his first career playoff appearance.

· Following Chevrolet’s 23rd NASCAR Xfinity Series win of 2022 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Chevrolet clinched its series-leading 24th NXS Manufacturer’s Championship. This marks the eighth title for the Camaro SS since becoming Chevrolet’s flagship vehicle in the series in 2013, including the past six consecutive years.

· Reigning NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Champions, Chevrolet, continues to lead in the manufacturer points standings by 90-points with just three races remaining in the 2022 season.

· With its 40 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 832 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title of winningest brand in NASCAR.

 
FOR THE FANS

· Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

· Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles including: Tahoe Z71, Silverado 2500HD LTZ Diesel, Silverado Crew ZR2, Blazer RS, Corvette Z51, Camaro ZL1, Pink Silverado 1500 Crew High Country Diesel.

· At the Chevrolet Display, fans can also view Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Camaro ZL1 show car.

Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:

Sunday, October 23

· Ross Chastain: 11:05 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.

· Noah Gragson: 11:25 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.

· William Byron: 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

Friday, October 21: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday, October 22: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, October 23: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Tune In:

NBC will broadcast the NASCAR Cup Series Dixie Vodka 400 at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 23. Live coverage can also be found on the NBCSports Gold App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

USA Network will broadcast the NASCAR Xfinity Series Contender Boats 300 at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 22. Live coverage can also be found on the NBCSports Gold App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

FS1 will broadcast the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Baptist Health Cancer Care 200 at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 22. Live coverage can also be found on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 KUBOTA CAMARO ZL1

Are you looking forward to Homestead?

“I am really looking forward to Homestead. After this weekend in Vegas and having such a strong car, I can’t wait to get to Florida. I was talking with my engineers earlier last week and they were really pumped about the car we were bringing to Las Vegas and I think we proved how good it really was, so that gives me a ton of confidence for Homestead.”

Homestead is another intermediate track. Does that give you confidence?

“Absolutely. We tested there a couple of weeks ago and I got several laps in and practiced running the wall, which is great. The team told me they were prepared to fix the car if I got into the wall so I could really go out there and find the limits.”

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 HUK CAMARO ZL1

What excites you most about Homestead-Miami Speedway?

” We ran well at Homestead-Miami Speedway last year and finished seventh in 2020. I can’t wait to get there. I think it’s the most driver-friendly track. Actually, it’s not really friendly because you can get into the wall pretty easily, but it’s so much fun to run right up against the fence. You have to be disciplined in how you drive that track and save your tires. It’s an epic race. It’s always intense. My teammate, Tyler Reddick, is solid there and I think that’s pushed our program to another level when it comes to running at Homestead-Miami Speedway. I feel like we’ve learned off of each other the last couple of years.”

KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1

Larson on running the wall at Homestead-Miami Speedway:

“I think this car is just a little different at Homestead-Miami (Speedway). Nothing crazy. I think running the wall is a little bit easier but maybe not way faster than it used to be compared to the other lanes. I still think it is just a lot easier to run the wall than before. You may see more people up there and it may be a little bit harder to pass than in the past.”

CLIFF DANIELS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1

Daniels on how a test helps the team get ready for Homestead-Miami:

“The Next Gen car is definitely a different beast at Homestead-Miami (Speedway) than the car of the past. We had a good test there a couple of weeks ago. I’m sure the track will still be a little bit different when we get there and get all the cars out there and get some rubber on the track. With Kyle Larson’s history of always running really well there, I have a lot of confidence in him. Hopefully, we can take what we learned at the test and put a good car on track for Sunday.”

TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 3CHI CAMARO ZL1

How was your recent test at Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“I never touched the wall but I ran up against it just about as much as anybody else. I loved that we got to test there. Everyone figured out after about three or four laps the top was the place to be. I was watching 10 or 12 drivers that were running and everyone was getting better at running the fence. The drivers who tested there will be really good at running up top when we go back and I’m going to have my work cut out for me, that’s for sure. This Next Gen car is wider than the old car so I felt like I couldn’t get those last couple of inches to the wall so I learned about that a little bit. I never tagged the wall. We were getting ready to have our last long run of the day. We were going to run about 40 laps and we had rain wash out the remainder of our day. I got to learn a lot about the car and what it drove like. We got some decent long run speed but a lot of those other drivers and teams have done their homework well. It’s going to be a tough race this weekend.”

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1

Elliott on how to approach Homestead-Miami after a rough week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: “The good news is I feel like we have a really smart and talented group of guys that are going to work on it. We’ve been talking a lot this week and if this weekend goes bad, I can assure you it will not be for a lack of effort. Great opportunity here for us right now and we’re still very much alive in this deal. We just need to go down there and just try to have a solid weekend. Do we have to go win the race? No, I don’t think you have to go win the race, but I think you put yourself in position, getting some solid stage points, being up front and being in the mix. Those are things that are going to hedge your bet of being happy after Martinsville (Speedway).”

ALAN GUSTAFSON, CREW CHIEF, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1

Gustafson on rebounding from Las Vegas:

“The opening races in each round of these playoffs have not been good to our team. Unfortunately, that continued for us last week at Las Vegas (Motor Speedway). We were able to make it to the end, but we didn’t get the stage points or finish we needed to maintain our cushion. We know we have some work to do this week to make sure we’re prepared for Homestead-Miami (Speedway). Our goal is to get maximum points and just have a really solid race this weekend. That will help us going into Martinsville (Speedway).”

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1

Byron on what he expects at Homestead-Miami:

“I’m excited to get back to Homestead-Miami (Speedway) this weekend. Obviously, the last time we raced there we got the win, but a lot has changed since then. We did test there about a month ago with the Next Gen car and it went really well. I think we have a lot of notes that we’re going to be able to apply and have a good starting point for the weekend. We’re only a few points outside the cutline, so we don’t need to do anything drastic during the race either. We just need to show up, execute everything we can control and maximize all the points we can.”

RUDY FUGLE, CREW CHIEF, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1

Fugle on what he expects Sunday at Homestead-Miami:

“I’m ready to get to Homestead-Miami (Speedway) this weekend. It’s a track I’ve always really liked racing at in any series. Just like most races this year with the Next Gen car, there’s still some unknowns. I think we have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the test there recently as well as other intermediate track notes. Track position and pit stops are going to probably make the biggest difference on Sunday but with high tire falloff, varying strategies in the stages is also going to shuffle the running order. Like past races there, I think running the wall is probably going to be the fastest way around as the tires fall off. You just have to weigh the risk verse reward of doing that and possibly hitting the wall and breaking a suspension part.”

TY DILLON, NO. 42 SUNSEEKERRESORTS.COM CAMARO ZL1

“Homestead is one of those places that every driver likes to run at. It’s so unique, and having the ability to maneuver around using all types of different lines really makes it a fun challenge. I’m interested to see how our Sunseeker Camaro will drive here since this will be the first race at the track with the NextGen car, but at other low grip places this year we have shown some speed. Managing our tires is going to be one of our highest priorities, so if we can do that throughout the race and stay in contention, I think we will have a solid showing.”

ERIK JONES, NO. 43 THE MORGAN LAW GROUP CAMARO ZL1

“Homestead is a track that can be pretty fun. We went down there and tested a few weeks ago and felt like we learned a good chunk of things that affect balance and what we can do with our car down there. It’s a tough race. You’re up against the fence trying to make a lot of speed and not make a mistake. I think we have a shot to run really well there as long as we can keep it out of the wall and keep ourselves up front. I think we can have a good day.”

GREG IVES, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1

Ives on heading to Homestead-Miami this Sunday:

“Homestead-Miami Speedway is unique from the mile-and-a-half tracks we visit. Thankfully, we learned a lot when we tested there last month. Our pit crew has been hitting their stride and we know that pit stops are going to be so important with the tire fall off. Noah (Gragson) likes running the wall and loves going to Homestead, so that confidence makes a huge difference. If we continue to maximize our opportunities and stay clean on pit road, I think we can put the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in victory lane.”

DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 PRINCESS CRUISES CAMARO ZL1

What are your thoughts on Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“We had a really good test down there last month and I am really confident we will have a good car. I liked the car on the first day of the test and Ross had the same feelings on the second day.”

What are your thoughts with three races remaining in the 2022 season?

“We are doing a good job bringing fast cars to the track each week. If we keep doing that we have a chance to win Sunday and at the remaining races.”

GRANT ENFINGER, NO. 23 CHAMPION POWER EQUIPMENT SILVERADO RST

Enfinger’s thoughts on what it takes to tackle Homestead:

“Knowing the task at hand, I can’t wait to unload our Champion Power Equipment Chevy in Homestead. Jeff and I have ran well there in the past, and with the low grip and high tire wear, that place has always been one of my favorites. You’ll see guys painting the line, running the middle, and eventually running up on the fence, and it’s going to make for a great show. We know what we need to do, so now it’s all about our execution. I’m excited!”

JACK WOOD, NO. 24 LOGITECH G SILVERADO RST

Wood’s thoughts on making his first-career start at Homestead-Miami Speedway:

“I’m looking forward to going to Homestead; I’ve never been there before, but I have been studying a lot of film and preparing for this race pretty thoroughly. The trucks haven’t raced there in two years, so I think we will have a good opportunity by preparing harder this week. The track layout looks really cool where we will be able to move around and experience some tire fall off, which will be fun for all of the drivers. We’re getting really close to the end of the season, so I’m mainly excited to get back to the racetrack with my Logitech G Chevy after having a few weeks off.”

 
Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2021): 40

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021

Drivers Championships:

Total (1949-2021): 33

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)

Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021

Event Victories:

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2022 STATISTICS:

Wins: 18

Poles: 9

Laps Led: 3,853

Top-five finishes: 76

Top-10 finishes: 145

Stage wins: 26

Tyler Reddick (Fontanax2)
Alex Bowman (Las Vegas), (Kansas)
Ross Chastain (Las Vegas), (Darlington), (Charlotte), (Pocono), (Richmond), (Charlotte ROVAL)
William Byron (Phoenix), (Atlanta), (Talladega), (Darlington)
Daniel Suarez (COTA), (Charlotte)
Chase Elliott (Martinsvillex2), (Charlotte), (Atlantax2), (Talladega)
Kyle Larson (Bristol Dirt), (Sonoma), (Pocono), (Texas)

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 832 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 732

Laps led to date: 245,189

Top-five finishes to date: 4,214

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,700

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,166

       Chevrolet: 832

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 819                                                           

       Ford: 719

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 169

 
Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway … In 68 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has 10 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes. The Welcome, N.C., based team has five second-place finishes at the 1.5-mile speedway: Kevin Harvick (2003 and 2008), Jeff Burton (2009), Ryan Newman (2014) and Tyler Reddick (2021).

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway … RCR owns three NASCAR Xfinity Series wins at Homestead-Miami Speedway, highlighted by Tyler Reddick’s championship-clinching victory in 2019. Myatt Snider grabbed his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at the track in 2021. Jeff Burton rallied from a 30th-place starting position to score the victory in 2007, leading the final 26 laps. Kevin Harvick scored a dominating win in 2003, leading 108 of 203 laps.

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 Homestead 300 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, October 22, beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET on USA. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Follow Sunday’s Action at Homestead-Miami Speedway … The NASCAR Cup Series Dixie Vodka 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, October 23, beginning at 2:30 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 Huk Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Austin Dillon’s best NASCAR Cup Series finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway is a seventh-place result he earned in the 2020 Fall race. Most recently, he finished 12th at the track in February of 2021. Dillon has four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, acquiring three top-five finishes, including a best finish of second in 2015 after leading 16 laps. In three NASCAR Truck Series starts, Dillon won the pole in 2010 and earned a best finish of 10th in 2011. Dillon clinched the 2011 NASCAR Truck Series Championship and the 2013 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Racing For The Florida Relief Fund … Huk is teaming up with Richard Childress Racing and Austin Dillon at the Dixie Vodka 400 this Sunday to help support the many Floridians who were recently affected by Hurricane Ian. In an effort to help build back, Huk is donating 10 percent of all online sales through Sunday, October 23 to the Florida Relief Fund, and RCR will also donate 10 percent of the No. 3 Chevrolet’s race winnings. Huk and RCR are debuting a special “Miami Nights” paint scheme this weekend, which pays tribute to the state of Florida.

Welcome, Huk … Huk is the fastest-growing performance clothing brand with an authentic passion for its products. Based in Charleston, S.C., at the confluence of three major rivers and a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean, Huk’s product developers enjoy a dizzying array of waterside opportunities that help shape and mold its purpose-built fishing gear. Huk clothing represents a fresh take and a unique understanding of the waterside lifestyle, offering functional products with wide reaching appeal that resonates with RCR’s fan base. Austin Dillon enjoys wearing Huk clothing during his everyday life. Some of his favorite products include the Icon X Polo, Waypoint Pant and Vented Pursuit Hoodie. For more information, visit www.hukgear.com.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

What excites you most about Homestead-Miami Speedway?

” We ran well at Homestead-Miami Speedway last year and finished seventh in 2020. It was fun; we had a fast car, so I can’t wait to get there. I think it’s the most driver-friendly track. Actually, it’s not really friendly because you can get into the wall pretty easily, but it’s so much fun to run right up against the fence. You have to be disciplined in how you drive that track and save your tires. It’s an epic race. It’s always intense. My teammate, Tyler Reddick, is solid there and I think that’s pushed our program to another level when it comes to running at Homestead-Miami Speedway. I feel like we’ve learned off of each other the last couple of years.”

This Week’s 3CHI Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Homestead-Miami Speedway …Tyler Reddick will be making his third NASCAR Cup Series start at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend. The driver of the 3CHI Chevrolet has two top-five finishes in two previous NASCAR Cup Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, including a second-place effort in 2021 (average finish is 3.0). Reddick clinched the 2018 and 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series championships with victories at Homestead and finished sixth or better in three NASCAR Truck Series races at the 1.5-mile south Florida speedway.

Las Vegas Rewind … Reddick’s sixth-place finish last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was his 15th top-10 of the 2022 season. Reddick won the pole position at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, his first in six starts at the 1.5-mile Nevada speedway, third of the 2022 season, and fourth of his career. He is 11th in the NASCAR Cup Series driver standings, 13 points outside of the top-10.

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:

How was your recent test at Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“I never touched the wall but I ran up against it just about as much as anybody else. I loved that we got to test there. Everyone figured out after about three or four laps the top was the place to be. I was watching 10 or 12 drivers that were running and everyone was getting better at running the fence. The drivers who tested there will be really good at running up top when we go back and I’m going to have my work cut out for me, that’s for sure. This Next Gen car is wider than the old car so I felt like I couldn’t get those last couple of inches to the wall so I learned about that a little bit. I never tagged the wall. We were getting ready to have our last long run of the day. We were going to run about 40 laps and we had rain wash out the remainder of our day. I got to learn a lot about the car and what it drove like. We got some decent long run speed but a lot of those other drivers and teams have done their homework well. It’s going to be a tough race this weekend.”

This Week’s Whelen Aerospace Technologies Chevrolet Camaro SS at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Sheldon Creed will make his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend. Creed has three NASCAR Truck Series starts at the 1.5-mile south Florida speedway. He scored two top-10 finishes, highlighted by a fifth-place finish in 2019. The driver of the Whelen Aerospace Technologies Chevrolet enters Homestead 14th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver standings with three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes.

Whelen Aerospace Technologies … Whelen Aerospace Technologies is the global leader in high-end lighting products for the aerospace industry. Our experienced staff designs, engineers, and manufactures high-quality products that provide safety, visibility, and recognition for aircraft across all platforms. Our design engineers work closely with OEM and service provider networks to design high-performance products that enhance the pilot experience, as well as provide safety of flight. As an FAA-approved production holder, Whelen Aerospace Technologies owns hundreds of STCs for aircraft landing, taxi, anti-collision and position lights. Our in-house composite shop produces a wide variety of STC and PMA approved speed modifications for a number of general aviation aircraft. Our expansive product line is sure to provide a solution for pilots and owners alike, based on their individual needs.

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:

What are your thoughts on Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“Homestead is definitely a place that I like. I haven’t been there since 2020 in the Truck so that might hurt me a little bit early in practice, just not seeing it in over a year. I think it’s a lot like Darlington for me where it wears out tires fast and you have to take care of them. You can run all over the track but mainly you can run right against the fence, which I like to do. I think Homestead will be a good track for us. We’ve been working on some SIM stuff and I felt like we were pretty good in there. Hopefully it will be like Darlington for us and we can run well this weekend.”

How important is to run well in these three remaining races in the season?

“I think it’s extremely important. If we can run in the top three in these last three races and have a chance at winning one of them it will set the tone for the offseason. I think that will be a great confidence boost for myself and the team.”

This Week’s United Rentals Chevrolet Camaro SS at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Austin Hill is making his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hill has one win at Homestead in the NASCAR Truck Series (2019) along with two top-10 finishes. He scored a dominating victory in 2019, leading the most laps (56 of 134) with an average running position of 2.81.

Las Vegas Rewind … Hill scored a sixth-place finish last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, his 18th top-10 of the season. The driver of the United Rentals Chevrolet enters Homestead-Miami Speedway with 11 top-10 finishes in 15 superspeedway races this season. He is fifth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers standings, four points below the fourth-place cutline.

About United Rentals … United Rentals, Inc. is the largest equipment rental company in the world. The company has an integrated network of 1,278 rental locations in North America, 11 in Europe, 28 in Australia and 18 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The company’s approximately 20,100 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners, and others. The company offers approximately 4,300 classes of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $15.72 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Barron’s 400 Index and the Russell 3000 Index® and is headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Additional information about United Rentals is available at www.unitedrentals.com.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTES:

How different do you think it will be to run in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway compared to the NASCAR Truck Series?

“The biggest difference that I’m going to notice from the NASCAR Truck Series to the NASCAR Xfinity Series is I actually ran the bottom quite a bit in the trucks. We were really fast and able to wrap the bottom really well and I never ran close to the wall. I think with the Xfinity car you’re going to see a lot more right up against the wall, which will be opposite of how I drove a Truck there. I’m going to have to trust myself to run against the fence.”

Is tire wear becoming a bigger factor in the races at Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“Every year that you race at Homestead it seems that way. If your tires were bad after 10 laps last year, this year they’ll probably be bad after five laps. You’re not going to get much use out of them and after 20 laps or so you’re going to be screaming on the radio wanting some more tires. It’s something you’re definitely going to have to manage. You’re going to have to figure out how hard to drive on the front end of a run to be good on the back end of a run. But you don’t want to lose ground to the leaders. It’s a tough balance to figure out where you need to be and how far you can push the limit.”

ARIC ALMIROLA
Homestead Race Advance
No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Dixie Vodka 400 (Round 34 of 36)

● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 23

● Location: Homestead-Miami Speedway

● Layout: 1.5-mile oval

● Laps/Miles: 267 laps/400.5 miles

● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 80 laps / Stage 2: 85 laps / Final Stage: 102 laps

● TV/Radio: NBC / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● History at Homestead-Miami Speedway: In 12 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Homestead, Almirola has earned two top-fives and four top-10s.

● 2022 Season: Through 33 races, Almirola has earned two top-five finishes, seven top-10s, and has led 81 laps. He also qualified on the pole for the first time this season at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in September. His average finish of 17.7 and seven top-10s this season have bettered his totals for all 36 points-paying races in 2021.

● Driver Points: Almirola arrives at Homestead 20th in the driver standings with 704 points.

● Almirola’s career: In 421 NASCAR Cup Series starts, Almirola has earned three wins, 28 top-five finishes, 91 top-10s, four poles, and has led 974 laps.

● Everything is better with bacon! That’s why Smithfield and Dixie Vodka are teaming up to host the Best Bacon Bloody Mary Party that NASCAR fans have ever seen. On Sunday, fans can stop by the Dixie Vodka activation zone at the track to enjoy a delicious Bloody Mary featuring Dixie Black Pepper Vodka. And to make their Bloody Mary even better and bolder, fans will have the opportunity to garnish their beverage with Smithfield’s NEW premium Double Thick Double Smoked Bacon Lover’s Bacon. Smithfield’s new premium Double Thick Double Smoked Bacon Lover’s Bacon is slow-smoked and cured to perfection with a 50-percent longer smoke cycle featuring two types of wood and a thicker slice, which makes it a bacon lover’s dream. It’s the perfect addition to a Bloody Mary. Head over to Smithfield.com for recipe inspiration and make sure to follow the brand on Instagram at @Smithfieldbrand.

● Ever wanted to be behind the wheel of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang? Well now it’s possible – virtually, that is. Fans can head over to www.Smithfieldraceface.com to explore the augmented reality app where fans can wear Almirola’s helmet and firesuit. Snap a photo and tag @Aric_Almirola on social media for a chance to be featured.

● Back for More: Earlier this year, Almirola announced that he would step down from fulltime racing following the 2022 season.Through the course of the year, Almirola has discovered a new balance between his passion for racing and dedication to his family. His wife Janice, and kids Alex and Abby, join him on most race weekends, oftentimes enjoying once-in-a-lifetime experiences together as they travel the country. His rapport with crew chief Drew Blickensderfer has flourished, and the intense pressure he had put on himself was replaced with the joy of simply being present. Not only did Almirola see a new perspective on the sport, but so did anchor partner Smithfield Foods, who broached the subject of Almirola returning to fulltime racing in 2023. On Aug. 26, Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Smithfield Foods announced his return with a multi-year agreement and the largest allotment of races since joining the team in 2018.

● Beyond the 10 YouTube Series: In 2022, Almirola is once again sharing his life beyond the No. 10 Smithfield Ford with season three of his award-winning YouTube series. Fans and media can subscribe on YouTube to see Almirola’s personality on and off the track. Episodes have already featured life as a dad, a husband and an athlete, and it gives fans a unique perspective on what goes on in the life of a professional NASCAR driver. Fans can also follow Almirola’s social media channels: @Aric_Almirola on Twitter and Instagram, and @AricAlmirola on Facebook.

● Almirola was the only NASCAR Cup Series driver to finish in the top-10 in this year’s opening three races. He finished fifth in the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, sixth at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, and sixth at Las Vegas. Almirola’s top-10 streak ended with a 12th-place finish at Phoenix Raceway despite running inside the top-10 throughout the race.

Aric Almirola, Driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

What does racing at Homestead over the years mean to you?

“Homestead for me has been a great racetrack. It’s really how I got my start to go Cup racing. I filled in for Richard Petty Motorsports back in 2010 and I finished fourth after running up front. That opened some people’s eyes. Sure enough, I got my first start in the Cup Series because of it.”

Do any of the other intermediate tracks prepare you for Homestead?

“There are some takeaways, but I think it’s going to be a whole new set of learning this weekend. You know you have to run the top and there are different lanes than the tracks we have run this year. You saw some guys running the wall in Vegas and you saw that the car could take a little more beating, so I think you’re going to see a lot of guys pushing it up on the wall.”

You’re going to interact with the fans a lot this weekend. How much do you enjoy the fan interaction at the races?

“Yeah, we’re going downtown Friday to do an event at the Bayside Marketplace and hopefully get in front of people who don’t know a lot about racing. Hopefully, we’ll attract some new fans there and raise a lot of interest in the sport. On Sunday, we’re going out to the campgrounds to show people Smithfield and Dixie Vodka’s Best Bacon Bloody Mary, which will be a lot of fun. After that, we’ll do a Q&A in the fan zone with Cole (Custer) to hype up the fans for the race. It’s a lot of fun for the fans. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be here, so I love going out and thanking everyone for coming.”

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Aric Almirola
Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer
Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Jerry Cook
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Engineer: Davin Restivo
Hometown: Asheboro, North Carolina

Engineer: James Kimbrough
Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

Spotter: Joel Edmonds
Hometown: Dobson, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Ryan Mulder
Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa

Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White
Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Tire Carrier: Tyler Bullard
Hometown: King, North Carolina

Jack Man: Sean Cotton
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Fuel Man: James “Ace” Keener
Hometown: Fortuna, California

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Chris Trickett
Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Robbie Fairweather
Hometown: Westbrookville, New York

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller
Hometown: Monroe, New York

Tire Specialist: Rusty Davidson
Hometown: Mount Juliet, Tennessee

Transporter Co-Driver: Steven Casper
Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy
Hometown: Augusta, Georgia