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Tire Pros Rejoins JR Motorsports with Partnership Extension in 2023

North Carolina-Based Company Backs Josh Berry’s No. 8 Chevy for Nine NXS Races

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 19, 2022) – JR Motorsports announced today the return of Tire Pros to the organization in 2023 with an extension featuring nine NASCAR Xfinity Series races as primary partner with driver Josh Berry and associate placement in the remaining 24 events. Building off a successful two-season stint, Tire Pros and Berry will compete together for a third consecutive season with the No. 8 Chevrolet.

“Greg (Bell, Tire Pros president) and the team over at Tire Pros are a huge reason I’m able to drive in the Xfinity Series,” said Berry, a native of Hendersonville, Tenn. “They took a chance on me in 2021 and for that I am forever thankful. We had a great first year together and were able to follow that up by putting the Tire Pros Chevrolet into Victory Lane at Dover. I can’t wait to continue that success in 2023.”

Headquartered in Huntersville, N.C., Tire Pros is the nation’s largest network of elite, independent and locally owned tire dealers. Uniting over 600 locations under a shared national brand, Tire Pros provides a broad suite of specialized tools and resources to help franchisees drive consumers to their stores, enhance operations and maximize profitability. Additionally, the company is backed by the power of American Tire Distributors (ATD), one of the largest independent suppliers to the replacement tire market with more than 130 distribution centers and over 80,000 customers across North America.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with JR Motorsports and Josh Berry for the 2023 season,” said Greg Bell, Tire Pros president. “Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Josh have been great partners and we are looking forward to continuing the growth and success we’ve had together. We can’t wait for Josh to be competing in the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway next month and look forward to cheering him on there, and throughout next year.”

Berry’s having a banner year alongside Tire Pros in 2022, earning three wins, 11 top fives, 20 top 10s and a berth in the NXS Playoffs. At Dover Motor Speedway earlier this season, Berry led 55 laps behind the wheel of the Tire Pros Camaro en route to his fourth career win and second consecutive year with multiple victories. Currently, Berry is in the thick of the championship hunt as the first of four drivers to qualify for the Championship 4 finale at Phoenix Raceway next month.

Specific races and a paint scheme unveil for the No. 8 Tire Pros Chevrolet will come at a later date.

ABOUT TIRE PROS:

Tire Pros is the nation’s largest network of elite, independent and locally owned tire and automotive service dealers with over 600 locations across the United States. All Tire Pros locations offer unparalleled customer service including 24/7 roadside assistance, nationwide tire and service warranties, and flexible financing options to benefit any customer in need. Each store offers more than just tires, focusing on unique services that fit their customer’s lifestyles. Ranked in Entrepreneur’s 2022 Franchise 500, Tire Pros takes on the challenge of the everchanging automotive industry to build a smarter future for Tire Pros dealers and customers. For more information, please visit www.tirepros.com.

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
JR Motorsports is the racing operation co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 15-time Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick. Now in its 21st year of overall competition, JR Motorsports competes in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it currently fields four full-time teams and earned championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. The company also races in Late Model competition and owns four championships in regional Late Model divisions and added a prized national title in 2020. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.

JR Motorsports — NXS Homestead-Miami Preview

JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
TRACK: Homestead-Miami Speedway
RACE: Contender Boats 300 (200 laps / 300 miles)
DATE: Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022

Broadcast Information – TV: 4:30 p.m. ET on USA / Radio: 4 p.m. ET on MRN and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Sam Mayer
No. 1 Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet
• Sam Mayer currently sits as the eighth seed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, 36 points behind teammate Justin Allgaier for the fourth and final spot in the Championship 4 with two races remaining in the Round of 8.
• Mayer will make his first start at the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend.
• At tracks measuring between 1-2 miles in length in the NXS, Mayer has earned five top fives and 10 top 10s, with an average finish of 15.6.
• In his last six NXS starts dating back to Kansas Speedway in September, Mayer has only one showing outside of the top 10, earning an average finish of 6.8 over that span.

Josh Berry
No. 8 High Rock Vodka Chevrolet
• Josh Berry became the first driver to advance into the Championship 4 by virtue of last week’s win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
• In his first full-time NXS season, Berry is one of four drivers who will compete for a championship at Phoenix Raceway.
• Berry has made two starts at the 1.5-mile track located in southeast Florida. He drove the No. 8 to a 10th-place finish at Homestead last season.
• The No. 8 team has placed inside of the top 10 in seven consecutive races dating back to Darlington Raceway.
• Overall, Berry has amassed three wins, 11 top fives and 20 top 10s this season.

Noah Gragson
No. 9 Bass Pro Shops / TrueTimber / Black Rifle Coffee Chevrolet
• Noah Gragson has been stout at Homestead, finishing in the top five in three of his four starts and leading 208 laps.
• Over his last seven starts, Gragson has won four times and finished third or better in six of them. The lone non-top-five result came at Talladega, where he was 10th.
• Gragson nearly had his first victory at Homestead in 2021, leading handily with two laps remaining when a lapped car cut a tire and moved up the track into his path. The incident ended Gragson’s day early.
• In 13 starts this season on tracks measuring 1-1.54 miles, Gragson has four wins, nine top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.

Justin Allgaier
No. 7 The BRANDT Foundation Chevrolet
• Justin Allgaier enters the second race in the Round of 8 as the fourth seed, 15 points above the playoff cutline.
• Allgaier has scored a best finish of sixth in 13 NXS starts at Homestead, coming in the 2016 season finale.
• The No. 7 Chevrolet will carry colors commemorating the 10th anniversary of The BRANDT Foundation this weekend at Homestead.
• In his four career playoff starts at Homestead in the NXS (2016-19), Allgaier has earned an average finish of 9.8.
• According to NASCAR’s loop data statistics, Allgaier currently ranks first in laps run inside the top 15 (1,756), green-flag passes (889) and quality passes (577).

Driver Quotes

“Homestead is a track that I am looking forward to finally racing on. It’s wide and allows you to race in multiple grooves throughout each run. We’ve been in the sim working on making sure I am ready for when we hit the track on Friday and I feel confident we can have a good run. Hopefully we can close the gap in points and have a shot to put ourselves into the championship race.” – Sam Mayer

“We’ve had some good runs in playoff races here in the past with our BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet. Homestead is such a unique track that really allows you to race all over and I know that Jason (Burdett, crew chief) and all the guys on this No. 7 team will give me a great car when we unload Friday. We know what is out there in front of us and what we need to do. This round started off on a strong note and hopefully we can keep that going and get ourselves even closer to locking into that final race at Phoenix.” – Justin Allgaier

“Being locked into the championship race is a huge weight off our shoulders as we head into Homestead. We’ve put a lot of work in at the sim for this week and I feel ready to get there this weekend. I know this High Rock Vodka Chevrolet is going to be fast this weekend, so we’re going to try and make another High Rock moment by getting them into victory lane.” – Josh Berry

“I love running at Homestead-Miami Speedway and really want a win there. We had it in 2021 before the incident in Turns 3 and 4, and I feel like this place owes me one. Our No. 9 team is on a roll, and we had a great car at Las Vegas last week. Right now, it’s all about getting into the Championship 4 and winning a championship.” – Noah Gragson

JRM Team Updates

• JR Motorsports at Homestead: JR Motorsports has competed at Homestead-Miami Speedway a combined 50 times in the NXS. Over the course of those starts at the 1.5-mile facility, the organization has tallied two wins, nine top fives and 23 top 10s. The most recent win for the organization came with Tyler Reddick in 2018, which secured the NXS championship for the team.
• Bass Pro Shops: Now through Oct. 31, you can get $60 extra Club points when you shop Cabela’s MT050 Insulated Parka and Bib. Shop now. Remember, you earn free gear with your Bass Pro Shops Club Card. Take advantage of all the ways your Club Card can reward you!
• 10 Years of The BRANDT Foundation: This weekend at Homestead, Justin Allgaier will be sporting the colors of The BRANDT Foundation to commemorate the Foundation’s 10th anniversary. Established in 2012, The BRANDT Foundation supports the Ag and social charities where BRANDT does business. Click here to donate to support their mission and to help those affected by Hurricane Ian through The BRANDT Foundation’s Hurricane Ian Relief Fund

‘Gift of Lights at Dover Motor Speedway’ to bring holiday spirit to Monster Mile from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day

  • Drive-thru light presentation to be open every evening through holiday season
  • Displays to be set up in Woodlands of Dover Motor Speedway
  • Buy tickets at GiftOfLightsDover.com now

DOVER, Del. (Oct. 19, 2022) – The holiday season will be merry and bright at Dover Motor Speedway as the “Gift of Lights at Dover Motor Speedway” drive-thru event comes to the Monster Mile.

The inaugural Gift of Lights event runs every evening from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, with more than 60 scenes and 3 million lights set up along a 1.5-mile pathway winding through the Woodlands of Dover Motor Speedway – the Monster Mile’s largest camping lot during its NASCAR weekends as well as the home of the annual Firefly Music Festival.

Gift of Lights is produced by Winterland, Inc., a holiday services firm headquartered in Marion, Ind., with more than three decades of experience, along with support from partners including Kent County (Del.) Tourism, Grotto Pizza, Dover Behavioral Health Systems, Delaware Tourism, Delaware Office of Highway Safety and Garrison Energy Center.

The tentative schedule for the in-car experience is as follows:

Thanksgiving through Thursday, Dec. 8
Sunday-Thursday: 4:30-9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 4:30-10 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 9 through Monday, Dec. 26
All days: 4:30-10 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 27 through New Year’s Day
Tuesday-Thursday: 4:30-9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 4:30-10 p.m.
New Year’s Day: 4:30-9 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at GiftOfLightsDover.com or upon arrival. No advance reservations are required. Vehicles will enter the display via Persimmon Tree Road and exit on Leipsic Road. Follow area traffic signs for directions and up-to-date messaging.

“We’re very pleased to be able to offer this drive-thru holiday light display to all families in the region,” said Mike Tatoian, Dover Motor Speedway’s president and general manager. “Dover Motor Speedway has been the location for magical memories for more than 50 years and the ‘Gift of Lights’ show brings a whole new chapter to that history. We look forward to seeing everyone take part in this event during the holiday season.”

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Toyota Racing – Weekly Preview – 10.19.22

This Week in Motorsports: October 18-24, 2022

· NCS/NXS/NCWTS: Homestead-Miami Speedway – October 22-23

PLANO, Texas (October 19, 2022) – Team Toyota’s NASCAR teams are headed to Homestead-Miami Speedway as all three national series compete this weekend, while the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series locks in their Championship 4.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS | NCWTS

Hamlin ready to add another Homestead victory to his tally… Denny Hamlin moved from below the Playoff cutoff line to above it with a fifth-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday. The Virginia-native has been one of the most consistent drivers in the Playoffs this season with four top-five finishes and six top-10s in seven races. Hamlin is a three-time winner at Homestead, most recently in June 2020.

Bell plans for another rebound… Christopher Bell was taken out in an early-race incident in Las Vegas and fell to eighth in the point standings, 23 points below the Playoff cutoff. Bell is looking for his first career win at Homestead. He scored a top-10 finish there in his Cup track debut in 2020.

Gibbs makes track debut… Ty Gibbs is going to mark off another first as the 20-year-old makes his track debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend. After a top-five finish in Las Vegas, Gibbs is 25 points above the Xfinity Series Playoff cutoff line.

Jones desires to be one spot better at Homestead… Brandon Jones has earned back-to-back runner-up finishes at Homestead-Miami Speedway as he looks to score his second victory of the season to clinch a Championship 4 berth. After a top-10 run in Las Vegas, Jones is 27 points below the Playoff cutoff line heading into this weekend.

Double for Smith… Chandler Smith is in a good spot as he pursues his first Truck Series Championship 4 appearance, holding a 30-point advantage over the Playoff cutoff line coming into Homestead. Smith, who won in dominating fashion last season in Phoenix, will also be making his third and final scheduled start for Sam Hunt Racing in the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Majeski breathes easy… Ty Majeski is the only driver going into the NASCAR Truck Series event at Homestead-Miami this weekend who is locked in to run for the title in Phoenix. The Bristol winner has one start at Homestead in each of the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series and has finished inside the top-10 finishers each time.

Looking for four… Toyota is looking to become the first manufacturer to have all four drivers in the Championship 4. Currently, Majeski is locked in with Chandler Smith 30 points above the Playoff cutoff, while Ben Rhodes, Christian Eckes, Stewart Friesen and John Hunter Nemechek are battling for the final spots with Zane Smith, who is currently 18 points above the cutline and Grant Enfinger, who is over 40 points below the cutoff.

Manufacturer title clinching… Toyota is looking to clinch its 13th manufacturer title in the Truck Series this weekend. Toyota’s teams have won 11 of the 21 races this season, as they look to clinch their eighth title in the last 10 seasons.

Stay Connected

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About Toyota

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

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

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

Ty Dillon to make 200th Cup career start at Homestead

Photo by Kirk Schroll for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Competing in his fifth full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series, Ty Dillon is bound to achieve a milestone start. By taking the green flag in this weekend’s Playoff event at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the driver of the No. 42 Petty GMS Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will reach career start No. 200 in NASCAR’s premier series.

A native of Welcome, North Carolina, and the grandson of NASCAR championship-winning team owner Richard Childress, Dillon made his inaugural presence in the Cup Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway in August 2014. By then, he had campaigned in two Camping World Truck Series seasons for Richard Childress Racing, where he accumulated three victories and a runner-up result in the championship standings in 2013 during the two seasons, and was competing in his first full-time season in the Xfinity Series for RCR, where he claimed his first career victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July. Driving the No. 33 Chevrolet SS for RCR, Dillon started 29th and finished 25th in his series debut. He returned to the Cup circuit at Phoenix Raceway in November, where he finished 27th on the track.

In 2015, Dillon, who continued to run in the Xfinity Series on a full-time basis while part time in the Cup Series, qualified for his first Daytona 500 start in February after piloting the No. 33 RCR Chevrolet SS to a 16th-place result in the first Daytona Duel qualifying race and earning the final transfer spot to the main event. Starting 31st, Dillon finished 28th in his first 500 attempt after being involved in a late incident. He then competed in four additional Cup races in the No. 33 Chevrolet throughout the 2015 season, where he achieved his season-best result of 14th place at Michigan International Speedway in June.

The following season, Dillon remained as a full-time Xfinity competitor for RCR and as a part-time Cup Series competitor for two organizations. His first Cup start of the season was the 58th running of the Daytona 500, where he finished 25th while driving the No. 95 Chevrolet SS for Leavine Family Racing. The following race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Dillon served as an interim competitor for three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, who was recovering from injuries from a dune buggy accident in January. Driving the No. 14 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing in three races, Dillon recorded finishes of 17th, 15th and 25th at Atlanta, Phoenix and at Bristol, respectively. He also relieved for Stewart for the remainder of the Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway in May, where he finished sixth despite the points being awarded to Stewart since Stewart started the race. Along with his interim role at SHR, he made six additional starts in Leavine Family Racing’s No. 95 Chevrolet. His best results were a 20th-place run at Texas Motor Speedway in April and a 21st-place run at Pocono Raceway in June.

After three full-time seasons in the Xfinity Series, Dillon was promoted to the Cup Series in 2017 to drive the No. 13 Chevrolet SS for Germain Racing on a full-time basis. In Dillon’s first Cup season, he recorded eight top-15 results, 40 laps led and an average-finishing result of 20.7 throughout the 36-race schedule as he concluded the season in 24th place in the final standings and in third place in the Rookie-of-the-Year standings behind Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez. His best results throughout the season were a pair of 11th-place results at Talladega in October and at Phoenix in November.

Remaining at Germain Racing for a second full-time Cup season in 2018, Dillon achieved his first top-10 career result in NASCAR’s premier series after finishing sixth at Daytona in July. Throughout his sophomore campaign, he recorded four additional top-15 results and an average-finishing result of 24.1. When the final checkered flag of the 2018 season flew, he concluded the season in 27th place in the final standings.

Dillon commenced the 2019 Cup season by finishing in sixth place during the 61st running of the Daytona 500 in February. After finishing no higher than 15th over the next six races, he finished 15th at Bristol in April after winning the first stage in a photo finish over Clint Bowyer. Two races later, Dillon made his 100th Cup career start at Talladega in April, where he won the first stage before being shuffled back to 17th place in the final running order. He would then achieve his first top-five career finish (fourth place) at Daytona in July during a rain-shortened event. For the remainder of the season, he achieved an additional top 10 and four additional top-15 results before he concluded the season in 24th place in the final standings. Throughout his junior Cup season, he earned an average result of 20.6 and led a total of 14 laps.

Throughout the 2020 season, which marked his fourth season at Germain Racing, Dillon recorded an average-finishing result of 22.0 as he also achieved two results in the top 10 throughout the 36-race schedule. His lone highlight of the season was achieving a career-best third-place finish at Talladega in October following a two-lap shootout to the finish. In spite of the result, he settled back in 26th place in the final standings.

Two months prior to the conclusion of the 2020 season, Germain Racing announced plans to cease all operations in NASCAR at season’s end due to longtime sponsor GEICO not renewing with the team for the future, which left Dillon without a full-time ride for the 2021 season. A month prior to the 2021 season, he managed to secure a part-time ride with Gaunt Brothers Racing, where he attempted to qualify for the 63rd running of the Daytona 500. Prior to the 500, he competed in the newly-formed No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota Camry for the Busch Clash at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course in February, where he started 14th and finished 18th. Despite finishing sixth during the first of two Bluegreen Vacations Duel event at Daytona, Dillon did not qualify for the 500 and waited a week until he made his first Cup start with Gaunt Brothers Racing at the Daytona Road Course, where he finished 19th. His other Cup starts of the season with Gaunt Brothers Racing occurred at the Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Course in April, Circuit of the Americas in May and at Road America in July, where he finished 26th, 21st and 26th, respectively.

After spending the 2021 season as a part-time competitor with starts across all three NASCAR national touring series, Dillon returned to the Cup Series as a full-time competitor, where he joined forces with the newly-merged Petty GMS Motorsports to pilot the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. He commenced the season with an 11th-place result during the 64th running of the Daytona 500 followed by four additional top-20 results through the first six scheduled events before he collected his first top-10 result of the season at the Bristol Dirt Course in April, where he finished 10th. Despite earning an additional eight top-20 results and an average-finishing result of 21.7 throughout the 26-race regular-season stretch, Dillon did not qualify for the 2022 Cup Playoffs. Coming off five top-25 results during the previous seven Playoff events, including a 16th-place result at Texas Motor Speedway in September, he is currently ranked in 29th place in the driver’s standings.

Through 199 previous Cup starts, Dillon has achieved two top-five results, seven top-10 results, 76 laps led and an average-finishing result of 22.1. While he is set to depart Petty GMS Motorsports at the conclusion of the 2022 season, he is set to join Spire Motorsports as a full-time driver of the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the 2023 Cup Series season.

Dillon is scheduled to make his 200th Cup Series career start at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, October 23, with the event’s coverage to start at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Soul Zhang Lu is Expecting More Authentic Social Connections in the Metaverse

Speaking of the future of metaverse, Zhang Lu, founder and CEO of Soul App, expects that there will be a more authentic social experience and genuine connections in the social metaverse, despite that it is a virtual space.

Zhang Lu is the one who developed Soul App and she is also currently a pathfinder in the metaverse. In 2021, she put forward the concept of social metaverse, which is positioned as a virtual playground for the younger generations. Now, this virtual social networking is prevalent among Gen Z groups. What’s its magic? How does this platform entail the future of the social metaverse? In a recent interview, Zhang Lu shared her ideas for developing the Soul App.

Just like previous generations, Gen Z aspires for authentic social connections

It seems that Gen Z is different from all previous generations. They share diversified values and they are believed to be more rebellious toward social conventions. In terms of social networking, they are obsessed with short video platforms like TikTok. However, behind their social behaviors, their aspiration for authentic social connections remained increasingly high. This tendency is also observed on Soul App. 

To cater to their demands, Zhang Lu developed a new kind of social networking that is distinct from the social mode favored by other platforms. In Soul metaverse, users are protected by their avatars, which are also the basis for their virtual identity. Moreover, Soul App’s AI would generate an interest graph for them to portray their personality. The AI will subsequently feed them to those with compatible personas.

Users regard this platform as a safe zone where they can escape for some moment from the tumultuous outside world. In the virtual platform, they feel it safe to remove their social masks and express their true feelings. As a result, young people naturally choose Soul App for the reason that they can freely explore new relationships and exchange high-quality communications with people who share similar values. 

Soul metaverse offers a template of how technology innovates social life

The construction of a social metaverse is necessarily built on technological breakthroughs like Artificial Intelligence, and AR/VR. However, many companies have neglected that one of the core components of the metaverse is its social value. The metaverse brought by Soul App is a combination of the two. 

Zhang Lu has always seen technology development as the driving force of Soul App and she is continuously increasing R&D investments. Currently, Soul App is leading its peers in formulating virtual avatars in the metaverse. It has previously planned to update its 2D-based avatars to 3D ones and now this mission is put on the agenda. Just recently, Soul App launched its NAWA 3D rendering engine, which is expected to generate 3D avatars based on the characteristics of real persons. With this engine, users can design their unique avatars and fully immerse into the virtual land with a new image.

What’s more, Soul metaverse is taking its users to experience a novel social life beyond imagination. On this platform, they can join Chat Parties to share common interests with a group of people. They can also follow the guidance of AI to build social connections. Last but not least, they can communicate with each other through gamified interactions. Soul metaverse is fulfilling the imagination of future social life.

The metaverse is both the future of social life and the digital economy

Worries concerning the metaverse have long been heard since its birth. After the fever for NFT collections ceased, it seemed that the public immediately turned to the next topic. However, the truth is that this is just one of the necessary stages in the development of new things. The metaverse still remains a heated topic, and its development is closely watched by investors from various industries.

The market of the metaverse is booming and this is also observed in Soul App. In other words, the fever for the metaverse economy has never ceased so far. Previously, Zhang Lu led her team to launch the first digital avatar collectibles, the Möbius collections. According to the latest data, more than 24, 000 people have ordered the avatar in advance. Now, Soul metaverse has become a platform that has nurtured the development of the digital economy. 

The metaverse is expected to commence its next stage of development. Simultaneously, companies large and small are taking this opportunity to create value and write their stories. Previously, Soul App officially filed its prospectus to Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ready to go public. It is revealed that the overall revenue of Soul App reached 1.28 billion in 2021, up 157.3% year-over-year increase, with a gross margin of 85%. Meanwhile, its user pool is expanding at a rapid speed. In 2021, its DAU user base reached 9,3 million, a 55.8% increase over the previous year. 

Zhang Lu has incubated a social metaverse from the initial social networking platform and this Soul metaverse is taking shape as the prototype of future human society. She held the belief that more authentic social connections will be developed in the virtual social paradise and she is taking pragmatic measures to further improve this social metaverse. 

5 Benefits of SEO for Auto Body Shops

If you own an auto body shop or any business in general, you have likely heard of the importance of search engine optimization (SEO). This article will help you to understand it. Continue reading to learn more.

SEO for auto body businesses is far different from SEO for e-commerce sites. The most apparent distinction is that an auto body shop caters to a specific location, whereas e-commerce stores cater to a broader area. For instance, a car owner interested in auto parts in Ohio would probably type in “auto body shop in Ohio” in their search bar. This shows how vital performing a targeted SEO campaign is to get curious prospects to contact you.

Also, keep EEAT SEO in mind for your business. Google has upgraded the concept of E-A-T to E-E-A-T, which stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. This is how Google evaluates its search ranking systems to ensure that they provide helpful and relevant information.

Your SEO strategy should include local keywords and high-quality content to increase website visits. Partnering with SEO companies and digital marketers can also help your business spread online brand awareness and turn leads into sales. As AI search becomes more common, LLM SEO services help by making your content easier for tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to understand and cite, which supports the rest of your strategy.

For many local service businesses, it helps to work with specialists who combine technical site work (fast, mobile-friendly WordPress builds), local citation management, and targeted on-page optimisation to prioritise high-intent searches. A focused audit can reveal quick wins—improving site speed, clarifying service pages, and tightening local keyword targeting—so your site can get found by more customers and potentially convert those into long-term contributors. Local providers often follow up with ongoing tracking and listing maintenance to prove impact.

What Does Auto Body Shop SEO Mean?

Auto body shop SEO focuses on the business’s online presence, how it is perceived in the digital world, and how it can gain more engagement.

There are diversified SEO practices and strategies to achieve digital marketing success. Some utilize in-depth keyword research, and some take advantage of the latest tools that generate high-value keywords. This can be done by the individual, or a digital agency specialising in SEO can be used to help set the business on the right path.

Understanding which keywords are best for your business and services is all about knowing what people usually type on their search bars. Keywords provide information to search engines about your website and can help you appear on search engine results pages. Your keywords should highlight the areas you serve, your specializations, and your services in the automotive industry.

When developing a digital marketing strategy, the focus should be on the services you are known for or the keywords your target consumers typically use. You might think that the keywords “auto body” and “automotive body” are the same, but your customers might use more specific terms related to the type of service they’re looking for. That’s why it’s essential to understand how customers search for your business using keywords, as this will help you direct the right clients to your automotive business.

How is SEO Beneficial for My Auto Body Shop?

Did you know that there are more than 260,000 automotive shops in the United States alone? And according to Advanced Digital Automotive Group, the number of businesses in the auto industry is swiftly increasing. This shows that it’s really competitive out there, and the best way to make yourself stand out from the crowd is through SEO.

Investing in SEO is an excellent move for a prosperous digital marketing venture. Search results can be the best way to invite visitors to your website. Here are 5 of the many benefits of SEO for auto body businesses:

 1. Appeals to Local Customers   

Studies say that more than half of all “Near Me” searches result in an offline conversion. SEO for auto body shops generates user engagement and attracts local searchers to browse the website and visit the physical store.

Finding the right clients is difficult, but it is one of the most crucial aspects of an online business. Prospects finding an auto shop that meets their needs establishes customer retention.

 2. Guarantees Business Growth   

82% of entrepreneurs who used SEO for digital marketing said that it positively affected their business. Search engine optimization promotes business development across various search engine platforms.

 3. Increases Sales   

SEO is a cost-effective marketing strategy that allows businesses to save instead of spend. It can also be the root of increased profit, as one of its main goals is to produce income-generating content and attract potential paying customers looking for an auto body shop. Remember, the more positive impact your SEO gets, the more sales it can produce for your business.

 4. Boosts Brand Awareness   

Brand awareness is vital to a digital marketing campaign’s development and success. That is why partnering with an SEO company is essential. They are well-informed and experienced in the different practices that can help measure how your auto body shop business appeals to your target audience.

 5. Keeps You Up With Competitors   

One of the advantages of having an SEO strategist is that you don’t have to worry about keeping up with your competitors. All you have to do is focus on your business, and they’ll do the rest. They will be the ones to manage your website, its content, and your online reputation and unlock your business’s full potential so that you don’t get behind the competition.

The Bottom Line    

Your business’ SEO strategies should target people in your local service area, regardless of whether you are an auto body parts dealer or an auto repair shop. Find the keywords relevant to your service area and focus on them in creating helpful content for your website. Consider launching blog posts related to the automotive industry to optimize your business listings, allot time to manage your Google Profile, and coordinate closely with your SEO team to maintain your online presence.

Injured in a Car Accident? Here’s What to Do Next

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/gog_9m2p2bU

When you’re a car owner there’s always going to be something you need to consider. It might relate to used vehicles you should know about, or steps to take following an incident on the road. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the last thing you want to do is stress about what to do next. This article outlines the steps you need to take in order to protect yourself and your legal rights.

Prioritize Health And Safety

The first thing you should do is assess the situation and make sure that you and any passengers are safe. If anyone’s injured, call 911 immediately. If possible, have your car moved to the side of the road. Even if you don’t feel injured you should always seek an immediate medical check-up. Adrenaline can mask the pain so you may not realize the full extent of your injuries until hours or even days later. Also, if you do have injuries, getting prompt treatment can help speed up your recovery.

If necessary, your doctor will organize some X-rays or scans, or refer you to a specialist. As a matter of course, a medical record will be created that can be used as evidence to support your legal claim. If you don’t see a doctor immediately, the responsible party could deny that your injuries were a direct result of the accident.

Lawyers understand the law and can give you advice on what to do in your specific case. They also know how to negotiate financial settlements with insurance companies. There are many personal injury lawyers that will work on a contingency basis, which means they don’t get paid unless you win your case. This makes it easier for people who’ve been injured in an accident to afford legal representation.

Brooklyn is a city with a 2022 population of over 2.5 million, and it’s no stranger to road accidents. If you need a Brooklyn, NY personal injury attorney you’ll be able to get a free consultation so you can learn about your legal options from a trusted professional. Their website may discuss the different types of personal injuries and accident scenarios, as well as answers to a host of legal questions.

How can you get insurance coverage faster? A skilled Rochester Car Accident Lawyer understands the law and can give you advice on what to do in your specific case.

Involve The Police

If you’re involved in a car accident, the police may attend the scene. The benefits of involving the police are that they can:

  • Take an objective view of what happened
  • Speak to witnesses and get their accounts of what occurred
  • Make sure everyone’s safe and in no further danger

If the accident has caused a traffic jam or obstruction, they may direct traffic around it until it’s clear. In some cases, they may even close off the road entirely if it’s not safe for cars to be driving there. Once the police have gathered all the information they need, they’ll write up a report. This can be used as evidence if you decide to take legal action against the other driver. For this reason, take the police person’s contact details and incident number so you can request a copy of it later.

Take Some Pictures

If you’re able to, take pictures of the accident scene, such as any damage to your vehicles, their license plates, skid marks on the road, and any debris. If the road quality was a contributor to the accident you may also wish to take pictures of things like poor lighting, low-hanging trees, potholes, and loose gravel. Take photos showing your injuries as well, as these can enhance your claim for pain, suffering, or PTSD.

If you don’t have a proper camera, a smartphone version will do. The pictures can be helpful in documenting what happened and supporting your claim later on. If you’re not able to take pictures at the scene, ask someone else to do it or make sure to get them as soon as possible afterward.

Obtain Peoples’ Contact Information

Before you leave the accident scene, it’s important to collect the contact details of all parties involved. You’ll need their names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information. If there were any witnesses, be sure to gather their details too—this could be crucial later. A legal claim assistant can help organize and follow up on this information, especially if a formal claim needs to be filed or if witness statements are required down the line. The more details you have, the easier it’ll be to seek support or take legal action if needed.

The more details you have, the easier it’ll be to file a claim or reach out to someone for help later on down the road. Plus, if you need to go to court, this kind of evidence will be very important in establishing what happened during the accident.

Let Your Insurance Company Know

Contacting your insurance company is important for a few reasons. First, they can help you determine what steps to take next and how to proceed with filing a claim. They can also help connect you with resources like medical providers and auto repair shops. Finally, by letting your insurance company know about the accident, they can begin their own investigation into the incident and start working on any potential claims that may need to be filed.

There are a few risks associated with not contacting your insurance company after an accident. First, if you wait too long to file a claim, your insurance company may deny your claim entirely. Second, if you don’t contact your insurance company and instead try to work directly with the other driver’s insurance company, they may not be as cooperative or helpful. Finally, without involving your own insurance company, you may end up having to pay for more out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident.

You’ll also need to gather all the relevant evidence for your legal claim. Hopefully, your lawyer will gain justice on your behalf so you are fairly compensated and able to pay all your expenses. In turn, this will hopefully become a thing of the past and you’ll make a full physical recovery.

Xfinity 500 Preview – October 30th, 2022

2022’s Xfinity 500 is shaping up to be an exciting affair. There has been a lot of talk about who may win and whether an upset could be in the cards.

In this guide, we’ll review the chatter and give you the information you need to know before the big day on Sunday, October 30th.

We’ll also take a brief look at betting on NASCAR races, but first, let’s look at how the sport works.

About NASCAR

NASCAR has been around since 1948. Since then, the sport has grown into one of the biggest and most recognizable names in motor racing.

Throughout the year, NASCAR hosts around 1,500 races which are held around the globe, but mainly in the US, with 48 out of 50 states hosting events. Mexico, Canada, and Europe also play host.

Several competitions take place during the racing year. The most popular is the Cup Series, which is also referred to as the NCS. This takes place over 10 months, with 36 races making up the contest.

Another big competition, which we’ll focus on more below, is the Xfinity Series, and in particular the race day event, Xfinity 500. It’s a version of the sport that’s becoming increasingly popular and we’ll examine these reasons.

Betting on NASCAR

With millions of avid fans, NASCAR is also a popular sport for betting. Many people use online sportsbooks to place their bets. If using this method, you can visit odds checkers and comparison sites to make sure you get the best odds.

You can also read up on reviews and previews from Bestodds and other similar sites to ensure you take advantage of all the latest deals and offers.

In general, betting on NASCAR is pretty straightforward. You can make moneyline bets, such as backing a racer to win, or you can back them to place in the top finishing positions. You can also make proposition bets, such as betting on outcomes offered by the betting site.

How does the Xfinity 500 work?

NASCAR’s Xfinity series of races are regarded as the “minor league”. However, that perception has changed in recent years due to the increasing quality of racers as drivers from the higher divisions dropdown.

The Xfinity 500 is just one race event in the Cup Series playoff series and it’s also the final race in the Round of 8, meaning it’s of huge importance to some racers. This year it’s being held on October 30th at the Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia.

The race is contested over a massive 500 laps, with each lap being a little over half a mile. This makes it one of the shortest tracks in NASCAR, and that in itself presents an interesting challenge for drivers. It’s shaping up to be an exciting affair. Let’s see who’s involved.

Xfinity 500 preview

There are a few favorites for this final Round of 8 race and one of them is Martin Truex. He clearly loves this track; out of the last four Martinsville races, he’s won three. This makes him a strong contender to take home the crown of the day.

However, it won’t be an easy ride. Chase Elliot is another driver who many expect to clinch the first spot. He’s been in terrific form on the Martinsville track. He won here last year as well as finishing fifth, and earlier this year, he finished second.

Close behind Elliot in the eyes of the bookmakers is Denny Hamlin. He’s a terrific racer on shorter tracks. So far this season, he’s finished second twice in Richmond, finished third at Phoenix and at Martinsville, and finished seventh at Dover. He’s a wonderfully competitive racer and could have a real shot of claiming the win.

But it’s not all about the favorites. Underdogs can surprise us all, and in Xfinity 500, there are a couple who could be real competitors. One of them is Christopher Bell. He’s already had two top-five finishes in the Truck Series at Martinsville and finished seventh in the Cup Series.

William Byron is another outsider but someone who enjoys this track, finishing in the top eight in three of his last four races in Martinsville.

If you’re looking to bet on the Xfinity 500, then backing one of these long-shot picks to place in the top five could see you walk away with a decent return. You never know, they just may win.

Chandler Smith – No. 18 Safelite Tundra TRD Pro Camping World Trucks Homestead-Miami Preview

Chandler Smith: Driver, No. 18 Safelite® Toyota

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Overview:
Event: Baptist Health 200, Race 22 of 23 (Race 3 in the Round of 8)
134 Laps – 30/30/74; 201 Miles
Location: Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway (1.5-mile oval)
Date/Broadcast: Oct. 22, 2022, at 1 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

Chandler Chatter:

Chandler Smith and the No. 18 Safelite team head to Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway for the final race of the Round of 8 looking to punch their ticket to the Championship 4 at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway. The 20-year-old driver enters Saturday’s race second on the Camping World Truck Series playoff grid, 30 points above the cutoff line for advancing to Phoenix, where he is the defending race winner. If Ty Majeski or a driver not in the playoffs were to win Saturday, Smith would clinch his spot in the championship round by totaling 26 points Saturday. If there is a new winner from the playoff grid, he would clinch his spot in the finals by earning 29 points.

For Smith, it will be his first start in any series at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but he has posted an average finish of 5.17 across his six starts on mile-and-a-half tracks this season, including a victory at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway. He is pulling double duty this weekend, piloting the No. 26 GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, which is the backend of Saturday’s double header. With running the Xfinity Series event, Smith will get some extra track time with that series’ practice and qualifying taking place Friday night after Truck Series practice and qualifying.

The Georgia driver has recorded an average finish of 11.5 across the first two races of the Round of 8, falling behind in the Final Stage of both events after gaining valuable stage points. At Bristol, he won the opening two stages before ending the day with a ninth-place result. At Talladega, he finished fourth in the opening stanza, won Stage Two and then crossed the stripe in the 14th position. Smith punched his ticket to the Round of 8 with a win at Richmond (Va.) Raceway. Smith dominated the middle race of the Round of 10, leading 176 of the final 177 laps, picked up the Stage 2 win and the victory and added six playoff points that have carried over to the Round of 8. The victory was Smith’s third of 2022 and the fifth of his career.

The Toyota Racing Development product has produced three wins in 2022: the second race of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the regular season finale at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway and in the Round of 8 at Richmond. Across 21 Truck Series starts this season Smith has recorded eight top-five and 14 top-10 finishes. He ranks first among Truck Series regulars in laps led (440), average running position (8.853), laps completed (2898) and is second in average finish (9.0) and fastest laps run (203), and third in driver rating (102.1) and quality passes (678).

Smith made the playoffs last year in his first full-time campaign as the 10th seed. He advanced to the Round of 8 with a must-win victory at Bristol in the final race in the Round of 10. He found himself in another must-win situation in the final race in the Round of 8 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway and saw his playoff run end when he finished fourth. As a consolation prize, he won the pole and swept all three stages in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.

Smith earned NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 after producing two victories, one pole, 213 laps led, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes in his first full-time season. He earned his first career Truck Series victory at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in September of 2021. Across 59 career Truck Series starts, the Toyota Racing Development driver had recorded five wins, one pole, 746 laps led, 22 top-five and 32 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.8.

Veteran crew chief Danny Stockman will once again call the shots for Smith and the No. 18 team in 2022. Stockman’s drivers have produced nine victories at KBM since he joined the organization in 2020, including five with Smith behind the wheel. The veteran crew chief captured a Truck Series championship with Austin Dillon in 2011 and also won an Xfinity Series championship with Dillon in 2013. Stockman’s drivers have produced one win, one top-five and two top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 14.0 across three Truck Series starts at Homestead-Miami. In the series most recent visit to the Florida track, he guided KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch to a dominant victory leading 82 of 134 laps in June of 2020.

Safelite, the nation’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration services, returned to KBM for a fifth season and will be the primary sponsor on Smith’s Tundra TRD Pro Tundra for 16 races this year, including Saturday’s race at Homestead.

Chandler Smith, Driver Q&A:
This will be your first start in any series at Homestead-Miami. How have you prepared for this race?
“I’ve watched a good bit of film of the 2019 race and ran a lot of laps on the TRD simulator. With where we are at in the point standings we don’t want to go there and put ourselves in a bad spot. We just need go out Saturday and execute and race the racetrack and bring home a solid finish with our Safelite Tundra TRD Pro.”

You are also running the Xfinity Series race this weekend. Despite being a limited practice on Friday, do you feel like the extra seat time help you?
“With having never been to Homestead I feel like any track time will help even though it seems like the Xfinity car and the Truck race so much different there.”

With being 30 points above the cutoff line for advancing to Phoenix how will you approach Saturday’s race?
“Passively aggressive.”

Chandler Smith Career Highlights:

  • Across 57 career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts has recorded five wins, 640 laps led, 22 top-five and 31 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.8.
  • Earned NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 and finished eighth in the championship standings after producing two victories, one pole, 213 laps led, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes in his first full-time season. He earned his first career Truck Series victory at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in September and in the series finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway earned his first career pole and swept all three stages en route to his second victory.
  • Has posted an average finish of 29.5 across two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts in 2022, with a best result of 22nd coming at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway.
  • Has collected 10 wins, 10 poles, 1894 laps led, 23 top-five and 30 top-10 finishes en route to an average finish of 5.2 across 35 career ARCA Menards Series starts.

Chandler Smith’s No. 18 Safelite Tundra:

  • Across 59 career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts has recorded five wins, 746 laps led, 22 top-five and 32 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.8.
  • Earned NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 and finished eighth in the championship standings after producing two victories, one pole, 213 laps led, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes in his first full-time season. He earned his first career Truck Series victory at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in September and in the series finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway earned his first career pole and swept all three stages en route to his second victory.
  • Has posted an average finish of 29.5 across two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts in 2022, with a best result of 22nd coming at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway.
  • Has collected 10 wins, 10 poles, 1894 laps led, 23 top-five and 30 top-10 finishes en route to an average finish of 5.2 across 35 career ARCA Menards Series starts.

KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM drivers have collected five wins, one pole, 416 laps led, 11 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 9.9 across 29 starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Owner-driver Kyle Busch has three victories at Homestead-Miami, winning in the series most recent visit in 2020 as well as in 2010 and 2013. Darrell Wallace Jr. (2014) and William Byron (2016) each have one at the Florida track.
  • KBM holds the Camping World Truck Series records for most career wins (98) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). With his victory at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway earlier this year, Corey Heim became the 18th different driver to win a Truck Series event for KBM. In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
  • The No. 18, the number which was on the first Tundra that went to victory lane for KBM in 2010, has 26 career victories.