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Busch Light Racing: Kevin Harvick Talladega Advance

By
Official Release
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KEVIN HARVICK
Talladega Advance
No. 4 Busch Light Camo Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: YellaWood 500 (Round 31 of 36)

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

● Location: Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway

● Layout: 2.66-mile oval

● Laps/Miles: 188 laps/500 miles

● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 60 laps / Stage 2: 60 laps / Final Stage: 68 laps

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

Notes of Interest

● A year before ground was broken on Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, The Beatles knew how to be successful at the 2.66-mile oval. After all, they got by With a Little Help from My Friends. That song from their 1967 album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” perfectly describes the way to win at Talladega, where drafting partners are essential to securing the checkered flag. Busch Light, a stalwart of NASCAR and the longtime partner of Kevin Harvick and the No. 4 team of Stewart-Haas Racing, is emphasizing the importance of having a wingman at Talladega with its #BuschWingman promotion during Sunday’s YellaWood 500 NASCAR Cup Series race. Before the green flag drops at 2 p.m. EDT on NBC, fans just need to follow @BuschBeer, turn on notifications, and then tweet #BuschWingman and #Sweepstakes while tagging a friend every time Harvick is teamed up with one of his SHR stablemates – Aric Almirola, Chase Briscoe or Cole Custer. Whenever Harvick’s No. 4 Ford Mustang is in front of or behind Almirola’s No 10 Ford, Briscoe’s No. 14 Ford or Custer’s No. 41 Ford during the 188-lap race, fans and a wingman of their own will be eligible to win a pair of personalized cans decked out in the Busch Light Camo scheme featured on Harvick’s car at Talladega.

● The longest tenured driver/crew chief pairing currently in the NASCAR Cup Series garage is that of Harvick and Rodney Childers, and the YellaWood 500 marks Childers’ 600th race as a Cup Series crew chief. Childers’ first race as a crew chief came on June 19, 2005 when he guided Scott Riggs to a 23rd-place finish in the Batman Begins 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. In the 599 races leading up to Sunday at Talladega, Childers has worked with eight different drivers, the most recent, of course, being Harvick, where the duo has scored 37 wins and the 2014 championship. It’s a pairing that will hit 314 races at Talladega, 71 more races than the next longest tenured driver/crew chief partnership in Cup, that of Chase Elliott and Alan Gustafson (242 races). In fact, the Harvick/Childers combo is the eighth longest-tenured driver/crew chief pairing in NASCAR history, putting them in elite company.

1.  Richard Petty and Dale Inman: 905 races

2.  Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus: 602 races

3.  Tony Stewart and Greg Zipadelli: 356 races

4.  Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond: 323 races

5.  Bill Elliott and Ernie Elliott: 319 races

6.  Brad Keselowski and Paul Wolfe: 317 races

7.  Kasey Kahne and Kenny Francis: 316 races

8.  Kevin Harvick and Rodney Childers: 313 races

Note: Petty, Inman, Stewart, Waltrip and Bill Elliott are all enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

● Said Childers about the upcoming milestone: “When you first start in this sport and you’re trying to work your way up, you just never know where you’re going to end up and how it’s going to go and what opportunities you might get. To look back on it and say that you’ve crew chiefed 600 races in the Cup Series is kind of crazy. Everybody goes through ups and downs and you wonder how it’s all going to go, and I think everybody knows that my career definitely changed when Kevin wanted me to do this, and to be able to do it for a long time and win a lot of races and all that has been pretty special. I can remember when I was younger, when I first got into this sport, people like Rusty (Wallace) and different people were having their 600th starts, you’re like, ‘Holy crap, they’ve done this for a long time.’ Now it’s come to fruition for me, and it’s like, ‘Man, it’s definitely been a while,’ but it’s flown by at the same time. It’ll definitely be special to be able to do that. I plan on taking my family down there. It’s kind of weird how it all turned out because Talladega weekend was when the boys were born and I had to jump on an airplane and try to get to the hospital before they were born. It’s just crazy how all that has worked out and I feel pretty fortunate to be able to do it this long. It just feels like it’s flown by and you don’t realize some of the things that you’ve accomplished and the things that you’ve done. And I think it’s just hard to put into perspective of doing anything different, either. It’s like all I’ve ever done. It’s pretty neat to get to that 600 mark, for sure.”

● Harvick comes into Talladega with three straight top-10 finishes at the track. He finished fourth in April 2021, eighth last October and 10th in the NASCAR Cup Series’ most recent visit to the superspeedway in April. It is the first time since early 2015 that Harvick has had consecutive top-10s at Talladega. In three straight races at Talladega in 2014-2015, Harvick finished seventh (May 2014), ninth (October 2014) and eighth (May 2015).

● In last year’s YellaWood 500, Harvick led five times for a race-high 16 laps, increasing his laps-led total at Talladega to 292.

● Harvick has made 43 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega, collecting eight top-fives and 19 top-10s, both of which are the second-most among all active Cup Series drivers. Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano are tied for the most top-fives with nine apiece. In the top-10 category, only Busch is ahead of Harvick with 22 top-10s.

● Atop Harvick’s NASCAR Cup Series stat box at Talladega is a win. Harvick came out the victor in a dogfight of a race at Talladega on April 25, 2010. There were an incredible 88 lead changes and three massive accidents that collected a total of 24 cars. Harvick kept his car intact throughout each bout of calamity and despite leading only two laps, the second lap led was the one that mattered most. Harvick got underneath race leader Jamie McMurray in the track’s tri-oval to sweep past him and take the win by just .011 of a second. It was the 12th of Harvick’s 60 career Cup Series wins.

● In addition to his 43 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega, Harvick has eight NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, with a best result of second in April 2006.

● At Talladega in October 2018, Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) enjoyed one of its most dominant days ever. The team qualified 1-2-3-4 for the first time in its history. SHR drivers then led 155 of the race’s 193 laps (80.3 percent), including the last lap by Aric Almirola, who delivered SHR’s milestone 50th points-paying NASCAR Cup Series victory and the organization’s 11th win of the season.

Kevin Harvick, Driver of the No. 4 Busch Light Camo Ford Mustang

Talladega marks the 600th NASCAR Cup Series race for your crew chief, Rodney Childers, and 314 of those races have come with you. What’s made your pairing with Childers work so well?

“Rodney and I are pretty much the same age with a very similar background, as far as racing goes. But we’re kind of opposites in that he’s very calm, cool and quiet, and I’m kind of rambunctious and full of excitement. I think that pairing has brought a lot of respect just because I know his demeanor, he knows my demeanor, and it’s kind of a good balance in the middle.”

Currently, you and Childers are the longest tenured driver/crew chief pairing in the NASCAR Cup Series, and by a wide margin – 71 more races than the next longest pairing of driver Chase Elliott and crew chief Alan Gustafson (241 races). How have you been able to maintain this relationship when so many others have not?

“I think a lot of that just falls into the understanding that we know each of us can do the job, and we believe in that and each other, and a lot of that comes down to conversations, being able to communicate. We communicate well, and I think that’s what makes a good pairing, being able to talk and communicate and put those conversations into action. And when you’re wrong, understanding when you’re wrong, and working through that and not have anybody’s feelings get hurt and start pointing fingers That’s what’s made it work.”

When you were first paired with Childers back in 2014, did you envision this kind of longevity?

“It’s always better to have a longer relationship than trying to fill the gaps with people every three or four years, because it’s just hard to get somebody you trust. It’s hard to get somebody that’s good. I guess history sort of speaks for itself at this point.”

What’s a playoff race like a Talladega?

“It’s a lot like the regular-season finale at Daytona. You have a lot of different agendas. You have guys who really know that it’s their only opportunity to win. You have guys who know there’s going to be carnage and run at the back. There are guys who need stage points and try to run at the front. It’s a race of agendas and, as you look at that, it creates a lot of different aggression levels. But usually at that part of the season, there are people who just want to win and know that it’s one of those opportunities, and there’s a lot of pushing and shoving and wrecks. It’s usually how that works out, so survival is obviously the key, but you have to balance that with trying to score some sort of stage points and putting yourself toward the front for the first two stages.”

What are your expectations for Talladega?

“It’s one of those places where you want to race up front and race hard all day because you have to try to win stages. I believe you have better odds at the front of the pack when it comes to staying out of a wreck if you can keep that track position all day. You’re going to race in a pack – three-wide at times – and you’re going to get pushed and have to push at times. You just never know what’s going to happen because Talladega is its own animal. It’s hard to finish a race there. As we’ve seen over the past however many years, you try to put yourself in the right position and hope you have a little bit of luck on your side that particular day. I know our Busch Light Ford Mustang will be fast enough to contend for the win, but you just have to get to the finish.”

Talladega and its sister track, Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, are often mentioned in the same breath, but there are differences between the two venues. What are they?

“Talladega is a lot bigger. It’s a lot wider. The track itself is bigger. The shape of Talladega is different than Daytona because of the track being wider and the way the tri-oval is shaped. The start-finish line is almost all the way down into turn one, which seems to change some of the outcomes of the finishes because you have to go all the way down the front straightaway before you get to the finish line. Talladega’s tri-oval is a little bit different than Daytona’s. That bottom groove has a little less banking than the rest of the racetrack, so it’s almost like you’re dipping down into a hole. Sometimes you see guys get loose down into the tri-oval and spin out, so it ends up being where some of the wrecks are caused. It’s really hard to push through that tri-oval, especially as you’re heading down into that bottom lane. It’s tough to know exactly where you need to be at the end of the race. I’ve only won one of them there. In that particular race, we were tandem racing and I was second coming into the tri-oval and was able to get past Jamie McMurray. But I would still rather be leading and in control. It’s a chess match all day. You have to have a little bit of luck on your side, but you can also put yourself in a good position by making the right moves, having a good day on pit road, and not making any mistakes.”

There are some drivers who really seem to excel at Talladega and Daytona – almost like how some drivers rise to the challenge at a road course. What is it about superspeedway racing that makes some drivers stand out over others?

“There are some guys who are really good at it. I think some guys look at it as, ‘This is my chance to win,’ and just take all the risks throughout the day to put themselves in position. We just want to finish where we’re running.”

They said that Dale Earnhardt could see the air when he raced at Talladega and Daytona. Are there things that you see behind the wheel that kind of foreshadow what will happen next? If so, are you constantly thinking two or three steps ahead when you’re in the draft?

“You try to be one step ahead of everything, but as you go through the day, you learn the things that work and the things that don’t work, and you try to be around the cars that you want to be around. But, by the end of the race, a lot of times you just wind up in a position and just kind of go with your gut and your instincts and the things that you’ve learned all day. I think it’s important to race all day to try to not only get stage points, but to learn the tendencies of the style of race that you’re in so that you can do everything that you can in order to maximize your position.”

There are some physically demanding races on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. Is Talladega mentally demanding?

“Superspeedway racing, in general, is just a mentally demanding situation because of the constant looking in the mirror and looking around and trying to keep the car going as fast as it can go and being aggressive and pushing and shoving and doing all the things it takes. There’s just a lot that you have to process from a mental standpoint, for sure.”

Describe the intensity of racing at Talladega.

“You have to be aggressive just for the fact that if you’re not aggressive, it always seems like you’re not going to be where you need to be. Nine times out of 10, the aggressor is going to be the guy who comes out on the good side of things just for the fact that you’re making things happen and you’re not waiting for something else to happen. When you wait for something else to happen, that’s usually when you get in trouble because it’s usually someone else’s mess. You can still get in trouble if you’re aggressive, but with the way things are, it’s best to stay aggressive and try to stay up front.”

No. 4 Busch Light Camo Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Kevin Harvick
Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Crew Chief: Rodney Childers
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Robert “Cheddar” Smith
Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin

Engineer: Dax Gerringer
Hometown: Gibsonville, North Carolina

Engineer: Stephen Doran
Hometown: Butler, Pennsylvania

Spotter: Tim Fedewa
Hometown: Holt, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Daniel Coffey
Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Daniel Smith
Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Jeremy Howard
Hometown: Delhart, Texas

Jack Man: Brandon Banks
Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Evan Marchal
Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Richie Bean
Hometown: Bradford, Vermont

Mechanic: Nick DeFazio
Hometown: Orange, California

Tire Specialist: Jamie Turski
Hometown: Trumbull, Connecticut

Engine Tuner: Robert Brandt
Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Transporter Co-Driver: Rick Hodges
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Stephen Mitchell
Hometown: Woodville, Ohio

Cadillac Racing aims to finish strong in Motul Petit Le Mans

By
Official Release
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Execution, adaptability are keys to success in the season-concluding 10-hour race

DETROIT (Sept. 27, 2022) – Cadillac Racing driver Renger van der Zande chuckles while recalling his initial outing in a DPi race car at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

“It was intense. It’s the track where you feel the speed of the race car the most in the whole series because it’s so intense. You go left, right, up and down and it’s bouncing you around in the car,” van der Zande said of the 2017 session.

Van der Zande confirms that a lap on the 2.54-mile, 12-turn natural-terrain road course in the No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R is still quite a thrill ride even after hundreds of laps.

“At the moment, the DPi is the fastest prototype on the planet. And it does feel like that, especially at Road Atlanta. It feels very fast because of the Esses and the downhill compression really takes you. It takes a lot of courage to go fast there,” said van der Zande, who has competed in six prototype races at the track. “Fortunately, the Cadillac is very robust and it’s a very good car to drive for the long distance. Because it’s such an intense track, you need the car at the end more than in the beginning of the race.”

Cadillac Racing will seek its fifth Manufacturer Endurance and Endurance Driver championships and third Endurance Team title as the DPi era draws to a close Oct. 1 with the 25th Motul Petit Le Mans.

The Cadillac DPi-V.R has recorded 27 victories – tops among all manufacturers – and 82 podium finishes in the 58 races, plus three Manufacturer, Driver and Team championships. The No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R co-driven by Tristan Vautier, Richard Westbrook and Loic Duval paces the Cadillac Racing endurance title contenders.

IMSA is monitoring the track of Hurricane Ian and will “act accordingly as needed.”

The 10-hour race that transitions from daylight to darkness requires execution on the track and on pit lane, adaptable strategy and cohesiveness among drivers, according to reigning IMSA DPi champion Pipo Derani.

“We’ve won this race, so we know it takes a never-give-up attitude to win a 10-hour race,” he said. “You got through the heat of the day and then you end up at night, so compromise is the name of the game in terms of setup.

“I think this year is going to have a special taste for us. We’re not in the fight for the championship, so we can allow ourselves to enjoy and be aggressive and try and go for that win no matter what. It’s the last DPi race, so I’m going to try to enjoy that. It’s one of the best cars that I’ve ever driven and one of the best tracks there is in America. It will be a little sad to let the DPis go, but it’s for a great cause having the new Cadillac V-LMDh car coming.”

Four of the five Cadillac DPi-V.Rs entered will welcome INDYCAR drivers present and past, including six-time champion Scott Dixon who will share duties with van der Zande and four-time INDYCAR champion Sebastien Bourdais. Dixon co-drove the No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, who recently completed his second INDYCAR season that included being voted top rookie in the Indianapolis 500, returns to the No. 48 Ally Cadillac DPi-V.R with Kamui Kobayashi and Mike Rockenfeller.

Derani and Olivier Pla will be joined by former DYCAR driver Mike Conway.

Alex Lynn and Earl Bamber will be reunited with 2012 INDYCAR champion and 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay in the No. 02 Cadillac Accessories Cadillac DPi-V.R.

“We want to try to win another of the big endurance races,” said Bamber, who teamed with Lynn and Neel Jani to win the Twelve Hours of Sebring in March. “We definitely have the car speed to do it, we’ve got the team to do it and we’ve got the engine to do it, so we just have to execute. It’s going to be an enthralling battle between the manufacturers for the top step.”

Peacock will have flag-to-flag streaming coverage of the race starting at noon ET Saturday, Oct. 1. NBC will telecast the race from noon-3 p.m. ET, while USA will pick up coverage from 7-10:30 p.m.

Cadillac DPi roster for the Motul Petit Le Mans

No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R (Cadillac Racing

Renger van der Zande, Sebastien Bourdais, Scott Dixon

Van der Zande and Bourdais co-drove the No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R to the victory at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park on July 3, on the Belle Isle street circuit June 4 and the streets of Long Beach on April 9 – starting from the pole in the latter two. … CTMP was the 18th IMSA victory for van der Zande and 10th for Bourdais. … Bourdais set the qualifying lap record time at Long Beach and Belle Isle. He also set the lap record time in earning the pole for the March 19 Twelve Hours of Sebring and for the May 15 Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio. … They most recently finished third at Road America. … Bourdais is a four-time INDYCAR champion. … Bourdais and van der Zande competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. … Dixon, the six-time INDYCAR champion, drove the No. 01 Cadillac in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona. He also drove the No. 01 Cadillac in the 2021 Petit Le Mans. … van der Zande recently was honored by having his name added to the Dutch national motorsport monument next to the main entrance of the circuit of Zandvoort in The Netherlands.

Car chief-Phil Binks

Lead engineer-John Hennek

Race strategist-Peter Baron

No. 02 Cadillac Accessories Cadillac DPi-V.R (Cadillac Racing)

Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, Ryan Hunter-Reay

First-year entry in expanded Cadillac Racing DPi program. … Bamber and Lynn co-drove to a runner-up finish on the streets of Long Beach on April 9 after starting second and at Road America on Aug. 7 after starting on the front row. They placed third June 4 on the Belle Isle street circuit… They, along with Neel Jani, co-drove to victory March 19 in the Twelve Hours of Sebring. … Bamber salutes his home country with a silver fern design on the sides of his helmet — a quasi-national emblem used for various official New Zealand symbol. … Bamber recently moved to Nashville. “Good barbeque,” he said. … Lynn competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. … Hunter-Reay is the 2012 INDYCAR champion and 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner. He co-drove the No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R at Sebring.

Car chief-Jamie Coates

Lead engineer-Danielle Shephard

Race strategist-Michael Harvey

No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R (Action Express Racing)

Pipo Derani, Olivier Pla, Mike Conway

Pla made his debut in the No. 31 Cadillac on June 4 at Detroit. … They co-drove to third place at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park on July 3. … Derani and Tristan Nunez co-drove to third place on the Laguna Seca road course after starting sixth. They followed with a third-place finish May 15 at Mid-Ohio. … Derani and Nunez, joined by Conway, started second and finished third in the March 19 Twelve Hours of Sebring. … The three-driver team started seventh and finished fourth in the Rolex 24 At Daytona to open the season. … Conway, a former INDYCAR driver, competes full time in the FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar class. … Derani and Felipe Nasr were the 2021 IMSA DPi Driver Champions and Whelen Engineering/Action Express Racing was the Team Champion. … Derani and Pla were teammates for the second consecutive year for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. … Derani’s wife, Marina, is expecting the couple’s first child in early December.

Car chief-Bill Keuler

Technical director/lead engineer-Iain Watt

Race strategist-Tim Keene

No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R (JDC-Miller MotorSports)

Tristan Vautier, Richard Westbrook, Loic Duval

Vautier and Westbrook co-drove to third place on the streets of Long Beach on April 9 after starting fifth. Vautier and Westbrook, joined by Duval, drove to second place in the March 19 Twelve Hours of Sebring and opened the ’22 season by starting second and finishing third at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. … Westbrook is a London-trained chef. … Vautier and Westbrook competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, with Westbrook earning a podium finish.

Car chief-Josh Kerrigan

Lead engineer-Rick Cameron

Race strategist-John Church

No. 48 Ally Cadillac DPi-V.R (Action Express Racing)

Jimmie Johnson, Mike Rockenfeller, Kamui Kobayashi

Competing in the four endurance races this season. … Opened ’22 season by starting third in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Repairs in 13th hour necessitated by being bumped off course negated a strong showing, and team placed 11th overall. … Johnson did not compete at Sebring because of a conflict with his INDYCAR schedule. He rejoined the team for Watkins Glen. … The team started fifth and finished sixth at Sebring. … Race strategist Chad Knaus — the Hendrick Motorsports’ vice president of competition — is the program manager of the Garage 56 entry for the NASCAR/Hendrick Motorsports with a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 based around a Next Gen NASCAR for the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans. Action Express Racing is assisting with the program.

Car chief-Scott Darnell

Technical director/lead engineer-Iain Watt

Race strategist-Chad Knaus

Cadillac Racing at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta 2021-2017

2021: Second (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start first – Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr, Mike Conway

     Fourth (No. 48 Ally Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fifth – Jimmie Johnson, Kamui Kobayashi, Simon Pagenaud

     Fifth (No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R) start seventh – Renger van der Zande, Earl Bamber, Scott Dixon

     28th overall (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R) start third – Tristan Vautier, Loic Duval, Sebastien Bourdais

2020 (six-hour race on Sept. 5): Third (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start seventh – Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr, Filipe Albuquerque

     Fourth (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fifth – Joao Barbosa, Sebastien Bourdais, Tristan Vautier

     Fifth (No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R) start sixth – Renger van der Zande, Ryan Briscoe

    28th overall (No. 85 JDC-Miller Motorsports Cadillac DPi-V.R) start seventh – Stephen Simpson, Matheus Leist

2020 (10-hour race on Oct. 17): First (No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fifth – Renger van der Zande, Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon

    Fourth (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R) start seventh – Joao Barbosa, Sebastien Bourdais, Tristan Vautier

    Fifth (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start third – Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr, Filipe Albuquerque

   26th overall (No. 85 JDC-Miller Motorsports Cadillac DPi-V.R) start eighth – Chris Miller, Matheus Leist, Gabriel Aubry

2019: First (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start first – Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr, Eric Curran

     Second (No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R) start eighth – Renger van der Zande, Jordan Taylor, Matthieu Vaxiviere

     Fifth (No. 84 JDC-Miller Motorsports Cadillac DPi-V.R) start seventh – Simon Trummer, Stephen Simpson, Chris Miller

     Seventh (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R) start third – Joao Barbosa, Filipe Albuquerque, Mike Conway

     Ninth (No. 85 JDC-Miller Motorsports Cadillac DPi-V.R) start 10th – Tristan Vautier, Misha Goikhberg, Juan Piedrahita

     22nd overall (No. 50 Juncos Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R) start ninth – Will Owen, Spencer Pigot, Rene Binder

2018: First (No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R) start 11th – Renger van der Zande, Jordan Taylor, Ryan Hunter-Reay

    Fourth (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R) start sixth – Tristan Vautier, Filipe Albuquerque, Christian Fittipaldi

    Eighth (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start ninth --- Felipe Nasr, Eric Curran, Gabby Chaves

2017: Second (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start ninth – Dane Cameron, Eric Curran, Mike Conway

    Fifth (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R) start eighth – Christian Fittipaldi, Joao Barbosa, Filipe Albuquerque

    37th overall (No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R) start 13th – Ricky Taylor, Jordan Taylor, Ryan Hunter-Reay

About Cadillac

A leading luxury auto brand since 1902, Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio that features distinctive design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com.

In Racing, The Response Is Key For A Full Post-Crash Recovery

By
SM
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Photo by Carl Jorgensen on Unsplash

As a high-octane, high-adrenaline pursuit, racing obviously has a clear connection to danger. For some drivers, the risk of serious injury is part of the thrill, but this year has seen a number of fatalities that reinforce the true risks. As USA Today reports, the tragic death of 2 spectators at a Texas no-prep drag race put this danger into clear focus and the need for proper safety protections at all events. As it happens, the steps that are taken immediately following a collision, and the removal of the driver, are crucial in reducing the risk of serious injury or death and ensuring the track is fit for the future.

Moving away the debris

The key priority for any motorway operator is to get any debris off the track – and fast. There are numerous instances throughout the world of motor racing that debris on the track can immediately cause risks. Indeed, according to ESPN, in the recent Formula 1 British grand prix a crash between two drivers left debris on the track which then directly impacted the performance of another driver. While on this occasion only performance was impacted, it could have been more deadly had the driver not been as vigilant to risk. Accordingly, getting debris removed from the track at the soonest moment is absolutely crucial. Using a safety car in conjunction with small loaders, such as skid-steers using versatile cat 287 tracks, is something that race track operators can benefit from.

Resurfacing the track

The surface of each speedway brings its own flavor to the race at hand. This is clearly shown with the reintroduction of Fontana into the NASCAR fold; as the LA Times highlights, the storied past of the track, soon to be resurfaced once and for all, brings with it all of the drama and history of the past. It’s not always the case that damaged surfaces should be brought to their original quality. That being said, serious differences in track height and depth can cause accidents – accordingly, tracks will be quickly sealed up, and professionally, with plenty of time to go before the next race.

Changing the route

Remedial work is conducted quickly to get the track up and running, but some are subjected to redesigns. This is especially important when fans are injured; History.com highlights the tragic killing of three fans in Michigan, in 1998, which led to reforms on track lengths, safety implementation, and speeds. Accordingly, after dangerous crashes, many Speedway operators will take a reassessment of their tracks and ensure that they are leaning on the right side of that important balance between fun and safety.

Speedway crashes are common. When they’re safe and a bit rowdy, it becomes part of the charm of the race. When they become more serious, it indicates that change is needed – that’s true both on the day of the collision and in the weeks that come after.

4 Things To Keep In Mind When Hiring a Car for Corporate Needs

By
SM
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Photo by Mike B

Does your work involve lots of traveling? Do you have employees that need to travel? If so, you may need to rent a car for your corporate needs! Having a rental car is highly convenient compared to having to wait for public transportation or lining up for a taxi cab anytime you would have to travel far.

When hiring a rental car, there are terms and conditions involved that would be best if you’re knowledgeable about it. So it’s best to have some tips and tricks on hand when hiring a car for corporate needs. 

It Provides Great Convenience!

As employees of a corporation, it’s most likely that one would be too busy to drive themselves to places, even more, to wait for taxis. Therefore, hiring corporate chauffeuring services while renting a car would save time and guarantee satisfaction. This satisfaction may also motivate your employees to do better in their job.

Numerous rental companies also offer chauffeur services in the United States, which gives your guests the best services possible. However, if you plan on traveling to another country for business, like Adelaide, Australia, for example, find the best chauffeur Adelaide has to offer. These companies pay great attention to detail and clients’ comfort. So, if you have an investor or a VIP guest who just landed in the country, you can hire them for any needs. 

Familiarize Yourself With the Terms and Conditions of Your Car Rental Agreement.

Reading contracts can be daunting, even for experienced ones! However, in the pressure of trying to ensure things are done quickly, employees might be tempted to simply skim through the terms and conditions of the car rental contract and sign without thought. 

While it’s easier to skim, doing so might cause more adverse results. It’s also a big no-no when it comes to contracts. If you don’t want to be liable and get in trouble with your boss, ensure that you read the contract thoroughly a couple of times before signing. 

Of course, just reading the contract isn’t enough. You should ensure that you understand and familiarize yourself with the contract’s terms and conditions. If you don’t do this, it won’t be easy on the company and insurance to cover everything to protect the company should something happen. It would also be easy to violate the contract if not checked.

In case there’s any item in the contract that you’re unsure and doubtful of, take the contract to your insurance agent so that they can review it. They can help ensure that your company is adequately protected, especially if you frequently rent vehicles.

Ensure That the Insurance Is Up-to-Date.

Do you want to avoid spending money that’s already an out-of-pocket claim? Getting an auto-policy can protect you from just that! The last thing you would want in your company is to end up stuck with an expensive bill, especially after getting in an accident with the car you rented.

Before renting a vehicle for corporate needs, ensure that the commercial auto policy you’re eying is protecting you for rental needs, and adequately at that. Check the following items to ensure your protection.

  • Check your auto insurance policy and check if you have “Auto Rented by Employees” and “Employees as Insureds” endorsements in the policy. These two may be a separate endorsement on your policy, or you can see them in a carrier’s enhancement endorsement. Also, there would be slight name variations on these endorsements. 

The “Employees as Insureds” adds your employees as insured, just like its name, while using their personal cars for corporate needs. On the other hand, the “Autos Rented by Employees” covers employees who rent cars for business. These are a must when your employees use vehicles in general for corporate needs.

  • You should also ensure that you have “Hired Physical Damage Coverage” in your policy. It covers the damage that’s done to a rented vehicle. It would help if you remembered that for this coverage to work for rental cars, you would need comprehensive coverage on the vehicles your business owns. 

So be sure to secure this to get full coverage for your company! You should know that these endorsements don’t typically provide coverage for replacement costs. 

Take Pictures Before and After You Rent the Car!

It’s always recommended that you or the employee using the car take pictures of the rented vehicle before and after use. It may sound too cautious, but it’s a good tip and would save your company a lot of headaches. There are numerous stories about rental companies claiming defilement or damages after you’ve returned the vehicle. So, ensure that you take pictures of the inside and outside of the car to help defend you when the rental company exploits you.  

Final Thoughts

If you hire rentals prepared, you can enjoy the convenience of having a rental vehicle without any stress and any nuances where the rental company ranks up some unexpected fees. Doing a little research, asking plenty of questions, and following the tips mentioned above can help you know what you’re going into and what you’re paying for.

The Different Types of Auto Loans

By
SM
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Photo by Joey Banks on Unsplash

Cars have become a necessity as much as a luxury, and while you might want to show around your newest automobile, you also need it for your daily commute. However, cars are expensive due to the soaring car prices. In this state of the economy, you will be excused if you choose to buy your car on loan. Auto loans are offered in nearly every place in the world. For instance, you can easily get a business auto loan in San Antonio and expand your fleet.

Whether you are a business looking to grow your arsenal of cars or an individual trying to figure out a way to finance a new car, we have got you covered. Keep reading to explore the different types of auto loans and which one you should get. 

Secured vs. Unsecured Auto Loans

The most critical categorization of auto loans is whether they are secured or unsecured. A secured loan involves your lender putting a lien on your vehicle, whereas an unsecured auto loan does not. A lien makes your car collateral if you cannot repay the lender. In such a case, the lender will repossess and sell your car to pay for the monetary loss. 

On the other hand, if you fail to pay an unsecured loan, the lender cannot repossess your vehicle. Instead, they pursue other legal means to get the money back. As unsecured loans have the lender taking a higher risk, they are offered at a higher interest rate than secured loans. 

You might be wary of taking a secured loan as it can risk your car being repossessed, but a low-interest auto loan is a better option than other means of getting a vehicle, such as leasing one. When you finance the car, you own it and can make any modifications you desire. 

Simple vs. Precomputed Interest Auto Loans

Another essential auto loan consideration to make if you wish to pay off your loans early is to choose between a simple or a precomputed interest loan. A simple interest loan allows you to pay off your loans early, whereas a precomputed interest loan does not give you that option. However, you are charged a fixed interest on every payment if you opt for a precomputed interest loan, unlike simple interest loans, where interests take up a significant portion of your early payments.

Direct vs. Indirect Auto Loans

You can get direct and indirect auto loans to finance your new car. In a direct auto loan, you interact directly with the lenders, which may be a bank or a credit union. In an indirect auto loan, you do not deal directly with the lender; instead, a third party, such as a car dealership, arranges a loan for you. 

With indirect loans, you may not be able to see every possible offer, as the dealership will vet several of them. However, the dealer may land you more favorable terms if they have a long history with the lender. 

People from all around the capital of England like to take out an Auto Title Loan in London that provides faster access to funds without lengthy approval processes. This option can be appealing when immediate transportation-related expenses need to be handled without delaying a vehicle purchase or repair.

Endnote

Car loans are an effective way to finance your new car when you don’t have enough cash in your hand. As long as you have information about auto loans, you can decide what auto loan is the best for your needs. If you have an old car, you can junk it to raise money for your new vehicle and reduce the principal amount you need. This way, you can pay off the loan early.

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Racing: Talladega II Race Advance

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Official Release
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ARIC ALMIROLA
Talladega Race Advance
No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: YellaWood 500 (Round 31 of 36)

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

● Location: Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway

● Layout: 2.66-mile oval

● Laps/Miles: 188 laps / 500.8 miles

● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 60 laps / Stage 2: 60 laps / Final Stage: 68 laps

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

Notes of Interest

● History at Talladega: In 25 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Aric Almirola has one win, nine top-10 finishes, five top-fives, and has led 71 laps. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Talladega, Almirola visited victory lane in May 2017.

● With his third-place finish in the June 2020 race at Talladega, Almirola tied the record of eight consecutive Talladega top-10s set by Dale Earnhardt Jr., from April 2001 to October 2004. His streak came to an abrupt end thanks to a multicar accident on lap 57 of the October 2020 race. In his last 10 Talladega outings, Almirola’s average finish is 12.0 – best in the Cup Series.

● 2022 Season: Through 30 races this season, Almirola has earned two top-five finishes, seven top-10s, and has led 45 laps. He also qualified on the pole for the first time this season two weekends ago at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. His average finish of 17.9 and seven top-10s this season have bettered his totals for the entire 36-race 2021 season.

● Driver Points: Almirola arrives at Talladega 20th in the driver standings with 640 points.

● Almirola’s career: In 418 NASCAR Cup Series starts, Almirola has earned three wins, 28 top-five finishes, 91 top-10s, four poles, and has led 938 laps.

● Smithfield Foods is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. Its 63,000 team members are dedicated to producing “Good food. Responsibly.®” Smithfield is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated protein companies. The company has pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including its industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across its entire U.S. value chain by 2030. Smithfield believes in the power of protein to end food insecurity and has donated hundreds of millions of food servings to local communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan’s Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.SmithfieldFoods.com, and connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

● 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 Motor Speedway. 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:

How do you feel about your chances to win another race at Talladega this weekend?

“Talladega is always a wild card, but there has always been a ‘comfortability’ for me at superspeedways. Back in the Petty days, those races were our only shot, so I really honed my craft at Daytona and Talladega. With a little luck on our side, it could be a great weekend to be another playoff spoiler.”

You won at Talladega in 2018. Where does that rank among your favorite career memories?

“I would say, so far to date, my highlight was winning in 2018 at Talladega. It was my first win for Stewart-Haas Racing. It was the first win for Smithfield since joining Stewart-Haas Racing. It happened in the playoffs, coming off of a race where I felt like I should have won at Dover and I didn’t. And then we rebounded and backed it up with a win at Talladega and it catapulted us into the next round of the playoffs, where we eventually went on to finish fifth in the points championship. So it was a phenomenal year and that race at Talladega was a very pivotal moment.”

Stewart-Haas Racing dominated that 2018 Talladega race. Why was that?

“So often you go into a race weekend, especially at a superspeedway where you have a plan and you start thinking about, like, ‘Alright, this is this is our plan, this is when we’re going to pit together, this is what we’re going to do on the racetrack together,’ and rarely does that ever work out, right? It never pans out. We show up and we all start racing for ourselves and we don’t work together at all. So that was an incredible weekend where we showed up and we had incredibly fast racecars, which made it way easier to work together. And then we started the race with all of us working together and kind of dominating the race, and we realized, ‘This is going to pay off – like, this is going to work out and pay off, so we need to stay to this plan.’ And I think that’s really what helped it. Oftentimes, when you come up with a plan and you start working together and, the next thing you know, you find yourself in the middle of the pack, you’re like, ‘Oh, this isn’t working,’ and you abandon the plan, you jump ship. So for the fact that we had fast racecars and our plan was working and we were dominating the race, it made it very easy to stay to the plan.”

Your kids recently made a video of their “day in the life” at a racetrack. What was the inspiration?

“Our ongoing YouTube series ‘Beyond the 10’ is a way for us to show race fans what life is like behind the scenes as a professional driver on and off the track. We have wanted to give them Go Pros for a long time and just let them have fun with it. It was so cool to see their perspective of a race weekend and showed me how much fun they have out here. We’re always trying to show fans something new, so I had to call in Alex and Abby from the bullpen on this one. Check it out on my YouTube channel.”

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

Step One Automotive Group Ambassador Lands Podium Finish in Sports Car Debut at Spa

By
Official Release
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FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla., Sept. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Step One Automotive Group ambassador and athlete, Juan Manual “JM” Correa took home a podium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in his European Le Mans Series debut. The Prema Racing driver finished third in the four-hour race in his car shared with Ferdinand Habsburg and Louis Delétraz.

“I’m extremely happy with my first endurance race,” said Juan Manual “JM” Correa. “I learned a lot this weekend, and while it was a learning experience, I really enjoyed it. Massive thanks to the team, especially to Ferdi and Louis, who helped me a lot. Now I’m just looking forward to Portimão, where hopefully we can take the championship.”

Correa competed in 4 Hours of Spa with the Prema Team, taking over the driver’s seat at the halfway point of the race. Prema Team’s Ferdinand Habsburg climbed six positions before handing the baton to Correa, and Correa kept a steady pace to take the chequered flag and a third-place podium spot. With this result, Correa has helped Habsburg, Delétraz, and Prema close in on securing both the drivers’ and teams’ titles in the finale in Portugal.

Juan Manual “JM” Correa will compete with the team again on October 16th at the 4 Hours of Portimao. For more information about Step One Automotive Group, visit https://www.steponeautomotive.com.

About Step One Automotive Group
Step One Automotive Group is an American company based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, built on a singular dedication to empowering lives through smarter and easier ways of accessing mobility. Step One Automotive Group owns 20 new car dealerships in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, representing 17 brands, including Chrysler, Dodge Jeep, Ram Fiat, Volkswagen, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, Genesis, Ford, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. Step One Automotive Group also owns two standalone pre-owned operations, three wholesale parts operations, and one rental car operation. Out of 18,000 dealerships in the United States, Step One ranks in the top 90 dealer groups in the United States and the top 10 in Florida. Step One employs 787 team members across three states and six cities.

For more information, please visit https://www.steponeautomotive.com.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steponeauto
Instagram: @steponeautomotivegroup
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StepOneAutomotiveGroup

Decorated WW II POW Sgt. Vincent Rolves to serve as Grand Marshal for NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway

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Official Release
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Courtesy: Belleville News Democrat

98-year-old Carlyle resident is one of the last living WW II prisoners in Southern Illinois

September 27, 2022, St. Louis – Wilbert Vincent “Vince” Rolves was born in Albers, Illinois, in 1924. The 98-year-old resident of Carlyle, Illinois is one of the last living WW II prisoners of war in Southern Illinois. On Sunday, October 2, Rolves will serve as Grand Marshal for the annual NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.

Rolves was drafted into military service in 1942. After 13 weeks of basic training, he was assigned to the U.S. Army’s 45th Infantry Division and shipped overseas to the North African region of the European Theater.

In December of 1943, Rolves was shot and wounded during a battle in L’Aquila, a mountainous region in central Italy. He and his fellow soldiers were captured by German troops and endured a 45-day march to a prison camp. They survived the march on rations of only three potatoes per day and a slice of what is referred to as “black bread,” a concoction of most unappetizing ingredients.

At Stalag 13 in Hammelburg, Germany, the American POWs were forced into hard labor under unimaginable conditions. For the next 18 months, Rolves and his men toiled under the threat of death while subjected to a bitter, icy environment and extreme malnutrition. Rolves, who also tended the camp’s farm animals and milked the cows, lost 83 lbs. during his imprisonment.

Near the end of the war (June 1945), invading Russian forces liberated the prison camp.

“They came through and shot the locks off the gates and let us loose,” said Rolves. “There was about eight or 10 of us left on that farm. They told our guys, ‘Hey, you’re free. The gates are open. Go!'”

But the liberated soldiers still had to trek to reach American forces.

“We were about 50 miles away from the river and they told us how to get there on foot,” said Rolves. “We made it.”

His decorated military career is marked by a passionate perseverance through dire circumstances. He was honored for his sacrifices with a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and a Prisoner of War Medal.

“There was plenty of times I didn’t think I’d make it back to the good old USA,” said the decorated WW II veteran. “But thank God, I made it.”

Rolves returned to Illinois after the war and eventually settled in Carlyle. He married his wife, the former Loretta Hilda Thouvenin, in 1946. He opened a trucking business, and later transitioned to a position that he held for 30 years as a government employee within Scott Air Force Base.

Rolves was honored before the Illinois House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 12, 2019. In recognition of his service and sacrifice, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 569 sponsored by Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) during Rolves’ visit to the state capitol.

The resolution stated, “We commend, honor, and thank Wilbert Vincent “Vince” Rolves for his passionate and dedicated service to Illinois and his exemplary leadership during the Second World War and as a private citizen within the State of Illinois.”

“Without our veterans, our freedom wouldn’t be what it is today,” said Meier. “It doesn’t matter what is going on, Vince Rolves is always there to help his community. It was a privilege and honor to recognize Vince at the Illinois capitol. The sacrifice he made to protect and serve our country is something we must never forget.”

Rolves has established an organization for former POWs in the area, and he has shared his experiences with local students in the hope of offering an appreciation for the services and sacrifices of American servicemen and servicewomen.

“I first learned of Sgt. Rolves in one of our Military Affairs Committee meetings through Col. Rob Lowe, who is the Vice Commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott Air Force Base,” said WWTR Executive Vice President and General Manager Chris Blair. “Col. Lowe told the heroic story of Sgt. Rolves and told me the Air Force base would be honoring him. His story is incredible and all of us at World Wide Technology Raceway believe that our American heroes should be recognized, and their stories shared with our fans. It is a great honor for us to have Sgt. Rolves attend the NHRA Midwest Nationals and serve as our Grand Marshal.“

THE EVENT

The world’s quickest and fastest race cars will converge at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, from September 30 to October 2 for the annual NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals. The series’ premier classes are Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car, with nitromethane-burning 12,000-horsepower engines that rocket the cars from zero to more than 330 miles per hour in less than four seconds.

Some of the world’s biggest names in professional drag racing include:

  • Five-time WWTR Top Fuel Dragster winner Antron Brown, a three-time NHRA champion.
  • Legendary Funny Car pilot John Force, a 16-time champion with three WWTR wins.
  • Five-time WWTR Pro Stock winner Erica Enders (four NHRA crowns).
  • Two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Ron Capps (four WWTR final-round wins).

Friday’s high-speed action includes a nighttime qualifying session for Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster teams and the white-hot exhaust flames will light up the night. Friday’s activities will conclude with a concert by country music artist Tim Dugger and fireworks.

The Midwest Nationals are the third event in the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ Countdown to the Championship and the point battles will be fierce in all four pro categories.

Every ticket is a pit pass and fans are encouraged to meet their favorite drivers. Attractions include the manufacturers midway, interactive displays and a classic car show. Spectator gates will open each day at 8 a.m.

Tickets may be purchased at the WWTR ticket office, by phone at (618) 215-8888, or online at www.wwtraceway.com. Kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult in select sections. Although they are admitted free, each child must have a ticket. (Please call the ticket office for details.)

Friday, September 30

7:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.

8 a.m. – Spectator gates open.

8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. – Sportsman qualifying.

4 p.m. – Pro Mods.

6 p.m. – Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car qualifying.

7 p.m. – Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car qualifying.

Fireworks immediately after the final pair of Top Fuel cars, followed by a concert by country music artist Tim Dugger.

Saturday, October 1

7:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.

8 a.m. – Spectator gates open.

8 a.m. – Sportsman eliminations.

12:30 p.m. – Pro Mod qualifying.

1:30 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car qualifying.

2:30 p.m. — Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car qualifying.

3:45 p.m. – Pro Mods.

4:30 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car qualifying.

5:30 p.m. — Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car qualifying.

Sportsman eliminations continue until approximately 8 p.m.

Sunday, October 2

7:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.

8 a.m. – Spectator gates open.

9:30 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies.

10:30 a.m. – First round of Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car eliminations.

12:45 p.m. – Second round of Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car eliminations.

2:15 p.m. – Third round of Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car eliminations.

3:30 p.m. – Final round of eliminations.

4 p.m. – Victory lane celebration.

About World Wide Technology Raceway

World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is the only track in the world to host the premier series of NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA . Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering more than 600 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR’s facilities include a 1/4-mile drag strip, 1.25-mile superspeedway, 2.0-mile road course, the Gateway Kartplex (a state-of-the-art karting facility), and the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links. WWTR and owner Curtis Francois have been recognized with several awards, including: 2021 Comcast Community Champion of the Year; 2021 Jack Buck Award; 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award; 2018 Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission; 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference; and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Attractions Association.

Our mission: We are committed to making a difference in our community, while providing first-class entertainment and memories that last a lifetime.

Wright Motorsports Welcomes Elia Erhart to Indianapolis 8 Hour Lineup

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Official Release
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Porsche team to make final championship bid at season finale

BATAVIA, Ohio., (September 26, 2022) – Following a successful weekend at Sebring International Raceway where Porsche customer racing team Wright Motorsports returned to victory lane and kept the championship lead in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, the fight for the title heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indianapolis 8 Hour will require all teams to add a third driver for the year’s one endurance race, adding to the strategy for the season finale event. Wright Motorsports has added 34-year-old Elia Erhart to the roster to race with Charlie Luck and Jan Heylen in the No. 45 Porsche 911 GT3 R as the team defends their 2021 championship titles.

“I am very happy to have had the opportunity to work together with such a professional and successful team,” said Erhart. “We had a very promising first test at Road America. I’m really looking forward to Indianapolis and I hope we can perform well there.”

Ehart is currently competing in the Fanatec GT2 European Series, where he has earned one win and two podiums with LP Racing in an Audi R8 LMS GT2 car. This season, he has also earned a podium result in the 24H GT Series powered by Hankook, adding valuable endurance racing experience to his resume.

The German racer began his motorsports career in the mid-2000s, racing in the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup. He climbed the ranks of the sports car racing ladder to race in the SEAT Leon Supercopa Germany, where he won the championship in 2011 with seven podiums and two wins. He has since competed in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany, ADAC GT Masters, and Creventic 24H series, building his resume with each year.

“Elia will be a strong addition to our team,” said Team Owner John Wright. “The Indianapolis 8 Hour will be a highly competitive event, and everyone is bringing their A-game. We have our sights set on the championship title and look to close out the season on a high note. Charlie, Jan, and the whole team have been working hard for this, and we’re excited to head to the Racing Capital of the World.”

The Indianapolis season finale will take place in less than two weeks, concluding the event with the Indianapolis 8 Hour, on Saturday, October 8 beginning at 12:00 PM ET. The race will air live on YouTube.com/GTWorld.

Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.

Flying Lizard Scores Victory, Triple Podium at Sebring

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Official Release
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SEBRING, Fla., (September 26, 2022) – At a very hot and humid Sebring International Raceway, professional sports car racing team Flying Lizard Motorsports celebrated a big win and an additional two podium finishes in the GT America powered by AWS, and the Pirelli GT4 America powered by AWS. Elias Sabo, driver of the No. 8 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 secured his first career win in the GT America series on Sunday, and together with co-driver Andy Lee, celebrated two more podium finishes in the GT4 America championship, keeping the team in contention for the final battle for the title.

“This was a great weekend for the entire team,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “We have been on a consistent run of podium finishes every weekend since mid-season, and to have Elias get his first pole and first win of his career is amazing. Everything is working well with our program and to have an opportunity for not only a podium in the championship but a possibility for the top position couldn’t make me prouder. We will take this momentum to Indy and try to close out this year on the top step!”

GT America Race One

Though Sabo qualified in an impressive second place for race one’s start, the No. 8 Aston Martin Vantage started the round from 11th in class and 23rd overall, serving a penalty for passing a car under yellow at the previous event at Road America. In the first two laps at Sebring, he gained six overall positions, working his way through the slower competitors. He sailed by the No. 35 of Custodio Toledo, to break into the top ten, then made the pass for ninth place. Perfectly positioned in the final laps, Sabo avoided possible oil on track to gain four additional spots on the white-flag lap. He finished ninth overall and fifth in class, earning his fourth top-five of the season.

GT America Race Two

Celebrating his first career pole position, Sabo led the GT4 class to the green flag at Sebring International Raceway on Sunday morning. He had a strong start, gliding into turn one, holding off early pressure from Jason Bell in the No. 2 Aston Martin Vantage GT4. As if Bell were not even there, he kept his lead and pulled away from the field. For the next 40 minutes, he sailed through each turn, keeping a calm demeanor as he maintained his two-second gap over Bell. He masterfully kept his lead consistent, taking the checker flag in first, earning his first career win in GT America.

GT4 Race One

Sabo and Lee entered the Sebring weekend sitting fourth in the championship, with just enough points to remain into the battle for the title. In order to stay in the hunt. The Lizards would not only need to finish near the front, but for some adversity to befall their competition as well. Sabo started race one from second place in the Pro/Am class and eighth overall. He momentarily fell back a position in an effort to avoid any mele in a very crowded opening turn, keeping close on the rear of the No. 50 of Ross Chouest. Bad luck found it’s way to the points leader, temporarily stalling the car on track, allowing the No. 50 and the No. 8 Lizard car to each gain a position. Sabo closed out his stint in third place, pitting during the mandatory window for Lee to get in and conclude the race. Lee joined the fight in third and made quick work to pass the No. 50 of Aaron Povoledo. Though he could have easily been deterred by the 10-second gap to the leader, he made the most of his 23 minutes remaining. Gaining almost a second each lap on Justin Piscitell in the No. 55 car, Lee put in an exhilarating drive to close the 10-second gap and come within striking distance of the lead. If the race had continued just one more lap, Lee would have been in the position to make the pass, but in the end, he finished in second, a mere 0.172 seconds behind. The Lizards still celebrated a job well done, and the valuable points grab heading into race two.

GT4 America Race Two

Feeling an extra boost after an intense performance the day before, Andy Lee started GT4 America race two from second place in the Pro/Am class and third overall. He kept the car clean in the turn one free-for-all, sliding into fourth place overall and third in class. Jason Hart led Aaron Telitz and Andy Lee, with Kenton Koch joining the party in the opening laps. Koch made the pass on Lee, but in lap five, Lee passed Telitz, climbing back into the top three in the Pro/Am class. Lee stayed close to the Aston Martin of Koch, entering pit lane for the mandatory stop right on his tail. Driver changes commenced, and Bryan Putt took over from Koch, and Sabo took over from Lee. Sabo immediately engaged in the chase, gaining a second of track time per lap. With 11 minutes to go, he had a 4.9-second gap, but within a matter of laps, he closed in on his competition, executing each corner with precision. In the final lap, the No. 15 Aston Martin Vantage of Putt suffered a momentary mechanical issue, and Sabo took advantage, sailing to second place, concluding his extraordinary rebound. The additional podium finish moved Sabo and Lee to third in the driver championship standings and Flying Lizard to third in the team standings.

With one event remaining, a maximum of 50 points remain up for contention, taking the battle to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the final double header of the season. The Lizards will not only again need to produce podium-worthy performances in each race, but also sustain a suitable gap over the competition. With ten titles already written in the team’s history, the Lizards are sure to be the team to watch October 7-9.

Elias Sabo

It feels great to get a first win in SRO America. The car was outstanding once again. All credit to Andy Lee for his outstanding coaching, Owen Hayes for his setup on the car, and the Flying Lizard team for continuing to deliver the best car in the paddock. This was a great weekend with two second-place finishes in GT4 America. I feel so fortunate to drive with Andy. He performed exceptionally well again this weekend. As has become customary, the Flying Lizard team continues to provide us with the best car in the paddock. We are looking forward to finishing the season strong at Indianapolis.

Andy Lee

This is a dream weekend for us. Elias secured his first win in GT America and we got our third second-place finish. It seems we do everything in threes. We’re knocking on the door of a win, and this is just a great team effort.

 
2022 GT4 America Schedule
Sonoma Raceway
Rounds 1 & 2 | April 15-17

NOLA Motorsports Park
Rounds 3 & 4 | May 20-22

VIRginia International Raceway
Rounds 5 & 6 | June 17-19

Watkins Glen International
Rounds 7 & 8 | July 22-24

Road America
Rounds 9 & 10 | August 19-21

Sebring International Raceway
Rounds 11 & 12 | September 23-25

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Rounds 13 & 14 | October 7-9

 
2022 GT America Schedule
St. Petersburg
Rounds 1 & 2 | February 24-26

Sonoma Raceway
Rounds 3 & 4 | April 15-17

NOLA Motorsports Park
Rounds 5 & 6 | May 20-22

VIRginia International Raceway
Rounds 7 & 8 | June 17-19

Watkins Glen International
Rounds 9 & 10 | July 22-24

Road America
Rounds 11 & 12 | August 19-21

Sebring International Raceway
Rounds 13 & 14 | September 23-25

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Rounds 15 & 16 | October 7-9

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

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

About 5.11
With offices around the globe, 5.11 ABR Corp. and its subsidiaries, including 5.11, Inc., work with end users to create purpose-built apparel, footwear and gear designed specifically to enhance the safety, accuracy, speed, and performance of tactical professionals and technical enthusiasts worldwide. 5.11 products exceed rigorous standards, which have allowed the brand to establish a reputation for innovation and authenticity, and become the premier choice for those who always have to be ready. 5.11 products can be purchased online, through authorized dealers and retailers, as well as at 5.11 company-owned retail stores.

Learn more about 5.11’s best-selling gear and accessories at www.511tactical.com. Find a full list of 5.11 company-owned retail stores at https://www.511tactical.com/locations/. Connect with 5.11 on Facebook, Twitter @511Tactical and on Instagram @511Tactical and #511tactical

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