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TOP GUN: MAVERICK CO-STARS JAY ELLIS, LEWIS PULLMAN & DANNY RAMIREZ NAMED TO DIGNITARY ROLES FOR SUNDAY’S AUTOTRADER ECHOPARK AUTOMOTIVE 500

· Hot off of starring in the year’s biggest movie, Ellis and Pullman will serve as co-Grand Marshals and Ramirez as Honorary Starter for the opening Round of 12 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race.

FORT WORTH, Texas (September 20, 2022) – Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, and Lewis Pullman, who star as elite pilots in the #1 film of 2022, Top Gun: Maverick, will experience a different kind of speed at Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway.

The trio will be featured in the key dignitary roles for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500, the opening race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 (2:30 p.m. CT, TV: USA Network, Radio: SiriusXM Ch. 90, PRN, 95.9 The Ranch locally).

Ellis, who plays Lt. Reuben “Payback” Fitch in the blockbuster movie, and Pullman, who plays Lt. Robert “Bob” Floyd, will serve as co-Grand Marshals and deliver the “Drivers, Start Your Engines” command to the entire NASCAR Cup Series field.

Ramirez, who portrays Lt. Mickey “Fanboy” Garcia, will serve as the Honorary Starter and wave the green flag from atop the starter’s stand to officially commence the 334-lap, 501-mile playoff race in NASCAR’s premier series.

In addition to Top Gun: Maverick, Ellis is known for his role as the fan-favorite ‘Lawrence’ on HBO’s critically acclaimed and Emmy®-nominated series “Insecure,” which earned him an NAACP Image Award in 2018.

Other credits include FX’s Emmy-nominated limited series “Mrs. America,” a starring role on the hit BET series “The Game” from 2013-2015, and roles on “Masters of Sex,” “Grace & Frankie,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “NCIS: Los Angeles.” He recently wrapped production on the Amazon feature, Somebody I Used to Know.

Pullman currently has starring roles in Amazon’s hit series “Outer Range,” as well as the recently released adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot. He also stars opposite Kathy Bates and John Malkovich in the upcoming Ken Kwapis film Thelma, which debuts Nov. 10 in the U.S.

Prior to Top Gun: Maverick, Pullman was known for his leading roles in the 2018 films The Strangers: Prey at Night and Bad Times at the El Royale. He also starred in the 2019 Sundance favorite Them That Follow, the 2020 film Pink Skies, and George Clooney’s Hulu mini-series “Catch 22” as Major Major.

Ramirez is well known for his portrayal of ‘Joaquin Torres’ from the Marvel series “The Falcon & The Winter Soldier” in which he co-starred opposite Anthony Mackie. He was recently seen in the Hulu suspense/thriller No Exit and in Netflix’s dual-timeline drama Look Both Ways.

Additional film credits include festival favorites such as Sam Levinson’s Assassination Nation (2018 Sundance Film Festival), Katherine O’Brien’s Lost Transmissions (2019 Tribeca Film Festival), and David Raboy’s The Giant (2019 Toronto International Film Festival).

Tom Cruise stars in the global phenomenon Top Gun: Maverick, which continues to break records, earning more than $1.4 billion at the global box office and still climbing. The film recently became the #5 highest grossing film in domestic box office history while simultaneously becoming the #1 Week-One Digital sell-through title of all time in the U.S. and in major territories around the world. The film can still be seen in theatres and was released for sale across Digital platforms on August 23.

Texas Motor Speedway will play host to the 2022 NASCAR Playoffs this weekend. The NASCAR Playoffs doubleheader will be highlighted by the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT on USA Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90, and PRN), and the NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 on Sunday (2:30 p.m. CT on USA Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90, PRN, and 95.9 The Ranch).

The newly renovated Lil’ Texas Motor Speedway 1/5-mile dirt track will kick off the weekend of racing with the inaugural C. Bell’s MICRO MANIA. The four-day event (Sept. 21-24) features practice on Wednesday, qualifying races Thursday and Friday, and mains and finals Saturday. Micro Sprints are smaller versions of full-sized sprint cars with side-mounted 600cc motorcycle engines that can generate 140 horsepower with similar chassis and body styles to the larger versions. NASCAR stars currently confirmed to participate include Christopher Bell, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch and his son Brexton Busch, Sheldon Creed, Daniel Hemric, Brett Moffitt, and John Hunter Nemechek.

TICKETS:
For ticket information for this weekend’s NASCAR Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 playoff doubleheader, including individual day tickets for C. Bell’s MICRO MANIA, please visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.

Season tickets and camping for Texas Motor Speedway’s 2023 major event season are on sale now. Save up to 33 percent versus buying individual tickets, take advantage of interest-free monthly payments, get the best seat selection and more. All-new reduced rates are available for the GEICO Infield, GEICO VIP and WinStar World Casino & Resort Lone Star Circle camping areas. Click HERE for more information and to purchase season tickets.

MORE INFO:
Keep track of all of Texas Motor Speedway’s busy schedule by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest news and information on the speedway website and TMS mobile app.

Mitsubishi Motors’ New Generation ASX for Europe Premieres Online

TOKYO, Sept 21, 2022 – (JCN Newswire) – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announced that Mitsubishi Motors Europe B.V., Mitsubishi Motors’ subsidiary in Europe, premiered the new generation ASX for European market at an online event.

ASX (RVR or Outlander Sport in some markets), a compact SUV, is one of Mitsubishi Motors’ core models which was introduced to Europe in 2010. Based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-B platform, the new ASX is a compact SUV supplied by Renault and developed specifically for the European market. The model will be manufactured at Renault’s Valladolid plant in Spain and will be in Mitsubishi Motors’ showrooms in select European markets from March 2023.

The new ASX features a flowing silhouette from the front to the rear, and the character line which rises toward the rear combines with the floating roof to give the vehicle a dynamic styling that expresses its agile driving. An element of Mitsubishi Motors’ Dynamic Shield design concept is added to the front face, with a robust grille staging the iconic three-diamond logo. Further, sleek body sides and wide shoulders emphasize the powerfulness of the vehicle as it firmly grips the ground.

The new generation ASX features a wide range of powertrain options to match today’s varying needs in Europe. Topping the line-up will be the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine, two electric motors (an alternator-starter and a main motor), an automatic, multi-mode gearbox, and a 10.5 kWh battery. The full hybrid (HEV) model is comprised of a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors, an automatic, multi-mode gearbox, and a 1.3 kWh battery. The mild hybrid model combines a 1.3-liter direct injection turbo with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed double-clutch automatic transmission (7DCT), and the entry model is available with a 1.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and a 6-speed manual transmission.

Inside, a spacious cargo area and sliding rear bench enhance convenience for users. A Smartphone-link Display Audio (SDA) is located at the center of the instrument panel, and the Multi-Sense system controlled via the SDA allows the driver to select the drive mode that best suits their preference. In addition, advanced driver assistance systems such as MI-PILOT single-lane driver assistance technology for highways, which integrates Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Centering Assist (LCA), are available to support safe driving.

About Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (TSE:7211) –a member of the Alliance with Renault and Nissan–, is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has about 30,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, mainland China, the Philippines, Viet Nam and Russia. Mitsubishi Motors has a competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and appeals to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation. Since the production of our first vehicle more than a century ago, Mitsubishi Motors has been a leader in electrification–launched the i-MiEV –the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, followed by the Outlander PHEV –the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013. The company announced a three-year business plan in July 2020 to introduce more competitive and cutting-edge models, including the Eclipse Cross (PHEV model), the all-new Outlander and the all-new Triton/L200.

For more information on Mitsubishi Motors, please visit the company’s website at www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/.

Want To Buy A Home In Rockwell City, Iowa? Here’s Something You Should Know!

Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash

If you are willing or planning to purchase a house, you might already be in the house-hunting process. Buyers are going to get a variety of options that can be worth considering. However, if you are unfamiliar with a specific place like Rockwell City, Iowa, then considering professional help will be profitable. Realtors are professionals that can help their clients in different aspects by providing them admired results.

Besides that, they will show different properties as there are a lot of homes for sale in Rockwell City lowa present. The city in the lowa United States has been named after founders Mr. John M. Rockwell and his wife charlotte M. Rockwell. The investors need to know that they are getting to the place where the world’s largest popcorn ball is present, along with Rialto Theater and numerous other places.

Investing in such properties can be a significant financial investment, but the real estate agents involved in this task will offer the convenience of getting things done. Here they are going to figure out the pricing and why people need to consider such a place instead of other options. The forthcoming specifications will help you to understand more about such a concept.

Crucial aspects to consider during house hunting: 

Location of the selected property: –

  • Buyers want to get the house according to their preferences. It allows getting easy access to the places by considering the real estate agents. These are the ones that are going to provide in-depth details regarding the workplaces present there, along with shops, schools, places of worship, family, and friends.
  • Here you are going to get easier access to the main roads with low traffic, which is one of the main reasons to opt for it. The location of the home with a friendly neighborhood makes things favorable, and that leads to a rise in the price of a selected property.
  • Some people prefer to invest their valuables in the main entry, while others want to stay away from the noise of traffic. If you want to get the exquisite place according to your demands, then considering professional help will be profitable.
  • Here you are going to get the properties that ensure access to the community benefits. The cost of living matters the most when it comes to the homes for sale in Rockwell City, Iowa. Real estate agents can clear such aspects, so you need to be attentive while selecting these professionals to make things easier for you.

Build equity: –

  • The equity is the amount of the value of the selected or invested property that you own. It will elevate according to the market value as the price of homes increases frequently. Besides that, if you already have a home, you need to calculate the equity and hire realtors to conclude the outlets.
  • When you own your home, buyers can potentially leverage their home equity and get access to it by redrawing their loan or borrowing the top equity. The additional advance or the mortgage refinancing can help people to get favorable outcomes.
  • These funds can be used for numerous things, from investing in property renovation to buying a new car or getting a special holiday. Such aspects show that property investment is one of the great things that can be considered an investment for the future.

Vital reasons to own a home: 

  • Appreciation: – Historically, real estate has been a long term that offers stable growth regarding the value of a property. The median single-family existing home prices have been elevated at the specific percentage that enables people to make more investments to get their dream homes. The recent housing crisis has raised some questions about the long-term value of real estate. The housing values are still up to 7.0 percent on a cumulative basis. In addition, there are different households present in the U.S. that are expecting around a 10 to 15 percent rise in the upcoming decade. So it is now a great opportunity to make the exquisite investment and get the properties registered in your name before the demands and prices get high. 
  • Savings: – with the help of perfect property investment, people, will build home equity. It allows them to get the readymade savings plan, which can commonly take up to $250,000 without paying federal income tax. 
  • Freedom: – owning a home is a different feeling as you make your own decisions. Besides that, you are served with the ability to decorate it accordingly and select any theme. There are no restrictions regarding anything present, which is why people are willing to their property instead of residing in rented homes. The new amenities can play a vital role in updating your lifestyle and living standards that positively impact your life. 
  • Stability: – residing in the same neighborhood for multiple years has helped you build some robust relationships that will last long in the community. It is also providing children with some educational benefits along with social continuity. 
  • Predictability: – unlike rent, the buyers need to know that they will pay a fixed rate mortgage. It is not going to rise in the upcoming years that, are one of the main reasons to prefer it. However, you need to know that property taxes and insurance costs might increase. 
  • Equity: – the amount of money paid for rent is something you will never see again. But the mortgage payments can help you to build equity ownership interest in your home. It is one of the main reasons that people are considering such services instead of staying on rent. 

Lastly, people need to know that they will get an impressive range of real estate agents. These people are the ones that can help the investors to get admired property under budget in friendly neighborhoods. Besides that, such people can help you to understand the listed concepts and numerous others to unveil vital aspects regarding property investment.

Why Getting Your Car Windows Tinted is a Good Idea

Photo by Teddy O on Unsplash

Your car windows are one of the first things that people notice about your vehicle, and not just because of the color or make and model you drive, but also because of the condition of your windows. Window tinting can change the entire look of your vehicle and even increase its resale value. 

Read on to learn why getting your car windows tinted by an experienced window tinting Denver expert is a good idea!

  1. Tinting Can Improve Safety

Window tints may seem extraneous, but they actually provide numerous benefits. In addition to looking sleek and cool, window tints improve the safety of those in the vehicle by protecting passengers from the intense sun. 

Keeping it cooler inside will help make sure that people are safe, especially when their vision isn’t compromised by sunlight coming through their windshield. 

Window tints can also be customized for specific purposes like increasing privacy, reducing glare at night, or as protection from harmful UV rays!

  1. Tinting Can Help You Save On Heating

Tinting can also help to reduce energy bills by blocking the sun’s rays from heating up your car. If you have darker tints installed on all of your vehicle’s windows, you can block up to 99% of UVB and up to 93% of UVA radiation. 

The benefits are clear-daytime driving will be less stressful on your eyes, and the inside of your vehicle will stay much cooler in hot weather. 

It can also help keep passengers more comfortable in the summertime because it helps block out heat, saving you money on cooling. 

  1. Tinting Helps You Drive Safer

Getting your car windows tinted isn’t just about having an awesome-looking vehicle – it can help you avoid costly tickets as well. 

Tinting can help protect against the heat of the sun, which in turn keeps interior temperatures lower. In addition, it is also important to note that many drivers feel more comfortable when driving with window tints because they reduce visibility into cars on both sides. 

This makes you less likely to be seen by people on the outside and reduces distractions while driving.

  1. Tint Helps Reduce Glare at Night

Glare from an oncoming vehicle can really make it hard to see out of the windshield, especially when driving at night. 

Window tint film helps reduce that glare by allowing some light in a while, still blocking out enough UV rays to protect your skin and upholstery. The darker tints even work great for pets or kids who need a little privacy while riding along.

  1. Window Film Costs Less Than You Think

Window film costs less than you might think and can do wonders to improve the interior of your vehicle by keeping it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. 

You only need to find the best car window tinting Denver company to give you an exact quote for the job. 

Conclusion

Overall, window film can be a safe and cost-effective way to protect you and your family from damaging rays. Remember, if you’re ever looking for new information about different types of window film or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact a reliable window tinting Denver expert.

Would Sponsorship Have Saved Now Defunct Speedway Stadiums?

Photo by Caitlyn Wilson on Unsplash

The list of one-time popular speedway venues that have sadly now long been closed is huge, and we can only hope and pray that no others get added to that list anytime soon.

As many of them did, of course, double up as greyhound racing tracks, that is also another sport that is in terminal decline, with bookies themselves now choosing to buy and operate a number of greyhound stadiums across the UK to ensure they have live races to show their betting shop punters.

That does pose the question, could the gambling industry have stepped in many years ago to have helped save many speedway tracks by offering to sponsor such events, and even include them in the daily schedule of sporting events they beam live to their betting offices?

No one will know the answer to that question, but what was apparent since 2006 onward was that plenty of bookies did place too much emphasis on their fixed odds betting terminals, which at the time were raking in the cash and neglected to keep the focus on their one-time bread and butter punters.

When the UK Gambling Commission recently announced the maximum stake punters could bet per game on those gaming machines was to be dropped from £100 to just £2, bookies suffered the consequences, and their profit levels dropped dramatically.

By that time it was too late for them to court once more their original sports betting customers, as many of them have made the switch over to betting online, where these days it is possible to get much higher and better odds than a traditional bookie can offer.

The pandemic did also sadly force the hand of some speedway stadium operators to close for good and moving forward there is unlikely to be an upsurge of new tracks being opened.

What has also become apparent is that bookies much prefer offering computer and software-driven games, some of which are actually speedway-themed games to their customers rather than real-life events.

The main reason they do so is the costs of operating those games are negligible compared to sponsoring real speedway events that they could offer betting markets on, and I doubt any bookie will be looking at sponsoring any speedway racing events in large numbers moving forward. 

However, there are of course those who say speedway and gambling should not go hand in hand, but let’s face it these days the only way many sporting events can go ahead and continue is by being sponsored by well-known companies, and sadly many of them who are prepared to sponsor sporting events are gambling-related companies.

If this post has spurred your interest in gambling and you fancy doing so online, then there are many things you need to be aware of other than simply spending some time looking to find a site that suits you.

You need to ensure the ones that you do become a  customer of are fully licensed and regulated, as that way you will always have the peace of mind in knowing no matter what, your funds are safe, and you will always have access to your winnings and will have them out in a timely fashion.

Plus, make sure that before you set about gambling in any shape or form that you always set yourself some limits and make sure that you always stick to them, for gambling online whilst it can indeed be fun and entertaining when things are not going your way it can be an expensive pastime if you end up getting carried away and lose all sense of reality when doing so.

Jeremy Clements – The leash is off and he’s ready to compete

Photo by Debbie Ross for SpeedwayMedia.com.

In the last few weeks, Jeremy Clements has experienced a roller coaster of emotions. He went from the exhilaration of winning at Daytona and advancing to the Xfinity Series Playoffs, to an unexpected penalty that took away the victory. And then, finally, redemption, when the penalty was rescinded.

Heading into the Playoffs for only the second time in his career, his game plan is simple.

“Don’t screw up. Don’t put pressure on yourself and just race like we do every other week.”

Four years ago Clements won at Road America and made the Playoffs but was eliminated after the first round. This time he feels his team is in a much better position to advance as the Playoffs begin.

“Right now we’re way better off than we were that year. So, I’m excited to be in the Playoffs and have a fair shot at it again and see what we can wind up with. Being there the first time we put some pressure on ourselves and this time I’m just saying we have nothing to lose. It’s awesome to be in the Playoffs and we want to make the most of it.”

But while Clements realizes that his small family-owned team doesn’t have the resources of most of the playoff teams, he would love to play David to their Goliath. This year has been one of his strongest in the Xfinity Series with one win, two top-fives and five top-10s, thanks in part to increased funding.

“Every year we’ve kind of held ourselves with a leash and it’s kind of short. To stay in this sport, to do everything we’ve been doing, it takes a lot of money and resources,” he explained. “This year we’ve got the most funding we’ve ever gotten. We’re not running used tires, we’re not running old parts all the time like we used to. It’s just been a lot better on all those ends.

“These races can have some crazy restarts and you never know what can happen. We just got to keep our nose clean and be there at the end and get some top 10s.”

While many may have already counted him out, it would be a mistake to underestimate his desire, heart and determination as the Playoffs begin Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway.

Cadillac Racing 2023 GTP drivers Zoom transcript

CADILLAC RACING 2023 GTP DRIVERS: ZOOM TRANSCRIPT

Cadillac Racing announced Sept. 20 its driver roster for the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season — the first for the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class. Reigning IMSA DPi champion Pipo Derani will co-drive an Action Express Racing-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh car with Alexander Sims, while Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande return as co-drivers of a Chip Ganassi Racing-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh.

Sims and Derani met with the media Sept. 20 via Zoom conference. Full transcript (by driver):

ALEXANDER SIMS

YOU’VE HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH GM ON THE CORVETTE SIDE. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH THE CADILLAC V-LMDH?

“I’m super-excited about this opportunity. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind situation since Le Mans, which ended in disappointment when things were going the right way for us with Corvette. Speaking to (GM sports car racing program manager) Laura (Wontrop Klauser) after the race about how things went and she put us in touch with Action Express and conversations went pretty positive from the start. I was able to get over to Atlanta to do a test with Pipo and the team. It was a short day in the DPi car, but it was a wonderful thing to drive. Everything went well thankfully, and we were able to agree to things for next year, which is an absolute dream come true from my point of view. I’m really looking forward to the challenge. I’m joining an incredibly experienced group of people at Action Express – a group of engineers and Pipo who have had success in the past – and hopefully I can learn quickly from them and slot in and do a decent job.”

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PUTTING YOUR SOLE FOCUS ON SPORTS CAR RACING AFTER DOING FORMULA E?

“I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t think I shied away from the fact that Formula E has been an interesting time for me, but ultimately concluded that it’s not the championship that fits with me in a sporting sense. I couldn’t get my head around it and ultimately didn’t want to be there anymore and wanted to get back to IMSA racing. To be in this position to basically get exactly what I wanted and be racing in the top class for the first time is genuinely a dram come true. I loved the two years that I did in IMSA – the most enjoyable form of racing that I’ve done. The rules format tends to keep you in the races if you’re struggling, if you’ve had issues there are so many times where you can get back in the race after a hiccup. And even if you’re in a strong position and you’re fast, it’s unlikely that you’re ever just going to sail away for two hours ahead of the field. There’s always going to be safety cars, there’s always going to be close racing to keep you on your toes.”

ARE YOU NOW EXCLUSIVE TO GM OR DO YOU STILL HAVE A DEAL WITH BMW?

“That’s yet to be fully decided, but my absolute main focus is going to be IMSA with Cadillac.”

WERE YOU PURSUING THIS AS YOUR PRIMARY FOCUS?

“This has been my sole focus, honestly. This year and last year that I raced with Corvette was a great introduction to the GM Racing program. All the people on it were a joy to work with. Obviously, the teams are different but the people at the top are the same and to be able to continue working with them is my goal.”

WAS MAKING THE MOVE TO THE TOP LEVEL A PRIORITY FOR YOU?

“Honestly, it wasn’t the main priority when deciding to leave Formula E. The priority was to get back to racing that I enjoyed, which was racing in IMSA. If that were in GT or prototypes, the same fulfillment in that criteria would have been there. When prototypes were discussed, the opportunity for a race driver is pretty exciting to run in the top class of any championship. It’s been a while since I’ve driven a prototype. I drove LMP2 in ALMS and a few WEC races quite a few years ago. The more higher downforce driving is something that’s not too far away from my current situation, but obviously driving in Formula E is somewhat different. To get back to higher downforce, fast racing where you’re generally always going to be the leader in terms of speed of class, not having to look into your mirrors always – which is a little bit of a challenge in a GT car – is going to be nice and focus forward. I’m going to need that focus because things come up pretty fast in these cars; they’re super quick. It’s a bit of an adjustment period in these test days we’ve got, but that’s the reason why we’ve got them and I’ll get up to speed for the first race.”

ARE THERE SOME THING YOU LEARNED IN FORMULA E THAT MIGHT BE ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE LMDH CAR?

“In terms of not getting my head around it, it’s just in terms of being able to achieve top performance consistently. With four years in Formula E with two different manufacturers, I’ve gone through quite an extensive development process with both of them. Understood quite a few things about the systems that are used in Formula E, which probably gives me just a decent technical base knowledge. I’m under no illusions that LMDh GTP racing is not Formula E. Hybrid systems have some similarities to a full electric drive, but there’s not the same as well. They have their own set of challenges. I’m not coming into this that I know all and can teach people how to do their jobs. I guess it just helps when some engineers are having discussions about various systems and the way some things work, I guess I have a bit of a head start and might the basics of how things are working. There are a lot of challenges. You don’t stop learning. So far, it’s proven useful at times to have some knowledge of electric drive systems.”

HOW HAS PIPO HELPED YOU DURING TESTING?

“It’s one of those things where you’re never quite sure until you start driving, and I tend to have a bit of self-doubt sometimes. Although I raced at a decent level ion F3 some years back, driven GTs and Formula E, I was thinking I hope this comes back to me quickly. Thankfully, it all did. It’s not like I’m a sorted, polished driver in every aspect in high downforce racing just yet but the basics are coming back. Pipo has been really helpful in being able to ask and giving honest answers about some of the challenges and whatever hurdle I’m facing during testing. It generally tends to be small things, but it’s small things that we have to focus on to optimize our performance to be right at the front which is what we want to do.”

ANY MEMORABLE COMPETITIVE RACES AGAINST EACH OTHER IN F3?

“I couldn’t believe when we looked back at the Vallelunga race that I couldn’t remember racing (Derani). We must not have been together on track. But I do remember Macua, following (Derani) for far too many laps not being able to pass. That was quite frustrating.”

PIPO DERANI

HOW EXCITED ARE YOU TO WELCOME ALEX TO THE TEAM AND GET GOING WITH THE CADILLAC V-LMDH?

“Alex has been a guy that I raced against in Formula 3, so we’ve known each other for a little while. Lots of respect, so whenever his name showed up and when he tested it definitely was a no-brainer. Whenever the team asked what I thought about him, I said, ‘Yeah, go for it. He’s very good.’ I think he’s going to help us a lot over the development of the new car with his electric and hybrid experience. That’s a plus as well, having Alex come on board with so much experience. We’ve started testing already the new car and it’s great to see you can develop basically from scratch and put your input into every single detail of what’s going to possibly be the most exciting time in endurance racing over the next few years. Looking forward to it. We have one more race with the DPi, so I’m going to be looking to enjoy. It’s a car that has had so much success. It’s a car that has given me one Sebring win, one Petit, an overall championship and an endurance championship, so it was a great time in my career to have had the chance to drive the Cadillac DPi-V.R. Trying to enjoy the last race at Petit, which is a very special race and nice track to be at for a farewell drive – if I can put it like that. Trying to enjoy that moment and very much looking forward to what the future brings. Me and Alex have had a little experience already driving and going testing with the new car and so far whatever we share has been very positive. And it’s good we can get to do that in a non-pressure environment and get to learn each other, what we want from each other and what we can improve on to become a strong pairing of drivers for the Action Express Cadillac GTP program next year.”

HOW ARE YOU ADJUSTING TO THE VARIETY OF CO-DRIVERS?

“I think it’s going to be great to have Alex onboard. Over the last three years before the beginning of this year it was pretty straightforward with Felipe (Nasr). We developed a relationship form the very beginning testing and even before the season of 2019 started. That relationship as a racing partner just evolved over the three years, and it got to the point where it was very good. I think once you start that relationship from the very beginning, it’s easy to develop and improve as a pair for the better result. It’s definitely much harder to do that in the middle of the season like I had to do this year. It’s not ideal. Looking to the future now with Alex joining us and be able to be involved in the development and testing from the beginning like we have already, it’s just going to help. By the time we get to Daytona, I’m sure it’s going to be smooth, and we’ll be thinking only about performance. At the moment, I think it’s been going very well and we’re already into that phase of our relationship. His driving style is in a way similar to mine, which is a help. We seem to get more or less the same things from the car to go quick and it’s been quite a pleasure to be sharing and learning from him as well things he’s going to bring on to the program from experiences he’s had from other series. And I’m sure from his side as well getting a little updated to the high downforce cars, which I’ve been driving over the last four years. So, I think it’s a plus and plus that we can use from each other and be strong from the very beginning of next season. I’m looking forward to that. Whatever happened over the course of 2022 was not ideal. But, nevertheless, in difficult moments I was always focused on trying to do the best I could for the team, and I believe I was able to do that. Now looking forward to the future.”

HOW CAN YOU HELP OR DOES ALEX NEED TO BE BROUGHT ALONG MORE QUICKLY IN GETTING UP TO SPEED WITH THE PROTOTYPES?

“I think it’s more fine tuning. He’s been driving Formula E, which doesn’t have as much downforce. He was brought up racing Formula 3 in Europe, where it’s a very high downforce car and the driving style is very similar to the DPi and the new Cadillac V-LMDh GTP car. Really, the first test he was asking a couple of things. But you can see that the guy who’s had the formation he’s had in his early days definitely pays dividends whenever he jumps into a high downforce car. It’s almost like riding a bicycle. It took him just a couple of laps and he was up there already. I think he wanted to ask me a few questions just to make me feel important. He’s been doing great. He’s got it pretty much sorted.”

ANY MEMORABLE COMPETITIVE RACES AGAINST EACH OTHER IN F3?

“There’s a funny story we were discussing. 2013 wasn’t an easy year for my team, but I was telling Alex that I had a strong weekend at Vallelunga in Italy. Actually, that was the strongest weekend I had all year. We had three races per weekend back then and I had two podiums and started on the front row over a 32-car grid or something. He said, ‘No way, that was my strongest weekend as well.’ We checked and found pictures of us sharing the podium twice on that same weekend. And in Macau, where I think we finished one after another in 2013. It’s good pictures to have.”

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. Cadillac’s media website with information, images and video can be found at media.cadillac.com.

Chris Buescher – Texas II Advance

Team: No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Scott Graves

Twitter: @RFK17Team, @RFKRacing and @Chris_Buescher
Race Format: 500 miles, 334 laps, Stages: 105-105-124

NASCAR Cup Race at Texas – Sunday, Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN, SiriusXM Channel 90

ADVANCE NOTES

Weekend Format

The traditional weekend schedule is on tap this weekend with practice and qualifying on deck for Saturday in group format, which will determine the starting lineup for Sunday.

Buescher at Texas

Buescher returns to his home state this weekend for his 13th Cup race from Texas. He has a 22.8 average finish and a best finish of 15th (2018).
His average qualifying effort is 24.3 with a career-best 10th-place start last fall.
Buescher also made five Xfinity starts at Texas with a best finish of ninth (2015).

Scott Graves at Texas

Graves will be atop the box for his 11th Cup race at Texas on Sunday. He has a best finish of 11th with Ryan Newman in the 2019 spring race.
Graves has three career top-10 qualifying efforts at TMS including a career-best sixth in 2017, and a 15.9 overall average.
Graves also called six Xfinity races at Texas with two top-10s and a best finish of fifth in 2016.

QUOTE WORTHY
Buescher on racing at Texas:
“We’ve had a great week celebrating and taking in everything associated with the Bristol win, but I’m just as excited to get back to my home state of Texas and see friends and family, and give our Fastenal Mustang another good run this weekend. We put together a solid plan for the All-Star Race this spring and had good success, so our goal is to capitalize on that even more and keep the train rolling this weekend.”

Last Time Out
RFK dominated the Bristol Night Race leading a combined 278 laps, with Buescher leading 169 en route to his second NASCAR Cup Series victory. It marks Fastenal’s first win in the Cup Series, and snapped a five-year winless streak for the company.

On the Car

Fastenal, in its 12th season with RFK in 2022, makes its 16th appearance with the No. 17 this weekend. In its early days with RFK, Fastenal originally was a partner with the No. 99 team before moving over to the No. 17 team since. They were also the primary partner on the No. 60 Xfinity Series entry that captured the owner’s championship in 2011.

Fastenal will feature top suppliers Honeywell, Seco Tools, Krylon, Mechanix Wear and Widia on Buescher’s No. 17 this weekend. For more information on these suppliers, visit Fastenal.com, and stay up-do-date on social @FastenalCompany.

RFK will participate in the Honor A Cancer Hero (HCH) Program this weekend at Texas, which benefits the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation (MTJF) and the NASCAR Foundation. Buescher will run the name of Reuben Heckenlaible on the driver side of his No. 17. Heckenlaible, a native of Pierre, South Dakota, passed away from cancer on April 14, 2014, and was nominated by his grandchild.

About Fastenal
Fastenal [Nasdaq: FAST] is North America’s largest fastener distributor and a ‘one-stop’ source for hundreds of thousands of OEM, MRO and Construction products. With more than 2,600 stores worldwide, the company supports B2B customers with tailored local inventory and dedicated personnel, who visit regularly, quickly respond to emergency needs, and provide efficient inventory management solutions. Fastenal’s service-oriented business network includes the world’s largest industrial vending program, 14 regional distribution centers, 8 custom manufacturing facilities, thousands of delivery vehicles, and industry-leading sourcing, quality and engineering resources.

BUESCHER STILL IN DISBELIEF HE WON THE TRADITION-RICH BRISTOL NIGHT RACE, THE ONE HE SAID WAS AT THE TOP OF HIS LIST

RFK owner Keselowski says the Night Race is a race that champions win

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Sept. 20, 2022) – Chris Buescher is still pinching himself. He really can’t believe he just won America’s Night Race.

Buescher, who snapped a 222-race winless streak in the NASCAR Cup Series by taking the checkered flag in Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race, was beaming as he looked at the huge BMS trophy and held up his BMS Gladiator Sword on Bristol’s legendary rooftop Victory Lane.

There was no need to ask Buescher if he considers the Bristol Night Race as one of the sport’s crown jewels. For Buescher, it is THE Crown Jewel.

“This has been No. 1 on my list for a really long time,” Buescher said. “I actually love this racetrack. I’ll take this win over a Daytona 500, a Coke 600, this is my big race, right here.

“I don’t know if I believe this yet.”

The Texas driver held off Chase Elliott, William Byron and Christopher Bell to take the hard-earned victory, in a race that was the cut-off in the Round of 16. Buescher became the season’s 19th different winner and also was the third-straight non-playoff driver to win in the first round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

He said for him, it has always been a love at first sight situation with Bristol Motor Speedway.

“This place has that special feel,” Buescher said. “The excitement I got walking through that tunnel yesterday and seeing concrete, clean concrete, was really big.

“It’s always special coming here. Fans were jacked up, and we had fantastic weather. Fans showed up in huge numbers, and it was great to see the fans packing the stands here at Bristol again. All that just adds to this being my favorite racetrack. And I’m not saying that because I’m sitting here at Bristol. I’ve got in trouble at a lot of different racetracks for saying that on their stages beforehand and gotten yelled at, but it’s the truth.

“This is the one, the one we’ve been looking forward to for a really long time, and it’s just a special place, unlike anywhere we go.”

Buescher’s team owner, Brad Keselowski, the 2011 Night Race winner who led two times for 109 laps Saturday and ultimately finished 13th, was very proud of his driver who pilots the No. 17 RFK machine.

“Chris deserves a lot of credit, this is not an easy race to win, it never has been,” Keselowski said. “The Bristol Night Race is a race that champions win.”

“This is a big moment for Chris and a big moment for our company to be able to win races like this,” Keselowski continued. “This is a different type of win. This is a legacy type of win. There’s some tracks that winning is always great, don’t get me wrong, but there’s some tracks that winning is just not as special as others. Bristol is right up there at the top of being special. This is a big moment for us.”

The 2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race returns to Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 16, once again as an elimination race in the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 16 Playoffs. For more information, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com or call 423-BRISTOL to speak to a BMS ticket sales representative.

Brad Keselowski – Texas II Advance

Team: No. 6 ROUSHParts.com Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Matt McCall

Twitter: @RFK6Team, @RFKRacing and @keselowski

Race Format: 500 miles, 334 laps, Stages: 105-105-124

NASCAR Cup Race at Texas – Sunday, Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN, SiriusXM Channel 90

ADVANCE NOTES

Weekend Format

The traditional weekend schedule is on tap this weekend with practice and qualifying on deck for Saturday in group format, which will determine the starting lineup for Sunday.

Keselowski at Texas

Keselowski makes his 27th regular-season Cup start at Texas this Sunday. In 26 starts he has 11 top-10s and a 16.4 average finish.
He’s coming off three-straight top-10s at the track with a P4 finish last fall, and a sixth-place run and ninth-place finish in the two starts prior. His best career finish to date is second, which he’s done twice, in 2012, and again in 2015.
Despite no wins in Fort Worth, Keselowski has led 654 laps at the 1.5-mile track, fourth-most of any track on the circuit in his Cup career.
He carries an average starting position of 14th into the weekend with one pole (2015) and 16 starts inside the top-10.
Keselowski has an additional 23 combined starts in the Xfinity and Truck Series at Texas with two NXS victories (2013, 2015).

Matt McCall at Texas

Texas stands as McCall’s second-best track on the circuit with an average finish of 11.1 and eight top-10s in the Cup Series, behind only Michigan in both.
Sunday marks his 14th Cup race atop the box at Texas. His teams have never finished outside the top-20 with four top-10s in the last five starts.
His best career finish came in 2018 with Jamie McMurray as the No. 1 car finished third.

QUOTE WORTHY
Keselowski on racing at Texas:
“While we’ve had a big week as a company, the work doesn’t stop in continuing the forward momentum, and it starts this week at Texas. We had decent speed there with both cars in the All-Star Race, and definitely feel like we have something to build from entering this weekend. We’re looking forward to the challenge in the ROUSHParts.com Ford.”

Last Time Out
Keselowski finished 13th in the Bristol Night Race after winning the opening stage and leading 109 laps in the Kohler Generators Ford.

On the Car

Keselowski will again carry the Roush Performance banner this weekend and run a scheme that highlights ROUSH Parts. The hood design on the No. 6 is meant to emulate a see-through design that creates an illusion of a ROUSH supercharger on the car.

RFK will participate in the Honor A Cancer Hero (HCH) Program this weekend at Texas, which benefits the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation (MTJF) and the NASCAR Foundation. Keselowski will carry the name of Cody Wulff on the driver side of his No. 6. A native of Gann Valley, South Dakota, Wulff was a big fan of Ford Motor Company, and was nominated by Jerrod Deitchler.

About ROUSH Performance
ROUSH Performance was founded in 1995 by motorsports legend Jack Roush, the winningest name in racing. Combining performance engineering with entrepreneurship, ROUSH began selling designs he had created for his own team to the wider world of motorsports. Based out of Plymouth Township, Michigan, ROUSH Performance, a division of Roush Enterprises, designs, engineers and manufacturers completely assembled pre-titled vehicles, aftermarket performance parts, and superchargers for the global performance enthusiast market. For more on ROUSH, please visit ROUSHperformance.com or call 800.59.ROUSH.