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Looking For Automotive Service Centers Online? Here’s What You Need to Know

Photo by Laurel and Michael Evans on Unsplash

Auto mechanics are getting easy to reach with the help of the internet. Many automotive service experts are available online, offering assistance anytime to their customers at the best possible price. So whether you want a Ford specialist or a fleet mechanic, you can find the best hands at work by searching online. 

It would help if you looked for experienced and certified mechanics while searching to get the best people at work. An expert will thoroughly assess your vehicle’s situation and provide the necessary solution. Here are a few tips that can help you find the best auto mechanic online:

  • Look For Certified and Trained People 

First, determine whether the prospective shop is certified and possesses the essential skills to handle your requirements. This means they have met rigorous guidelines regarding both skills and equipment. This is very important! 

Ideally, it would help if you also looked for shops where the staff is skilled and certified in an automotive training course. You want a mechanic with complete know-how in handling all types of repair and service jobs for your vehicle. 

  • Look For Accurate Pricing

Do not settle for any fixed price without knowing accurately how much will be charged by the mechanic hired by the site! You should be able to find out pricing information before you decide to hire anyone to do your car repair job. You also need to be able to compare various options, costs, and quotes. This will help you make an informed decision! Lakeview Automotive Service Centre-ROUSH & COBB Performance of Calgary is known for handling all repair and service jobs perfectly. 

  • Check for Reliability

A mechanic must offer high-quality services to customers in the past. This means you should check the history of their reliability. The online service centers should review previous customers’ work and rates. 

Also, check for feedback on social networking sites, blogs, and forums. Look for feedback that confirms the level of service, competence, and professionalism of the auto mechanic you are hiring.

  • Find Out if They Provide Discounts

You must get a price estimate before you hire someone. It would help if you told the mechanic what you want to do with your vehicle and ensure they understand your needs and limitations to give you a fair pricing quote for the service. 

Additionally, he must provide good recommendations on how much additional work may be needed for the car to be fully repaired. 

  • Check for Previous Experience

Experience matters a lot when it comes to automotive service. Therefore, getting help from people who have handled similar jobs is always advisable. Hence, go for experienced service providers who have worked in the industry for several years. This will help you save a great deal of money and time. It also ensures that they are pretty well aware of how things work and what should be done at what stage of repairing a car. 

To Sum Up!

With the help of the above-shared tips, it will not be hard to find the best automotive service center online. However, make sure you conduct detailed research before hiring any mechanic. It is better to pay more for good quality work than risk lower-priced and unreliable services.

Common Bad Headlight Relay Symptoms and FAQ | In-Depth Guide

Photo by Konrad Bednarek on Unsplash

Introduction

Relays are often used in vehicles in which the headlight systems are controlled by a computer to manage both the low and the high beams.

The headlight relays are prone to failure over time, similar to any other form of a relay. That will cause the headlights bulbs to stop working properly. You need to take care of this problem immediately.

The design and functioning of the headlights bulbs in your car depend greatly on the relays. Therefore, if your relays are faulty, it could be quite serious.

Thankfully, the relays offer you several warning signs and indications before they completely shut down. The key is to remain alert and take preventive action if necessary.

Working Of Headlight Relay

A relay is simply a reduced electromagnet that controls a relatively high circuit. A wire and a switching device with a pair of connections are both on the inside of a relay. Until the relay is activated, most car relays are generally open, which means that power does not go between the contacts.

A normal headlight circuit that is controlled by the computer has relays that are generally known as two relays. In this case, one relay is for the full beam and the other one is for the lower beam. A third headlight relay to turn on the daytime driving lights is also included in some vehicles

It’s important to note that not all headlight systems controlled by computers require relays. For instance, in some systems, the BCM – Body Control Module transmits a request for headlight operation to a specific kind of intelligent plug socket, also known as an integrated energy module. The also has integrated drivers to turn on the low beams after receiving the request from the Body Control Module.

Additionally, headlight relays are typically absent from earlier, computer-less headlight systems. The dimming switch usually allows current to pass straight from the headlight button to the headlights.

Common Bad Headlight Relay Symptoms

#1 The headlight will not turn on

Lack of function in the headlights is the most typical sign of a damaged headlight relay. Usually, a headlight relay will fail in the open spot, cutting off power to the headlights bulbs 

The low beams won’t function if the low beam relay breaks. In the same way, if the relay for the high beams or the daytime running lights fails, neither the high beams nor the daytime lights will work.

#2 Headlights will not turn off

Even though it happens rarely, a defective headlight relay sometimes can stay closed, stopping the headlights bulbs from going off. 

Circuits that constantly transfer power to the headlight relay are prone to issues.

#3 Covered headlights will not work effectively

Some cars, especially sports cars, feature hidden headlights bulbs that flash when turned on. The hidden headlights are computer-controlled lights that a relay activates on new cars.

The hidden headlights bulbs will not turn on if that relay breaks when it is opened.

#4 Headlight doors open or close abruptly and perform strangely.

Another sign of a potential faulty or failed headlight closing relay is irregular headlight door action. The headlight bulbs could act strangely and break as a result of a bad relay.

The headlights bulbs may quickly, randomly, or rapidly open and close, blocking their ability to provide sufficient visibility.

Similar symptoms may also be caused by a faulty engine or cabling, so it is strongly advised to get the car carefully checked.

Even though headlight bulb closing relays are not typically seen in current cars and new models, they can still break down and need to be repaired in a few older models. Have the car checked out by a qualified mechanic if you think the headlight closing relay may be damaged.

FAQ

Q. What is the procedure to test the Headlight relay?

Relays for cars are often pretty similar. A headlight relay can be tested most easily by temporarily replacing it with an additional (unimportant) relay from the electric supply box. 

For instance, if the designs of the two relays are similar, you may switch the headlight relay with the air conditioning unit compressor relay. If the replacement relay is put in and the headlights function, the headlight relay must be changed.

Q. Where is the Headlight relay located?

You can find the Headlight relay in the electrical distribution unit of the engine block. In case you need support locating the relay, refer to your owner’s manual.

Q. What is the cost to change the Headlight relay?

You can generally do the replacement of a headlight relay all by yourself because it is a simple process. If you still want to go ahead and change then the costs are approx $30. The actual price will vary based on several criteria, including the brand, model number, and year the car was made.

Conclusion

It is strongly recommended by many users to get the headlights bulbs changed from the reputable store SuncentAuto. Since they have their manufacturing facility, you will get good discounts online. They also provide free shipping.

There is a guaranteed return policy of 90 days. Their customer service is available round the clock. On their website, they also have an advanced filter so that you can find the compatible product based on the year and make of the car.

All About Convert Pdf to Jpg

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Why Else Do Individuals Use Converters From PDF To JPEG?

Users would perhaps frequently require a JPEG picture. A lot of factors are being considered here. But even so, a mobile device or tablet typically can’t be used to perceive PDF files which will signify that users have to have a spectator to visualize a JPEG file. For example, JPEG is the required format when posting a story. The contraction of a PDF seems to be typically significantly lower than that of a JPEG.

For people to consume your document, your attached file may be required to be considerably longer. However, using JPEG enables users to decrease the contrast of an image without sacrificing quality by more vigorously applying the technique. Leveraging JPEG would allow you to reduce the volume of one PDF without sacrificing performance whether you’re forming a document with many images.

You would like to change a PDF image to something like a JPEG file!

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Users really would like to transform many pictures all at once.

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Ty Majeski clinches Championship 4 finale spot with first Truck career victory at Bristol

Photo by Christian Gardner for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Ty Majeski became the first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoff contender to secure a spot for the Championship 4 Round finale at Phoenix Raceway after scoring his first career victory in the UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Thursday, September 15.

The 28-year-old Majeski from Seymour, Wisconsin, made his first appearance as the leader during a restart with 45 laps remaining after he overtook Playoff rival Zane Smith for the top spot. Despite enduring a final late-race restart with 12 laps remaining, he capitalized on the restart, holding off Smith to claim his first career victory within NASCAR’s top three national touring series. He also earned a one-way ticket to the finale, where he will contend for the 2022 Truck Series championship.

With on-track qualifying that determined the starting lineup occurring on Thursday, Derek Kraus claimed his second pole position of the season after posting a pole-winning lap at 125.264 in 15.276 seconds. Joining him on the front row was Playoff contender Chandler Smith, who posted the second-best qualifying lap at 125.584 mph in 15.279 seconds.

Prior to the event, Playoff contenders Zane Smith, Blaine Perkins, Chris Hacker and Josh Reaume dropped to the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments made to their respective trucks. In addition, Playoff contender John Hunter Nemechek started at the rear of the field in a backup truck after wrecking his primary truck during Thursday’s lone practice session.

When the green flag waved and the race started, Kraus launched ahead with an early advantage on the outside lane. With the field jostling early for positions, Kraus led the first lap ahead of Chandler Smith, Grant Enfinger and Stewart Friesen, who slipped in Turn 3 before slipping again in Turn 1 as he lost fourth to Ty Majeski before settling in front of rookie Corey Heim.

Through the first 10 scheduled laps, Kraus was leading by eight-tenths of a second over Chandler Smith followed by Enfinger, Majeski and Friesen while Heim, Christian Eckes, Matt DiBenedetto, Carson Hocevar and Bayley Currey were in the top 10. Tyler Ankrum was in 11th ahead of Ben Rhodes, Matt Crafton, Rajah Caruth and rookie Dean Thompson while John Hunter Nemechek and Zane Smith were mired back in 27th and 28th.

Ten laps later on Lap 20, Kraus continued to lead by exactly half a second over Chandler Smith while Enfinger, Majeski and Friesen settled in the top five. Meanwhile, Zane Smith and Nemechek remained mired in 27th and 28th, respectively, as Kraus started to navigate his way through lapped traffic.

Eight laps later, Chandler Smith, winner of last year’s Truck event at Bristol, moved his No. 18 Safelite AutoGlass Toyota Tundra TRD Pro into the lead over Kraus’ No. 19 Incredible Bank Chevrolet Silverado RST in Turn 3. Behind, Enfinger was locked in a battle with Majeski and Friesen for third place while Heim, Eckes, DiBenedetto, Hocevar and Currey remained in the top 10. Two laps earlier, Spencer Boyd made contact with the outside wall in Turn 3, though the race remained under green.

Another nine laps later, however, the first caution of the event flew when Josh Reaume, who was lapped but racing in front of a handful of Playoff contenders, got loose underneath Blaine Perkins in between Turns 1 and 2, slipped and backed his truck into the outside wall in Turn 2. As Reaume’s truck slid below the apron, he was hit by a sliding Rajah Caruth, who tried to avoid hitting Reaume, as both trucks sustained significant damage. 

During the caution period, names like Zane Smith, Nemechek, Jesse Little, Dean Thompson, Tanner Gray, Lawless Alan, Taylor Gray, Kaden Honeycutt, Parker Kligerman, Tyler Ankrum, Timmy Hill and Connor Mosack pitted while the rest led by Chandler Smith remained on the track. Following gate pit stops, Zane Smith pitted his No. 38 Speedco Ford F-150 for a second time to have his adjustments from his previous pit stop re-adjusted.

With eight laps remaining in the first stage, the race restarted under green. At the start, Chandler Smith retained the lead after starting on the outside lane while Friesen overtook Kraus for the runner-up spot. Behind, DiBenedetto and Enfinger battled for fourth in front of Majeski, Heim, Eckes, Currey and Hocevar.

When the first stage concluded on Lap 55, Chandler Smith captured his fourth stage victory of the 2022 season. Friesen settled in second, trailing Smith by four-tenths of a second, while Kraus, DiBenedetto, Enfinger, Majeski, Eckes, Heim, Currey and Matt Crafton were scored in the top 10. By then, Ben Rhodes was in 11th, Nemechek was back in 21st and Zane Smith was all the way back in 28th.

Under the stage break, names like Enfinger, DiBenedetto, Heim, Thompson, Hailie Deegan, Currey, rookie Jack Wood, Austin Wayne Self, Jake Garcia, Colby Howard, Timmy Hill, Leland Honeyman Jr. and Jesse Little pitted while the rest led by Chandler Smith, who has yet to pit, remained on the track. Following the pit stops, Wood was penalized for speeding on pit road.

The second stage started on Lap 65 as Chandler Smith and Friesen occupied the front row. At the start, Chandler Smith retained the lead with another strong start on the outside lane while Kraus reassumed the runner-up spot as Friesen, who spun the tires at the front, fell back to third in front of ThorSport Racing’s Rhodes, Majeski and Eckes.

By Lap 75, Chandler Smith was leading by half a second over Kraus while Friesen, Majeski, Eckes, Rhodes, Chase Purdy, Tanner Gray, Taylor Gray and Nemechek were in the top 10. By then, Zane Smith was in 14th and Enfinger was in 17th.

Ten laps later, the caution returned when Connor Mosack spun underneath Jesse Little in Turn 2. By then, DiBenedetto had pitted under green. During the caution period, names like Kraus, Deegan, Crafton, Enfinger, Majeski, Tyler Ankrum, Heim, Carson Hocevar, Austin Wayne Self and Bayley Currey pitted while the rest led by Chandler Smith remained on the track. Following the pit stops, Hocevar was penalized for speeding on pit road.

When the race proceeded under green on Lap 91, Chandler Smith rocketed with the lead while Friesen and Eckes battled for the runner-up spot in front of Rhodes and Taylor Gray. Shortly after, Friesen retained the runner-up spot ahead of Eckes as Rhodes and Taylor Gray also remained in the top five. Behind, Chase Purdy was up in sixth place while Tanner Gray, Nemechek, Zane Smith and Kaden Honeycutt were in the top 10.  

At the halfway mark on Lap 100, Chandler Smith retained the lead by four-tenths of a second over Friesen while Eckes, Rhodes and Gray remained in the top five. By then, six of the eight remaining Playoff contenders were scored in the top 10 while Majeski and Enfinger were scored inside the top 15.

When the second stage concluded on Lap 110, Chandler Smith captured his fifth stage victory of the 2022 season and swept both stages of the night at Bristol. Friesen settled in second while Eckes, Rhodes, Taylor Gray, Purdy, Tanner Gray, Nemechek, Kaden Honeycutt and Zane Smith were scored in the top 10.

Under the stage break, a majority of the field led by Chandler Smith, who peeled off to pit road for the first time of the night as part of a one-stop strategy, pitted while the rest led by Zane Smith remained on the track.

With 79 laps remaining, the final stage started as Zane Smith and Kligerman occupied the front row. At the start, Zane Smith and Kligerman briefly duked for the lead as Smith prevailed on the inside lane to retain the lead. Shortly after, Majeski moved his No. 66 Road Ranger Toyota Tundra TRD Pro into the runner-up spot while Kligerman, who got shuffled and mired on the outside lane, was locked in a heated battle with Kraus for third place. Then a few laps later in Turn 4, Kraus and Kligerman made contact and slid up the track in Turn 1, which allowed Enfinger to overtake both for third place before Kligerman retained fourth ahead of Kraus, Hailie Deegan and Crafton.

With less than 70 laps remaining, Zane Smith was out in front by three-tenths of a second over Majeski followed by Enfinger, Kligerman, Kraus, Deegan, Crafton, Heim, Ankrum and Hocevar. Meanwhile, Chandler Smith was mired back in 12th behind Dean Thompson and in front of Friesen and Eckes, Nemechek was back in 17th and Rhodes was scored back in 20th. By then, Taylor Gray and Colby Howard made contact with one another while battling in the top 20, but the race proceeded under green.

Then with 50 laps remaining, the caution flew when Chris Hacker spun in between Turns 3 and 4 before coming to a rest below the apron after he got hit by the No. 98 CMR Construction & Roofing Toyota Tundra TRD Pro piloted by Playoff contender Eckes.

During the following restart with 44 laps remaining, Majeski received a strong start on the outside lane as he assumed the lead for the first time over Zane Smith while Kligerman battled and overtook Enfinger for third place while the field behind jostled for late positions.

With 35 laps remaining, Majeski was leading by more than a second over Zane Smith followed by Kligerman, Enfinger and Kraus while Crafton, Friesen, Chandler Smith, Tyler Ankrum and Deegan were in the top 10.

Down to the final 22 laps of the event, the caution returned when Tanner Gray made contact with Dean Thompson in Turn 3 that sent Thompson’s No. 40 WorldWide Express Chevrolet Silverado RST slipping below the apron and into the outside wall as he sustained significant rear-end damage. By then, Majeski had stabilized his advantage to more than a second over Zane Smith while Kligerman, Enfinger, Kraus, Crafton, Friesen, Chandler Smith, Ankrum and Deegan remained in the top 10. Meanwhile, Eckes was in 11th, Nemechek was back in 14th and Rhodes was mired in 17th.

During the following restart with 12 laps remaining, Majeski rocketed away with the lead on the outside lane while Zane Smith, who spun the tires on the inside lane, was left in a side-by-side battle with Kligerman for the runner-up spot. Smith, however, was able to clear Kligerman during the following lap as he reassumed second place while Enfinger moved up to fourth in front of Kraus and Friesen.

Down to the final 10 laps of the event, Majeski continued to lead by four-tenths of a second over Zane Smith and eight-tenths of a second over third-place Kligerman while everyone else behind jostled again for late positions.

With five laps remaining, Majeski stabilized his advantage to nearly a second over Zane Smith while Kligerman settled in third ahead of Enfinger and Crafton. By then, Chandler Smith, who dominated the first half of the event, was mired in ninth while Kraus, Friesen and Eckes were in sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively.

When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Majeski remained as the leader by more than a second over Zane Smith. With Smith unable to close back the deficit, Majeski was able to navigate his way around Bristol for a final circuit as he cycled back to the frontstretch and claim his first checkered flag in the series.

With the victory, Majeski, who claimed his first Truck career win in his 40th series start, became the 120th different competitor to record a victory in the Truck Series as this marked the third consecutive season where the Truck Series Playoff event at Bristol featured a first-time winner. He also recorded the second victory of the season for ThorSport Racing and the 11th for Toyota as he joined Corey Heim as the only competitors to achieve their first Truck wins this season.

By clinching a spot for the Championship Round finale at Phoenix Raceway in November, Majeski will contend for his first NASCAR national touring series championship in his first full-time season in the Truck circuit and without having to place his focus towards the upcoming Round of 8 events at Talladega Superspeedway and at Homestead-Miami Speedway in October. Prior to his first victory, he had achieved three poles, three stage victories, eight top-five results, 13 top-10 results and an average-finishing result of 9.8 through the previous 19 scheduled events of 2022.

“Man, this is unbelievable,” Majeski said on FS1. “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this. [Owners] Duke, Rhonda Thorson, Allison [Thorson], thank you for this opportunity. Just so proud to be here. We came guns blazing for this race, took our best truck. [Crew chief] Joe [Shear Jr.] was aggressive on pit strategy. [It] Got us out front. We were able to get it done. This is so cool. My career’s been so up and down. There’s been a lot of people to help me get to this point. It’s so cool. I know my late model guys are watching back at the shop. They’re the big reason why I’m here. My parents, my fiancé. This is just so damn cool. Man, I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”

Meanwhile, Zane Smith rallied from starting at the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments made to his truck to finish in the runner-up spot for his seventh top-two finish of the season. The result was enough for Smith to leave Bristol in third place in the Playoff standings and 21 points above the top-four cutline to the finale.

“A good salvage of the night,” Smith said. “We worked on our Speedco Ford. The only chance we got, and I felt like went the right direction. I wished I could’ve done a few things different there. Obviously, take the top [lane]. [The] Top [lane] always launches better here. I was so bad if I was outside of the PJ1 [TrackBite] or wherever it is. I didn’t want to get freight-trained on the top. I tried matching [Majeski]. I did the first time and the second time, he just got me. He was just ultimately better than us, but [it was a] never give up kind of a night. That’s what it takes to get in the Final Four.”

Parker Kligerman emerged as the highest non-Playoff contender of the night after finishing in third place for his fourth top-five result of the season while Enfinger and Crafton finished in the top five.

“We qualified 28th legitimately on speed,” Kligerman said. “I think we just kind of stole a third-place finish, but I’m proud of everyone at Henderson Motorsports. We have now, I believe, at least I have finished in every position within the top five except for first at this racetrack. I wanna win here so bad, and I can see it. I can taste it. I feel like I can touch it, whether it’s dirt or concrete. We just can’t quite get there. Tonight, though, we got to be really proud because I think after practice and qualifying, I was legitimately worried that we were gonna be a lap down within 15 laps and be riding around this place. [Crew chief] Chris Carrier and everyone stuck it through. We found ourselves in the top five…We just didn’t have enough.”

Pole-sitter Kraus, Friesen, Eckes, Chandler Smith and Corey Heim completed the top 10 on the track. Nemechek and Rhodes were the two Playoff contenders to finish outside of the top 10 in 12th and 18th, respectively. 

There were three lead changes for four different leaders. The race featured six cautions for 49 laps.

Results.

1. Ty Majeski, 45 laps led

2. Zane Smith, 39 laps led

3. Parker Kligerman

4. Grant Enfinger

5. Matt Crafton

6. Derek Kraus, 27 laps led

7. Stewart Friesen

8. Christian Eckes

9. Chandler Smith, 89 laps led, Stage 1 & 2 winner

10. Corey Heim

11. Tyler Ankrum

12. John Hunter Nemechek

13. Kaden Honeycutt

14. Hailie Deegan

15. Bayley Currey

16. Taylor Gray

17. Tanner Gray

18. Ben Rhodes 

19. Carson Hocevar

20. Austin Wayne Self

21. Jack Wood

22. Jake Garcia

23. Lawless Alan

24. Colby Howard

25. Jesse Little

26. Timmy Hill 

27. Matt DiBenedetto, one lap down

28. Blaine Perkins, three laps down

29. Leland Honeyman Jr., five laps down

30. Chase Purdy, seven laps down

31. Connor Mosack, eight laps down

32. Dean Thompson – OUT, Accident

33. Chris Hacker – OUT, Suspension

34. Rajah Caruth – OUT, Accident

35. Josh Reaume – OUT, Accident

36. Spencer Boyd – OUT, Accident

*Bold indicates Playoff contenders

Playoff standings

1. Ty Majeski – Advanced

2. Chandler Smith +24

3. Zane Smith +21

4. Stewart Frisen. +9

5. John Hunter Nemechek -9

6. Christian Eckes -13

7. Grant Enfinger -15

8. Ben Rhodes -18

The second Round of 8 event of the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs will occur at Talladega Superspeedway on October 1 with the event’s coverage to commence at 12:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

A GIBBS FAMILY TRADITION: CHASING CHAMPIONSHIPS

  • Ty Gibbs will open as a strong championship favorite when the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs begin next Saturday at TMS with the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300.
  • Grandson of Joe Gibbs was the 2021 Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year and has recorded nine wins in less than two full seasons, including five this year.

FORT WORTH, Texas (September 15, 2022) – Ty Gibbs, the 19-year-old grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and NASCAR Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs, already owns a burgeoning resume in the NASCAR Xfinity Series but next week he begins to focus his attention on a family tradition.

Championships are the name of the game in the Gibbs family and the budding star will be among the prime title favorites as the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs officially open with next Saturday’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway (2:30 p.m. CT, TV: USA Network Radio: SiriusXM Radio Ch. 90, PRN).

His legendary grandfather has won five Cup Series championships (2000, ‘02, ‘05, ‘15, ‘19), three Super Bowls (XVII, XXII, XXVI) and three Xfinity Series titles (2009, ’16, ’21) in his illustrious career while Ty begins the pursuit of his first of what could be many championship runs in NASCAR’s National Series. His strategy for this playoff run is succinct.

“Winning is the obvious answer,” Gibbs said. “If you win, you advance. And that’s the key.”

Gibbs, driver of the No. 54 Interstate Batteries Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, currently is tied for the series lead in victories (5) with Noah Gragson of JR Motorsports and the two also are battling it out for the No. 1 playoff seed. It will come down to Friday night’s regular-season finale at Bristol Motor Speedway, which will determine the 12-driver playoff field and the seedings.

Gibbs already is assured a playoff berth regardless of his finish, but a win or dominant performance at Bristol could give him the top seed. He also has a remote chance at the regular-season title but will need a poor outing from leader AJ Allmendinger, who holds a commanding 38-point leader over Gibbs with a maximum 60 points available at Bristol.

“We’ve had a good year thus far and I’ve learned a lot,” said Gibbs, the 2021 Xfinity Series rookie of the year. “We’ve won five races but as a competitor you always want more, and I think there are a few more we should have. But overall it’s been a good season and I’ve learned a lot. It’s great working with Chris Gayle (crew chief) and everyone on the 54 and at JGR.”

The elimination-style NASCAR Playoffs is as much about winning as it is survival. A victory in a round automatically advances the driver to the next round but a major mistake in the three-race round format also could be devastating. So will the aggressive Gibbs remain in that attack mode or look to become a bit more conservative?

“Not really, to be honest,” Gibbs said. “The goal is to win races and when you win, you advance. But, if you don’t have a winning car, you want to finish as best you can and not put yourself in the bad spot. It’s just about getting good finishes.”

The Xfinity Series Playoffs opener will be just his second appearance at Texas Motor Speedway. He made his TMS debut in May, when he started seventh and finished 12th.

“Texas is a fun track, and it is an important race to us as Interstate Batteries is based just down the road,” Gibbs said. “So we want to do well for them. It’s a challenging track, but JGR won there twice last year so hopefully we can do it again.”

He also is expected to compete in next Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway. The addition of the Cup Series to his schedule was a result of 23XI Racing driver Kurt Busch being sidelined due to a head injury he sustained from a crash at Pocono in July. Bubba Wallace has moved over to Busch’s No. 45 Toyota and Gibbs is in Wallace’s No. 23 entry.

The double duty may be valuable to Gibbs on the Xfinity Series side of the equation as it does grant him more overall track time on the 1.5-mile oval in which he only has seen once.

“Any track time is good,” said Gibbs, who will be making his ninth Cup start of the season at Bristol on Saturday night. “Just making laps in a competitive environment helps. I’m learning a lot each week and Billy Scott (crew chief) is helping me as is everyone at 23XI.”

The three-race opening round will test the diversity of the Xfinity Series drivers’ skill sets with a 1.5-mile oval (Texas), 2.66-mile superspeedway (Talladega) and a road course (Charlotte ROVAL), respectively. Of Gibbs’ nine career wins, four have come on 1.5-mile ovals (Atlanta, Charlotte, Kansas, Las Vegas) and three on road courses (Daytona, Road America, Watkins Glen).

It would appear that the opening-round races would play in Gibbs’ favor given his success on those type of tracks.

“Yes and no,” Gibbs said. “Talladega is a wild card, but it does help that it’s the ROVAL and a 1.5-mile oval. At the end of the day, it’s all about winning or putting yourself in the best possible position each week to advance to the next round.”

The Round of 8 will follow and consist of Las Vegas (Oct. 15), Homestead-Miami (Oct. 22) and Martinsville (Oct. 29). That round will determine which four drivers will battle for the title at Phoenix on Nov. 5.

Texas Motor Speedway will play host to the 2022 NASCAR Playoffs next week. The NASCAR Playoffs doubleheader will be highlighted by the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 on Saturday, Sept. 24 (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, Sept. 25 (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 (Sept. 21), qualifying races Thursday and Friday (Sept. 22-23) and mains and finals Saturday (Sept. 24). 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 next week’s NASCAR Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 weekend, 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.

Petty GMS Race Preview: Bristol Motor Speedway II

Ty Dillon, No. 42 EG3 Technologies Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Dillon at Bristol Motor Speedway: Ty Dillon has made nine starts at the Last Great Coliseum in his NASCAR Cup Series career, dating back to 2016. Out of those starts, Dillon has amassed four Top-20 finishes, with a track best of 15th place. He most recently finished 18th in the 2020 night race.

The veteran also has made eleven Bristol starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, posting four Top-fives and eight Top-10 finishes, with a best result of fourth place. Dillon has also competed in three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events at the speedway, earning one Top-10 finish with a best result of sixth.

  • High Tech Partnership: Dillon’s No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will feature EG3 Technologies as his primary sponsor this week for their second race of the season in Bristol. The company is headquartered on the Petty GMS campus in Statesville, NC, and was formed when Spencer Gallagher made the transition from racing as a NASCAR driver to pursuing entrepreneurship opportunities.
  • About EG3 Technologies: Founded in 2018, EG3 Technologies LLC is a privately held Small Business Enterprise (SBE) providing Part 145 Repair Capabilities, advanced hybrid manufacturing, and electro-mechanical design/assembly solutions for government agencies and businesses that have requirements for extreme performance and reliability. EG3’s founding vision came through the observations and experiences of its creators, which underscored the need for an agile organization that can provide business and government agencies with rapid development of the innovative, high-performance solutions they rely on. EG3’s entry into the marketplace has been received with accolades, with multiple customer testimonies to the high standards of their innovation and execution, as well as their exceptional communication and client responsiveness. Since 2020, EG3 has created dedicated Government and Large Business verticals to better address the needs of requirements of its large-scale clients. - Trackside Appearances: Fans attending the Bass Pro Shops Night Race will have two opportunities to meet Ty Dillon throughout the weekend:

Food City Stage: Dillon will host a Q&A appearance at the Food City Stage in the BMS Fan Zone on Friday afternoon from 2:00 PM to 2:15 PM ET.
Chevy Display: Dillon will be at the Chevy Display in the BMS Fan Zone from 5:00 PM to 5:15 PM ET on Saturday evening.

  • Crew Chief Change: Earlier in the week, Petty GMS team officials announced that Ty Dillon will have new personnel atop the No. 42 pit box. Beginning this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, Chad Norris will be stepping in to serve as the interim crew chief for the remainder of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season.
  • From the Drivers Seat: When we last visited Bristol in the spring, you fought hard to secure your first Top-10 of the season. What mindset do you bring as we head back there this weekend?

“For sure, when we raced on Bristol’s dirt configuration in the spring time, our No. 42 team put together a fantastic race. We were able to win our heat race, which gave us the track position that we needed to be in contention throughout the entire race. However, as we return this weekend, it’s going to be a completely different animal because nobody has any laps on this surface with the NextGen car. At the end of the day though, Bristol will always be Bristol in the sense that you need to survive all 500 laps to have a shot at a decent result. If we can unload our EG3 Technologies Chevy with speed right off the truck, I think we can have another solid showing.”

Erik Jones, No. 43 U.S. Air Force Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Jones at Bristol Motor Speedway: This weekend NASCAR heads to the short track of Bristol Motor Speedway where Erik Jones has seen success and strong runs across all three national series.

Jones will make his 10th-career Cup Series start at the Tennessee track on Saturday night driving the No. 43 U.S. Air Force Chevy. In his previous nine starts, Jones has four top-five finishes, five top-10 finishes, one pole starting position and 293 laps led. His best finish in the Cup Series came in his second Cup Start at the track in 2017 when he led 260 of 500 laps before being passed late in the race by Kyle Busch and had to settle for a second-place finish.

In the Xfinity Series, Jones has six starts with two wins (2016, 2017), three top-five finishes, four top-10 finishes, three pole starting positions and 120 laps led. With one lone start in the Truck Series at the track, Jones started the race fourth and finished sixth in 2015.

  • Erik Jones Sightings: Fans attending Saturday’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway will have several chances to see Erik Jones before the race:

Food City Stage: Jones will be at the Food City Stage in the Fan Midway for a Q & A Session from 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. ET.
U.S. Air Force: Following his appearance at the Food City Stage, Jones will make his way to the U.S. Air Force display from 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET.

  • Aim High: The U.S. Air Force will serve as the primary partner for Jones and the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro team for Saturday’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The brand-new dark green paint scheme, designed by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Brockman, was inspired by the famous B-29 Superfortress with glass up front and riveted panel design.
  • About Air Force Recruiting Service: The mission of Air Force Recruiting Service is to inspire, engage and recruit the next generation of Airmen and Space professionals. We are looking for America’s best and brightest to fill approximately 30,000 opportunities in more than 200 Air Force specialties, as well as more than 300 space professionals in approximately 27 specific career fields in fiscal 2021. Additionally, our total force partners, the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard are collectively hiring more than 19,000 part-time Airmen. Our military recruits to retain, providing tough, highly technical training that gives our future servicemembers the right skills to sustain the combat capability of America’s Air Force and protect our nation’s interests in space. For more information about Air Force and U.S. Space Force benefits and opportunities, go to www.airforce.com.
  • From the Driver’s Seat: “I’m really looking to Bristol this weekend with our U.S. Airforce Chevy team. It’s been one of my better tracks through the years in every series. I just really enjoy racing there. I don’t know what the Next Gen car is going to race like there, that’s going to be a pretty new experience for everybody and trying to figure out how it’s going to work. I always look forward to getting to Bristol and look forward to seeing what this car is going to race like there. Hopefully it has some similarities to what the old car was there.”

ABOUT PETTY GMS:

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

SOCIAL MEDIA:

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

U.S. Legend Cars International Lowers Age Requirements For Racing Bandoleros and Legend Cars

  • Children ages seven and up can now race Bandoleros in sanctioned events
  • Children ages 10 and up can now race Legend Cars in sanctioned events

HARRISBURG, N.C. (Sept. 15, 2022) – For the first time since the introduction of Legend Cars more than three decades ago, aspiring drivers can get behind the wheel of America’s most popular spec series race car starting at age ten. U.S. Legend Car International and INEX executives announced today that minimum age requirements for Bandoleros will move from eight to seven and for Legend Cars from 12 to 10, effective immediately.

The entry level Bandolero Bandit division will now include drivers ages seven to 12, and the entry level Legend Car Young Lions division will include drivers ages 10-15. National events with larger car counts may include select groupings for less experienced drivers in order for them to compete against their peers. U.S. Legend Cars International and INEX will continue to work with drivers to develop their progression at their own pace, promoting elevations to more competitive classes as their skills and performance improves.

“Bandolero and Legend Car racing is the premier developmental platform for aspiring race car drivers, and it’s time to introduce our product to a younger demographic,” said Graham Smith, managing director of U.S. Legend Cars International. “We’re proud of the safety and affordability of our cars and look forward to working with talented, young drivers as they join our field of competitors around the world.”

U.S. Legend Cars is a subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports and located in Harrisburg, N.C. The company mass produces affordable spec series Legend and Bandolero race cars for drivers of different ages and experience levels. USLCI has produced more than 9,000 race cars since 1992 at its 68,000 square-foot manufacturing facility. The company features more than 50 dealers across the United States and has sold race cars to drivers in 29 countries worldwide. NASCAR champions such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chase Elliott, Kurt and Kyle Busch, Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick are among the drivers who learned their craft racing Legend Cars as teenagers.

INEX is the international sanctioning body for Legend Car and Bandolero events, managing and promoting all sanctioned racing and racing programs for the cars worldwide. In 2022, INEX will sanction more than 1,900 races in the United States, Canada and Australia. For further information about U.S. Legend Cars International and INEX, visit www.uslegendcars.com.

About US Legend Cars

U.S. Legend Cars International is a leader in motorsports entertainment. With the mission of creating a space where the art of racing is accessible to everyone, U.S. Legend Cars has created an extensive network that includes dozens of dealers across the United States and the entire globe equipped to accommodate any driver’s needs. U.S. Legend Cars International uses only the best parts and accessories in the industry to give drivers high quality cars and experiences out on the racetrack. Further information about U.S. Legend Cars International can be found at www.uslegendcars.com.

Tony Stewart Racing: Reading Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Advance

Leah Pruett & Matt Hagan
Top Fuel | Funny Car
Pep Boys NHRA Nationals
Sept. 16-18 | Reading, Pennsylvania

Event Overview

Friday, Sept. 16 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

● Nitro qualifying session (Q1): 5:45 p.m. EDT

Saturday, Sept. 17 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

● Nitro qualifying session (Q2): 1:15 p.m. EDT

● Nitro qualifying session (Q3): 4:45 p.m. EDT

Sunday, Sept. 18 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

● Round 1: 10:30 a.m. EDT

● Round 2: 12:45 p.m. EDT

● Semi-Finals: 2:15 p.m. EDT

● Finals: 3:40 p.m. EDT

TV coverage on FS1/FOX

● Friday, Sept. 16: Qualifying show (7 p.m. EDT on FS1)

● Sunday, Sept. 18: Qualifying show recapping Saturday’s action (11 a.m. EDT on FS1)

● Sunday, Sept. 18: Finals show (2-4 p.m. EDT on FOX and 4:30-6:30 p.m. EDT on FOX – check local listings)

Notes of Interest

● The Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Sept. 16-18 at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading, Pennsylvania, is the 17th race on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ 22-race schedule. However, it’s the opening round in the six-race Countdown to the Championship, where both Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers – Leah Pruett in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan in Funny Car – are ready to make a title run in their respective divisions. The top-10 drivers in each of the NHRA’s four professional categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – compete in the Countdown.

● This year’s Countdown marks Pruett’s sixth appearance in the NHRA postseason and Hagan’s 11th. Pruett is seventh heading into the Countdown, 140 points behind leader Brittany Force. Hagan is third, 40 points behind leader Robert Hight.

● Pruett has a winning career record (9-6) against No. 1 seed Force, but she has lost to the 2017 series champion both times they have met at Maple Grove – in 2016 when Pruett was the No. 1 qualifier and in 2021. Pruett’s overall record in Countdown events is 40-40. She is seeking her first Countdown event win.

● Hagan is 120-60 in the Countdown. His best Countdown season was 2014 when he went 18-3 en route to his second Funny Car title. There was no Countdown in 2020 when Hagan won his third Funny Car championship. He and Hight are tied for the most Countdown wins at 12 apiece. (Cruz Pedregon is next best with nine Countdown wins.)

● Pruett comes into Reading representing the Rayce Rudeen Foundation on her blue-and-yellow Top Fuel dragster. Hagan, meanwhile, sports the familiar silver, black and red scheme of Dodge Power Brokers on his Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car.

● The Rayce Rudeen Foundation is a non-profit organization that works with organizations and programs to encourage a healthy and productive life that is free of addiction. The designated 501(c)(3) is named in honor of Rayce Rudeen, who at age 26 passed away from an accidental Fentanyl overdose. Since its inception, the Rayce Rudeen Foundation has advocated for creating a supportive community in which everyone can access prevention, treatment, recovery and family-support services, all free from stigma. By collaborating with local universities, researchers, organizations, businesses and community coalitions, the Rayce Rudeen Foundation is leading communities toward a united and compassionate response to addiction by identifying gaps in care and building educational tools.

● The Dodge Power Brokers program serves as the exclusive source for Direct Connection, Dodge’s factory-backed performance parts program, which is equipped with staff trained to deliver a performance-focused customer service experience. Dodge//SRT and Mopar have supported Hagan since his rookie season in 2009.

● The Pep Boys NHRA Nationals will serve as Pruett’s 188th career Top Fuel start and her ninth at Maple Grove. For Hagan, this will be his 310th career Funny Car start and his 13th at the track.

● Pruett is seeking her first victory in the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals. However, she does have No. 1 qualifier at the event, earned on Oct. 1, 2016 with a run of 3.705 seconds. Pruett has 10 career Top Fuel wins.

● Pruett made her only Funny Car start at Maple Grove in 2011 when she qualified No. 16 before losing to Johnny Gray in Round 1.

● Hagan won the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in 2014. His run of 4.330 ET at 215.00 mph defeated Tommy Johnson (5.465 ET at 152.31 mph). Hagan also has two No. 1 qualifiers at Maple Grove – 2010 when he set a then NHRA national record 4.011 ET and in 2016 with a 3.873 ET.

● Hagan had to sit out last year’s race at Maple Grove due to COVID-19 protocols, but Tommy Johnson Jr., filled in for him and won the race in Hagan’s Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car with Dickie Venables as crew chief, beating John Force in the final round.

● Maple Grove was Hagan’s first race as a Funny Car driver in 2008, but he failed to make the starting field. It seemed to only light Hagan’s fire, as he has gone on to win three Funny Car championships and 42 races.

Leah Pruett, Driver of the Rayce Rudeen Foundation Top Fuel Dragster

In TSR’s inaugural season, both you and your teammate are in the Countdown to the Championship. Talk about that.

“Qualifying for the countdown was in our expectation wheelhouse. I’m very proud of my men for consistently executing their talents and work ethic to the level we believed true from the beginning. I’m even more proud of the attitudes they carry and enthusiasm to apply the best full-court press plays we have.”

You and your crew tested prior to Reading. How will that additional track time help in advance of the Countdown?

“Our test session is extremely performance-point focused. What we have in mind can fundamentally improve our acceleration package. We should know in a short number of runs if it’s a package we want to be dedicated to. However, we do not want to take the risk in Reading qualifying without having important data, especially since there are only three qualifying runs.”

You first ran the Rayce Rudeen Foundation Top Fuel dragster at the Sonoma Nationals, where you earned No. 1 qualifier and advanced to Round 2. Describe the importance of running their scheme again, knowing all the foundation is accomplishing.

“The honor I have to carry the Rayce Rudeen Foundation colors and spread their message is incredible. I feel like we made a great impact on the West Coast and helped many families and individuals struggling with addiction. I’m looking forward to making a difference on the East Coast, as well as advance in the Countdown.”

Matt Hagan, Driver of the Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car

In TSR’s inaugural season, both you and your teammate are in the Countdown to the Championship. Talk about that.

“Even though it’s the first season with TSR, we’ve had this group together a long time and we’ve always been in the championship hunt with Dickie Venables (crew chief), Mike Knudsen (co-crew chief) and Alex Conaway (car chief). It’s nice when you can keep a group together because everyone knows what to expect. The crew can push hard to run hard and I have to dig deep on the tree. It’s going to take everything from everybody to win this thing this year. Everyone has closed the gap for how fast they’re running compared to how fast we’re running. No one really has an edge on anybody. It’s going to come down to reaction times and crew chiefs, so it’ll be tough. We have to dig deep and work hard.”

You and your crew tested prior to Reading. How will that additional track time help in advance of the Countdown?

“Anytime you get to shake the car down, it’s a plus. I’m always begging to test and run the car more, so any time we can take hits, it’ll be for the better. I’m excited to get out there and try a couple things the crew wants to work on. It’s another chance to see the tree and hit the lights. The seat time is irreplaceable.”

You are 120-60 in your 12-year Countdown career. What is your mindset entering Reading and what would a fourth championship mean?

“We’ve had a lot of good wins, but we’ve also runnered-up a bunch. We have to give it all because it’ll take all. We saw that last race at Indy, losing by .006 to (Robert) Hight. At the end of the day, the win light didn’t come on, so as a group, we all have to do more. I’m ready to come in and rip people’s heads off. We’re going into battle and it’s a war. This is the closest thing you get to gladiators nowadays. It’s the same thing with football and other stick-and-ball sports. This is what we’ve waited all year long to do. We have to give it all and sacrifice mindset and mentality to go out there and win this thing.”

Burton, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Prepping for Bristol Night Race

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are headed into Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway not exactly sure how the race will play out other than it is expected to be a crowd pleaser.

The 500-lap race will be the first Cup Series event contested on the high-banked, half-mile concrete racing surface since the introduction earlier this year of an all-new car. The first Cup race of the season at Bristol was run with a dirt surface atop the concrete.

Brian Wilson, crew chief of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang, said he’s looking forward to racing at Bristol and the challenges that come with it.

“Bristol always gets everyone in the industry excited, and personally I’m no different,” he said. “It’s certainly in my top three for favorite tracks.”

He said the information the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team gathered at Bristol in April, won’t be any help this time around.

“We were able to get a top-20 finish in the first race there, but there’s absolutely nothing we can take from the dirt race that can help us this weekend,” Wilson said, adding that nonetheless he and the team are doing all they can to be ready for Saturday night’s 500-lapper. “In our prep this week a majority of the discussion has centered around how the track will change throughout the weekend.”

A lot of the changes will be related to NASCAR’s application of PJ-1 to the bottom groove of the race track.

“How well this added grip lasts through the race is the first question,” Wilson said. “Historically you’ve wanted to run in the PJ-1 when the tires are new. As the run progresses you’ll move up the track. At times the high groove will rubber in to a point where you’ll start to move back down on a really long run.

“Lately our Goodyear tires have put down a decent amount of rubber so we expect that this may be the case on Saturday night.”

But Wilson pointed out that to be successful will require more than just staying in the fastest lane especially when it comes to dealing with race traffic, which is common at Bristol.

“Harrison and I have talked about the best ways to be versatile, both with the car setup and in his driving style,” he said. “We know that to have a good night we’ll need to run where the other cars aren’t and be aggressive in making passes.

“The action happens so quickly at Bristol that there isn’t a lot of time to think through situations. Doing our homework during the week will hopefully allow us to read and react to anything that’s thrown at the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford team on Saturday night.”

Practice for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race is set for Friday at 4:35 p.m. to be immediately followed by qualifying.

Saturday’s race is scheduled to start just after 7:30 p.m., with TV coverage on USA Network.

Stage breaks are planned for Laps 125 and 250.

About Motorcraft
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford and Lincoln Dealers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.

About Omnicraft
Omnicraft is part of the Ford lineup of parts brands: Ford Parts, Motorcraft and Omnicraft. Omnicraft is the exclusive non-Ford/Lincoln parts brand of premium aftermarket parts. With over a century of parts heritage to build upon, Omnicraft provides excellent quality and fit and is a preferred choice of professional automotive technicians. To find out more about Omnicraft, visit www.omnicraftautoparts.com or contact your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership.

About Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change & maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator & electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension & steering, wheel alignment, belts & hoses, lamps & bulbs, wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services. Ford employs approximately 187,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.

*See seller for limited-warranty details.

Wood Brothers Racing

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

15-Year-Old Katie Hettinger Takes Pioneering Spirit to ARCA Menards Series West

Winningest Female Racer in Hickory Motor Speedway History Will Make ARCA Debut
Oct. 14 at Las Vegas Bullring Before Competing Again Nov. 4 in Season Finale at Phoenix Raceway

DRYDEN, Mich. (Sept. 15, 2022) – At just 15 years old, Katie Hettinger’s racing resume is already filled with some trail-blazing accomplishments:

● Won the 2020 Champion Racing Association (CRA) Junior Late Model Series title to become the first and only female champion in the CRA’s 25-year history.

● In the span of two weeks in September 2021, Hettinger became the youngest female race winner at North Carolina’s Hickory Motor Speedway when she won the 50-lap Limited Late Model feature Sept. 4 as part of the Bobby Isaac Memorial event. She then became Hickory’s youngest female Late Model race winner on Sept. 18 when she won the track’s 75-lap feature, further burnishing Hickory’s moniker as the Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars.

● Hettinger has won four more Late Model races at Hickory in 2022 to become the winningest female racer in the track’s 72-year history.

With those accomplishments firmly in hand, despite a Michigan driver’s license remaining out of reach until the Dryden native turns 16, Hettinger is preparing for her next step on the racing ladder. On Oct. 14 at the Las Vegas Bullring, Hettinger will make her debut in the ARCA Menards Series West. In fact, it will be the first of two ARCA races for the high school sophomore, as Hettinger will also compete in the West Series finale Nov. 4 at Phoenix Raceway.

“Anytime I get in a racecar, my goal is to win, but ARCA is a step up with strong teams and talented drivers, so the more realistic expectation is to finish Las Vegas among the top-five and, ideally, the top-three,” Hettinger said. “Phoenix is a bigger track – the biggest one I’ll have ever been on – so that will be a little more challenging. A top-10 at Phoenix would be great.”

Hettinger will compete in both races with Young’s Motorsports, driving the No. 02 Chevrolet with support from Wheeler Trucking, a leader in automotive transportation services, and bradCM Incorporated, a privately owned and operated general contracting firm.

The .375-mile Las Vegas Bullring is akin to many of the short tracks Hettinger has experienced in Late Models. Phoenix, however, is a fast and flat, 1-mile oval that hosts the championship finales for NASCAR’s top-three series – Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck.

“Every time I get into a new car, I just drive it like I normally would,” said Hettinger, who has made over a hundred starts in Late Model and Limited Late Model competition. “I don’t usually struggle with switching classes or cars or anything like that.”

Nonetheless, Hettinger is aware that ARCA represents a new style of racing, and she is already putting in the time to adapt to the 3,400-pound ARCA car.

“I want to make sure I’m successful when I get to the Las Vegas Bullring and when we race at Phoenix, so we’re testing with the ARCA car and I’m doing a lot of sim training before and after those tests,” Hettinger said.

“The main thing that I’ve found to be different with the ARCA car is you have to back up your entry into the corners. With the Late Model, you can drive it deep into the corner, which is what I like. With the ARCA car, you have to be a little more patient. You have to wait a little bit longer to get back to the gas.”

Hettinger is a third-generation racer who attended her first race at only four weeks old. Her grandfather, Jim Hettinger, raced open-wheel Midgets and Sprint Cars and won two Midget championships in 1984 and 1990, accolades that earned him a spot in the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame. Her father, Chris Hettinger, was also a winning open-wheel racer, primarily in Midgets. It wasn’t long before Katie’s name began appearing on entry lists and at the top of race results.

By age five, she was racing Quarter Midgets. At first, it was only locally, but soon Hettinger was racing regionally and then nationally, collecting more than 40 wins.

At nine, she moved up to Junior Sprints and 600cc Micro Sprints, competing on dirt from 2016 through 2018. But pavement beckoned. An 11-year-old Hettinger transitioned to full-bodied stock cars in the CRA Junior Late Model Series and she proved to be a quick study.

After finishing fourth in the 2019 championship and earning the Sportsman of the Year award, Hettinger upped her game in 2020. She took two wins and earned three fast-time awards, one of which set a new track record at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway, and ended the season as the 2020 CRA Junior Late Model Series champion.

Since turning 14 in June 2021 and getting her NASCAR license, Hettinger scrapped the “Junior” tag from her Late Model. She regularly competes at the highest level of local stock car racing, commuting from Michigan to race in the southeastern hotbed of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, with the .363-mile Hickory oval being one of Hettinger’s more frequented tracks.

“I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish at Hickory, but I didn’t go there to become the winningest female racer. I went there to win races, just like all the other guys there,” Hettinger said. “I’m the same as everybody else. I’m just there to win races.”

With four wins in her eight visits to Hickory this year, Hettinger has accomplished her goal. Making those triumphs even more impressive is that Hettinger has done it while juggling school in her home state of Michigan. Three of her wins this year came while she was a freshman at Almont High School – April 30, May 7 and May 21. Her most recent victory on July 23 was the only one to come while she was out of school on summer break.

“I juggle everything I do with sports and school and it can be hard sometimes, but a lot of people are very understanding and I’m able to stay on top of it,” said Hettinger, an avid outdoorswoman who also enjoys hunting and fishing. “I still get mostly A’s and some B’s, and I play a lot of school sports, so sometimes I miss a volleyball game or a basketball game but, overall, I’m able to manage it.”

Beyond the pit crew that helps her at the track, Hettinger has the full support of her family as she chases her NASCAR dream. This includes her 12-year-old sister Grace and 4-year-old brother Keith.

“My mom and dad are very supportive and understanding, and my sister is a competitive dancer and plays volleyball. My little brother loves racing and he always wants to go see Katie’s racecar. They’re all in this dream as much as I am.”