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Coca-Cola 600 Returns Memorial Day Weekend; Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 Remains In October Playoff Slot for 2023

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Drivers take the green flag in the 2022 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The iconic event will once again be held on Memorial Day Weekend in 2023. (CMS/HHP photo)
  • The 64th running of the iconic Coca-Cola 600 will take place May 28, 2022, capping a triple-header weekend of NASCAR action at America’s Home for Racing
  • The Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 returns as the cutoff race for the second round of the NASCAR Playoffs, slated for Oct. 8, 2022

CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 14, 2022) –With NASCAR’s 2023 Cup Series schedule now official, fans can make plans to visit Charlotte Motor Speedway for two of the biggest event weekends of the year, the Coca-Cola 600 and Bank of America ROVAL™ 400, which will maintain their familiar May and October weekend dates next season.

As it has for more than 60 years, Charlotte Motor Speedway will host the iconic Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend, running NASCAR’s toughest test of man and machine on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Fans from across the country and around the world will once again join the speedway to honor the service men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces during a patriotic pre-race salute to the troops, including representation from all six branches of the military, moving musical performances, a dramatic flyover and much more. The Coca-Cola 600 will cap a triple-header of racing action, which will also feature the N.C. Education Lottery 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday, May 26, 2023, and the Alsco Uniforms 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Maintaining its spot as the final race in the Round of 12 for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, will again prove pivotal for drivers chasing a coveted 2023 Cup Series championship. The innovative 2.28-mile, 17-turn course will push drivers to the breaking point and mark the end of the road for four title contenders. The weekend will also feature NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers dueling for a key playoff win in the Drive for the Cure 250 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

“For more than six decades, the Coca-Cola 600 weekend has represented tradition, perseverance and determination – traits that mirror those of the brave service men and women that we have the privilege to honor each Memorial Day,” said Greg Walter, executive vice president and general manager at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “Add that to the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400’s critical place in the second round of the Cup Series Playoffs and fans have plenty to look forward to at America’s Home for Racing next season. Our team embraces the opportunity to raise the bar for fans year after year and we are already hard at work making sure 2023 is our best year yet.”

TICKETS:

Adult tickets and camping for both the 64th running of the Coca-Cola 600 and next season’s Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 800-455-FANS.

Tickets are still available for this year’s Bank of America ROVAL™ 400. Tickets start at just $49 for adults and are just $10 for children ages 12 and under.

FOLLOW US:

Keep track of all of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s events by following on Twitter and Instagram or become a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

Roush Fenway Keselowski Weekly Advance | Bristol II

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The annual Bristol Night Race is next on the calendar for the NASCAR circuit, as RFK takes its two Ford Mustangs to ‘The World’s Fastest Half Mile’ this weekend to try and steal a victory in the final race of the opening round of the 2022 NASCAR Playoffs.

NASCAR Cup Series Race at Bristol
Saturday, Sept. 17 | 7:30 p.m. ET
USA, PRN, SiriusXM Channel 90

Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Kohler Generators Ford Mustang
Chris Buescher, No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang

Runner Up

RFK’s storied history at Bristol began on April 10, 1988 with the No. 6 NCS car earning a second-place finish. Since that time, in addition to the organization’s 11 NCS wins at the track, RFK Fords have finished second at Bristol on 15 occasions (7 NCS, 4 NXS, 4 NCWTS).

One-Two Punch

RFK’s most recent victory at Bristol came after sweeping the top two positions in the March 2014 event with former driver Carl Edwards taking the victory and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. coming home in second. Edwards led the final 78 laps of the event to earn the victory.

History and Hot Streaks at “Thunder Valley”

RFK’s history at Bristol has been one of hot streaks, including trips to victory lane in nine of the last 20 seasons at the famed short track. RFK swept the track in 2003 and put a NCS car in victory lane at least once in every season from 2002-2008.

Thunder Rolls

RFK has earned five victories, 23 top-five finishes, 37 top-10 finishes and an average finish of 15.8 at Bristol in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Former RFK driver David Ragan earned the organization’s most recent Xfinity victory at the .533-mile short track in the Aug. 2009 event.

Tale of the Tape

RFK has started 217 NCS races at Bristol, recording 11 total wins with 50 top-five and 88 top-10 finishes. RFK Fords have an average finish of 16.0 with 3396 laps led all-time.

RFK Bristol Wins

1993-2 Martin Cup

1996-1 Martin NXS

1997-1 Burton NXS

1998-2 Martin Cup

2002-1 Busch Cup

2003-1 Busch Cup

2003-2 Busch Cup

2003-2 Busch Cup

2004-1 Busch Cup

2004 Edwards Truck

2005-2 Kenseth Cup

2006-2 Kenseth Cup

2006 Martin Truck

2006-2 Kenseth NXS

2007-1 Edwards NXS

2007-2 Edwards Cup

2008-2 Edwards Cup

2009-2 Ragan NXS

2014 -1 Edwards Cup

NASCAR PLAYOFFS, INDYCAR/NASCAR DOUBLEHEADER HIGHLIGHT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY’S 2023 MAJOR EVENTS SCHEDULE

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  • 2023 NASCAR Playoffs racing action returns Sept. 23-24 with the Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 and the Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300
  • April 1-2 NTT INDYCAR SERIES/NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series doubleheader weekend officially opens 2023 major event season
  • Ducks Unlimited Expo, Good Guys, Fuel Fest, C-10 Nationals, Bandas y Trocas, LS Fest and much more to fill full calendar of speedway activities
  • 2023 Season Tickets and camping on sale now with savings up to 33 percent

FORT WORTH, Texas (Sept. 14, 2022) – Texas Motor Speedway will again host the very best in motorsports competition in 2023, highlighted by the NASCAR Playoffs weekend in September and an NTT INDYCAR SERIES / NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series doubleheader weekend in April.

The 2023 schedule will mark the 27th consecutive season that “The Great American Speedway” will showcase both NASCAR and INDYCAR competition since the Fort Worth facility opened in 1997.

“Texas Motor Speedway is proud to once again provide our race fans with the very best in NASCAR and INDYCAR competition,” said Texas Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Mark Faber. “The 2023 NASCAR Playoffs weekend next September will have the very same high intensity and fantastic competition that we’re expecting in next week’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 and Andy’s Frozen Custard 300. We are very happy to have the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races paired together again, returning a traditional fan-favorite race weekend to the speedway in April after three years apart. There’s also a wide array of spectator events and activities scheduled at the speedway throughout 2023 for our guests to enjoy whether they’re race fans or not.”

The incredible intensity of the NASCAR Playoffs schedule, with its win-and-move-on mentality, will return to Texas Motor Speedway on Sept. 23-24. The NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500, the first race in the Round of 12 (the second round), is scheduled to take place Sunday, Sept. 24. The biggest names in NASCAR, including Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, and Kyle Larson will be chasing a victory to punch their ticket to the next round of the playoffs.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300, scheduled for Sept. 23, will be the first race in the Round of 12 (the opening round) of the series’ NASCAR Playoffs schedule. Top series teams from JR Motorsports, Kaulig Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing, with drivers like AJ Allmendinger, Justin Allgaier and Austin Hill, will all be competing for the unique Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 trophy.

Texas Motor Speedway is proud to once again host the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2023. The April 2 race, the first in a multi-year partnership with INDYCAR, will be the 27th consecutive year, and 36th race overall, that the country’s best open-wheel racing will compete side-by-side at more than 200 mph on the 1.5-mile oval.

This year’s highly competitive NTT INDYCAR SERIES race in March saw Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden pass teammate Scott McLaughlin in the outside lane on the last turn of the final lap to win by just 0.0669 of a second. That margin of victory turned out to be the series’ closest in the entire 2022 season.

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series returns as the first race of a weekend doubleheader with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES on Saturday, April 1, after three years apart. The two series ran a doubleheader weekend together at the speedway from 1997 through 2019.

Additional major spectator events at Texas Motor Speedway next year will include the Ducks Unlimited Expo, Goodguys Rod & Custom Shows, the C-10 Nationals, and LS Fest as well as music festivals BMF Fest and Bandas y Trocas.

Fan amenities that will still be new at the speedway in 2023 will feature several No Limits Next facility upgrades like the three open-air bars, the world’s longest belly-up bar, and drink rails and increased leg room in a major portion of the grandstand area.

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.

Texas Motor Speedway will play host to the 2022 NASCAR Playoffs next weekend. The 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 2022 NASCAR Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 weekend, including individual day tickets for C. Bell’s Micro Mania, please visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.

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.

65th Annual DAYTONA 500 to Open 2023 NASCAR Cup Season While Coke Zero Sugar 400 Will Again Serve as Pivotal Cutoff Race for the Playoffs

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Official Release
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NASCAR, Which Turns 75 in ’23, Announces Schedules for its Three Top-Tier Series; Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth to Also Feature the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series While the Xfinity Series Returns Again in August

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2022) – The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series schedule was announced today, and like 2022, the DAYTONA 500, NASCAR’s biggest and most prestigious event, will kick off NASCAR’s 75th Anniversary season while the Coke Zero Sugar 400 will again be final race of the regular season. In addition, the schedules for the NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series ’23 schedules were released.

The 65th annual DAYTONA 500, which has had tickets (starting at $99) on sale since June, is again set for Presidents’ Day Weekend, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. It will mark the 42nd straight year (dating back to 1982) The Great American Race has started off NASCAR’s season. Tickets are selling fast for the DAYTONA 500 and fans are encouraged to make their plans now and can do so by visiting www.DAYTONA500.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

Fans will again see the NASCAR’s Next Gen cars in competition on the 31-degree banking during Thursday’s (Feb. 16) Bluegreen Vacations Duel races, which will set the starting field for the 65th annual DAYTONA 500, as part of Speedweeks Presented By AdventhHealth. Friday, Feb. 17, the NEXTera Energy 250 for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will get the green flag while Saturday (Feb. 18) will see the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The ARCA Menards Series will also be in competition during Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth.

Next year’s summer classic, the Coke Zero Sugar 400, is set for Saturday evening, Aug. 26. Last month, for the third time in history, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 served as the last-chance, cutoff race for the playoffs and delivered in dramatic fashion as Austin Dillon held off furious challenges by a host of drivers to take the final spot in the Cup Series Playoffs. Friday, Aug. 25, the Wawa 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race kicks off the much-anticipated week. For ticket information on the Coke Zero Sugar 400, fans can call 1-800-PITSHOP or log onto www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

“The energy and excitement of our 2022 DAYTONA 500 and Coke Zero Sugar 400 was unprecedented,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “And we expect even more in 2023. Fans will get to be a part of the pageantry of the season-opening Great American Race, as well as all of our events as part of Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, and we will have more experiences for families and friends alike to enjoy.

“The excitement for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 continues to be at an all-time high, especially with the introduction of NASCAR’s Next Gen car as the sport has produced a record number of winners. The pressure to get into the playoffs is immense. Just ask Austin Dillon, who has been able to win the Coke Zero Sugar 400 and punch his ticket to this year’s playoffs. We can’t wait for that same level of excitement in 2023.”

Guests at Daytona are guaranteed to experience edge-of-your-seat excitement in a state-of-the-art motorsports facility with amenities that include more than 101,500 seats, thousands of premium club seats, 40 escalators and 17 elevators, 60 luxury suites, social “neighborhoods” and three concourse levels that span the nearly mile-long frontstretch.

Fans wishing to attend the 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 can take advantage of an early access pre-sale. Available online or by phone, tickets for the general public start at $49 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and younger. Fans who attended the 2022 event can take advantage of even lower pricing when renewing by the deadline of Dec. 2.

The complete ’23 schedules of all three NASCAR series can be found at www.nascar.com. Start times and television networks for Cup Series races will be also announced at a later date.

Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news.

About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training. The iconic venue was the site of a host of motorsports events early in 2022, beginning with AHRMA Classic Motofest and the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA in January, and the 64th DAYTONA 500, which debuted the first points race for NASCAR’s ‘Next Gen’ car as part of Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, in February. The tradition-rich 81st Annual Bike Week At DAYTONA returned in March, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200. May saw the “Welcome to Rockville” concert and the Heroes Honor Festival while during July 4th weekend, the track, in association with Torneos, hosted the first annual Daytona Soccer Fest. The NASCAR Cup Series returned for the final race of the regular season with the Coke Zero Sugar 400, and the Wawa 250 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The 2023 DAYTONA 500, set for February 19, will kick off the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season.

About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), one local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series) and three international series (NASCAR Pinty’s Series, NASCAR Peak Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Added to 2023 All-Star Weekend Lineup

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Official Release
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  • Adding to an action-packed weekend of racing during NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will make its return to North Wilkesboro Speedway as part of the NASCAR All-Star Weekend, May 19-21
  • Information on ticket availability, formats and complete event schedules will be released at a later date; Visit northwilkesborospeedway.com for the latest information

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (SEPT. 14, 2022) – With the announcement of NASCAR’s full 2023 schedule, fans have even more reason to get excited about the return of NASCAR racing to North Wilkesboro Speedway next year. As part of NASCAR’s return to the famed 0.625-mile short track, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series has been added to the NASCAR All-Star Race weekend, May 19-21, 2023.

The addition of the truck series showdown comes the week after Speedway Motorsports and NASCAR announced that NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season would include a trip to one of the sport’s most storied venues for the NASCAR All-Star Race.

The Truck Series will race Saturday, May 20, as a prelude to the long-awaited return of the Cup Series in the NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday, May 21.

North Wilkesboro, then a dirt track, hosted its first race in May of 1947. Over the next five decades, the 0.625-mile circuit hosted 93 NASCAR Cup Series races – its list of winners a variable who’s who of NASCAR royalty, including Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt, Cale Yarborough and hometown hero Benny Parsons. Next year, the 39th running of the NASCAR All-Star Race will mark the first Cup Series event at North Wilkesboro Speedway since 1996.

The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series last raced at North Wilkesboro in 1996, when NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Mark Martin took the checkered flag. The 2023 event will mark only the third time the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series has raced at North Wilkesboro.

Information on ticket availability and event schedules for on-track competition and fan entertainment will be announced at a later date. Register for the “Join the Movement” email list and follow North Wilkesboro Speedway social channels to stay up-to-date on all the latest information. Both the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race and the NASCAR All-Star Race will be broadcast on FS1, the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

Fans can “Join the Movement” e-mail list for the latest updates surrounding the 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race weekend by visiting www.northwilkesborospeedway.com or follow the North Wilkesboro social channels.

NASCAR Xfinity Series scheduled at Sonoma Raceway for first time ever in 2023

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Joins NASCAR Cup Series in Wine Country

Sonoma, Calif (September 14, 2022) – For the first time ever, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will challenge the picturesque rolling hills of Sonoma Raceway at the DoorDash 250 on Saturday, June 10, 2023.

NASCAR announced today the Xfinity Series will join the NASCAR Cup Series race weekend at Sonoma Raceway next year for the first time in the history of the series as part of its full 2023 season schedule release.  The Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race will return to Sonoma Raceway on Sunday June 11, 2023.

The Xfinity Series is a proving ground for up-and-coming NASCAR Cup Series drivers and has produced some of NASCAR’s biggest stars. Fans will be treated to three days of racing action over the weekend.

“We are thrilled to have the Xfinity Series racing here in Sonoma for the first time ever,” said raceway executive vice president and general manager Jill Gregory. “This is part of our promise to our fans to keep raising the bar.  And we expect several of the Cup Series racers to pull double duty and run the Xfinity Series race as well.”

The 2023 date remains fixed on the same weekend as this past June. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 will span 110 laps and will run the historically popular chute configuration, adding to the fan experience with more opportunities for passing and on-track action.

Practice and qualifying times, other companion events and TV broadcast information will be provided at a later date.

Tickets and camping information for the 2023 Toyota/Save Mart 350 weekend can be found by visiting SonomaRaceway.com or calling 800-970-RACE (7223).

Sonoma Raceway is a 2.52-mile and 12-turn road course and quarter-mile drag strip located at Sears Point in Sonoma County, California. Built in 1968 the track is carved into rolling hills with 160 ft of total elevation change. It is host to one of the few NASCAR Cup Series races each year that are run on road courses. It is one of the world’s busiest racing facilities, with track activity scheduled an average of 340 days a year. A complete and versatile motorsports complex, it is home to one of the nation’s only high-performance automotive industrial parks with approximately 70 tenants.

Final race on Auto Club Speedway’s 2-mile oval set for Feb. 26, 2023

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Official Release
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Planning continues for new short track on current site as NASCAR prepares for one final celebration on the current racing configuration

FONTANA, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2022) – NASCAR and Auto Club Speedway announced today that the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series race on Feb. 26 will be the final race on Auto Club Speedway’s classic 2-mile oval. Planning continues for a new short track located on the current site, but details will be announced at a later date.

Concurrently, NASCAR and Auto Club Speedway are continuing to work with Hillwood Properties on redeveloping portions of Auto Club Speedway’s property. To accommodate this process, the Speedway has removed portions of the Turn 1 and Turn 4 grandstands in anticipation for the future short track development pending approval.

Yet the focus right now is racing on the 2-mile oval, and Auto Club Speedway is gearing up for an incredible grand finale on its current configuration. It’s a track that has produced exciting races won by legendary winners for more than a quarter century. And on Feb. 26, 2023, the best drivers in the world will vie for the bragging rights of winning the last race on this D-shaped oval located in the heart of the Inland Empire.

“This is going to be a can’t-miss event,” said Auto Club Speedway President Dave Allen. “This 2-mile oval has produced so many incredible memories during the past 25 years, and we know the final race on this surface will produce more memories that will last a lifetime.

“Moreover, the continued redevelopment of this property will inject more fuel into the local economy, and we’re excited what the future holds for our racetrack and the Inland Empire as a whole.”

Auto Club Speedway’s 2-mile oval opened as California Speedway in 1997. It quickly became the region’s premier motorsports destination featuring breathtaking NASCAR and IndyCar races. Some of racing’s greatest drivers have won races on the high-speed track, including NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon and reining NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, who won the WISE Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway on Feb. 27.

The complete NASCAR Cup Series schedule was unveiled today, and it revealed that the final race on Auto Club Speedway’s 2-mile oval will hold a premium spot on the premier series’ schedule. Once again, it will be the much-anticipated follow-up to the DAYTONA 500 and set the tone for what promises to be a NASCAR Cup Series season to remember.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series will also compete one final time on the 2-mile layout on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Tickets for the final NASCAR Cup Series weekend on Auto Club Speedway’s 2-mile oval are on sale now. Fans are encouraged to visit www.autoclubspeedway.com for the latest ticket information.

About Auto Club Speedway

Located 50 miles east of Los Angeles in Fontana, Auto Club Speedway is California’s premier motorsports facility, hosting over 320 days of track activity each year including a NASCAR Cup Series weekend. The two-mile D-shaped oval is one of the fastest tracks on the NASCAR circuit. The Speedway is also home to numerous movie, television and commercial productions, photo shoots, new car testing, club racing and a variety of racing schools. For more information on events at Auto Club Speedway, call 1-800-944-RACE (7223), visit www.AutoClubSpeedway.com or download the new NASCAR Tracks App at www.autoclubspeedway.com/nascar-tracks-app/

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), one local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series) and three international series (NASCAR Pinty’s Series, NASCAR Peak Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

NASCAR Announces 2023 NASCAR National Series Schedules

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Official Release
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NASCAR’s Diamond Anniversary Season Highlighted By New Venues in all Three Series

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2022) – NASCAR today announced the 2023 schedules for the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. During the organization’s 75th anniversary season, NASCAR’s national series will visit an exciting mix of history-rich venues, short tracks and road courses, with the sport reaching a new level of excitement with the already-announced Chicago Street Race – a bold, first-of-its-kind addition in a globally renowned city.

“As we prepare to celebrate our 75th anniversary season, we are committed to delivering a schedule that acknowledges the deep history and tradition of our sport while establishing a bold future that brings the best racing in the world to new markets and new fans,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Development and Strategy. “The 2023 schedules are a product of continued collaboration across our industry and partners. We are incredibly proud of what our sport will have to offer fans next season, and excited to celebrate this milestone season with the most diverse compilation of tracks in motorsports.”

The 2023 Cup season will get underway with “round two” of the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, which will take place in East Coast primetime on Sunday, Feb. 5 on FOX. Two weeks later, on Sunday, Feb. 19, the 65th annual DAYTONA 500 will unfold live on FOX from Daytona International Speedway.

Additional highlights to the NASCAR Cup Series schedule include:

  • NASCAR will head west for the final race on the two-mile version of Auto Club Speedway (Sunday, Feb. 26) before visiting Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Sunday, Mar. 5) and Phoenix Raceway (Sunday, Mar. 12).
  • As previously announced, NASCAR’s annual All-Star Race (Sunday, May 21) will be hosted by North Wilkesboro Speedway – the first time the track will welcome the Cup Series since 1996.
  • The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs will once again begin at Darlington Raceway (Sunday, Sept. 3), with the NASCAR Championship Race set for Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 5.

As for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a pair of road courses join the schedule for the first time in its four-decade history, as Names Will Be Made at Sonoma Raceway (June 10) and the Chicago Street Race (July 1). Bristol Motor Speedway will host the Xfinity Series Playoffs opener (Friday, Sept. 15) and the series will culminate with its championship race at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday, Nov. 4.

What’s old is new for the ‘Tough Trucks’ as CRAFTSMAN returns to the series, as does a race at the historic Milwaukee Mile. Trucks will make a return to the Milwaukee Mile Speedway for the second race of the Round of 10 on Sunday, August 27. The visit will mark the first time the Trucks have returned to Brew City since 2009.

In addition, the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will get the festivities started on All-Star weekend when the trucks join the stars from the NASCAR Cup Series at the famed North Wilkesboro Speedway for the first time since 1996, on Saturday, May 20.

The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs will get underway on Friday, Aug. 11 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, and like the Cup Series and Xfinity Series, will crown a champion at Phoenix Raceway (Friday, Nov. 3) for the fourth consecutive year.

For tickets to 2023 NASCAR events, please visit www.nascar.com/2023schedule.

The FOX Sports and NBC Sports family of networks will again broadcast the 2023 NASCAR season. Networks and start times will be announced at a later date.

Below are the full 2023 NASCAR National Series schedules (Playoff races in bold font):

2023 NASCAR CUP SERIES SCHEDULE

DateRace / Track
Sunday, February 5Clash (L.A. Memorial Coliseum)
Thursday, February 16Duel at Daytona
Sunday, February 19DAYTONA 500
Sunday, February 26Auto Club
Sunday, March 5Las Vegas
Sunday, March 12Phoenix
Sunday, March 19Atlanta
Sunday, March 26COTA
Sunday, April 2Richmond
Sunday, April 9Bristol Dirt
Sunday, April 16Martinsville
Sunday, April 23Talladega
Sunday, April 30Dover
Sunday, May 7Kansas
Sunday, May 14Darlington
Sunday, May 21North Wilkesboro (All-Star Race)
Sunday, May 28Charlotte
Sunday, June 4World Wide Technology Raceway
Sunday, June 11Sonoma
Sunday, June 25Nashville Superspeedway
Sunday, July 2Chicago Street Race
Sunday, July 9Atlanta
Sunday, July 16New Hampshire
Sunday, July 23Pocono
Sunday, July 30Richmond
Sunday, August 6Michigan
Sunday, August 13Indianapolis Road Course
Sunday, August 20Watkins Glen
Saturday, August 26Daytona
Sunday, September 3Darlington
Sunday, September 10Kansas
Saturday, September 16Bristol
Sunday, September 24Texas
Sunday, October 1Talladega
Sunday, October 8Charlotte Roval
Sunday, October 15Las Vegas
Sunday, October 22Homestead-Miami
Sunday, October 29Martinsville
Sunday, November 5Phoenix (Championship)

2023 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES SCHEDULE

DateRace / Track
Saturday, February 18Daytona
Saturday, February 25Auto Club
Saturday, March 4Las Vegas
Saturday, March 11Phoenix
Saturday, March 18Atlanta
Saturday, March 25COTA
Saturday, April 1Richmond
Saturday, April 15Martinsville
Saturday, April 22Talladega
Saturday, April 29Dover
Saturday, May 13Darlington
Saturday, May 27Charlotte
Saturday, June 3Portland
Saturday, June 10Sonoma
Saturday, June 24Nashville Superspeedway
Saturday, July 1Chicago Street Race
Saturday, July 8Atlanta
Saturday, July 15New Hampshire
Saturday, July 22Pocono
Saturday, July 29Road America
Saturday, August 5Michigan
Saturday, August 12Indianapolis Road Course
Saturday, August 19Watkins Glen
Friday, August 25Daytona
Saturday, September 2Darlington
Saturday, September 9Kansas
Friday, September 15Bristol
Saturday, September 23Texas
Saturday, October 7Charlotte Roval
Saturday, October 14Las Vegas
Saturday, October 21Homestead-Miami
Saturday, October 28Martinsville
Saturday, November 4Phoenix (Championship)

2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE

DateRace / Track
Friday, February 17Daytona
Friday, March 3Las Vegas
Saturday, March 18Atlanta
Saturday, March 25COTA
Saturday, April 1Texas
Saturday, April 8Bristol Dirt
Friday, April 14Martinsville
Saturday, May 6Kansas
Friday, May 12Darlington
Saturday, May 20North Wilkesboro
Friday, May 26Charlotte
Saturday, June 3World Wide Technology Raceway
Friday, June 23Nashville Superspeedway
Saturday, July 8Mid-Ohio
Saturday, July 22Pocono
Saturday, July 29Richmond
Friday, August 11Lucas Oil IRP
Sunday, August 27Milwaukee
Friday, September 8Kansas
Thursday, September 14Bristol
Saturday, September 30Talladega
Saturday, October 21Homestead-Miami
Friday, November 3Phoenix (Championship)

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series™, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour™), one local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series™) and three international series (NASCAR Pinty’s Series™, NASCAR Mexico Series™, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series™). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

Toyota Racing Weekly Preview – 09.14.22

By
Official Release
-

This Week in Motorsports: September 13-19, 2022

· NCS/NXS/NCWTS/ARCA: Bristol Motor Speedway – September 15-17
· NHRA: Maple Grove Raceway – September 18

PLANO, Texas (September 14, 2022) – NASCAR’s top three series take on Bristol Motor Speedway, while ARCA is set to crown a champion. In Pennsylvania, the NHRA begins its post-season with the kickoff event at Maple Grove Raceway.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS | NCWTS

Wallace continues recent hot streak… Bubba Wallace earned his second career NASCAR Cup Series victory on Sunday at Kansas Speedway. Wallace, who has earned career-highs in top-fives, top-10s and laps led this season, has recorded top-10 finishes in six of the last nine events with four of them in the top-five. Wallace scored a top-10 finish in Bristol in 2020.

Bell Cup Series points leader… Christopher Bell drove to his second straight top-five finish to start the 2022 Playoffs as the Oklahoma-native drove to an opening stage win and a third-place finish. With the results, Bell took over the NCS points lead for the first time in his career and is the only driver locked in to the Round of 12 heading into the cutoff race at Bristol.

Hamlin on podium streak… Denny Hamlin has started his Playoff run with back-to-back second place finishes to give the multi-time Championship 4 driver a healthy 47-point advantage over the Playoff cutoff line heading into Bristol. Hamlin has multiple wins at Bristol, including a triumph in the Bristol night race in 2019.

Busch heading to one of his best tracks… Kyle Busch is headed to Bristol Motor Speedway with a two-point deficit to make the Round of 12, but his winning history at Bristol is unmatched. The Las Vegas-native has eight Cup Series wins at the track, including Toyota’s first four wins at ‘The Last Great Coliseum.’

Jones ready for another strong run at Bristol… Brandon Jones has had multiple strong runs at Bristol Motor Speedway, including back-to-back top-five finishes. He earned a track-best third-place finish in 2020 and added a fifth-place finish at this race one year ago.

Earnhardt back-to-back with SHR… Jeffrey Earnhardt returns to Sam Hunt Racing for back-to-back races at Bristol Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway to close his season with the team. Earnhardt has earned a top-10 finish and five top-20 finishes in seven NXS starts with the team this season.

Rhodes looks to sweep Bristol… Ben Rhodes won the Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway earlier this season – but that was when the event was run on dirt. The reigning Truck Series champion led 95 of 150 laps in the spring, and he now looks to score his first win on the pavement at Bristol. Rhodes earned a top-five finish at the track in 2017.

Toyota drivers fill Truck field… Toyota has filled the Round of 8 in the Truck Series field as six Tundra drivers will be competing for the championship – Chandler Smith, John Hunter Nemechek, Ben Rhodes, Stewart Friesen, Ty Majeski and Christian Eckes. Toyota looks to become the first manufacturer to sweep the Championship 4 spots in the Truck Series.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA

Smith plans to clinch two titles in Bristol… With another impressive run in Kansas, Sammy Smith is on track to clinch two championships in Bristol on Thursday evening. Smith leads the ARCA Menards Series East standings by 33 points and the Sioux Chief Showdown championship by 26 points. He has earned top-five finishes in every ARCA East and Sioux Chief Showdown event this season.

NHRA – Top Fuel | Funny Car

Toyota Top Fuel teams look to continue streak… Toyota’s Top Fuel teams have won the last three events on tour with multi-time champions Antron Brown and Steve Torrence claiming victories. Brown has won two of the last three points-paying events at Topeka, Kansas, and the historic U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, while Torrence scored his first win of the season in Brainerd, Minnesota, before adding the all-star callout win in Indianapolis.

Ashley plans to keep consistency… Toyota’s top-ranked Top Fuel driver is Justin Ashley, who in his debut season with Toyota, is in the third season competing in the Countdown. Since his Bristol victory on Father’s Day weekend, Ashley has gone to the semi-finals or better six times in eight events, including the past three events.

Reigning champion looks for another crown… Ron Capps earned the second victory for the Toyota GR Supra Funny Car in Indianapolis, delivering Toyota’s third win in the historic race in the past six U.S. Nationals. With the win, Capps moved to the second seed in the standings as he looks to earn his second consecutive, and third overall, Funny Car title.

Stay Connected

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About Toyota

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

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

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

Rosenqvist retained by Arrow McLaren SP, Palou remains at Chip Ganassi Racing in 2023

By
Andrew Kim
-
Photo by Tim Jarrold for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Three days following the conclusion of the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season, the future fates for both Felix Rosenqvist and Alex Palou were revealed. For Rosenqvist, he will be remaining as a full-time driver for Arrow McLaren SP and be part of the team’s three-car expansion for next season. Palou, meanwhile, will continue to pilot the No 10 Dallara-Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

The news comes following a summer-long swirl highlighting both competitors and organizations that started in July when Palou initially disputed the news of CGR retaining him for 2023 by announcing his intentions of joining McLaren in 2023. Palou’s news of being placed as an option for McLaren prompted Ganassi to file a civil action lawsuit against the Spaniard who won the 2021 IndyCar championship in Ganassi’s No. 10 entry, which lasted throughout the summer. The contract dispute between Palou and CGR also began to affect Rosenqvist’s future with McLaren and AMSP, in spite of the Swedish competitor signing a contract extension to remain at McLaren, but with no specific series announced.

With the news on Wednesday that Palou and CGR have reached a resolution to their contract dispute, Rosenqvist, who also appeared to be remaining in IndyCar with McLaren for next season, will compete in his third season for AMSP in 2023. The news means that Rosenqvist completes AMSP’s three-driver lineup that includes Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi, who was announced to be joining the organization in June while being replaced at Andretti Autosport by Kyle Kirkwood.

“There’s no better way to enter the off-season than with this news!” Rosenqvist said. “I love this team, and I’m so happy to continue working with all the incredible people I’ve gotten to know over the past two seasons. With everything the team has in the pipeline, the continuing relationship with Pato and the addition of Alex Rossi, we are going to bring our A-game for 2023. It will be the most exciting season for me so far. Let it be March already!”

Rosenqvist, who last visited Victory Lane in the IndyCar circuit since Road America in July 2020, is coming off a strong 2022 campaign, where he finished in eighth place in the final drivers’ standings with 393 points on the strength of two poles and his maiden podium with McLaren after finishing third at the Exhibition Place in Toronto, Canada, in July. He also piloted the No. 7 AMSP Dallara-Chevrolet to a total of 10 top-10 results and an average-finishing result of 11.8 throughout the 17-race schedule. His eighth-place result in this year’s final standings marked an improvement of 13 spots from the previous season, where he finished no higher than sixth place on the track and missed two races in June following a hard accident during the first of a Belle Isle Street Circuit doubleheader feature on Saturday, June 12. His 2021 average-finishing result was 16.4.

“I’m delighted that Felix will again be racing with AMSP through 2023,” Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, added. “He had a strong 2022 season, and I look forward to seeing what he, Alex Rossi and Pato O’Ward can do when they join forces in papaya. It’s also great to have Alex Palou joining the McLaren Racing family in our Testing of Previous Cars programme.”

For Palou, the 2023 season will also mark his third campaign with Chip Ganassi Racing. The Spaniard, who won the 2021 IndyCar title with Ganassi on the strength of his first three career victories, capped off the 2022 season by capturing his first elusive checkered flag of the season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. The victory along with six podiums, 173 laps led and an average-finishing result of 8.0 throughout the 17-race schedule were enough for Palou to conclude the season in fifth place in the final standings despite tying Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin for fourth place with 510 points.

Photo by Tim Jarrold for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Following the news, Palou, who will still participate in a McLaren F1 testing session at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain this week, took to social media to confirm his racing plans for next season.

With both drivers’ plans for next season set, they turn their attention to contend for the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series championship. The 2023 schedule remains to be determined.

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