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John Hunter Nemechek – No. 4 Safeway Tundra TRD Pro Camping World Trucks Richmond Preview

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Official Release
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John Hunter Nemechek: Driver, No. 4 Safeway Toyota

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Overview:
Event: Worldwide Express 250, Race 18 of 23 (Race 2 of 3, Round of 10)
250 Laps – 70/70/110; 187.5 Miles
Location: Richmond (Va.) Raceway (0.75-mile D-shaped oval)
Date/Broadcast: Aug. 13, 2022, at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

Neme’chek’ The Facts:

John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 4 Safeway team head into the second race of the Round of 10 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoffs at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, where they are the defending race winners. Nemechek led a race-high 114 laps and held off a late charge from KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch in last year’s event to claim the second of his series-leading five victories in 2022. In addition to collecting a victory in his lone Truck Series start at Richmond, Nemechek has made five Xfinity Series starts at the 0.75-mile track, tallying 171 laps led, two top-five and three top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 8.0. Earlier this season, Nemechek piloted the No. 18 GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing at the Virginia facility, leading a race-high 135 laps before finishing second. He has also made one Cup Series start at Richmond in 2020, bringing home a 30th-place finish.

Nemechek enters Saturday’s race 24 points above the cutoff line for advancing to the Round of 8 with two races remaining in the Round of 10. In the first race of the playoffs at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Nemechek captured the pole and led a race-high 75 laps but was relegated to a 10th-place finish after losing several spots after a restart in NASCAR overtime. He also earned an additional playoff point, should he advance to the Round of 8, by capturing the Stage One win.

With six races remaining in the 2022 Truck Series season, the second-generation driver leads all Truck Series regulars in poles (five), average starting position (6.7), and average running position (9.094). He is also second in driver rating (103.7) and laps led (263).

The Toyota Racing driver spent his off week from Camping World Truck Series action making his seventh Xfinity Series start of the season behind the wheel of the No. 26 GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing at Michigan International Speedway. After qualifying 31st, Nemechek drove his GR Supra to a 19th-place finish.

Safeway will adorn the hood of the No. 4 Tundra TRD Pro this Saturday at Richmond Raceway. Safeway operates as a banner of Albertsons Companies, one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States. With both a strong local presence and national scale, the company operates stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 20 well-known banners.

Nemechek is a 12-time winner in Camping World Truck Series action, winning at least one race each season from 2015 to 2018 for his family-owned team, NEMCO Motorsports, and returning to victory lane in 2021 and 2022 with KBM. Across 141 career starts in NASCAR’s third division, he has compiled seven poles, 1,444 laps led, 47 top-five and 78 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.4.

Eric Phillips returned to lead the No. 4 team in 2022. His 42 career Truck Series victories make him the winningest crew chief in Truck Series history, with 33 of those coming while at KBM including five last year. Phillips led the No. 18 team at KBM in its debut season in 2010 and helped build the organization into one of the premier teams in all of NASCAR before departing at the end of the 2014 season. Under his guidance, the No. 18 team won eight races in its inaugural campaign and became the Series history to capture an owner’s championship in its first season of competition. In 2014, the Illinois native led the first team in Truck No. 51 team to an owner’s championship and his team’s 10 wins spearheaded KBM to a single-season Truck Series record of 14 wins. Phillips has been atop the box for just three Camping World Truck Series starts at Richmond Raceway. In those three starts, his drivers have recorded one win (Nemechek – 2021), 115 laps led, one top-five and one top-10 finish resulting in an average finish of 22.0.

John Hunter Nemechek, Driver Q&A:
John Hunter Nemechek | Richmond Raceway Preview
You won at Richmond last year in the Truck Series and had a strong run there earlier this year in the Xfinity Series. Is it a track you look forward going to?
“Yeah, it definitely is. Richmond being in the playoffs now is huge for us and our team, I think. Richmond has been a place I have always loved going to, I’ve always ran really well there, and a place I’ve just figured out as a driver. You have to have good equipment underneath of you and I’m excited to get back in our Toyota Tundra TRD Pro this weekend and go see if we can chase our second victory of the year and our second victory at Richmond. Hopefully, we can put all of our tools, resources, notes, and experience to the test and go out there and kick some butt.”

Last year was a day race, what differences do you expect this year with the race being at night?
“There definitely will be differences racing at night compared to the day; cooler temps, the track probably won’t be as slick, but it’s also later in the year so temps might be around the same as when we were there last year and it being a cooler Spring race. I don’t really know; I don’t know what to expect as far as day to night. I’m glad we’re starting at night and not transitioning from day to night because I feel like that would be an even bigger swing vehicle wise. Just got to stay in tune with what the racetrack is doing, make the right adjustments, be on top of it and just have the right strategy for the whole race.”

You’re 24 points above the cutoff line, how do you feel going into the last two races in the Round of 8?
“I don’t want to say I feel comfortable but I’m more comfortable than us being below the line. Twenty four points isn’t a lot but it’s a substantial amount to be above the line. Hopefully, we can just continue to push forward and lock ourselves in with a win this weekend, that would make things a lot easier to go to the second round.”

John Hunter Nemechek Career Highlights:

  • Twelve-time winner in Camping World Truck Series action, winning at least one race each season from 2015 to 2018 for his family-owned team, NEMCO Motorsports. Across 141 career starts in NASCAR’s third division, has compiled seven poles, 1,444 laps led, 47 top-five and 78 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.4. Registered a career-high and series-leading five victories in 2021, earned the NCWTS Regular Season championship and finished third in the final standings after qualifying for the Championship Four for the first time in his career.
  • Produced three top-10 finishes and an average result of 22.4 while competing for rookie of the year honors in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2020. He recorded a career-best eighth-place finish twice, both coming at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
  • Across 63 career XFINITY Series starts, has totaled two wins, one pole, 510 laps led, 17 top-five and 36 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.0.

John Hunter Nemechek’s No. 4 Safeway Tundra:
KBM-58: The No. 4 Safeway team will unload KBM-58 for Saturday night’s race at Richmond Raceway. Nemechek has raced this Tundra twice in 2022, once at Martinsville (April) where he earned a fourth-place finish and once at Gateway (June) where a mid-race incident relegated him to a 35th-place finish. In 2021, Nemechek piloted KBM-58 to three wins, including leading a race-high 114 laps at Richmond en route to his second win of the year. Overall, KBM-58 has recorded four wins – three with Nemechek in 2021 and one with owner-driver Kyle Busch in 2019 – 474 laps led, eight top-five and nine top-10 finishes in 16 starts resulting in an average finish of 11.1.

KBM Notes of Interest:

  • Across six starts at Richmond, KBM drivers have tallied one win, 164 laps led, three top-five and three top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 12.8 and average finish of 10.5.
  • Nemechek picked up the organizations lone win at the 0.75-mile facility in 2021, leading a race-high 114 laps.
  • KBM holds the Camping World Truck Series records for most career wins (96) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). With his victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 19, Corey Heim became the 18th different driver to win a Truck Series event for KBM. In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
  • The No. 4 has 17 career victories at KBM and was the number for both of the organization’s driver championships.

Burton, Menards/Dutch Boy Team Optimistic Entering Richmond

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Official Release
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After a disappointing outing at Michigan International Speedway, Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Menards/Dutch Boy team are hoping to rebound this weekend in the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway.

Back in April at Richmond, Burton qualified 17th and finished 18th in his first Cup start on the three-quarter-mile oval, but he and the No. 21 team saw lots of potential there.

“I feel like Richmond was one of our better races earlier in the year when we compare to our alliance partners with Team Penske,” Burton said on a call with reporters Tuesday afternoon.

“The goal is to run as good as those guys do, so that was a race where I felt like we did that.

“We had a decent run there and had some speed and showed a lot of speed in the race, but we just didn’t execute properly on a few things and that bit us.”

Burton said the key to a good finish at Richmond, like other tracks on the circuit, is for the team to have a strong performance from the first lap of practice to the checkered flag on Sunday.

“We have to show up and qualify well, practice well,” he said. “I really want to be in that top 10 in qualifying at Richmond.

“I feel like we can do that. I feel like I’m a driver that can do that. I’ve led a lot of laps in Xfinity at Richmond and had a win slip away there.

“I really love that race track and feel like that place suits me well, so I want to be a top-10 guy there in qualifying and build off of that for the race.”

Burton said that no matter where he and the team are racing for the remainder of the season, the goals are basically the same.

“We just need to get better and better every week and show progress at the end of the day,” he said. “That’s the biggest goal for us.

“We’re working day and night. There’s no pointing fingers on our team, which is amazing. All of our team members at Wood Brothers Racing are all kind of pointing fingers at themselves at what we can all do better.

“I’m in that same boat and working as hard as ever to do this. It’s an honor to drive the 21 car and get it out front. It’s a priority for us and at the end of the day we’ve got to put the work in to do that.”

Practice at Richmond is set for 5:05 p.m. Saturday to be followed by qualifying at 5:50.

Sunday’s 400-lap, 300-mile race is set to get the green flag just after 3 p.m. with TV coverage on USA Network.

Stage breaks are scheduled for Laps 70 and 230.

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.

Tony Stewart Racing: Topeka Advance for the Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor

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Official Release
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Leah Pruett & Matt Hagan
Mopar 85th Anniversary Top Fuel & Funny Car Drivers
Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor
Aug. 12-14 | Topeka, Kansas

Event Overview

Friday, Aug. 12 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

● Nitro qualifying session (Q1): 7:30 p.m. CDT/8:30 p.m. EDT

Saturday, Aug. 13 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

● Nitro qualifying session (Q2): 3 p.m. CDT/4 p.m. EDT

● Nitro qualifying session (Q3): 6 p.m. CDT/7 p.m. EDT

Sunday, Aug. 14 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

● Round 1: 10:30 a.m. CDT/11:30 a.m. EDT

● Round 2: 12:30 p.m. CDT/1:30 p.m. EDT

● Semi-Finals: 2:15 p.m. CDT/3:15 p.m. EDT

● Finals: 3:50 p.m. CDT/4:50 p.m. EDT

TV coverage on FS1

● Saturday, Aug. 13: Qualifying show recapping Friday’s action (3:30 p.m. CDT/4:30 p.m. EDT)

● Sunday, Aug. 14: Qualifying show recapping Saturday’s action (12 p.m. CDT/1 p.m. EDT)

● Sunday, Aug. 14: Finals show (1 p.m. CDT/2 p.m. EDT)

Notes of Interest

● The Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kansas, marks the 14th event on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ 22-race calendar. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) brings its two fulltime entries – one in Top Fuel for 10-time event winner Leah Pruett and one in Funny Car for three-time Funny Car champion Matt Hagan – to the third-to-last race of the regular season before the Countdown to the Championship begins Sept. 15-18 with the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pennsylvania.

● After the 16th and final regular-season event on Sept. 5 with the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, the top-10 drivers in the standings of each of the four professional categories of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – qualify for the Countdown to the Championship. The top-10 drivers in each class then compete in the final, six-race playoffs to vie for the title. Coming into Topeka, Pruett is sixth in the Top Fuel championship standings, 410 points behind leader Brittany Force with a 100-point margin over 11th-place Tony Schumacher. Hagan, meanwhile, is second in the Funny Car championship standings, 228 points behind leader Robert Hight with a 582-point advantage over 11th-place Chad Green.

● Mopar 85th Anniversary will be featured on Pruett’s Top Fuel dragster and on Hagan’s Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car this weekend at Topeka, as well as during next weekend’s NHRA Nationals at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway. A simple combination of the words MOtor and PARts, Mopar offers exceptional service, parts and customer-care. Born in 1937 as the name of a line of antifreeze products, Mopar has evolved over 85 years to represent both complete vehicle care and authentic performance for owners and enthusiasts worldwide. Mopar made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era with performance parts to enhance speed and handling for both on-road and racing use. Later, Mopar expanded to include technical service and customer support and, today, integrates service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance customer and dealer support worldwide. Complete information on Mopar is available at www.mopar.com.

● Pruett first joined forces with Dodge//SRT and Mopar in 2016, while Dodge//SRT and Mopar have supported Hagan since his rookie season in 2009. However, TSR’s ties to Mopar go back even further. Its roots are in sprint car racing, with Mopar powering multiple TSR entries in USAC and the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series from 2001 through 2007. Seven of TSR’s 27 open-wheel championships were won with Mopar.

● The Menards NHRA Nationals will serve as Pruett’s 185th career Top Fuel start and her eighth at Topeka. For Hagan, this will be his 307th career Funny Car start and his 13th at Topeka.

● Pruett is eyeing her first victory in the Menards NHRA Nationals while also seeking her first No. 1 qualifier at the event. Pruett’s best result came in 2017 when she qualified second and lost to Antron Brown in the semifinals. In 2021, Pruett drove a Dodge Challenger Drag Pak to the final round in the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown before losing to John Cerbone.

● Hagan won the Menards NHRA Nationals in 2016. His 5.724 ET at 179.04 mph run defeated Jack Beckman (6.560 ET at 146.75 mph). Hagan also has two No. 1 qualifiers at the event, which came in 2016 (3.862 ET at 335.57 mph) and 2017 (3.802 ET at 338.85 mph).

● Hagan is the track record holder at Topeka for both time (3.802 seconds) and speed (338.85 mph), each of which were set on May 20, 2017. It is Hagan’s fastest recorded speed and the fourth-fastest in Funny Car history.

● From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT on Friday, Pruett and Hagan will attend an open house at WELD headquarters in Kansas City. For more than 55 years, WELD has built technologically superior wheels specifically for drag racing and other motorsports series. It continues the tradition of building racing and performance street wheels utilizing the latest technology, top-quality craftsmanship and excellent customer service to teams and drivers. The roots of WELD are firmly planted in drag racing. The company actively developed wheels at its local dragstrip and even owned the facility for a number of years, such was its commitment to ongoing development. The WELD engineering team continues to develop race wheels specifically to meet the demands of individual drag strips in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. The unique specifications support the fastest racing series in the world, which continues to serve as the ultimate proving ground for WELD wheel technology. This is the same technology that WELD has applied to its range of street wheels that anyone can fit to their personal vehicles. For more information, please visit www.weldwheels.com.

● DYK? When Heartland Motorsports Park opened in 1989, it was the first new auto racing facility to be built in the United States in 20 years. Located on the south side of Topeka, the facility covers approximately 650 acres and includes an NHRA-sanctioned quarter-mile drag strip, a 2.5-mile road course with four different configurations, a 22-acre asphalt pad for autocross and drift events, and a motocross track.

Leah Pruett, Driver of the Mopar 85th Anniversary Top Fuel Dragster

You completed nine out of a possible 12 rounds during the NHRA’s Western Swing, a run highlighted by a July 17 win in the Dodge Power Brokers Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway near Denver, Colorado. Now that you’ve had a week off to reflect on your team’s recent success, what is your confidence level heading into Topeka?

“The confidence really comes from the situational improvements we were able to identify and act on during the Western Swing, from preparation of going rounds, to a strong revaluation in our clutch program, to my driving style as the long days progressed. We’ve said all along that we need more runs to learn more, to gain stride, and we were able to do that through the Western Swing.”

With three races remaining prior to the Countdown, are there some specific things you want to achieve in Topeka?

“Our focus is heavier toward qualifying position than it has been all year because we’re operating in a space where we can confidently work to improve our times, as opposed to making A-to-B runs. Strengthening our position in the points to the top-five is high on our priority list.”

You’re running a special scheme at Topeka commemorating Mopar’s 85th anniversary. Talk about your history with Mopar and what it means to represent such a significant milestone for the brand.

“Eighty-five years is a long time, especially in the automotive space. For Mopar to continue their dedication toward increased performance for their customers for so many years, and only getting stronger, makes me extremely proud to carry on the Mopar legacy. It’s not like it is just another birthday of company existence, this year is truly a landmark in time for Mopar with the Power Brokers dealership program and the re-launch of Direct Connection. Happy Birthday Mopar! We’ll be working hard to bring home the gold for you in Topeka!”

Matt Hagan, Driver of the Mopar 85th Anniversary Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car

Even though you had some challenging runs during the Western Swing, you remain second in the Funny Car championship. Did the off-weekend after the Western Swing provide an opportunity to hit a reset button prior to hitting the track again this weekend at Topeka?

“I think Topeka will be our turning point after three first-round losses during the Western Swing and turn it into something positive. Topeka has always been a fast track for me before. I’ve set world records there and done well there. I feel like if there’s any race we can turn the curve, it’s there. The three losses out west are very uncharacteristic for our team and what we can accomplish. We had some tough decisions to make out there and the car kept dropping cylinders. We’re going to go back to what we were doing last year as far as the fuel system goes. I believe in Dickie Venables (crew chief). I believe in Mike Knudsen (co-crew chief), Alex Conaway (car chief) and all of our guys. I know if anyone can turn this thing around, it’s them. They’re smart individuals who are very passionate about what they do. I’m going to go up there and do my job on the starting line and on the track and bring 100 percent. I know my team will bring 100 percent, too. When things come together and click, we’re unstoppable. I think Topeka will be our race to get things back on track for the Countdown.”

Which track is Topeka most similar to in regard to the adjustments the crew will have to make to the car?

“Topeka is a unique track because it’s usually always hot there. It was 105 degrees when I looked last week. It’s a race where you never know what you’re going to get, but the racing surface itself is great. If the clouds come in or a storm pops up, we’ve been able to run really fast. The crew has to be ready for some throwdown sessions, but also some of those hot, greasy track conditions we’ve struggled with a bit, so I think we’re going to have to reel it in. It’s looking like it’ll be warm, so we’ll have to bring our hot weather tune-up and see what we can do out there.”

You’re running a special scheme at Topeka commemorating Mopar’s 85th anniversary. Talk about your history with Mopar and what it means to represent such a significant milestone for the brand.

“I’ve been with Mopar for a long time. To be able to carry their banner for so many years has been incredible. I’ve gained a lot of fans from Mopar, Dodge and SRT. Being able to run this one-off scheme for Mopar’s 85th anniversary is amazing. It’s a huge milestone and a huge part of my career. They’ve been there to support me throughout three championships. I’m extremely proud to represent the special scheme these next two weekends. It’s always great showing Mopar and Dodge some love. These next two races are all about Mopar and we want to bring them two good finishes to get back on top of where we need to be before the Countdown.”

Which States Have the Toughest Speed Laws?

By
SM
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Photo by Miles Loewen on Unsplash

When it comes to speeding fines in the United States, where you live and not how much money you make makes all the difference. A speeding ticket can increase the cost of your auto insurance, which is already a significant financial burden. A penalty for traveling more than 15 mph over the limit will likely result in a rate increase of at least 10 percent. 

More than that, your fines will skyrocket much higher. All states have some sort of penalty for speeding, however, some have harsher penalties than others. There have been cases of drivers receiving jail time in Virginia for going 90 mph in a 55 mph zone. While it may sound tough, the state has some of the least stringent rules in the country when it comes to things like speeding and driving recklessly. Here are some the states with the strictest speed limit laws below.

According to a recent study by WalletHub, Colorado is the state with the strictest penalties for violating traffic laws. The study gathered information on factors like the average rise in insurance premiums following a speeding ticket and the fines associated with reckless driving. However, the laws are the most relaxed in Texas, which makes sense given that it is home to the nation’s fastest freeway. Mississippi, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Utah are also among the most tolerant states, joining Texas at the top of the list. 

In another WalletHub analysis, no state has a legal policy that requires an individual to be jailed for speeding. But if you go too far over, the charge might be upgraded to reckless driving. For example, in the states of Arkansas and North Carolina, exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 15 mph is reckless driving. In some states, such as Kentucky, Mississippi, and New Mexico, the maximum fine for reckless driving is only $100, whereas the national average is $742 (WalletHub). 

The highest in the country is around $5,000 in Washington state. Some jurisdictions have increased their penalties for “aggressive driving.”

Georgia Speeding Laws

To curb reckless driving, Georgia passed the Super Speeder law. In addition to the standard local fine, a Georgia driver must pay an additional $200 if they are found guilty of speeding at 75 mph or more on a two-lane road or 85 mph or more anywhere in the state. A regular fine in a given area ranges from $100 to $300. 

Super Speeder fines carry an additional $50 late payment fee and license suspension if not paid within four months. The law was enacted to reduce fatalities on Georgia’s roadways. More than half of all trauma patients treated at Georgia’s trauma centers had been involved in automobile accidents, and that’s where the money from the state’s $200 Super Speeder fee goes.

Kentucky Speed Laws

If you are caught speeding in Kentucky at 26 mph or more over the limit on any road or highway, your license might be suspended for up to 90 days. Your suspension will be decided during a court hearing. Violators risk being fined up to $100 in addition to paying court costs of $143. That means the cost of the ticket alone is getting close to $250. If you are found guilty, the conviction remains on your record for five years for normal drivers and ten years for commercial vehicle drivers.

Virginia Speed Laws

Some cases of excessive speeding in Virginia might result in reckless driving charges. Regardless of the speed limit, driving 80 miles per hour or faster is illegal and deemed irresponsible. This can have devastating repercussions. Six points on your driving record, a fine of up to $2,500, jail time of up to a year, and the suspension of your driver’s license are all potential outcomes of a reckless driving conviction. The reckless driving conviction will remain on your DMV record for 11 years, which may affect your ability to get a job or get affordable car insurance in Virginia.

Illinois Speed laws

In Illinois, going 30 mph over the speed limit is not just a traffic violation; it’s a crime. One year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine await those who are caught speeding. Furthermore, if you are found speeding, you may be arrested and your vehicle towed. You will go through the proper channels, be required to bond out or post bail, and be scheduled for a hearing. There may be additional jail time imposed if you have a history of reckless driving. A qualified lawyer may be able to get you a reduced sentence or dismissal of charges, probation, or jail time if your record is clean.

Missouri Speeding Laws

If you are found speeding in Missouri at more than 25 miles per hour over the limit, you will be issued a court date. The initial fine is $100, and the judge may impose further penalties such as court fees, probation, or even jail time. In October 2012, 209 drivers were given tickets for going 20 to 25 miles per hour over the limit in St. Louis County alone. Those who choose not to sign their traffic tickets may believe they are no longer required to appear in court. A summons to appear has been issued to you once the trooper has handed you a copy of the ticket, though. Failure to appear in court is a criminal offense that could lead to further penalties.

New York Speed Laws

Recently, New York State was found to have the fifth-strictest speeding laws in the entire country. Fines, license points, and license suspensions can all occur from receiving a speeding ticket in the Empire State. A judge can impose a 15-day jail term for speeds 11-30 mph over the limit, and a 30-day punishment for speeds 31+ mph over the limit. A fine of $300 and/or 30 days in jail applies to a second or third offense in 18 months for going 11 mph or more over the limit. Driving at least 10 mph beyond the limit will not result in criminal penalties. Drivers might be charged with reckless driving if they engage in actual excessive speed or engage in speed in addition to other risky activities. If such occurs, the potential punishments include 30 days for a first violation, 90 days for a second offense, and 180 days for a third offense.

The chances of being arrested for speeding in New York are quite low and there are no detailed statistics on how frequently drivers are arrested for speeding. Most cases, though, include additional factors that make things worse. A judge might decide to send a driver to jail to send a message if the judge finds that the driver’s speeding was a contributing factor in an accident, the driver has had their license suspended multiple times (even if it was valid at the time of the traffic stop), or the driver has been involved in multiple accidents related to speeding. Offenders who display hostility toward the police or the judge in court may also face a jail sentence. If the motorist is charged with reckless driving due to speed or racing, the likelihood of going to jail will increase.

6 Tips to Help You Prepare for a Gravel Bike Race

By
SM
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Gravel bike riding, as the name suggests, is all about riding your bicycle on rough surfaces. And when it’s a race, it becomes much more challenging. The races can have muddy trails, dirt roads, or even twisted forestry pathways. 

Some races involve climbing hills that can be both ragged and flat. Then there are other races where you’d have to ride through the worst weather on a rugged roadway and possibly go a long distance. So if you’re looking for a challenge or simply want to participate in a gravel bike race, here are some tips to help you prepare for the adventure. 

  1.  Choose Your Race

If you’ve decided to participate in a gravel bike race, then the next thing you should do is enter an event. There are many gravel bike race events, each with a particular difficulty level. Choose the terrain you’re most comfortable and familiar with so you don’t encounter surprises. 

If you’re new to this, it’s a good idea to research these races more. Try choosing a suitable race that can match your cycling experience. That way, you’ll get to know your limits, work on them and possibly aim for a more challenging level the next time you participate in a gravel bike race. 

  1.  Select the Right Bike

There are many gravel bikes available in the market, but the most important thing is to ride what you’re comfortable with. Most of the bikes are good on gravel; if it’s reliable enough to cover the distance, then it’s good enough to go on a gravel event. 

  1.  Select the Right Tires

Whether riding on flatter trails or raggedy ones, choosing the right type of tires is essential, especially when participating in a race. What you need to focus on are the tire width and tread pattern. 

The type of tires you choose will depend on where the race is being held. For instance, if the pathway is packed with hard gravel, you’d want a narrower slick to minimize rolling resistance. Likewise, if the route is filled with large rocks or wet and muddy trails, you can choose a wider tire with an aggressive pattern as these will provide the best volume and grip. 

You can also try using tubeless tires, a hype among gravel bikers these days. If your tire does get punctured along the way, you’ll at least have peace of mind knowing it can be taken care of using a sealant. However, for extra precaution, bring some plugs (that are specifically designed for tires) if the sealant doesn’t work out. 

Tubeless tires have another significant benefit: they run on lower pressures. Lower pressure means it’ll give you an increase in comfort and traction.  

Try practicing with the tires on the terrains that your race event calls for, and see which tires you are comfortable riding in. 

  1.  Clothing and Accessories

Just as you look for comfort from your bike, you must dress comfortably to complete the whole ensemble. Make sure that you get the support you need for your active lifestyle with our range of orthopedic braces for sports designed to enhance performance and prevent injuries.

Go with the weather conditions and pick a pair of waterproof bib-shorts, and a full-zip jersey. Why full-zip? Because the jersey accommodates your body as it changes your temperature every now and then, throughout the entire race. You may also want to pack in a waterproof jacket or a vest to battle the cold and wind. Arm and leg warmers are also good to keep you warm if the race ends late into the night. 

You probably already know about taking effective measures to prevent bicycle accidents; still, it is a good idea that you don’t forget the gloves, helmets, a good pair of socks, shoes, and elbow and knee pads. These are just as important as choosing the right bike. 

  1.  Ensure Space for Essentials

Food, water and bicycle gears must be packed when going for a race. Depending on the event and duration of the race, it’s wise to pack dry snacks such as energy bars and lots of water. Hydration is non-negotiable. Water is key if you want to finish the race with a good mindset successfully. Drink plenty, constantly!

For bicycle gears, take spares and maintenance kits even if the weather condition of the place is amiable. It doesn’t hurt to be extra precautious. For instance, 

  • Pump or Co2 inflator
  • Tire Levers
  • A spare tube (or two)
  • Chain breaker
  • Quick links
  • Map or any navigational tool
  1.  Train and Maintain

Training and practicing beforehand on similar grounds is crucial. This is when you can test and see if the selected handlebar, seat, and tires are right for you. Being able to bicycle comfortably will make gravel bike racing more enjoyable.

After all that training, don’t forget to take care of your equipment. You’ll need it to be in top shape on the day of the race. Use bicycle covers to protect it from environmental elements such as rain, wind and sun. If left unchecked, some bicycle parts may erode, affecting your equipment’s performance. 

Another important thing to train is your digestive system. Eat easily digestible foods and then eat the same ones every time you train. Don’t risk trying new food on race day. It might not be agreeable, and you may end up feeling nauseous.  

Final Thoughts

Gravel bike racing is just as adventurous as it is challenging. It can pose to be more intimidating for beginners. However, if you follow the tips, you’ll be prepared for any surprises that may come your way. If you’re new, starting with a low-key race that uses paved roads and good weather is best. But if you feel adventurous, feel free to give yourself a challenge. And remember to hydrate yourself if you want to stay upright in the game.

Weekend schedule for Richmond

By
Angie Campbell
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Credit: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - APRIL 03: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, leads the field to start the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway on April 03, 2022 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The NASCAR Cup Series and the Camping World Truck Series head to Richmond Raceway this weekend while the Xfinity Series enjoys a week off from competition.

So far, the regular season has produced 15 different Cup Series winners with only three races remaining. Seven drivers have officially clinched a spot in the Playoffs via wins and accumulated points. They include Chase Elliott, Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, William Byron, Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin.

The Camping World Truck Series Playoffs continue at Richmond as the track hosts the second of three races in the Round of 10. Grant Enfinger went to victory lane last week at Indianapolis, securing his spot in the next round. That leaves nine drivers competing for their chance to advance to the Round of 8.

Press Pass Live on NASCAR.com will be available throughout the weekend providing additional coverage.

All times are Eastern.

Saturday, August 13

3:05 p.m.: Truck Series Practice (All Entries) FS1
3:35 p.m.: Truck Series Qualifying (Impound) Single Vehicle, 2 Laps, All Entries – FS1
5:05 p.m.: Cup Series Practice – Groups A & B – USA/MRN/SiriusXM
5:50 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying (Impound) (Groups A & B) Single Vehicle, 2 Laps, 2 Rounds) USA/MRN/SiriusXM

8 p.m.: Truck Series Worldwide Express 250 for Carrier Appreciation
Stages 70/140/250 Laps = 187.5 Miles
The Purse: $744,951
FS1/MRN/SiriusXM

Sunday, August 14

3 p.m.: Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400
Stages 70/230/400 Laps = 300 Miles
The Purse: $1,159,436
USA/MRN/SiriusXM

Ty Gibbs to substitute for Kurt Busch for a fourth consecutive Cup event at Richmond

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

Ty Gibbs will remain as an interim driver of the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota TRD Camry for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series event at Richmond Raceway, where he will be substituting for Kurt Busch.

The news comes as Busch took to social media to announce that he has not received medical clearance to return to on-track competition. The 2004 Cup Series champion continues to recover from concussion-like symptoms he sustained following a qualifying wreck at Pocono Raceway on July 23, which sidelined him from the main event. In addition to Pocono, he has missed the previous two Cup events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and at Michigan International Speedway.

Busch, who last competed at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in mid-July, has already been granted a medical waiver to be eligible for the 2022 Cup Series Playoffs, where he is currently in contention to claim a postseason spot by virtue of winning at Kansas Speedway on May 15.

With Busch out, Gibbs, who competes as a full-time Xfinity Series competitor for Joe Gibbs Racing and won the Xfinity event at Richmond in April, will be pulling double-duty between the Xfinity and Cup Series for a fourth consecutive weekend. The 19-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, is coming off a strong weekend at Michigan, where he claimed his fifth Xfinity victory of the season with JGR on Saturday, August 6, followed by his first top-10 career result in NASCAR’s premier series with 23XI after rallying from a late pit road penalty to finish 10th on Sunday, August 7.

Prior to his 10th-place result at Michigan, Gibbs’ previous two finishes in NASCAR’s premier series were 16th and 17th at Pocono and at Indianapolis, respectively.

Gibbs is set to make his fourth career start in the NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond Raceway on Sunday, August 14, with the event’s coverage to occur at 3:00 PM ET on USA Network.

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Richmond

By
Official Release
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Richmond Raceway
Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022
.75-Mile Oval
3:00 PM ET
Location: Richmond, Virginia
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (24 of 36)
Radio: SiriusXM, PRN

5 KYLE LARSON

Age: 30 (July 31, 1992)

Hometown: Elk Grove, California

Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels

Standings: 5th

No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

23 DOWN, 23 TO GO: After 23 of 26 NASCAR Cup Series regular season races, Kyle Larson sits fifth in the driver standings – 142 points behind leader and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott. Playoff points will be awarded to the top 10 drivers in the standings following the Aug. 27 Daytona International Speedway event with 15 markers awarded to first place, 10 to second, eight to third, seven to fourth, and so on. The driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is only 23 points out of second position entering this weekend’s race at Richmond Raceway.

NOT TOO SHABBY: In 15 Cup Series starts at Richmond, Larson has one win (September 2017), three top-five finishes – including a fifth-place result earlier this year – and seven top-10s. The driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has finished seventh or better in seven of his last 10 starts at the Virginia venue.

OT WIN: In September 2017 at the .75-mile track, Larson held off Martin Truex Jr. and others in overtime to earn his first short-track victory in NASCAR’s premier series. The native of Elk Grove, California, led 53 laps in the event that was extended by four laps due to a late-race caution.

THE LAST TIME: In April 2017 in his most recent NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the Virginia short track, Larson started seventh and led the final 10 circuits en route to victory. Along with that win, the Elk Grove, California, native also has two top-five finishes and three top-10s in five Xfinity Series starts at Richmond.

60 FIRST: The 61st Knoxville Nationals is scheduled for Aug. 10 – 13 at the famed Knoxville Raceway in Iowa. In six Knoxville Nationals A-Main starts, Larson has scored five top-six finishes including his first win in the prestigious event last year. On Monday, the 2021 Cup Series champion won in a sprint car in the Front Row Challenge at Southern Iowa Speedway. HendrickCars.com appears on Larson’s sprint car, uniform, gloves and helmet.

HOME RUN: At Richmond this weekend, Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com team will wear their “home” white uniforms. Home races occur in markets where there are Hendrick Automotive Group dealerships nearby, and the Richmond market is home to four of them. Be sure to follow Hendrick Automotive Group’s social media channels and visit HendrickCars.com to view the complete home and away schedule.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT

Age: 26 (Nov. 28, 1995)

Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia

Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia

Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson

Standings: 1st

No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

RICHMOND RUNDOWN: This Sunday, Chase Elliott will make his 14th Richmond Raceway start in the NASCAR Cup Series. In his previous 13 races at the .75-mile oval, he has collected four top-five finishes – one being a runner-up result (April 2018) – and five top-10s. Additionally, he has made four Richmond starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, never finishing outside the top five and earning a win in 2015.

SPRING RECAP: In the Cup Series’ spring race at Richmond, Elliott qualified 15th and drove to a sixth-place result in each of the first two stages before ultimately taking the checkered flag in the 14th position. Elliott left the weekend tied for the point standings lead.

NEARLY A SHOO-IN: The four-time National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Most Popular Driver Award winner heads into the Richmond race weekend with a 119-point lead in the Cup Series point standings. Elliott could be named the regular season champion as early as this weekend, needing to leave with a 121-point advantage over second place to clinch the title. It would mark the 26-year-old’s first Cup Series regular season championship and give him 15 bonus points heading into the playoffs, which start at Darlington Raceway next month. So far in 2022, Elliott has earned a series-high 25 playoff points thanks to his four victories and five stage wins. He’s also tops in the laps led category, pacing the field for 658 circuits. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native is the only driver with more than two wins this season.

SHORT-TRACK PERFORMANCE: On Sunday at Richmond, Elliott will make his 39th short-track start in the Cup Series. In those previous 38 races, he has garnered one win (Martinsville 2020), 12 top-five finishes, 18 top-10s and 1,436 laps led. Over the last five short-track races, Elliott’s 661 laps led are the best in the series.

GUSTAFSON AT RICHMOND: No. 9 team crew chief Alan Gustafson is set to call his 34th Richmond race in the Cup Series. In his previous 33 starts at the track with five different drivers (Kyle Busch, Casey Mears, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Elliott), Gustafson has accumulated 14 top-five finishes – including five runner-up results – 18 top-10s and 624 laps led.

NAPA IS BACK: The familiar blue and yellow colors of NAPA AUTO PARTS return on the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 this weekend. NAPA has been the primary partner on the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion’s car for seven of his 13 Cup starts at the track. Recently, Hendrick Motorsports announced a multi-year partnership extension with NAPA that will continue the Atlanta-based company’s 26-race majority sponsorship of Elliott and the No. 9 team.

24 WILLIAM BYRON

Age: 24 (Nov. 29, 1997)

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle

Standings: 10th

No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

RACKING UP THE POINTS: So far in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, William Byron has secured 13 playoff points – tied for the third-most by a driver so far this season with Denny Hamlin. In the last five races, the 24-year-old driver has collected 39 stage points – tied for the fourth-most with Ryan Blaney.

UP FRONT: Byron has led the second-most laps so far this season with 611 circuits out front, just behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott who has led 658. In fact, 122 of those laps led by Byron came at Richmond Raceway in April of this year – his second-most laps led in a single Cup Series race.

SHORT-TRACK SUCCESS: With the Cup Series taking on its third paved short-track event of the 2022 season, the driver of the No. 24 has momentum on his side after a third-place effort at Richmond and a win at Martinsville Speedway the following weekend. Since the start of 2021, Byron has five top-five finishes on short tracks – tied for the most with Martin Truex Jr. – and led 334 laps – the third-most behind Elliott and Hamlin. In his last four short-track starts, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native has collected top-five finishes in all four races – the longest active streak in the Cup Series and his longest streak on short tracks.

RIVER CITY LOWDOWN: Sunday’s race at Richmond will mark Byron’s ninth Cup Series start at the .75-mile track. He currently has a track-best finish of third that came in April of this season after starting on the front row. Aside from his eight Cup Series starts, Byron has made two NASCAR Xfinity Series appearances at the Virginia-based track, both in 2017. He earned a best starting position of sixth and finished seventh in the fall. He also has one ARCA Menards Series East start in 2015, when he won the pole and finished sixth.

RUDY AT RICHMOND: Making his fourth Cup Series start at the .75-mile track Sunday, Fugle has six previous starts at the national level at Richmond – three in the Cup Series, one in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and two in the Xfinity Series. His most recent starts at the short track came in April of this season in the Cup Series when Byron and the No. 24 team had a track-best weekend at Richmond, qualifying second, leading 122 laps and ultimately finishing third after being passed for the win with five laps to go.

BACK TO HIS ROOTS: On Wednesday, Byron is behind the wheel of the No. 24 Super Late Model for Wilson Motorsports for the Battle at Berlin 250 at Berlin Raceway. Byron raced there earlier this year and captured the win – one of six wins he’s secured this year in the Super Late Model ranks.

LIBERTY U IS BACK: For back-to-back races, Byron will climb behind the wheel of the No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, this time at Richmond Raceway. Featuring a white base with navy flames and red accents, the Liberty University No. 24 will be sure to stand out on track. Liberty University has a long history with Byron starting back in 2014 in the late model ranks. Liberty University has been Training Champions for Christ since it was founded in 1971. Located in the mountains of Central Virginia, Liberty is a liberal arts institution with 17 colleges and schools that offers more than 600 degree programs from the certificate to the doctoral level, on campus and online. Working on an undergraduate degree in strategic communication, Byron is now in his junior year at Liberty University through its online program. For a better look at Byron’s Liberty University paint scheme, click here.

48 Alex Bowman

Age: 29 (April 25, 1993)

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

Resides: Concord, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Greg Ives

Standings: 11th

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

MICHIGAN IN THE REARVIEW: Alex Bowman took home his 10th top-10 finish in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. The driver of the No. 48 finished stage one in 17th and finished stage two in eighth en route to his ninth-place result at Michigan International Speedway. That finish was his best at the 2-mile venue in his Cup Series career.

RICHMOND REWIND: Bowman’s last start at Richmond Raceway saw him notch an eighth-place result. The top-10 finish at the .75-mile venue was his second top-10 in his last three appearances – his other was a win in April 2021. In fact, the 29-year-old’s average finish of 7.5 in the past four races at the Richmond, Virginia-based venue is fifth-best among all active drivers in the Cup Series. In that span, it is also the best mark among the Hendrick Motorsports quartet.

VIRGINIA IS FOR WINNERS: In the last seven Cup Series races in the state of Virginia, Bowman has taken home the checkered flag in two events – tied with Martin Truex Jr. for most in that span. The Tucson, Arizona, native captured the first of those wins in the capital city in April 2021 and the second win was at Martinsville Speedway in October 2021.

FIRST OF MANY: Richmond is the site of the first points-paying win for primary sponsor Ally in the Cup Series thanks to Bowman’s victory last year. Since then, he has garnered four additional wins for the No. 48 Ally Racing team (Dover Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Martinsville in 2021 and Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2022).

THREE TO GO: Through 23 races in the 2022 Cup Series season, Bowman is currently ranked 11th with 572 regular season points. Across those appearances, he has totaled one win (Las Vegas), three top-five finishes, 10 top-10s and six playoff points.

REVVING TO A MILESTONE: The engine shop at Hendrick Motorsports sits five wins away from 500 victories. To date, the company’s engine program is responsible for 336 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series, 122 wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, 22 wins in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and 15 wins in the ARCA Menards Series and K&N Pro Series ranks.

LEADING THE WAY: With eight wins through 23 NASCAR Cup Series races in 2022, Hendrick Motorsports has earned the most victories so far this season. It is the only four-car team to see each of its drivers win a race this season. The organization’s 1,578 laps out front lead all teams in the series by 50 circuits. Teammates Chase Elliott and William Byron rank 1-2 in laps led this year.

SPRING RACE REWIND: In the April event at Richmond Raceway, three Hendrick Motorsports drivers placed inside the top 10 for the first time since 2015 at the venue. Byron led 122 laps and finished third, while Kyle Larson took fifth and Alex Bowman came home eighth.

WINNING AT RICHMOND: The Rick Hendrick-owned organization has 11 victories in the capital city of Virginia. Jimmie Johnson and Terry Labonte each won three times at the .75-mile track, while Jeff Gordon posted two wins. Bowman, Tim Richmond and Joe Nemechek won once at the Virginia short track. The six drivers to visit victory lane are tied for the most by any one team at Richmond.

VIRGINIA VICTORIES: The team’s 38 wins in “The Old Dominion State” are the second-most all time among Cup Series teams and the most it has accumulated in any one state. In addition to 11 victories at Richmond, the company has 27 triumphs at Martinsville Speedway – its most at any one track in the sport’s top series. Byron won the last race in Virginia at the paperclip-shaped track in April of this year and all four drivers in the lineup have Cup Series victories in the state.

TREND SETTERS: In the last eight short-track races (dating back to November 2020 at Martinsville), Hendrick Motorsports has won five times. During that span, each driver in the current lineup won at least once – Elliott in 2020 at Martinsville, Larson in 2021 at Bristol Motor Speedway and Byron in April at Martinsville – with Bowman picking up two wins (Richmond and Martinsville in 2021).

SHORT-TRACK STRENGTH: Hendrick Motorsports’ 55 wins on short tracks is the best mark by 11 wins for an active team in the Cup Series. Fourteen drivers have combined to reach that total with Gordon’s 17 victories atop the board.

QUOTABLE /

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the challenge of Richmond Raceway: “What makes Richmond (Raceway) so difficult is the slow pace and the tires fall off quite a bit with the Next Gen car. It was difficult to pass earlier this year. Qualifying will be important and just taking care of your rear tires on a long run will be key.”

Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the organization’s gains on tracks less than a mile-and-a-half: “We’ve upgraded our short-track program a lot. Our cars were okay at Richmond (Raceway) – we weren’t great. We certainly weren’t that good at Gateway. We really did a lot of work to get better for New Hampshire (Motor Speedway). We did not execute a good race at New Hampshire but we had a lot of car speed and the car had a lot of potential.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at Richmond: “In the spring, I really felt like we had a better car than where we finished. Strategy didn’t quite work in our favor, so I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do when we return this weekend. Passing is going to be tough again, so I really feel like qualifying and getting good track position is going to be important.”

Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on how to run well at Richmond: “You need to have good security in the car and really being able to cut the center is important in order to perform well at Richmond (Raceway). Brakes can be difficult there, it’s not a super tough braking track but it’s very finicky how you use them. So, brakes can be paramount to the performance of the car. Those are the keys to be able to go fast. Of course, you also have to have good strategy. We had a lot of long green flag runs there in the spring so pit stops are also going to be super important.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on if he’s in ‘playoff mode’ yet: “I don’t try to get into any sort of mode. I just try to race. We try, at times, to simulate what a playoff race would be like or things like that, but it never seems to work too well. We’re going to try our best when the playoffs start and we’re trying our best this weekend. Hopefully this weekend goes as we want it to. The only thing that races right now represent are the strengths or weaknesses at certain tracks. I feel like we’ve gotten the road courses pretty good, and we were really good at the short tracks earlier this year as well. Even though Richmond (Raceway) isn’t in the playoffs anymore, it’s a short track that will kind of represent a Phoenix (Raceway)-type track.”

Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on his thoughts for Richmond: “We feel good about Richmond (Raceway). We ran really good there in the spring and led a lot of laps. The way that the pit strategy played out is the only reason we didn’t win. I could have made a different call but with the information I had at the time, I still feel like it was the right call. I’m just excited to get back there and give it another go. This race will be a day race instead of a night race. The track temperature will be higher which means you need more grip. You’ll have less grip in the track but more grip in the car hopefully and build off of that.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on heading to Richmond this weekend: “The No. 48 team has had success there which always helps our confidence. We ran well and took home a top 10 at Michigan (International Speedway) so we all feel like there is no reason we can’t go to Virginia this Sunday and build some momentum for the playoffs. Greg (Ives, crew chief) is really good about keeping us focused one race at a time, which helps us take the pressure off and perform when the time comes. We will study hard, prepare as much as we can and go execute this weekend.”

Greg Ives, crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the top-10 finish at Michigan: “It was a fight all day, but our team has that spirit in us. Starting 30th was not what any of us had in mind, but Alex (Bowman) did a great job to stay in it and trust myself and the rest of the team to get him what he needed. He was able to be aggressive and make the right moves to get to the front of the field. Our pit crew executed well and while I always want to do better, last weekend was a huge momentum-building moment for the No. 48 team as we head toward the start of the playoffs.”

NASCAR HAS SEEN A PARADE OF FIRST-TIME CUP WINNERS IN 2022; COULD ANOTHER FIRST-TIMER TRIUMPH AT BRISTOL?

By
Official Release
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With two victories this season, Tyler Reddick is one of five NASCAR Cup Series drivers who broke through this season to earn their first career victories. He will be one of the drivers to watch in the NASCAR Playoffs during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Sept. 17.

A modern era record five first-time Cup winners have emerged in 2022 and several drivers are eligible to join that list at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Aug. 10, 2022) – The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season is quickly becoming known as the season of ‘First-Time Winners.’

With five first-time winners already holding trophies this year, could another emerge at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Sept. 17, at iconic Bristol Motor Speedway?

While the spotlight that night will shine brightly on the 16 drivers who will be racing hard to advance in the NASCAR Playoffs, there are a handful of drivers who will be focused on joining the elite list of five drivers who have enjoyed breakthrough victories in 2022.

During the modern era, five first-time winners in a season is the record. Prior to this season it has happened three other times, 2001, 2002 and most recently in 2011. Of course, the all-time NASCAR Cup record for first-time winners happened in 1950 when 12 first-timers won as the sport was getting started.

This season is certainly becoming one to remember on that front, considering the debut of the Next Gen car combined with how many talented veterans are still looking to win this season. In addition to the five first-timers, 10 other drivers have also won as of press time for this news release. It’s very possible that this could be the first season in the Playoff era where all 16 Playoff drivers are regular season winners.

Veteran driver Kevin Harvick just joined the Playoff lineup by winning last weekend in Michigan. The five first-time winners this season includes a rookie, two sophomore drivers and two who had been seeking that elusive win for a few seasons.

Cup Series rookie Austin Cindric got the party started in grand fashion by winning the Daytona 500. Then sophomore racer Chase Briscoe grabbed his first Cup trophy a few weeks later in Phoenix. Trackhouse Racing star Ross Chastain was able to smash a watermelon for the first time with his memorable win at Circuit of the Americas in Texas. Shortly after, Daniel Suarez ripped open a Pinata in victory lane while wearing a Sombrero after claiming his emotional first Cup win at Sonoma. Last month, talented Tyler Reddick, who had some narrow misses throughout the year, also joined the club with a convincing victory at Road America. Reddick and Chastain have quickly added second wins to their resumes this year.

The group who will head to Bristol looking to stamp their passport to Cup Series Victory Lane includes most notably series veterans Ty Dillon and Corey LaJoie and class rookies Harrison Burton and Todd Gilliland.

Bristol Motor Speedway isn’t known as a place that produces breakthrough winners. In fact, the five drivers who won their first Cup race at Bristol is an incredible list, starting with the Intimidator, Dale Earnhardt in 1979. The others are also NASCAR All-Stars: Rusty Wallace, Ernie Irvan, Kurt Busch and Elliott Sadler.

“Bristol is such a challenging track that historically rookies and drivers with less experience just don’t traditionally fare too well on the all-concrete high banks,” said racing historian and journalist David McGee. “Considering only one rookie, Dale Earnhardt Sr., has won at Bristol in its 60-plus year history tells you all you need to know about how tough it is to get a win at Bristol when you are busy trying to figure out how to race there and just stay out of trouble. Just finishing at Bristol is a major accomplishment for a newcomer.”

The tracks with the most first-time winners in Cup Series history are Daytona (23), Martinsville and Talladega (12 each), and Charlotte (10).

Dillon, who has been racing Cup cars since 2014 with 189 career starts has a best finish of third (Talladega) and LaJoie recently challenged for a victory at Atlanta three weeks ago in his No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevy. Both of those drivers have raced well at Bristol and would love to make that track the site of their first Cup win.

Second-generation racer Burton needs a win this year to keep pace with Cindric. Driving the famed Wood Brothers No. 21 machine, he posted a career-best finish of fourth two weeks ago at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. The race also featured all three rookies finishing in order in the top five.

Burton, who won an ARCA race at BMS in 2017, says it’s been a blast this year having a competitive rookie race with rivals Cindric and Gilliland.

“It’s been fun to kind of go back and forth and joke around with each other about it and use it as some competitive edge,” Burton said. “And then Austin goes off and wins the first race of the year, and that kind of made it harder for us because then we had to go match that.

“So, which is cool, it’s exciting. I mean, there’s been a lot of new winners this year and some first-time winners. So I think there’s room there to do it. You’re just going to have to have a spectacular day.”

The first-time winners also will have the opportunity to compete in the Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16, which for four of the five, will be their first time with a shot at post-season glory. Reddick is the only one of the first-time winners to have qualified for the Playoffs in the past.

Suarez, who nearly quit the sport after hitting “rock bottom” in 2020, has had a resurgence at Trackhouse Racing in his No. 99 Chevy. His win at Sonoma proved that he belongs at the top level of NASCAR.

“It doesn’t change anything,” Suarez has said. “In reality, everything is the same. The only difference is that we accomplished a very big goal. But life doesn’t change. We have to continue to do our job. We now know that we can do it. I know I’m a winning driver, and together we’re building something great.”
Briscoe, who won at Phoenix and was part of a wild finish at the Food City Dirt Race in April when he and Reddick made contact in turn four on the final lap that ultimately opened the door for a Kyle Busch victory, says getting that win was life changing. Briscoe, who drives the No. 14 for Stewart-Haas Racing, will be one of the drivers looking to advance in the Round of 16 Playoffs.

“Seven years ago, I was sleeping on couches, volunteering at race shops, and was literally driving home to give up (racing),” Briscoe has said. “Then Briggs Cunningham and Kerry Scherer and Beth Cunningham gave me an opportunity, and it’s led to this.”

The Bristol weekend begins with Zane Smith, John Hunter Nemechek, Ben Rhodes and defending winner Chandler Smith battling for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory Thursday night in the UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics (Sept. 15, 9 p.m., FS1, MRN Radio). The rising stars in the ARCA Menards Series also will take on the challenging half-mile bullring in the Bush’s Beans 200 as part of the Thursday night doubleheader (Sept. 15, 6:30 p.m., FS1, MRN Radio).

On Friday, Sparks are sure to fly in the Food City 300, as NASCAR Xfinity Series favorites A.J. Allmendinger, Noah Gragson, Justin Allgaier, Ty Gibbs and Josh Berry will be trying to lock in their Playoff positions in the season’s final regular season race (Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m., USA Network, PRN Radio). The stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will take to the track on Saturday for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race (Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m., USA Network, PRN Radio), where you’ll get to see all of your favorite drivers racing hard to advance in the first elimination race of the Playoffs.

To purchase tickets, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com or call the BMS Ticket Sales Center at (866) 415-4158. Fans can also purchase tickets at any Food City location through Sept. 6.

About Bristol Motor Speedway
Forged amid the scenic mountains of Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia state line, Bristol Motor Speedway is The Last Great Colosseum, a versatile multi-use venue that hosts major auto races, football games, concerts and many other captivating events. The facility features a 0.533-mile concrete oval race track with 28-degree corner banking and 650-feet straightaways that offers racing in several NASCAR touring series, highlighted by two major Cup Series weekends each year. In 2020, the track also served as host of the prestigious NASCAR All-Star Race, and in 2021 began converting to a temporary dirt track each spring to take the Cup Series back to its racing roots. While at the track, fans are offered a unique viewing experience courtesy of Colossus TV, the world’s largest outdoor center-hung four-sided video screen with a 540,000-watt audio system. The adjacent quarter-mile dragstrip, Bristol Dragway, offers more than 50 events annually, including the marquee NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. The Thunder Valley Amphitheatre presented by Ballad Health transforms Bristol Dragway into a premier outdoor concert venue for the world’s greatest music performers. Three football games have kicked-off inside the oval, most notably the 2016 Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol, where border rivals the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech met before an NCAA-record crowd of 156,990. In existence since 1961, Bristol Motor Speedway was purchased in 1996 by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., a publicly traded company that is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.

Black’s Tire Highlights Partner Dealers at Richmond

By
Official Release
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BTS Returns to the No. 15 for Worldwide Express 250

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 10, 2022) — Black’s Tire reunites with David Gilliland Racing (DGR) and Tanner Gray for Saturday’s NASCAR Camping Word Truck Series event at Richmond (Va.) Raceway. It will be the fourth and final time that the longtime partner will grace the sides of the No. 15 Ford F-150 in 2022.

BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors will utilize the opportunity to partner with and highlight 40 of their Goodyear G3X Partner Dealers who serve North Carolina, South Carolina and Southern Virginia. The name and town of each dealer will be featured on the bed top of Gray’s F-150.

In three races with Black’s Tire on the hood, the 23-year-old Gray has scored two of his best finishes of the season with a fourth at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and a sixth at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The other finish was a 21st-place effort in a rough-and-tumble race at Martinsville (Va.) Raceway.

“For whatever reason we seem to run really well with Black’s Tire on the truck,” said Gray. “I hope we can continue that this weekend at Richmond and put together a good race from start to finish. The stress of making the playoffs is gone and we have nothing to lose, so we can focus all of our efforts on going after a win.”

The Worldwide Express 250 at Richmond Raceway will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 13. Radio coverage will be provided by the Motor Racing Network.

About Black’s Tire

Black’s Tire was formed as Black’s Service Station by W. Crowell Black in Whiteville, N.C. in 1929. Now, with more than 60 locations in both North and South Carolina, Black’s remains a local, family owned and operated tire sales and service and vehicle repair business as well. In addition to retail and commercial locations, Black’s Tire also operates 6 warehouse and distribution centers, 3 satellite wholesale operations, BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors, a commercial sales division and a tire-retreading business, Carolina Retreads. The Black’s Tire family includes more than 925 team associates.

To learn more about Black’s Tire or to find a location, visit www.blackstire.com. Follow Black’s Tire and Auto Service on social media: Twitter at @BlacksTire, Instagram at @BlacksTire and Facebook at facebook.com/blackstire.

About David Gilliland Racing

David Gilliland Racing (DGR) is a race team owned by NASCAR veteran David Gilliland and businessman Johnny Gray. The team specializes in driver development, competing full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, multiple ARCA Menards Series divisions and CARS Tour with factory support from Ford Performance. In its first four years of operation, DGR has achieved success in each series tallying up multiple wins and championships. The team operates out of three buildings totaling 60,000 square feet in Mooresville, N.C.

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