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Hamlin to make 600th Cup career start at Indianapolis

By
Andrew Kim
-
Photo by Ted Seminara for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Competing in his 17th consecutive full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series, Denny Hamlin is set to achieve of a milestone start. By competing in this weekend’s event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, the driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota TRD Camry will achieve career start No. 600 in NASCAR’s premier series.

A native of Chesterfield, Virginia, Hamlin made his inaugural presence in the Cup circuit at Kansas Speedway in October 2005. By then, he was campaigning in his first full-time season in the Xfinity Series and was selected to pilot JGR’s No. 11 FedEx Chevrolet Monte Carlo, where he replaced Jason Leffler, Terry Labonte and J.J. Yeley as all three took turns piloting the ride throughout the season. During the event at Kansas, Hamlin started seventh but finished 32nd in his Cup debut. He returned for the following six Cup events to conclude the 2005 campaign. During this stint, he notched three top-10 results, including a season-best seventh-place result at Texas Motor Speedway November, and started on pole position for the penultimate Cup event in 2005, where he led 23 laps and finished 13th.

In 2006, Hamlin graduated to the Cup Series on a full-time basis in the No. 11 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for JGR. Based on winning his first Cup pole at Phoenix, he made his first start of his rookie campaign in the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway in February. During the Shootout, Hamlin led 16 of 72 laps and fended off challenges from teammate Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson to become the first rookie Cup candidate to win NASCAR’s pre-season exhibition event.

Making his Daytona 500 debut a week later, Hamlin started 17th and finished 30th. Nine races later, he notched a career-best runner-up result at Richmond Raceway, his home track, behind Earnhardt Jr. Then another four races later, Hamlin notched his first career victory in NASCAR’s premier series at Pocono Raceway in June and became the fourth different competitor to win a Cup Series event for Joe Gibbs Racing. The victory, which occurred in his 21st series start, also occurred after the Virginia native rallied from cutting a left-rear tire and spinning on Lap 52. The momentum continued for Hamlin, who swept both Pocono Cup events when NASCAR returned to the Tricky Triangle circuit in July. The two Pocono victories along with 11 finishes in the top 10 throughout the 26-race regular season stretch were more than enough for the driver of the No. 11 JGR Chevrolet team to qualify for the 2006 Cup Playoffs, thus making Hamlin the first rookie candidate to make the Playoffs. Throughout the 10-race Playoff stretch, he earned seven top-10 results and three top-three results before settling in third place in the final standings and capping off his sensational first Cup season with two victories, three poles, eight top-five results, 20 top-10 results and the 2006 Rookie-of-the-Year title.

The following season, Hamlin achieved his third NASCAR Cup Series career victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July following a late battle with four-time champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon. To go along with 14 top-10 results, including seven in the top three, he made his second consecutive appearance in the Playoffs. During the Playoffs, however, Hamlin only achieved three top-10 results and fell back to 12th place in the final standings.

Six races into the 2008 Cup Series season, Hamlin, who remained at JGR when the team swapped manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota, notched his fourth Cup career victory at Martinsville Speedway in March following another late duel with Gordon. Four races later at Richmond, Hamlin, who started on pole, led 381 of 410, but ended up in 24th place after cutting a right-front tire late in the event and losing three laps in the process. The Martinsville victory along with 13 additional top-10 results, however, were enough for Hamlin to qualify for the Playoffs for a third consecutive season. Despite earning five top-10 results throughout the 2008 Playoffs, Hamlin settled in eighth place in the final standings ahead of teammates Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch. By then, the Virginia native surpassed 100 career starts in NASCAR’s premier series.

After finishing in the top five six times during the first 20 scheduled events of the 2009 season, Hamlin notched his first elusive victory of the year at Pocono, which snapped a 50-race winless drought dating back to March 2008. In Victory Lane, an emotional Hamlin dedicated the win to his grandmother, who died earlier in the week. Five races later, he won the regular season finale at Richmond after leading 299 of 400 laps. Through the first half of the 2009 Cup Playoffs, the Virginia native finished in the top five twice, but suffered back-to-back DNFs at Auto Club Speedway and at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October. He rebounded by winning for the third time of the season at Martinsville, but retired late at Talladega Superspeedway due to an engine failure. While he did not emerge as the 2009 Cup champion, Hamlin capped off the season with three consecutive top-three results, including a fourth victory of the year in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November, as he also finished in fifth place in the final standings.

Entering the 2010 Cup Series season as a potential championship favorite, Hamlin rallied from finishing no higher than 17th place during the first five scheduled events by overtaking Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth during a two-lap shootout to win at Martinsville in March for the third time in his career. A month after he underwent a knee surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee and finishing in 30th place at Phoenix Raceway, he rallied from starting 28th to win at Texas Motor Speedway in April over the reigning four-time champion Jimmie Johnson and claim his 10th Cup Series career victory. By June, Hamlin notched three additional victories to the 2010 campaign: Darlington Raceway in May, Pocono in June and Michigan International Speedway in June. Three months later, Hamlin prevailed over a late battle with teammate Kyle Busch to claim his sixth victory of the season at Richmond and earn the top starting seed to the Playoffs.

Hamlin’s 2010 Playoff run commenced with a runner-up result at New Hampshire Motor Speedway despite being involved in an on-track incident midway into the event. After finishing no worse than 12th during the following four events, he notched his seventh victory of the season at Martinsville. By then, he narrowed his deficit to Jimmie Johnson to six points. Then after finishing ninth at Talladega, Hamlin dropped the hammer in early November by winning for the eighth time of the season at Texas and snatching the points lead by 33 points over Johnson. During the penultimate event of the season at Phoenix, however, Hamlin, who led a race-high 190 of 312 laps, was forced to pit late in the event due to not having enough fuel to finish the event. By finishing in 12th place while Johnson finished fifth, Hamlin’s advantage in the standings decreased to 15 points entering the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Then at Homestead, Hamlin, who started towards the rear of the field, was involved in an early on-track incident with Greg Biffle and never recovered as he finished 14th while Johnson finished second, which was enough for Johnson to reclaim the points lead and win his fifth consecutive Cup Series championship by 39 points. Despite falling short of winning his first Cup title, Hamlin concluded his fifth full-time season in NASCAR’s premier series with a career-high eight victories, two poles, 14 top-five results, 20 top-10 results and an average-finishing result of 12.9.

Compared to the 2010 season, Hamlin experienced a difficult season in 2011, where he notched only a single victory at Michigan in June. To go along with five top-five results and 14 top-10 results, he made the Playoffs for a sixth consecutive season, but settled in ninth place in the final standings. Despite this, Hamlin surpassed 200 Cup career starts.

The 2012 season featured a new crew chief for Hamlin for the first time in his Cup career as Darian Grubb, who won the 2011 title with Tony Stewart, joined Joe Gibbs Racing after departing Stewart-Haas Racing as he replaced Mike Ford. Two races into the new season, Hamlin raced his way to a momentous victory at Phoenix following a late duel with Kevin Harvick. Another six races later, he won at Kansas Speedway in April following a late battle against Martin Truex Jr. After enduring an up-and-down regular season stretch, Hamlin notched back-to-back victories at Bristol Motor Speedway and at Atlanta Motor Speedway between August and September before entering the 2012 Cup Playoffs with the top seed. Despite claiming his 22nd career victory and fifth of the season at New Hampshire, which marked the 100th Cup career win for Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin finished outside of the top 10 in four of the final five scheduled events, which relegated him back to sixth place in the final standings.

Campaigning in his ninth full-time season in the Cup Series with JGR in 2013, Hamlin earned a single top-five result through the first four scheduled events. Mired in this was a 23rd-place result at Bristol Motor Speedway in March, where he cut a right-front tire late in the event. Earlier, he made contact with ex-teammate Joey Logano, which prompted Logano to confront Hamlin following the event. Then during the following scheduled event at Auto Club Speedway, Hamlin was involved in a vicious wreck on the final lap while engaged in a late, fierce battle with his newest rival Logano for the win. Entering the final turn, Hamlin was being drifted up the track by Logano and the contact resulted with the former sending the latter into the outside wall as Hamlin then spun below the track and pounded the inside wall near the pit road entrance head-on. After exiting his car and being airlifted to a local hospital, it was later reported that Hamlin suffered a massive L1 compression fracture or a collapsed vertebra, which prevented him from competing during the following four events as Mark Martin and Brian Vickers took turns sharing JGR’s No. 11 Toyota.

Two months following the incident at Auto Club Speedway, Hamlin made a brief return to the Cup circuit at Talladega in May, where he started the event before relinquishing his seat early to Vickers for the remainder of the event. A week later at Darlington, Hamlin completed all 500 miles and earned an impressive runner-up result behind teammate Matt Kenseth. Determined to make up the lost time early in the season, Hamlin went on to finish in fourth place in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway after starting on pole. Despite winning the pole for the following weekend at Dover in June, Hamlin fell back to 34th place after cutting a right-front tire and retiring late. He rallied by finishing eighth at Pocono, but settled outside of the top 15 through the remaining 12 regular season events, which were enough to prevent Hamlin and the No. 11 JGR Toyota team from making the Playoffs for the first time since 2005. After finishing no higher than seventh twice during the following nine Playoff events, Hamlin capped off the 2013 Cup season on a high note by winning the finale at Homestead in November. The victory, which was the 23rd of Hamlin’s Cup career, extended his all-time winning streak in NASCAR’s premier series to eight consecutive seasons, though he settled in a career-low 23rd-place in the final standings. In the midst of this, he notched a career-high five poles.

Hamlin initiated the 2014 Cup season on a high note by winning both the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona and the second of two Budweiser Duel events before finishing in second place in the 56th running of the Daytona 500 behind Dale Earnhardt Jr. A month later at Auto Club Speedway, Hamlin relinquished his seat to Sam Hornish Jr. after experiencing a sinus infection that affected his vision. Then at Talladega Superspeedway in May, Hamlin extended his winning consecutive streak in the Cup Series to nine seasons after emerging victorious at Talladega, which marked his 300th Cup career start. He went on to record eight additional top-10 results during the regular season stretch before the 2014 Cup Playoffs commenced. Throughout the Playoffs, Hamlin utilized consistency to transfer from the Round of 16 all the way to the Championship Round and emerge as one of four finalists to compete for the title at Homestead in November. During the finale, however, Hamlin, who remained out on course on old tires in the closing laps, slipped back to seventh place on the track and in third place in the final standings, which marked his fourth top-five result in a Cup standings.

Paired with veteran crew chief Dave Rogers for his 10th full-time Cup season, Hamlin fended off rival Brad Keselowski at Martinsville in March to claim his fifth victory at the Paper Clip track in his home state of Virginia. Two months later, Hamlin prevailed in a late battle against Kevin Harvick and stellar work from his pit crew to win the All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May and record the first All-Star victory for himself, Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota. To go along with 12 additional top-10 results throughout the regular season, Hamlin made his ninth appearance as a Playoff contender. He then commenced the Playoffs on a high note by rallying from an opening lap spin to take the lead during a two-lap shootout and win at Chicagoland Speedway in September. Despite transferring from the Round of 16 to the Round of 12, Hamlin’s title hopes evaporated after being involved in a multi-car wreck at Talladega in October. When the final checkered flag of 2015 flew, Hamlin settled in ninth place in the final standings.

In 2016, Hamlin received his fourth different crew chief of his Cup career as Mike Wheeler replaced Rogers atop the No. 11 pit box. The new duo commenced the 2016 season on a high note by winning the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona, which marked Hamlin’s third career victory in NASCAR’s non-point exhibition event. Then during the 58th running of the Daytona 500, Hamlin overtook teammate Matt Kenseth for the lead through the final turn on the final lap and edged Martin Truex Jr. by 0.010 to become the 37th different competitor to win the Great American Race for the first time for himself, for Toyota and for Joe Gibbs Racing since 1993. To this day, Hamlin’s margin of victory over Truex of 0.010 stands as the closet-recorded finish in the history of the Daytona 500. Twenty-one races later, where he notched nine additional top-10 results, Hamlin claimed his first road course victory at Watkins Glen International in August. He then capped off the regular season by winning at Richmond for the third time of his career in September. Throughout the Playoffs, Hamlin and the No. 11 JGR team earned seven results in the top 10, but their 2016 title hopes came to an end following the Round of 8 as the Virginia veteran finished in sixth place in the final standings.

By competing in the first two scheduled events of 2017, where he finished outside the top 15 in both events, Hamlin reached 400 Cup career starts. He then finished in the top 10 nine times during the following 16 scheduled events before claiming his first win of the season and his 30th Cup career victory at New Hampshire in July. Two months later, he rallied from a late pit road error to benefit from Truex cutting a right-front tire in the closing laps and win the Southern 500 at Darlington for a second time. The victory, however, was ruled encumbered as Hamlin’s car failed post-race inspection. Despite this, he made his 10th career appearance in the Playoffs. After finishing in the top 10 four times during the first six scheduled Playoff events, Hamlin was one of eight competitors still active in the Playoffs for the title. Then at Martinsville in October, he was involved in a late controversial incident with Chase Elliott, whom Hamlin wrecked in the closing laps while battling for the win and a spot to the Championship Round finale at Homestead in November. While Elliott fell back to 29th place, Hamlin settled in seventh after being overtaken by teammate Kyle Busch on the penultimate lap and being swept in a multi-car wreck while trying to finish the event. His incident with Elliott, however, carried forth following the event, where both competitors exchanged harsh words near the backstretch. Despite finishing third at Texas during the following weekend, Hamlin’s title hopes for 2017 evaporated at Phoenix when he made contact with Elliott and cut a right-front tire in the closing laps. Instead of a possible trip to Victory Lane and the main championship stage, Hamlin settled in sixth place in the final standings for a second consecutive season.

The 2018 Cup Series season marked the first time since 2005 where Hamlin concluded the season winless as he only managed to record four poles, 10 top-five results and 17 top-10 results. Despite utilizing consistency to make the Playoffs, his championship hopes came to an early end following the Round of 16 and three consecutive results outside of the top 10. He finished in 11th place in the final standings.

Paired with his fifth crew chief in his career, Chris Gabehart, Hamlin roared out of the gates in 2019 by winning the 61st running of the Daytona 500 in February as he claimed his second 500 triumph and snapped a 47-race winless drought dating back to September 2017. The 500 victory was an emotional one for Hamlin and team owner Joe Gibbs, whose son and JGR’s co-owner, J.D., had died a month prior to the season and who played an instrumental role in recruiting Hamlin to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing. Six races later, the Virginia veteran claimed his second victory of the season at Texas in March. Hamlin went on to win at Pocono in July and the Bright Night Race in August before making his 13th career appearance as a Cup Playoff contender. During the first half of the 2019 Playoffs, Hamlin earned four top-five results, including a victory at Kansas in October, that enabled him to advance from the Round of 16 to the Round of 8. During this round, he was involved in an off-track skirmish with Logano at Martinsville and settled in 28th place at Texas due to an early spin, which placed him in jeopardy of missing the Championship Round finale at Homestead in November. Nonetheless, Hamlin executed his opportunity at the right timing by winning at Phoenix for his sixth victory of the season and to clinch a spot to the finale. However, while he appeared to have a championship-winning run established during the finale, his title hopes evaporated late after he made an unscheduled pit stop to address overheating issues to his No. 11 Toyota. When the checkered flag waved, Hamlin settled in 10th place on the track and in fourth place in the final standings as teammate Kyle Busch captured his second title. Nonetheless, the 2019 Cup season was a successful one for Hamlin, who earned six victories, three poles, a career-high 19 top-five results, 24 top-10 results and an average-finishing result of 9.5. In addition, he surpassed 500 Cup career starts.

The following season, Hamlin earned his third Daytona 500 career victory and the second in a row after narrowly escaping a vicious accident involving Ryan Newman on the final lap to edge Ryan Blaney by 0.014 seconds, which marks the second-closest margin of victory in the 500. After earning a rain-shortened victory at Darlington in May and a dominant win at Homestead in June, Hamlin tallied his career victories in the Cup Series to 40. He went on to win at Pocono in June, Kansas in July and at Dover in August before qualifying for the 2020 Cup Playoffs. Emerging as a championship threat, Hamlin earned three top-10 results throughout the Playoffs, including a win at Talladega in October, that enabled him to transfer all the way to the Round of 8. He ended up earning another trip to the Championship Round finale at Phoenix in November and was given another opportunity to claim his elusive first Cup title. During the finale, however, he was never a factor for the title battle as he finished in fourth place both on the track and in the final standings. Despite this, Hamlin’s seven victories earned in 2020 were the most he earned in a Cup season since winning eight times in 2010 as he also improved his average-finishing result of 9.3.

Making a bid to become the first competitor to win three consecutive Daytona 500s while also becoming a co-owner of 23XI Racing in 2021, Hamlin commenced the season with a fifth-place run during the 500. He then endured an up-and-down, consistent season, where he earned a total of 13 top-five results and 17 top-10 results throughout the 26-race regular season stretch. He also led the points standings for nearly the entire regular season stretch before being overtaken by Kyle Larson. During the 2021 Cup Playoff opener at Darlington in September, Hamlin stormed back to the main headlines after fending off Larson to snap a season-long winless spell and earn a one-way ticket to the Round of 12. He went on to transfer to the Round of 8 after winning at Las Vegas in September and emerging victorious as a car owner with driver Bubba Wallace at Talladega in October. During the Round of 8, Hamlin earned respective finishes of 11th, fifth and 24th. This included a late run-in with Alex Bowman at Martinsville in October, where Bowman spun Hamlin in the final laps while battling for the win and resulted with Hamlin pulling his car in front of Bowman’s following the event to express his displeasure. In the midst of the incident, Hamlin made the Championship Round for a third consecutive season. His title hopes for 2021, however, diminished as he finished in third place both during the finale and in the final standings. Nonetheless, Hamlin managed to tie his career-best top-five results earned at 19 while achieving a career-high 25 top-10 results and a career-best average-finishing result of 8.4.

Through 599 previous Cup starts, Hamlin has achieved 48 victories, 36 poles, 201 top-five results, 310 top-10 results, 13,041 laps led and an average-finishing result of 13.3. He has achieved two victories through the first 21-scheduled events of 2022: Richmond in April and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte in May. He initially won last weekend’s Cup event at Pocono, but his victory was stripped due to a post-race inspection failure that demoted him to 35th place of the 36-car field. Despite being ranked in 21st place in the regular-season standings, he is currently guaranteed a spot in the 2022 Cup Playoffs based on his two regular-season victories.

Hamlin is scheduled to make his 600th Cup Series career start at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on Sunday, July 31, with the event’s coverage to occur at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Kevin Meendering to call 100th Xfinity event as crew chief at Indianapolis

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images.

Making his brief return as a NASCAR crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, Kevin Meendering is within reach of a milestone start. By participating in this weekend’s Xfinity event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Meendering will call his 100th Xfinity event as a crew chief.

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in mechanical engeering, Meendering made his debut as a NASCAR crew chief in 2016 when he was paired with veteran Elliott Sadler in the Xfinity Series. By then, he had spent 16 previous seasons at Hendrick Motorsports, where he was an assistant engineer for Jeff Gordon for three seasons before spending the next five as a lead engineer for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

In his first event as a crew chief, Meendering led Sadler and the No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro team to a fourth-place result during the 2016 season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway. Eight races and six additional top-10 results later, Meendering notched his first NASCAR victory as a crew chief at Talladega Superspeedway in May after Sadler dodged a final lap incident involving Joey Logano to emerge out in front ahead of teammate Justin Allgaier and Brennan Poole at the moment of caution and return to Victory Lane following a one-year absence. Another 15 races later, Meendering and Sadler went to Victory Lane for the second time of 2016 after Sadler held off Denny Hamlin to grab a dominant win at Darlington Raceway in September. The two regular season victories mired with a consistent regular-season stretch were enough for Meendering and Sadler to clinch a spot for the inaugural Xfinity Series Playoffs.

Meendering and Sadler commenced the 2016 Xfinity Playoffs on a high note by winning at Kentucky Speedway in September, which enabled the team to advance from the Round of 12 to 8. During the Round of 8’s three events, Sadler finished second, sixth and 13th, respectively, which were enough for the No. 1 team to earn a spot to the Championship Round at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November. During the post-race inspection process at Phoenix Raceway in November, however, Meendering was suspended for the Xfinity Series finale at Homestead after it was discovered that two lug nuts were missing from Sadler’s car, which finished 13th. With Meendering out for the finale, veteran Mike Bumgarner filled in as an interim crew chief for Sadler, who went on to finish in the runner-up spot in the final championship standings behind Daniel Suarez.

Returning as Sadler’s crew chief in 2017, Meendering guided the No. 1 JRM Chevrolet team to a consistent 26-race regular season stretch highlighted with one pole, five stage victories, 11 top-five results and 19 top-10 results as Sadler captured the inaugural Xfinity Series regular-season title. Meendering and Sadler extended their consistency throughout the 2017 Xfinity Playoffs as they transferred all the way to the Championship Round at Homestead in November, with Meendering calling the shots for the finale. During the finale, however, Sadler lost in a late battle against teammate William Byron after getting stalled behind Ryan Preece and making contact with the wall, which cut his tire and took him out of contention to win his first NASCAR championship. While Byron went on to win the 2017 Xfinity title, Sadler fell back to eighth place on the track and in the runner-up spot in the standings for a second consecutive season.

Remaining as Sadler’s crew chief for a third full-time Xfinity season, Meendering and Sadler commenced the season with a runner-up result at Daytona after Sadler was edged by teammate Tyler Reddick by 0.0004 seconds, which marks the closest-recorded finish in NASCAR history. The duo of the No. 1 JRM Chevrolet team went on to achieve 12 additional top-five results and a total of 21 top-10 results throughout the 26-race regular season stretch as they made the Xfinity Playoffs for a third consecutive season. By then, however, Sadler had made his decision to retire from full-time NASCAR competition at the conclusion of the season. Meendering and Sadler were able to transfer to the Round of 8 following three consecutive top-15 results in the Round of 12. During the Round of 8, however, they were unable to secure a championship spot for the 2018 Xfinity finale at Homestead despite notching three consecutive top-11 results. Meendering capped off Sadler’s final event as a full-time competitor in 14th place at Homestead and in fifth place in the final standings. 

Following three full-time seasons in the Xfinity Series, Meendering graduated to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2019 to serve as a crew chief for the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro team piloted by seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. Twenty-one races into the season, however, Meendering was replaced by Cliff Daniels, though he remained at Hendrick Motorsports in a senior competition role. Three years later, Meendering, who serves as a competition development manager for HMS, returned as a crew chief at Road America this past Fourth of July weekend for the team’s No. 17 Chevrolet Camaro entry piloted by Kyle Larson, who dominated from pole position before finishing in the runner-up spot.

The Road America event was the first of three scheduled Xfinity road course events where Hendrick Motorsports will be fielding the No. 17 Chevrolet for its Cup Series roster. Following this weekend’s event at Indianapolis, where the No. 17 entry will be piloted by Alex Bowman, Meendering is scheduled to crew chief the No. 17 entry for a third and final time at Watkins Glen International in August and with William Byron set to drive.

Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images.

Through 99 previous Xfinity appearances, Meendering has achieved three victories, three poles, 40 top-five results and 78 top-10 results while working with two different competitors. 

Meendering is primed to call his 100th Xfinity Series event as a crew chief at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on Saturday, July 30, at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

CARS TOUR WELCOMES SEVEN RACING LEGENDS AS GUESTS TO THROWBACK 276

By
Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, NC (July 27, 2022) – The CARS Tour has announced its much anticipated guest lineup for the popular Throwback 276 scheduled for Saturday, July 30, at Hickory Motor Speedway. Seven impactful personalities on stock car racing’s history have committed to appear and sign autographs for fans during the one hour fan fest prior to the touring series’ crown jewel race.

The list of personalities scheduled to appear on Saturday includes:

  • Steve Park – former driver for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (No. 1 Pennzoil Chevrolet), a multi-time NASCAR Cup Series (2) and Xfinity Series (3) winner.
  • Jeremy Mayfield – 17-year NASCAR Cup Series veteran with five career wins for owners including Roger Penske and Ray Evernham.
  • Kerry Earnhardt – Son of NASCAR Hall of Famer and 7x Champion Dale Earnhardt; veteran of 106 NASCAR National Series starts.
  • Tommy Houston – 24-time NASCAR Xfinity Series winner; runner-up in 1989 series championship.
  • Shawna Robinson – first female to win a NASCAR touring series event, Goody’s Dash Series (3 wins from 1988-89); first female to win a NASCAR Xfinity Series pole (1994 – Atlanta).
  • Michael “Fatback” McSwain – race winning crew chief with NASCAR champions and legends like Bill Elliott, Bobby Labonte and Ricky Rudd.
  • Glenn Jarrett – originally a race driver himself, Ned Jarrett’s “other son” found success as a TV and radio broadcaster for CBS, TNN and the Motor Racing Network. Jarrett will also join the TV broadcast for this event as an analyst.

Fans will have the opportunity to meet these seven legends of the sport beginning at 6pm as part of the Throwback 276’s famed fan fest where fans are able to see the cars in person and on-track before the racing activities begin. Drivers competing in the event will also be available for photos and autographs, and often other famous faces are spotted throughout the pits and grandstands. Spectator gates open at 3pm on Saturday with time trials scheduled for 4:30pm.

The evening commences with two CARS Tour events – a pro late model feature followed by the headline 138-lap late model stock car contest. Past winners of the event include NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Josh Berry (2x), NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor Tate Fogleman, Justin Carroll and Ryan Repko. NASCAR Cup Series stars William Byron and Christopher Bell have also tasted CARS Tour success at Hickory.

For more information on the CARS Tour and the Throwback 276, including how to purchase discounted advance tickets, visit CARSRacingTour.com.

KRIS WRIGHT: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series News and Notes: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park

By
Official Release
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KRIS WRIGHT
No. 44 iHeartRadio Chevrolet Silverado
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series News and Notes
Event: TSport 200
Date: Friday, July 29
Venue: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Location: Brownsburg, Indiana
Track Description: .686-mile
Race: 200 laps / 137.2 miles

iHeartRadio Returns … iHeartRadio, the number one audio company in the United States, returns with Kris Wright for the TSport 200 at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on Friday, July 29. A long-standing relationship, iHeartRadio’s sponsorship with Wright began in 2017 in the IMSA Prototype Challenge. iHeartRadio was last featured on the hood of Wright’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado at the Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway in March.

America’s Great Race Place … This weekend marks Kris Wright’s debut at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, which last hosted the event in 2011. The NASCAR Camping World truck Series made a yearly stop at the track known for its prolific action, from the series inception in 1995 through

Now, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returns to the .686-mile oval track for the first time in more than a decade to open the Round of 10 of the Playoffs.

Short Track Stats: In four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts on a short track (less than one mile in length), the Wexford, Pa., -native has an average starting spot of 21.5 and an average finish of 28.5.

KRIS WRIGHT STATISTICS

QUOTE WORTHY
Kris Wright, driver of the No. 44 iHeartRadio Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports
On the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park:
“I am looking forward for a momentum swing in Indy for the No. 44 iHeartRadio Chevrolet Silverado team. Short tracks are fun due to the ‘physical’ bump-and-run games we must play to stay competitive. It should be very entertaining to watch, and we will be hopeful for some upsets.”

Kris Wright on Social Media … To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, visit KrisWrightMotorsports.com or connect with Kris Wright on Facebook (/KrisWrightRacing), Twitter (@KrisOnNASCAR) or Instagram (@krisonnascar).

Niece Motorsports’ NASCAR Camping World Truck Series History … Since entering the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2016, the Mooresville, N.C., -based organization has logged 352 starts with 42 drivers, including NASCAR Cup Series drivers Trevor Bayne, Ross Chastain, and Kyle Larson. Niece Motorsports has collected four victories (Ross Chastain, 2019: Kansas, Gateway, Pocono, and 2022: Charlotte), 27 top-five finishes and 65 top-10 finishes and has logged an average starting position of 19.6 and an average finishing position of 19.2.

NIECE MOTORSPORTS STATISTICS

Catch the Action … The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series TSport 200 at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park will be broadcast live on FS1 on Friday, July 29 at 9:00 p.m. (ET). It will also broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 8:30 p.m. (ET). Qualifying for the 17th event of the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule will air on Friday at 4:30 p.m. (ET) on FS1.

About iHeartMedia, Inc.
iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) is the number one audio company in the United States, reaching nine out of 10 Americans every month. It consists of three business groups.

With its quarter of a billion monthly listeners, the iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group has a greater reach than any other media company in the U.S. Its leadership position in audio extends across multiple platforms, including more than 860 live broadcast stations in over 160 markets nationwide; its National Sales organization; and the company’s live and virtual events business. It also includes Premiere Networks, the industry’s largest Networks business, with its Total Traffic and Weather Network (TTWN); and BIN: Black Information Network, the first and only 24/7 national and local all news audio service for the Black community. iHeartMedia also leads the audio industry in analytics, targeting and attribution for its marketing partners with its SmartAudio suite of data targeting and attribution products using data from its massive consumer base.

The iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group includes the company’s fast-growing podcasting business — iHeartMedia is the number one podcast publisher in downloads, unique listeners, revenue and earnings — as well as its industry-leading iHeartRadio digital service, available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices; the company’s digital sites, newsletters, digital services and programs; its digital advertising technology companies; and its audio industry-leading social media footprint.

The company’s Audio & Media Services reportable segment includes Katz Media Group, the nation’s largest media representation company, and RCS, the world’s leading provider of broadcast and webcast software.

Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.

First-ever Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix boosts local economy by $350 million

By
Official Release
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Fans cheering in the grandstands during the F1 Miami Grand Prix weekend on Sunday May 8th, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Fla (Brandon Brieger/F1 Miami GP).
  • 3,000 local workers paid in excess of $100 million in the lead-up and during the event
  • Tourism benefits as visitor spending totals $150 million during race week
  • A total of 243,000 spectators visit the Miami International Autodrome across three days
  • TV viewing figures up nearly 30% as 23 million watch the live action across the US

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – South Florida Motorsports (SFM) has released the findings of the first Economic Impact Report for the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix which reveals the local economy was boosted by nearly $350 million. Compiled by leading economic consultants Applied Analysis, the report details the specific fiscal benefits to the South Florida and Greater Miami regions, including Miami Gardens.

“We were proud to deliver on the commitment Stephen Ross made to impact the local economy and the people throughout our community; especially right here in Miami Gardens,” said Richard Cregan, CEO of the Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. “Our team worked selflessly to create a campus and experience that was unique to the international culture of Miami. We look forward to growing the event and the positive impact it will continue to make here for years to come.”

In the first week of May, the venue hosted the first-ever Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix held around a new 19-turn circuit known as the Miami International Autodrome, built around Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The race, which is one of 23 races worldwide comprising the 2022 Formula 1 Championship and will take place at the Miami International Autodrome for at least the next nine years.  The weekend attracted over 243,000 spectators across the three days and culminated with a thrilling race as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen beat the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. 

As well as enjoying the on-track action, fans were able to soak up the incredible atmosphere of the event which quickly became the hottest ticket in town. Celebrities from the worlds of film and pop mingled with sports stars in luxury VIP hospitality areas, such as Hard Rock Beach Club and MSC Cruises Yacht Club while international DJs performed to the entire campus and Miami restaurants served up the best local cuisine.

Driving Economic Impact and Salaries for Local Workers

The report highlights the overall economic impact of the race which has rivalled, if not exceeded, other events held in the South Florida market area. The operational and net visitor spending impacts are likely to recur in future years and have the potential to expand as the event matures. When operational activities and net visitor spending are aggregated, the overall economic impact reaches $349 million annually and supports more than $100 million in salaries and wages for over 3,000 local workers.

Visitors and Viewership

Visitor spending in the Greater Miami region during race week reached over $150 million. The average visitor to Miami for the race spent a total of $1,940 while in the city, which was nearly double the typical non-Formula 1 visitor. In addition, 84% of visitors traveled to Miami primarily for the event and 66% of attendees were out-of-town visitors. The tourist influx data revealed the country with the largest number of visitors was Canada, closely followed by the United Kingdom, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina.

The race was an extraordinary success from a broadcast perspective with 23 million US viewers spread across the weekend. The Saturday qualifying audience was 7.6 million rising to 15.4 million for Sunday’s race. In addition, viewership increased 27% compared to the 2021 US Grand Prix in Austin, TX across the weekend.

In the United States, race day viewership grew by 106% compared to the 2021 US Grand Prix with 2.2 million viewers, while on the F1 Web/App there were 140 million views (up 39% on the 2021 US race) and 118.6 million page views (up 50%) and 288,483 new followers. During the weekend F1 surpassed 19 million followers on Instagram, increasing its followers by 1.4 million since the start of the year.

Construction Jobs and Empowerment

Initial planning on the newest venue in Formula 1 started in the spring of 2019, while the first moment of ground-breaking on the campus was in April 2021.  A total of $50 million in salaries and wages were earned by 867 local employees during the construction phase of the project alone. The report concludes that the total economic impact of the track construction reached approximately $143 million when the indirect (vendor purchases) and induced (employee spending) impacts are considered.

Commitment to Miami Gardens

The Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix made an intentional commitment to empower and directly benefit the City of Miami Gardens and its residents. Fourteen minority owned restaurants were featured throughout the Campus and in partnership with Food Rescue US South Florida, Sodexo and Turn 5 Kitchen were able to donate edible food local shelters.

Furthermore, the F1 in Schools program administered through the Miami Gardens Parks and Recreation Department and Seeking Education Empowers Knowledge (S.E.E.K) brought STEM education directly to Miami Gardens students.  In addition, 12 students from Miami Gardens received event internships and 1,500 tickets were distributed to local residents. There was also a commitment to sustainability across the Campus with the elimination of 99.4% of single use plastics at Hard Rock Stadium. Aluminum water bottles, free water stations with reusable cups and plastic free serving vessels, plus three biodigesters to eliminate food waste, were in addition to other recycling facilities around the circuit.

The Deadliest Intersections in Florida

By
SM
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Photo by Ryan Besgrove on Unsplash

Every year, thousands of car accidents happen. The odds of getting into one are higher than you would think. It is frightening to know that in 2016, 26% of all fatal car accidents were caused by an intersection. This number is expected to rise as more people commute in their cars. How can you protect yourself from being a victim? You might think that being cautious will take care of it all, but there is one thing you can do that will make a difference in the safety of your commute. That is to ensure you know the safest intersections in your area. Many people disregard the importance of safety and the need for precaution. Because of this, they end up stuck in the middle of a road after an accident or someone being injured or worse. Here are several intersections in Florida we rank as being riskiest:

Top 10 Deadliest Intersections In The State Of Florida

1. Fort Lauderdale

It is no surprise that the intersection of Dixie Highway and Commercial Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale would be listed among the deadliest in Florida. In 2017 alone, there were eight fatalities from accidents at this intersection, making it one of the most dangerous in all of Broward County. The location itself is somewhat troubling. Commercial Boulevard is a bustling street, and there is a high volume of traffic at the intersection. Additionally, there is no traffic light at this intersection, making navigating even more challenging. These factors make this location one of the most dangerous in Florida.

2. Tampa

Tampa Bay has more than its share of risky intersections. The intersection of Hillsborough Avenue and Fletcher Avenue in Tampa has been responsible for 15 deaths since 2012 on its own, with 36 total injuries during that period. That makes this intersection one of the most dangerous locations in Hillsborough County for driver safety. “We get a lot of people calling us about their accidents on Hillsborough Ave.,” said Gregg Spagnolia, Esquire, an attorney working out of Rhino Lawyers in Tampa. “With such high volume traffic, people must take more precautions in the area.” 

The intersection is bustling and is at the city’s heart. Hillsborough Avenue is also a major thoroughfare and carries a high traffic volume. It only worsens when you consider that there are no lights or left turn lanes to provide added protection for drivers at this intersection.

3. Fort Pierce

Fort Pierce has been a hot spot for high-profile accidents over the past few years. As of 2016, seven fatalities from collisions happened in Fort Pierce, which ranks among the top ten deadliest intersections in Florida for driver safety. The most recent accident was an accident that took place on Highway A1A, which happened on March 26th. A 21-year-old man was killed after he drove his car into a tree.

4. West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach’s most dangerous intersection is Jefferson and Palmetto boulevards. It is known as one of the most dangerous in Florida. In 2016 alone, there were 15 deaths at this intersection in West Palm Beach. The bustling intersection has no traffic lights and left turn lanes to help drivers navigate it safely. An accident happened on May 2nd when a man died after being involved in an accident with another person right before running into a pole and hitting the ground head first.

5. South dixie highway

There is a high volume of traffic that comes through this intersection every single day. And because of this, it is one of the most dangerous in South Florida. The intersection has been the site of numerous accidents over the past few years, including one in early March. A driver was killed after he drove his car into a telephone pole at this intersection in Hialeah.

6. Miami

Miami is no stranger to devastating traffic accidents, and many people feel that the worst happens on Brickell Avenue and Southwest 2nd Street, which makes it one of the deadliest intersections for driver safety in Miami-Dade County. This intersection ranked as the fifth most dangerous intersection in Miami-Dade County. In 2016 alone, there were five deaths in this location and twenty-four injuries. 2017 has been no better, with four deaths in the nearby streets of Southwest 1st Avenue and Southwest 2nd Street, which are just a block away from the deadliest intersection.

7. Pensacola

Pensacola is another community that has its fair share of deadly intersections. Pensacola Boulevard and Fairfield Drive are one of the most dangerous, which is why they made it to number six on our list. It accounted for five deaths and thirty-one injuries. It is also ranked as one of the most dangerous intersections in Escambia County for driver safety. This intersection is another one that has no traffic lights, which can make it quite challenging to navigate through safely.

8. North federal highway

It is another bustling intersection, and it gets worse when you consider that there are no lights or any mechanism that helps keep the traffic flow going smoothly. In 2016 alone, this location had eight fatalities, making it one of the deadliest intersections in South Florida.

9. Pembroke Pines

Eleven people have been killed at the Pembroke Pines intersection of Flamingo Road and Stirling Road. Pembroke Pines is another community that traffic accidents have utterly decimated over the last few years, and this intersection is one of the most dangerous. It has had a total of twenty-one injuries since 2012. This intersection can be complicated to navigate safely because of all the high-end stores and restaurants and traffic from Coral Springs and Hollywood, two major streets that intersect with Flamingo road.

10. Alton road and dade boulevard

Alton Road and Dade Boulevard is a bustling intersection right in Miami’s heart. In 2017 alone, there have been fifteen deaths at this location, including two accidents just one day apart. In both accidents, drivers were killed after hitting vehicles during morning rush hour. Another accident happened when a driver lost control of their car and hit a telephone pole.

Final Thoughts

Intersections are often the scene of some dangerous accidents, and few people realize that many intersections across the United States have been responsible for dozens of deaths and injuries. These intersections also rank high on our list of the most dangerous intersections in Florida. When you are in a car, driving at 45 mph and being surrounded by fast-moving vehicles, it only takes one second to destroy a life. And when you consider that an intersection is often the site of countless dangerous accidents with hundreds of injuries and deaths, this becomes clear. When driving your vehicle somewhere in Florida, find out if your state has an open road law and use it to your advantage to get through traffic as safely as possible.

What to choose: BMW M3, M4 or BMW M5, M6?

By
SM
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Photo by Artiom Vallat on Unsplash

BMWs have a reputation for reliability combined with contemporary luxury. BMW prides itself on being ultra-drive machines, and they deliver on performance. For those interested in purchasing used BMW cars or other vehicles, it’s worth exploring the market for used cars Calgary.

The BMW M-series has many different options. Today, we will examine some of the different M-series cars and their main differences.

M3 and M4 Similarities

Both these cars have similar body styles and are equipped with manual transmissions. They also have identical drivetrains. The two include 6-cylinder engines, turbocharged to enhance the horsepower at a whopping 473. Both cars are constructed for premium performance, with optimum handling technology.

These cars have stylish, sporty exteriors that will appeal to the eye. Both cars push boundaries.

The differences between M3 & M4

The most notable differences between the M3 and M4 are the number of car doors. The comfort of the M3 makes it a better companion for everyday use. However, due to the weight of the M3, the M4 would be the fastest car if speed is a top need for you.

M5 & M6

For a good reason, these two cars are above the M3 and M4 and in a league of their own. The M6 has a more aggressive, futuristic aesthetic in terms of design. However, the drawback is that it doesn’t allow for comfortable rear space for adults, giving the M5 an advantage.

The M5 has 617 horsepower and can go from 0 to 60 in 3.1 seconds, well under the four-second mark. The torque is 502 lb-ft @ 1600 and is identical in the M5 and M6. 

The standard by BMW for both cars is rear-wheel drive with the option of all-wheel drive, known as XDrive in the BMW lexicon.

Disadvantages

The disadvantage of the M3 & M4 is that it is costly to own in terms of maintenance. This makes it poor ownership post-purchase over the long run. By the way, powerful BMW M-engines need to be maintained and serviced with quality parts. Check out genuine BMW parts here. Properly maintained, the powerful m-series engines will give you a long and happy driving life.

The M5 4395 cc compared with the M4, which is 2979cc, is an astounding engine capacity difference. 

The M6, compared to the M4 is also smoother in terms of noise and sound concerning the engine. If you own a BMW and want to ensure its performance and diagnose any potential issues, consider using an OBD2 Scanner for BMW.

The M4 & M5 are XDrive while the M3 and M4 are not, and considering that the latter two come with a substantial price tag, that is a disadvantage.

The M5 and M6 may pack power, but this comes at the cost of being bulkier and heavier, and it is pertinent to remember that the 0-60 time is the same.

Conclusion

The common thread between M3, M4, M5, and M6 is that they are all high-performance vehicles.

What it comes down to in the end is your preference: a sports car with the wrapping of a family car, or a coupe?

Everything about Custom Painting

By
SM
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Photo by Rajesh Kavasseri on Unsplash

The art world has always debated ready-made and custom-made paintings. Of course, people have valid points for both types of artwork. But today, more than half of people are more interested in custom paintings. This is because they are loved at first sight. They provide people with charm and attract people with their insight. 

However, there is a lot of confusion between custom and readymade paintings. Still, the question arrives whether a custom painting is worthy, whether you should opt for grateful dead’s custom painting, and what makes them a better choice, how they can buy a custom painting from online websites.

If you are also juggling the same questions, you are at the right place. Here is a proper guide that will tell you everything about custom painting. So, without wasting time, let’s roll down and learn everything about custom-made painting and why you should opt for it. 

What is custom painting?

No doubt you must have heard about customization. Today, people prefer customization in everything from clothes to shoes to paint. Yes, you heard it right. Customization painting is a great way to highlight your personality. In addition, you have access to decide on the painting’s colors, style, and meaning. 

Besides this, customization painting is also a great gift for your loved ones and friends. Besides this, you will find many applications that create a custom painting for you at an affordable price. Moreover, even you can find many artists who can create custom paintings for you. They will charge you as low as $100 to as high as $10000.

In addition to enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your home with custom painting, it’s crucial to consider the overall condition of your property. For homeowners in Alpharetta, ensuring that your roof is in top shape is equally important. Partnering with a reliable roof replacement company alpharetta can provide peace of mind, knowing that your home is protected from the elements. This comprehensive approach not only boosts curb appeal but also maintains the structural integrity of your home, making it a wise investment for the future.

What are the types of custom paintings?

You have several options if you want to create a custom painting for your place. These paintings will speak for you and reflect your style. However, the list is highlighted below; you can check and choose a custom painting according to your needs.

  • Flames

Flames are a traditional custom painting that uses ultra-realistic features from one color. In this kind of painting, the patterns are unlimited. However, grateful dead and ghost flames are the patterns that come into this customization. It uses flaming colors that rest on body colors. People often opt for grateful dead custom painting on shoes, shorts, and t-shirts. 

  • Racing stripes

This kind of customization painting reflects the racing cars and comes in different fashion styles. From just one stripe on the driver’s side to 2 strips on the center, this customization painting provides you with many adventurous vibes. 

  • Metallic paints 

If you want your vehicle to shine in the crowd, metallic painting is ideal. It makes things shine out in the sun. Besides, the metal flakes added to provide light. So many people use this kind of custom painting in their house to make it look shiny. 

  • Fade

Fade is a unique type of custom painting that mixes two colors. In this painting, the transition appears seamless. It makes the colors blend until they perfectly meet. 

  • Airbrushing

Custom airbrush painting is a highly popular type and offers you a variety of purposes. First, it makes you offer a painting that highlights accurate details and morals. In this kind of painting, you can choose whatever you want, and airbrushes will add a dramatic look to your painting. 

Why is custom paint an ideal choice?

Custom painting is unique, reflects your personality, and adds charm to your place. Besides this, there are several other reasons as well that make custom paint an ideal choice to opt for. You can have a look below as they are highlighted for your reference. 

  1. Your emotions and interest speak for yourself.

Custom is something that is made by order. Whenever you opt for custom painting, it provides uniqueness and differentiates it from common generic products. Art is something that reflects your personality, and customization adds emotion to it as well. Besides this, you do not have any boundaries on the custom-made art. They provide you with tones of options to pick from. 

  1. Customization is key to the uniqueness

If you buy a new place or office, with the help of custom artwork, you can add warmth, uniqueness, and traits to your space. Besides this, it will transform your place into a better one. You can use a splash of colors and wall art on any part of your office or house. With custom painting, you get an environment that matches your personality. 

  1. People will be unstoppable to ask where you get it from

Believe it or not, custom painting has a lot of power. You can create them according to your taste, and people will seamlessly ask you where you bought them from. Your painting will speak for you and reflects you. 

  1. Your painting will match your interior

In the language of interior designing, your custom painting matches your interiors. It is tailor-made with exact dimensions that suit your place. Besides this, you can opt for any color, style, and design that match your interior. It complements your space and enhances it. Customization is suitable for any kind of space, whether office or house. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Size Artwork

Are you planning to make the changes in your space? If yes, then you must opt for the artwork. Just deciding to select the artwork is not sufficient; a person must opt for the right size for the same. There are various sizes of frames available for the people:

  • Mini canvas size
  • Small canvas size
  • Medium canvas size
  • Large canvas size

To make the right size selection as per the space, a person can keep certain tips in mind. Let us look at various tips for better understanding:

  1. Do the proper measurement for the space. The measurement must be done both vertically and horizontally. It will help in framing an idea of the exact size of the artwork.
  2. The size of the artwork will also depend on the kind of farming a person selects.
  3. A person must always follow the artwork’s proper rules to give the whole place an attractive look.

Custom painting is a great gifting option, or you can even style them in your house. It is available in different forms; designs are styles to pick from. Besides this, you do not have a limit on anything. You can seamlessly choose the painting’s color, design, style, and traits. Moreover, these paintings allow you to add glam to your space.

M&M’S Peanut Butter Racing: Kyle Busch Indianapolis Road Course Advance

By
Official Release
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KYLE BUSCH
Smooth as Peanut Butter

HUNTERSVILLE, North Carolina (July 26, 2022) – While Kyle Busch is a two-time Brickyard 400 champion on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, he’s poised to take on a different challenge as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Indianapolis for Sunday’s Verizon 200 at the Brickyard.

For the second year in a row, instead of taking on the iconic 2.5-mile oval. NASCAR’s top series will again compete on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course. Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’s Peanut Butter Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), won his Brickyard 400s back-to-back in 2015 and 2016. They are among his five top-five finishes and 12 top-10s in 16 career starts on the historic oval. Busch and his fellow Cup Series competitors had to wipe the slate clean a year ago when they first tackled the road course. And this weekend, they will be faced with the unknown once again as it will be the first event on the circuit with the NextGen car.

Not long ago, road-course racing in NASCAR’s top series consisted of just two stops on the 36-race schedule with its yearly visits to Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway and Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. An annual trip to the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval was added to the schedule in 2018. Now, road-course racing has taken on even more importance in the Cup Series with the additions of Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and the Indianapolis road course. With six road-course races on the schedule this year, it’s more important than ever to have a strong driver and team that can turn left and right.

Busch has long shown a propensity for road-course racing during his Cup Series career, well before road courses occupied a larger chunk of the schedule. The M&M’S Peanut Butter driver’s four road-course wins tie him with NASCAR Hall of Famers David Pearson and Mark Martin on the all-time Cup Series road-course wins list. That’s some pretty elite company, already. A fifth road-course win would tie Busch with Darrell Waltrip, Tim Richmond and Dan Gurney. There is a bit of distance from there to the top three spots on the all-time road-course wins list, however, as Chase Elliott, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, have seven, eight and nine career road-course wins, respectively.

So as Busch heads to the Indianapolis road course for the second time and first with the NextGen car, he’ll hope that Indy will be as smooth as peanut butter and turn out to be just a successful for him and the M&M’S Peanut Butter Camry team as the historic oval has been.

KYLE BUSCH, Driver of the No. 18 M&M’S Peanut Butter Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing:

What does it mean to the prestige of NASCAR Cup Series racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway now that it’s contested on the road course instead of the 2.5-mile oval?

“It’s definitely not what the oval is, certainly not the Indy 500 or the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that was always known for being the 2.5-mile oval, and all the history that came along with that from the 500 to the Brickyard 400 over the years, as well. It’s another racetrack where it’s a different racetrack at the same venue. We had a good run going there last year and obviously the rumble strips coming up really hurt our finish. No matter what course it is, you go out there and race it the best you can and hope for a good run. We’ll go out there with our M&M’S Peanut Butter Camry and try to learn a bit more in practice and hopefully be in a position at the end for a good finish.”

What do you think are the challenges with the NextGen car on the road courses?

“This car is faster on the road courses because it has more grip. It is a more central-built racecar, meaning that it’s not just built to go left. I think the race should be competitive. All of the cars are the same, right? So, it should be more competitive. It’s just a matter of who runs over who – if we look like the local go-kart track or we look like professionals. We will see how things go in that regard this weekend.”

How has your view on road-course racing changed with the addition of more of those races in recent years?

“I’ve always enjoyed the road racing. Back years ago, when we had two on the schedule – Sonoma and Watkins Glen – it was kind of fun because it was like an off week. You would go and enjoy the experience and try to learn and get better at it each time that you would do it, but now that there are six of them on the schedule, it’s definitely more loaded toward needing to be good at it – not wanting to but needing to with the amount of road-course races we have. I feel like I’m a decent road racer and would love to have a chance to showcase that this weekend. Obviously, we’ve been missing something on these road courses as far as the NextGen car, so hoping we can gain some ground this weekend and improve from our last couple of road-course races.”

Event Overview:

● Event: Verizon 200 at the Brickyard (Round 22 of 36)

● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 31

● Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course

● Layout: 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course

● Laps/Miles: 82 laps/199.998 miles

● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 15 laps / Stage 2: 20 laps / Final Stage: 47 laps

● TV/Radio: NBC / IMS Radio Network / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Meet the No. 18 M&M’S Peanut Butter / Joe Gibbs Racing Team

Primary Team Members:

Driver: Kyle Busch
Hometown: Las Vegas

Crew Chief: Ben Beshore
Hometown: York, Pennsylvania

Car Chief: Nate Bellows
Hometown: Fairfax, Vermont

Spotter: Tony Hirschman
Hometown: Northampton, Pennsylvania

Race Engineer: Seth Chavka
Hometown: Soldotna, Alaska

Race Engineer: Jaik Halpainy
Hometown: Blockville, New York

Over-The-Wall Crew Members:

Gas Man: Matt Tyrrell
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Front Tire Changer: Thomas Hatcher
Hometown: Middleburg, Florida

Jackman: Kellen Mills
Hometown: Mesa, Arizona

Tire Carrier: CJ Bailey
Hometown: Outer Banks, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Lee Cunningham
Hometown: Leaf River, Illinois

Road Crew Members:

Engine Tuner: Dan Bajek
Hometown: Camden, New York

Truck Driver: Chris Miko
Hometown: Bronx, New York

Truck Driver: Eloy Trevino
Hometown: Adrian, Michigan

Mechanic/Tire Specialist: Justin Peiffer
Hometown: Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Mechanic: Scott Eldridge
Hometown: Warsaw, Indiana

Mechanic: Tony Hamm
Hometown: Walla, Walla, Washington

Notes of Interest:

● Road-Course Ringer: Busch scored his fourth career Cup Series road-course win in June 2015 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway, and enters the weekend with 15 top-five finishes and 24-top-10s in 44 combined starts at Sonoma, Watkins Glen, the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway road course, Road America, the Charlotte Roval, and the road course at Indianapolis.

● Alone in Ninth: The two-time Cup Series champion’s 60th career win at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in April put him two wins ahead of 10th-place Kevin Harvick, who has 58 wins. Ahead of Busch at eighth on the all-time wins list is Dale Earnhardt, the seven-time Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer who won 76 races during his storied career.

● 224 and Counting: Busch will be aiming to add to his record 224 overall wins among NASCAR’s top three series this weekend at Indianapolis. In addition to his 60 Cup Series wins and 102 in the Xfinity Series, Busch has 62 wins in the Camping World Truck Series.

Ford Performance NASCAR: Zane Smith Playoff Media Day Q&A

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Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Playoff Media Day | Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Zane Smith, driver of the No. 38 Boot Barn Ford F-150 for Front Row Motorsports, won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular season championship last weekend. He opens Friday’s playoff opener as the top seed and spoke about his expectations as part of media day in Charlotte.

ZANE SMITH, No. 38 Boot Barn Ford F-150 — HAVE YOU NOTICED A BOOST OF CONFIDENCE AT FRONT ROW WITH HOW WELL THE SEASON HAS GONE FOR YOU AND MICHAEL MCDOWELL? “There hasn’t been much different going on that I could tell. I feel like with the consistency of our truck team has just shown in the regular season with the past four weeks, besides Pocono, our worst finish was third and I feel like that is what got us in the position going to Pocono with our points buffer. Front Row has been doing awesome lately and so it’s cool to see. I feel like just with that comes everyone in the shop being happier. It’s a happy time right now.”

DO YOU EXPECT ANY SIMILARITIES TO HOW IRP WILL DRIVE FROM THE ARCA CAR TO THE TRUCK? “I think it’ll be similar, but a lot of the time when we think that the truck is just so much different than what you expect, so I don’t know. We’re just gonna kind of go into it like another short track and we should be pretty good. I feel like Martinsville this year we were pretty solid. We missed a little bit on a few little things, so hopefully have those worked out and have a solid start to the playoffs.”

HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THE PLAYOFFS BECAUSE IT’S KIND OF A CRAPSHOOT WITH WINNER TAKE ALL AT PHOENIX. DO YOU PUT A LOT OF STOCK IN WINNING THE TITLE? “I put a lot of stock in winning the championship. To start out the year I had the regular season championship circled just because I feel like that is what kind of shows how one half of your year went, so I am happy we got that but in between there I feel like race wins are what people notice a ton and then to what you said I feel like just getting to Phoenix is a championship in its own. When that day comes it’s whoever is best that day, so if you could lock yourself in earlier than later, you get to put more attention on Phoenix and that goes a long way.”

YOU HAVE THE BIGGEST POINTS LEAD TO GET TO PHOENIX, SO ARE YOU PLANNING TO BE MORE CONSERVATIVE OR BY TAKING THE SAME APPROACH YOU DID DURING THE SEASON? “I think you kind of have to go about it as going for wins. That points buffer will run out quickly. It doesn’t take much to fill up those spots, so I think we’re just gonna do what we’ve been doing for the rest of the year. It’s worked out for us and we’ve shown a lot of consistency and I think that’s what you need to do in the playoffs to get to Phoenix.”

WHAT EXPECTATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR IRP? “I’m excited for it. I feel like watching those races back you see all these guys that have been in the sport for a long time. Indy brings such a cool fan base, so to be going back there I’m a fan of the short tracks, so I’m excited about it and ready to get the playoffs started.”

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS FOR THE PLAYOFFS? “The playoffs are its own animal, so it just amplifies everything. We just need to have some smooth rounds and hopefully end up in Phoenix to contend for a championship.”

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE SHORT TRACKS IN THE PLAYOFFS AND WHICH ONES CAN YOU WIN? “I hope all of them. I feel like IRP is an oddball a little bit, but we proved last year that if we’re in a must-win we can pull that off, but Richmond I feel like that’s one that I have circled. I love Richmond and then a Richmond night race just makes it that much cooler. I’m ready to get those going. Bristol is always pretty fun and then there’s typically a late-race caution and it gets pretty crazy. I’m excited for all of them and hopefully we can win all of them.”

WHICH TRACKS DO YOU LIKE BEST IN THE PLAYOFFS? “I would say it’s hard for us not to circle Kansas just with how our first Kansas went. I felt like we kind of dominated that race, so if we could do half of that again, I’d be super happy because there’s way more on the line this time. That’s obviously the goal. I love going to Kansas regardless, so I’m excited for it.”

HOW DID RUNNING THE CUP RACE AT GATEWAY CHANGE YOUR APPROACH TO TRUCKS? “That’s a good question. I feel like just that one Cup race I ran I feel like I learned so much. It’s pretty crazy just the difference from the Cup level to anything. I feel like everyone is good and everyone is so much closer. I’m happy I got to make that Cup start. I’m happy how it went, but hopefully there are more in the future. Currently, I’m obviously focused on this Truck Series title, so it’s just one thing at a time.”

CAN YOU AFFORD TO BE AGGRESSIVE AT IRP AND RICHMOND OR DO YOU JUST RACE FOR POINTS AND WINS? “I mean, it depends on how your day is going. I feel like if you’re off a little bit and haven’t captured stage points, then, yeah, I feel like I kind of have the room to be aggressive and go race for a race win, but I don’t know. It all depends how your race is going, really. If you’ve had a solid points day with maybe a stage win and good points, you need to be smart and be thinking about long term, so that’s where my head is at.”

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