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Greg Van Alst and Team Seek Pocono Raceway Redemption

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Official Release
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LONG POND, Pa.: Greg Van Alst and his Anderson, Indiana-based ARCA Menards Series team return to Pocono (Pa.) Raceway focused on redemption in Friday’s General Tire Delivers 200.

Last year at the 2.5-mile triangle, Van Alst had hoped to capitalize on a strong day of testing in hopes of making his debut at the “Tricky Triangle” a successful one, however, an accident in practice forced the team to withdraw from the race and sit on the sidelines for the first time in his ARCA career.

Returning to the Long Pond race track nearly a year later, Van Alst is feeling comfortable about his return and eyeing his sixth top-10 of the ARCA Menards Series season Friday night.

“I try not to think about last year at Pocono, because it was such a disappointment for my team,” explained Van Alst. “I have learned a lot about what happened though and have learned even more about myself and being a better ARCA Menards Series driver – so I’m upbeat about returning to Pocono and finishing what we started in 2021.”

After delivering a respectable top-15 finish in his ARCA Menards Series road course debut earlier this month at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Van Alst is ready to return to the oval for the next three weeks and propelling his family-owned team forward and continue his climb in the ARCA Menards Series championship standings.

“I learned a lot at Mid-Ohio, especially about racing in the rain,” recalled Van Alst. “Without a doubt, leaving Mid-Ohio with our race car intact and inhaling a lot of road course experience firsthand will prove to be beneficial for Watkins Glen next month.

“Before Watkins Glen though. We are focused on Pocono.”

Van Alst will join a majority of the ARCA Menards Series competitors for an open test session on Thursday where he hopes to dial in his No. 35 CB Fabricating Ford Fusion in hopes of capturing his second top-five result of 2022.

“Any chance we can take advantage of track time before the actual race weekend begins is a huge benefit,” he added. “I was really happy with the performance of our car during the test last year, but this year we have a similar strategy but also a gameplan to see if we can’t be even faster than we were last summer.

“We ended our five-race consecutive top-10 streak at Mid-Ohio a couple of weeks ago, so I’d like to reset that streak with our best finish of the season on Friday.”

Chris Barkdull’s CB Fabricating, a longtime partner with Greg Van Alst Motorsports has boosted its commitment to the team and will continue its role as the primary marketing partner of Van Alst’s No. 35 Ford Fusion.

Headquartered in Anderson, Ind., CB Fabricating offers a complete list of fabricating from design, laser cutting, CNC punching, forming, welding, powder coating, and assembly.

Their 26,000-square-foot facility allows them to service the needs of many different industries. Everything from the Automotive, agricultural, aquatic, medical, transportation, electrical enclosures, and much more.

“We are reaching the halfway point of the 2022 ARCA Menards Series season and the consistency we have shown over the last two months is the type of pace that will keep Chris and everyone on this team in it for the long haul,” expressed Van Alst. “We have even bigger goals that we’d like to conquer in the second half of the season and I know that keeps Chris and I excited about the path and longevity of our team.

“With every race complete, it’s a small victory for our team knowing the large mountain that is still left to climb. I’m thankful to have the support of Chris and CB Fabricating.”

In addition to CB Fabricating, Top Choice Fence, Norton Transport, KRJ Race Products and Lintz Creative will serve as associate marketing partners for Van Alst’s 21st career ARCA start.

Entering Pocono, Van Alst sits a career-high fifth in the ARCA Menards Series championship standings, three points out of fourth and 61 markers in the arrears to championship leader Rajah Caruth.\

“Step by step and with a little luck, I hope we will soon find ourselves a part of the championship picture,” sounded Van Alst. “While top-10 finishes are strong efforts for us, we need to be competing for top-five runs on a consistent basis to have any shot at the championship. This is a tough series and we are still proud of where we are at.

“We still stay focused.”

For more on Greg Van Alst and Greg Van Alst Motorsports, please visit GregVanAlst.com, like them on Facebook (Van Alst Motorsports) and follow him on Twitter (@GregVanAlst35).

For more on CB Fabricating, please visit CBFabricating.com and like them on Facebook (CB Fabricating).

The General Tire Delivers 200 (80 laps | 200 miles) is the 10th of 20 races on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins on Friday, July 22, 2022, from 2:45 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. A timed General Tire pole qualifying session kicks off from 3:30 to 3:50 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM channel 391, online channel 981 managing the radio waves beginning at 6:30 p.m. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities. All times are local (ET).

Young’s Motorsports ARCA General Tire Delivers 200 Pocono Raceway Team Preview

By
Official Release
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Young’s Motorsports | ARCA Menards Series
Pocono Raceway | General Tire Delivers 200

Fast Facts
No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:
Driver: Kris Wright
Primary Partner(s): Big Dog Energy
Manufacturer: Chevrolet SS
Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott
Engine: Ilmor Racing Technologies

Notes of Interest:

Welcome Back: Young’s Motorsports welcomes back Kris Wright to the organization. Wright returns to the Mooresville, N.C.-team after competing for the team in the majority of the 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule aboard the team’s flagship No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado.

Friday evening’s General Tire Delivers 200 at Pocono Raceway is Wright’s ARCA Menards Series debut with the family-owned organization.

Glad To Have You: Big Dog Energy will support Wright’s ARCA Menards Series efforts this weekend at Pocono Raceway.

Founded in 2019, Big Dog Energy, a family-owned natural gas company headquartered in the Pittsburgh, Pa. area has partnered with Kris Wright for multiple ARCA and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events this season.

For more information on Big Dog Energy LLC., headquartered in Wexford, Pa., visit Instagram (@bigdogenergyllc).

Driver Intel: Road racing standout Kris Wright continues his sophomore season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2022 after competing in 16 races for Young’s Motorsports in 2021.

The former IMSA and Formula 3 driver invaded the Truck Series scene after spending much of the 2020 season competing in the ARCA Menards Series competing for Chad Bryant Racing and GMS Racing, respectively.

In addition to Trucks, Wright continued to pad his racing resume by competing in five ARCA races in 2021 for Rette Jones Racing and delivering three top-10 finishes along the way.

This season, he has competed full-time in the Truck Series aboard the No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST, while also making his return to ARCA in the most recent race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course earlier this month.

Double Duty: In addition to Friday night’s General Tire Delivers 200, Wright will make his 17th Truck Series start of the season in Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series CRC Brakleen 150.

Testing, Testing 1.2.3: To prepare him for a very busy weekend in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, Wright will join his Young’s Motorsports team for a five-hour open ARCA Menards Series test session at the 2.5-mile three-turn track on Thursday, July 21, 2022.

Kris Wright Truck Series Pocono Raceway ARCA Stats: Friday night’s General Tire Delivers 200 will mark Wright’s second ARCA start at the 2.5-mile triangle.

Last year, Wright battled mechanical gremlins during the General Tire #AnyWhereIsPossible 200 that resulted in a 24th place finish after a rear-gear failure.

Wright also has one Truck Series start to his credit at the track dubbed the “Tricky Triangle.”

Calling The Shots: Guiding Wright as crew chief of the No. 02 Big Dog Energy Chevrolet is veteran crew chief Andrew Abbott.

Abbott returns to the Young’s Motorsports team after serving as crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Sam Hunt Racing.

With 190 combined starts as crew chief in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Xfinity Series, Abbott has five top-five and 18 top-10 finishes, including a top-five finish most recently at Richmond (Va.) Raceway with John Hunter Nemechek in September 2021.

Pocono Raceway will officially mark Abbott’s sixth career race under the ARCA banner.

Young’s Motorsports ARCA Program: A staple in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Mooresville, N.C.-based Young’s Motorsports will begin its second season of ARCA competition in 2022.

Last year, the organization expanded its platform to include the NASCAR-owned ARCA Menards Series.

Throughout the premier ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East seasons, Young’s Motorsports has participated in 16 races overall with a best finish of second at Five Flags (Fla.) Speedway with rookie driver Leland Honeyman Jr. after earning the General Tire pole award.

Honeyman also delivered the team a top-five effort in the 2022 ARCA East season-opener at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway in February 2022.

The team also earned a top-10 in their ARCA East debut at Dover (Del.) International Speedway with driver Connor Mosack in 2021.

In all, Young’s Motorsports has delivered one pole, three top-five, six top-10s, nine top-15s and 15 top-20 finishes.

Follow on Social Media: For more on Kris Wright, please visit, kriswrightmotorsports.com, like him on Facebook (Kris Wright Racing) and follow him on Twitter (@KrisOnNASCAR).

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports) and follow on Instagram (youngsmotorsports) and Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

Kris Wright Pre-Race Quotes:

Thoughts About Pocono Raceway This Weekend: “I am excited to return to my friends at Young’s Motorsports for Friday night’s ARCA Menards Series race. Without a doubt, the extra track time on Thursday and Friday will help with the bigger picture which is the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday afternoon.

“I’m hoping we can have a successful race with the No. 02 Big Dog Energy Chevrolet SS.”

Race Information:

The General Tire Delivers 200 (80 laps | 200 miles) is the 10th of 20 races on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins on Friday, July 22, 2022, from 2:45 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. A timed General Tire pole qualifying session kicks off from 3:30 to 3:50 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM channel 391, online channel 981 managing the radio waves beginning at 6:30 p.m. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities. All times are local (ET).

LOUIS-PHILIPPE DUMOULIN LOOKING FORWARD TO NASCAR PINTY’S WESTERN TOUR

By
Official Release
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Photo Credit: Matthew Manor CSCG: Car - Matthew Murnaghan | L.P. Dumoulin - Matthew Manor CSCG

Event
« BAYER 300 » – ¼ mile – July 23, 2022

Track
Edmonton International Raceway (Wetaskiwin, Alberta)

Date / Broadcast
RDS & TSN (schedules TBD)

Live
TSN app | TSN.ca | FloRacing

Schedule (ET)
Race Centre
Practice 2:35 PM | Qualifying 6:50 PM| Race 9:30 PM
nascar.ca/race-center/

Trois-Rivieres (Québec, Canada), July 20, 2022. Louis-Philippe Dumoulin and the Dumoulin Competition team are ready for the annual Western swing of the NASCAR Pinty’s Series. After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, the drivers will head back to Edmonton International Raceway in Alberta on July 23rd and then to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on the following Wednesday.

For Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, this is a much-anticipated trip as he is particularly fond of this region. “We love going out West, the people are very welcoming and it’s a special time for the crew,” said the driver of the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare car. “The team has worked very hard all year and we have great setups that keep us competitive at every track so far this season.”

The western swing is always a busy one for the teams, as the first 300-lap event takes place on a Saturday night in Wetaskiwin, 50 km from Edmonton, followed by two 150-lap races in Saskatoon on the next Wednesday. “It’s three oval races in a very short period. The goal of the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare team is to score as many points as possible towards the championship and come back East in a stronger position.”

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin went on to say, “Edmonton is a very short track that makes for some close racing. It is imperative to be in the lead group throughout the event because the laps run down quickly, leaving little time to mount your attacks on the cars ahead of you. In 2019, the Trois-Rivières native was at the front of the field and finished third. Happy with that result, he could, however, have fought for the victory if it had not been for the rain that came along late in the race. Louis-Philippe is aiming at more podium finishes this year.

The ¼ mile Edmonton track will host the BAYER 300, a 300-lap event with a 5-minute break on lap 150. The race will start at 7:30 PM (local time), 9:30 PM (ET).

CALLING ALL SASKATOON STOCK CAR FANS: THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU!

Autograph session at the Delta Bessborough, on July 25

Join us at the autograph session hosted by our partner, the Delta Hotels Bessborough (601 Spadina Crescent E), on Monday, July 25 between 5 and 6 pm. The #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare hauler and car will be there. Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, three-time NASCAR Pinty’s Series Champion (2014-2018 & 2021), will greet race fans, the media and be available for pictures and interviews in front of the Delta Hotels. Renjith Vengalil, General Manager, is delighted to welcome back the Dumoulin Competition team for a sixth edition.

ABOUT PARTNERS

WeatherTech is committed to designing, engineering and manufacturing the finest products possible for your vehicle, home and your pet. From the industry leading FloorLiner to the 100% non-toxic Pet Feeding System, WeatherTech has dedicated itself to exceed customer expectations of quality, craftsmanship and environmental sustainability for over 30 years. To see the full line of automotive, home and pet products that are guaranteed for life, visit weathertech.ca.

Groupe Bellemare is a 3rd generation family business that has been serving clients since 1959. Today, the company has more than 500 employees and provides them with an innovative work environment facilitating work-family balance and a healthy and safe quality of life. With over a half century of experience and its sustained R&D efforts, the Company offers high-quality products and services in areas as diverse as concrete, abrasives and minerals, dimensional load transportation, and recycling. Groupe Bellemare is also very involved in its industry and attaches great importance to its social and environmental role as a member of the business community. Groupe Bellemare makes a positive contribution to the quality of life of citizens in the communities it serves by supporting numerous social causes and promoting local purchasing through its responsible procurement practices.

groupebellemare.com

Dumoulin Competition. Jean-François and Louis-Philippe Dumoulin founded the Dumoulin Competition Race Team in 2009. Working with financial, marketing, logistics and sports management experts, they built up a solid business structure. Dumoulin Competition prepares its own race cars in-house since 2016. Their motto: “Passion – Performance – Partnerships” expresses their will to perform on the track and offer their partners maximum visibility and profitability in return for their commitment. Their vision: To become Canada’s leader in motorsports through on-track performance, an entrepreneurial spirit and human values. dumoulincompetition.com

RESULTS 2022

Évènement / EventDateHoraire / ScheduleRoadOvalLP Dumoulin
Dép.StartArr.FinishPos.Points
Sunset SpeedwayInnifil, Ontario – sunsetspeedway.ca14-05Pract.: 12:30 / 1:30 pmQualif.: 5:00 / 5:30 pmRace: 7:00 pmO399/35
Canadian Tire Motorsport ParkBowmanville, Ontario – canadiantiremotorsportpark.com21-05Pract.: 12:00 / 1:00 pmQualif.: 5:00 / 6:00 pmR177/73
22-05Race: 1:30 pm
Autodrome ChaudièreVallée-Jonction, Québec – autodromechaudiere.com11-06Pract.: 11:20 / 12:30 pmQualif. : 4:00 / 4:30 pmRace: 5:30 pmO145/114
Eastbound SpeedwayAvondale, Terre-Neuve – eastboundpark.com25-06Pract. HNE-ET: 9:15 / 10:45 amQualif. HNE-ET: 1:50 / 2:20 pmRace HNE-ET: 3:04 pmO4198/139
Exhibition PlaceToronto, Ontario – hondaindy.com15-07Pract. & Qualif.: 10:15 / 11:35 amRace: 4:00 pmR238/181
Edmonton International Raceway edmontonraceway.com23-07Pract. HNE-ET: 2:35 / 3:45 pmQualif. HNE-ET: 6:50 / 7:10 pmRace HNE-ET: 9:30 pmO   
Sutherland Automotive Speedway 1Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – sutherlandautomotivespeedway.ca27-07Pract. HNE-ET: 2:20 / 3:30 pmQualif. HNE-ET: 5:00 / 5:30 pmRace 1 HNE-ET: 8:05 pmO   
Sutherland Automotive Speedway 2Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – sutherlandautomotivespeedway.ca27-07Race 2 HNE-ET: 10:15 pmO   
Grand Prix de Trois-RivièresTrois-Rivières, Québec – gp3r.com6-08Pract.:Qualif.:R   
7-08Race:
Oshweken SpeedwayOhsweken, Ontario – ohswekenspeedway.ca16-08Pract.:Qualif.:Race:Terre/Dirt   
Circuit ICARMirabel, Québec – icarexperience.ca27-08Pract.:Qualif.:Race:R   
Canadian Tire Motorsport ParkBowmanville, Ontario – canadiantiremotorsportpark.com3-09Pract.: Qualif.:R   
4-09Race:
Delaware SpeedwayDelaware, Ontario – delawarespeedway.com25-09Pract.:
Qualif.:
Race:		O   

JR Motorsports — NXS Pocono Preview

By
Official Release
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JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
TRACK: Pocono Raceway
RACE: Explore The Pocono Mountains 225 (90 laps / 225 miles)
DATE: Saturday, July 23, 2022

Broadcast Information – TV: 5 p.m. ET on USA / Radio: 4:30 p.m. ET on MRN and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Sam Mayer
No. 1 Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet
• Sam Mayer returns to Pocono Raceway, the site of his first career start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series one year ago. Mayer started 20th and finished 18th.
• At oval tracks measuring over 2 miles in length in the NXS, Mayer has earned one top-10 finish coming at Auto Club Speedway earlier this season.
• Mayer raced as high as the sixth position at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last week before receiving damage as he maneuvered around a multi-car wreck. Mayer went on to finish 15th.
• With eight races remaining in the regular season, Mayer is currently 151 points above the playoff cutline.

Josh Berry
No. 8 Tire Pros Chevrolet
• Josh Berry has made one start at the “Tricky Triangle”, coming last season. Berry started 33rd and finished ninth.
• Berry qualified on the pole but started from the rear last week at New Hampshire before racing his way back to the front on lap 111. The No. 8 paced the field for 11 laps before being involved in a multi-car wreck.
• In eight starts on tracks measuring over 2 miles in length, Berry has recorded two top fives and four top 10s while leading for 33 laps.
• Berry currently sits fourth in the championship standings, only 87 markers from first place, as the regular season winds down.

Noah Gragson
No. 9 Bass Pro Shops / TrueTimber / Black Rifle Coffee Chevrolet
• Noah Gragson has three starts at Pocono, finishing fourth there last season as his best result. He also has a sixth-place finish and has led nine laps.
• The 23-year-old Las Vegas native has 18 starts on oval tracks measuring 2.5 miles or more, with wins at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. He’s also earned seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes in that span and led 117 laps.
• In 2020, Gragson started the Pocono race from the pole, earning the spot via application of NASCAR’s mathematical formula. It is his only pole start on tracks measuring 2.5- 2.66 miles.

Justin Allgaier
No. 7 Hellmann’s Chevrolet
• In six previous starts at Pocono in the NXS, Justin Allgaier has earned two top fives and three top 10s.
• Allgaier’s best finish at the triangular track came in 2017, when the Illinois native led for 13 laps and came home in the second position.
• Over the previous nine NXS events in 2022, Allgaier has placed seventh or better eight times and earned three victories (Darlington Raceway, Nashville Superspeedway and New Hampshire).
• The JRM driver currently sits second in the NXS Playoff Grid with eight races remaining in the regular season, 16 points out of the series lead.

Driver Quotes

“Pocono was the first track I raced at after turning 18 and joining the Xfinity Series. I thought it went all right but it definitely could have been better. I’ve gone back to watch some film and I’m ready for this weekend. I’m looking forward to hopefully having this Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet battling for a win when it comes down to it. We have to turn our luck around and that starts this weekend.” – Sam Mayer

“We’ve had some solid runs at Pocono over the last couple of years and I see no reason why we can’t have that same kind of speed again this weekend when we unload with our Hellmann’s Chevrolet. Pocono is definitely a place that I have always enjoyed coming to, especially with how different each of the three corners are. Hopefully we can have another strong day on Saturday and be in contention for the win. We are ready to get there and see what we can do.” – Justin Allgaier

“Pocono is a track that I really like racing on. I took to it pretty quickly last season and I can’t wait to get back there with this Tire Pros team. They’ve been building fast cars each week and we’ve been in the sim making sure I am ready for when we hit the track. It’s time to turn this momentum back around and start gearing up for a run towards the playoffs.” – Josh Berry

“This Bass Pro Shops/TrueTimber/Black Rifle Coffee Chevrolet has been fast at Pocono and we’ve finished well there, too. It’s a unique challenge, with the three different corners, but Luke (Lambert, crew chief) and the No. 9 team have been up to the challenge all year long. It’s go-time now, because the playoffs aren’t that far away, and Pocono is a good place to get the push started.”– Noah Gragson

JRM Team Updates

• JR Motorsports at Pocono: JR Motorsports has competed at the Tricky Triangle a combined 23 times in the NXS. Over the course of these 23 starts at the 2.5-mile facility, JRM has tallied six top fives and 13 top 10s. Justin Allgaier has the best finish for the organization with a second-place finish during the 2017 event.
• Benefitting the Gary Sinise Foundation: During the Summer for Heroes Giving Campaign from June 1 – August 31, Tire Pros customers can donate an amount of their choice on the designated Gary Sinise Foundation donation page. Their goal is to raise $1.5 million to support our nation’s heroes. Donate now.
• Spicy Mayo: Hellmann’s Spicy Mayonnaise Dressing is proudly made with real, simple ingredients like real chili peppers, cagefree eggs, oil and vinegar. This spicy mayo is the ideal condiment for spicing up wraps, adding flavor to sandwiches, grilling juicy burgers, mixing creamy dips, and preparing fresh salads. Deliciously Spicy, 100% Hellmann’s. Try a new recipe today.
• Souvenir Rig: JRM driver Justin Allgaier will be at the JR Motorsports/Hendrick Motorsports souvenir rig on Saturday, July 23 from 2:15pm to 2:45pm.

Max Gutiérrez Returns to AM Racing at Pocono Raceway

By
Official Release
-

LONG POND, Pa.: On the heels of a stunning top-10 finish in his most recent NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway last month, former NASCAR Mexico Challenge Series champion Max Gutiérrez returns to AM Racing hoping for more success in Saturday afternoon’s CRC Brakleen 150 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.

Set for a limited Truck Series schedule this season, Gutiérrez is primed and ready to take advantage of the next opportunity that awaits him which is the tough and demanding 2.5-mile triangle of Pocono Raceway.

“I’m very excited to get back to racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and tackle Pocono Raceway with my AM Racing team,” said Gutiérrez.

“There are no words to explain what the performance did for me at Nashville Superspeedway from a confidence standpoint, but when the engines come to life on Saturday at Pocono, the success at Nashville is a statement of the past and it is time to show that what we are capable of once again.”

While the layout of Nashville and Pocono could not be farther apart, Gutiérrez is relying on the experience of his AM Racing team to help him ease into his comfort zone from practice to qualifying and then the 60-lap race.

“I’m heading to Pocono with a very open mind,” added Gutiérrez. “The track is insanely different from anything I’ve experienced before and with a short practice session, there isn’t a whole lot of time to get comfortable.

“I have been doing what I can to adequately prepare myself and hope that we can make gains throughout the weekend that will allow us to be in contention for a good finish once again.”

Gutiérrez’s third Truck Series start of 2022 will be supported by a roster of his longtime supporters not only in ARCA competition but throughout his racing career in his homeland of Mexico.

Returning at Pocono, Inspectra Thermal Solutions Inc., (ITS) a leading thermal imaging company will serve as the primary marketing partner of the No. 22 Chevrolet Silverado RST, while additional support pours in from TOUGHBUILT, Bolsa DX, GoGig, Teknekk and Telmex.

Returning at Pocono, Inspectra Thermal Solutions Inc., (ITS) a leading thermal imaging company will serve as the primary marketing partner of the No. 22 Chevrolet Silverado RST, while additional support pours in from TOUGHBUILT, Bolsa DX, GoGig, Teknekk and Telmex.

Inspectra Thermal Solutions Inc. is one of the most advanced experts in thermal imaging. They believe in making the world a safer, cleaner, more efficient, and healthier place for everyone and do this by visualizing energy.

“I cannot thank Inspectra Thermal Solutions Inc. enough for jumping on board again for Pocono,” sounded Gutiérrez. “It’s always very gratifying to bring new partners to the sport, while also embracing the current support of my longtime partners who have followed my journey from Mexico.

“I want nothing more than to make them proud all proud again on Saturday.”

Thermal Solutions Inc. CEO Randal Buckner offered, “We are excited to be able to continue to support Max and look forward to all that he can achieve not only this weekend at Pocono Raceway but the races ahead.”

Veteran AM Racing crew chief Jamie Jones will serve as crew chief for Gutiérrez at Pocono.

The two worked together in two ARCA Menards Series races earlier this season at Daytona and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway where the Mexico City, Mexico native produced an impressive 10th place finish after starting 24th.

Jones led Gutiérrez to his first top-10 Truck Series in his second Truck start.

“We are thrilled to continue to be a part of Max’s ongoing chapter in making the transition to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and taking on Pocono this weekend,” said AM Racing team principal Kevin Cywinski.

“Through our great relationship with Rette Jones Racing Development, we have been able to have success with Max this year and we look forward to continuing his steady progression and success in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series not only at Pocono but other select races in 2022.”

In addition to Inspectra Thermal Solutions Inc., TOUGHBUILT. TekNekk and Jimmy Morales Escuderia TELMEX | TELCEL, Distributed Ledger Inc. (DLI), GoGig, Goodridge Fluid Transfer Systems, Jones Group Demolition and Abatement, JRi Shocks and Priestly Demolition Inc. (PDI) join the Statesville, N.C.-based team as partners on Saturday.

In 11 career ARCA Menards Series East starts, Gutiérrez has one win, three top-five and six top-10 finishes and hoists a series’ average finish of 9.3 over three years. He was the 2021 ARCA East Rookie of the Year.

In seven career premier ARCA Menards Series starts, the 19-year-old has one top-10 and carries a series’ average finish of 16.0 over three years.

For more on Max Gutiérrez, please visit gutierrezbrothers-racing.com, like him on Facebook (Max Gutierrez Racing) or follow him on Instagram (@maxgutierrezmx).

For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing) or follow them on Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

The CRC Brakleen 150 (60 laps | 150 miles) is the 16th of 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races on the 2022 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, July 22, 2022, from 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Qualifying will soon follow from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The 36-truck field will take the green flag on Saturday, July 23, 2022, shortly after 12:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

About Inspectra Thermal Solutions Inc.:

Inspectra Thermal Solutions Inc. (ITS) is one of the most advanced experts in thermal imaging. They believe in making the world a safer, cleaner, more efficient, and healthier place for everyone and do this by visualizing energy.

To learn more about ITS, please visit: inspectrathermal.com.

About TOUGHBUILT Industries Inc.:

TOUGHBUILT is an advanced product design, manufacturer and distributor with emphasis on innovative products. Currently focused on tools and other accessories for the professional and do-it-yourself construction industries.

We market and distribute various home improvement and construction product lines for both the do-it-yourself and professional markets under the TOUGHBUILT brand name, within the global multibillion dollar per year tool market industry. All of our products are designed by our in-house design team.

Since launching product sales in 2013, we have experienced significant annual sales growth.

Our current product line includes three major categories, with several additional categories in various stages of development, consisting of Soft Goods & Kneepads and Sawhorses & Work Products.

Our mission is to provide products to the building and home improvement communities that are innovative, of superior quality derived in part from enlightened creativity for our end users while enhancing performance, improving well-being and building high brand loyalty.

Additional information about the company is available at: toughbuilt.com.

QUOTE BOARD: “After Max’s impressive finish at the Rackley 200 in Nashville, we are excited to watch him grow and further demonstrate a commitment to excellence.” – Michael Panosian, CEO ToughBuilt Industries, Inc.

About BolsaDX:

BolsaDX is a philanthropic cryptocurrency exchange in Latin America with 10% of all transaction fees being donated to charities and non-profits throughout Latin America.

BolsaDX was developed to provide a trusted and secure source with lower fees for cryptocurrency trading. Ensuring our user’s money and personal information stays protected is at the core of our technology.

Large transactions are completed within minutes using our user-friendly interface and advanced infrastructure to ensure that you are ready for your next trade. When a problem arises, our support team is only a click away.

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About AM Racing:

AM Racing is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) team headquartered in Statesville, N.C.
Established in December 2015, AM Racing is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

The No. 22 team has named Austin Wayne Self as its primary driver for the 2022 season while also expanding to a second No. 37 truck with a rotation of drivers this season.

eNASCAR College iRacing Series Back in Session with Four-Race Fall Schedule

By
Official Release
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Xfinity joins series as presenting partner with Xfinity Series race cars hitting the virtual tracks

Daytona Beach, FL (July 20, 2022) – NASCAR continues to expand into the fast-growing world of college esports, announcing the fall season of its eNASCAR College iRacing Series. The four-race schedule kicks off at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Tuesday, September 20 with students eligible to qualify for the season-opener through a 10-day time attack window.

“Expanding our presence in the college esports arena is important as we continue to reach new demographics and introduce them to the sport of NASCAR,” said Ray Smith, Director of Gaming and Esports at NASCAR. “We’re looking forward to building on a successful spring semester and having more students explore the many opportunities NASCAR and our partners can offer them in their college years and beyond.”

Earlier this year, NASCAR and NACE Starleague, the largest collegiate esports league in North America, launched the eNASCAR College iRacing Series, bringing competitive sim racing to colleges and universities nationwide. Students representing more than 250 universities across the United States participated in this spring’s three-race schedule.

New this fall, Xfinity joins Coca-Cola, Logitech, Playseat and Southern Computer Warehouse as a presenting sponsor of the series. Competitors will now race NASCAR Xfinity Series cars, replicating the look and feel of the real-life series that’s produced stars like Chase Elliott, Daniel Suarez and Tyler Reddick.

“Our work with NASCAR has always been in the spirit of inspiring and giving back to communities,” said Matt Lederer, Comcast’s Vice President, Brand Partnerships and Amplification. “Joining the eNASCAR College iRacing Series as a presenting partner gives Xfinity the opportunity to reach a younger generation of NASCAR fans while providing new avenues to education for college students and encouraging them to explore new opportunities.”

Through the support of its partners, the eNASCAR Scholarship Fund also returns, awarding the highest finishers a combined $60,000 in scholarships.

More than 13,000 students are eligible to compete in the series through NACE Starleague, which was established in 2021 as a strategic partnership between the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) and Playfly Esports. Each time attack is open to all eligible students with the top 40 students who post the fastest qualifying times advancing to the race.

Competition will once again be led via iRacing.com, the official simulation partner of NASCAR, which provides one of the top online racing simulation portals and features officially-sanctioned, laser-scanned replicas of race tracks around the world.

For more information or to register, visit https://www.enascar.com or http://playflyesports.com/.

2022 eNASCAR College iRacing Series Schedule*

Fall

·       Homestead-Miami Speedway

Qualifying: September 6 – 15

Race (80 Laps): September 20 at 8 p.m. ET

·        Auto Club Speedway

Qualifying: September 30 – October 13

Race (60 Laps): October 18 at 8 p.m. ET

·        Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course

Qualifying: October 21 – November 3

Race (35 Laps): November 8 at 8 p.m. ET

·        Nashville Superspeedway

Qualifying: November 11 – 25

Race (80 Laps): November 29 at 8 p.m. ET

*Tentative and subject to change

###

About NASCAR

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

About Playfly Esports

Playfly Esports connects brands to the gaming community with a focus on building industry-leading consumer activations and providing trusted go-to-market strategies for businesses looking to develop larger footprints in a rapidly evolving sector.  Additionally, Playfly Esports oversees operations, marketing, and business development for NACE Starleague, North America’s largest collegiate league with nearly 700 colleges and over 13,000 students, as it advances the competitive experience for student-athletes and provides them with an ideal place to showcase their skills. Playfly Esports works with scholastic partners at all levels including colleges & universities, state and local high school districts, athletic and activities associations, departments of education, and parks & recreation in this new endeavor.

Chandler Smith – No. 18 Charge Me Tundra TRD Pro Camping World Trucks Pocono Preview

By
Official Release
-

Chandler Smith: Driver, No. 18 Charge Me Toyota

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Overview:
Event: CRC Brakleen 150, Race 16 of 23, 60 Laps – 15/15/30; 150 Miles
Location: Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa. (2.5-mile, tri-oval)
Date/Broadcast: July 23, 2022, at noon ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

Chandler Chatter:
Chandler Smith and the No. 18 Charge Me team head to Pocono Raceway for Saturday’s CRC Brakleen 150. Entering the final event of the regular season, Smith is tied for second in the point standings with his KBM teammate John Hunter Nemechek, 58 points behind Zane Smith. The 20-year old driver is locked into the playoffs via his win earlier this season at Las Vegs (Nev.) Motor Speedway.

In last year’s Truck Series race at Pocono, Smith moved from his 11th starting position to finish fifth in Stage One but had a series of setbacks in the second half of the race that relegated him to a 25th-place finish. In addition to his Truck Series start, the racing prodigy has an average finish of 7.3 across three ARCA Menards Series starts at the Pennsylvania track, including a runner-up finish in 2020.

Through the first 15 events of the season Smith ranks first among Truck Series regulars in laps completed (1952) and quality passes (540), second in average finish (9.3), third in average running position (9.628) and fourth in driver rating (98.0). He has produced one win, 96 laps led, six top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in his sophomore campaign. With eight races remaining this season, Smith has already matched the number of top-five and eclipsed the number of top-10 finishes he had in 2021.

The Georgia driver earned NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 and finished eighth in the championship standings after producing two victories, one pole, 213 laps led, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes in his first full-time season. He earned his first career Truck Series victory at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in September and in the series finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway earned his first career pole and swept all three stages en route to his second victory.

Across 53 career Truck Series starts, the Toyota Racing Development driver had recorded three wins, one pole, 402 laps led, 20 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 13.3.

In addition to his Truck Series schedule in 2022, Smith is competing in a three-race schedule with Sam Hunt Racing (SHR). Smith finished 38th in his series debut at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway after a mid-race wreck and finished 21st at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway. His final race with SHR will come Oct. 22 at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.

Veteran crew chief Danny Stockman will once again call the shots for Smith and the No. 18 team in 2022. Stockman’s drivers have produced six victories at KBM across his first two seasons, including two with Smith behind the wheel in 2021. The veteran crew chief captured a Truck Series championship with Austin Dillon in 2011 and also won an Xfinity Series championship with Dillon in 2013. Stockman’s drivers have collected one win, two top-five and three top-10 finishes in Truck Series action at Pocono. Stockman was atop the pit box at Pocono for Brandon Jones’ first career Truck Series victory in 2020.

Charge Me will be the primary sponsor on Smith’s No. 18 Tundra TRD Pro Saturday at Pocono. Charge Me was founded on the principle that the electric vehicle (EV) revolution will require robust infrastructure support at all levels. Safelite, the nation’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration services will serve as an associate sponsor on the bedtop of Smith’s Toyota this week and for 16 races as a primary sponsor throughout the 2022 season, including next week’s event at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind.

Chandler Smith, Driver Q&A:
You are tied for second in the regular season standings heading into Saturday. Do you race for stage points in an effort to finish second in the points or do you go for a strategy to race for the win?
“We just have to maximize our day overall and keep the bigger picture in clear sight. Our strategy will depend on where we are running near the end of the two stages and if we think we have a truck capable of winning. Ideally, you’d like to win the race and finish second in the regular season standings at the same time and maximize the amount of playoff points you earn heading into next week.”

What is the trickiest part at “The Tricky Triangle?”
“The trickiest part is probably the tunnel turn. You have to set yourself up well on entry to have a good exit and then that determines the overall speed that you carry all the way to Turn 3, which is a lot of lap time.”

How important is it to have a strong run on Saturday and have momentum heading into the start of the playoffs?
“Have a strong run Saturday as we get ready to start the playoffs will be huge. We had a solid run at Mid-Ohio and if we can have another one at Pocono then that momentum will be good for our team, and everyone will enter the playoffs with a positive attitude.”

Chandler Smith Career Highlights:

  • Across 53 career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts has recorded three wins, 402 laps led, 20 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 13.3.
  • Earned NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 and finished eighth in the championship standings after producing two victories, one pole, 213 laps led, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes in his first full-time season. He earned his first career Truck Series victory at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in September and in the series finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway earned his first career pole and swept all three stages en route to his second victory.
  • Has posted an average finish of 29.5 across two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts in 2022, with a best result of 22nd coming at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway.
  • Has collected nine wins, 10 poles, 1783 laps led, 22 top-five and 29 top-10 finishes en route to an average finish of 5.4 across 34 career ARCA Menards Series starts.

Chandler Smith’s No. 18 Charge Me Tundra:

KBM-75: The No. 18 Safelite team will unload KBM-75, a brand new Tundra TRD Pro for Saturday’s race at Pocono.

KBM Notes of Interest:

  • Across 29 starts at Pocono Raceway, KBM drivers have earned six wins, two poles, 276 laps led, 14 top-five and 22 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 8.6 and an average finish of 9.1.
  • John Hunter Nemechek picked up the win in last year’s event. Brandon Jones picked up his first career Truck Series victory in 2021, Kyle Busch won in 2015 and 2018, William Byron was victorious in 2016, and Christopher Bell brought home the hardware in 2017.
  • KBM holds the Camping World Truck Series records for most career wins (95) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). With his victory at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway, 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. 18, the number which was on the first Tundra that went to victory lane for KBM in 2010, has 24 career victories.

Ford Performance NASCAR: Pocono Advance

By
Official Release
-

FORD PERFORMANCE NASCAR: POCONO ADVANCE

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will crown a regular season champion this weekend at Pocono Raceway while drivers in the NASCAR XFINITY and NASCAR Cup Series continue their march to the playoffs with races on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Here’s a look at where Ford stands in each series going into this weekend.

This Week’s Schedule:

Saturday, July 23 – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, 12 Noon ET (FOX)
Saturday, July 23 – NASCAR XFINITY Series, 5 ET (USA)
Sunday, July 24 – NASCAR Cup Series, 3 p.m. ET (USA)

FORD IN THE NASCAR CUP SERIES AT POCONO

· Ford has 24 all-time series wins at Pocono.
· Chris Buescher (2016), Ryan Blaney (2017) and Kevin Harvick (2020) have Ford wins at Pocono.
· Bill Elliott got Ford’s first series win at Pocono in 1985 (season sweep).

FORD IN THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES AT POCONO

· Ford is the first manufacturer with multiple Pocono wins in the series.
· Ford has 4 victories in 6 all-time series starts.
· Brad Keselowski (2017), Cole Custer (2019), Chase Briscoe (2020) and Austin Cindric (2021) have track wins.

FORD IN THE NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES AT POCONO

· Ford has one series win at Pocono (Ryan Blaney, 2013).
· This will mark the 13th series race at the track.
· Zane Smith finished 8th in this event a year ago.

SMITH CLOSING IN ON NCWTS REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP

As the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series prepares for its final race of the regular season this weekend at Pocono Raceway, Zane Smith is focused on adding those 15 bonus points that come with finishing first in the point standings. Smith goes into the event with a 58-point advantage and needs only two points to clinch the championship. He has been on a hot streak of late, which includes four straight finishes of third or better and 12 top-10 finishes in the last 13 races.

BLANEY GETS FIRST CUP VICTORY

Ryan Blaney earned his first NASCAR Cup Series four years ago at Pocono Raceway, giving the Wood Brothers their 99th all-time series win. Blaney held off Kevin Harvick over the final seven laps to win the Pocono 400 after overcoming a loose wheel only 19 laps into the event. He found himself in position to win after the caution came out with 19 laps to go. Kyle Busch opted to stay out while all of the other contenders behind him pitted, including Blaney who got four fresh tires and restarted fourth. A major battle between Busch and Blaney resulted, but the newer tires proved to be too much as Blaney eventually got by with nine laps to go. He couldn’t breathe easily, however, as Harvick started to reel him in, but could never pull alongside to challenge.

BUESCHER JOINS FIRST-TIME WINNERS CLUB AT POCONO

Chris Buescher is another Ford driver who posted his first NASCAR Cup Series win at Pocono when he won the rain-shortened Pennsylvania 400 in 2016. Buescher led the final 12 laps and qualified for the playoffs as the scheduled 160-lap race was called after 138 circuits. It represented the second series win and first playoff qualification for Front Row Motorsports, which Buescher drove for in 2016 after the organization entered into an alliance with Roush Fenway Racing.

ELLIOTT SWEEPS IN 1985

Ford reached victory lane at Pocono Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series for the first time on June 9, 1985 when Bill Elliott beat Harry Gant to win the Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500. Elliott was able to pass Gant with 11 laps remaining, shortly after a restart, to claim Ford’s first win at the facility. Elliott, who also started on the pole, was helped by four cautions over the final 25 laps and won for the sixth time as he led 32 of the 200 circuits. It marked the front end of what would eventually be a season sweep for Elliott at Pocono as he won a few weeks later on July 21.

KULWICKI’S FINAL WIN

When Alan Kulwicki won the Champion Spark Plug 500 on June 14, 1992 it marked the final victory of his NASCAR Hall of Fame career. Kulwicki, who was voted into the Hall in 2019, passed Bill Elliott with 11 laps remaining to cap a day that saw 15 cars drop out before the checkered flag flew, including 11 engine failures. In a precursor to what happened a few months later at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Kulwicki and Elliott battled down the stretch as they exchanged the lead multiple times over the final 25 laps. Kulwicki passed Elliott for the top spot on lap 181, but traffic slowed him down to the point that five laps later the two swapped positions. Mark Martin made it a three-way battle, but Kulwicki ultimately prevailed as he got by both drivers on lap 190 and never looked back. Kulwicki, who won five series races overall, went on to win the championship later that year over fellow Ford drivers Elliott and Davey Allison.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS AT POCONO

1985 – Bill Elliott (Sweep)

1988 – Bill Elliott (2)

1989 – Terry Labonte and Bill Elliott

1990 – Geoffrey Bodine (2)

1992 – Alan Kulwicki (1)

1994 – Rusty Wallace and Geoffrey Bodine

1995 – Dale Jarrett (2)

1996 – Rusty Wallace (2)

1997 – Dale Jarrett (2)

1998 – Jeremy Mayfield (1)

2000 – Jeremy Mayfield and Rusty Wallace

2001 – Ricky Rudd (1)

2002 – Dale Jarrett (1)

2005 – Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch

2008 – Carl Edwards (2)

2010 – Greg Biffle (2)

2016 – Chris Buescher (2)

2017 – Ryan Blaney (1)

2020 – Kevin Harvick (1)

FORD NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS AT POCONO

2017 – Brad Keselowski

2019 – Cole Custer

2020 – Chase Briscoe

2021 – Austin Cindric

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT POCONO

2013 – Ryan Blaney

The MB Market Announces Live Online Auction of the “Hammer” – the “Mythical” 1988 Mercedes-Benz 6.0L AMG Coupe

By
Barry Albert
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The “Mythical” 1988 Mercedes-Benz 6.0L AMG Coupe. (Image courtesy of The MB Market)

NEW YORK (July 20, 2022) – The MB Market, the world’s first and only online auction platform dedicated exclusively to Mercedes-Benz, has announced that the auction of a rare 1988 Mercedes-Benz 6.0L AMG “Hammer” Coupe is now live online at https://thembmarket.com/1988-mercedes-benz-6-0-amg-hammer-coupe. The auction will end on August 4, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. EST.

This “Pre-Merger” AMG Hammer coupe is one of only 13 Hammers built by AMG in the United States and one of an estimated five Hammer coupes built for the U.S. market.

“We at The MB Market are privileged to offer this previously undiscovered AMG Hammer coupe, which has not been offered for sale publicly for over 25 years and has remained under the care of the current owner for nearly two decades,” said Blakley Leonard, co-founder of The MB Market.

“Experiencing the car firsthand was a special event given the historical significance of the Hammer and the car is even more impressive in person.”

This is the first time an AMG Hammer is being offered for sale via a U.S.-based auction or any online auction platform worldwide.

“The MB Market is proud to be the first in this arena and further solidify our position as the premier outlet for buying or selling Pre-Merger AMG and all Mercedes-Benz vehicles,” said Leonard.

At the time this car was built, AMG was still an independent tuning company separate from Mercedes-Benz. It was built by AMG North America in Westmont, Illinois, during an era when, notoriously, “the only limitation on what could be done to your Mercedes-Benz was the size of your bank account,” added Leonard.

It’s estimated that approximately 30 AMG Hammers were produced worldwide, with only 13 of those built for the North American market and less than five in the desirable coupe variant. It is from the Hammer that the lineage for all modern “luxury performance” cars can be directly traced.

“This is the car that started it all: the mythical AMG Hammer,” Leonard offered.

After the car was built in Illinois by AMG, Andy Cohen of Beverly Hills (Calif.) Motoring reportedly sold the car to a gentleman who drove the car from Beverly Hills to Las Vegas on his first day of ownership. Upon arriving in Las Vegas, he was pulled over for speeding and the car was subsequently seized by the D.E.A. after some illegal substances were found in the car.

The car was then purchased from a state auction by Rob Deer, former MLB pro baseball player. Deer owned the car for two years before trading it to Symbolic International where it was then sourced by the current seller on behalf of the next owner. It was then reacquired by the seller in 2006 and stored until last year.

“This is more than a car,” continued Leonard. “This is an opportunity to own a piece of automotive history. The car that set the standard for the high-performance luxury sedan as we know it today, and the car that permanently affixed AMG among the all-time greats.

“Without the insane experiment undertaken by AMG to stuff a nearly 400hp, hand-built V8 into a mid-sized luxury sedan, an entire segment of the modern automotive marketplace might not even exist.

“The condition, rarity and performance of this example pair perfectly with a sinister color combination that should only increase the car’s overall desirability in the future.”

About The MB Market:
The MB Market is the world’s first and only online auction platform dedicated exclusively to Mercedes-Benz. Founded in 2019, The MB Market has quickly established itself as one of the premier automotive auction platforms by providing insight and analysis on the individual vehicles listed as well as the Mercedes-Benz collector marketplace as a whole. This expertise is derived by the fact that The MB Market is owned and operated by three life-long Mercedes-Benz collectors and enthusiasts who understand the cars and their market trajectory better than any other online auction platform. Technology, as well as recent resource/inventory shortages, have changed the way consumers buy and sell vehicles today. The automotive sales market has shifted away from both brick and mortar dealerships and even traditional “live” auction houses when buying and selling enthusiast cars. Online auction platforms are quickly becoming the first choice for savvy, informed car buyers and sellers due to the wealth of information provided on each car listed, the ability to interact and ask questions to sellers directly, and the presence of a shared community of other users/commenters to help identify key points about the vehicle(s) being represented. Unlike on The MB Market’s marque-specific auction platform, Mercedes-Benz vehicle listings on other, non-specialized auction sites https://www.facebook.com/thembmarket to overlook details specific to these vehicles that are only rote to informed Mercedes-Benz owners and enthusiasts. In addition, many otherwise strong vehicle listings risk getting “lost in the shuffle” when hundreds of other cars are being sold each day on “bulk” automotive auction sites; thus negatively affecting the final sale value. The MB Market is able to combat some of these negative aspects of the burgeoning online auction space by staying laser focused on its area of expertise and committing all resources to best representing the Mercedes-Benz marque. thembmarket.com, https://www.facebook.com/thembmarket, https://www.instagram.com/thembmarket

Pato O’Ward to reach 50 IndyCar career starts at Iowa

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Joe Skibinski (Penske Entertainment).

Competing in his third full-time season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Patricio “Pato” O’Ward is primed for a milestone start. By competing in this weekend’s doubleheader feature at Iowa Speedway, the driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Dallara-Chevrolet will achieve 50 career starts in the IndyCar circuit. 

A native of Monterrey, Mexico, O’Ward made his IndyCar debut at Sonoma Raceway in September 2018, which marked the final race of the season. By then, he had achieved the 2018 Indy Lights championship title for Andretti Autosport. Driving the No. 8 Dallara-Chevrolet for Harding Racing, O’Ward started fifth and finished ninth in his debut.

The following season, O’Ward, who departed Harding Steinbrenner Racing due to sponsorship issues that prevented him from competing with the team on a full-time basis, joined Carlin on a part-time basis in the No. 31 Dallara-Chevrolet. During his first start of the season at the Circuit of the Americas in March, he started and finished a season-best eighth. O’Ward returned for the next five of six events of the schedule, where he finished 12th at California’s Long Beach Street Circuit in April and 11th at The Raceway at Bell Isle, Michigan during a doubleheader feature in June. The low point for O’Ward during this span was failing to qualify for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 in May. His seventh and final start of the season was at Road America in June, where he started 13th and finished 17th.

For the 2020 IndyCar season, O’Ward joined Arrow McLaren SP as driver of the No. 5 Dallara-Chevrolet. Commencing the season with a 12th-place result at Texas Motor Speedway in June and two consecutive eighth-place results during the following two events, O’Ward came within striking distance of claiming his maiden IndyCar victory in the second of a Road America doubleheader feature in July. Starting on pole position for the first time in his career, he led a race-high 43 of 55 laps but was overtaken by future teammate Felix Rosenqvist on the penultimate lap as he settled in a career-best second place.

Three races later, O’Ward notched a strong sixth-place result in the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 in August, where he was named the Indy 500 Rookie-of-the-Year recipient. The following weekend during a doubleheader feature at Gateway Motorsports Park, he notched two consecutive podium results and was up in fourth place in the standings. When the season concluded at the Streets of St. Petersburg in October, O’Ward, who notched his third runner-up result, capped off his first full-time campaign in IndyCar competition in fourth place in the final standings along with a pole and four podiums.

Remaining at Arrow McLaren SP in 2021, O’Ward started the season on a strong note by starting on pole and finishing in fourth place at Barber Motorsports Park in April. Three races later and during the second of a doubleheader feature at Texas Motor Speedway, O’Ward scored his maiden IndyCar victory following a late battle with Josef Newgarden. As a result, O’Ward became the first Mexican competitor to win in the IndyCar Series since Adrian Fernandez won at California Speedway in October 2004. He also recorded the first victory for the team that was once Schmidt Peterson Motorsports since James Hinchcliffe won at Iowa Speedway in July 2018. By winning at Texas, O’Ward fulfilled a deal made with McLaren CEO Zak Brown prior to the 2021 season, where the rising Mexican star would receive a McLaren F1 test at season’s end if he recorded a victory in the IndyCar circuit.

Four races following his maiden IndyCar victory, O’Ward achieved his second career victory in the second of a Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix doubleheader feature at the Belle Isle Street Circuit in June following another late battle against Newgarden. By then, he emerged with a one-point advantage in the drivers’ standings.

As the 2021 IndyCar season progressed, O’Ward remained in the cusp of a close championship battle against Alex Palou, Josef Newgarden and Scott Dixon. After finishing second at Gateway’s World Wide Technology Raceway in August, O’Ward was leading the standings by 10 points over Palou. During the following two events, however, Palou, who won at Portland during this span while O’Ward managed a fifth-place result at Laguna Seca, reassumed the championship lead and led O’Ward by 35 points entering the season-finale event at the Streets of Long Beach. During the finale, however, O’Ward was involved in an early incident with Ed Jones, where Jones spun O’Ward. Despite continuing, the Mexican eventually retired due to a broken driveshaft originating from his spin. The end result saw O’Ward conclude his sophomore season in a career-best third place in the 2021 final standings along with two victories, five podiums, three poles and an average-finishing result of 8.3.

This season, O’Ward notched his third IndyCar career victory at Barber Motorsports Park in May following a late battle against Palou and Rinus VeeKay. To go along with a strong runner-up result in this year’s 106th running of the Indianapolis 500, a pole at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course during the Fourth of July weekend and an average-finishing result of 12.0, he currently sits in sixth place in the drivers’ standings and trails points leader Marcus Ericsson by 75 points.

Through 48 previous IndyCar starts, O’Ward has achieved three victories, five poles, 11 podiums, 411 laps led and an average-finishing result of 9.7.

O’Ward is scheduled to make his 49th career start in the NTT INDYCAR Series in the Hy-VeeDeals.com 250 at Iowa Speedway on Saturday, July 23, at 4 p.m. ET on NBC before achieving his 50th series start in the Salute to Farmers 300 at Iowa on Sunday, July 24, at 3 p.m. ET on NBC

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