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Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Darlington

By
Official Release
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Darlington Raceway
Sunday, May 8, 2022
1.366-Mile Oval
3:30 PM ET
Location: Darlington, South Carolina
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (12 of 36)
Radio: SiriusXM, PRN

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 29 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 8th

No. 5 HendrickCars.com Throwback Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Throwback Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, will be available in the Darlington Raceway media center on Saturday, May 7, at 9:30 a.m. local time.

EGG-CELLENT STATS: In eight NASCAR Cup Series starts at Darlington Raceway, Kyle Larson has five top-five finishes and seven top-10s. He has led 656 laps in six of those seven races – 23 percent of the laps he has competed in at the egg-shaped track. Larson has posted runner-up finishes in his last three starts at the 1.366-mile track.

5.5 FOR NO. 5: Based on average finish at active tracks with more than one start, Darlington is Larson’s best venue. A pair of runner-up finishes at the South Carolina track in 2021 improved his average finish there to 5.5.

MONDAY SPIN: In the rain-delayed race at Dover Motor Speedway on Monday, Larson recovered from a spin on lap 156 to post a sixth-place finish in the 400-lap race. The Elk Grove, California, native now sits eighth in the point standings, 83 markers down to leader and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott.

FIVER: Larson ranks second this season in top-five finishes with five, trailing only Ross Chastain who has seven. Larson has a victory at Auto Club Speedway, a runner-up finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a fifth-place result at Richmond Raceway and fourth-place finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway (Dirt) and Talladega Superspeedway.

A PERFECT 10: The 29-year-old driver also has four starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Darlington, finishing in the top 10 in each. He has a 5.8 average finish in those races with his best result of fourth occurring in 2016.

HONORING RICHMOND: This weekend at Darlington, the No. 5 HendrickCars.com team will throwback to 1984 and Tim Richmond. With a newly founded team by Rick Hendrick, All-Star Racing fielded an entry in the NASCAR Grand National Series in October 1984 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Richmond set the fastest lap during qualifying and led 11 laps from the pole position before wheeling the No. 0 entry to a fifth-place finish. Check out every angle of the scheme here.

ARLINGTON: On Wednesday, Larson visited Arlington National Cemetery to participate in the laying of the wreath ceremony at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In 2021, Charlotte Motor Speedway began taking the previous year’s winner of its 600-mile race to just outside Washington for this ceremony. Larson won all three stages and led 327 of 400 laps en route to victory last May at Charlotte.

YOUR CAR NEEDS: This weekend, Larson will drive the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Throwback Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. From the convenience of home, customers can select the category, make, model and vehicle packages that are important to them from the nearly 30,000 new, high-quality pre-owned and certified cars, trucks and SUVs available at HendrickCars.com. The website also makes it easy for customers to find one of Hendrick Automotive Group’s 93 dealership locations nationwide.

WE’RE HIRING: Hendrick Automotive Group is hiring more than 300 technicians at its dealerships throughout the country. Positions are open for all skill levels and offer tuition and training reimbursement. Interested people can apply at HendrickCars.com.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 26 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 1st

No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Throwback Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Throwback Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, will be available in the Darlington Raceway media center on Friday, May 6, at 4:15 p.m. local time.

CONQUERED THE MONSTER: Chase Elliott and the No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS team earned their first victory of 2022 on Monday at Dover Motor Speedway after the race was postponed on Sunday due to rain. Elliott led three different times for a total of 73 laps to score his second win at the 1-mile track and the 14th of his NASCAR Cup Series career.

BUILDING STEAM: With his win at Dover, Elliott expanded his hold of the Cup Series points lead to 50 over Ryan Blaney. The victory also earned the Dawsonville, Georgia, native five coveted playoff points, bringing his total to seven on the season with his two stage wins. Including a tie earlier in the season, this marks the seventh consecutive week he has been atop the standings.

KEEP THE STREAK ALIVE: Elliott is currently riding a streak of four straight top-10 finishes and has eight finishes of 10th or better this season, a career-best mark for him through 11 races. Those eight top-10s are also tied for most in the Cup Series in 2022.

SINGLE DIGITS: The No. 9 team has been the most consistent team in the Cup Series garage in 2022. Following the Dover race weekend, they now have an average finish of 9.64, which is the best in the field. They are also the only Cup team with an average finish in the single digits.

RUNNIN’ AT THE FRONT: Elliott and the No. 9 team have consistently shown speed through the first 11 races of 2022, having led 349 laps and spent a total of 1,279 circuits inside the top-five spots. Those marks are the third-most in each category in the series behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron and Blaney.

DARLINGTON STATS: This Sunday, Elliott will make his 11th Darlington Raceway start in the Cup Series. In his previous 10 races at the 1.366-mile oval, he has collected two top-five finishes and four top-10s. His best finish of fourth came in 2020. Additionally, he has made three Darlington starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, earning a win at the track during his rookie season in 2014.

NAPA THROWBACK: Elliott and NAPA AUTO PARTS are throwing it back to the early 90s when the Cup Series heads to Darlington this weekend. The 2020 Cup Series champion’s No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will emulate the yellow and blue NAPA scheme sported by Jimmy Means and his No. 52 machine during the 1993 season. Check out all the angles of the special throwback scheme here.

GUSTAFSON AT DARLINGTON: Crew chief Alan Gustafson is set to call his 21st Darlington race in the Cup Series. In his previous 20 starts at the track with five different drivers (Kyle Busch, Casey Mears, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Elliott), Gustafson has accumulated one win (2009 with Martin), four top-five finishes and eight top-10s, with 222 laps led.

DARLINGTON DOUBLE: Elliott is pulling double duty at Darlington. In addition to Sunday’s Cup Series race, he’ll drive the No. 88 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series race on Saturday afternoon. The 26-year-old driver earned his Xfinity Series championship with JRM in 2014 and garnered five wins with the team, including a victory at Darlington. Elliott’s primary partner in the Cup Series, NAPA AUTO PARTS, will also serve as an associate partner on his Xfinity Series car.

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 24 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 3rd-Tied

No. 24 Axalta Throwback Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

BEST YEAR YET: So far in 2022, William Byron is off to a NASCAR Cup Series career-best start. In 11 races, Byron has scored two wins, four top-five finishes, 520 laps led, three stage wins and 13 playoff points accumulated. All of those statistics are his most through 11 races in his Cup Series career. He is currently tied for third in the driver point standings and is locked into the Cup Series Playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

LEADING THE FIELD: Byron has led laps in eight races – tied for the second-most with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson. His 520 laps led is the most by a driver this season. He has also spent the most laps running in the top-10 (2,026) as well as the most laps running within the top-five (1,409). With 13 playoff points, Byron has the most by any driver so far this season.

DARLINGTON DEETS: With seven previous Cup Series starts at Darlington Raceway, the 24-year-old is looking to capitalize on his previous strong showings at this venue on Sunday as well as continuing to have a little luck along the way. Despite running well early on, Byron’s results in five of his starts at the 1.366-mile track don’t accurately represent the strength he has shown. In two of his last three starts at “The Lady in Black,” Byron started within the top five both times, while securing a fifth-place result in the fall of 2020 and then a fourth-place finish in last year’s spring race. Byron also has one NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the southern track where he qualified sixth and raced to a fifth-place result as well.

THE FUGLE FILES: When the Cup Series returns to Darlington, it will mark the third trip to the South Carolina track for crew chief Rudy Fugle at the top level of NASCAR. Last season, Fugle called the shots for Byron at Darlington twice, starting fifth and racing to a fourth-place result in the spring. In the fall, Byron made his way within the top 10 of the running order before a turn one accident ended the team’s race early. Prior to last season, Fugle had only three previous starts at Darlington – two in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and one in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

THROWIN’ IT BACK: For this weekend’s throwback event, Axalta unveiled Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 last month. Paying tribute to Jeff Gordon, the No. 24 will don the familiar blue and red flames that Gordon raced during the 2007 season. Byron picked this scheme based on his earliest memories of the Hall of Fame driver. That season, Gordon won the spring race at Darlington as well as tied and passed Dale Earnhardt on the all-time Cup Series win list. For a closer look at Byron’s throwback scheme, click here.

BACK TO THE ROOTS: Going back to his racing roots, Byron will once again climb back behind the wheel of the No. 24 Super Late Model for Wilson Motorsports this year, this time for the Music City 200 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway on Saturday, May 7, for the North/South Challenge. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has raced the No. 24 Super Late Model four times this year – three times at New Smyrna Speedway and once at Hickory Motor Speedway – scoring three wins total. This weekend’s race at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway will be available for PPV on Racing America, here.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE OF MIND: While Landon Walker hails from North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the fueler for the No. 24 team also has significant ties to the southernmost Carolina state, having played football at Clemson University. The former college offensive tackle earned a scholarship to Clemson in 2007 after being named an All-American offensive lineman in his hometown at East Wilkes High School. While playing at Clemson, Walker recorded 3,131 snaps with 49 starts at tackle over four seasons. In 2011, he was named team captain, the same season Clemson went on to win the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. The college football standout was then recruited by Hendrick Motorsports in 2012 and earned a position as the starting fueler for the former No. 5 (now No. 24) team in 2015.

48 Alex Bowman
Age: 29 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Resides: Concord, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Greg Ives
Standings: 5th

No. 48 Ally Throwback Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

DOVER RECAP: Alex Bowman took home a top-five finish at Dover Motor Speedway on Monday. He finished the first stage in 11th and the second stage in third before finishing the 400-mile event in fifth. Bowman’s on-track performance places him fifth in the regular-season points standings, 69 markers behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate and Dover winner Chase Elliott.

MR. CONSISTENT: Bowman continues to show that he is determined to become more consistent this season. After his fifth-place finish last weekend, Bowman now has the most top-10s of his career through 11 races with seven. Only Kyle Busch and Elliott have more top-10 finishes this season in the NASCAR Cup Series, at eight. His three top-five finishes also tie his most through 11 events in his Cup Series career.

THROWBACK WEEKEND: Bowman and primary sponsor Ally have teamed up to throwback to one of the No. 48 driver’s idols, Mark Martin, for this Sunday’s race at Darlington Raceway. The No. 48 Ally Throwback Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will adorn the red, white, and blue colors of Martin’s 1993 No. 6 Valvoline that won the Southern 500 at Darlington that year. You can see every angle of the paint scheme here.

ABOVE AVERAGE: Bowman continues to hold the second-best average finish in the Cup Series this season, at 10.55. Only teammate and 2020 Cup Series champion Elliott is better in this category, averaging a 9.64 finish.

IVES AT DARLINGTON: Crew chief Greg Ives is no stranger to success at “The Lady in Black,” notching one top-five finish and three top-10s in his 10 starts at the 1.366-mile track in the Cup Series. The 42-year-old crew chief also has two starts atop the pit box in the NASCAR Xfinity Series where he took home a win with Elliott in April 2014 and a seventh-place result in May 2013 with Regan Smith.

SLINGING DIRT: Last Saturday, Bowman made an appearance at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, to race his sprint car for Alex Bowman Racing. He ran the ninth-fastest time in the hot laps and placed fifth in his heat race, transferring him to the feature event where he started 24th. Bowman managed to battle back from an on-track incident with three laps left in the 30-lap event, taking the checkered flag in 17th. He will return on May 11 for the World of Outlaws event at the same track.

FIVE SPOT: Hendrick Motorsports’ five wins in 2022 are the organization’s most through 11 NASCAR Cup Series races since winning eight races in the first 11 races of 2007. This season’s five wins are more than twice as many as any other team this year.

QUICK WORK: With all four drivers visiting victory lane in the season’s first 11 races, the 2022 driver lineup of Hendrick Motorsports is the fastest to have all four win. The previous top mark belonged to the 2007 Hendrick Motorsports four-car brigade and the 2016 Joe Gibbs Racing quartet – which each needed 12 races before all its drivers were victorious.

LEADING THE WAY: Hendrick Motorsports’ 1,024 laps led this season are the team’s most since 2014 – when they led 1,025 laps. The 1,024 laps led this season are more than second and third place in team laps led combined.

GETTING TO THE POINTS: As we near the halfway mark of the regular season, all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers are in the top eight of the Cup Series standings. Chase Elliott holds the points lead with William Byron tied for third. Alex Bowman occupies fifth place and reigning Cup champion Kyle Larson sits in eighth.

SIX PACK OF SOUTH CAROLINA WINNERS: With 14 wins at Darlington Raceway, Hendrick Motorsports has the most wins at the 1.366-mile venue all time in the Cup Series. Jeff Gordon has half of that total with seven victories, followed by Jimmie Johnson (three wins) and Terry Labonte, Mark Martin, Tim Richmond and Ricky Rudd.

FLY THE W: Since the start of the 2021 Cup Series season, Hendrick Motorsports has recorded 22 points-paying race wins. The total is equal to that of the next four teams combined: Joe Gibbs Racing (11 victories), Team Penske (six), Stewart-Haas Racing (two) and Trackhouse Racing (two). Four other active teams have recorded one win apiece during that span.

NEARING 100,000: Since Hendrick Motorsports was founded in 1984, it has led a record 99,526.14 miles in points-paying Cup Series races. The team is less than 500 miles from hitting 100,000 led at NASCAR’s top level. Last season, Hendrick Motorsports led 5,662.77 miles. Through 11 races in 2022, it has led 1,068.66 miles. At Darlington, the organization has led 4,834.274 miles. Earlier this season, the team hit another major milestone – its 2,000th top-10 finish in the Cup Series – at the dirt track of Bristol Motor Speedway.

QUOTABLE /

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the significance of his throwback paint scheme: “Throwback races are always fun, especially when you get to do something that doesn’t just look cool but also has a lot of meaning behind it. There aren’t a lot of All-Star Racing liveries that haven’t been re-done already, so it’s special. That scheme started it all, and everyone involved worked so hard to get us where we are now. It’s definitely motivating, especially when you add that Tim Richmond was the driver. He’s a legend for leaving it all on the track – he would go full send on crazy moves and things that other drivers wouldn’t even try. So I’m going to go out there and try to drive it like Tim would.”

Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on how the team transitions from Dover to Darlington: “A lot of it is just going to be in advance (of the weekend) and the conversations we’ve had about our recent Dover experience and we tested there a month or two ago. What he knows of trends of himself at the track and trends from Dover to Darlington, which is odd to say but he talks about those tracks very similarly a lot. And what he looks for out of the car, not necessarily the tracks themselves, but just what he needs the car to do for him. All those conversations are kind of leading to our approach. In practice, we have got to make the right adjustments and keep up with the track because the track does and will change a lot.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the win at Dover: “I’ve said a lot this season that we’ve had some really great runs, but we just hadn’t been able to put it all together. We were finally able to do that on Monday and have a nice, clean race. Wins aren’t always guaranteed, so I think anytime you can get one it’s important to enjoy it. I’m really proud of my team for continuing to show up each week and bring good attitudes regardless of what has happened in the weeks prior. It says a lot about their character and who they are. Now it’s time to shift our focus to Darlington and the rest of the season and keep trying for more wins and put ourselves in a good position for the playoffs.”

Elliott on the benefit of extra seat time at Darlington: “I always look forward to going to Darlington. It’s really cool and I feel like it’s really a driver’s racetrack. For some reason, I’ve kind of struggled there the last couple of years, so I’m looking forward to getting some extra practice on Saturday in the Xfinity race. Hopefully, that can help me come Sunday. I also feel like there are some things that we learned from Dover that we can take to Darlington. It’ll be interesting with the new car and how things go.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on his thoughts for the race at Darlington: “I feel like Darlington is going to be another track where we don’t know what to expect until we get on track. In the past, Darlington was a place that was super hard on tires, and you spent most of the race trying to manage how hard you could go to be able to have some tire left by the end of the run. The surface would just really use the tires up. Now though I feel like tire wear hasn’t been as big of a factor with the Next Gen car so far. We saw a little tire wear on long runs at Dover, but nothing like in the past. You could still maintain some track position even with newer tires behind you on track. I am curious to see how the tires hold up this weekend and if it plays the same factor that it has in the past or how we will have to adjust throughout the race.”

Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the effort the No. 24 team has been putting in: “I’m proud of everyone’s efforts last week at Dover. It obviously wasn’t the way we wanted the start of the weekend to go. The No. 24 team, and really just about everyone at Hendrick Motorsports, jumped in to help us get the backup car ready to race. We may not have gotten the finish we wanted in the end, but the things we learned on and off the track, and the effort this team put in is something we can be proud of. We’re using these races to prepare to be a championship-level team, and weekends like Dover are what make a team stronger and able to go further than others in the playoffs. We’ll put it behind us and prepare to rebound at Darlington.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on heading to Darlington: “We have a lot of momentum as a team heading to Darlington this weekend. We had a great weekend in Dover after starting in the back with 70 laps to go at a place that is tough to pass, so I think it only helps myself and the rest of the team know that we are firing on all cylinders right now. I am looking forward to taking the No. 48 Ally Throwback Chevy to Darlington and making Mark (Martin) proud and try to get the car back in victory lane.”

Greg Ives, crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on coming off a top-five finish at Dover: “It was frustrating walking away from Dover knowing we had a car capable of contending for a win and not being in the mix. Alex (Bowman) drove the wheels off the car and did a great job staying in it to get that top-five finish and our pit crew had great stops all day, so we have a lot of positives to build off of heading to Darlington this weekend. It will be a fun race with it being throwback weekend, so I am looking forward to going down there and trying to take home another trophy this Sunday.”

Kerry Tharp and Darlington Raceway ready to welcome fans with open arms

By
Angie Campbell
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Photo by Debbie Ross for SpeedwayMedia.com.

While Kerry Tharp’s official title is President of Darlington Raceway, ringmaster of the traveling show we call NASCAR might be a more apt description, especially during a Throwback weekend.

From coordinating numerous activities including an 80’s Dance Party, food, music, track trivia, prizes and a Throwback Parade to dealing with the aftermath of an aberrant rain and hail storm, Tharp and his staff are behind the scenes making certain that the show will go on.

Anytime you’re present for a Throwback event at Darlington you can expect to see NASCAR Hall of Famers and veteran drivers and the upcoming weekend is no exception. Richard Petty will wave the green flag as the honorary starter for the Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington. Petty, Bobby Labonte and Bill Elliott will then share their expertise with the FOX Sports broadcast team of Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer during the race. Petty will join them during Stage 1, Labonte will take over for Stage 2 and Elliott will be in the booth for the final stage.

“I think it’s pretty cool that they’re adding those guys up in the booth,” Tharp said, “because I think each of them is all from a different era and I think each of them will provide their own unique perspective on the race and on the weekend.”

There will also be some unique pre-race activities.

On Friday before the Camping World Truck Series race, Ron Hornaday Jr. will complete a parade lap in a 1975 Ford Bronco and on Saturday Randy LaJoie will pilot a 1966 Mustang Shelby before the Xfinity Series event. Prior to the Cup Series race Sunday afternoon, Hall of Fame inductee Red Farmer will take a spin around the track in a Wood Brothers Racing car that Neil Bonnet drove.

Another highlight, Tharp said, will feature “one of the team owners, Justin Marks, (Trackhouse Racing) who is going to drive the No. 33 Skoal Bandit car that Harry Gant drove here at Darlington. That will allow fans to get a real good visual of Throwback cars.”

Darlington Raceway, known as the track Too Tough to Tame, is one of the most unique and challenging venues on the NASCAR circuit. Add the new Next Gen car into the mix and it’s difficult to predict who will end up in victory lane.

Tharp believes that the racing might be even better than what we’ve seen in the past.

“I think it’s going to be better,” he said. “When we had the tire test here, the people from Goodyear were very encouraged about the tire wear. Darlington is famous for the tires falling off, so I think you’re gonna see that on Sunday in the Cup Series and I think the new car is going to be challenging for the drivers to maneuver.

“I’m not very good at predicting who will win but I will say that Joe Gibbs Racing has certainly had great history here at Darlington with Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. all winning here multiple times. I think you’re probably going to have to go through that team in order to get a win here.

“But you take a look and see how successful Hendrick has been this year and also some of the first-time winners, whether it be Ross Chastain, Chase Briscoe, or even Austin Cindric and I think you could see a first-time winner here. I think anything could happen.”

Winning races is always the goal for the drivers and teams but for Tharp, it’s all about the fans and ensuring that they have a memorable experience.

“Just being able to see the fans enjoying themselves whether it be in the campgrounds or the stands, we missed that for about 2 1/2 years with the pandemic,” he said. “I’m looking forward with a lot of anticipation to seeing that again.”

It hit home for Tharp during the pandemic as NASCAR ran races without fans in attendance.

“The race that we had in May of 2020 when we brought back live racing and sports back to this country. There hadn’t been any live sports in about 8 or 9 weeks and we were the first to bring it back. There were no fans in the stands and that was very, very different.

“I can remember Kevin Harvick won that race and he got out of his car after his burnout. He got out and usually, there are a lot of cheers and even a lot of boos, but there was nothing.

“It was dead silent.

“I’ll never forget that. And I think that’s why you never take your fan base for granted.”

Defending Coca-Cola 600 Winner Kyle Larson and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon Lay Wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

By
Official Release
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Defending Coca-Cola 600 champion, Kyle Larson, and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon laid a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery as part of Charlotte Motor Speedway's Mission 600. The event was a prelude to the 63rd running of the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend. (CMS/Jonathan Coleman photo)

ARLINGTON, VA (May 4, 2022) – Wednesday, as a prelude to its Memorial Day Weekend salute to the U.S. Armed Forces, Charlotte Motor Speedway hosted defending Coca-Cola 600 winner Kyle Larson and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon for a poignant visit to Arlington National Cemetery where the Hendrick Motorsports representatives laid a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for approximately 400,000 individuals, including servicemen and women from every major United States conflict since the American Revolution.

Larson and Gordon were joined by Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith, Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Walter and Rep. Richard Hudson, congressman from North Carolina’s eighth district, which includes Charlotte Motor Speedway and Fort Bragg.

In addition to the wreath-laying, the group enjoyed a private viewing of artifacts that paint the rich history of Arlington National Cemetery in the Memorial Amphitheater Display Room and watched a changing-of-the-guard ceremony. At the iconic tomb, which marked its centennial anniversary in 2021, members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment known as The Old Guard, stand watch 24 hours a day, a tradition that began in 1948.

“One of the honors of winning the Coca-Cola 600 is getting to come to Arlington National Cemetery and (Washington) D.C.,” said Larson. “I’ve never been here before. Seeing the ceremony for The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was truly special – a huge honor. There is so much prestige with the 600. Then having a tradition like this just adds on to that.

“I’m proud to be here today, proud to pay my respects and get to feel the sense of honor here. As I get to come here and experience these things, it gives you even more of an appreciation for the men and women who have sacrificed their lives and are currently serving. Being here today, getting to shake the hands of so many people was special. I look forward to the 600 even more. I’m excited to get back there again. Hopefully I can win again and make another trip.”

“Tradition is obviously a big part of NASCAR, a big part of the Coca-Cola 600, being on Memorial Day Weekend,” said Gordon. “I love that Charlotte Motor Speedway and NASCAR are coming together to bring the past champion of this event here to Arlington. Seeing the changing of the guard, laying that wreath on The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, it really speaks volumes and connects what the 600 means to families out there who have lost a loved one in battle and those who are currently serving. I wish that they had done this when I was still driving. This is something that I’m sure is going to become a tradition for a very long time.”

Each Memorial Day Weekend, Charlotte Motor Speedway pays tribute to those men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice during a moving Coca-Cola 600 pre-race show that includes representation from all five branches of the military.

“It’s such a special opportunity to be back in Arlington as part of Mission 600, and this year to have Kyle and Jeff to celebrate by laying a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” said Smith. “The whole program for Mission 600 is really an opportunity to celebrate our troops, to celebrate every part of the Armed Forces and to take a special moment to celebrate those who made the ultimate sacrifice. With NASCAR’s entire NASCAR Salutes program, the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway serve as the crowning moment to celebrate NASCAR Nation’s love of our military. All the work that goes into it, the coordination with The Pentagon, with Fort Bragg, with all the different groups that come in to help us, it’s such a special thing for us.”

In recent years, the speedway’s salute has expanded to include Mission 600, a campaign pairing NASCAR drivers with military bases designed to educate the NASCAR community about the day-to-day lives of the men and women who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. To date in 2022 on behalf of the Coca-Cola Racing Family of Drivers, Denny Hamlin virtually met members of U.S. Army Central, Kuwait; and Daniel Suarez visited Coast Guard Station Wrightsville Beach for a first-hand look at training exercises on the water. Additional Mission 600 visits in the coming weeks leading up to the May 29 Coca-Cola 600 will include Coca-Cola Racing Family and other drivers visiting units from the U.S. Army (at Fort Bragg), the U.S. Marine Corps (at Camp Lejeune) and the U.S. Air Force (virtually with a unit at Camp Ali Al Salem, Kuwait).

TICKETS:
Coca-Cola 600 weekend tickets, camping and upgrades are available at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Admission to Circle K Speed Street concerts by Flo-Rida (Friday) and The Steve Miller Band (Saturday) is free with any race ticket. Sunday’s Lynyrd Skynyrd pre-race concert is free with purchase of a Coca-Cola 600 race ticket.

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following on Twitter and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan.

FOX named Extreme E’s Official Suspension Partner

By
Official Release
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5 May 2022, London: Extreme E, the electric off-road racing series, has announced a multi-year partnership with FOX, the leading suspension manufacturer, who joins the Championship as their Official Suspension Partner.

In Extreme E’s drive to continuously improve performance, FOX will be providing all Extreme E teams with a race-ready suspension package for their ODYSSEY 21s ahead of the Island X Prix double-header in Sardinia in July.

With Extreme E racing on some of the most challenging terrains across the globe, FOX’s suspension package will help maximise the performance of the E-SUVs, providing greater handling stability, capability and safety.

FOX will also be present at all future X Prix to deliver onsite support, shock repairs and diagnostics, as well as set up guidance for teams with course-specific recommendations.

James Taylor, Chief Championship Officer of Extreme E said: “I’m delighted to welcome FOX to the Extreme E family. Collaborating with a brand that has such a rich off-road heritage in motorsport and innovative, cutting-edge concepts is a big step forward for the Championship. FOX’s commitment to producing market-leading products, technical expertise and onsite support will be a huge addition to the ODYSSEY 21s. We also look forward to the brand exposure that FOX will bring, particularly in the North American market.

“Our recent test with FOX in France revealed a positive improvement to the handling of the car. I look forward to seeing how the Extreme E cars perform this season with the new upgrades.”

Extreme E remains a pioneer in highlighting the capabilities of electric mobility with a view to encouraging change for consumers and, in addition, engaging OEMs to use Extreme E as a test bed for future consumer-facing technologies.

The U.S. suspension specialist employs and integrates innovative technology into their product lines with a forward-thinking focus on the future in the automotive world in line with the ethos of Extreme E.

Bobby Smith, FOX Director of Motorsports, said: “We’ve tested with Extreme E in the Nevada desert and in France. Our Racing Applications Development (RAD) technology has contributed to repeated success at the Baja 1000, King of the Hammers, Mint 400 and other major off-road races. Now it’s time for us to put that same FOX technology and tuning through the paces in extreme conditions around the world with legendary drivers behind the wheel this season.”

Founded by Bob Fox in 1974, FOX has boldly entered competitive arenas to prove its technology, beginning with motocross before topping podiums with Superbikes, snowmobiles, desert vehicles, mountain bikes, circle track and water craft. Its heritage drives its future technology and, with EVs populating the landscape, its partnership with Extreme E is a natural fit.

FOX also aims to maximise premium performance while minimising its environmental impact, aligning with Extreme E’s goals as a sport for purpose Championship.

Tony Pauly, FOX Powered Vehicle Group Vice President of Marketing, said: “Extreme E is our opportunity to collaborate with world-class racers and team owners at the forefront of the market. FOX is interested in where the market is heading with alternative fuel sources. Every major auto brand is positioning itself for vehicle electrification, and we’re excited to be partnering with Extreme E in 2022.”

Extreme E is set to go racing again in July for the first ever Championship double-header in Sardinia.

To learn more about Extreme E, visit – www.Extreme-E.com

GMS Racing NCWTS Darlington Race Preview

By
Official Release
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Grant Enfinger, No. 23 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet Silverado RST

Darlington Raceway Career Stats

  • NCWTS Starts: 3, Best start: 7th, Best finish: 4th (2020), Top 5s: 2, Top 10s: 3

2022 NCWTS Season Stats

  • Starts: 6, Best start: 7th, Best finish: 8th (twice), Top 10s: 3, Laps led: 14, Current points position: 11th
  • About Champion Power Equipment: Since 2003 Champion Power Equipment has earned a reputation for designing and producing the market’s finest power equipment. From our original headquarters in Santa Fe Springs, California, Champion has expanded its North American footprint to include facilities in Jackson, Tennessee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Toronto Canada. Today, Champion’s product line has expanded to include portable generators, home standby generators, inverter generators, engines, winches and log splitters. With over 2.5 million generators sold in North America, Champion is a market leader in the power equipment field. Visit ChampionPowerEquipment.com for more information.
  • Chassis History/Info: Grant Enfinger will race with GMS Racing chassis no. 331 at the track dubbed “Too Tough To Tame”. This chassis debuted in 2020, and was driven to victory lane at Michigan International Speedway by Zane Smith in the same year. Last season, it competed twice at Darlington with Smith, highlighted by a ninth place finish in September. Enfinger has raced this truck once before at Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier this year, where he led fourteen laps en route to a 12th place finish. – On The Right Track: After experiencing a tumultuous start to the 2022 racing campaign, Grant Enfinger, Charles Denike, and the No. 23 GMS Racing team have began to hit on some solid consistency! Over the course of the past three races, they have earned three top-10 finishes in a row, including a high of two eighth place finishes. As a result, Enfinger has moved up to 11th in the drivers’ points standings, gaining a whopping fourteen spots since the season opener in Daytona.
  • Darlington Contender: Since the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series made its return to Darlington Raceway in 2020, Grant Enfinger has been a constant threat to win. Fun fact, Grant is the only driver to have finished inside the top-10 in all three races since the return. With finishes of fourth, fifth, and sixth, Enfinger is also tied for having the best average finish among all active drivers at the historic venue. – GE Quote: “I’m excited to get going on Friday night. Not only is Darlington one of the best tracks that we go to, but it also starts the beginning of an eight race stretch. We feel like we’ve learned a good bit during the earlier part of the season, and now we have the opportunity to implement some improvements. I know Charles and our GMS Racing team will have us a Champion Power Equipment Chevy that can contend.”

Jack Wood, No. 24 North Industrial Machine / Auto Parts 4Less Chevrolet Silverado RST

Darlington Raceway Career Stats

  • NCWTS Starts: 1, Best start: 15th, Best finish: 30th (2021)

2022 NCWTS Season Stats

  • Starts: 6, Best start: 11th, Best finish: 13th (Atlanta), Current points position: 28th
  • About North Industrial Machine: Founded in 1995, North Industrial Machine has grown its operations to serve the steel, paper, aerospace, textile, automotive, and medical industries. The family-owned construction company is headquartered in nearby Hartsville, South Carolina, and serves much of the area surrounding Darlington Raceway. Notably, this weekend marks the company’s first partnership endeavor in the NASCAR industry.
  • About Auto Parts 4Less: The Auto Parts 4Less Group is the world’s first dedicated marketplace for automotive parts only, finally an easy to use website for only automotive parts! All automotive parts needs – car, truck, boat, RV, power sports, motorcycle, etc. Visit AutoParts4Less.com to view their full selection of parts for every type of vehicle.
  • Chassis History/Info: Jack Wood will take GMS Racing chassis no. 330 to the dance with “The Lady In Black”. This Silverado RST became a part of the team’s fleet in 2020, winning at Dover Motor Speedway with Zane Smith in its first year of competition. Wood earned his best finish of the season at Atlanta Motor Speedway driving this chassis back in March, finishing in 13th position.
  • Sunoco ROTY Update: Coming off a 22nd place finish in the most recent race at Bristol Dirt, Jack Wood has climbed up to third in the Sunoco Rookie Of The Year standings. Entering Darlington, Wood finds himself only two points out of second place and twenty-two markers back from point leader Lawless Alan.
  • Driver Appearances: Fans will have the opportunity to meet Jack Wood at the eNASCAR Arcade in the Darlington Raceway fan zone on Friday from 5:00 to 5:30 PM. Jack will be partaking in a Q&A, followed up by an opportunity to race against him on iRacing simulators and timeless classics such as Daytona USA.
  • JW Quote: “I’m looking forward to racing again at Darlington this weekend. It’s been a great track for GMS Racing as they swept the races there last year, so I think we have a great opportunity to have a solid run. I believe that we have a good idea of where we need to be for our baseline setup, and as we begin the summer stretch, this is going to be a crucial race to start off on the right foot. We have a bunch of races lined up ahead of us, so a good finish here will help build our momentum going forward.”

ABOUT GMS RACING:

GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series operating the No. 23 and the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs, as well as the ARCA Menards Series with the No. 43 Chevrolet SS. Since the team was formed in 2012, GMS Racing has won five titles across multiple series, including the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship, the 2015 ARCA Menards Series championship, as well as the 2019 & 2020 ARCA Menards Series East championships. GMS has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. including operations for GMS Fabrication. The GMS Racing campus also houses operations for Petty GMS, a two car full-time NASCAR Cup Series team formed in 2021.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

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

A Comprehensive 4L60E Swap Guide

By
SM
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Background on the 4L60E

First, a little background on the 4L60E.

The name 4L60E stands for 4 forward gears, a longitudinal mount (for rear-wheel drive) a 60 relative torque rate at 360 lb-ft, and an electronic valve body. 

Specs for the 4L60

Here are a few specs for the 4L60E:

  1. The length comes in at 21.9″
  2. Dry weight is 146 lbs. 
  3. Cast Aluminum case
  4. 360 lb ft (488 N.m) maximum torque
  5. 8.4 qt. (9.64-inch torque-converter) or 11.4 qt. (11.81-inch torque converter) fluid capacity
  6. 90 degree “small/big block” I6, V6, and V8 engine capacities  

Here are the 4L60E’s gear ratios:

  • 1st: 3.059
  • 2nd: 1.625
  • 3rd: 1.00
  • 4th: 0.696
  • R: 2.29

Performing a 4L60E transmission swap

Let’s say you’re wanting to do a 4L60E swap on an A-body vehicle (one of the more common swaps). For this situation, you’re probably going to need to budget somewhere between $3,800 and $4,500 for the swap. But it will be worth it! If you need a transmission to start with, here’s a good cheap rebuilt 4L60E for sale, https://reman-transmission.com/transmission-codes/?code=4L60-E.

For those in the Calgary area, finding the right components for your swap can be facilitated by exploring the local market for used cars Calgary, potentially uncovering valuable resources for your project.

The 4L60E is an electronically-controlled overdrive, meaning in a swap, it’s going to need electronic “gatekeepers” such as a standalone controller, throttle position sensor input, and the ability to convert the electronic signal to a usable speed display. 

You’ll also need a few mechanical considerations, such as a somewhat shortened driveshaft and a few floorplan modifications, most likely.

Once you have these considerations in place, you’re ready to install the trans. The bell housing bolt pattern will likely be the same for the A-body (the 4L60E trans is a 90’s design and generally pays homage to older auto bodies). In this situation, you might use a lockup torque converter with a new flexplate to facilitate an externally balanced 383 small-block setup.

Next, you’ll remove the old trans (let’s say you’re working with a TH350) and bolt 4L60E into place for the moment. Make sure you have clearance for the servo cover, and the right-angle AN cooler fits. You might need sheet metal cuts. The 4L60E is going to need a little room. 

To get to the converter bolts for the 4L60E you’ll need to access through the starter motor hole, so remove the starter and torque the converter bolts to the TCI flex plate. If you need to use a replacement starter to accommodate the smaller space, that’s no problem. 

Once you bolt in the transmission and new starter motor, you should now permanently mount the trans and get your measurements for your new driveshaft. The 4L60E is generally going to be a little bit longer than other models like the TH350, so you’ll need to shorten the old shaft or just build a new one (or have someone build it for you).

When measuring, put the rear axle at the height of the ride. You can also use a drive-on hoist or four drive-on ramps of exact height. Don’t cut corners on the measurements. Guessing now could lead to a rough situation down the road.

Next, route your custom AN cooler lines to your engine radiator. Then, mount your TCI controller in the passenger fender and route any necessary wires to the interior. 

Bolt your electric motor in place and connect your wiring to tap into the input from the VSS. You might need to do some road testing to calibrate. 

Next, connect your column shifter to the new trans. Research a few manufacturers who offer rods with adjustable quadrants that can work well with the 4L60E. 

Now, once you’ve put your driveshaft into place, it’s time to test your trans. Try it at different RPMs. And make sure to get your 4L60E tuned up before trying anything heavy. It might be best to go with an electric overdrive automatic.

Car Transport Methods That Work Best

By
SM
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Photo by Lê Minh

If you need to transport your car, what’s the best way to do it? Of course, all people want to find cheap car shipping methods, and if you take the time and energy to search for credible car transport companies, you will find many that can deliver high-quality service. You can’t choose just anyone to ship your vehicle because the transport involves many complications that fly-by-night freight services cannot answer for.

There are many options for car transport. Most people will simply drive the car by themselves because it is the cheapest and, sometimes, the safest way to do it. However, not all people have the time, energy, and tendency to drive coast-to-coast. Most will want the convenience that auto transport companies offer because it means not worrying about the vehicle’s well-being. They also rely on the assurance that their cars will arrive safe and sound.

There are four main methods to ship cars overseas or domestically. If overseas, the most popular is by plane and sea. Domestically, it could be either by cargo container or train. Whether you choose to ship by plane or train, it’s vital to remember to check the legal documents and reputation of the shipping company to assure yourself of fast and reliable service. 

Air Freight  

This is the most expensive but quickest way to transport your car. People moving overseas often use this option because it is safe and the timing for the transit is very short compared to other methods. However, air freight is not always available. You have to schedule this in advance, so the car will arrive just in time when you need it. 

Aside from being quick, car owners choose this route because it protects the car from possible damage and breakage. There is reduced mobility and shock inside the cargo area of the airplane. The vehicle is also not exposed to severe environmental conditions, such as dirt, mud, snow, and rain. It is also safe from bird poops and other insects that might land on it. Car owners will likely receive their cars the same way they handed them over to the cargo company. 

The disadvantage of shipping the car by plane is the fees. Not many can afford air freight. Unless you are moving for good and cannot get rid of your vehicle or leave it to anyone else, car air freight isn’t the go-to option for owners. Aside from the taxes of transporting a foreign car, the other costs associated with it often discourage owners. 

Rail Freight

Car owners always forget that they can move their cars via train. It is cheaper than air freight, but it’s also quick because it gets the vehicle to the destination in a matter of days. The best thing about this is that most train companies allow car owners to stuff the vehicle with their personal belongings. This way, you’re transporting both the car and some of your stuff. And yes, you can ride the train, too, so you’re moving with your car. 

Most trains have an autorack where the cars will be stored during the journey. In the United States, Amtrak provides this kind of service. You can go from coast to coast and arrive at your destination in days. You’ll only have to drive the car to your home or apartment. Some train companies also offer door-to-door delivery of the vehicle, wherein another company will take charge of driving the car from the train station to your address. 

The only disadvantage of rail freight is the cost. Although it is not as expensive as air freight, it costs more than road travel or driving the car yourself. 

Via Sea

Ships are one of the most widely used methods to transport automobiles. Car manufacturers use cargo ships to transport their vehicles to different countries and dealerships. While this method is used for bulk shipments, many shipping companies also allow the transportation of individual cars. Like air and train freight, shipping via sea is also expensive. Not to mention, there are a lot of requirements to get a shipping company to move your vehicle. 

Sea shipments take weeks and months at a time. That is why it is more affordable than air freight. If you want to save on the cost of transporting your vehicle and other belongings, sea shipment is a practical choice. 

Car Carrier

Domestically, meaning you’re moving from one state to another, a popular way of transporting cars is via car carrier. This is the same service that dealerships use when delivering vehicles from one city to another. Companies use trucks and semi-trucks to move the car. Car owners can choose between an open carrier or a close carrier. Most of the time, only one to five cars can be transported this way. 

An open carrier is less expensive than a close carrier. However, there’s a risk of accidents in an open carrier, and the car isn’t protected from weather conditions. So, while it might be more affordable, an enclosed carrier may still be the better option. 

Conclusion

Don’t fret if you need to ship your cars. There are many available options to transport vehicles, whether domestically or internationally. Though the best way is to ship it via plane, this is not an option for everyone. The most practical choice would be to hire a car carrier if you’re moving within the country or pay for sea freight if the move involves crossing territories. What’s important is to hire only reputable and authorized car shipping companies.

Weekend Schedule for Darlington Raceway

By
Angie Campbell
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Photo by Ted Seminara for SpeedwayMedia.com.

This week NASCAR travels to Darlington Raceway for the fan-favorite Throwback Weekend featuring special paint schemes and activities that pay tribute to NASCAR tradition.

Hall of Fame members Richard Petty, Bobby Labonte and Bill Elliott will help set the mood and share their expertise as they join the FOX Sports broadcast team during the Cup Series Goodyear 400.

Petty will join Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer during Stage 1, followed by Labonte during Stage 2 while Elliott will be in the booth for the final stage.

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers with four wins at the 1.366-mile, Too Tough to Tame, track. Martin Truex Jr. is the defending race winner.

Justin Allgaier won the Xfinity Series race at Darlington last year and is hoping to repeat and claim his first victory of 2022.

The Camping World Truck Series is back on the schedule after a couple of weeks off. It will be the series 10th race at Darlington. Ben Rhodes (2020) and Todd Bodine (2010) are the only active drivers on the entry list for Darlington that have won at the track.

Throwback Paint Schemes

All times are Eastern.

Friday, May 6

3 p.m.: Truck Series Practice/All Entries – FS1

3:30 p.m.: Truck Series Qualifying (Impound) Single Vehicle/1 Lap/All Entries – FS1

5 p.m.: Xfinity Series Practice/All Entries – FS1

5:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying (Impound) Single Vehicle/1 Lap/All Entries – FS1

7:30 p.m.: Truck Series Dead on Tools 200
Distance: 200.1 miles (147 Laps)
Stage 1 ends on Lap 45, Stage 2 ends on Lap 90, Final Stage ends on Lap 147
FS1/MSN/SiriusXM
The Purse: $712,347

Saturday, May 7

10:30 a.m.: Cup Series Practice – Groups A & B – FS1/MSN/SiriusXM

11:05 a.m.: Cup Series Qualifying (Impound) (Groups A & B) Single Vehicle/1 Lap/2 Rounds – FS1/MSN/SiriusXM

1:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Mahindra ROXOR 200
Distance: 200.1 miles (147 Laps)
Stage 1 ends on Lap 45, Stage 2 ends on Lap 90, Final Stage ends on Lap 147
FS1/MSN/SiriusXM
The Purse: $1,273,583

Sunday, May

3:30 p.m.: Cup Series Goodyear 400
Distance: 400.2 miles (293 laps)
Stage 1 ends on Lap 90, Stage 2 ends on Lap 185, Final Stage ends on Lap 293
FS1/MSN/SiriusXM
The Purse: $7,292,599

NASCAR Announces NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2023, Landmark Award

By
Official Release
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2. PRIMARY LOGO - NASCAR Hall of Fame

Kenseth, Shelmerdine, McGriff Voted Into Prestigious 13th Class

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 4, 2022) – NASCAR announced today the inductees who will comprise the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The three-person group – the 13th since the inception of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010 – consists of Matt Kenseth, Kirk Shelmerdine and Hershel McGriff. In addition, Mike Helton was named the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

For the first time since 2019, members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today in an in-person closed session at the Charlotte Convention Center to debate and vote upon the 15 nominees for the induction class of 2023 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award.

Ten nominees appeared on the Modern Era ballot, which was selected by the traditional Nominating Committee. The same committee selected the five Landmark Award nominees. The Pioneer ballot, which included five nominees whose careers began in 1963 or earlier, was selected by the Honors Committee. Beginning with the Class of 2021, each Hall of Fame class features two inductees from the Modern Era ballot and one from the Pioneer ballot.

The Class of 2023 was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, including representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com and the last two NASCAR Cup Series champions (Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson). In all, 61 votes were cast, with two additional Voting Panel members recused from voting as potential nominees for induction (Jeff Burton and Ricky Rudd). The accounting firm of EY presided over the tabulation of the votes.

Kenseth received 69% of the Modern Era ballot votes, Shelmerdine received 52%. Harry Hyde finished third, followed by Neil Bonnett and Harry Gant. Hershel McGriff received 31% of the Pioneer ballot votes. A.J. Foyt finished second.

Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote were: A.J. Foyt (Pioneer); Matt Kenseth and Harry Gant (Modern Era).

The two inductees came from a group of 10 nominees that included: Neil Bonnett, Tim Brewer, Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards, Harry Gant, Harry Hyde, Matt Kenseth, Larry Phillips, Ricky Rudd and Kirk Shelmerdine.

Nominees for the Pioneer Ballot included: Sam Ard, A.J. Foyt, Banjo Matthews, Hershel McGriff, Ralph Moody.

Nominees for the Landmark Award included Janet Guthrie, Alvin Hawkins, Mike Helton, Lesa France Kennedy, Dr. Joseph Mattioli.

The Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony is set for Friday, Jan. 20, 2023 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets for the Induction Ceremony will be available later this month on NASCARHall.com.

Class of 2023 Inductees:

Hershel McGriff

Hershel McGriff’s first race was the 1950 Southern 500, in the NASCAR Cup Series’ sophomore season, at the age of 22. His final NASCAR race was at Tucson Speedway in the NASCAR Pro Series West – in 2018 at the age of 90. McGriff started 85 races in parts of 28 NASCAR Cup Series seasons, capturing four wins – all in 1954, when he finished sixth in championship points. But McGriff was one of the best drivers in what is now known as the ARCA Menards Series West. Competing in parts of 35 seasons, McGriff won 37 races, good for third on the all-time West Series wins list. His signature year came in 1986 when he won the series title, part of a string of 10 consecutive seasons with finishes in the top 10 of championship points. In 1998, McGriff was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers.

Matt Kenseth

Over 18 full-time seasons Matt Kenseth quietly filled his trophy cases, conquering every major milestone on the Cup Series schedule including two Daytona 500s, the Southern 500, Coca-Cola 600 and the All-Star Race. His 39 Cup wins tie for 21st on the all-time list and include wins at 19 of the 23 tracks at which he competed more than once. His crowning achievement was his 2003 Cup Series championship, a thoroughly impressive season in which he led the points standings for the final 32 weeks of the season. And though he ‘only’ captured that one title, Kenseth was consistently in championship contention – he made the Playoffs in 13 of 14 seasons and finished runner-up twice.

Kirk Shelmerdine

Not many reach the pinnacle of their professions as quickly as Kirk Shelmerdine. At age 25 in 1983, Shelmerdine guided Ricky Rudd to victory at Riverside, the first of two wins during that season. And a scant three years later, he directed Dale Earnhardt to the 1986 Cup Series championship. Shelmerdine won four total Cup Series championships with Earnhardt (1986, ’87, ’90, ’91). Over his 16-year crew chief career with Earnhardt, Rudd, James Hylton and Richard Childress, he won 46 races and posted top-10 finishes in more than half his starts. Shelmerdine retired from life as a crew chief in 1992 to pursue a career as a driver. In the cockpit, he made 41 starts across all three NASCAR national series.

Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR:

Mike Helton

Mike Helton is easily one of the most familiar faces and names in the NASCAR community. The first person outside the France family to be named NASCAR President (in 2000), he started his leadership career with the sport back in 1980 and now serves as Vice Chairman of NASCAR. His nearly five-decade long career in the sport has been spent working in a wide variety of jobs. After working briefly as a radio sports director he earned his first big job in racing as the public relations director at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Five years later he was promoted to general manager of the facility and almost immediately was hired away to work at the famed Daytona International Speedway. His hard work on the competition side of the sport included a push to increase safety standards – something NASCAR took the lead on and continues to revolutionize today. His influence is also seen in the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, N.C. – the first such facility owned and operated by a racing sanctioning body.

About NASCAR

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

About the NASCAR Hall of Fame

Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010, and includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Productions-operated broadcast studio. The venue is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week and has an attached parking garage on Brevard Street. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000-square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. Learn more at nascarhall.com.

Mahindra Tractors Racing: Chase Briscoe Darlington Advance

By
Official Release
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CHASE BRISCOE
Darlington Advance
No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Goodyear 400 (Round 12 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 8
● Location: Darlington (S.C.) Raceway
● Layout: 1.366-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 293 laps/400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 90 laps / Stage 2: 95 laps / Final Stage: 108 laps
● TV/Radio: FS1 / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), is set to honor his childhood hero and SHR co-owner Tony Stewart at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway during the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR. The now-familiar look of the Official Tractor of Tough will be replaced with a red-and-yellow design that mirrors Stewart’s 2001 Indianapolis 500 entry that kicked off what’s safe to call the most grueling day of his career and the achievement of a lifetime – the 2001 Indianapolis 500 / Coca-Cola 600 double. On May 27, 2001, Stewart started seventh, led 13 laps and finished sixth in the Indy 500 before flying to Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway for that night’s 600-mile Cup Series race, where he started 12th and finished third. Stewart became the first driver to complete all 1,100 combined laps of the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

● Briscoe, with just 47 Cup Series starts under his belt, has already demonstrated just how tough he can be on track, but one of the more iconic moments of his career took place at Darlington in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. On May 21, 2020, in a Thursday-night Xfinity Series race at The Track Too Tough To Tame, Briscoe captured the attention of the sports world as he bested Kyle Busch in the first NASCAR event after a 10-week hiatus due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The NASCAR season was set to resume with the Xfinity Series race at Darlington on Tuesday, May 19, but a full day of rain forced the event to be postponed to Thursday. During the delay on Tuesday, Briscoe learned that his wife had suffered a miscarriage, and when the driver from Mitchell, Indiana, returned to the track with a heavy heart on Thursday, he was overwhelmed by the support of the industry and fans. He started 11th for the 200-lap race around the 1.366-mile oval and ran among the top-10 through the first 90 laps. A quick pit stop on lap 91 for four tires and fuel allowed Briscoe to restart in second place on lap 96. He promptly took the lead, and another lightning-fast stop on lap 134 put Briscoe in the lead for a lap-138 restart. This set up a battle between Briscoe and Busch, the winningest driver in Xfinity Series history with 96 career victories. Briscoe would not be denied, crossing the finish line first in a fender-scraping, tire-rubbing duel where the margin of victory was just .086 of a second. The win’s significance was amplified when Briscoe climbed from the car and dropped to his knees in prayer before giving a tear-filled interview.

● This weekend, Briscoe and his wife Marissa return to a place that will always be a reminder of heartbreak and perseverance, but this time joined by their seven-month-old son Brooks. In honor of Mother’s Day, the No. 14 Ford Mustang will also carry pink wings to honor their daughter who rode to victory with Briscoe nearly two years ago.

● Briscoe has two Cup Series starts at Darlington with a best finish of 11th in the May 2021 race. In addition to his May 2020 victory, he also has finishes of sixth and 11th in Xfinity Series competition at the track also known as The Lady in Black.

● Mahindra Tractors, a brand of Houston-based Mahindra Ag North America and part of Mahindra Group’s Automotive and Farm Sector, is the No. 1-selling farm tractor company in the world, based on volumes across all company brands. Mahindra farm equipment is engineered to be easy to operate by first-time tractor or side-by-side owners, and heavy duty to tackle the tough jobs of rural living, farming and ranching. Steel-framed Mahindra tractors and side-by-sides are ideal for customers who demand performance, reliability and comfort at a great value. Mahindra dealers are independent, family-owned businesses located throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Chase Briscoe, Driver of the No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

Your car pays tribute to your boss Tony Stewart’s Indy 500 / Coke 600 double in 2001, and you’re now in a position where you’ve run the Coca-Cola 600, one leg of that feat. Knowing how physically demanding that race is, are you able to put into perspective just how tough of a driver you have to be to compete in both races and complete every lap of each on the same day?

“Yeah, I couldn’t imagine just the physical side and also the mental side of running both races. Indy cars are, from what I’ve been told, physically demanding. On the mental side of that, I can’t imagine what you go through. A 600-mile race is definitely a long one. Mentally, it’s tough to kind of stay in the game for 600 miles, and physically it’s hot and wears you down. To run 1,100 miles in one day is tough, and then you add in all the stress that comes with the Indy 500 and the stress of traveling to make it back to the (Coca-Cola) 600. I couldn’t imagine doing both, and there aren’t many who have done both, but to do it at the caliber and the level Tony did it was impressive.”

Do you think there are many drivers today who could do that?

“There’s definitely very few that I think could do it. Kurt (Busch) did it a couple of years ago, but I don’t think he finished both of them all the way. Just to be able to go back and forth between the two types of cars and tracks takes a special kind of person to be able to physically do it and mentally handle just how different the two disciplines are. You go from driving an IndyCar at Indianapolis to driving a stock car at Charlotte. It’s two totally different types of disciplines, and to be able to do both of those in one day and doing both really, really well, is something that’d be hard to do. I think there are very few people who can go do it, and to do it at the level that Tony was able to do it and finish well in both races is just a testament to the kind of racecar driver he was and still is.”

You’re a pretty tough driver yourself, so what does it mean to have this scheme for the throwback race?

“It’s super special to have this paint scheme on the car since I grew up a diehard Tony fan. But there are many reasons I love it, like the connection to Indianapolis. Growing up in Mitchell, Indiana, an hour and 10 minutes south of Indianapolis, the month of May was always special to me because of the Indianapolis 500. Every year, I watched the Indianapolis 500 and then I’d watch the 600. Even last year, I stayed home until the very last minute to watch the finish of the Indy 500 before I headed over to Charlotte to race those 600 miles myself. Then, to think about how tough Tony had to be to get it done, and how we have the Official Tractor of Tough on Tony’s car, the No. 14, it just all comes full circle. To run both of those races, you have to be incredibly tough and it’s pretty cool to take that to another track where you’ve got to be tough to get the job done.”

Darlington is a special place for you, and you not only get to honor your hero, but also honor your mom and your wife on Mother’s Day. That has to add more significance to this weekend and what it represents.

“It definitely does. Darlington is one of those tracks that everyone wants to win at and I’m thankful that I’ve had that opportunity. That (May 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series race) was a tough race to win with everything we had gone through during the break with the pandemic and the news we got during the rain delay that first day back. Coming back to the track a few days later with a heavy heart and being able to get the win over one of the all-time best NASCAR drivers is something I’ll never forget. I guess that win can be added to the reasons why this paint scheme makes sense and the ‘tough’ theme for this weekend. Kyle (Busch) is tough to race against and even tougher to beat, and Darlington is a tough track to do it on. But, overall, I’m glad this race falls on Mother’s Day. I’m excited to have my family there and to get to spend Mother’s Day at a place that means so much with both my mom and Marissa. Obviously, having Brooks there with us will add that much more to how special this weekend will be and I can’t wait to try to take them all to victory lane.”

No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Chase Briscoe
Hometown: Mitchell, Indiana

Crew Chief: John Klausmeier
Hometown: Perry Hall, Maryland

Car Chief: J.D. Frey
Hometown: Ferndale, California

Engineer: Mike Cook
Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Engineer: Marc Hendricksen
Hometown: Clinton, New Jersey

Spotter: Joey Campbell
Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Daniel Coffey
Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Chris Jackson
Hometown: Rock Hill, South Carolina

Tire Carrier: Jon Bernal
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Jack Man: Brandon Banks
Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Corey Coppola
Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Stephen Gonzalez
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Interior Mechanic: Trevor Adams
Hometown: Naples, Florida

Tire Specialist: Keith Eads
Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

Shock Specialist: Brian Holshouser
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Engine Tuner: Jon Phillips
Hometown: Jefferson City, Missouri

Transporter Co-Driver: Todd Cable
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Rob Fink
Hometown: Mocksville, North Carolina

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