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Verstappen seals a dominant 1-2 victory for Red Bull Racing in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

By
Andrew Kim
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Following his late retirement in Melbourne, Max Verstappen responded back with vengeance once again after grabbing a dominating victory in the third annual running of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola Circuit on Sunday, April 24.

The 24-year-old Dutchman started the weekend by taking care of business by winning the spring qualifying event on Saturday and claiming the pole position over points leader Charles Leclerc. From there, Verstappen outlasted the wet conditions to lead all 63 laps and claim the checkered flag by more than 16 seconds over teammate Sergio “Checo” Perez, thus sealing a 1-2 victory for Oracle Red Bull Racing. 

The victory at Imola marked Verstappen’s second consecutive win at the circuit, the second of the 2022 season and the 22nd career victory for the Dutchman in his early quest to defend his world championship. By earning a total of 34 points for winning his sprint qualifying event and the overall event, Verstappen now trails points leader Charles Leclerc by 27 points.

“Coming into the weekend, of course, I didn’t expect something like this,” Verstappen said. “As a team, I think we executed everything very well. That’s always hard to do. Yeah, very pleased. Of course, to score the maximum amount of points. Also had the whole race win from the start. To the right calls with the tyres and also one-two [finish] at the end. Super happy. A lot of points scored. We also needed the points, so we looked like we were a bit more back on track. We have to try and keep this going…We can enjoy this Sunday for now.”

The runner-up result for Perez marked his second consecutive runner-up result and podium result of the season as he now trails the lead in the drivers’ standings by 32 points.

“It was a good result,” Perez said. “I think the rule number one of this conditions is to finish. It was so easy to make a mistake throughout the race. Going into the slick tyre, the warm-up phase and so on. That was going to be difficult, but it was great to get that victory [for Red Bull]…I think, given the start of the season we’ve had, it’s a great result for everyone back home.”

Meanwhile, Lando Norris benefitted from a late spin involving points leader Charles Leclerc to snatch the final podium result by finishing in third place. The result marked the second consecutive season where Norris achieved a podium result at Imola as he also achieved the first F1 podium result of the season for the McLaren F1 Team. 

“I think we won a lot in the start,” Norris said. “I had a perfect start, honestly. Probably the best one I’ve had in the wet. That put me ahead of the carnage. We won a lot in the beginning and we just had really good pace throughout. Not as amazing as the guys ahead, but I just managed it like I needed to do ahead of George [Russell] and that’s the way I needed to do. It was good. Fourth would’ve been amazing, but to be P3, to make the most of Charles’ mistake was just the icing on the cake on the pretty amazing weekend we’ve had so far. Super happy.”

George Russell came home in fourth place followed by Valtteri Bottas, who notched his first top-five result with Alfa Romeo Racing. 

Charles Leclerc, who was poised for a podium spot until he spun on Lap 53, settled for sixth place while Yuki Tsunoda, Sebastian Vettel, Kevin Magnussen and Lance Stroll finished in the top 10. The top-10 results for Vettel and Stroll recorded the first five points of the season for Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team.

Alexander Albon settled in 11th followed by Pierre Gasly and Sir Lewis Hamilton, who qualified 14th and was never in contention for the win. Esteban Ocon and rookie Guanyu Zhou finished in the top 15 while Mick Schumacher and Daniel Ricciardo were the last two competitors to finish.

Fernando Alonso retired in 19th place due to a sidepod damage to his Alpine A522. 

Carlos Sainz Jr., coming off a two-year contract extension with Ferrari, ended up in 20th place, dead last, for a second consecutive event after being involved in an opening lap collision with Ricciardo.

Results:

1. Max Verstappen, 34 points

2. Sergio Perez, 24 points

3. Lando Norris, 19 points

4. George Russell, 12 points

5. Valtteri Bottas, 12 points

6. Charles Leclerc, 15 points

7. Yuki Tsunoda, six points

8. Sebastian Vettel, four points

9. Kevin Magnussen, three points

10. Lance Stroll, +1 lap, one point

11. Alexander Albon, +1 lap

12. Pierre Gasly, +1 lap

13. Lewis Hamilton, +1 lap

14. Esteban Ocon, +1 lap

15. Guanyu Zhou, +1 lap

16. Nicholas Latifi, +1 lap

17. Mick Schumacher, +1 lap

18. Daniel Ricciardo, +1 lap, three points

19. Fernando Alonso – Retired

20. Carlos Sainz Jr. – Retired, five points

Despite finishing in sixth place, Charles Leclerc continues to lead the drivers’ standings by 27 points over Max Verstappen, 32 over Sergio Perez, 37 over George Russell, 48 over Carlos Sainz Jr. and 51 over Lando Norris. 

In addition, Ferrari continues to lead the constructors’ standings by 11 points over Red Bull Racing RBPT, 47 over Mercedes, 78 over McLaren Mercedes, 99 over Alfa Romeo Ferrari and 102 over Alpine Renault.

Next on the 2022 Formula One schedule is the inaugural running of the Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida, which will occur on May 8.

Herbst Scores Strong Seventh at Talladega

By
Official Release
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Monster Energy Driver Earns Sixth Top-10 of 2022
Date: Saturday, April 23
Event: Ag-Pro 300 (Round 9 of 33)
Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series
Location: Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway (2.66-mile oval)
Format: 113 laps, broken into three stages (25 laps/25 laps/63 laps)
Start/Finish: 20th / 7th (Running, completed 121 of 121 laps)
Point Standing: 10th (242 points, 142 out of first)
Note: Race extended eight laps past its scheduled 113-lap distance due to a green-white-checkered finish.

Race Winner: Noah Gragson of JR Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Stage 1 Winner: Josh Berry of JR Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Stage 2 Winner: Justin Allgaier of JR Motorsports (Chevrolet)

Overview:

Riley Herbst employed a smart and savvy drive to finish seventh in the Ag-Pro 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race Saturday at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. The driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) dropped to the back of the 38-car field for an unapproved adjustment prior to the start, but Herbst wasted no time in working his way toward the front, hovering in or near the top-10. In the final stage, crew chief Richard Boswell made a strategy call on lap 69 while the race was under caution to pit Herbst for fuel only, which earned him the fifth-place starting spot when the race returned to green on lap 72. As the race made its way toward completion, Herbst endured three overtime restarts and avoided multiple wrecks to bring home his sixth top-10 of the season.

Riley Herbst, driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

“It was a frustrating day. We were fast, but I just felt like we were lacking a little power. We would get up to the front and then get shuffled. Then I would work my way back up to the front. We didn’t earn any stage points. We had a shot to win there at the end, but I don’t know. We just have to take what we can get. It was important that we did finish this race and get points to move on to Dover, which hasn’t been my best track. We’ll go to Dover and try to capitalize there.”

Notes:

● This was Herbst’s third straight top-10. He finished fifth April 2 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway and sixth April 8 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

● Noah Gragson won the Ag-Pro 300 to score his seventh career Xfinity Series victory, his second of the season and his first at Talladega. His margin over second-place Jeffrey Earnhardt was .131 of a second.

● There were 10 caution periods for a total of 39 laps.

● Twenty of the 38 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.

● AJ Allmendinger remains the championship leader after Talladega with a 40-point advantage over second-place Gragson.

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule is the A-Game 200 on April 30 at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway. The race starts at 1:30 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by FS1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

RCR NXS Post Race Report: Talladega

By
Official Release
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Sheldon Creed and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet Run Strong at Talladega Superspeedway Before Late-Race Incident

Finish: 24th
Start: 4th
Points: 14th

“We had a fast Whelen Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway. We ran well today and were in contention until the crash that took us out of the race early. I was three or four-wide in the middle and our Whelen Chevrolet just got hooked in the right-rear. I don’t know what they were doing outside of me; I couldn’t see ‘em. The next thing I knew I was getting hooked straight into the fence. I made some mistakes early in the race and learned from them. I thought I did a lot of the right things at the end to put myself in contention. I missed the block off of Turn 2 and back I went. It’s unfortunate but that’s part of speedway racing.” -Sheldon Creed

Jeffrey Earnhardt Races the No. 3 ForeverLawn Chevrolet To Second-Place Finish at Talladega Superspeedway

Finish: 2nd
Start: 1st
Points: N/A

“I think it’s mission accomplished coming here to Talladega Superspeedway in Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 ForeverLawn Chevrolet. We wanted to sit on the pole and win this thing and fell short by one spot. I knew on that last restart we had a shot. I just didn’t know how it was going to play out. I knew it was going to break apart and I knew we had some help from out back. I didn’t know if it was going to be enough to get us to second, but I knew we had a shot. We just didn’t have anybody close enough out back to create a run to get to his back bumper. I’m just very thankful for ForeverLawn and everyone that’s given me this opportunity. From the word go Larry McReynolds immersed himself at RCR and figured out how they go about a race weekend and how he was going to come in and be successful. This has been a dream of mine for years.” -Jeffrey Earnhardt

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet Lead Laps at Talladega Superspeedway Before Late-Race Wreck Eliminates Them from Contention

Finish: 27th
Start: 2nd
Points: 9th

“We were having a solid day in our Bennett Transportation and Logistics Chevy Camaro. RCR brought a bad fast car to the racetrack. I couldn’t keep the No. 27 car with me on that restart for whatever reason. I don’t know if his car wasn’t good enough or what the deal was there. I kept trying to drag back to him and that allowed the No. 7 car to clear me on the top and the No. 1 car was about to clear me. I guess the 1 just got hit from behind, got out of shape and then he hit us in the right-front. Once he did, we were just along for the ride. I don’t know if I could have done anything different to save it. I was trying to get turned back around to the right so I kind of got off the brakes a little bit to try to get turned to the right and by the time I got turned I hit driver’s side on the inside wall. I’ll have to go back and look at it to see if I could have done something different to save the car. You can have the best car all day and dominate and end up with nothing to show for it. It’s just tough when you run up front all day and that happens.” -Austin Hill

How to Transport your Car Interstate with the Best Service Provider

By
SM
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Photo by Ernesto Leon on Unsplash

Car transportation interstate is the most common type of car transport services. There are a lot of people who want to get their cars from one state to another, whether they are relocating or they are having a vehicle transported by an auto auction service.

How do you make the right choice? Let’s take a look at how to transport your car interstate with the best service provider.

Get an idea of what you need

Before you start calling around and getting quotes from transport car interstate services in Australia, you need to have an idea of when you need your vehicle shipped, where it needs to be picked up and dropped off, and what kind of vehicle it is. This will help you narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right one.

Do some research on the company offering car transportation interstate services. If there are any problems with the company’s record, then this could be a red flag for you and might mean that you need to keep looking for another company.

Reviews

You should consider looking at reviews from previous customers before choosing a service provider. If there are no online reviews, you can request for reviews from previous customers or ask for references from the company when you call them initially. When reading reviews, it is important that you try to understand what other customers have said about the company. For instance, if many customers have complained about hidden costs after hiring a service provider, then that company may not be the best option for you.

Make sure they have insurance

When looking for a company offering interstate car transport, make sure they have insurance. You don’t want to be in a situation where your vehicle gets damaged while being transported and you have nothing to claim. The insurance policy is one of the most important things that you need to check before hiring any auto transport company. Insurance coverage will come in handy when your vehicle gets damaged while loading, unloading, or during the entire transportation process. Therefore, it is recommended that you should always ask them about their insurance policy before making the final decision.

Don’t go for the cheapest option

Some people make the mistake of choosing an interstate car transport service based on price. This is wrong because sometimes, you might end up paying more than what you expected. Choosing quality over price will guarantee satisfaction in terms of service delivery. You can get quotes from different companies so that you can compare prices easily and see if they fit into your budget before making any final decisions. 

Look for companies that have been around for a while

It takes time to build up a solid reputation in this industry, so if you hire a newcomer, you may not get the service you deserve. Look for companies that have been around for at least five years, if not longer than that. 

Compare prices

You should also consider comparing prices from different companies before selecting one of them. A good service provider is one that offers affordable prices and includes all services in the price they quote. It is also important that you look at how long different companies take to deliver vehicles to their destination before hiring any of them. In addition, if you want your car delivered on a specific date, it is important that you inform the service provider in advance so they can make arrangements accordingly.

Gragson survives triple-overtime attempts for first Xfinity victory at Talladega

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Corey Grantham for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Noah Gragson outlasted the carnage and the competition through three overtime attempts to etch his name as a winner at Talladega Superspeedway after fending off Jeffrey Earnhardt on the final lap to win the Ag-Pro 300 on Saturday, April 23.

The 23-year-old Gragson from Las Vegas, Nevada, led twice for seven of 124 over-scheduled laps and was able to both grab the lead and maintain it ahead of AJ Allmendinger and the field during the third of three overtime attempts after teammate Justin Allgaier ran out of fuel and fell out of contention. From there, Gragson fended off a hard-charging Jeffrey Earnhardt to streak to his second victory of the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

With on-track qualifying occurring on Friday, Jeffrey Earnhardt, who was piloting the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing on a one-race deal while having support from legendary crew chief and current FOX NASCAR analyst, Larry McReynolds, started on pole position for the first time in his career after posting a pole-winning lap at 182.560 mph in 52.454 seconds. Joining him on the front row was teammate and Xfinity rookie Austin Hill, who posted a fast lap at 182.351 mph in 52.514 seconds.

Prior to the event, Matt Mills, Brandon Jones, Ryan Ellis, Caesar Bacarella, Shane Lee, Riley Herbst and David Starr dropped to the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments to their respective machines.

When the green flag waved and the race started, Earnhardt quickly moved his No. 3 ForeverLawn Chevrolet Camaro to the outside lane in front of teammates Hill and Sheldon Creed while Ty Gibbs was the lead competitor on the inside lane. Through Turns 3 and 4, however, Gibbs managed to muscle his No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota Supra to the lead as the field stacked up and started to fan out to multiple lanes through the tri-oval. 

Through the first lap, Gibbs was leading ahead of Earnhardt while Landon Cassill and Hill battled for third place. Behind, a three-wide battle ensued between Creed, Daniel Hemric and Ryan Sieg.

By the fifth lap, Earnhardt moved into the lead for the first time followed by his Richard Childress Racing teammates Hill and Creed.

Five laps later, the first caution of the even flew when Ryan Ellis lost a left-rear tire and spun in Turn 2. Under caution, the entire field pitted as names like Anthony Alfredo, Ryan Vargas, Chandler Smith, JJ Yeley. Jeremy Clements, Mason Massey, Noah Gragson, Brandon Brown, Sam Mayer, Shane Lee and Alex Labbe took only fuel on their stops. The rest of the competitors elected for fresh tires.

On Lap 14, the race proceeded under green. At the start, teammates Hill and Earnhardt dueled for the lead as Hill had teammate Creed pushing him while Earnhardt had Cassill drafting him through Turn 2 and the backstretch. Then entering Turns 3 and 4, Hill moved his No. 21 Bennett Transp. and Logistics Chevrolet Camaro from the outside to the inside lane and managed to muscle ahead of teammate Creed to retain the lead.

With five laps remaining in the first stage, Creed drew himself in a side-by-side battle against teammate Hill for the lead through the tri-oval before Hill managed to pull in front of Creed’s No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet Camaro to retain the lead. A few laps later, however, Josh Berry managed to gain a run through the inside lane to lead a lap for himself. 

When the first stage concluded on Lap 25, Berry, who managed to clear Hill and pull away from the field the lap prior, claimed his second stage victory of the season. Gibbs settled in second followed by AJ Allmendinger, Cassill, Hill, Justin Allgaier, Noah Gragson, Anthony Alfredo, Sam Mayer and Brett Moffitt.

Under the stage break, some led by Berry pitted while the rest including Alfredo, Brandon Brown, JJ Yeley, Mason Massey and Alex Labbe remained on the track.

The second stage started on Lap 30 as Alfredo and Brown occupied the front row. At the start, the field fanned out to three lanes through the backstretch as Yeley made his way to the front followed by Gragson, Mayer, Alfredo and Brandon Jones while Massey drifted towards the back.

By Lap 35 and with the field still fanned out through three lanes and in a tight pack, Gragson’s No. 9 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Camaro was leading ahead of Brett Moffitt, Berry, Brandon Jones and Alfredo.

Five laps later, Hill, who reassumed the lead on Lap 39, was back out in front ahead of Alfredo, Brown, Gragson, Mayer, Jeb Burton, Brandon Jones, Massey, Earnhardt and Allgaier.

At the Lap 45 mark, all but one of the 38 starters, Josh Williams, were separated by six-and-a-half seconds as Mayer was out in front in a side-by-side battle against teammate Allgaier while Brandon Jones, Hill, Drew Dollar, Gibbs, Earnhardt, Creed, Jeb Burton and Alfredo were scored in the top 10.

Three laps later, the caution flew for a multi-car wreck that started when Massey lost a tire, shot up the track and bumped against Berry’s No. 8 PUBG Mobile Chevrolet Camaro entering Turn 2 before spinning through the infield, clipping Yeley and pounding the inside wall as his car briefly came off the ground before coming to a rest with a wrecked car. In the midst of Massey’s hard wreck, Berry and Yeley also collided and wrecked with Moffitt and newcomer Chandler Smith getting collected. 

The incident concluded the second stage scheduled on Lap 50 under caution as Allgaier claimed his first stage victory of the season. Teammate Mayer settled in second followed by Hill, Brandon Jones, Gibbs, Dollar, Brown, Jeffrey Earnhardt, Myatt Snider and Jeb Burton.

Under the stage break, the field pitted. During the pit stops, Hill, Mayer, Gibbs, Snider, Jeb Burton, Herbst, Ryan Sieg, Herbst, Kaz Grala, Jeremy Clements and Gray Gaulding pitted for two tires while the rest of the field opted for four fresh tires. In addition, Brandon Jones was penalized for not remaining in a single file line with the field while entering pit road.

With 59 laps remaining, the final stage started as Hill and Mayer occupied the front row. At the start, Hill received a big push from Gibbs to retain the lead ahead of Mayer and the competitors running in the outside lane. When the field returned to the start/finish line and as the field fanned out to multiple lanes, Hill was leading ahead of Gibbs, Creed, Herbst and Allgaier with the top-five competitors breaking away from the side-by-side action while Mayer and Ryan Sieg battled for sixth place.

At the halfway mark between Laps 56 and 57, Hill continued to lead ahead of Gibbs, Creed, Herbst, Allgaier, Ryan Sieg, AJ Allmendinger, Alfredo, Cassill and Hemric.

With 45 laps remaining, the caution flew due to a rear bumper cover from Berry’s car being reported on the backstretch. At the moment of the caution, Hill remained the leader ahead of Gibbs, Creed, Allgaier and Gragson. During the caution period, the field returned to pit road for tires and fuel except for Ryan Sieg.

With 42 laps remaining, the race restarted under green. At the start, Hill received a strong push from Gragson to move into the lead. When the field returned to the start/finish line, Hill retained the lead ahead of Gragson, Gibbs, Creed and Herbst. 

Under the final 40 laps, Hill was placed on defense mode as he worked to fend off Gibbs on the outside lane and Gragson on the inside lane amid the tight pack running towards the front. 

Then with 36 laps remaining, Gibbs, who went wide and lost touch with the leaders, made contact with Daniel Hemric through the backstretch before he veered sideways and made contact with teammates Brandon Jones and Drew Dollar along with David Starr, Sieg and Ellis before pounding the inside wall as his strong afternoon came to an end.

With 32 laps remaining, the race restarted under green. At the start, teammates Hill and Creed dueled for the lead as Hill had Gragson drafting him while Herbst tucked in behind Creed on the outside lane before Creed managed to stabilize himself into the runner-up spot on the inside lane through Turns 3 and 4. Soon after, Allmendinger moved up to fourth place followed by a side-by-side battle against Cassill and Herbst.

Under the final 30 laps of the event, the front-runners settled in a long single-file line as Hill was leading teammate Creed, Gragson, Allmendinger, Cassill and Snider. Not long after, Mayer started to formulate a line on the outside lane as he tried to challenge Snider for the sixth spot.

Down to the final 20 laps of the event and with the field fanning out to double lanes while in a tight pack, Hill was placed back on defense mode from the bottom to the inside lane as he retained the lead ahead of Allmendinger, Allgaier, Herbst, Creed, Mayer, Gragson, Alex Labbe, Moffitt and Cassill.

Then with 16 laps remaining and as the intensity towards the front pack continued to brew, the caution flew when Matt Mills hit the Turn 1 wall after blowing a right-front tire as he shredded debris across the track. 

With 12 laps remaining, the race proceeded under green. At the start, Hill and Allmendinger battled dead-even for the lead through the first two turns as Allmendinger had Mayer drafting him while Hill had support from Allgaier. With the field locked in a side-by-side battle, Hill managed to clear the field through Turns 3 and 4 and he went to work to defend the lead through both lanes.

During the following lap, Mayer made a bold three-wide move on Allmendinger to move him out of the way in his bid to the front as Ryan Sieg and Jeb Burton also charged to the front. Meanwhile, Hill retained the top spot ahead of Allgaier. 

Then with nine laps remaining, the caution returned due to a heavy multi-car wreck in Turn 1 that involved Brandon Jones, Snider, Drew Dollar, Joe Graf Jr., Brandon Brown, Kaz Grala and Ryan Vargas.

Down to the final four laps of the event, the race restarted under green. At the start, Hill and Allgaier dueled for the lead with Jeb Burton pushing Hill while Allgaier had teammate Mayer and Allmendinger drafting him. Then through the backstretch, Mayer got loose off the front nose of Allmendinger and veered into Hill as both competitors were sent sideways into the inside wall with Mayer suffering heavy front nose damage and Hill, who led a race-high 67 laps, sustained left-side damage. In the midst of the incident, Allgaier emerged with the lead followed by Allmendinger, Creed, Jeb Burton and Cassill as the field was sent into overtime. 

At the start of the first overtime attempt, Allgaier and Allmendinger dueled for the lead through Turns 1 and 2 before Allmendinger emerged with the lead through the backstretch ahead of Allgaier and Jeb Burton. Then, the event was sent into a second overtime attempt due to a hard incident in Turn 3 that involved Creed and Caesar Bacarella.

During the second overtime attempt, Allgaier and Allmendinger dueled until Allgaier broke free from the pack with the lead through the backstretch. Then the event was sent into a third overtime attempt when Clements ran out of fuel as his car came to a stop below the apron between Turns 1 and 2.

At the start of the third overtime attempt, Allgaier, who restarted on the front row and on the outside lane, ran out of fuel and pulled his car out of line while teammate Gragson, who received a strong start, rocketed to the lead ahead of Allmendinger, Ryan Sieg and the field. 

When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Gragson was leading ahead of Allmendinger, Sieg, Jeb Burton, Jeffrey Earnhardt and the field. In Turn 1, Sieg nearly got turned off the front nose of Jeb Burton, but he managed to straighten his car and proceed forward without wrecking. This allowed Earnhardt to gain a run on Allmendinger for the runner-up spot as Herbst, Moffitt and Cassill made their move to the front. 

Then in Turns 3 and 4, Allmendinger and Herbst rubbed fenders, which allowed Earnhardt to make a bold three-wide move to move into second place as he tried to challenge Gragson for the win. With Earnhardt unable to gain a draft from the field to overtake Gragson for the top spot, Gragson was able to stabilize himself through both lanes and streak across the finish line in first place with the victory by 0.131 seconds over Earnhardt.

The victory was the seventh of Gragson’s Xfinity Series career and the second superspeedway victory for him after he won at Daytona International Speedway in February 2020. He also became the second Xfinity Series regular to achieve multiple victories this season alongside Ty Gibbs. 

“Our 50th anniversary Bass Pro Shops Chevy Camaro was awesome,” Gragson said on FS1. “This JR Motorsports team, they never quit. Thanks to everybody back at JR Motorsports. The Fab shop. Everybody that helps get all four [JR Motorsports] cars to the race track. We had four really fast cars. [Crew chief] Luke Lambert and the rest of this Bass Pro Shops team. They called one hell of a race. It came down to fuel strategy. There’s one point where I was like, ‘Man, I can’t get up there.’ We just don’t have the car fast enough, but we never quit. That’s the most important thing…I’ve got to run in the Cup race [on Sunday], but the Talladega Boulevard looks a lot more enchanting right now and inviting, so I might have to go out there and then throw some beads. We’ll go have some fun tonight, baby.”

While Gragson celebrated with the fans on the frontstretch, Jeffrey Earnhardt was left with smiles on pit road as he notched a career-best second-place result in his 136th start in the Xfinity circuit and at a track instilled with a rich legacy towards the Earnhardt name, most notably towards Jeffrey’s late grandfather, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and uncle, Dale Earnhardt Jr. 

“[I needed] Just a push there at the end,” Earnhardt said. “Everyone spreads apart and it’s really hard to build a run by yourself without someone at the back. Unfortunately, our teammates got wiped out early. Man, I’m living a dream here. I’m so thankful to get this opportunity. So thankful for everyone to allow me to come do this…[Richard Childress Racing] for building this amazing race car. We were fast all weekend long. We just fell a little short there and I hate it, but congrats to Noah. He’s good at plate races. Fell up a little bit short, but hopefully, this will lead to a lot more to come in the future and we’ll be able to come back and give’em a run for their money. Just very thankful to even be here. I’ll forever be grateful for this opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Allmendinger Came home in third place and captured the third Dash 4 Cash $100,000 bonus, which was his second of this season.

“This place makes me shake,” Allmendinger said. “That last lap, I thought I wrecked at least seven times. The first thing, just to get out with a clean race car, finish in the top five was a big deal, but to win another Xfinity Dash 4 Cash [bonus]. Comcast, Xfinity, thank you so much for what you do. For allowing us to go for a hundred grand in these four races. To win two of them is a big deal…We get to do it again at Dover.”

Teammate Landon Cassill and Ryan Sieg finished in the top five as they will join Gragson and Allmendinger to battle for the fourth and final Dash 4 Cash bonus next weekend at Dover Motor Speedway. Alfredo, Herbst, Joe Graf Jr., Snider and Brett Moffitt finished in the top 10. 

There were 25 lead changes for 14 different leaders. The race featured 10 cautions for 39 laps.

With his third-place result, AJ Allmendinger continues to lead the regular-season standings by 40 points over Noah Gragson and 45 over Ty Gibbs.

Results.

1. Noah Gragson, seven laps led

2. Jeffrey Earnhardt, 10 laps led

3. AJ Allmendinger, six laps led

4. Landon Cassill

5. Ryan Sieg

6. Anthony Alfredo, three laps led

7. Riley Herbst

8. Joe Graf Jr.

9. Myatt Snider

10. Brett Moffitt

11. Josh Berry, five laps led, Stage 1 winner

12. Alex Labbe

13. Drew Dollar, one lap led

14. Shane Lee

15. Jeb Burton

16. Joey Gase

17. Bayley Currey

18. Kyle Sieg

19. Josh Williams

20. Ryan Vargas

21. Gray Gaulding, one lap led

22. Justin Allgaier – OUT, Fuel pressure, 13 laps led, Stage 2 winner

23. Jeremy Clements, two laps down

24. Sheldon Creed – OUT, Accident, one lap led

25. Caesar Bacarella – OUT, Accident

26. Brandon Jones – OUT, Dvp

27. Austin Hill – OUT, Accident, 67 laps led

28. Sam Mayer – OUT, Accident, two laps led

29. Kaz Grala – OUT, Accident

30. Brandon Brown – OUT, Accident, one lap led

31. Matt Mills – OUT, Accident

32. Ryan Ellis – OUT, Dvp

33. David Starr – OUT, Dvp, one lap led

34. Daniel Hemric – OUT, Dvp

35. Ty Gibbs – OUT, Accident, five laps led

36. JJ Yeley – OUT, Dvp, two laps led

37. Mason Massey – OUT, Accident

38. Chandler Smith – OUT, Accident

Next on the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule is the series’ lone event at Dover Motor Speedway in Dover, Delaware, where the fourth and final Xfinity Dash 4 Cash initiative will occur. The event is scheduled to occur on Saturday, April 30, at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Ford Performance NASCAR: NXS Post Race (Sieg’s Fifth Place Effort Leads Trio of Top-10 Mustangs at Talladega)

By
Official Release
-

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Talladega Superspeedway
Ag-Pro 300 NXS Post Race | Saturday, April 23, 2022

FORD FINISHING RESULTS
5th – Ryan Sieg
7th – Riley Herbst
8th – Joe Graf Jr.
14th – Shane Lee
16th – Joey Gase
18th – Kyle Sieg
33rd – David Starr

Riley Herbst, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang — Finished 7th

“It was a frustrating day. We were fast but I just feel like we were lacking a little power. We would get up to the front and then get shuffled. Then I would work my way back up to the front. We didn’t earn any stage points. We had a shot to win there at the end but I don’t know. We just gotta take what we can get. It was important that we did finish this race and get points to move on to Dover which hasn’t been my best track. We will go to Dover and try to capitalize there.”

Ryan Sieg, No. 38 A-GAME Ford Mustang — Finished 5th

“We had great Roush Yates power. I gotta thank Doug. He put power under the hood this weekend and that is the big thing. Our A-GAME Ford was fast all day. We just didn’t really have anyone to work with. It is tough to try to stay up front when you try to go to the front to get the lead and nobody wants to work with you. I just had to do what I did at the end and we ended up fifth.”

WHAT ABOUT THAT SAVE ON THE LAST LAP? “Yeah, I had to do it. I saw them coming and I was trying to watch the outside and slipped up and he got underneath me. I went to block it and it was a pretty wild save right there. I thought I was wrecked. I just dove the hell out of it and it was just a great Ford Performance Mustang we had today and great for us to come out of here with a fifth. I gotta thank A-GAME and Doug Yates and Stewart-Haas. It was a great day to come home fifth.”

Toyota Racing – NXS Talladega Post-Race Report – 04.23.22

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Official Release
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TOYOTA DRIVES BATTLE THROUGH ACCIDENTS IN TALLADEGA
All four Toyota GR Supras battle adversity in Talladega

TALLADEGA, Ala. (April 23, 2022) – Drew Dollar (13th) led Toyota in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday evening.

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Talladega Superspeedway
Race 9 of 33 – 300.58 miles, 113 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, Noah Gragson*
2nd, Jeffrey Earnhardt*
3rd, AJ Allmendinger*
4th, Landon Cassill*
5th, Ryan Sieg*
13th, DREW DOLLAR
26th, BRANDON JONES
35th, TY GIBBS
38th, CHANDLER SMITH

*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

TY GIBBS, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 35th

Ty, what happened?

“I just got a big run by the 38 (Ryan Sieg) and I got kind of out of shape and came back down and caught the 11 (Daniel Hemric). Sorry for everyone involved. It was a sucky deal. We had a very fast Monster Energy Toyota GR Supra. I was proud of my guys. We struggled a little bit in Daytona and we came back here and were fast. We picked up a lot. It was a pretty good hit, but I’m okay. Hopefully we get a Supra in victory lane.”

CHANDLER SMITH, No. 26 Charge Me Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing

Finishing Position: 38th

What did you see out there, Chandler?

“We had it avoided there for a minute and then the 8 (Josh Berry) started coming back across and just the way that I was angled I was going to either hit him with my left front or I had to get on my brakes and go to the right quick enough and once I did, I just got sideways and couldn’t save it. It sucks. I hate it for this Sam Hunt Racing Charge Me group. We were having a strong showing for sure. We showed good speed and everything in our Supra. It kind of is what it is. It’s Talladega.”

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About Toyota

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

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

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

INDYCAR Champion Josef Newgarden urges drivers to keep the focus on the road through NABC partnership with PPG to raise awareness about distracted driving

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Official Release
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NABC partners with PPG to raise awareness about distracted driving
INDYCAR Champion Josef Newgarden urges drivers to keep the focus on the road

CHARLOTTE (April 23, 2022) — The National Auto Body Council® (NABC) today announced the launch of campaign to raise awareness about distracted driving with the help of partner PPG (NYSE: PPG) and its NTT INDYCAR® SERIES driver, Josef Newgarden.

PPG will work with NABC® and utilize the star power of Newgarden, a two-time INDYCAR Champion, to support National Distracted Driving Awareness month, part of NABC’s Drive Out Distraction program, launched last year to raise public awareness about one of the leading causes of traffic collisions.

During Distracted Driving Month, NABC® is running a social media campaign to share the message about the dangers of distracted driving. It also has provided NABC® members with educational materials to use in their locations to inform their customers of ways they can be safer on the road.

“Education and intervention remain critical to promoting safe driving. We want to provide some simple solutions that help eliminate distraction in the vehicle, and by working with PPG, we can amp up the volume on our campaign,” said Clint Marlow, chairman of the NABC® Board of Directors. “For example, by simply turning on your ‘do not disturb’ message, you can greatly reduce interruptions from phone calls, texts and posts that take your attention away from the road.”

“We are proud to be partnering with the NABC® on this important topic because safety is a key PPG value,” said Tom Wolf, PPG strategic sales account director, Automotive Refinish. “Whether at work, home, or on the move, we encourage safe practices to ensure that everyone returns home safely each day.”

Newgarden, a 21-time INDYCAR race winner, added: “Being a racecar driver, focus while behind the wheel is key to success. The same can be said for driving a personal car on the road. Talking and texting on cell phones can create distractions, and so can other activities such as turning the radio, focusing on GPS, or eating and drinking. We need to make sure we stay focused on the road to help keep everyone safe.”

The NABC® Drive Out Distraction program educates drivers and their passengers about reducing distracted driving with a national campaign that focuses on:

  • Preparing for the road trip by downloading directions, checking weather and traffic conditions, setting the radio station and familiarizing yourself with the vehicle controls
  • Reducing cell phone distractions by setting devices to “do not disturb”
  • Eliminating in-car interruptions by securing pets, buckling in children and reminding passengers not to distract the driver with inappropriate behavior

To learn more about the NABC® Drive Out Distraction program or to take the #NABCDriveOutDistraction challenge, visit https://nationalautobodycouncil.org/programs/distracted-driving/.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL AUTO BODY COUNCIL®

The National Auto Body Council® is the premier organization of collision industry partners dedicated to strategic networking opportunities that positively change lives in the communities we serve. The collaborative membership of the National Auto Body Council® has gifted nearly 3,000 vehicles, provided extrication opportunities for nearly 5,000 First Responders and is helping educate students and adult drivers in communities around the country through NABC Recycled Rides®, NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) and the NABC® Drive Out Distraction program. That effort equates to a 4:1 ROI in dollar value delivered from NABC® membership dollars. The National Auto Body Council® is changing the paradigm of how the collision industry works and is viewed. For more information, visit www.NationalautoBodyCouncil.org.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for nearly 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 75 countries and reported net sales of $16.8 billion in 2021. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

Toyota Racing – NCS Talladega Quotes – Christopher Bell – 04.23.22

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Official Release
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Toyota Racing – Christopher Bell
NASCAR Cup Series Quotes

TALLADEGA, Ala. (April 23, 2022) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell was made available to media after winning the pole for the Talladega Superspeedway Cup Series race:

CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 20 DeWalt Toyota Camry TRD, Joe Gibbs Racing

What can you say about your qualifying lap?

“There is not much to say about the lap, just a lot to say about Toyota, TRD, the engine package they brought here, and the cars assembled at JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing). This number 20 group did a really good job. They gave me the best car in the field today, so hopefully we can keep it going and keep it up front tomorrow.”

How all of sudden are there so many Toyotas in the top-10 in qualifying at a superspeedway?

“That’s crazy. This is the first time I’ve ever made the second round qualifying for a superspeedway in a Cup car. That’s really cool. I know that we were really close at Daytona, and they felt like we could make improvements going into Talladega, so really happy with the progress that they made. It’s a really cool stat for them to be able to get a speedway pole. Just all off to TRD, Toyota, the engine that they brought. It obviously runs really well.”

Can you just stay up front with so many Toyotas up front?

“That’s definitely going to be the goal – to try to get together and maintain our track position, but with pit strategy and pit cycles – something is going to happen where you get shuffled and lose track position. I think team strategy has been very important part of superspeedway racing and all of the Toyotas are going to have to work together if we want to win this one.”

About Toyota

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

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

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

Toyota Racing – NCS Talladega Quotes – Bubba Wallace – 04.23.22

By
Official Release
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Toyota Racing – Bubba Wallace
NASCAR Cup Series Quotes

TALLADEGA, Ala. (April 23, 2022) – 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace was made available to media prior to the Talladega Superspeedway race this Saturday:

BUBBA WALLACE, No. 23 McDonald’s Toyota Camry TRD, 23XI Racing

What has the impact of have Kurt Busch as a teammate impact you as a driver?

“Kurt (Busch) has a ton of knowledge, a ton of experience. It’s good to have that – I’ve never really had a teammate at the Cup level. We’ve had affiliates, but to have somebody that is feeling the same thing and going through the ups and downs and whatnot. He can go back and relate what have – we have conversations. I called him going into Richmond. Our seasons really haven’t been much to brag about. We’ve just been behind a little bit. He’s rallied to some good finishes, so just understanding that. Giving him a chance to stay in the game, that shows our team that we need to do the same. We just need to have a chance at the end of races to capitalize on things. Even if it’s not a good race, just to be there and stay in. So, understanding how he runs the race and manage it. I talk to him in our Monday morning meetings. Just a notebook for us to continue to grow. Kurt’s a lot of fun. He’s very competitive so that helps both of us.”

Have there been any meetings this week about Talladega?

“I think our meeting is tomorrow. We will see what happens. We’ve got to work together. I think it’s important for us to work together. There is only six of us, so just to have a gameplan. These races have become such a manufacturer race. I remember being a part of the Chevy meetings and they were very strict on who we could work with and who not to work with. If you didn’t, there were repercussions. For us, at the same time, you do have your own goal and for us, it’s not to wreck and be there at the end. If you see that you are in a sketchy situation where you are helping out your teammates, you do have a decision to bail because you do have to look out for yourself at the end of the day. It’s a fine line of walking – selfish versus unselfish – and so I think sometimes we talk a big game, and nothing happens. If you get some drivers that will stand behind their words and will work with you all day, it’s been good. What we were seeing at Daytona, we worked really well together. Kyle (Busch) was pushing a lot. It’s there. I’m looking forward to our race, working with our teammates and seeing how it goes.”

What about the aggression level?

“It’s a lot easier to widen things out here because of the size of the track. It’s hard for me to predict. Honestly, I think everybody’s going to be aggressive at the start and it’s going to be sketchy at times. This track allows it to be easier. At the same time, we are Cup drivers, we’re going to get this top riding just to survive to the end of stages. I hope that doesn’t happen. I like when it’s double-file and we’re racing, but at the same time if someone steps over the line that’s when the crashes happen. We are in the Cup Series. We all know how hard it is to win, so you have to be aggressive.”

Were there any special emotions walking around here?

“No, to be honest with you. I sit here and think about it a lot and people put so much emphasis on the win. We talk about it, talk about it, talk about it and it builds it up. I just like to keep it low key, under the radar. That’s how I like to roll about life. Some people may disagree. But it is special to be here. I’m excited. I know how good our speedway cars are and if Freddie (Kraft, spotter) and I do what we can to do at these speedway races like we’ve been doing then I know we will have a shot to win. It’s a team effort. I’m not just singling out Freddie, but as long as we stay in the race and maintain where we are at and just have a fighting chance, it will be a good day. That’s what I look forward to the most. I don’t set any special mindsets for these speedway races. Daytona, we just happened to be there at the right time and capitalized on the opportunity. Coming off of turn four at Daytona, I said hell, I’m going to push (Ryan) Blaney to the win because I’ve got no shot with the way we were kind of single file. Well, not single file, but where I was at. I was like I’ve got no shot, then it just so happened that I almost won the damn thing. Talladega last year, Bootie (Barker, crew chief) said get us to the front and we did that. Just having the chance, having the opportunity, to be there at the right time, that is what it is all about.”

What were the repercussions of not working with the right people at Chevy?

“We weren’t the a-team, so it didn’t really matter for us. It was different for the top teams versus us.”

When did things really click for you on how to navigate a plate race? Was it a specific race?

“No, not really. I remember the cutoff race in 20(20) – it was Willy B’s (William Bryon) first win. We took the lead for a split second and then (Joey) Logano got wrecked from behind and kind of got shoved in my door and we cut a tire and that was with a few to go. That was the race that I continue to relive in my head, because I know – that was the one where I was like oh, shit, we’re going to win. It’s going to be awesome. I feel like we’ve always had speed in the Cup cars. We finished 15th in my first Cup race in 2017. We had speed. For me, it’s been about surviving and understanding the game. We always had speed in the 43, and I do go back and watch your videos Bob (Pockrass). They are very beneficial for the drivers you ask about me, so I appreciate that. I understand my own crap and how to be better. But listening to like what Logano said that I was more patient and let the races come to me. You ask me on the spot on what changed, I don’t freaking know. It doesn’t feel like anything has changed, just the finishes have gotten better, but then you go back and hear those comments and you think yes, I guess they are right. It’s nice to hear somebody else’s perspective on what has changed. I guess just being more relaxed. Hopefully, we have a good enough car to qualify up front and stay up there for a little bit. If we qualify mid-pack, I’m going to drive my tail off to get up there and see what our car does. I might make an impatient move and get shoved out of line and go to the back and ride, because that is where you see the lay of the land and where we are at. I can’t give you a clear answer on what has clicked, just the finishes have been coming.”

Do you emphasize with Brandon Brown’s situation, or have you talked to him at all?

“Brandon (Brown) is a good guy. I ran into him – we ran into each other, and both congratulated each other on our wins. The people inside of our four walls of this sport understand and get it and that’s what I need to wrap my head around instead of trying to make the others – outside of the walls that are just looking at – we know that how tough it is to win a Cup race and there has been plenty of rain-shortened races, the darkness stuff. There’s been plenty of instances where those have happened, and teams have capitalized on it. The people that aren’t fans of yours and just going to continue to carry that to the grave that it was rigged, or we only won because it rained. All of the 40 drivers in the field knew it was going to rain, why didn’t they win? You can’t spend too much time on there and feed into that, although I do go back and read the comments. Every post that I click on there. I just go back and read the comments because it’s like ugh, no, still dumbasses today.”

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About Toyota

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

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

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

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