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

By
Andrew Kim
-
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
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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

By
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.”

#

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

By
Official Release
-

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
-

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.”

#

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.

CHEVY NCS AT TALLADEGA: William Byron Press Conference Transcript

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Official Release
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NASCAR CUP SERIES
TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY
GEICO 500
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 23, 2022

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1, met with the media in advance of this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Press Conference Transcript:

WHEN WE WERE IN ATLANTA WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT DRAFTING THERE AND IT WAS LIKE A SUPERSPEEDWAY. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU LEARNED THERE THAT YOU CAN APPLY HERE? DOES ANYTHING CARRY OVER?
“I think, I mean Atlanta was just more intense than here I would say just in the fact that it was really narrow, and you had a lot of things going on fast. The corner exits would come up fast. Guys would merge off the bottom and it was harder to hold the bottom. It was harder to predict where guys were going to end up on corner exit. I think my general thoughts about here is I think you’re going to see some tandem for half a lap or three quarters: maybe a full lap. I think that’s going to be the difference here is handling is not as big of a deal and you might see that play out more.”

A FEW YEARS AGO WE WERE AT DAYTONA AND YOU AND BRAD (KESELOWSKI) HAD A DISSAGREEMENT OVER BLOCKING AND DRAFTING. HOW HAS YOUR CONFIDENCE IN THE DRAFT GONE AND YOUR MOVES THAT YOU MAKE AND KNOWING WHEN TO BLOCK? HOW HAS THAT CHANGED OVER THE YEARS, HOW MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE ARE YOU NOW GOING INTO SUPERSPEEDWAYS?
“I think knowing what I need, what I need to do. When that deal happened with Brad (Keselowski) I was in my second year and I was fast on the superspeedways, but I wasn’t making all the right moves. I thought I was making the right amount of right moves. It was a good learning experience and Brad (Keselowski) is always good at these tracks and I feel like we are always usually around each other at these tracks. I think it’s just experience like you just get with your spotter and understand what moves are going to happen. As much as the rule’s packages do change the drafting a little bit, it’s nothing I feel like is massive. If anything, probably my rookie year was the weirdest package because we had lower downforce and there was a big bubble behind the car so you could basically lead the whole race which we saw with Stewart Haas the one time. I think now there’s so many comers and goers that you just have to learn throughout the race and get better.”

YOU GUYS WERE AT MARTINSVILLE, YOU GO TO BRISTOL AND NOW HERE. CAN YOU JUST GIVE ME A SENSE OF THE CHALLENGES FOR A DRIVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS AT THESE THREE PARTICULAR TRACKS? IT WOULD SEEM TO BE AMONG THE MORE CHALLENGING STRETCHES FOR YOU GUYS.
“It’s probably among the more unpredictable stretches of the season for sure. You know Martinsville was great for us, obviously. Bristol was not great. I was under the weather all weekend and I don’t have a ton of dirt experience, so that one’s kind of a wildcard for us. I think for this weekend a little bit back to normal. This is an important race in the fall. We can talk about how you just kind of don’t know where you are going to finish here, but this is the race last year that knocked us out of contention. So, I feel like we want to do well this weekend for that reason, to be able to be ready for the fall and know what we need to do. Once we get into Dover and then Darlington, I think it will kind of be back to a little bit of normalcy.”

GIVEN THE NEW CAR, HOW COMFORTABLE ARE YOU WITH NOT HAVING PRACTICE AT TALLADEGA?
“I mean it would be pointless to have practice. There’s literally nothing that we do here that would relate in practice. You’re basically just wearing off the underside of the car for a couple of laps. I always thought practice was really difficult here to get a feel for what you are going to need in the race. I would like to do some procedural things like hot pit entries and exits, but I think this is a good format for sure.”

INITIALLY THERE WAS TALK ABOUT HEAT IN THE CAR WITH THE NEXT GEN CAR. IT’S GOING TO BE HOT THIS WEEKEND. WHAT ABOUT THE CAR ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT AS YOU ROLL INTO THE RACE THIS WEEKEND?
“We’ve been working through a couple of different things. One of them was carbon monoxide intake and how the fumes that were coming in the car were affecting me at COTA. Just trying to work on where the helmet was mounted, where the fan was mounted to go into my head. At COTA I got a little bit of a headache, so I think that has been pretty common throughout the field just trying to figure out air intake stuff to make sure we don’t have issues. As far as the heat goes it’s been great. I’d say it is probably similar to the old car, that’s all we wanted. In pre-season testing it was really hot and pretty unbearable. I think they’ve gotten it now where it’s similar to the old car, it’s just about the fumes.”

DO YOU KIND OF FEEL LIKE YOU KNOW HOW THIS CAR WILL HANDLE HERE?
“I think the little bit that I did race the DAYTONA 500, I think I was 60 laps in, I felt like the car handled better than the old car. It accepted the pushes better than the old car too. Both things were good for competition because you could just be aggressive with pushes. That was probably the most aggressive 500 that we’ve seen with pushing. I think that had a lot to do with the car.”

WILLIAM, NOT A NASCAR QUESTION FOR A SECOND HERE. WE ONLY HAVE A WEEK LEFT UNTIL THE NFL DRAFT. YOU’VE BEEN PRETTY KEEN ON THE MALIK WILLIS TO THE PANTHERS. HAS ANYTHING CHANGED SINCE THEN?
“Yeah, I would love that. That makes the most sense for Liberty (University) as a whole. I would love it. I think Malik is a great talent. I’ve watched him play in person, watched him play a couple of games up there over the last few years and feel like he was well coached up there with Hugh Freeze. That would be a really cool pic. I don’t know what they are going to do. I try to follow it. It looks like the Hornets fired their coach, so I don’t know. Hopefully we just get it all turned around. It’s been a rough few years in the Charlotte sports, but hopefully we can get it rolling here soon.”

IS THERE ANY SITUATION WHERE YOU WOULD BE OK WITH THEM NOT TAKING A QUARTERBACK AT SIX?
“We need a lot of pieces. I mean, I’d look at offensive line but that’s always a boring pick to take in the draft. It’s important. They did get a couple of free agent offensive lineman that I think will be good. A guy from the Rams I think, so yeah I think they need pieces but quarterback is probably the easiest fix first.”

BACK AT DAYTONA, THE FORDS WERE MOST ORGANIZED FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK. DO YOU THINK CHEVY HAS CAUGHT UP TO WHAT THEY WERE DOING?
“We’ll just have to wait and see. I think it’s not for lack of effort for sure. I think there’s some really aggressive Chevy drivers when you look at (Tyler) Reddick and Ross (Chastain) and Chase (Elliott). I think there’s some really good drafters that we can work with. I felt Erik Jones too has been great at the speedways. I felt like at Atlanta we were better. We were improved. That’s probably the closest thing to this weekend. I know those guys can tandem really well, even at Atlanta for a lap of so they could stay connected and that’s something that we have to work on. I don’t know if that will be different, but I think we’ve got the aggressive guys to push each other as much as we need to.”

I HAD WATCHED YOUR PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER MARTINSVILLE AND YOU SPOKE ABOUT HOW JEFF GORDON HAD GIVEN YOU ADVICE ABOUT HOW TO GET AROUND THE TRACK. DO Y’ALL STILL TALK ON A WEEK TO WEEK BASIS ABOUT ADVICE LIKE THAT?
“Yeah, I’d say all the time. I usually fly with him at some point every couple of weeks. It just works out that way. You know he comes to quite a few races now, so I try to get advice from him that’s going to pay off. He’s pretty direct with his advice and he’s good with the crew chiefs too. I’ve noticed at times he’ll be talking to Rudy (Fugle) on his own that isn’t with me. It’s good to kind of get his opinion as a driver too. I think there’s things that Rudy (Fugle) can use from him to set up the car that might help at certain tracks. I’m very confident in the feels that I have at tracks I have run well, but there’s a few tracks that I haven’t run as well that maybe Jeff (Gordon) can be good advice for the crew chief as well.”

HAVE YOU PLAYED ANY IRACING THIS WEEK AND HOW ACCURACTE DO YOU FEEL LIKE THEIR DRAFT MODEL IS GOING TO BE TO WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE ON SUNDAY?
“Yeah, from what I’ve watched it looks really similar. With my guys that race in the Coke Series over there, I’ve kind of learned from them some little bits of advice. No, I haven’t been able to race on there this week. I was gone in Orlando, so I haven’t been able to. Hopefully I remember what I’m doing when I get out there, I guess lap one.”

WE ARE 1/3 OF THE WAY THROUGH THE SEASON, SO AT THIS POINT WITH THE NEXT GEN CAR HOW MUCH DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE HAVING TO RE-LEARN TRACKS OR RE-LEARN SPECIFIC STYLES OF RACING ON A WEEKLY BASIS WITH THIS CAR?
“I’d say every week is a new week. It really is. We look at our old notes for balance and things like that, but even that’s kind of changed. I think Dover’s going to be eye opening to see how this car gets around Dover, because you know it has way less downforce. Downforce is key at Dover. I’m very interested to see how that feels and how that plays out, because I don’t know what to expect. Darlington it sounds like is really difficult with this car. Lots of spins and wall contact just by yourself, so I am sure you guys will see a great race the next few weeks.”
Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Overview- Talladega Superspeedway

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Official Release
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Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport
NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Overview-
Talladega Superspeedway; April 23, 2022

Track: Talladega Superspeedway– Oval (2.66-Miles)
Race: Ag-Pro 300; 113 Laps –25/25/63; 300.58 Miles
Date/Broadcast: Saturday; April 23, 2022 4:00 PM ET
TV: FOX, and the FOX Sports App
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) – Check Local Listings for affiliate, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
Social Media: Jordan Anderson Racing and Bommarito AutoSport; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Myatt Snider; Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Myatt Snider – No. 31 TaxSlayer
Chevrolet Camaro SS – Talladega Superspeedway

News and Notes:

  • Practice; For the Talladega Superspeedway Spring race the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) will receive no practice time for Saturday’s Ag-Pro 300.

– Starting Position; With no practice scheduled teams would move directly into qualifying on Friday afternoon after technical inspection to determine the starting order for Saturday’s Ag-Pro 300. In 2022, superspeedway qualifying for the NXS would consist of a two rounds of single car single lap qualifying with the 10 fastest cars in Round 1 moving on to Round 2 to determine the starting order of the Top-10. Rolling off 23rd in Round 1, Snider would complete a lap of 53.628 at 178.563 ranking 31st overall in Round 1 failing to qualify for Round 2. After the completion of qualifying the Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport TaxSlayer Chevrolet No. 31 will start 31st on the inside of row 16 for Saturday’s Ag-Pro 300.

– Talladega Superspeedway Stats; Saturday’s NXS Ag-Pro 300 will mark Snider’s fifth NXS start at Talladega Superspeedway. In April of 2020, Snider would make his NXS debut at the 2.66-mile Alabama superspeedway earning himself a 27rd place finish after lagging towards the back of the field majority of the race and would fall victim to getting caught up in an accident caused by someone else getting inpatient at the front. The Fall race of 2020 would see Snider see much of the same happen as he would run mid-pack the entire race until a spinning car coming up track on the final lap would end his day resulting in 26th place finish. 2021, would see Snider move to a new team and put himself in contention in the Spring race running inside the Top-10 the entire race having a shot to win on the final lap running in fifth when the caution flag would come out. Reverting back to the previous timing loop Snider would be scored in the 9th position in the final run down. The Fall race of 2021 would see Snider running up front the entire race before getting caught up in the big one with 26 to go resulting in a disappointing 31st place finish after having a fast car all day. In four starts at Talladega Superspeedway Snider holds an average finish of 23.3. Snider has also made two starts in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) in 2017 & 2018 earning himself a second and third place finish holding an average finish of 2.5.

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– Chassis; Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport will debut superspeedway Chassis No. 110 this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway in the Ag-Pro 300 after Chassis No. 101 was destroyed in the season opening Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner 300 at Daytona International Speedway (DIS).

About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport is a NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) team, owned by owner/driver Jordan Anderson and Bommarito Automotive Group President, John Bommarito. Established in 2018, JAR has competed full-time in the last four NCWTS seasons claiming back-to-back runner-up finishes in the 2020 & 2021 season opening NextEra 250 at Daytona International Speedway. In its debut season the No. 31 NXS Chevrolet Camaro SS drove to 5 Top-Five finishes and 6 Top-Ten finishes in the team’s debut season. In 2022 JAR fields a full-time entry in the NXS Series; the No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro SS for driver Myatt Snider. JAR also fields the No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado for select drivers in the NCWTS.

SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt | Joe Graf Jr. Talladega Superspeedway April Event Preview

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Official Release
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SS Greenlight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway | Ag-Pro 300

Fast Facts
No. 07 SS GreenLight Racing Team:
Driver: Joe Graf Jr. (@JoeGrafJr)
Primary Partner(s): Bucked Up Strawberry Kiwi Energy Drink
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Joe Williams
Spotter: TJ Bell
2022 Driver Points Position: 29th | 2022 Owner Points Position: 20th
Engine: Roush Yates Engines (RYE)

Notes of Interest:

Full of Energy: Bucked Up Energy Drink and its sister products will continue their role as the primary partner of Graf’s No. 07 Ford Mustang this weekend.

Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway is the seventh race of 2022 but is the 38th race overall in a multi-year, multi-race deal with the former ARCA Menards Series winner.

For the second time this year, the team will promote Bucked Up Energy’s Strawberry Kiwi flavor.

Inspired by nuclear fusion, Bucked Up Strawberry Kiwi is an unparalleled source of energy and refreshment. We won’t get deep into the science, but in nuclear fusion, you get energy when two atoms join together to form one — the same reaction that powers the sun.

Conceptually, harnessing nuclear fusion in a reactor is a no-brainer. Except scientists have yet to concoct a controllable, non-destructive way of doing it. But we’re not scientists. We don’t think in reactors. We think in cans and flavors.

With Bucked Up Energy Strawberry-Kiwi, we fused two delicious flavors to form one. The result — a zero sugar, solar-sweet source of energy so abundant the world might actually start revolving around you.

About Bucked Up Energy: Bucked Up started in 2013 when twin brothers Ryan and Jeff Gardner started marketing a product called Deer Antler Spray. After selling thousands of bottles to GNCs nationwide, the company morphed into what is now Bucked Up, a full-fledged vitamins and supplements manufacturer.

The company has gone from its humble beginnings to becoming the No. 1 best-selling pre-workout brand that’s available in over 10,000 stores worldwide.

Plenty Of Other Bucked Up Energy Drinks Options Available Too: Bucked Up Energy
now offers more than 10 quenching options, but two of their popular flavors, Pink Lemonade and Mango Tango now include low-stim options.

Low-stim has the same innovative ingredients that make their OG formula so powerful for focus, mood, motivation and energy. Bucked Up made just one small change and they have been surprised by the resulting epicness.

Boasting a modest of 100mg of caffeine, Bucked Up Low-Stim delivers the same energy, focus, mood, motivation – while reducing the common side effects that come from too much caffeine, jitters, sleeplessness and anxiety.

Xfinity Memories: Joe Graf Jr.’s return to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend is meaningful. In last October’s Ag-Pro 300 Xfinity Series race, he rallied from a 40th place starting position to earn his first career top-10 finish aboard the No. 07 G-Coin car.

The 10th place finish is Graf’s current career-best effort in Xfinity Series competition.

Throwback Alert: Joe Graf Jr. and the SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt team will be participating in this year’s annual throwback weekend at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

The team will unveil their paint scheme in the coming days. Last spring, Graf showcased a “Back to the Future” throwback capturing the attention of the garage and race fans alike for the team’s attention to detail highlighting the 1980s blockbuster film.

Settling In: Talladega marks the ninth race that the SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt (SSGLRwJL) team embraces their manufacturer switch from Chevrolet to Ford while incorporating its technical alliance with Stewart-Haas Racing.

SHR will supply the organization with race cars while Roush Yates Engines will provide the legendary Ford horsepower. In addition to providing race cars to SSGLRwJL, SHR will also provide technical support for the entire 33-race season.

Additionally, Graf will have NASCAR Cup Series and Stewart-Haas Racing drivers Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe as teammates for select events throughout the 2022 season.

Don’t Forget The New Partner Too: SS GreenLight Racing has added Jeff Lefcourt as a new co-owner of the Mooresville, N.C.-based team, as well as director of business development for the organization.

Lefcourt, a native of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. joins SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt (SSGLRwJL) with a long history of racing endeavors including owning Bethel (N.Y.) Motor Speedway in upstate New York, a current-NASCAR sanctioned race track.

The noted philanthropist, entrepreneur and real estate developer has deep ties to grassroots racing and was instrumental in helping secure the Stewart-Haas Racing alliance with SSGLRwJL in 2022.

Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Talladega Superspeedway Starts: Joe Graf Jr. will make his fifth NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the 2.66-mile superspeedway on Saturday afternoon. The No. 07 SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt team will hunt their first top-10 finish of the season.

Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Career Superspeedway Nuggets: In 10 career NASCAR Xfinity Series Superspeedway races, has completed 823 of the 1,798 laps available. He holds an average starting position of 24.2 and an average result of 27.9 with a best finish of 10th at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in October 2021.

Joe Graf Jr. ARCA Menards Series Career Superspeedway Nuggets: In three career ARCA superspeedway track races, Graf Jr. has two top-10 finishes. He has been running at the finish of all three races. He holds an average starting position of 15.3 and an average result of 11th with three (3) laps led.

In 2018, Graf Jr. was involved in the closest finish in ARCA Menards Series history at Talladega Superspeedway in a photo finish.

The margin was so narrow in the 69-year history of the series, it was a statistical dead heat, the margin of victory on the computerized scoring monitors showing 0.00 seconds. Only a video replay and the photo finish camera were able to determine Graf finished second by a matter of millimeters.

Martinsville (Va.) Speedway | Call 811 Before You Dig 250 Race Recap: In the most recent NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, Graf and the SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt team showcased the No. 07 Bucked Up LFG Burn Ford Mustang under the lights.

After successfully qualifying for the race on their time trials speed, Graf was involved in an on-track incident that damaged the front end of his race car and altered the handling.
Graf was able to manhandle his automobile to a 26th-place finish.

School In Session: While juggling a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule with SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt, college life has resumed for Joe Graf Jr.

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Graf Jr. has resorted to online classes at the University of New York, where he is pursuing a degree in business, media and sports management.

Sneaker Mania: Along with the adrenaline of the Motorsports competition, Joe Graf Jr. also has a vogue for hype sneakers. In his current collection, he owns and wears at least 90 limited edition sneakers – and his collection continues to grow every month.

The current estimated value of his collection tops $100,000.

From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Joe Williams is Joe Graf Jr.’s crew chief.

He will crew chief his 74th NASCAR Xfinity Series race as crew chief on Saturday afternoon and his fifth at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.

In his previous 73 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected one win (Auto Club Speedway | February 2022), six top-five and 17 top-10 finishes.

Hello From The Other Side: Graf Jr. has a teammate at SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt. Veteran David Starr will drive the No. 08 TicketSmarter Ford Mustang on Saturday afternoon for his fourth start of the 2022 season.

Starr is set to make his 238th career NASCAR Xfinity Series start and 10th at Talladega. His best Xfinity track finish occurred in the 2014 Aaron’s 312, where he finished ninth after starting 16th for TriStar Motorsports.

Follow on Social Media: For more on Joe Graf Jr. visit JoeGrafRacing.com, like him on Facebook (Joe Graf Jr.), follow him on TikTok (@JoeGrafJr), Twitter (@JoeGrafJr) and Instagram (@joegrafjr).

For more on SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt, please like them on Facebook (SS GreenLight Racing) and follow them on Instagram (@ssgreenlightracing) and Twitter (@SSGLR0708).

Joe Graf Jr. Pre-Race Quotes:

On Talladega Superspeedway: “After our top-10 finish at Talladega Superspeedway last year, I’m eager to get back to the track this weekend and better our performance with our No. 07 Bucked Up Strawberry Kiwi Energy Drink Ford Mustang.

“Joe, Jeff and the entire SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt team have been working hard on this superspeedway car to get it ready for action on Saturday.

“We don’t have practice this weekend, so we have just one lap on Friday afternoon to turn a good lap and then focus on the race. We showcased a lot of speed with this same car at Daytona but had a mechanical failure and didn’t have an opportunity to prove just how fast it was.

“Hopefully, we can on Saturday. Talladega is a special place and I’ve made history there but I’d like to make some new history of my own this weekend.”

On 2022 Season: “There is a lot to be proud about in 2022, but there is just as much work to be done. Without question, I think we have proven that we have speed in our race cars, we just haven’t been able to execute on the finishing positions for one reason or another.

“Talladega though is a new race and a new opportunity and I will do everything I can behind the wheel to make sure we execute the best race possible.”

Race Information:

The Ag-Pro 300 (113 laps | 300.58 miles) is the ninth of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2022 schedule. The 38-car field will take the green flag on Saturday, April 23 shortly after 3:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (CT).

About SS Green Light Racing with Jeff Lefcourt:

As one of the most tenured teams in all of NASCAR, SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt led by team owner and former driver Bobby Dotter and new partner Jeff Lefcourt has been a mainstay entry in the sport fielding entries in either the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series or Xfinity Series competition since 2001.

SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt will continue with a two-car program in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2022.

Jeffrey Earnhardt claims first Xfinity Series pole at Talladega

By
Angie Campbell
-
Photo by Tammy Rae Benscoter for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Jeffrey Earnhardt made the most of his opportunity at Talladega Superspeedway Friday evening as he outpaced the field with a 182.50 mph lap to win the pole for the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series race.

It was his first Xfinity Series pole in 136 starts. What made it even more special was doing so while driving the black No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing which was made famous by his grandfather, Dale Earnhardt.

The Earnhardt name has long been synonymous with Talladega Superspeedway. Dale Earnhardt, a seven-time Cup Series champion, holds the title for the most wins (10) at the 2.66-mile track in what has become known as “Earnhardt Country.

“This is unbelievable, man,” Jeffrey said after qualifying. “It’s been a dream of mine for years to get an opportunity.

“All the guys at RCR, man, this is more them than it is me. All I gotta do is hold a pretty wheel. They’ve proved time and time again that they bring fast cars here to superspeedways.”

A familiar face will be calling the shots during the race as Larry McReynolds, currently a broadcaster for FOX Sports, will be his crew chief. McReynolds has 23 Cup Series wins to his credit, most memorably, the 1998 Daytona 500 victory with Dale Earnhardt.

Earnhardt has 135 Xfinity Series starts with his best finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2019 where he finished third driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.

When announcing the news that Earnhardt would be in the No. 3 at Talladega, Richard Childress said, “It’s great to have an Earnhardt back in one of our cars. We think Jeffrey is a talented young driver and I’m confident he will run well at Talladega.”

If Friday’s qualifying session was any indication, Earnhardt fans may be in for a treat Saturday when the Xfinity Series takes to the track for the Ag-Pro 300.

“Someone pinch me because I’m ready to wake up,” Jeffrey said, “but I guess I’ll wait ’til after we’re parked in Victory Lane before I decide to wake up.”

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