Home Blog Page 2019

GRAMMY Award-Nominated & CMA New Artist of the Year Jimmie Allen to perform pre-race concert Sunday, May 1, before DuraMAX Drydene 400 presented by RelaDyne

By
Official Release
-
  • Milton, Del. native’s No. 1 hits include “Best Shot,” “Make Me Want To,” and “Freedom Was A Highway.”
  • Visit DoverMotorSpeedway.com for ticket information.

DOVER, Del. (April 21, 2022) – One of the First State’s favorite sons is returning home for Dover Motor Speedway’s biggest NASCAR weekend ever.

Multi-platinum selling, award-winning country music superstar Jimmie Allen will perform a pre-race concert at the Monster Mile before the DuraMAX Drydene 400 presented by RelaDyne NASCAR Cup Series race.

Allen’s concert is scheduled for Sunday, May 1 at 12:45 p.m. on the Embrace Home Loans stage in Victory Plaza.

Allen, a Milton, Del., native, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame in a few short years, earning many awards and top-tier nominations, releasing a string of chart-topping hits, and appearing on numerous TV specials and celebrity contests. He most recently was nominated for Best New Artist at the GRAMMY Awards in April and co-hosted the ACM Awards with Dolly Parton in March. Other 2022 nominations have included ACM Male Artist of the Year and Outstanding New Artist at the NAACP Image Awards. He is the reigning CMA New Artist of the Year and also won ACM New Male Artist of the Year in 2021. Additionally, he just appeared as well as a guest mentor on “American Idol,” a show he auditioned for years before signing a record deal. His third album “Tulip Drive” will be released June 24 and the record’s lead single “Down Home” is available everywhere now.

His first hit single “Best Shot” reached No. 1 on U.S. country airplay charts in 2018. Allen’s other No. 1 hits include the singles “Make Me Want To” in 2020 and “Freedom was a Highway” in 2022. Allen has amassed more than 1 billion career on-demand streams.

“We are so excited to have Jimmie come home to provide all of us such great entertainment. He is an outstanding individual as well as a performer and we’re so happy he is coming,” said Mike Tatoian, president and general manager of Dover Motor Speedway. “Jimmie’s show is the centerpiece of all the fun, family events available for all our fans this year in Victory Plaza and the FanZone. This is shaping up to be one of the most memorable race weekends in quite some time, both on and off the track.”

The April 29-May 1 NASCAR tripleheader weekend race weekend schedule includes:

  • SUNDAY, MAY 1: DuraMAX Drydene 400 presented by RelaDyne NASCAR Cup Series race (3 p.m., FS1).
  • SATURDAY, APRIL 30: A-GAME 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash race (1:30 p.m., FS1).
  • FRIDAY, APRIL 29: General Tire 125 ARCA Menards Series East race (5:30 p.m.)

The DuraMAX Drydene 400 presented by RelaDyne is the 104th NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover, one of only 10 venues in the country to host 100 or more Cup Series events.

TICKETS:
Kids 12 and under get in FREE with a paying adult to our Friday and Saturday races and start at just $10 on Sunday. For tickets to all of Dover Motor Speedway’s events, visit https://www.DoverMotorSpeedway.com or call 800-441-RACE.

FOLLOW US:

Keep track of all of Dover Motor Speedway’s events by following on Twitter and Instagram or become a Facebook fan. Be sure to use #DuraMAXDrydene400, #AGame200 and #GeneralTire125 in your posts.

Monster Energy Racing: Riley Herbst Talladega NXS Advance

By
Official Release
-

RILEY HERBST
Talladega NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

• Event: Ag-Pro 300 (Round 9 of 33)
• Date: Saturday, April 23
• Location: Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway
• Layout: 2.66-mile oval
• Time/TV/Radio: 4 p.m. EDT on FOX/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

• Back from a well-deserved break during the NASCAR Xfinity Series off weekend, Riley Herbst is ready to get back behind the wheel of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang and pick up where he left off. After spending Easter weekend out West, the 23-year-old driver will now travel to the Deep South for Saturday’s Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, the ninth race of the 2022 season. Prior to the off weekend, Herbst earned back-to-back top-10 finishes at two of the shortest tracks on the NASCAR circuit – Richmond (Va.) Raceway and Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. He’ll now move onto the largest oval on the circuit – the 2.66-mile monster known as Talladega.

• Two weekends ago, Herbst scored a strong sixth-place finish on the tricky, paperclip-shaped Martinsville oval. He started 11th and ended the first stage 12th after battling a loose-handling racecar. Crew chief Richard Boswell made a key strategy call in the second stage, bringing Herbst to pit road for four tires and fuel on lap 101. The fresh tires gave Herbst the grip he needed to climb to ninth by the end of the stage and pick up two valuable bonus points. After another round of pit stops to begin the final stage, Herbst lined up second and took the lead when the green flag waved before settling into sixth place. He held onto sixth through two overtime restarts to deliver his fifth top-10 of 2022.

• Herbst has four previous Xfinity Series starts at Talladega with a best finish of fourth last April with the No. 98 team. The Las Vegas driver was in position to compete for the win when the series returned in October after leading 26 laps and running in the top-10 for a majority of the day. However, Herbst was caught up in the “Big One” with just six laps remaining.

• The No. 98 Monster Energy team has had two strong starts on superspeedway-style tracks in 2022. In the season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Herbst ran in the top-10 for a majority of the day and collected bonus points with his stage finishes. He successfully avoided several accidents to earn a fourth-place finish. Five weeks later, the series arrived at the repaved and newly reconfigured Atlanta Motor Speedway, which is now more akin to a superspeedway than an intermediate track. Despite overheating problems that put him a lap down early in the race, the No. 98 team persevered to get back on the lead lap and earn another fourth-place finish.

• Outside of his four Xfinity Series starts at Talladega, Herbst has competed in one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and four ARCA Menards Series races at the 2.66-mile oval. His best finish came in ARCA in April 2019 when he just missed victory lane by .149 of a second as the runner-up to race-winner Todd Gilliland. That October, in his one and only Truck Series start at Talladega, Herbst earned a solid third-place finish.

• Saturday’s race at Talladega will mark Herbst’s 85th career Xfinity Series start and his 12th on a superspeedway. Herbst’s history on superspeedways has been strong despite their unpredictability. In his 11 prior starts on superspeedways in the Xfinity Series, Herbst has finished in the top-10 five times with a best finish of fourth, earned twice at Daytona, once at Talladega, and earlier this year at Atlanta.

Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang

After eight straight weekends of racing, you earned a break with an off weekend last week. What did you do with your free time?

“As much as we love racing, it’s nice to get a break every now and then. I spent the first part of the week in North Carolina working toward Talladega with the team. Even during an off week, there’s work to be done. I actually took some time for Easter to go out West and spend time with my family. It’s always great to take some time to recover and relax when we’re given the opportunity. Now, I’m just ready to get back to the track at Talladega and go racing.”

Superspeedway races are always a wild card. How do you plan for these races when you don’t have teammates and there are only a handful of Fords in the Xfinity Series?

“It’s difficult, for sure, but you have to learn how to work with everyone to get up front. I think we’ve done a really good job of that and overcoming that difficulty on the No. 98 team. We worked with people throughout the field at both Daytona and Atlanta to score top-five finishes. We stayed out of trouble and were up there at the end with chances to win. That’s the plan again for this weekend and, hopefully, we can park our Monster Energy Ford Mustang in victory lane.”

Prior to the off week, you scored back-to-back top-10 finishes on the short tracks of Richmond and Martinsville. You’re now going to the largest oval on the circuit at Talladega. Talk about your thoughts heading into the race.

“Heading from back-to-back short-track races to a superspeedway race like Talladega is exciting. We did well the two weeks prior to the off week and we know how to score top-10s at superspeedways, as well. The goal this year was to perform consistently and we’re doing that. The No. 98 team is already off to a better start this season and, if we keep working hard and getting good finishes, the wins will follow. I know that this team can get it done.”

No. 98 Monster Energy Team Roster

Primary Team Members:

Driver: Riley Herbst
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Crew Chief: Richard Boswell
Hometown: Friendship, Maryland

Car Chief: Matt Noyce
Hometown: Oregon, Wisconsin

Engineer: Justin Bolton
Hometown: Latrobe, Pennsylvania

Engineer: DJ VanderLey
Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Spotter: Tim Fedewa
Hometown: Holt, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Crew:

Front Tire Changer: Shayne Pipala
Hometown: Frankfort Square, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White
Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons
Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Fueler: Corey Coppola
Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Jackman: Brandon Banks
Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Road Crew Members:

Truck Driver: Steve Wood
Hometown: Eatontown, New Jersey

Engine Tuner: Willie Pelotte
Hometown: Oakland, Maine

Gilliland Doesn’t Let Rookie Stripe Deter Him

By
Official Release
-

First Phase Driver Knows He Can Race Up Front

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 21, 2022) – Rookie driver Todd Gilliland heads into Sunday’s Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway race knowing he will need friends to help push him all race long to stay in contention for a top finish. It’s a tall order for a first-year driver, but Gilliland and his No. 38 FirstPhaseCard.com Ford Mustang team earned a lot of respect during the Daytona 500.

2201TP5590.jpg
“I just want to earn respect each weekend,” Gilliland said. “When you’re racing in the pack, I am trying to be smart. I’m not thinking about the rookie stripe. Do not get me wrong, I know I am a Cup rookie, but I’m concentrating on not making mistakes, making the right moves, and getting us in position for the end of the race.”

The team did just that in the Daytona 500. An impressive run, Gilliland raced in the top-10 all afternoon in the sharp looking First Phase Ford. He was only taken out in a late-race wreck not of his doing. He is now ready to get back to superspeedway racing and have another chance.

Gilliland comes back to the track with the anchor partner of the No. 38 program, First Phase. The new credit card from CURO Credit, LLC, issued by The Bank of Missouri is back for its fourth race of the season after making its debut earlier this season at the Clash at the Coliseum and the Daytona 500. The product provides pathways to financial freedom for people with unestablished or imperfect credit.

“I know our Front Row Motorsports Ford’s are always fast at Daytona and Talladega,” continued Gilliland. “We have First Phase credit card on the car again and that is cool, too. We just need to do the right things and I think we can have a good day. That is our hope.”

Gilliland has one previous win at the Talladega Superspeedway in the ARCA Series in 2019.

The First Phase team hits the track on Saturday for qualifying only before racing on Sunday on FOX.

ABOUT CURO

CURO Group Holdings Corp. (NYSE: CURO) is a full-spectrum consumer credit provider across the U.S. and Canada. The Company was founded in 1997 by three childhood friends in Kansas to meet the growing consumer need for short-term loans. Today, CURO operates a robust, omni-channel platform providing comprehensive credit solutions to help customers achieve their financial goals. CURO’s decades of experience with alternative data power the underwriting and scoring engine, mitigating risk across the full spectrum of credit products. CURO operates under a number of brands including Speedy Cash®, Rapid Cash®, Cash Money®, LendDirect®, Flexiti®, Avío Credit®, Opt+®, Revolve Finance®, Heights Finance, Southern Finance, Covington Credit, Quick Credit and First Phase. Our diversified product channels allows us to meet the changing needs and preferences of our customers.

ABOUT FIRST PHASE

First Phase is a new credit card issued by The Bank of Missouri that provides pathways to financial freedom for people with unestablished or imperfect credit. It’s a powerful tool that can provide flexibility and help fuel the next chapter of their financial future. First Phase is the doing business assumed name of CURO Credit, LLC, whose ultimate parent company is CURO Group Holdings Corp (NYSE: CURO).

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Camping World Truck Series and the 2021 Daytona 500 champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team– from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Feeding America®/Wow Wow Classic Waffles Racing: Cole Custer Talladega Advance

By
Official Release
-

COLE CUSTER
Talladega Advance
No. 41 Feeding America®/Wow Wow Classic Waffles Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: GEICO 500 (Round 10 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 24
● Location: Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway
● Layout: 2.66-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 188 laps/500 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 60 laps / Stage 2: 60 laps / Final Stage: 68 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● After back-to-back-to-back races on the three shortest tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series tour, Cole Custer and the No. 41 Feeding America®/Wow Wow Classic Waffles Ford Mustang team for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) head to the longest track, the 2.66-mile Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway oval, for Sunday’s GEICO 500.

● Riding along with Custer for the first time this season will be SHR partner Wow Wow Classic Waffles, and Feeding America®, the largest hunger relief organization in the United States with a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. SHR and Wow Wow Classic Waffles are collaborating on an online auction that kicked off Tuesday, from which all proceeds will benefit Feeding America®. Fans can follow this link to bid on an exclusive VIP experience for two at the 2022 NASCAR race of the winning bidder’s choice. The winner will receive two VIP credentials that provide access to the NASCAR Cup Series garage and pit road through the race. Also included in the package are personalized garage, hauler and pit road tours, a 10-minute meet-and-greet with Custer, lunch with the No. 41 SHR Mustang team, and seats atop the team’s pit box during the race. One hundred percent of the final bid price of this auction will go directly to Feeding America®, through SHR’s partnership with Marson Foods and Wow Wow Waffles. The winner and guest must be 18 or older. The auction closes April 26.

● SHR, Wow Wow Classic Waffles and Feeding America® are also asking fans to continue to do their part in helping to end hunger in America by visiting the Feeding America® donation page via the Feeding America® website. Each $1 donated helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks.

● On Wednesday, Custer participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Second Harvest Food Bank location in Salisbury, North Carolina. Custer frequently volunteers his time at the Second Harvest location in Charlotte with his No. 41 team members occasionally offering their time to help the community.

● Sunday’s 500-mile race will be Custer’s 85th Cup Series start and his fifth at Talladega. The 2020 Cup Series Rookie of the Year’s 10th-place finish there a year ago this weekend was the best of his first four Cup Series visits and was the first of his two top-10 finishes earned last season. He scored his second top-10 three weeks later on the concrete mile oval at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. Custer finished 13th in last October’s rain-shortened race at Talladega.

● The 24-year-old from Ladera Ranch, California, had promising runs in both of his Talladega outings during his rookie season. In the spring race, he was set to restart fifth for the green-white-checkered finish, but his Mustang began to stumble from a lack of fuel, sending him to pit road for a splash-and-go. He finished 22nd. In the fall race, he was able to drive to the front on multiple occasions, but while running fifth just past the race’s halfway point, he was collected in a multicar incident that ended his day.

● Custer has three Talladega appearances in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition in the No. 00 SHR Ford with a best finish of ninth in the 2018 race, and best starts of 12th in the 2018 and 2019 races.

● Custer qualified the No. 00 JR Motorsports entry on the pole for the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Talladega, but saw that bid come to an early end after an accident just past the halfway point.

● At last weekend’s Food City Dirt Race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, Custer earned his first career NASCAR Cup Series pole. The starting grid for Sunday night’s race on the half-mile, dirt-covered Bristol oval was determined via four nine-car, 15-lap heat races, in which drivers earned points based on their finishing position and the number of cars they passed. Custer finished second in the first heat after starting in the ninth and final position to earn 16 points, more than any other driver in the 36-car field. He went on to finish 13th in Sunday night’s race and arrives at Talladega 24th in the Cup Series standings.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 41 Feeding America®/Wow Wow Classic Waffles Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Is there anything you’ve changed about your approach to superspeedway-style racing now that you’ve run the NextGen car at both Daytona and Atlanta?

“I think the biggest thing about the superspeedway racing this year is this new car is really all about getting the pit stops good and making sure you stay with the lead draft. If you’re the last car in line, it’s really easy to lose the draft. So I think that’s been the biggest thing. At the end of the day, it’s been really similar. You’re still able to push really hard, you’re still able to draft and run three-wide, and four-wide at times, so it puts on good racing. You just want to make sure you can stay with the lead draft.”

Off the track, it seems you and your team, along with SHR partner Wow Wow Classic Waffles, have been working hard to support the initiatives of the Feeding America® network. Talk about that.

“We’ve been able to do some really cool things through our partnership with Wow Wow Classic Waffles and Feeding America. It’s been eye-opening to see how many in our area need help and we’ve been able to provide meals for many families through the work we’ve done, but we need help. There are so many ways to help and it doesn’t take much to make a difference for the many families out there who are in need. It’s been really cool to get involved with the food banks and pack bags for local schools and the community. It gives you a great mindset because volunteering is something I wish I did more of before and now it’s something that I’m doing every month, pretty much. It’s definitely rewarding to see the people that you’re helping in your community.”

Does it open your eyes to people who are less fortunate than you?

“Yeah, for sure. That’s what it’s all about. We get so wrapped up in our own lives and our own problems. You’re able to help out people who really need it in our community, so it’s something that has been really cool to get involved with and I’m really looking forward to doing even more of it in the future.”

No. 41 Feeding America®/Wow Wow Classic Waffles Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Cole Custer
Hometown: Ladera Ranch, California

Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett
Hometown: Amherst, Ohio

Car Chief: Tony Cardamone
Hometown: Bristol, Virginia

Engineer: Lee Deese
Hometown: Rockingham, North Carolina

Engineer: Scott Bingham
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Spotter: Andy Houston
Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Josh Leslie
Hometown: Mount Clemens, Michigan

Rear Tire Changer: Coleman Dollarhide
Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons
Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Matthew Schlytter

Hometown: Ponte Vedra, Florida

Fuel Man: Dewayne Moore
Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Joe Zanolini
Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Shock Specialist: Aaron Kuehn
Hometown: Kensington, Connecticut

Tire Specialist: Austin Greco
Hometown: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues
Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer
Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

Burton, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Plan To Bring Speed to Talladega

By
Official Release
-

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are hoping that the speed they showed at Daytona International Speedway in February can be duplicated this weekend at Daytona’s sister track, Talladega Superspeedway.

Burton was leading the season-opening Daytona 500 when a wreck knocked him out of the race. Although races at Talladega, which is similar in size and layout to Daytona, often produces a different kind of race, crew chief Brian Wilson said he and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are aiming to execute the same strategy at Talladega on Sunday as they did at Daytona.

“Talladega is always chaotic and highly entertaining, but we also look at it as an opportunity to score Stage points and get a great finish,” Wilson said. “At Daytona things didn’t end how we wanted them to, but we qualified well, finished strong in the Duel and were at the front when we ultimately were involved in the wreck that took us out.”

Although Burton is a rookie, Wilson said he shows good instincts in the pack racing that occurs at Daytona and Talladega. And he does have a previous Cup Series start at Talladega, where last fall he made his debut in NASCAR’s elite series.

“Harrison’s thought process in the draft and decision making put us in good positions at Daytona,” Wilson said. “The wreck was certainly not due to our approach. We’ll go into this weekend with the same mindset of trying to run up front but also keep ourselves in good positions as the draft plays out.”

There will be no practice prior to Saturday’s qualifying session for the GEICO 500, which means teams won’t have to worry about wrecking primary cars before the start of the race.

Qualifying is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. (11 a.m. Eastern Time), and Sunday’s 188-lap race is set to get the green flag just after 2 p.m. (3 p.m. Eastern Time) with TV coverage on FOX.

Stage breaks are planned for Laps 60 and 120.

About Motorcraft
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford and Lincoln Dealers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.

About Omnicraft
Omnicraft is part of the Ford lineup of parts brands: Ford Parts, Motorcraft and Omnicraft. Omnicraft is the exclusive non-Ford/Lincoln parts brand of premium aftermarket parts. With over a century of parts heritage to build upon, Omnicraft provides excellent quality and fit and is a preferred choice of professional automotive technicians. To find out more about Omnicraft, visit www.omnicraftautoparts.com or contact your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership.

About Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change & maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator & electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension & steering, wheel alignment, belts & hoses, lamps & bulbs, wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services. Ford employs approximately 187,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.

*See seller for limited-warranty details.

Wood Brothers Racing

Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.

Kody King Prepared to Compete in Family-Owned Car

By
Official Release
-
Kody King is set to make his first start of the year for his family-owned operation in the 45th Annual Spring Classic at Rockford Speedway on Saturday night.

Clear Lake, Ia. (Apr. 21, 2022) – With the CARS Pro Late Model Tour on a one-month hiatus, Kody King is using the free time to ensure that everything is up to speed with his family-owned operation in the Midwest.

The first race up for King in the Midwest will be at Rockford Speedway on Saturday evening for the 45th Annual Spring Classic, where he will look to apply his knowledge from the CARS Tour and offseason preparation and bring home a strong run.

While King is not entirely sure of what to expect from Rockford, he does know the car provided by his family and crew is much stronger compared to the previous season.

“I feel really good about [the car] with the new engine and all the work we’ve put in over the winter,” King said. “The car felt really solid in testing and I’m ready to hop back in and see what I can do.”

King admitted that his first venture into the CARS Tour has been filled with many hard but valuable on-track lessons.

In his first three appearances with Lee Faulk Racing, King’s best finish was a seventh at Hickory Motor Speedway. He currently sits fifth in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour standings; 25 points behind the current leader in Caden Kvapil.

Competing against Kvapil, William Sawalich, Luke Fenhaus and other talented drivers has proven to be beneficial for King, who added that the CARS Pro Late Model Tour is serving as an ideal opportunity for him to thoroughly understand what it takes to be competitive in races over 100 laps in length.

“I’m new to longer races and really working on my physical endurance,” King said. “I’m also learning new braking strategies, adapting to changes in the car as the race progresses and also my communication skills to relay what the car feels like back to my team.”

Although King will be back close to home in the Midwest this weekend, he plans to approach the Spring Classic at Rockford just like his three CARS Pro Late Model Tour events to date.

With the Spring Classic being one of Rockford’s crown jewel events, King said that endurance, effective communication, and versatility behind the wheel are all qualities that he can use as he battles the rest of the field through the 88-lap Big 8 Late Model Series feature.

In turn, King said that he can properly utilize his experience from the Midwest and carry it over into the CARS Tour, but he also understands that patience and more time on the track will be imperative for him to find more consistent success in the south.

“Hard work is overall the most important skill, whether that’s physical endurance or driving skill,” King said. “I need to learn from my mistakes and see what others are doing to get an edge over me. If I can do that effectively, then the wins will come with time.”

Having won at Hawkeye Downs Speedway last year, King feels confident in his chances to hold his own against the veterans and rookies of the Midwest and return to the CARS Pro Late Model Tour in May with momentum on his side.

King would like to thank his family, Lee Faulk Racing Development and MPM Marketing for all of their support, along with his partners in Port City Racecars, Omans Performance, Northern Racing Products, House Motorsports, J3 Renovation & Design, Capital Signs, K1 RaceGear and Wiley X.

—————

About McCallister Precision Marketing

McCallister Precision Marketing (MPM) focuses on assisting up-and-coming race car drivers with career advancement and promotion. McCallister Precision Marketing helps drivers build confidence in front of and behind the camera, giving them the tools they need to advance to the next level. The company also provides companies with a strategic plan for their sales, marketing and promotional needs. We believe in building positive relationships with our clients so that we may provide them with the most professional, yet personal guidance they need, in order to achieve their racing goals. Our clients include race car drivers, race team owners, companies and racing series’. We also work closely with charities and charity events. For more information on McCallister Precision Marketing, visit www.MarketWithMPM.com, email TonyaMac44@MarketWithMPM.com or call 803-361-6199.

Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix Announces Opening Party

By
Official Release
-
Credit: Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix
  • Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix Opening Party with Musical Performances presented by Heineken® to feature live music, special guests and a host of Formula 1® drivers on Wednesday May 4th at 7pm ET
  • A dynamic music show presented by Heineken® will see superstar DJ/Producer Kygo headline as the music act with special guests, who will play to a live crowd to celebrate the first-ever F1® race at the Miami International Autodrome
  • Spectacular opening show will take place on the eye-catching podium built on the south side of Hard Rock Stadium
  • General Admission Tickets to the event will be priced from $100 and are on sale now here

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., South Florida Motorsports (SFM), promoter of the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix has today announced details of a star-studded opening night of entertainment, special guests and live music presented by Heineken®, that will take place in the build-up to the first-ever Formula 1® race in Miami Gardens.

The Opening Party with Musical Performances presented by Heineken® will be an unforgettable evening of live music and driver introductions with a crowd full of fans expected to enjoy the event, that will also be broadcast live on F1’s social media channels. Accompanying the F1® drivers and Team Principals on stage for the show, will be drivers from the all-female support category W Series, as well a star-studded presenting line-up.

Taking place on the huge bespoke podium, where the top three drivers will receive their trophies on race day, the opening show will give fans an exclusive look into what a Miami style F1® race weekend will look like. With accompanying music by Kygo & special guests, the event is set to be a thrilling curtain-raiser to the inaugural race which takes place at the newly-built Miami International Autodrome.

Richard Cregan, CEO of the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix said: “We can’t wait to introduce Formula 1 to Miami, and this event is the perfect way to start the race week. We’ve been working tirelessly to deliver an event that people will enjoy, and also on ways to give as many fans as possible a taste of our event. We’re thrilled that the F1 drivers, Team Principals and Kygo & special guests presented by Heineken®, will help us to do that on May 4th and officially launch our race weekend in Miami style.”

Since 2016 Heineken® has been an integral global partner of Formula 1® providing spectacular live concerts and world class entertainment in unique settings across the globe. In addition to their Event Title Partnerships and socially-responsible campaigns, Heineken® has given F1® fans an opportunity to come together to enjoy live music from amazing artists and DJs at some of the most iconic race tracks in the world. The Opening Party will be the perfect way for Heineken® to get the Miami weekend started.

The Opening Party with Musical Performances presented by Heineken® will bring together impressive music performances with internationally-renowned artist, producer and DJ, Kygo introducing a host of special guests, friends and A-list celebrities, and the whole night will take place on the stunning Formula 1® podium which overlooks both the race track and the Miami Campus fountains.

Kygo said: “I’m super excited to be working with Heineken® to perform at the Opening Party to celebrate the first ever F1 race here in Miami. Miami is such a cultural capital, and I can’t wait to see the meeting of the buzz of such a vibrant city, with the glamour of Formula 1, and I look forward to opening the weekend with a big celebration!”

The Opening Party with Musical Performances presented by Heineken® will offer a great additional opportunity for fans to experience the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix experience. General admission tickets are on sale now and will be priced from $100. To buy tickets to attend this star-studded show, click here.

Follow us at:

Facebook – F1 Miami Grand Prix
Twitter – @F1Miami
Instagram – @F1MIA
LinkedIn – F1 Miami Grand Prix

About the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix

Scheduled to make its debut on 6-8 May, 2022, the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix is the sport’s newest race on the Formula 1® calendar. Located in Miami Gardens, Florida, the world’s top drivers are set to compete on a brand-new circuit located within the complex of the Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the legendary Miami Dolphins NFL team. The 5.41km Miami International Autodrome features 19 corners, three straights and has an estimated top speed of 320km/h.

The race will also provide an additional tourist boost and economic impact to local businesses in the greater Miami region. Formula 1® and South Florida Motorsports are working closely with the local community to provide an allotment of discounted tickets for the residents of Miami Gardens, ensuring they have the opportunity to experience the thrill of the sport. Additionally, South Florida Motorsports have launched a programme to support both local businesses and the community to ensure they get the full benefits of the race being held in Miami Gardens. This includes a STEM education programme through F1 in Schools, as well as the opportunity for local restaurants to be part of the race weekend.About AutoNation.

About HEINEKEN®

HEINEKEN® is the world’s most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken® brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. HEINEKEN® is committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through “Brewing a Better World”, sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN® has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. It employs over 85,000 employees and operates breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on Reuters under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. HEINEKEN® has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY). Most recent information is available on HEINEKEN®’s website: www.theHEINEKENcompany.com and follow us on Twitter via @HEINEKENCorp.

About Formula 1®

The FIA Formula 1® World ChampionshipTM was inaugurated in 1950, unifying the sport of Grand Prix motor racing as the world’s most prestigious motorsport competition. Through more than 70 years it has grown to become the world’s most popular annual sporting series. In 2016 it was watched by 400 million unique television viewers from over 200 territories. The 2021 season will run from March to December and spans 23 races in 21 countries. Formula 1® is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LSXMA, LSXMB, LSXMK, BATRA, BATRK, FWONA, FWONK) attributed to the Formula One Group tracking stock. For more information on Formula 1® visit: formula1.com

Greg Van Alst and Team Upbeat Ahead of Talladega ARCA Rematch

By
Official Release
-

TALLADEGA, Ala.: Nestled in his new race shop a few feet from his home in central Indiana, Greg Van Alst and his Greg Van Alst Motorsports team have been readily preparing for Saturday afternoon’s General Tire 200 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Amid dealing with the eccentric weather of spring showers and winter blizzards since competing in his most recent ARCA Menards Series race at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway, Van Alst is ready to escape the wild weather of the Midwest and head to Alabama and focus on trying to earn his first career ARCA Menards Series in just his second start at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.

“I’m excited to get back into the speedway car this weekend,” said Van Alst. “We did not get a chance to show what we were really capable of at Daytona in February.”

And it’s not just Daytona where Van Alst wasn’t able to showcase what his family-owned team was capable of.

Last April at the Southern Alabama race track, Van Alst felt like he was in a prime position to make a move for the lead but was spun by another competitor that abruptly ended his chances of a superspeedway upset.

Returning to Talladega a year later, Van Alst feels his superspeedway program is even better than it was in 2021 and is eager to continue to showcase that in the third ARCA Menards Series race of the year.
“I think we will be even better,” explained Van Alst of his superspeedway equipment. “We keep getting wrecked and every time we do, we repair it to be better than it was before. Without qualifying and the field set by owner points, we are likely forced to start mid-pack.

“No matter what though, I think we will have our work cut out for us. But, if we can find a good drafting partner we will make our way to the front and be in contention for the win.”

No matter where the Anderson, Ind. native starts on Saturday afternoon, should the veteran pull off his first career ARCA win in his 14th career start, the hard work over the past year and a half will have come full circle.

“It would mean everything to win,” sounded Van Alst. “It would prove that we deserve to be at this level and that we can compete against the best in the business from our own backyard shop. Winning is the reason we are here.

“We were one position away from doing it last summer at Winchester and Talladega provides another opportunity for us to try again.”

With finishes of 22nd and 36th respectively in the opening two races of the ARCA season, Van Alst is also looking to Talladega to pull his team from a disappointing start where circumstances outside of the driver’s control have dictated less than ideal finishes.

A win would undeniably turn the team’s world upside down for the right reasons, but if a win isn’t in the cards this weekend, a top-10 would be more than welcomed as the team hopes to run the full 20-race schedule in 2022.

“We are just plugging along the best we can,” Van Alst offered. “Both years I won championships in Late Models started out in a similar fashion. We are not going to give up.

“All we can do is continue to prep for each race the best that we know-how and continue to try to bring the fastest pieces that we can and hope that our luck will turn around.”

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

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

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

“Chris enjoys competing at tracks like Daytona and Talladega just as much as I do – if not more,” Van Alst sounded. “Talladega is a pinnacle race for our small team and I’m thankful to have the support of Chris and CB Fabricating.”

In addition to CB Fabricating, Top Choice Fence, Norton Transport, KRJ Race Products and Lintz Creative will serve as associate marketing partners for Van Alst’s 14th career ARCA start.

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

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

The General Tire 200 (76 laps | 200 miles) is the third of 20 races on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Group practice begins on Fri. April 22 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The series won’t host qualifying, setting the field by 2021 ARCA car owner standings. The 60th ARCA from Talladega is set to take the green flag on Saturday, April 23 shortly after 12:00 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities. All times are local (CT).

Gus Dean Hunts Second ARCA Talladega Triumph with Venturini Motorsports

By
Official Release
-

TALLADEGA, Ala.: Gus Dean is hunting in Saturday afternoon’s General Tire 200 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

The Bluffton, S.C. native is trophy hunting that is as the Venturini Motorsports driver returns to the 2.66-mile superspeedway for the first time in ARCA competition in two years looking to rekindle the magic he showcased in 2016 when he scored his first career ARCA Menards Series victory in an upset victory in just his second series start.

A lot has transpired for Dean since that defining moment in his career nearly six years ago, but the feelings and the emotions of his Talladega triumph feel as if the win was yesterday.

“I’m super excited to get back to Talladega Superspeedway,” said Dean. “It’s one of my favorite race tracks on this earth. It’s very special to me and my family and I’d like nothing more than to do that again with Venturini Motorsports on Saturday.”

The third ARCA Menards Series race of the season will mark Dean’s second race with the potent Venturini Motorsports and with a top-five finish in their debut together two months ago at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Dean is looking to build on that momentum in his sixth trip to the famed-Alabama facility.

“I can’t thank Venturini Motorsports enough for everything they are doing,” explained Dean. “As we mentioned before Daytona, we have been trying to work together for a couple of years and I’m glad that the stars finally aligned.

“Daytona was good. It was nice to finish my first ever race there. The Venturini Motorsports team brought me a race-winning No. 55 Dean Custom Air Toyota Camry, but we were run over by another car under the yellow and it caused some damage and we had to pit and rally from the back.

“We were able to fight back to inside the top-five on the last lap, but just ran out of laps. Hopefully, we can have a mistake-free day on Saturday and return to Victory Lane.”

Talladega has proven to be one of Dean’s best race tracks in ARCA competition. In five starts, he has one win, three top-10s and five top-16 finishes. With an average finish of 8.8, the Late Model standout is eager to approve that statistic in his second ARCA start of the season.

“I’ve always run well at Talladega and I hope that trend continues this weekend,” added Dean. “I had a really good car the last time I competed in 2020 but unfortunately had an electrical issue and it doomed our chances of a victory.

“We’re bringing the same No. 55 Dean Custom Air Toyota Camry that we raced at Daytona and I know what that car is capable of and I just look forward to a fun 76 laps of working with my teammates and getting my first win of the season.”

With just practice on deck and his starting position set by 2021 owner points, Dean knows he does not have the best starting position, but he also knows he’ll have a car capable of getting him to the front.

“Patience is going to be super important on Saturday, especially at the start of the race,” Dean explained. “There are some really good cars starting mid-pack or towards the rear of the field and it’s going to take some patience and just using our heads to negotiate the traffic and then setting yourself up after the modified pit stop.

“Our Venturini Motorsports cars ran well together at Daytona in February and I’d know we can do it again, so I’ll try to get to the front as quickly and safely as possible and hope that we can settle it amongst ourselves for the win. We will just see what happens.”

In addition to Talladega, Dean will return to ARCA competition with Venturini Motorsports at Michigan International Speedway in August.

The 27-year-old South Carolinian is poised to have a busy 2022 season between ARCA, Late Models, Mud Truck Racing and a hopeful sporadic appearance or two in one of NASCAR’s National Series.

“With no championship on the line for me this season, it’s about having fun,” sounded Dean. “Whether that’s competing with Venturini Motorsports in ARCA, DLP Motorsports in Late Model competition or the other racing endeavors we have planned for this season. Of course, the urge to still compete full-time is there, but it takes marketing partners and a lot of financial commitment to make it happen.

“Until we can hopefully put ourselves back into that position again, we’ll take the path that has been laid out before me and make the most of it.”

In addition to Dean Custom Air, Folds of Honor, IMPACT, Kick Industries, TOSOT and WileyX will serve
as associate marketing partners for Dean’s 57th career ARCA start.

For more on Gus Dean, please visit GusDean.com, like him on Facebook (Gus Dean Racing) and follow him on Instagram (@GusDean) and Twitter (@GusDean).

The General Tire 200 (76 laps | 200 miles) is the third of 20 races on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Group practice begins on Fri. April 22 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The series won’t host qualifying, setting the field by 2021 ARCA car owner standings. The 60th ARCA from Talladega is set to take the green flag on Saturday, April 23 shortly after 12:00 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities. All times are local (CT).

Dixon Tops 227 To Pace First Day of Indy 500 Open Test

By
Official Release
-

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, April 20, 2022) – Six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Scott Dixon led the first day of the Indianapolis 500 Open Test on Wednesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as drivers and teams began preparation for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Dixon’s best lap was 227.187 mph in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, aided by an aerodynamic tow on the 2.5-mile oval.

The session started 90 minutes late due to morning rain. Testing ended approximately 30 minutes early as a precaution so INDYCAR and IMS officials could inspect the acceleration lane inside Turns 1 and 2 after three drivers spun while exiting that lane during the day, with two of the incidents happening in the last 20 minutes of running.

Cool air temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to low 60s kept speeds high and drivers on their toes as most ran in aerodynamic packs. There were three sessions, with the opening two hours for veteran drivers, followed by a two-hour session for rookies and veteran refresher tests and then an open track for all competitors.

“I think the conditions are always pretty ideal when you run this time of year,” Dixon said. “The car feels really good. A lot of it depends on track placement and how much confidence you have in the car, how big a tow you can get. I guess we lucked out on that today.

“We still have a bit of a test. We didn’t get through too much of it because the session was kind of fragmented, then obviously finishing early. Still a lot of work to do I think for the tomorrow. Maybe we’ll get a bit of a time extension tomorrow depending on conditions. All in all, I think all the drivers were really confident with how the day went and how the cars felt. But I think that’s maybe across the board because of conditions.”

Conor Daly was second fastest overall at 226.985 in the No. 20 BitNile Chevrolet. Callum Ilott was the fastest of the seven Indianapolis 500 rookies, third overall at 226.308 in the No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet.

Santino Ferrucci was fourth at 226.182 in the No. 23 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet, while Marcus Ericsson rounded out the top five at 225.341 in the No. 8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

The second day of testing will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (ET) Thursday for all drivers. Track action can be viewed live in the U.S. on Peacock Premium, NBC’s live streaming service. International fans can view the test on IndyCar Live!

The INDYCAR Radio Network will provide coverage for the all-cars sessions. The coverage will be on network affiliates, including racecontrol.indycar.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

Global racing stars Romain Grosjean and Jimmie Johnson continued their journeys toward their first Indianapolis 500 starts, turning laps with the veteran drivers since both completed the Rookie Orientation Program during testing last fall at IMS. Formula One veteran Grosjean’s fastest lap was 223.253 in the No. 28 DHL Honda, while seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Johnson’s best lap was 222.255 in the No. 48 Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

All five Indianapolis 500 rookies still needing to complete the Rookie Orientation Program – Kyle Kirkwood, Devlin DeFrancesco, David Malukas, Christian Lundgaard and Ilott – passed all three phases of the test today. Marco Andretti completed his refresher test, while two-time “500” winner Juan Pablo Montoya and Sage Karam will finish their refreshers Thursday.

Three drivers – all Indianapolis 500 winners – spun while either on or exiting the acceleration lane from the pits in Turns 1 and 2.

2016 winner Alexander Rossi was the first to suffer the mishap, avoiding wall contact on a spin in his No. 27 NAPA AUTO PARTS/AutoNation Honda moments after the track opened at 12:30 p.m. (ET).

Four-time and reigning Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves also spun in the same spot during the open practice, careening across the track and hitting the SAFER Barrier in Turn 2 at 5:11 p.m. (ET). Castroneves was unhurt, but his Indy 500-winning No. 06 AutoNation/Sirius XM Honda suffered significant front, right-side and floor damage.

“I didn’t feel anything strange, anything bottoming, I wasn’t pushing,” Castroneves said. “And the rear just spun out. I was trying to control it, making sure I didn’t crash, and it was a very odd situation. Unfortunately, we couldn’t avoid that. It was very unusual.”

Just 21 minutes later, 2018 “500” winner Will Power spun in his No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet in the Turn 1 warmup lane and veered toward on-track traffic. He barely kept his car from entering the oval, and Colton Herta was forced to run above the racing line in Turn 1 to avoid Power, also spinning, nudging the SAFER Barrier in Turn 1 and shearing the attenuator from the rear of his No. 26 Gainbridge Honda. Power and Herta both were unhurt.

Ericsson could have been awarded the unofficial driver of the day award after he deftly darted around the spinning cars of Castroneves and Herta in separate incidents, barely evading a major incident.

“He was going left and right and wasn’t sure, and my brakes weren’t quite locked up yet, so it wasn’t clear which direction I was going,” Herta said Ericsson’s evasion of his spin. “Then I locked them up, and luckily he’s a heads-up driver and got out of the way.”

The 106th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 29 at IMS.

1...2,0182,0192,020...6,663Page 2,019 of 6,663