Home Blog Page 2048

Season-Opening Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Spring Fling This Week at Sebring International Raceway First Race in HSR’s New IMSA Era

By
Official Release
-

Fourth Annual HSR Spring Fling at Sebring International Raceway, April 6 – 8, First Race Since IMSA Acquisition of HSR in January

SEBRING, Florida (April 5, 2022) – Less than three weeks after the checkered flag waved on the blockbuster 70th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race, IMSA makes somewhat of a return visit to Sebring International Raceway this week for the season-opening Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Spring Fling, April 6 – 8.

The season-opening HSR race for the fourth-straight year, the 2022 Spring Fling follows the announcement during January’s 60th Rolex 24 At Daytona that IMSA acquired HSR. The HSR Spring Fling marks the debut race under the new ownership of what can now truly be described as IMSA’s newest series featuring its oldest racing machines.

While HSR is now the eighth racing series under the IMSA umbrella, no present plans are in place to change HSR’s current racing operations, management group and race-weekend staff. HSR President David Hinton and a familiar team of established and dedicated personnel remain at the center of HSR’s day-to-day and race weekend operations.

Dedicated to historic and vintage motorsport competition, HSR offers a variety of classes and run groups for sports cars and other road racing machines from the last 65 years and beyond. The new IMSA ownership solidifies what has already been a strong relationship with HSR. Since 2015, IMSA has been the presenting sponsor of HSR’s premier Classic Daytona 24 Hour race, and dozens of teams and drivers regularly compete in ex-IMSA race cars on any given HSR race weekend.

One notable entry this week at the Spring Fling that was a winning part of IMSA’s revered and original GTP era is the Rogers Motorsports 1985 No. 44 Group 44 Jaguar XJR-7 (pictured at top).

Chassis No. 001, the XJR7 debuted at the 1985 IMSA Camel GT Daytona 3-Hour Finale where Group 44 fielded both its first XJR7 and a previous generation XJR5. The 001 Jaguar’s finest moment came less than two years later when Hurley Haywood and John Morton drove the V12-powered XJR7 to victory in the 1987 Grand Prix of Palm Beach. The Jaguar made its final race start in its prime in the 1988 Rolex 24 At Daytona, and current owner Jim Rogers purchased the XJR7 in the early 1990s. Doug Smith, a multiple HSR Classic Daytona race winner, is Rogers’ go-to driver of choice for the Jaguar and once again takes to the wheel at the Spring Fling.

The 2022 HSR Spring Fling at Sebring returns with the same Wednesday through Friday weekday event format that proved popular with competitors and race fans alike last year. The schedule includes the first 2022 rounds of the B.R.M. Chronographes Endurance Challenge in a special Friday doubleheader. The one hour Vintage and GT Classic (GTC) B.R.M. Endurance Challenge kicks Friday’s schedule off at 8 a.m. EDT. The opening race will be followed by the Historic, Prototype and GT Modern (GTM) 60-minute endurance challenge that afternoon at 12:45 p.m. EDT.

The WeatherTech Sprint Series is another primary part of the packed HSR Spring Fling schedule with the usual doubleheader race lineup bolstered by a third bonus race Friday. After Thursday’s first round of WeatherTech Sprints, two more races will be run for all Groups on Friday morning and later that afternoon.

Thursday’s schedule features qualifying all morning with that afternoon’s opening round of WeatherTech Sprints setting the stage for the week’s first feature races. The season-opening HSR Sasco Sports International/American Challenge race starts Thursday at 4 p.m. EDT and will be followed by the first HSR Stoner Car Care Global GT race of the season at 4:30 p.m. EDT.

A full day of testing for all Run Groups kicks the 2022 Spring Fling off Wednesday and will be followed by a meet-and-greet with IMSA President John Doonan at the Sebring International Raceway Legends Building at 5:30 p.m. EDT. Open to all members of the HSR community, the casual mixer is a way for HSR members and competitors to get to know Doonan and IMSA a little better after January’s announcement.

Soon after the acquisition, Doonan and Hinton met at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA), which is located across the street from IMSA headquarters in Daytona Beach. There Doonan and Hinton filmed a brief video (below) to share information on the new partnership and address some of the questions HSR competitors and race fans alike have raised.
IMSA and HSR merger update for the upcoming 2022 season
Spectator tickets for the HSR Spring Fling are available exclusively at Sebring International Raceway beginning at 9 a.m. EDT this Wednesday, April 6.

About HSR: Now an International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) property, Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the race cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter and Instagram at @HSR_race. A dedicated website for the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA is available at www.Classic24hour.com.

CORVETTE RACING AT LONG BEACH: Set for a Sprint

By
Official Release
-

After Sebring win, No. 3 Corvette looks for more success in 100-minute race

DETROIT (April 5, 2022) – After winning for the 12th time at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring three weeks ago, Corvette Racing moves to a completely different style of racing when it returns to the Long Beach (Calif.) street circuit for the continuation of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor will pilot the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R in Saturday’s 100-minute Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on the streets of southern California. It’s the third race for Corvette in the new GT Daytona (GTD) PRO class and first on a street circuit.

Garcia and Taylor sit second in GTD PRO points after two races, including their victory at Sebring with Nicky Catsburg. The goal is to continue adding to Corvette Racing’s lengthy list of successes, including those at Long Beach.
The team has won eight times at the circuit including a win last year for Tommy Milner and Nick Tandy in the now-extinct GT Le Mans (GTLM) category. Garcia and Taylor finished second and this time around face a tough field of five other manufacturers in GTD PRO.

The GTD PRO Corvette differs in several ways from the C8.R that ran at Long Beach in 2021. Chief among the differences are additional weight, restricted power and customer Michelin tires that are mandated for all GTD entries as opposed to Michelins specifically designed for the C8.R in GTLM trim.

The combination of moving to GTD PRO plus a 100-minute race places even more importance on qualifying than normal. With such a short race, there likely will be just one planned pit stop for fuel and change of tires and driver. With all 20 GTD cars having roughly the same performance levels, track position will be at a premium.

Chevrolet Motorsports Display On-Site at Long Beach
In addition to the many series and events on the racetrack at Long Beach, fans will have plenty to see and experience from Chevrolet. The Chevrolet’s Motorsports Display will be full of Chevy vehicles that spectators can learn more about throughout the weekend.

The Chevrolet Motorsports Display opens at 8 a.m. Friday through Sunday and is located in the Long Beach Convention Center. Numerous Chevrolet vehicles and other highlights include:

• The 2023 Corvette convertible 3LT
• Additional Chevrolet products such as Blazer RS, Trailblazer RS, Camaro 2SS 1LE, Silverado Trail Boss and
• A Corvette Racing C8.R showcar and LT6.R engine
• An opportunity to receive a 2022 Chevrolet t-shirt

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. ET/2:05 p.m. PT on Saturday, April 9. The race will air live on USA and stream on Peacock starting at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. IMSA Radio will air all on-track sessions beginning at IMSA.com along with XM 207 and SiriusXM Online 992.

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “Traffic won’t be such a factor because you won’t be lapping as many cars as you normally would. It’s more of a single-group deal and working your way through that. That race is always about qualifying and doing a perfect stop and driver change. I don’t see a lot of difference in GTLM and GTD PRO at Long Beach. I hope the car behaves as well as it did at Sebring because it was really good. I hope it’s as warm as possible. It feels like when we have those conditions and as we saw at Sebring, we have something of an advantage.”

JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “There’s going to be a lot to learn about this car and tire at pretty much every track we go to. We were shocked at how different things were at Sebring. It was a wake-up call to see how far the setups were from GTLM. Having seen success at Sebring gives us some promise that we know the right direction to take the Corvette. Long Beach is always a different animal but I can’t wait for it.”

CORVETTE RACING AT LONG BEACH: By the Numbers
• 1: As in one team, one manufacturer and one model of car for 14 years at Long Beach: Corvette Racing, Chevrolet and the Chevrolet Corvette.
• 3: Generations of Corvette Racing entries at Long Beach since 2007 –Corvette C6.R (2007-13) and Corvette C7.R (2014-2019) and Corvette C8.R (2021). All three generations have won at least once at Long Beach.
• 4: Number of Long Beach race victories for Corvette Racing’s duo of Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor.
• 8: Number of drivers who have competed at Long Beach for Corvette Racing – Olivier Beretta, Antonio Garcia, Oliver Gavin, Jan Magnussen, Tommy Milner, Johnny O’Connell, Nick Tandy and Jordan Taylor. Each driver has won at least once at Long Beach.
• 8: Number of Long Beach victories in 13 appearances for Corvette Racing – more than any other IMSA entrant at the circuit.
• 10: Number of Long Beach sports car victories for Chevrolet. Throw in 11 IndyCar wins, and Chevrolet has claimed 21 victories in the event’s two premier races.
• 14: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001.
• 19: Number of street circuit victories for Corvette Racing – more than any other IMSA entrant at the circuit.
• 25: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen.
• 30: Number of wins in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for Corvette Racing since the start of 2014.
• 121: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 113 in North America and eight at Le Mans.
• 253: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999.
• 3,945.82: Number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing in its 12 previous trips to Long Beach. That represents 2,005 laps around the 1.968-mile street circuit.
• 339,411.24: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles. That means Corvette Racing has raced to the moon… and then some!

Corvette Racing at Long Beach (wins in bold)
2007
No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GT1 (Magnussen fastest race lap)
No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GT1 (Gavin pole)

2008
No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Johnny O’Connell/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT1 (Magnussen pole)
No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GT1 (Gavin fastest race lap)

2009
No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GT1
No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GT1 (Beretta pole, fastest race lap)

2010
No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GT2
No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 9th in GT2 (Gavin fastest race lap)

2011
No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Tommy Milner – 5th in GT
No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 2nd in GT (Magnussen fastest race lap)

2012
No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 4th in GT
No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 1st in GT (Gavin fastest race lap)

2013
No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 5th in GT
No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 4th in GT (Gavin fastest race lap)

2014
No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 1st in GTLM (Magnussen pole)
No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 3rd in GTLM (Milner fastest race lap)

2015
No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 3rd in GTLM
No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 7th in GTLM

2016
No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 9th in GTLM
No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTLM

2017
No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 5th in GTLM (Magnussen pole)
No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 1st in GTLM

2018
No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 4th in GTLM
No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 1st in GTLM

2019
No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 2nd in GTLM
No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 3rd in GTLM

2021
No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 2nd in GTLM
No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy – 1st in GTLM
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 80 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.

The Top 7 Ways to Boost Your Car’s Resale Value

By
SM
-
Photo by CONNOR BOTTS on Unsplash

There can be many reasons you might want to sell your car. For example, if you plan to buy a new car, it might be an excellent option to sell off your old one. Or you might want some extra cash, and selling your car is the only option you have.

Whatever the reason, it is evident that you would like to get the best value for your vehicle. And that’s precisely why we are writing this article.

If you’re looking to get the most money for your car when it comes time to sell, you can do a few things to increase its resale value. Here are seven of the best ways to boost your car’s resale value.

Wash and Clean the Car

Many people don’t realize how important it is to regularly wash and clean their car. It improves the look of the vehicle, but it can also increase its resale value.

A clean car is more likely to catch the eye of a potential buyer, and it will also be easier to inspect for any damage. In addition, washing and cleaning the car regularly will help prevent rust and other forms of corrosion. This will keep the vehicle in better condition for longer, making it more valuable when it comes time to sell.

So next time you think about skipping a trip to the car wash, remember that you could be costing yourself money in the long run.

Tint Your Windows

Many car owners are surprised to learn that something as simple as window tinting can significantly impact their car’s resale value. In addition to enhancing the car’s appearance, tinting also provides several practical benefits.

For instance, it helps to keep the interior of the car cool in summer weather, and it can reduce glare when driving. Tinted windows also provide extra privacy and security, making the car less attractive to potential thieves.

As a result, cars with tinted windows often sell for more than those without. So if you’re thinking about selling your car shortly, be sure to get the window films. It’s a small investment that could pay off big time regarding resale value.

Get a New Paint Job

If your car’s paint job is looking a little worse for wear, you might consider getting a new one. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the appearance of a car, and it can also increase its resale value.

Of course, this is not a cheap option, and you will need to find a reputable automotive paint shop to do the job. But if you’re planning on selling your car shortly, it could be worth the investment.

Install New Tires

Another simple way to increase your car’s resale value is to install new tires. This is especially true if the current tires are worn down or damaged.

New tires will improve the look of the car, but they will also improve its performance. They will provide better traction and handling, making the vehicle safer to drive. As a result, cars with new tires often sell for more than those with old ones.

Get a Mechanical Inspection

If you’re planning on selling your car, it’s good to get a mechanical inspection before you do. This will help ensure that there are no hidden problems that could potentially reduce the car’s value.

A mechanical inspection will also allow you to get any necessary repairs done before you put the car on the market. This will help ensure that it is in good condition when potential buyers come to look at it.

Have the Car Detailed

Another simple way to increase your car’s resale value is to have it detailed. This involves thoroughly cleaning and polishing the exterior and interior of the vehicle.

In addition to making the car look its best, detailing also helps to protect its paint job and interior surfaces. This can help keep the vehicle in better condition for longer, ultimately increasing its value.

So if you’re planning on selling your car, be sure to have it detailed before you do. It’s a small investment that could pay off big time.

Keep Up with Regular Maintenance

Last but not least, one of the best ways to increase your car’s resale value is to keep up with regular maintenance. This means having the car serviced regularly and promptly getting any necessary repairs.

Of course, this can be a costly investment, but it will pay off in the long run. Well-maintained cars often sell for more than those that aren’t, so it’s worth the extra effort.

You could indeed be costing yourself money in the long run if you neglect to take care of your car. Car owners who want to increase their resale value might consider tinting windows, getting a paint job, installing new tires, or regular maintenance. It’s also worth mentioning that these are only some ideas for boosting your car’s resale value. You can do many other things to increase its worth, so be sure to do your research before selling. Thanks for reading!

Top 8 Most Popular Spring Break Destinations

By
SM
-
Photo by Chris Galbraith on Unsplash

Whether you’re traveling with friends or with family, spring break vacation is an American staple every year. People flock to various destinations for sand, surf, and adventure. But, as everyone knows, part of the excitement of a road trip is not just the destination but the road trip itself. Getting there is half the fun! 

Along with packing the swimming trunks and sunscreen, finding the cheapest car insurance that still meets your needs will give you peace of mind before, during, and after your trip.

  1. South Padre Island. Located on the southern coast of Texas, South Padre Island is known for its calm waters, luscious beaches, and various wildlife centers that serve as entertainment and education for tourists. Go bird watching at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center or take a boat tour at the islands Dolphin Research & Sealife Nature Center. The entire family will also love visiting the rescued and recuperated sea turtles.
  2. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Spanning across a coastline of 12 miles, Hilton Head Island is chock full of delightful summer activities. Whether you are craving water sports, such as sailing, jet-skiing, fishing, parasailing, and kayaking, or land sports, like horseback riding, golf, and biking, there is literally something for everyone at this charming, palm tree-filled island. There are also a number of museums to visit, like the Harbor Town Lighthouse and Museum and the Coastal Discovery Museum that will help you explore the wonderments this island offers. And, if you’re interested in coastal wildlife, the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is a salt marsh that harbors many deer, birds, and of course, alligators.
  3. NOLA. There really is nothing else like the Big Easy. New Orleans, Louisiana is a popular spring destination less for its sand and surf and more for the architecture and world of historically preserved buildings. Some of the many entertainingly educational hotspots include the Audubon Butterfly Garden & Insectarium, and Louisiana Children’s Museum. And, of course, no visit to New Orleans would be complete without visiting Café du Monde, the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, and a ride on Algiers Ferry to feel the brawn of the Mississippi River beneath your feet.
  4. St. Petersburg, Florida. The quintessential destination if you’re in search of sparkling sandy beaches, lush exotic foliage and stately palm trees, St. Pete’s offers visitors all of the hallmarks of a classic spring break spot. The town is charming with a historic vibe where tourists can visit flamingos in the Sunken Gardens and stay a night or two in the Pink Palace Resort. There are a number of wildlife preserves including the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and Weedon Island Preserve to hike miles of trails, peek in on native wildlife and climb observation towers.
  5. Disneyland, Anaheim, California. Let’s face it; if you can’t have fun at Disneyland, then there may be no hope! An American staple since 1955, Disneyland is the place for amusement and days of endless excitement. Some of the most popular Disneyland attractions include Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Ancient Sanctum, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! When you’ve had enough of the movement attractions, take a pit stop at the Flambeaux’s Jazz Club and the Adventure Food & Wine Festival. Sit back and enjoy fireworks to top the day off right.
  6. Rocky Mountains, Colorado. If you want a “break” from the usual, traveling to the Colorado Mountains is a great option for the Spring Break family vacation. By late March and early April, it’s likely that most of the ski resorts are still open with a base layer of snow. There are a number to choose from including Keystone, Copper Mountain, Aspen, and Breckenridge. Aside from skiing, there are also numerous historic tourist spots to spend the day.
  7. Grand Canyon, Arizona. On every American’s bucket list, the Grand Canyon is one of the most visited National Parks in the country. Be sure to visit the South Rim to gain access to tremendous views and vistas of the gorgeous canyon. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is also a must, located at Grand Canyon West. Truly experience the wonders in a helicopter ride or on horseback winding down the walls of this jaw-dropping natural formation.
  8. Outer Banks, North Carolina. Famous for being “First in Flight,” the Outer Banks is where the Wright Brothers flew for the very first time. Also called OBX for short, this area is blessed with 200 miles of coastline with pristine beaches, lighthouses, and sand dunes. The Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and Currituck Beach Lighthouse are open to those who want to climb to the top to enjoy the breathtaking views.

Wherever you decide to spend your vacation over spring break, take into consideration where you’ve traveled before and what activities excite you the most! Prepare your car properly with a full trip inspection and arm yourself with car insurance that best suits your needs.

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Richmond

By
Jeffrey Boswell
-
Credit: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - APRIL 03: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, leads the field to start the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway on April 03, 2022 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Ryan Blaney: Blaney started on the pole at Richmond and finished seventh.

“That’s two straight poles for me,” Blaney said, “and my third this season. I’m collecting Busch Light Pole Awards faster than I can get rid of them in yard sales.”

2. Chase Elliott: Elliott started strong at Richmond but experienced handling issues in the final stage that kept him out of the top 10. He finished 14th and is tied with Ryan Blaney atop the points standings.

“The No. 9 Chevy was just good,” Elliott said, “but not great. What my car needed was a shot of adrenaline, much like ‘A Shoc’ performance energy drink would provide for a person, or Brad Keselowski’s mechanic would provide for his engine.”

3. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex led 80 laps and won Stage 2 at Richmond on his way to a fourth-place finish, posting his first top-five of the season.

“Just when you think you’ve heard it all in NASCAR,” Truex said, “the term ‘pit stop choreography’ became a thing at Richmond. Let’s be honest, footwork is an important part of all aspects of racing. For example, I’d like to take my right foot and work it towards the behind of my crew chief James Small, who screwed up our pit strategy at Richmond.”

4. William Byron: Byron led 122 laps at Richmond but couldn’t hold off the fresh tires of Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota down the stretch. Byron held on for third and is fourth in the points standings.

“If you’re on old tires at Richmond,” Byron said, “you’re a ‘sitting duck.’ If you can’t handle your alcohol and pass out in the bleachers without sunblock, you’re also a sitting duck. And you’ll likely leave with a sunburn and one less eyebrow.

“I had the Liberty University paint scheme on my No. 24 Chevy. When that’s on your car and you’re leading, everybody’s watching, including Jerry Falwell, Jr.”

5. Ross Chastain: Chastain, last week’s winner at COTA, recorded a 19th at Richmond, one lap down to the leaders.

“It just wasn’t my day,” Chastain said. “I’m frustrated. But my day wasn’t altogether ‘fruitless,’ because, just as was the case a week ago at COTA, I smashed a watermelon. But this time, it was out of frustration.”

6. Alex Bowman: Bowman came home eighth in the Toyota Owners 400 for his fourth top 10 of the year.

“Congratulations to Denny Hamlin for winning the race,” Bowman said. “He had a slow start to the season, but Denny kept working hard knowing wins would come his way. You could say he ‘got what was coming to him,’ which is something Denny is dying to say about me.”

7. Joey Logano: Logano finished 17th at Richmond, one lap down.

“We’re off to Martinsville for a Saturday night race and the renowned half-mile track,” Logano said. “I always look forward to racing there, especially when I’m not looking behind me for Matt Kenseth.”

8. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin passed William Byron with five laps remaining and held off Kevin Harvick to win the Toyota Owners 400 Richmond. It was Hamlin’s first win of the year as well as his first top 10 of the year.

“You could say I got the ‘monkey’ off my back,” Hamlin said. “Unfortunately, that monkey was on the back of another larger monkey, which is still on my back. And has paid rent through mid-November.”

9. Chase Briscoe: Briscoe finished 11th at Richmond.

“As expected,” Briscoe said, “tire management was a big factor in the race. It’s one thing to ‘nurse’ your tires; it’s another thing to ‘doctor’ your tires, which is something you’d expect Brad Keselowski’s team to do.”

10. Kevin Harvick: Harvick surged late and chased eventual race winner Denny Hamlin to the line at Richmond. Harvick settled for the runner-up spot, his best finish of the year.

“I was hoping to get close enough to Hamlin to ‘take a swipe’ at him,” Harvick said. “Does that mean I was going to wreck him? Maybe, but really what I hoped to gain by saying ‘take a swipe’ was a sweet sponsorship deal with a credit card company.”

John Hunter Nemechek – No. 4 Mobil 1 Tundra Camping World Trucks Martinsville Preview

By
Official Release
-

John Hunter Nemechek: Driver, No. 4 Mobil 1 Toyota

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Overview:
Event: Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 200, Race 5 of 23, 200 Laps –50/50/100; 105.2 Miles
Location: Martinsville (Va.) Speedway (0.526-mile oval)
Date/Broadcast: April 7, 2022, at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

Nemechek #Back4More in 2022:
Nemechek and the No. 4 Mobil 1 team head to Martinsville (Va.) Speedway looking to build momentum off of their second-place finish at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on March 26. Despite being sent to the rear of the field twice during the 46-lap event at COTA, the No. 4 team rebounded for their first top-five finish of the season.

Through the first four races of the 2022 season, Nemechek currently sits eighth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series standings, 55 points behind his Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) teammate Chandler Smith, who leads the standings. Nemechek has led at least one lap in each of the first four races this season and leads the NASCAR Truck Series with three stage wins and 85 laps led.

The 24-year-old driver will be making his 14th career start at Martinsville Speedway in Camping World Truck series action. He has tallied one win (2018), 83 laps led, four top-five, and five top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 16.2 in his first 13 starts. He also has two starts at ‘The Paperclip’ in the NASCAR Cup Series, with a best finish of 25th coming in the spring event in 2020.

The Toyota Racing driver spent the Truck Series off weekend racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Richmond (Va.) Raceway in the No. 18 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). Nemechek started second, won the first stage, and led a race-high 135 laps before finishing second to JGR teammate Ty Gibbs.

The world’s leading synthetic motor oil, Mobil 1, will adorn the hood of the No. 4 Tundra TRD Pro Thursday night at Martinsville Speedway. Mobil 1 returns as the primary sponsor of Nemechek’s Toyota in the following Truck Series event at the Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway Dirt race on April 16.

Nemechek is an 11-time winner in Camping World Truck Series action, winning at least one race each season from 2015 to 2018 for his family-owned team, NEMCO Motorsports, and returning to victory lane in 2021 with KBM. Across 128 career starts in NASCAR’s third division, he has compiled three poles, 1,266 laps led, 41 top-five and 67 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.8.

Eric Phillips returned to lead the No. 4 team in 2022. His 41 career Truck Series victories make him the winningest crew chief in Truck Series history, with 32 of those coming while at KBM including five last year. Phillips led the No. 18 team at KBM in its debut season in 2010 and helped build the organization into one of the premier teams in all of NASCAR before departing at the end of the 2014 season. Under his guidance, the No. 18 team won eight races in its inaugural campaign and became the first team in Truck Series history to capture an owner’s championship in its first season of competition. In 2014, the Illinois native led the No. 51 team to an owner’s championship and his team’s 10 wins spearheaded KBM to a single-season Truck Series record of 14 wins. At Martinsville, Phillip’s drivers have collected two poles, one win (Denny Hamlin, 2011), 251 laps led, six top-five, and 12 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 14.2 across 21 starts.

John Hunter Nemechek, Driver Q&A:
John Hunter Nemechek | Martinsville Speedway Preview
Do you feel like things are finally starting to turn your way a little bit after having a tough start to the year?
“I definitely think so. I think after having a tough start to the year it’s definitely turned a little bit to try and get the ship righted in the right direction. I think the biggest thing for us is just being able to finish races. We’ve had speed all year, we’ve been able to get a lot of stage points and some stage wins and that has kept us in the points position that we’re in. Definitely feel like after having the second-place finish at COTA and now having the second-place finish last weekend at Richmond in the Xfinity Series car, we’re on the right track.”

What’s the most challenging part about Martinsville?
“I think the most challenging part is having track position, how to pass, and trying not to make enemies. It is a short track so it’s not if you are going to get run into, it’s when you are going to get run into. So, trying to keep your head cool and not lose your mind in a sense and not make any mistakes. I think the biggest thing for us is to go there and have a solid day. We’ve got to get some more solid finishes underneath our belt and just be able to race hard. You can have everything going right for you all day and get turned or make somebody mad and they can ruin your day so just have to keep the truck in one piece and be there at the end when it counts.”

Do you think with Martinsville being a regular season race that people will be less aggressive?
“I think that times have changed and seems like everybody is being aggressive now no matter where you go. I think the biggest thing for us is knowing who you’re racing around, how they’re going to race you, and different things of that sort. Just because it’s not a playoff race doesn’t mean that it doesn’t matter so I still feel like the intensity is going to be high and everybody is going to be racing as hard as they can to try and maximize their performance and get the best finish that they can.”

John Hunter Nemechek Career Highlights:

  • Eleven-time winner in Camping World Truck Series action, winning at least one race each season from 2015 to 2018 for his family-owned team, NEMCO Motorsports. Across 125 career starts in NASCAR’s third division, has compiled two poles, 1,231 laps led, 40 top-five and 66 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.7. Registered a career-high and series-leading five victories in 2021 and earned the NCWTS Regular Season championship while finishing third in the final standings after qualifying for the Championship Four for the first time in his career.
  • Produced three top-10 finishes and an average result of 22.4 while competing for rookie of the year honors in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2020. He recorded a career-best eighth-place finish twice, both coming at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway
  • Across 56 career XFINITY Series starts, has totaled two wins, one pole, 364 laps led, 14 top-five and 33 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 11.7.

John Hunter Nemechek’s No. 4 Mobil 1 Tundra:
KBM-58: The No. 4 Mobil 1 team will unload KBM-58 for Thursday’s race at Martinsville. Nemechek produced three of his series-leading five wins with this Toyota last year: Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, Richmond (Va.) Raceway and Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch also produced a victory with this Tundra TRD Pro at Charlotte in 2019.
KBM-58 Performance Profile

KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM drivers have collected eight wins, five poles, 987 laps led, 24 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 9.4 across 6o starts at Martinsville. Todd Gilliland picked up the organization’s most recent victory at the 0.526-mile oval in October of 2019. Kyle Busch (2016 & 2019), Darrell Wallace Jr. (2013 & 2014), and Denny Hamlin (2011 & 2012) have all collected two victories at the Virginia track while Noah Gragson (2017) has one win.
  • KBM holds the Camping World Truck Series records for most career wins (92) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). With his victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway Corey Heim became the 18th different driver to win a Truck Series event for KBM. In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
  • The No. 4 has 16 career victories at KBM and was the number for both of the organization’s driver championships.

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

By
Official Release
-

Kenseth, Brewer, Foyt Become First-Time Nominees

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 4, 2022) — NASCAR today announced the 15 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023, a group that will comprise the first Hall of Fame ballot in two years following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Matt Kenseth (2003 Cup Series champion) and Tim Brewer (two-time Cup Series champion crew chief) join the Modern Era Ballot for the first time; A.J. Foyt (seven-time Cup winner) is added to the Pioneer Ballot along with Sam Ard, who was a nominee for the Class of 2020. This is the second nomination class under the redesigned format. Ten nominees appear on the Modern Era ballot, five on the Pioneer ballot – designed to honor those whose careers began more than 60 years ago. Two Modern Era candidates and one Pioneer candidate will be elected as the Class of 2023.

Lesa France Kennedy joins the Landmark Award ballot, an award given for outstanding contributions to the sport. Award winners are also eligible for NHOF enshrinement.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel will meet in person to discuss and vote for the Class of 2023 and Landmark Award on Wednesday, May 4.  Six new members join the 62-person panel – Mike Burch (Speedway Motorsports), Kelly Crandall (NMPA President), Ryan McGee (ESPN), Bob Pockrass (FOX Sports), Cathy Rice (South Boston Speedway) and Chip Wile (NASCAR). In addition, because there was no Class of 2022, both Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson will participate as one-time voters as NASCAR Cup Series champions. The 63rd vote goes to winners of a NASCAR.com Fan Vote (www.nascar.com/halloffame). The Fan Vote is currently open and will close on April 29.

The Modern Era Ballot and Landmark Award nominees were selected by the Nomination Committee, which consists of representatives from NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks. The Honors Committee, largely comprised of all living Hall of Famers, Landmark Award winners and Squier-Hall Award winners, selected the Pioneer Ballot.

Following are the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2023 nominees and Landmark Award nominees:

Modern Era Ballot

Neil Bonnett, won 18 times in the NASCAR Cup Series including consecutive Coca-Cola 600 victories

Tim Brewer, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief

Jeff Burton, won 21 times in the NASCAR Cup Series including the Southern 500 and two Coca-Cola 600s

Carl Edwards, winner of 28 NASCAR Cup Series races and 2007 Xfinity Series champion

Harry Gant, winner of 18 NASCAR Cup Series races, including two Southern 500 victories

Harry Hyde, 1970 NASCAR Cup Series championship crew chief

Matt Kenseth, 2003 NASCAR Cup Series champion and winner of 39 Cup races

Larry Phillips, first five-time NASCAR weekly series national champion

Ricky Rudd, won 23 times in NASCAR Cup Series, including the 1997 Brickyard 400

Kirk Shelmerdine, four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief

Pioneer Ballot

Sam Ard, NASCAR Xfinity Series pioneer and two-time champion

AJ Foyt, won seven NASCAR Cup Series races including the 1972 Daytona 500

Banjo Matthews, built cars that won more than 250 NASCAR Cup Series races and three championships

Hershel McGriff, 1986 NASCAR West Series champion

Ralph Moody, two-time NASCAR Cup Series owner champion as mechanical genius of Holman-Moody

Landmark Award

Janet Guthrie, the first female to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series superspeedway race

Alvin Hawkins, NASCAR’s first flagman; established NASCAR racing at Bowman Gray Stadium with Bill France Sr.

Mike Helton, named third president of NASCAR in 2000; career included track operator roles at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway

Lesa France Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice Chair and one of the most influential women in sports

Dr. Joseph Mattioli, founder of Pocono Raceway

Subway Racing: Kevin Harvick Martinsville Advance

By
Official Release
-

KEVIN HARVICK
Martinsville Advance
No. 4 Subway Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Blu-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 (Round 8 of 36)
● Time/Date: 7:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, April 9
● Location: Martinsville (Va.) Speedway
● Layout: .526-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 400 laps/210.4 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 80 laps / Stage 2: 100 laps / Final Stage: 220 laps
● TV/Radio: FS1 / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● DYK? In every race where Subway® restaurants has served as the primary sponsor of the No. 4 team of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), driver Kevin Harvick has finished among the top-10. Subway put its Eat Fresh Refresh™ on the fast track by becoming a primary sponsor of the championship-winning NASCAR Cup Series team last year and Harvick delivered. Harvick finished second in his Subway debut Sept. 18 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, ninth in the very next race Sept. 26 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and third Oct. 24 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City. It’s a pattern that has continued in 2022, as Harvick took his No. 4 Subway Ford Mustang to a seventh-place finish Feb. 27 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Harvick is back in the green-and-yellow colors of Subway this weekend at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway for the Blu-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400, and his front-running ways have earned Harvick his own Subway signature sub – the Full-Throttle Ham – which features thin-sliced Black Forest ham, crispy hickory-smoked bacon, pepper-jack cheese, and lettuce and tomato on fresh-baked artisan Italian bread, all finished with yellow mustard. The Full-Throttle Ham is sold exclusively on The Vault, available only at Subway.com and the Subway app, where sandwiches created by some of today’s most notable sports stars can be delivered straight to your door via Subway Delivery, powered by DoorDash. Subway has a $0 delivery fee on all Subway Delivery orders and guests can still earn and redeem Subway MyWay® Rewards points.

● Baseball’s opening day is this week (April 7, to be specific) and Harvick is batting almost .500 when it comes to finishing among the top-10 at Martinsville. The driver of the No. 4 Subway Ford Mustang has made 41 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at the .526-mile oval and recorded 20 top-10s, tied with Kyle Busch for the second-highest tally among active Cup Series drivers. Only Denny Hamlin has more top-10s at Martinsville (22).

● Among those 20 top-10s earned by Harvick is a win in April 2011. He defeated Dale Earnhardt Jr., by .727 of a second to win the Goody’s Fast Relief 500. It was Harvick’s 20th NASCAR Cup Series start at the track and his 16th career Cup Series victory. Harvick now has 58 career Cup Series wins and is alone at 10th on the all-time win list.

● Harvick’s next best finish outside of that lone Martinsville win in April 2011 was a third-place drive in the series’ prior visit to the track in October 2010. It was the start of a three-race run of top-fives at Martinsville, as Harvick followed his win with a fourth-place effort in the series’ return to the facility in October.

● Harvick’s best Martinsville finish since joining SHR in 2014 is a pair of fifth-place results – Oct. 29, 2017 and March 20, 2018.

● Martinsville is the shortest track on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, and its tight corners with only 12 degrees of banking means that beating and banging – be it door-to-door or bumper-to-bumper – is commonplace. But that also means accidents are prevalent, and being able to keep one’s car running from start to finish is easier said than done. In Harvick’s 41 career Cup Series starts at Martinsville, he has an impressive lap completion rate of 98.3 percent. That means that of the 20,540 laps available to him, he has failed to complete just 344 of those laps. Among active drivers, only Kurt Busch has completed more laps at Martinsville (20,882), but with two more starts than Harvick (43).

● Harvick has tasted success in every type of car he has raced at Martinsville. In addition to his NASCAR Cup Series win, he has a NASCAR Xfinity Series triumph and three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victories.

● Harvick is undefeated in the Xfinity Series at Martinsville. He earned the equivalent of a walk-off homer on July 22, 2006 when in his only Xfinity Series start at the track, he led three times for a race-high 149 laps to take the win by .271 of a second over runner-up Clint Bowyer.

● Harvick’s three Truck Series wins at Martinsville came in 17 starts. He won on March 30, 2009 (defeated Ron Hornaday Jr.), March 27, 2010 (defeated Hornaday again) and March 31, 2012 (defeated Ty Dillon).

● The Truck Series is where Harvick made his first start of any kind at Martinsville – Sept. 26, 1998 when he finished 25th. Harvick earned his first top-10 at Martinsville on April 17, 1999 in a Ford F-150 for team owner Jim Herrick.

● DYK? Harvick tested a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car at Martinsville on Jan. 21, 2020. The Modified Tour is NASCAR’s oldest division and it is the only open-wheel series sanctioned by NASCAR. Compared to a NASCAR Cup Series car, a Tour car is 11 inches shorter in height and a little more than 23 inches wider. It also weighs nearly 800 pounds less. Harvick’s test came via Ryan Preece’s No. 6NY Tour car. Preece was the 2013 series champion and he earned the first of his 25 career Modified Tour victories at Martinsville on Sept. 20, 2008, leading 265 of the race’s 300 laps. Harvick and his company, KHI Management, represent Preece, who is SHR’s reserve driver in 2022.

Kevin Harvick, Driver of the No. 4 Subway Ford Mustang

You’re in your 22nd NASCAR Cup Series season. You’re 10th on the all-time Cup Series win list. You’re a Cup Series champion. But your most recent achievement, and perhaps biggest, is that you have your own sandwich at Subway – the Full-Throttle Ham. All joking aside, is that a little surreal when you think about it and what your original goals were when you first started racing go-karts in Bakersfield, California?

“I don’t know that I’d ever thought that I’d have a lot of the things I have today, and my own signature sandwich at Subway is one of them. I walk around sometimes and have to laugh at all the things I’ve collected over the years – the cars, the suits. I walk into my shop and I look at all the helmets on the wall and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, how in the world can you even process that you were going to have that many helmets?’ And then you look upstairs and there are suits everywhere, and shoes, and you just used to hope that yours didn’t rip so that you can wear the same one week after week so you could buy tires instead of new shoes or a new suit.”

Martinsville is one of those tracks where you’ve made a lot of starts, dating all the way back to 1998 when you raced there in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Spears Manufacturing. The track is celebrating its 75th anniversary and you’ve been racing there for 24 of those years. Does the history of Martinsville resonate with you?

“Martinsville has a deep history in our sport. It’s a place that’s just a part of NASCAR racing and I think you have to respect that. But I definitely would tell you it’s not a racetrack that I would say, ‘This is where I want to go.’ It’s just not been a place where I’ve had streaks of success.”

Martinsville can be a frustrating track. For instance, you’ve won there, you’ve finished in the top-10 in just about half your races there, but you’ve also left that place shaking your head. Describe what it is that makes Martinsville so maddening, but also so rewarding when you do have success.

“Look, I’ve done this a long time, and there’s really not going to be a racetrack that I go to that I don’t leave thinking that I could’ve done better. Martinsville is the one I leave thinking that probably more often than some of the others, but it’s going to be the exact same as any other racetrack when I get to Monday – it’s just going to be in the past and I’m not going to think about it. It’s been a racetrack where you just never know what’s going to happen. It’s just one of those places that’s been like that. I have no idea how we’ve won there, but we have. It was one of our most successful racetracks in the Truck Series, and I was able to win an Xfinity race there back in ’06. We’ve won in all the divisions there. It’s just one of those places that’s frustrating. Even on a day when you do well, you just leave there with your wires crossed.”

When Martinsville isn’t your favorite place, what do you have to do to still compete at a high level?

“We’ve put in a lot of time this year – the simulator, we’ve been to two tests so far. We knew coming into this year that we had some habits we were going to have to break, thought processes that you were going to have to break to really understand this car, and I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that with all the adversity we’ve gone through so far this year. Martinsville will just be more of that same process, and that’s going to be our aggressive process until we get to victory lane.”

This NextGen car seems to be a little more forgiving than the previous generation car when it comes to beating and banging. Those composite body panels don’t cut tires like the sheet metal of past cars used to. Does that give drivers a green light to lean on one another perhaps a bit more than they used to?

“You still have to be careful. Front-to-rear is fine with the foam and everything in the back of the car, but as we experienced at Atlanta when we had that front impact, it tore the fender off, which would’ve been fine, but when it pushed that foam back, it allowed the nose to go down on the car and then it grinds everything off. So, you still have to take care of the racecar. You still have a little more leeway than what you used to, you just don’t want to hit the wheels really hard because those parts will break.”

What’s OK and what isn’t when it comes to car-to-car contact at a short track?

“You can pretty much tell if it’s on purpose or not on purpose. You just have to be mentally prepared to know that there is going to be contact as you go through that race. You just have to try to stay as calm as possible. But, usually, if it’s the same guy that keeps having contact, then you know you have to do something different.”

This is your 22nd year in the sport, but you’re driving as hard as when it was just your second year in the sport. What keeps you going and competing at this level?

“I like where I race. I like Stewart-Haas Racing. I like the atmosphere. I like the people here. That’s really the biggest reason that I like to do it, especially this year. You’re with a group of people where you’re constantly problem solving. You’re trying to fix it faster than everybody else and come to something that is better than everybody else so you can win races. I like the core group of guys that I started here with. That’s why they all came here, and I guess I would feel like I’m abandoning them if I didn’t go a couple more years. For me, I still enjoy that challenge. I enjoy where this series is, and learning about the new car is not a bad thing to do as you go forward into the future and do something different.”

No. 4 Subway Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Kevin Harvick
Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Crew Chief: Rodney Childers
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Robert “Cheddar” Smith
Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin

Engineer: Dax Gerringer
Hometown: Gibsonville, North Carolina

Engineer: Stephen Doran
Hometown: Butler, Pennsylvania

Spotter: Tim Fedewa
Hometown: Holt, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Members

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

Rear Tire Changer: Daniel Smith
Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Jeremy Howard
Hometown: Delhart, Texas

Jack Man: Stan Doolittle
Hometown: Ninety Six, South Carolina

Fuel Man: Evan Marchal
Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Richie Bean
Hometown: Bradford, Vermont

Mechanic: Nick DeFazio
Hometown: Orange, California

Tire Specialist: Jamie Turski
Hometown: Trumbull, Connecticut

Engine Tuner: Robert Brandt
Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Transporter Co-Driver: Rick Hodges
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Stephen Mitchell
Hometown: Woodville, Ohio

DGR NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Advance: Martinsville Speedway

By
Official Release
-

Thursday, April 7
Track: Martinsville Speedway, .526-mile oval
Race: 5 of 23

Event: Blu-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 200 (200 laps, 105 miles)

Schedule
Practice: 3:00 p.m. ET
Qualifying: 3:30 p.m. ET
Race: 8:00 p.m. ET (FOX Sports 1)

Hailie Deegan, No. 1 Wastequip Ford F-150

  • Hailie Deegan makes her 28th career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start this Thursday as she lines up under the bright lights of Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
  • The fifth race of the NCWTS season marks Deegan’s second career start at Martinsville. The Temecula, CA native brought home a top-20 performance in her first appearance at “The Paperclip.”
  • Veteran signal-caller Mike Hillman Jr. has enjoyed plenty of success at the half-mile oval, netting eight top-fives and 13 top-10 finishes throughout his storied Truck Series career.
  • Wastequip returns to the No. 1 for the second time this season. The waste handling equipment manufacturer made their debut appearance on Deegan’s Ford F-150 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Tanner Gray, No. 15 Black’s Tire Ford F-150

  • Tanner Gray heads into the fifth race of the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway for a rare Thursday night showdown under the lights.
  • Through the opening four rounds, Gray has two top-fives and three top-10 finishes with an average finish of 8.5. He sits tied for fourth in the series standings, 31 points behind leader Chandler Smith.
  • Thursday night will be the New Mexico driver’s fourth career appearance at Martinsville. Last October was his personal best finish at the track with a third place.
  • Black’s Tire returns to the No. 15 for the second of four races this season. Gray and Black’s Tire kicked off the season together with a fourth-place run at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway to start the year.

Taylor Gray, No. 17 Ford Performance F-150

  • Taylor Gray returns to the seat of the No. 17 Ford Performance F-150 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway for his second start of the NCWTS season.
  • Two weeks ago at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, Gray qualified ninth but had an up-and-down day after getting taken out on lap one, rebounding to 11th midway through the race and then losing brakes on the final lap and finishing 26th.
  • The Ford driver earned his first career NCWTS top-10 finish at Martinsville last October.
  • After Martinsville, Gray will take two months off from Truck Series competition before returning to the No. 17 on June 4th at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.

2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertibles Presented as 500 Festival Event Cars

By
Official Release
-

INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, April 4, 2022) – A longtime tradition and another sign of the return of the Month of May took place April 4 as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Chevrolet staged 50 identical 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertibles on the main straightaway at IMS.

The “Festival Event Cars” have reminded Indianapolis-area residents of the upcoming Indianapolis 500 since the 1960s, and this year’s fleet of unique Camaros again will turn heads as they are driven around Central Indiana.

Presenting the cars were Allison Melangton, Penske Entertainment Senior Vice President; Pat Merna, 500 Festival Vice President Strategic Partnerships; and Todd Christensen, Chevrolet Motorsports Strategic Marketing and Operations.

The Festival Event Cars are a unique option code based off the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertible and are powered by a 6.2-liter small block V-8, which offers 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque.

The exterior of the car features Wild Cherry Tintcoat exterior paint with special decals from Chevrolet’s Performance Design Studio representing the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The car also features a Ceramic White interior, a power-folding convertible top that can be lowered while driving at speeds up to 30 mph, Brembo front and rear performance brakes with red calipers and 20-inch black-painted aluminum wheels.

“We’re glad to continue the tradition of providing Festival Event Cars to build excitement for the Indianapolis 500,” said Dean Stramer, Chevrolet Camaro marketing and advertising manager. “Our Chevrolet Design team did a great job making this year’s Camaro a stand-out.”

The 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 29, 2022. Visit IMS.com for tickets and more information on all Month of May events and activities at IMS.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 80 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.

1...2,0472,0482,049...6,665Page 2,048 of 6,665