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No. 10 Smithfield Ford Racing: Aric Almirola Richmond Advance

By
Official Release
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ARIC ALMIROLA
Richmond Advance
No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Richmond 400 (Round 7 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 3
● Location: Richmond (Va.) Raceway
● Layout: .75-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 400 laps/300 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 70 laps / Stage 2: 160 laps / Final Stage: 170 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Aric Almirola is the only driver in the NASCAR Cup Series who has finished on the lead lap in every race this season.

● Almirola’s average finish of 11.7 through the first six races places him second among all drivers this season. It’s his best average finish through six races in 10 fulltime Cup Series seasons.

● Almirola is the only NASCAR Cup Series driver to finish in the top-10 in this year’s opening three races. He finished fifth in the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, sixth at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, and sixth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Almirola’s top-10 streak ended with a 12th-place finish at Phoenix Raceway despite running inside the top-10 throughout the race.

● History at Richmond: In 19 starts, Almirola has earned seven top-10 finishes, two top-fives, and has led one lap on the .75-mile Richmond oval.

● Last weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, Almirola earned six stage points and finished 19th.

● Points: Almirola arrives at Richmond eighth in the driver standings with 168 points, 40 out of first.

● Almirola’s career: In 394 NASCAR Cup Series starts, Almirola has earned three wins, 27 top-five finishes, 87 top-10s, three poles, and has led 899 laps.

● Richmond is a home race for Smithfield Foods, whose headquarters are located just 80 miles southeast of the track. Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc., is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. Its 63,000 team members are dedicated to producing “Good food. Responsibly.®” Smithfield is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated protein companies. The company has pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including its industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across its entire U.S. value chain by 2030. Smithfield believes in the power of protein to end food insecurity and has donated hundreds of millions of food servings to local communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan’s Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.SmithfieldFoods.com, and connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

● One More Time: On Jan. 10, Almirola released a video on his YouTube channel announcing his retirement from fulltime NASCAR Cup Series racing after the 2022 season to spend more time with his family. This year marks Almirola’s 11th fulltime Cup Series season. The official press release can be viewed here.

● Beyond the 10 YouTube Series: In 2022, Almirola is once again sharing his life beyond the No. 10 Smithfield Ford with season three of his award-winning YouTube series. Fans and media can subscribe on YouTube to see Almirola’s personality on and off the track. Episodes have already featured life as a dad, a husband and an athlete, and it gives fans a unique perspective on what goes on in the life of a professional NASCAR driver. Fans can also follow Almirola’s social media channels: @Aric_Almirola on Twitter and Instagram, and @AricAlmirola on Facebook.

Aric Almirola, Driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

What can you say about your team’s success and consistency this year?

“The main thing is that this 10 team does not give up. Every race this season has had its ups and downs and we have made the most out of the day we are given. We’re the only team in the series right now that has stayed on the lead lap and it shows. Last weekend, we cut a tire and went back to 34th with six laps to go – then we had another tire issue. We pitted twice from 34th and still ended up with a top-20. No matter the circumstance, we race for one more spot until the checkered flag waves and I think our position in the points has shown that. Our time will come.”

This weekend is Richmond and next weekend is Martinsville, and you have had success at both and proven to show consistency at shorter tracks. How confident are you that you can secure your spot in the playoffs with a win at either of those tracks?

“With the way things are going, I’ve never had more confidence. This new car levels the playing field and puts it on the drivers to perform. We always run well at Richmond and Martinsville – even when we don’t have the best setup, so I’m really looking forward to it. Unlike last year, we’re in a great points position and we get to qualify, so we’re not backed into a points hole and can race without as much pressure as we did last year. When I got out of the car on Sunday at COTA, Drew (Blickensderfer) said, ‘Next weekend is going to be a good one,’ so the whole team is confident heading into the weekend.”

What kind of challenge does a short track like Richmond bring?

“I would say Richmond is one of the most challenging racetracks we go to for managing your tires throughout the run. The first 10, 15 or 20 laps of the run can make you feel like Superman roaring through the field, but you will pay a major penalty for that by lap 40. It makes it fun because, when we show up at Richmond, it really is about managing tire fall-off and making sure your car stays consistent throughout the run as the tires fall off.”

What’s it like to race at Richmond?

“Richmond is an awesome track to race at. It’s also pretty close to Smithfield, Virginia, so it’s a hometown race for Smithfield. It’s just a lot of fun to go there and race. In the fall, it’s racing at its finest, beating and banging. And the track has very little grip and the tires wear out, so it’s a really fun racetrack.”

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Aric Almirola
Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer
Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Jerry Cook
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Engineer: Lee Deese
Hometown: Rockingham, North Carolina

Engineer: James Kimbrough
Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

Spotter: Joel Edmonds
Hometown: Dobson, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Ryan Mulder
Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa

Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White
Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Tire Carrier: Tyler Bullard
Hometown: King, North Carolina

Jack Man: Sean Cotton
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Fuel Man: James “Ace” Keener
Hometown: Fortuna, California

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Chris Trickett
Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Robbie Fairweather
Hometown: Westbrookville, New York

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller
Hometown: Monroe, New York

Tire Specialist: Rusty Davidson
Hometown: Mount Juliet, Tennessee

Transporter Co-Driver: Steven Casper
Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Wayne Smith
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Black’s Tire to Continue Gilliland Family Tradition

By
Official Release
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Western and Work Wear Retailer to Support Todd Gilliland and Zane Smith

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (March 29, 2022) – A historic NASCAR partner and participant, Black’s Tire is back with Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and NASCAR Cup Series rookie, Todd Gilliland in 2022.

Black’s Tire will be the primary partner of Gilliland for two races as Gilliland makes the move up to the NASCAR Cup Series.

The famous Black’s Tire colors will adorn the No. 38 Ford Mustang this weekend at the Richmond Raceway and again at the Darlington Raceway in May.

Black’s Tire has always been a supporter of the Gilliland family. David Gilliland donned the logos throughout his career in both the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Cup Series before Black’s Tire moved to Todd and FRM in 2020. Black’s Tire has been with Todd Gilliland and FRM the past two seasons.

This season, Gilliland will bring a new dynamic scheme with him to the track that represents the new era of NASCAR, but also keeps the traditional colors and logos of Black’s Tire in NASCAR.

“We enjoy our partnership with Todd, the Gilliland family and Front Row Motorsports,” said Ricky Benton, Owner, Black’s Tire. “Todd’s move to the NASCAR Cup Series combined with the new car in the NASCAR Cup Series, has our customers and employees really excited for this season. We’re cheering for Todd and wishing him the best as he steps up in his racing career.”

Gilliland is proud to carry the Black’s Tire brand, knowing its history with his family and within NASCAR.

“It’s been really cool to represent Black’s Tire and their employees and customers the past few seasons,” said Gilliland. “I’m proud to bring them back into the NASCAR Cup Series this year and I want to represent them as best as possible. The customers of Black’s Tire are enthusiastic race fans who have a proud history in the sport. It’s an honor to carry that on and I hope to do them proud this year.”

Black’s Tire will also be an associate partner of Gilliland the No. 38 Ford Mustang team all season.

About Black’s Tire
Black’s Tire was formed as Black’s Service Station by W. Crowell Black in Whiteville, N.C. in 1929. Now, with 46 locations in both North and South Carolina, Black’s remains a local, family owned/operated tire sales and service and vehicle repair business. In addition to the retail and commercial locations, Black’s also operates 6 warehouse/distribution centers, 3 satellite wholesale DCs, BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors, a commercial sales division and a tire-retreading business, Carolina Retreads. The Black’s Tire family includes more than 925 family members.
To learn more about Black’s Tire or to find a location, visit www.blackstire.com. Follow Black’s Tire and Auto Service on social media: Twitter at @BlacksTire, Instagram at @BlacksTire and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blackstire.

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.

Naväge Nasal Care Ready to Clean the Competition with McDowell

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Official Release
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New Partnership Encompasses Four NASCAR Cup Series Races with Team

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (March 29, 2022) – Continuing to introduce national brands to the NASCAR Cup Series, Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and RhinoSystems, Inc. (RSI) will debut the No. 34 Naväge Nasal Care Ford Mustang beginning this weekend at the Richmond (Va.) Raceway. The new partnership with Naväge and former Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell will feature three more primary races including NASCAR Cup Series events at the Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in April, and at the Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway and Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in early May.

RSI is a leader in the saline nasal irrigation industry with over 75 issued patents worldwide. Naväge Nasal Care is the world’s only nasal irrigator with powered suction. As allergy season approaches there is no better time for this partnership with McDowell.

“As someone who’s always suffered from allergies, I use Naväge every day for drug-free relief. Naväge has helped me breathe clearly and feel healthier, so I’m thrilled about this new partnership,” said McDowell. “Pollen is very rough this time of year, and I want a healthy, natural way to control my allergies.”

The nose is the body’s air filter, and Naväge is an easy, all-natural way to clean your nose. Naväge uses suction to flush out mucus, allergens, and germs so you can breathe better, sleep deeper, snore less, and stay healthier. RSI has seen the increased awareness of the NASCAR Cup Series and is now excited to introduce Naväge to the sport’s growing number of fans.

“It’s a great time to enter the NASCAR Cup Series with a Daytona 500 winning team and driver,” said Martin Hoke, founder and president of RSI, the creator of Naväge. “The sport is seeing gains and we respect their innovations: we are so proud to enter this partnership. We hope people will try Naväge and experience great nasal hygiene. Naväge helps not only Michael, but his fans, too, and I happen to be one of them!”

According to McDowell, “This NASCAR season is more demanding than ever, with little to no breaks. Staying healthy as a NASCAR driver is important, and I can’t afford to be sick or take time off. Naväge helps ensure I’m as healthy as possible before I climb in the car to race.”

For more information about Naväge Nasal Care, visit, www.navage.com.

ABOUT RHINOSYSTEMS, INC
RSI is the creator of Naväge Nasal Care, a ground-breaking product developed to improve people’s lives through daily nasal hygiene. Naväge is the world’s only nasal irrigator with powered suction. Naväge products are available online at navage.com and at CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Bed Bath, Target, and Walmart.

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.

Ford Performance NASCAR: Richmond Advance

By
Official Release
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FORD PERFORMANCE NASCAR: RICHMOND NOTES

Richmond Raceway will serve as host for the NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Cup Series this weekend, marking the first of two national tour dates during the 2022 season. Some of the sport’s all-time greats have won at this three-quarter mile short track in a Ford, including NASCAR Hall of Famers such as Ned Jarrett, Junior Johnson, David Pearson, Cotton Owens, Davey Allison, Bobby Allison, Benny Parsons, Bill Elliott, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace.

This Week’s Schedule:
Saturday, April 2 – NASCAR XFINITY Series, 1:30 p.m. (FS1)
Sunday, April 3 – NASCAR Cup Series, 3:30 p.m. (FOX)

FORD IN THE NASCAR CUP SERIES AT RR

· Ford has 33 all-time series wins at Richmond.
· Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano each have two Ford wins at RR.
· Kevin Harvick also has one career series win.

FORD IN THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES AT RR

· Ford has 19 all-time series wins at Richmond.
· Mark Martin is Ford’s all-time series leader in wins at the track with five.
· Ford’s last win at the track came in 2019 by Cole Custer.

RICHMOND ONE OF LOGANO’S BEST

It would be easy to look at Joey Logano’s two career wins at Richmond and say it’s got to be one of his best tracks on the circuit, but the statistics provide further proof. In 25 career starts, Logano has 12 top 5 and 15 top 10 finishes, which gives him an average finish of 10.2. That’s his second-best average finish on tracks where he’s run at least five races. The only track where Logano has a better average finish is Las Vegas, where his two wins and 11 top-10 finishes in 18 starts works out to an 8.9 average finish.

HARVICK A CAREER TOP-10 FINISHER AT RICHMOND

Another Ford driver who has experienced consistent success at Richmond is Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick. This weekend will mark his 42nd career Cup Series start at the track in which his 10.0 average finish is fifth-best among tracks currently on the circuit in which he has more than five starts. The other four tracks that statistically are Harvick’s best include: Homestead (7.3), Indianapolis (8.6), Phoenix (8.7) and Kansas (8.9).

BLANEY LEADING THE WAY

Even though he is still looking to make his first trip to Victory Lane this season, Ryan Blaney has been no stranger to running up front. In fact, Blaney ranks first in laps led with 206 through the first six races and has led at least one circuit in every event. In addition, Blaney is coming off his second pole in as many races where qualifying has been held. He took the top spot at Phoenix and followed that up last week at Circuit of the Americas. In Atlanta, the field was set per the rule book.

KESELOWSKI WINS 2020’S LONE RICHMOND VISIT

Richmond Raceway hosted two NASCAR Cup Series events a year from 1959-2019, but in 2020 the track had only one event due to COVID and Team Penske’s Brad Keselowski took the checkered flag in dominating fashion. Keselowski led 192-of-400 laps in recording his second career Cup win at the Virginia short track, and automatically advanced to the Round of 12. Overall, Ford led 297 laps on the night and had five drivers finish in the top 10, including Joey Logano (3rd), Kevin Harvick (7th), Aric Almirola (8th) and Clint Bowyer (10th).

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS AT RICHMOND

1957 – Paul Goldsmith

1959 – Tom Pistone and Cotton Owens

1960 – Speedy Thompson (2)

1963 – Ned Jarrett (2)

1965 – Junior Johnson (1)

1968 – David Pearson (1)

1969 – David Pearson (1)

1970 – James Hylton (1)

1979 – Bobby Allison (2)

1980 – Bobby Allison (2)

1981 – Benny Parsons (2)

1984 – Ricky Rudd (1)

1986 – Kyle Petty (1)

1988 – Davey Allison (2)

1990 – Mark Martin (1)

1992 – Bill Elliott (1)

1993 – Davey Allison (1)

1994 – Ernie Irvan (1)

1995 – Rusty Wallace (2)

1996 – Ernie Irvan (2)

1997 – Rusty Wallace and Dale Jarrett

1998 – Jeff Burton (2)

1999 – Dale Jarrett (1)

2001 – Ricky Rudd (2)

2002 – Matt Kenseth (2)

2005 – Kurt Busch (2)

2013 – Carl Edwards (2)

2014 – Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski

2017 – Joey Logano (1)

2020 – Brad Keselowski

FORD NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS AT RICHMOND

1987 – Mark Martin

1993 – Mark Martin (Sweep)

1994 – Kenny Wallace (2)

1995 – Kenny Wallace (1) and Dale Jarrett (2)

1996 – Kenny Wallace (2)

1997 – Mark Martin (1)

1998 – Jeff Burton (1)

1999 – Mark Martin (1)

2000 – Jeff Burton (2)

2002 – Jason Keller (1)

2005 – Carl Edwards (1)

2008 – Carl Edwards (2)

2009 – Carl Edwards (2)

2013 – Brad Keselowski (Sweep)

2017 – Brad Keselowski (2)

2019 – Cole Custer (1)

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: COTA

By
Jeffrey Boswell
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Ross Chastain celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Echopark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 27, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Chase Elliott: Elliott was a factor at COTA for most of the day and finished 4th.

“I’d like to apologize to Kyle Busch for spinning him early in the race,” Elliott said. “Hopefully, I’ll set a good example for Kyle. Probably won’t work though. What’s even less likely than Kyle apologizing for something? Him accepting an apology.”

2. Ross Chastain: Chastain came out on top in a thrilling final two laps at COTA, bumping A.J. Allmendinger into Alex Bowman to take the lead and secure the win.

“That was my first win in the NASCAR Cup series,” Chastain said. “There was also another first: it was the first time an indoor skydiving sponsor appeared on any NASCAR ride. It’s called ‘iFly,’ and is for those who think real skydiving is ‘iffy.’

“But if anyone has a problem with the way I won, they can enjoy, on my dime, an outdoor skydiving adventure, without a parachute.”

3. Ryan Blaney: Blaney started on the pole and finished 6th in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTA, posting his 3rd top 10 of the season.

“Congratulations to Ross Chastain,” Blaney said. “I was impressed by his driving, and even more impressed by his victory celebration, which was spiking a watermelon from atop his car. Apparently, that watermelon is the only thing he treats worse than the cars in front of him.”

4. Alex Bowman: Bowman briefly led on a wild final lap at COTA before he was bumped out of the front when Ross Chastain slapped A.J. Allmendinger into Bowman. Bowman recovered to finish second.

“Chastain really did a number on A.J. and myself,” Bowman said. “As Denny Hamlin might say, he ‘absolutely hacked’ us.

“And speaking of Denny Hamlin, he’s 24th in the points standings. So basically, he needs a win to get into the playoffs. And I have no doubt he’ll get it, as long as it’s not the last race of the season.”

5. Joey Logano: Logano struggled in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTA, suffering three spins and limping home with a 31st-place finish.

“My former teammate Brad Keselowski’s team received a huge penalty for a rules violation,” Logano said. “They ‘modified a single-source supply part.’ Those five words sound a little technical, so here is another five words that says the same thing: ‘You cheated and got caught.'”

6. William Byron: Byron came home 12th at COTA as Hendrick Motorsports placed three drivers in the top 12.

“There were quite a few ‘road course ringers’ in the race,” Byron said. “One of them was a driver named ‘Joey Hand’ in the race. That’s ‘Joey Hand,’ not to be confused with the late Mafia capo ‘Joey Hands,’ a name which is as Mafia as it gets, much like ‘Dick Trickle’ is a name which is as NASCAR as it gets.”

7. Chase Briscoe: Briscoe was challenging for the win late at COTA, but was shuffled back on a restart and then fell further back when he pitted for fresh tires. He finished 30th.

“Sure I’m disappointed,” Briscoe said. “But at least my hero and car owner Tony Stewart was in the Fox broadcasting booth. I know Tony has to get fidgety standing in a booth for four hours. For one thing, he’s not sitting in a car, but what’s even worse for Tony is he has to go that long without cursing.”

8. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex took new tires late and surged through the field to place a solid 7th-place finish.

“Fresh tires mean everything in the sport of NASCAR,” Truex said. “And, with each winner this year being under 30, fresh faces mean everything in this sport.

9. Aric Almirola: Almirola finished 19th at COTA, and after three straight top 10’s to begin the season, has failed to crack the top 10 in his last three races.

“Wrestling great ‘The Undertaker’ rode along in the pace car,” Almirola said. “That had to be frightening for the pace car driver. You don’t want to be stuck in a car with a ‘dead man,’ and certainly not if he ‘R.I.P.’s‘ a fart.”

10. Tyler Reddick: Reddick started 4th and finished 5th at COTA, and is 10the in the points standings.

“It’s a good finish,” Reddick said, “but I feel like I had a car good enough to win. Of course, having 3CHI as my primary sponsor means I feel like I should always finish higher.

“And speaking of ‘3CHI,’ I think they’re expanding to the edible food market, with a delicious product called ‘3CHI’s Pizza.'”

Vanson Leathers Introduces New Line of Motorcycle Riding Gear to Support Charging Across America Challenge

By
Official Release
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CAAC founder and co-rider Rob Swartz in new Vanson “Charger” riding gear at Energica of New England. (Photo by Sandra Crossman)

Charging Across America Challenge electric motorcycle riders to wear Vanson’s new “Charger” series cruising gear

Fall River, MA (March 28, 2022): Vanson Leathers is introducing a new custom-fitted cruising gear series to celebrate its support of the Charging Across America Challenge (CAAC). Designed to promote the nation’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs), the event features two riders, Rob Swartz and Steven Day, who will attempt to break the Cannonball cross-country electric motorcycle record of 178 hours and 17 minutes.

Sporting all-new Vanson “Charger” cruising gear, both riders will simultaneously journey coast-to-coast in opposite directions on Energica electric motorcycles following the original 2,906-mile route of the Cannonball Run, creating a unique “race within a race.” The challenge kicks off April 18, 2022, with finish-line crossings scheduled in Redondo Beach, California, and New York City on April 22, 2022.

“When Rob gave us the CAAC details, we wanted to create something really special to reflect the Earth Day finish-line crossing,” said Vanson founder, Michael van der Sleesen. Vanson designers selected a 10 lb. 10 oz. Army Duck canvas made from “ring-spun” cotton yarn material for the “Charger” bib pants and “Road King” jackets, since it is 100% plant-based and sustainable with minimal fossil fuel used to create the final product.

“We’ve dubbed the new design the ‘Charger’ series since it was inspired by the CAAC. From plant seeds to pants seats, this gear is 100% American-made, including the dying and finishing process,” added van der Sleesen.

“Army Duck is a traditional fabric whose time has come again; it’s truly a ‘back to the future’ material. It’s breathable, waterproof and durable. We characterize wax cotton as a ‘living material,’ which can be easily maintained and re-proofed with wax to counter natural aging that occurs with use and exposure to UV over time,” noted van der Sleesen.

Event organizers hope to demonstrate the superiority of electric motorcycles vs. internal combustion-powered brands, but the CAAC is not about speed—it’s about planning, rider endurance and finishing safely. “Rider comfort and safety will be essential in setting the new cross-country electric motorcycle record,” stated event organizer and westbound rider Rob Swartz. “From casual weekend cruising to attempting new speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, I’ve relied on Vanson gear for over 20 years,” he added.

Viewers can watch the real-time results of this multiday record attempt on the event website. www.caac2022.com, and on social media.

Additional 2022 Charging Across America Challenge Information:

Official Website: www.caac2022.com
Facebook: facebook.com/CAAC2022
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/charge-across-america-challenge
Instagram: instagram.com/caac_2022
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCpck7x8_pyndxRCHbhLN0Uw

About Vanson Leathers

Vanson Leathers has been hand-making motorcycle gear since 1974. All Vanson products are made one-at-a-time in the company’s Fall River, Massachusetts, workshop. Additional information available at www.vansonleathers.com.

About Charging Across America Challenge 2022

The Charging Across America Challenge (CAAC) is a first-of-its-kind event taking place April 18-22, 2022. Two riders, Robert “Rob” Swartz and Steven Day, will attempt to break the Cannonball cross-country electric motorcycle record of 178 hours and 17 minutes piloting Energica electric motorcycles. CAAC organizers hope to leverage the interest in fighting climate change, rebuilding America’s infrastructure and new EV technology to generate a “good news” story everyone can celebrate on Earth Day 2022—the finish-line day of this monumental race. More details about the CAAC are available at www.caac2022.com.

Sally McNulty Sets Big Goals for 2022 TC America Race Season

By
Official Release
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PHOENIX, Ariz., (March 28, 2022) – A new season for the TC America powered by Skip Barber championship is set to start in just a few weeks at Sonoma Raceway, April 15-17. Professional sportscar racer Sally McNulty will return for another season in the SRO America-sanctioned series, racing the No. 78 Borla Exhaust VGRT Civic Si in the TCA class, aiming to be the first woman to win the overall championship.

“I cannot wait for this season to start,” said McNulty. “We had a successful test day at Sonoma Raceway, where we worked on the car’s setup, showed great pace, and have a strong starting point for the season opener. I really want to be a fierce competitor this year for the championship. I’m a firm believer that nothing comes easy; you have to work hard for it, and I want to put in the work. I’m so thankful for all the partners who have come on board for the 2022 season as we fight for the TCA championship!”

Like many of her competitors, McNulty started her racing career by participating in track day experiences, learning the basics of car control and racecraft. From there, the first-generation racer progressed to participating in local National Auto Sport Association (NASA) events, further building her skills in competitive environments. She then advanced to the TC America series in 2019, earning multiple top-five finishes as she continues to strengthen her performance and best her personal records with each race.

This season, she partners with VGRT Racing, a Florida-based race team, no stranger to professional sports car racing. The team recently celebrated an exciting last-lap victory at the Michelin Pilot Challenge season opener at Sebring International Raceway, after an impressive drive from last to first in the span of two hours. The team has also committed to a full season in the TC America championship, running the No. 78 78 Borla Exhaust VGRT Civic Si with McNulty.

An expert at building and restoring Honda Civics, McNulty is one of few competitors who enter the series armed with a thorough understanding of the machinery she is racing. This in-depth knowledge benefits the racer on track as she feels the balance of the race car with every lap, but also aids in her communication with her crew when improvements need to be made. By having an intricate knowledge of the technicalities of her race car, McNulty can help cut down on time spent diagnosing potential issues and allow the team to spend more time on race preparations.

In an age where almost every professional athlete attempts to gain notoriety in the real world as well as the social world, Sally McNulty has her online marketing dialed in. Her own Instagram, @TeamSallyRacing, has achieved building a significant following of over 272,000 followers.

“Even as a female race car driver, it can be hard to stand out in this business,” said McNulty. “I wanted to use my social media page to not only just share what’s going on in my racing career, but I realized I can also share all of the cool car projects I’m working on, offer tips and pointers, and also showcase all of my real-life applications of all of my sponsors’ products.”

McNulty’s new take on her social media has paid off as her social footprint continues to grow, creating a strong community around her work on and off the track. This year, McNulty brings in a new flood of sponsors who will now gain significant amounts of exposure for partnering with the female racer, both through the race series and well as her expanding social media following. Eager to increase awareness and funding for women in motorsport and provide more opportunities for females in the sport, she is a proud Shift Up Now athlete. ShiftUp Now strives to be a resource for all, creating a movement aimed to ensure more females receive funding in the top seats in motorsport, partnering with women in all forms of racing.

The 2022 championship will see the TC America series race seven double-header race weekends across North America, fielding three classes participating in each race: TCX, TC, TCA. With strong self-determination and a go-getter attitude, McNulty is determined to be the first-ever female to win the overall TC America championship title in the 2022 season.

The season will begin on Friday, April 15 with the first two practice sessions, followed by qualifying and the series-wide autograph session on Saturday, April 16. In addition to the two practice sessions and a qualifying session, each weekend will hold two 40-minute races, all of which will stream live on the GT World YouTube Channel. Race one will begin at 4:00 PM PT on Saturday, followed by race two on Sunday, April 17 at 10:30 AM PT. Fans in the area can attend the event at just $40 for the entire weekend, while children 12 and receive free admittance. Boasting 160 feet of elevation change, the 12-turn road course of Sonoma Raceway runs just under two and a half miles through the hills of Sonoma, California. Fans will be in for a treat with beautiful scenery and plenty of room to roam while enjoying the multi-class racing and paddock access to see the cars and competitors up close. For more information, visit www.tcamerica.us.

Smith Rallies Back for Second Truck Series Win

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Official Release
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McDowell & Gilliland Show Pace Late For Top-16 Cup Finishes

This past weekend featured all three Front Row Motorsports (FRM) teams in action. They raced through the twists and turns of the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas.

Zane Smith and the Speedco Ford F-150 team rallied back late in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event for his second win of the 2022 season.

In Sunday’s 231-mile NASCAR Cup Series race, Michael McDowell brought the Love’s Travel Stops No. 34 Ford Mustang across the line in 13th.

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Boot Barn Ford Mustang team had a Cup Series career-best 16th-place finish.

SMITH RALLIES BACK FOR SECOND TRUCK WIN OF 2022

Zane Smith and the No. 38 Speedco Ford F-150 team rolled into COTA coming off a top-five finish the week before at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The team was feeling good heading to Texas.

Smith started off the weekend on the right foot by qualifying on the front row, his highest qualifying run of the season thus far. Looking to maximize points for the day, the team did just that. They played pit strategy to perfection to win both opening stages.

In the final stage, Smith made contact with another truck and his No. 38 Ford went spinning. With the race coming to an end, Smith raced his way from the back to the front. In dramatic fashion, Smith made the race-winning, four-wide pass for the lead after the other leaders made contact. Smith snuck his Speedco Ford low below all three leaders and cruised easily to the win.

SMITH ON COTA:
“It just goes to show that you’re never out of a race until you cross the finish line. My Speedco guys did great all day giving me what I needed to get the job done and put it in Victory Lane.

“I really want to thank the people from Speedco, everyone who is supporting this program and to Bob Jenkins. We’re having a great time and it’s been a lot of fun.”

McDOWELL GRABS TOP-15 FINISH

For Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Love’s Ford Mustang team, it was a total team effort over the weekend.

McDowell was confident heading into practice and qualifying. He loves racing at COTA and knew he could compete for a great finish. On Saturday, the team had to work to find the best handling for McDowell. The team had to make a change to the car and fall to the rear for the start of Sunday’s race.

From there, McDowell, crew chief Blake Harris and the entire Love’s crew put on a show racing through the field. Using the first two stages to dial in their Ford Mustang, McDowell took control in the final stage.

He raced up to eighth and held onto a 13th-place result at the end. McDowell got everything out of the car.

MCDOWELL ON COTA:
“We didn’t unload like we wanted, but the team never gave up all weekend. Saturday was frustrating for everyone, but that’s when Blake and the engineers really dug deep to give us that speed we needed.

“It didn’t happen at the start of the race, but by the end we were running top-10. A few little things different and we could have finished there, but we’ll take 13th today and get on a roll from here.”

GILLILAND SCORES CUP CAREER-BEST FINISH IN COTA:

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Boot Barn Ford Mustang started Sunday’s race from 29th, but knew they had the opportunity to have a great day.

Gilliland fought the handling of the car early, finding the car to be loose in the corners. The team quickly went to work making adjustments to help tighten the car up and give it more grip. It worked as Gilliland moved into the top-25 and late in the stages was making passes to get into the top-20.

To show how strong the Boot Barn team is, Gilliland suffered a mechanical issue with the left-front wheel during a pit stop. The team quickly made the right repair on pit road and Gilliland was back on the track faster than ever. He went from the back to 16th at the end.

GILLILAND ON COTA:
“I want to give a huge shoutout to my Boot Barn crew on pit road and my guys. They saved our race at the end. They fixed the issue and gave us what I needed to make moves at the end. We passed a lot of cars today. The Boot Barn Ford Mustang looked great and I’m ready to keep fighting hard.”

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.

Atlanta Podium Third for Thwaits Caps Fine Weekend for Franklin Road

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Official Release
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Braselton, GEORGIA – March 28, 2022 – Showtime Motorsports team Principal Ken Thwaits capped a fine weekend for the Tennessee based team at Road Atlanta. Thwaits guided the No. 5 Franklin Road Chevrolet Camaro home in third spot in Sunday’s prestigious TA Class race. Thwaits scored 26 Championship points and a spot on the podium. Given the mechanical issues he faced towards the end of the race, it was a very fair outcome for Ken, whose result followed Cameron Lawrence’s excellent showing in the TA2 race on Saturday where he finished in P3.

Ken qualified for Sunday’s showpiece race in P4 on the grid in a time of 1:20:341. A cool, sunny Peach State morning made for perfect driving conditions and Ken took full advantage to secure his second podium of the season and put himself provisionally in P3 in the Driver’s Championship. He was understandably pleased with the result which was achieved using all the car’s resources.

“It was a great weekend. It was dry and cool which was wonderful because you don’t get overheated. Cameron had a great race yesterday, so the pressure was on me not to ruin that celebration and I made it home. It was great racing with Wally [Dallenbach Jr.]. We both ran clean. I was out of tire at the end of the race and I couldn’t hold him off but it was fun. We went the whole distance green and I’m glad I work out at home because it’s a long hard race. I had a little transmission problem, and I lost the alternator on the last lap and was just able to cross the start-finish line before the car died. It made it 100 miles but it didn’t make it 101 miles! I’ll take it!”

After 3 rounds of the 2022 Trans Am presented by Pirelli Championship season, the Showtime team have drivers in second and third place in the TA2 and TA Class Driver’s Championships respectively. Building on last week’s success claiming their first win in the TA Class, it represents a highly successful return for Ken’s not inconsiderable investment in the iconic muscle car Series. With regular television coverage assured for the season, both the Series and the team are going from strength-to-strength and will be eager to continue the upward trajectory when the Trans Am paddock reassembles at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, California, April 22 to 24.

CBS Sports Network Air Times

This weekend’s races from Road Atlanta will air on CBS Sports Network the week following the event. TA/XGT/SGT/GT will air on Saturday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m. ET, while TA2 will air on Sunday, April 3 at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Fans can find the Franklin Road Apparel Trans Am clothing here: https://www.franklinroad.com/search/trans+am/

Visit the team’s website for Showtime Motorsports showtimemotorsports.net. Learn more about the Showtime Motorsports team partner, Road Apparel, at franklinroad.com and keep up to date with the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli at gotransam.com. #GoTransAm

Check out the Showtime Motorsports Facebook page: facebook.com/showtimemotorsp/ and @ShowtimeMotorsp on Instagram.

About Showtime Motorsports:
The Showtime Motorsports brand includes Ken Thwaits’ racing team and racecars, and an outstanding classic Camaro collection. Showtime Motorsports brings together a dynamic staff who employ diverse talents and share a passion for cars, racing and caring for clients like they are our own family members.

The Frozen Farmer Drives Diversity with NASCAR Cup Series Team Sponsorship, Delivers Kroger Exclusive Flavor

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Official Release
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Diverse-certified better-for-you frozen dessert brand announces Stenhouse Jr. sponsorship in 2022 NASCAR Cup Series and expands partnership with Kroger by launching exclusive flavor.

BRIDGEVILLE, Del. (March 28, 2022) – ABC’s “Shark Tank” backed farm creamery business, The Frozen Farmer, will accelerate its Kroger partnership joining the Kroger Racing family of brands in sponsoring JTG Daugherty Racing’s No. 47 Camaro ZL1, driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series.

The brand also launches a new Kroger-exclusive flavor, Apple Pie Frobert™ – an innovative blend of ice cream and sorbet – using upcycled fruit, hitting the shelves nationwide this month. Frobert™ is a better-for-you frozen dairy dessert that lessens the fat and calorie content of traditional ice cream in a sustainable way without sacrificing flavor or creaminess.

“Ricky’s passion for fitness and making healthy choices seems like a natural fit for The Frozen Farmer,” said Katey Evans, co-founder of The Frozen Farmer, a woman-owned company, certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Stenhouse shares Evans sentiment and looks forward to The Frozen Farmer being on his No. 47 Kroger Camaro for the DuraMAX Drydene 400 at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 1.

“Like Katey mentioned, I work out regularly to be in the best shape, and it’s important to make healthy choices when I can,” said Stenhouse Jr. “That’s why I love The Frozen Farmer. With their line of no sugar added Sorbet and low-calorie Frobert™, I can indulge in The Frozen Farmer’s decadent flavors while still making good choices that will benefit my well-being and overall performance. We’re excited to carry The Frozen Farmer on our JTG Daugherty Racing entry at Dover.”

One of the reasons The Frozen Farmer formed a partnership with JTG Daugherty Racing is because of the racing organizations NASCAR business model with The Kroger Co. family of brands and its diverse ownership lineup that includes five-time NBA All-Star Brad Daugherty, Gordon Smith, Tad Geschickter, and the only full-time NASCAR Cup Series female owner Jodi Geschickter.

“I love that JTG Daugherty Racing is also a diverse, women-owned-team,” said Evans. “Two of our daughters started racing when they were five years old, so not only is racing a big part of who we are as a family, but teaching our girls about equality and diversity within the sport is a personal passion too. Women can do anything—from owning businesses to racing cars and that’s what I hope to teach them, both on and off the track.”

NASCAR amped up its commitment to diversifying audiences and supporting women drivers and woman-owned business by first launching the 2004 kickoff of Drive for Diversity, and most recently with Busch Light’s $10 mill. Accelerate Her program offering funding, track time, media exposure, and more to women NASCAR drivers.

The Frozen Farmer being woman-owned and in partnership with Kroger, a company named top corporation for women-owned businesses for over six consecutive years, just further fuels NASCAR’s commitment to women.

The Frozen Farmer has also brought to market a vegan-friendly no-sugar-added line of fruit sorbets that are dairy-free, gluten-free, and fat-free—and as low as 70 calories per pint.

For more information about The Frozen Farmer, visit www.FrozenFarmer.com.

About The Frozen Farmer: Rooted in the tradition of a third-generation farm, Evans Farms LLC., located in Bridgeville, Delaware, The Frozen Farmer is a small farm with a big mission. The Frozen Farmer produces farm-inspired frozen treats including Frobert™ and Sorbet crafted from sustainable, upcycled ingredients for an indulgent treat you can feel good about. The Frozen Farmer is a certified Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) and also holds certification from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Learn more at TheFrozenFarmer.com.

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