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Lawless Alan – Fr8 208 Race Advance

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Race Advance – Fr8 208 (135 Laps/208 Miles) | Atlanta Motor Speedway
Saturday, March 19 | Hampton, Ga. | 2:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN), Sirius XM Ch. 90
Team: No. 45 AUTOParkit™ Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Lawless Alan (Los Angeles, Calif.) | Crew Chief: Darren Fraley
Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @lawlessalan25

Alan on making his first start at Atlanta Motor Speedway: “I’m really looking forward to my first trip to Atlanta Motor Speedway with Niece Motorsports and my AUTOParkit Chevrolet. It should be a really interesting weekend with the repave the track underwent this offseason – we don’t know how everyone is going to fare handling-wise. There’s a lot to learn for all of the teams from the top down. It’s one of the few tracks on the schedule where I have just as much experience as everyone else in the field, which is none.”

Alan at Atlanta Motor Speedway: Alan makes his first-career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Saturday’s Fr8 208.

On the Truck: Alan and the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado will run the AUTOParkit™ colors for Saturday’s Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Last time out (Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 – Start: 26th / Finish: 19th): Alan suffered nose damage on his No. 45 AUTOParkit Chevrolet as a result of the race’s first caution on lap 12 – an issue that the No. 45 team worked to remedy throughout the duration of the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200. Despite falling a lap down due to a number of trips down pit road to make repairs, Alan was the recipient of the free pass at the end of stage two to rejoin the field on the lead lap and rebounded to post a top-20 finish in his first-career start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

About Niece Motorsports:

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2022, Niece Motorsports enters its seventh season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Media Inquiries: media@niecemotorsports.com www.niecemotorsports.com

About AUTOParkit:

AUTOParkit™ designs, manufactures, and constructs fully automated parking systems for new and existing buildings. AUTOParkit system structural steel and modular design can provide double the capacity of a traditional parking garage, providing up to 17 LEED points and drastically reducing construction time. AUTOParkit automated systems are 40 percent less expensive to operate, safer for the user and reduces carbon emissions associated with parking by more than 80 percent. AUTOParkit’s charging pallets provided by AUTOChargit, are a fast and convenient way of charging EVs and Hybrids. AUTOChargit’s patented technology allows for shuffling charged vehicles cutting infrastructure costs by up to 80 percent.

For more information on AUTOParkit, visit www.autoparkit.com

Follow Lawless Alan on Instagram and on the web: @lawless_alan / www.lawlessalanracing.com

Dixie Vodka Racing: Cole Custer Atlanta Advance

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Official Release
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COLE CUSTER
Atlanta Advance
No. 41 Dixie Vodka Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Folds of Honor 500 (Round 5 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 20
● Location: Atlanta Motor Speedway
● Layout: 1.54-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 325 laps/500 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 105 laps / Stage 2: 105 laps / Final Stage: 115 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Cole Custer, driver of the No. 41 Dixie Vodka Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), will be making his milestone 80th career NASCAR Cup Series start during Sunday’s Folds of Honor 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. But even though the 2020 Cup Series Rookie of the Year has made three previous Cup Series starts on the 1.54-mile oval and another four in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series combined, he will in essence be seeing the 62-year-old facility for the first time this weekend. The track underwent a wholesale reconfiguration and repave since Custer and his fellow Cup Series competitors last raced there in July, its banking increased from 24 to 28 degrees, the racing surface narrowed from 55 to 40 feet wide, and it has been completely resurfaced with fresh asphalt and an improved, high-tech drainage system.

● With the venerable racetrack’s reinvention, teams will have the luxury of a full, 50-minute practice session Friday before qualifying Saturday and racing for 500 miles on Sunday.

● In his three previous Cup Series starts at Atlanta, Custer scored top-20 finishes in each and has made incremental improvement each outing. He was 19th in his first outing in 2020, and was 18th and 17th in last year’s March and July races, respectively.

● In his three Atlanta starts in the Xfinity Series, Custer’s best was his most recent, when he qualified his No. 00 SHR Ford on the pole and finished second by .191 of a second to Christopher Bell in the February 2019 race. Custer finished 10th in his Atlanta Xfinity Series debut in 2017 before returning in 2018 to qualify fourth but seeing his race end early after a lap-10 accident.

● Custer first appearance at Atlanta came in the February 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, when he started sixth and finished 17th in the No. 00 entry for JR Motorsports.

● After his 16th-place finish last weekend on the Phoenix Raceway mile oval, Custer arrives at Atlanta 24th in the driver standings, 63 points out of first.

● Riding along with Custer and the No. 41 SHR Mustang for the first of three races this season is Dixie Vodka. Launched in 2014 and based in Charleston, South Carolina, Dixie Vodka was established with the simple mission of creating an all-American premium craft vodka that represents the best of Southern flavor, craftsmanship and hospitality. With six signature flavors – including its flagship Southern Original, Black Pepper, Citrus, Mint, Peach and Wildflower Honey – Dixie Vodka partners with local farmers across the South to infuse regionally cherished ingredients into its award-winning products, each of which is six-times distilled from American corn. In 2020, Dixie Vodka was ranked the ninth-fastest growing spirits brand in the United States by the Beverage Information Group and remains the largest premium craft vodka produced in the Southeast. In partnership with the Southern-raised sport that transcends regional boundaries, Dixie Vodka is proud to serve as the Official Vodka of NASCAR and the Official Vodka of Stewart-Haas Racing. Dixie Vodka donates at least 1% of all profits through its 1% for the Planet program, a commitment to supporting non-profits that work to protect the future of the planet. A core brand within the Grain & Barrel Spirits portfolio – an innovation-driven beverage platform that develops and scales craft spirits brands led by founder Matti Anttila – Dixie Vodka can be found on Facebook and Instagram, and on shelves in more than 30 states.

● Last year, Custer and the No. 41 Dixie Vodka Ford Mustang introduced three of the company’s newest product offerings – Tony’s Tea, named after SHR co-owner Tony Stewart, along with Greyhound Cocktail, and Peach Cocktail. Dixie Vodka will return to the No. 41 Mustang team as primary sponsor for the 600-mile race at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in May, and for the second year in a row at Nashville Superspeedway in June.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 41 Dixie Vodka Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

You’re headed to the completely revamped Atlanta Motor Speedway oval. How do you see the racing shaping up there this weekend?

“It’s going to be interesting. These cars are on edge so, going to Fontana, Las Vegas and Phoenix was interesting to see which guys were pushing it more than others and which crew chiefs and teams were pushing it more than others in the setup. It’s something that I think we haven’t seen in a few years where guys were spinning out in practice and qualifying. It’s been really interesting to see what guys are pushing it to the max. In the Cup Series you’ve got to live on that edge. If you holding anything back, you’re not going to run well, so it’s definitely interesting to see which guys are pushing it more than others. It’s definitely going to be interesting at Atlanta, first of all just because it’s a new week. Every single week you don’t know what to expect, and especially this weekend, it’ll be very interesting to see how these new NextGen cars handle on a brand new track. Fortunately, we’ll have a full, 50-minute practice session Friday and it’s going to be very, very important to make our best use of that time.”

Everyone is expecting the racing this weekend to resemble the high-speed pack racing at Daytona and Talladega. How do you feel about that style of racing?

“Yeah, we’ve got six speedway races, now, counting the two this year at Atlanta, and I think that’s a good number. It’s so exciting. I think all the drivers love to do it because it’s a totally different skillset. But there is a lot of luck involved and, as a driver, you want to have a little bit more control. So I think it’s nice they’re sprinkled throughout the schedule.”

The Daytona 500 and the West Coast swing are in the rearview mirror. How do you like the new NextGen car, so far?

“I think from my experience with the car they’ve done a solid job. Obviously, the mile-and-a-half tracks, where a lot of aerodynamics come into play, has been very interesting. You don’t have the sideforce that you want in the car to really have the confidence that you want, but it makes it very interesting as the driver to kind of find that limit and try not to go over because I think we’ve seen a lot of guys do that. And then, I think we’ve seen a lot of people who aren’t usually in the top-10 from the past racing up front. It’s been crazy. Even after four races, I think it’s still very much an even playing field just because nobody has figured out this car completely, yet. It’s anybody’s game right now and this weekend brings another new adventure.”

No. 41 Dixie Vodka Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Cole Custer
Hometown: Ladera Ranch, California

Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett
Hometown: Amherst, Ohio

Car Chief: Tony Cardamone
Hometown: Bristol, Virginia

Engineer: Lee Deese
Hometown: Rockingham, North Carolina

Engineer: Scott Bingham
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Spotter: Andy Houston
Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

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

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

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons
Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Matthew Schlytter

Hometown: Ponte Vedra, Florida

Fuel Man: Dewayne Moore
Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Joe Zanolini
Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Shock Specialist: Aaron Kuehn
Hometown: Kensington, Connecticut

Tire Specialist: Austin Greco
Hometown: Harrisburg, North Carolina

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

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

Kris Wright – Fr8 208 Race Advance

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Official Release
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Race Advance – Fr8 208 (135 Laps/208 Miles) | Atlanta Motor Speedway
Saturday, March 19 | Hampton, Ga. | 2:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN), Sirius XM Ch. 90
Team: No. 44 F.N.B Corporation Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Kris Wright (Wexford, Pa.) | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers
Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @KrisOnNASCAR

Wright on making his first start at Atlanta Motor Speedway: “I am really looking forward to racing at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on the new repaved surface. The limited information I have received about the new track and how it drives is basically that there are so many unknowns. As a team, we have so many questions: How many lanes can you use? What is the drafting going to be like on a 1.5-mile track? What is the preferred groove? The track is going to be very fast and interesting for sure. I cannot wait to get there after the great speed our Niece Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado showed at Vegas (Las Vegas Motor Speedway).”

Wright at Atlanta Motor Speedway: Wright makes his first career start at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Fr8 208.

On the Truck: Wright and the No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado will carry the red, white, and blue F.N.B. Corporation paint scheme at Atlanta Motor Speedway Saturday.

Last Time Out (Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 – Start: 16th / Finish: 17th): Wright started 16th in the 36-truck field, and at the end of Stage 1 on Lap 30 he was scored 27th. By the end of Stage 2 on Lap 60, Wright was scored 14th. He came to pit road for service to the No. 44 iHeartRadio Chevrolet Silverado on Lap 62. On Lap 119 Wright was involved in a single-truck incident in Turn 2 while running 17th resulting in the yellow flag being waved. He was scored as high as 12th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

About Niece Motorsports

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2022, Niece Motorsports enters its seventh season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Media Inquiries: media@niecemotorsports.com www.niecemotorsports.com

About F.N.B. Corporation

F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states and the District of Columbia. FNB’s market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; and Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina. The Company has total assets of approximately $42 billion and nearly 340 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, government banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing. The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services. FNB’s wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance.

The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FNB” and is included in Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks SubIndustry Index. Customers, shareholders and investors can learn more about this regional financial institution by visiting the F.N.B. Corporation website at www.fnbcorporation.com.

Follow Kris Wright on Instagram and on the web: @KrisOnNASCAR / KrisWrightMotorsports.com

Dean Thompson – Fr8 208 Race Advance

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Official Release
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Race Advance – Fr8 208 (135 Laps/208 Miles) | Atlanta Motor Speedway
Saturday, March 19 | Hampton, Ga. | 2:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN), Sirius XM Ch. 90
Team: No. 40 Worldwide Express/GlobalTranz/Unishippers Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Dean Thompson (Anaheim, Calif.) | Crew Chief: Matt Weber
Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @deanthompsonr

Thompson on carrying his momentum built in Las Vegas into Atlanta: “The No. 40 Worldwide Express Chevrolet team is really excited to continue our momentum in Atlanta coming off an 11th-place finish in Las Vegas. With the repave of the racing surface, I’m looking forward to experiencing what the track has to offer for the first time as is the case with several others in the field. Hopefully we’re able to get up front early to work towards another solid finish this week.”

Thompson at Atlanta Motor Speedway: Thompson makes his first-career start at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in Saturday’s Fr8 208.

On the Truck: Thompson and the No. 40 Chevrolet Silverado will have the Worldwide Express/GlobalTranz/Unishippers colors on board for Saturday’s Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Last time out (Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 – Start: 29th / Finish: 11th): After starting in the back half of the field Friday night, Thompson wheeled the No. 40 Worldwide Express Chevrolet into the top-20 by the end of stage one while finding success in the high line throughout the race. Despite being mired in the mid-20s in the latter stages of the race, Thompson avoided trouble in the middle of the pack to set himself up for the final restart in 17th-place. He and Niece Motorsports teammate Carson Hocevar picked their way through traffic in the closing laps to take the checkered flag 11th – making him the highest-finishing rookie of the night – in his first trip to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

About Niece Motorsports:

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2022, Niece Motorsports enters its seventh season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Media Inquiries: media@niecemotorsports.com www.niecemotorsports.com

About Worldwide Express

Worldwide Express, LLC, is a full-service, non-asset-based logistics provider offering access to industry-leading small package, truckload and less-than-truckload shipping solutions and managed transportation services. The family of brands, comprised of Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz and Unishippers, serve more than 120,000 customers spanning from small and mid-size businesses to larger enterprises, with unmatched carrier options and strategic guidance for their supply chains. With an annual systemwide revenue approaching $4 billion, the company is the second-largest privately held freight brokerage and largest non-retail UPS® Authorized Reseller in the country. Through a selective portfolio of 65+ LTL and tens of thousands of truckload carriers, and powered by proprietary technology, clients benefit from an award-winning, relationship-backed approach to solving their shipping needs. To learn more about the brands, please visit www.wwex.com, www.globaltranz.com and www.unishippers.com.

Follow Dean Thompson on Instagram and on the web: @deankthompson / deanthompsonr.com

Era Motorsport Seeks Continued Success at Sebring

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Official Release
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SEBRING, Fla., (March 16, 2022) – IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship LMP2 class team Era Motorsport heads to Sebring International Raceway for the legendary Twelve Hours of Sebring, the second round in the 2022 championship. The Era Motorsport trio of Dwight Merriman, Ryan Dalziel, and Kyle Tilley will again pilot the No. 18 Oreca LPM2 car, eager to return to the podium and better last year’s second-place finish.

As the amateur-rated driver on the squad, Dwight Merriman put in one of his best qualifying sessions in last year’s run, setting the No. 18 car to start in third place. The team showed a strong pace in a competitive and demanding race, dealing with attrition to fight back from adversity to celebrate a well-earned podium finish. The team continued to improve over the course of the season, earning another win at Road America in Wisconsin.

The team started the 2022 IMSA season off in January at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, rolling off the truck to show strong speeds and competitive strategy. End in the end, an issue with the gearbox ended the team’s run early in the final hour. Following the late rate heartbreak, the team has extra motivation heading into the Twelve Hours of Sebring.

The second round of the season, the endurance event is a favorite amongst fans and competitors, known for its bumpy track surface and festive infield, filled with enthusiastic race fans. The event is a home race for Ryan Dalziel, who lives in Winter Park, roughly 90 miles north of the circuit. The twelve-hour endurance race always delivers exciting racing and tough competition, displayed across the 3.741-mile, 17 turn road course.

The 70th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts will take the green flag on Saturday, March 19 at 10:10 am Eastern, airing live broadcast coverage on Peacock, with an additional live auto broadcast on IMSA Radio. A full schedule of events can be found here.
Event Schedule | All Times U.S. Eastern
Thursday, March 17
10:15 am – 11:45 am WeatherTech Practice One
2:25 pm – 3:40 pm WeatherTech Practice Two
7:45 pm – 9:15 pm WeatherTech Practice Three

Friday, March 18
8:55 am – 9:10 am WeatherTech Practice four
10:10 am – 10:25 am LMP2 Class Qualifying
10:45 am – 11:45 am WeatherTech Autograph Session

Saturday, March 19
8:00 am – 8:20 am WeatherTech Warm Up
9:00 am – 9:50 am Open Grid Fan Walk
10:10 am – 10:10 pm Twelve Hours of Sebring

Event Tune In
WATCH: Entire race live on Peacock (NBC Universal Streaming Service)

DRIVER QUOTES
Dwight Merriman
From qualifying to our race pace and strategy, we were very strong last year at Sebring International Raceway. The team gave us a great car and even after being put a lap down due to some ill-timed full course cautions, we were still able to get the lap back and finish on the podium. We’ve learned a lot since then and have some race wins under our belt now. I’m looking forward to getting on track and getting this weekend started.

Ryan Dalziel
We are ready to bounce back at Sebring, literally. We had so much promise at Daytona with no result to show for it, so we are looking to get 2022 back on track. We came up just a few seconds short of winning in 2021, so we have some unfinished business. The field is really tough, but we had a good test last month I feel we are in great shape.

Kyle Tilley
I am super excited to be back at Sebring for the Twelve Hour. I feel like we have some unfinished business after coming so close last year! We had a fantastic test a couple of weeks ago, so we know we have a very fast car. I can’t wait to get started.

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About Era Motorsport
Era Motorsport was formed in 2018 with the idea of providing unmatched excellence in historic racing. Just two years later, the team expanded to the world of professional sports car racing, fielding an Oreca 07 in the prolific IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2021, the team went on to win at the iconic Rolex 24 At Daytona, in what was their second attempt competing in the event. Motorsport isn’t just a hobby, it is a way of life: a passion that is in the team’s blood. Whether you find us in the IMSA WeatherTech paddock with modern prototypes or chasing down lap records in our fully restored classic sports cars, or even globetrotting to experience historic F1 at some of the world’s most iconic circuits, Era Motorsport has something for everyone. In 2021, the team secured a prestigious victory at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, and also became class champions in the Asian Le Mans Series.

JR Motorsports — NXS Atlanta Preview

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Official Release
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TRACK: Phoenix Raceway
RACE: United Rentals 200 (200 laps / 200 miles)
DATE: Saturday, March 12, 2021
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET on FS1
RADIO: 4 p.m. ET on MRN Radio Network and SiriusXM Ch. 90

Quotes:

Sam Mayer: “Phoenix is not one of my stronger tracks but we have been putting a lot of effort in to make sure we are ready when we arrive. Having a little bit of practice is definitely going to help me warm up to the place and knowing that we have had strong cars capable of winning adds a little bit of confidence. Hopefully this Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet will be in contention to battle for the win Saturday.”

Justin Allgaier: “Phoenix is definitely one of my favorite places that we come to on the schedule. It seems like we’ve always been able to unload with an extremely fast BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet there and I see no reason why we can’t do that again this weekend. We’ve gotten off to a good start so far this season and hopefully we can keep that positive momentum rolling and be in contention for the win again come Saturday.”

Josh Berry: “I had a really good run going last season in Phoenix until I got caught up in a wreck that ended our day early. The added time on track Friday for the ARCA race will definitely help me figure the track out a little more and see how it progresses through a run. This team has built cars each week that have put us in spots for good finishes and I know this weekend will be more of the same with this PUBG MOBILE Camaro.”

Noah Gragson: “Luke (Lambert, crew chief) and this entire No. 9 Bass Pro Shops/TrueTimber/Black Rifle Coffee team have given me great cars to start the season and have put us in the right position to be contending for wins at every race so far. Phoenix has been one of those places that are hit and miss for us, but JRM tends to be towards the front fighting for the win here and hopefully that is us again this weekend.”

Notes:

• Sam Mayer is coming off a strong performance at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that saw the 18-year-old pace the field for 25 circuits before being involved in a late-race incident, forcing him to a 25th-place finish.

• In one start at the 1-mile facility of Phoenix Raceway, Mayer raced his way to a 13th-place finish at the 2021 season finale.
• In 18 NXS races during the second half of 2021, Mayer racked up one top five and six top 10s while leading the field for 57 circuits.

• At tracks measuring 1-2 miles in length in the NXS, Mayer has two top-10 finishes and has led 25 laps in total.

• In 23 starts in “the Valley of the Sun,” Justin Allgaier has earned two wins, eight top fives and 15 top 10s.

• Allgaier’s most recent victory at Phoenix came in November of 2019, with his first at the 1-mile oval coming in this event in 2017.

• According to NASCAR’s loop data statistics, Allgaier ranks first in laps led (493), quality passes (494), laps run inside the top 15 (4,264) and in fastest laps run (298) in the Arizona desert.

• Overall, in his NXS career on tracks between 1-2 miles in length, Allgaier has scored eight wins, 61 top fives and 122 top 10s in 200 career starts.

• Josh Berry heads to Phoenix behind the strength of two top-five finishes in the first three races of the 2022 season.

• The 31-year-old started ninth and ran as high as third in this race in 2021 before being involved in a multi-car incident just 54 laps shy of the scheduled 200-lap distance.

• The Hendersonville, Tenn. native drove the No. 8 to a strong fourth-place effort last weekend in Las Vegas to record his second top-five finish of 2022.

• Berry currently sits fifth in the championship standings only 36 points from the lead.

• The No. 8 team welcomes back PUBG MOBILE for the second of their four races as primary partner.

• Noah Gragson is on a tear to open the 2022 NXS season, finishing third, second and second in the first three races of the season. The effort sees Gragson as the series point leader heading to Phoenix.

• Last November, Gragson battled at the front of the field in the NXS Championship race before falling to 12th at the finish.

• On 1-mile tracks, Gragson has two top-five and eight top-10 finishes in 14 starts, leading 70 laps total over that span.

• Running at the front continues to be Gragson’s biggest strength in 2022, leading 89 laps in three races this season.

JRM Team Updates:

• JR Motorsports at Atlanta: JR Motorsports has competed at Atlanta Motor Speedway a combined 47 times in the NXS. Over the course of these 47 starts at the 1.5-mile facility, JRM has tallied four wins (two with Kevin Harvick, one with Justin Allgaier and one with Jamie McMurray), 16 top fives and 32 top 10s. JRM’s most recent win came with Allgaier during the 2021 season. The average finish for JRM at Atlanta is 9.2 which ranks as the second best single-track average for the organization.
• Harrison’s USA: When Josh Berry finishes inside of the top eight, head on over to harrisonsusa.com and use code “Josh8” to receive eight percent off your online order.
• Souvenir Rig Autograph Session: JRM driver Justin Allgaier will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports/Hendrick Motorsports souvenir trailer at Atlanta on Saturday, March 19 from 1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
• Chevrolet Stage: All four JRM drivers will be appearing at the Team Chevy display located in the Atlanta Motor Speedway Fan Zone this weekend for a Q&A. Noah Gragson will appear on Friday at 2:30p

Embrace Home Loans Partners with 23XI Racing for 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Season

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Official Release
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National home lender teams up with Kurt Busch and Bubba Wallace for company’s first-ever sports partnership

Mooresville, N.C. (Mar. 16, 2022) – 23XI Racing today announced the addition of Embrace Home Loans to the team’s 2022 partner lineup. The national mortgage lender joins 23XI Racing as a primary partner for select races where the Embrace branding will be featured on both the No. 45 Toyota Camry TRD, driven by Kurt Busch, and the No. 23 Toyota Camry TRD, driven by Bubba Wallace. Embrace will also serve as an associate partner for both teams throughout the season with Embrace branding on the driver and crew suits at each race.

The Middletown, R.I.-based national mortgage company ventures into NASCAR with its first major professional sports partnership as Embrace seeks to continually expand their brand nationally.

“We welcome Embrace Home Loans to their new home at 23XI Racing,” said Steve Lauletta, president of 23XI Racing. “As our team brand continues to grow, we welcome the opportunity to help Embrace grow their brand along with us. We share many of the same values – community, empowerment and achievement, and we look forward to a successful inaugural season together.”

“The partnership with 23XI Racing is a perfect fit for our company,” said Dennis Hardiman, president and CEO of Embrace. “We are particularly proud to work with 23XI team drivers Bubba Wallace and Kurt Busch, as Embrace shares Bubba’s devotion to racial justice and Kurt’s commitment to our military veterans. We couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to support the 23XI team and share the work we do supporting the American dream of homeownership with the NASCAR community.”

“It’s great to add another partner to our team and I look forward to showing everyone at Embrace the excitement of NASCAR,” said Bubba Wallace. “Off the track, I know this will be an important partnership as well, with the opportunity to work together on projects that will help make a real difference in the lives of those impacted by social injustice and racial prejudice.”

Embrace recently launched an affordable housing non-profit, Wider Path Home Foundation, whose mission is grounded in overcoming the U.S. housing industry’s history of restricting access to safe, high quality and affordable housing for lower and middle-income families – especially in the African American, Native American, Latinx and Asian communities.

“The addition of Embrace to this team shows the continued interest and excitement in what we’re doing at 23XI,” said Kurt Busch. “Much like our team, Embrace is looking to grow and win, and I’m excited to do that together with them this year. From representing Embrace on-track to helping amplify their VA Loan program, including through a soon-to-be announced sweepstakes for veterans and active-duty military families, I know it will be an impactful year.”

About Embrace Home Loans

Founded in 1983, Embrace Home Loans is a prominent mortgage lender that provides borrowers and financial institutions with an exceptional mortgage experience. Licensed in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Embrace has been recognized seven times as one of the Best Medium-sized Companies to Work for in America by Fortune and by Inc. The company has also been recognized twelve times as one of the Best Places to Work in Rhode Island, as the Most Community Involved Company in Rhode Island, and with the Leadership Excellence Award by Providence Business News. The company is based in Middletown, Rhode Island. For more information, please visit www.ehlracing.com.

About 23XI Racing

23XI Racing – pronounced twenty-three eleven – was founded by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin in 2020. With rising NASCAR star Bubba Wallace selected to drive the No. 23 Toyota Camry TRD, the team made its NASCAR Cup Series debut in the 2021 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Wallace made history on October 4, 2021, when he captured his first career Cup Series win, becoming just the second African American to win in the Cup Series, and earning 23XI Racing its first-ever victory. 23XI Racing expands to a two-car organization in 2022 with Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch driving the No. 45 Toyota Camry TRD.

Hardpoint Ready For Sebring With IMSA WeatherTech and Michelin Pilot Challenge Efforts

By
Official Release
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Rob Ferriol, Katherine Legge and Stefan Wilson Return to No. 99 GridRival/GNARLY Jerky Porsche 911 GT3 R, with Nick Galante and Sean McAllister Piloting the No. 22 Racing To End Alzheimer’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport

SEBRING, Florida (March 16, 2022) – Hardpoint returns to action this week for the first time since a 10th place finish in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona. Rob Ferriol, Katherine Legge and Stefan Wilson return in the WeatherTech GTD Class No. 99 GridRival/GNARLY Jerky Porsche 911 GT3 R at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, run on Saturday, March 19. Nick Galante and Sean McAllister make their Hardpoint debuts in the Michelin Pilot Challenge GS-class No. 22 Racing To End Alzheimer’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport in the Alan Jay 120 on Thursday, March 17.

The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring can be seen live in its entirety via streaming on Peacock beginning at 10 a.m. EDT on Saturday, March 19, and live from 3:30 p.m. EDT through the race’s conclusion on USA Network for cable and satellite subscribers. The Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 can be seen live in its entirety, also on Peacock, at 4:20 p.m. EDT on Thursday, March 17.

No. 99 GridRival/GNARLY Jerky Porsche 911 GT3 R Event Notebook

  • Ferriol, Legge and Wilson will team up in the No. 99 GridRival/GNARLY Jerky Porsche 911 GT3 R for each Michelin Endurance Championship event on the 2022 calendar, with Ferriol and Legge co-driving in all Sprint Cup events. The trio, along with Nick Boulle, earned a 10th place finish at the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.
  • Ferriol and Hardpoint were recently included on the entry list for the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ferriol earned the entry as IMSA’s 2021 Bob Akin Award winner for top Bronze driver in the GTD Class.
  • Ferriol is competing in his third Sebring 12-hour race, finishing fifth in the COVID-rescheduled season finale in 2020 with co-drivers Spencer Pumpelly and Andrew Davis. That finish is a career best for Ferriol in the WeatherTech Championship.
  • Legge finished fifth a season ago for Hardpoint at Sebring, driving with Christina Nielsen and Bia Figueiredo. The trio were in a position for a podium finish before a late-race drive through penalty relegated them to fifth.
  • Wilson is competing in each of the endurance races through a partnership with Hardpoint and Cusick Motorsports. Hardpoint is carrying GNARLY Jerky, Lohla Sport and Neptune Systems on the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 R for the season, in addition to longtime partner GridRival.
  • Hardpoint is hosting a free season-long Formula One fantasy league for fans through the GridRival app. The league winner will receive a pair of tickets to a 2023 IMSA race and a behind-the-scenes tour at the track.

No. 22 Racing To End Alzheimer’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport Notebook

  • Galante and McAllister will team together for the first time during the Sebring event, and race for the first time at Hardpoint.
  • Galante is the 2016 and 2018 Series Champion in what was then known as the ST class. He is an eight-time race winner in the series.
  • In addition to his driver duties, Galante works as a caddy at Pebble Beach.
  • McAllister is the 2019 Hurley Haywood Scholarship winner and has previously competed in Porsches single-make championship series. This is his first foray into both multi-make and multi-driver competition.
  • The No. 22 team tested at Sebring in February. IMSA-winning Team Manager Glenn Long, most recently of Long Road Racing, will handle similar duties for Hardpoint’s Pilot Challenge program.
  • Racing to End Alzheimer’s was founded in 2017 by Philip Frengs to fund the care and fund the cure, donating 100% of proceeds to Alzheimer’s-related organizations.
  • For a $250 donation, fans get to put the name and hometown of a loved one affected by Alzheimer’s on the Audi. A matching corporate donation from Legistics doubles the impact, with all donations going to the Cognitive Health Clinic at UCLA Medical Center and the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist Hospital.
  • More than $100,000 has been raised each year for the past five years by Racing To End Alzheimer’s. This is the organizations’ first season with Hardpoint. Donations can be made at www.R2EndAlz.org.

Hardpoint Quote Board

Rob Ferriol, Team Owner and Driver, No. 99 Porsche 911 GT3 R: “Sebring is by far one of my favorite stops on the IMSA schedule – both for the personality of the circuit and how that unique personality can turn it into anyone’s race after twelve grueling hours. While most people know that VIR was the first race track I ever set a wheel on, it was actually Sebring where I first tested a proper factory-built race car, and I fell in love with the bumps right away. For all the bumps and bruises a trip to Sebring can produce, the 12 Hours of Sebring has always given the team an opportunity to show our mettle, and this year will be no different. We’ve narrowly missed the podium two years in a row, so we’re anxious to get back out and see if the third time’s a charm.

“For a track that represents so many firsts for me as a driver and team owner, I couldn’t have picked a better venue to introduce Sean and Nick in the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport alongside Racing to End Alzheimer’s. We’re excited to not only return to the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge paddock, but to also do it with such a talented pair of drivers and a fabulous partner. This program perfectly represents the combination of elite competition and partner activation potential that Hardpoint aims to showcase in American sports car racing.”

Katherine Legge, Driver, No. 99 Porsche 911 GT3 R: “I love racing at Sebring, it’s so challenging with all the bumps, and the track changes so much through the course of the 12 hour race. The fans here are also unique, and exploring the infield is a must-see experience for us! We were in position for a podium last year in the last five minutes and got that questionable penalty, so we are looking for redemption! We had a successful test here last month and hope that translates into some good speed this week. The team has been improving tremendously and gelling together I’m excited to see what we can achieve here.”

Stefan Wilson, Driver, No. 99 Porsche 911 GT3 R: “Daytona was my first experience in GT3 racing and it was a huge learning experience for me. The racing was intense in the GT field and I had an absolute blast out there. The Sebring 12 hour is another one of those bucket list events, a race that I’ve always wanted to compete in, and I’m just champing at the bit to get to Sebring and continue working with this amazing Hardpoint 99 crew. Once again I’ll be representing Cusick Motorsports, Gnarly Jerky, LOHLA SPORT and Neptune Systems. I am so hungry to deliver a good result for those that have supported me and helped me get this opportunity.”

Nick Galante, Driver, No. 22 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport: “Sebring has shown to be one of the toughest tracks to finally feel like I have the hang of it. On paper it looks so approachable, but she is a tricky beast with many complexities. Just when you feel like the car is going to make it to apex or perfectly track out, the surface changes, or you launch the car over a big bump and everything changes. I’ve got much respect for this beast. The Porsche has been tough to set up here. The Hardpoint team has been amazing at tackling a tough task in a short amount of time. I’m impressed with how Sean McAlister has dove into this team with his foot flat to the floor. I haven’t had the luxury of a podium here since our win in 2017. I am eager to get one here this week, in this top-level GS class.”

Sean McAllister, Driver, No. 22 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport: “As we approach Sebring, the more excited I get. I’m someone who loves the layout and uniqueness of Sebring. It’s fast, technical, and bumpy and it probably has one of the most unconventional final corners of any track. At our recent test, we learned a lot about the car and we explored setups that we both like. Now we just need to fine tune it. A podium at Sebring has eluded me for quite some time now. The goals for this week are to have a good debut in the series and hopefully secure a spot on that podium. With Hardpoint I definitely believe that is a possibility.”
About Hardpoint:
Hardpoint was founded by Rob Ferriol in 2018 with the vision of combining his experience as a successful entrepreneur with his passion for racing. Headquartered at VIRginia International Raceway, the team captured the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup North America Pro-Am championship in its inaugural season and competes full-time in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship in the No. 99 GridRival Porsche 911 GT3 R with co-drivers Ferriol and Katherine Legge, joined by Stefan Wilson for Michelin Endurance Cup races. More information on Hardpoint can be found at www.hardpoint.com or through its strong social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Takuma Sato scheduled for 200th IndyCar career start at Texas

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Tim Jarrold for SpeedwayMedia.com.

With a new season of NTT IndyCar Series competition underway, Takuma Sato is primed to reach a milestone start in his 12th full-time in America’s premier open-wheel series. By taking the green flag in this weekend’s XPEL 375 at Texas Motor Speedway, the newly named driver of the No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing Dallara-Honda will achieve career start No. 200 in the IndyCar circuit. 

A native of Tokyo, Japan, Sato made his inaugural presence in IndyCar competition in 2010 when he signed with KV Racing Technology. By then, he had campaigned in seven full-time seasons in Formula One competition (2002-2008) between Jordan, BAR and Super Aguri. Driving the No. 5 Dallara-Honda for KV Racing Technology, Sato started 10th but finished 22nd in his IndyCar debut after being involved in an opening lap multi-car wreck. Sato competed the entire 17-race schedule, where he earned his first top-10 career result in ninth place at Edmonton City Centre Airport in July before settling in 21st place in the final standings,

Remaining at KV Racing Technology for the 2011 IndyCar season, Sato earned three top-five results, a season-best fourth-place result at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August and his maiden two poles (Iowa Speedway and Edmonton in July) before finishing in 13th place in the final standings.

Following his first two years in IndyCar competition with KV Racing Technology, Sato joined Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for the 2012 season. After finishing no higher than eighth during the first three scheduled events, Sato claimed his maiden podium after finishing third at the Streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil. During the following event, the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he was running within striking distance of Dario Franchitti for the victory. At the start of the final lap, Sato made his move beneath Franchitti, but both made contact and resulted with Sato spinning and crashing into the wall, which ended the event under caution. While Franchitti went on to win, Sato ended up in 17th place. For the remaining 10 events of the season, Sato claimed a career-best result of second place at Edmonton in July before finishing in 14th place in the final standings. 

In 2013, Sato joined forces with A.J. Foyt Enterprises after departing Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. After finishing no higher than eighth during the first two events, he claimed his maiden IndyCar victory at California’s Long Beach Street Circuit in April after leading 50 of 80 scheduled laps. The victory, which occurred in his 52nd career start, made Sato the first Japanese competitor to win in the IndyCar circuit. Sato then came close in capturing back-to-back victories of the season at Sao Paulo until he was overtaken by James Hinchcliffe on the final lap and final corner, which relegated him back to second place. Despite briefly taking over the points lead, a series of inconsistent results resulted with Sato finishing in 17th place in the final standings. 

From 2014 to 2016, Sato earned a single podium result, which was a runner-up result in the second of a Belle Isle doubleheader weekend in May, a total of two poles and a best points result of 14th place in 2015. By then, he surpassed 100 career starts in the IndyCar Series.

Following a four-year run with A.J. Foyt Enterprises, Sato joined Andretti Autosport to pilot the No. 26 Honda on a full-time basis in 2017. Through the first five events of the season, his best on-track result was fifth place during the season-opening Streets of St. Petersburg in March. Then during the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500, Sato overtook Max Chilton for the lead with nine laps remaining and fended off three-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves to claim his second IndyCar career victory and become the first Japanese competitor to win the Indy 500. He then went on to claim two poles during the final 11 scheduled events before finishing in the top 10 in points for the first time in his career in eighth place.

Despite the success at Andretti, Sato reunited with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to pilot the No. 30 Honda for the 2018 season. After enduring a season-long up-and-down run, where his lone highlight was claiming a podium result (third place) at Iowa Speedway in July, he claimed his third IndyCar career victory in the series’ decade-long return to Portland International Raceway in September. Ultimately, he concluded the season in 12th place in the final standings.

The 2019 IndyCar season was where Sato earned multiple victories in an IndyCar season for the first time in his career. He claimed an early victory at Alabama’s Barber Motorsports Park in April and earned two additional podiums during the following 10 scheduled events before winning at Gateway’s World Wide Technology Raceway in August. With a career-high two victories and career-high four podiums to the 2019 season, Sato capped off the season in ninth place in the final standings.

During the shortened 2020 season amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Sato claimed his second Indianapolis 500 victory in August following a late battle against five-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon. To add a second-place result at Gateway during the following event, he concluded the season in a career-best seventh place in the final standings and with a career-best average-finishing result of 11.3. 

The 2021 season marked the first time Sato went winless and failed to secure a podium result as the Japanese veteran picked up a season-best fourth place during the first of a Belle Isle doubleheader weekend in June before finishing in 11th place in the final standings and earning an average-finishing result of 12.2.

The 2022 IndyCar season marked a new beginning for Sato, who joined Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing following a four-year run with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. He is coming off a 10th-place run in his first event with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing at the Streets of St. Petersburg.

Through 199 previous IndyCar starts, Sato has achieved six victories, 10 poles, 14 podiums and an average-finishing result of 14.3.

Sato is scheduled to make his 200th NTT IndyCar Series career start in the XPEL 375 at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 20, at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Racing: Aric Almirola Atlanta Advance

By
Official Release
-

ARIC ALMIROLA
Atlanta Advance
No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Folds of Honor 500 (Round 5 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, March 20
● Location: Atlanta Motor Speedway
● Layout: 1.54-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 325 laps/500 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 105 laps / Stage 2: 105 laps / Final Stage: 115 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Almirola’s average finish of 7.3 through the first four races tops all drivers this season. It’s his best average finish through four races in 10 fulltime Cup Series seasons. His average finish is even more impressive in light of the No. 10 team’s average starting position of 23.5, which ranks 25th in the series.

● 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 last weekend with a 12th-place finish at Phoenix Raceway despite running inside the top-10 throughout the race. Even though he finished outside the top-10, Almirola still gained two points on the leader in the driver standings.

● Points: Almirola arrives at Atlanta sixth in the driver standings with 122 points, 14 out of first.

● Atlanta Motor Speedway will debut its new pavement and track configuration this weekend. Its banking increased from 24 to 28 degrees, and the track width was reduced from 55 to 40 feet.

● In Almirola’s 12 starts on Atlanta’s previous track configuration, he scored one pole, two top-10 finishes and an average finish of 18.0.

● Almirola’s track record at superspeedways provides a promising outlook for success at Atlanta this weekend, where drivers and teams are expecting pack-style racing akin to events at Daytona and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Almirola has two wins, seven top-fives, 13 top-10s and 84 laps led at Daytona and Talladega. Last June, he scored his eighth-consecutive top-10 at Talladega to tie the track record for most consecutive top-10s. The mark was originally set by Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., between April 2001 and October 2004. Almirola finished fifth in his most recent superspeedway start in this year’s season-opening Daytona 500.

● Almirola’s career: In 392 NASCAR Cup Series starts, Almirola has earned three wins, 28 top-five finishes, 87 top-10s, three poles, and has led 893 laps.

● 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.

● Smithfield Foods will adorn the No. 10 Ford Mustang as the primary sponsor this weekend. 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.

● 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:

With Atlanta’s newly configured track, what can we expect this weekend and what are you preparing for?

“On the old Atlanta surface, the biggest concern was the tire wear and how aggressive you could or couldn’t be to save your tires. Atlanta was already one of the fastest racetracks we went to and now it’s newly repaved, and we’re going to be running there with a superspeedway package. It is going to be so far different than anything we have ever experienced at Atlanta that I feel like I’m going there kind of blind, like a complete rookie, because I have no idea what to expect.”

Do you think the configuration will race similarly to Talladega and Daytona?

“I don’t know. I don’t think so because it’s not as big of a racetrack. The corner radiuses are a lot narrower and tighter and so I don’t know how it’s going to play out. I know that our cars will probably drive fine. I think there is going to be a ton of grip with that high of banking and a newly paved track, but I don’t know how the cars are going to race. Are we going to pack race or not? All of those things are a big question mark.”

Do you enjoy all of these new challenges in your final season with the NextGen car and new track configurations?

“It’s quite exciting to finish out my career in this new car. You know, there’s an old saying that says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I love to learn new things. I think it keeps me young. It keeps me sharp and I really enjoy challenges. This is a huge challenge to learn how to adapt to this new style with the NextGen car, so I’m excited about the opportunity. I’m excited to have the last year of my career be in this car because this car is going to be around for a while. So whatever I do next, whether I’m involved in the industry or not, at least I will feel relevant and understand the dynamics of this car and what it races like.”

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Aric Almirola
Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Crew Chief: Mike Bugarewicz
Hometown: Lehighton, Pennsylvania

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: Michael Johnson
Hometown: Andover, New York

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

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