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Ford Performance NASCAR: Phoenix Advance

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Official Release
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FORD PERFORMANCE NASCAR: PHOENIX NOTES

NASCAR’s three-race western swing concludes this weekend at Phoenix Raceway, where the NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Cup Series will compete. Here’s a look at a couple of Ford driver streaks that are on the line, along with some notable race wins from the past.

This Week’s Schedule:
Saturday, March 12 – NASCAR XFINITY Series, 4:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, March 13 – NASCAR Cup Series, 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)

FORD IN THE NASCAR CUP SERIES AT PHOENIX

· Ford has 17 series wins at Phoenix Raceway.
· Alan Kulwicki won the first series race at Phoenix Raceway in 1988.
· Current Ford drivers Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano have series wins.

FORD IN THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES AT PHOENIX

· Ford leads all manufacturers with 15 series wins at Phoenix Raceway.
· Ford has won at least once at Phoenix Raceway in three of the last four seasons.
· Owners Jack Roush (9) and Roger Penske (5) have combined to win 14 series races.

ALMIROLA RUNS TOP 10 STREAK TO THREE

Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang, is the only one to post top-10 finishes in each of the first three races as he extended it on Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a sixth place showing. He finished fifth in the season-opening Daytona 500 and was sixth at Auto Club Speedway. Almirola, who is in his final year of full-time competition, has seven top-10 finishes in 22 career starts at Phoenix Raceway.

HARVICK HOLDS PHOENIX RECORD

Kevin Harvick holds the record with nine career NASCAR Cup Series wins at Phoenix Raceway with his latest coming in 2018. That’s the most victories for Harvick on any track currently on the NASCAR schedule. Michigan International Speedway ranks second on his personal list for career wins with five while New Hampshire Motor Speedway is third with four. In addition, Harvick goes into Sunday’s scheduled race having posted 17 consecutive top-10 finishes. The streak started in 2013 when he won the next-to-last race of the season, igniting a six-race stretch that saw him win five times, including four straight, and finish second once.

FORD HIGHLIGHTS

KULWICKI WINS FIRST CUP RACE IN PHOENIX OPENER

Alan Kulwicki, driving the No. 7 Zerex Ford, won his first NASCAR Cup Series race in the debut event at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 6, 1988. Kulwicki, who celebrated by taking a Polish Victory Lap for which he is still remembered for today, passed leader Ricky Rudd with 16 laps to go and ended up taking the checkered flag in his 85th start by 18 seconds over runner-up Terry Labonte. Fellow Ford drivers Davey Allison and Bill Elliott finished third and fourth, respectively. Kulwicki, who ended up leading four times for 41 laps in taking the next-to-last event of the season, went on to win four more Cup races during his career.

WALLACE RAINS IN 1998

Rusty Wallace had only three more chances to keep his streak of winning at least one race a season alive when he rolled into Phoenix Raceway in 1998. He had gone to victory lane in each of the previous 12 seasons and didn’t want to see it come to an end, so that’s why what he did on Oct. 25 was so impressive. Wallace, who started sixth, made a beeline to the front and pretty much stayed there all afternoon until rain came and halted the race after 257 laps. The event was eventually called, marking the first rain-shortened race in the track’s NASCAR history, but there was no doubt Wallace deserved the win. He led 196 of the 257 laps, including the final 73. Wallace’s streak eventually reached 16 seasons before it was snapped in 2002.

BUSCH WINS DEBUT NIGHT RACE

Kurt Busch made Phoenix Raceway history when he drove his No. 97 Irwin/Sharpie Ford Taurus to victory in the first NCS night race held at the track on Apr. 23, 2005. Busch dominated from the start as he led 132 of the first 133 laps, and while others like Brian Vickers and Michael Waltrip led multiple laps at different stages of the event, it was Busch who proved to be too strong down the stretch. He passed Waltrip with 44 laps to go and was never threatened again as he won by 2.315 seconds. Busch led 219 of the 312 laps as Phoenix hosted the first of two annual Cup dates each season for the first time.

EDWARDS ENDS DROUGHT

When Ford went to victory lane at Phoenix in the second race of 2013, it snapped a 70-race winless drought for Carl Edwards, whose previous victory came in Las Vegas in 2011. Edwards led 122 of 312 laps, including the final 78, to win the, but there were anxious moments, particularly at the end when a green-white-checker finish had most of the leaders wondering if they had enough gas in the tank to reach the end. Edwards did and managed to beat Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the finish line.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS AT PHOENIX

1988 – Alan Kulwicki

1989 – Bill Elliott

1991 – Davey Allison

1992 – Davey Allison

1993 – Mark Martin

1995 – Ricky Rudd

1997 – Dale Jarrett

1998 – Rusty Wallace

2000 – Jeff Burton

2001 – Jeff Burton

2002 – Matt Kenseth

2005 – Kurt Busch (1)

2010 – Carl Edwards (2)

2013 – Carl Edwards (1)

2016 – Joey Logano (2)

2018 – Kevin Harvick (1)

2020 – Joey Logano (1)

FORD NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS AT PHOENIX

2000 – Jeff Burton

2001 – Greg Biffle

2003 – Bobby Hamilton Jr.

2005 – Greg Biffle (1) and Carl Edwards (2)

2006 – Matt Kenseth (2)

2008 – Carl Edwards (2)

2009 – Greg Biffle (1) and Carl Edwards (2)

2010 – Carl Edwards (2)

2014 – Brad Keselowski (2)

2015 – Joey Logano (1)

2018 – Brad Keselowski (1)

2020 – Austin Cindric (2)

2021 – Austin Cindric (1)

Hunt Brothers Pizza Racing: Kevin Harvick Phoenix Advance

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Official Release
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KEVIN HARVICK
Phoenix Advance
No. 4 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Ruoff Mortgage 500k (Round 4 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 13
● Location: Phoenix Raceway
● Layout: 1-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 312 laps/312 miles (502 kilometers)
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 60 laps / Stage 2: 125 laps / Final Stage: 127 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Who owns Phoenix Raceway? NASCAR or Kevin Harvick? NASCAR owns the facility, at least on paper, but Harvick owns the track. The driver of the No. 4 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has won a record nine NASCAR Cup Series races at the 1-mile oval. No other active Cup Series driver has won more than three races at Phoenix. Former Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson is the closest to Harvick with four wins at the track.

● Harvick hasn’t finished outside the top-10 in his last 17 starts at Phoenix. The last time he finished outside the top-10 was March 3, 2013 when he finished 13th. That was nearly 10 years ago when the San Francisco Giants were the reigning World Series champions, the Baltimore Ravens were just a month removed from winning Super Bowl XLVII, the Miami Heat were marching toward their second straight NBA championship, and the Chicago Blackhawks were on their way to hoisting the Stanley Cup. Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, still wasn’t old enough to enjoy a Busch Light, and Austin Cindric, winner of this year’s Daytona 500, was in eighth grade.

● Of Harvick’s nine NASCAR Cup Series victories at Phoenix, he won four straight between November 2013 and March 2015. The streak ended when Harvick finished second at Phoenix in November 2015, but when the series returned to the track in March 2016, Harvick won again. Harvick is the only driver to win four Cup Series races in a row at Phoenix. Johnson was next best with three straight wins between November 2007 and November 2008. Only five drivers have won consecutive Cup Series races at Phoenix, but Harvick is the only driver to win consecutive races twice, as he also swept both races in 2006.

● In 38 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Phoenix, Harvick has earned an average finish of 8.8, the best of any active Cup Series driver. Denny Hamlin is next best with an average finish of 10.5 over 33 Cup Series starts.

● Harvick’s best average finish at Phoenix comes from running up front at Phoenix. He has led 1,663 laps in his 38 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at the track, dwarfing that of any other driver. Next best in this category is Kyle Busch with 1,190 laps led, 473 fewer laps than Harvick. That deficit represents more than a full race and-a-half distance at Phoenix as Sunday’s Ruoff Mortgage 500k is 312 laps.

● To finish first, one must first finish. Proving this mantra is Harvick’s lap completion rate of 99.8 percent at Phoenix. In fact, of the 11,863 laps available to Harvick at Phoenix, he has only missed 21 of those laps. Harvick’s first career NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix came on Oct. 28, 2001 when he started 37th and finished 17th.

● With the Estrella Mountains as its backdrop, Phoenix is a picture-perfect racetrack. Harvick has also been perfect at the desert oval. He has scored a perfect driver rating (150.0) at Phoenix on three occasions – November 2006 when he started second, led 252 of 312 laps, and won; November 2014 when he started third, led 264 of 312 laps, and won; and March 2015, when he started first, led 224 of 312 laps, and won.

● Harvick has also proven to be successful at Phoenix outside of the NASCAR Cup Series. He owns a NASCAR Xfinity Series win (April 2006) and four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victories (November 2002, October 2003, November 2008 and November 2009).

● Harvick has two NASCAR K&N Pro Series West starts at Phoenix. His best effort came in his first K&N start at the track when he won the pole for the 1998 Phoenix 150 and led twice for a race-high 74 laps before finishing second to Rich Woodland Jr., by just .016 of a second.

● Before Cup and Xfinity and Trucks and K&N, Harvick competed at Phoenix while on the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour. He made six starts between 1994 and 1999, with his last start being his best. Harvick qualified fourth and finished fourth as part of the 1999 Copper World Classic. Finishing just behind Harvick in fifth was an up-and-coming racer named Kurt Busch. Today, Harvick and Busch lead the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Phoenix with 38 starts apiece.

● The 2022 season marks the 13th year of partnership between Harvick and Hunt Brothers Pizza. The nation’s largest brand of made-to-order pizza in the convenience store industry has sponsored Harvick for years in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Hunt Brothers Pizza joined Harvick fulltime in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2019 and has been a mainstay in NASCAR’s premier division ever since. With more than 8,000 locations in 30 states, Hunt Brothers Pizza offers original and thin-crust pizzas available as a grab-and-go Hunk A Pizza®, perfect for today’s on-the-go lifestyle, or as a customizable whole pizza that is an exceptional value with All Toppings No Extra Charge®. Hunt Brothers Pizza is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and is family owned and operated. For additional information, visit www.HuntBrothersPizza.com or download the app.

● Said Harvick about his more than decade-long partnership with Hunt Brothers Pizza: “Our fans are pretty loyal to the brands that are on our cars. Many of my pictures come from the standees in the store. People take selfies next to them. There are a number of reasons you have sponsorships – you want that brand recognition, the brand integration. Hunt Brothers Pizza is a very family-oriented company and we’re a very family-oriented group. Those relationships you build through the years with brands that recognize and reflect what you believe in are few and far between. We’ve grown with the Hunt Brothers Pizza brand. They’ve grown with us and have been very loyal to us, and I think our fans are very loyal to Hunt Brothers Pizza. It’s fun to see that brand recognition and that understanding of loyalty and partnership. You realize how many Hunt Brothers Pizza stores there are as you drive to racetracks.”

Kevin Harvick, Driver of the No. 4 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford Mustang

Phoenix marks the final race of our three-race, West Coast swing, and with the new NextGen car, teams are having to manage limited cars and limited parts and pieces to fix the cars they have. How are you and the team handling it all?

“The situation is manageable because we have to manage it. These first five weeks of the season, including the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, we’ve had a mindset of survival. We’re learning a lot about these racecars in regard to wear and tear on the parts and pieces, how to fix things, how well you can fix things, and the tendencies of the car. I think finding the limits of the car and learning about the car from a driver’s standpoint, that’s why you’re seeing accidents. And there’s just going to be mistakes because the pit stops are different, the way you shift these cars is different, they race different, so there are just a lot of things to learn. Keeping the cars together, and keeping yourself in a position to have solid finishes, is going to put you in a position to where, if you can bring everything home and have made all the laps in the first four points races, you can come home and work on your cars and be in a good position to start the rest of the season on the East Coast.”

We’ve spoken a lot about the NextGen car, but for the uninitiated, what are the differences between the NextGen car and the previous-generation car you raced from 2013-2021?

“I believe that the car we just got out of was one of the neatest racecars that our sport will ever see, just because of the innovation and the evolution and all the things that went into it. I think the biggest thing fans have probably noticed about the NextGen car is how relevant it looks compared to a car in the showroom. Especially for us in the Ford camp, our Mustangs look very relevant to the cars on the showroom floors in dealerships, and I think that was the highest priority – to make the cars squared up and relevant to a street car. In regard to everything underneath, it’ll really take some time to wrap our arms around accepting and enjoying what we have underneath. With the old car, they revolutionized the sport every year with new ideas and innovations that changed the way the car handled and looked and felt, and all the things that come with the evolution of a racecar. Now, you’ve got stock parts and pieces that you buy off the shelf, which is intended to cut a lot of that out. So for us – a team that really built a lot of those things and owns a CNC machine company in Haas Automation and is on the forefront of developing things – it’s a little bit of a culture shock just because you have to race differently and you have to assemble things differently. It’s a culture change that’s taking time for me to get used to because I’ve been a part of that innovation and evolution of cars my whole career. It was just part of what you did. This car will evolve, but it’s really just going to be in how you align the parts and pieces and how you drive it – all the things you do to make the car drive and do what you want it to.”

What’s the difference in skillset, and even mindset, from last year to this year as you’ve transitioned to the NextGen car?

“Our sport is unlike a lot of professional sports. A lot of professional sports depend on your body and speed and agility. Our sport puts a lot of value on experience, just because of the fact that in order to perform, you need common sense paired with street smarts so you can make decisions on the fly and, sometimes, just so you can survive. A lot of the things that we do, especially last year, we just survived and we’d grind away week after week and get solid finishes with cars that just weren’t as good as they needed to be. And while we were trying to figure it out and make the cars better as we went through the year, we still had to race. And just like last year, there are going to be weeks this year where the car is just not going to be very good and you have to figure it out and grind it out. Those things just come with time. You can bang your fist on the table and say, ‘We need to do this!’ and end up causing more commotion. It’s definitely more of a working relationship with Rodney (Childers, crew chief) and the team to hone in on exactly what we need to do to make the car better.”

What are the technical aspects of the NextGen car and how does it feel from a driver’s perspective?

“The base engine package is around 670 horsepower, which is exactly what the Xfinity cars are. I’m sure that’ll evolve into more power as time goes on. When this whole project originally started, we had three different engine packages and aerodynamic packages and, as offseason testing took place and evolved, it cycled into all the engine packages and spoiler packages being the same, except for the superspeedways. So, it’s got a low-downforce package with higher horsepower, which is much more than that 550-horsepower package that we had on last year’s car. The biggest thing was to try to have some off-throttle time and be able to have some handling deficiencies as the run went on, where you slip and slide and move around the racetrack. You’re able to have an old-school type of race and not just run in a big pack. It’s evolved in a good direction and we’ll see how it goes.”

Three races into the season and the NextGen car is still very much a blank canvas. How much are these race weekends akin to R&D sessions when it comes to understanding this car and finding ways to make it better?

“You just have to understand the situation and get used to what you’re working with. You have to evolve with it, and everybody’s going to have to communicate well in order to hone in on exactly what you need, as far as changes and grip on our Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford Mustang.”

You have nine wins at Phoenix, with the last one coming in March 2018. And even when the track was repaved and the start-finish line was moved to the dogleg, you’ve never finished outside the top-10. How different is the new layout compared to the old layout and what have you done to adapt?

“When they moved the start-finish line, there was nothing really different, other than the restart. The restarts have become much more exciting because of the fact that you can use the apron and everything that happens going into what is now turn one. So, the restarts are the biggest difference since they moved the start-finish line. This configuration of racetrack is much different than what we had in the late ’90s, early 2000s. That track used to be very low on grip, and this one’s become lower on grip and now, with the resin that they add on the racetrack, you have to kind of adapt just because of the fact that you never know what the grip level is going to be. The resin and the start-finish line have added a couple of different elements to it that we didn’t have in the past.”

Restarts in the NASCAR Cup Series are chaotic, but perhaps nowhere more so than at Phoenix as drivers use all of the infield portion of the dogleg to advance their position. How dicey are restarts at Phoenix, and when does it make sense to dive bomb the dogleg and when do you need to take the traditional line around the track?

“You just have to be aware of where you are on the racetrack, and it depends on which guy you are. If you’re the guy on old tires, new tires, inside, outside, you kind of have to have a plan before you get to the corner as far as what you want to accomplish. If you accomplish it, that’s fine, but if you don’t, then you immediately have to go into damage control, where you go on defense to try and be used up as little as possible. You can easily wind up in a bad spot in the middle, four-wide, because it funnels down pretty quickly off of turn two. There’s a wall that you come up on to the straightaway, and then everybody’s funneling from four-wide to at least three-wide. There are a lot of different angles of attack that happen, so you just have to be aware of your situation.”

No. 4 Hunt Brothers Pizza Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Kevin Harvick
Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Crew Chief: Rodney Childers
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

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

Engineer: Dax Gerringer
Hometown: Gibsonville, North Carolina

Engineer: Stephen Doran
Hometown: Butler, Pennsylvania

Spotter: Tim Fedewa
Hometown: Holt, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Members

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

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

Tire Carrier: Jeremy Howard
Hometown: Delhart, Texas

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

Fuel Man: Evan Marchal
Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Richie Bean
Hometown: Bradford, Vermont

Mechanic: Nick DeFazio
Hometown: Orange, California

Tire Specialist: Jamie Turski
Hometown: Trumbull, Connecticut

Engine Tuner: Robert Brandt
Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

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

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

iRacing to Back JRM Late Model Team, Driver Carson Kvapil in 2022

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Official Release
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Industry-Leading Racing Sim Returns to Title-Winning Team for Full Season

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (March 8, 2022) – JR Motorsports announced today that iRacing, the world’s leading racing simulation platform, has signed on as primary partner of the team’s No. 8 Chevrolet Late Model for the 2022 season, backing driver Carson Kvapil for the full CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car series as well as other marquee events.

iRacing is an unparalleled eSport driving experience where subscribers compete against fellow online racers on virtual replicas of the most iconic tracks in a variety of racing series. Used by professional drivers and casual gamers alike, the PC-based simulation has a long and fruitful relationship with team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports. In 2020-21 iRacing was co-primary sponsor for the Late Model team and takes over primary branding for the 18-year-old Kvapil this year following Josh Berry’s ascension to the NASCAR Xfinity Series on a full-time basis.

“iRacing is once again thrilled to partner with JRM and their first-rate late model program,” said Steve Myers, executive vice president at iRacing. “Dale, Kelley and their crew are like family to iRacing. This is a natural extension to our long-standing relationship. We know Josh (Berry) left big shoes to fill but we’re excited to see Carson wheel the No. 8 iRacing machine back to Victory Lane.”

Kvapil, son of 2003 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil, steps into the No. 8 iRacing Chevrolet full-time after taking the wheel in three races last season. The young driver had an average finish of 3.0 in those events. In 2021 Kvapil, driving his family-owned Super Late Model, won the CARS Tour SLM championship in the season’s final race, overcoming a points deficit and claiming the title with the race victory.

“It is an honor to be driving this iRacing Chevrolet for JR Motorsports,” Kvapil said. “This team has a lot of history and talent and they’ve won the biggest Late Model races in the Southeast. It’s a great opportunity for me and I am proud to carry the colors for JRM and for iRacing into the 2022 season.”

Kvapil and the JR Motorsports Late Model team will open the 2022 CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car season this weekend on March 12-13 with the annual Old North State Nationals at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C. The 200-lap race pays $30,000 to win.

ABOUT iRACING:
The world leader in the online racing simulation and gaming market, iRacing was founded in 2004 by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry. Kaemmer was co-founder of Papyrus Design Group, developers of award-winning racing simulations including “Grand Prix Legends” and “NASCAR 2003.” Henry is principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club, as well as co-owner of NASCAR’s Roush Fenway Racing. iRacing.com has developed dozens of formal partnerships in the motorsport industry to help create the most authentic racing simulation in the world including with NASCAR, IndyCar, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, International Speedway Corporation, Speedway Motorsports, IMSA, World of Outlaws, Mazda Motorsports, McLaren Racing, Williams F1, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen, the Skip Barber Racing School and General Motors. Learn more at www.iRacing.com.

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
JR Motorsports is the racing operation co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 15-time Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick. Now in its 21st year of overall competition, JR Motorsports competes in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it currently fields four full-time teams and earned championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. The company also races in Late Model competition and owns four championships in regional Late Model divisions and added a prized national title in 2020. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.

Zero FG Energy Drink to Fuel Brandon Brown at Atlanta Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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Atlanta-based Energy Drink Partners with Brandon Brown and BMS for Hometown Race Weekend

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (March 8, 2022) – Brandonbilt Motorsports (BMS) announces today its newest partnership with Zero FG Energy Drink as the primary sponsor of Brandon Brown’s No. 68 Chevrolet Camaro for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 19.

Zero FG is a natural citrus and berry flavored carbonated drink that is caffeinated with green tea extract and packed full of both vitamins and the nutritional superfood, Blue Spirulina. The energy drink is also offered in a sugar free version. Through its products, Zero FG Energy Drink looks to represent a brand new culture for those who don’t get offended, want to run their own race and speak their mind freely.

“Today’s world can be noisy and, at times, difficult to navigate – but it doesn’t have to be,” said Josh Askew, CEO and Founder of Zero FG Energy Drink. “Zero FG Energy Drink was created to represent a brand new culture for those who are tired of wasting their energy on the daily dramas of life and just want to live free.”

Askew continued by saying, “I feel strongly that Brandon will make a great ambassador for our brand, and we look forward to the start of what is hopefully a long and successful partnership.”

Brandon Brown heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway feeling optimistic as the 1.54-mile racetrack had undergone repaving in 2021 and this will be the first race weekend back since the track’s upgraded 28-degree banked corners.

“I am proud to partner with Zero FG Energy Drink and to introduce their product to our passionate NASCAR fans,” said Brown. “The culture behind their product is something that I resonate with, and I think that a lot of NASCAR fans will as well.”

“There are so many unknowns about how the track (Atlanta Motor Speedway) is going to race after the repave, but from what I’ve gathered, it should be very similar to superspeedway racing, which is great for us since we were able make it to Victory Lane last year at a superspeedway (Talladega) and led laps a few weeks ago at Daytona. Hopefully, we can have a strong performance and put Zero FG in Victory Lane for their first NASCAR race.”

The No. 68 Zero FG Energy Drink Chevrolet Camaro will make its NASCAR Xfinity Series debut on Saturday, March 19 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, with coverage airing live on FS1 at 4 p.m. ET.

For more information about Zero FG Energy Drink and to order your product, please visit www.zerofgenergy.com.

About Zero FG Energy Drink

Zero FG (ZFG) is the next leader in the energy drink industry. With production beginning in 2022, it’s leadership is intent on creating a culture to which everyone can relate. ZFG is headquartered in Pike County, Georgia.

About Brandonbilt Motorsports

Brandonbilt Motorsports (BMS) is a race-winning organization that competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and fields the No. 68 Chevrolet Camaro piloted by Brandon Brown. Headquartered in Mooresville, N.C., BMS is owned and operated by successful entrepreneurs, Jerry Brown, David Clarke and Alex Mascioli.

For team updates, follow BMS on social media: Twitter at @BMSRaceTeam, Facebook at Brandonbilt Motorsports and Instagram at @bmsraceteam. Visit www.bmsraceteam.com for more team related information.

Toyota Joins 2022 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 as Supporting Sponsor

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Official Release
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One of off-road racing’s most iconic vehicle manufacturers will join the BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 as a supporting sponsor in 2022, as Mint 400 officials are pleased to welcome Toyota to the Great American Off-Road Race. Toyota vehicles will be on display at both the Mint 400 Off-Road Festival on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas and on-site at the start-finish line in Primm. In addition, Toyota vehicles will be competing in numerous classes throughout the event.

“Toyota is one of the most iconic brands in the history of off-road racing, and it’s an honor to be able to welcome them to the 2022 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400,” said Mint 400 CEO Matt Martelli. “Their winning experience over decades of racing has directly gone into making some of the most popular and reliable trucks, cars, and SUVs on the road today. For drivers looking for extra performance, TRD Pro editions of the Tundra, Tacoma, and 4Runner take off-roading to the next level with an unmatched experience that delivers both added power and reliability. We can’t wait to welcome them to the Mint 400 Off-Road Festival and our start-finish line in Primm, and for our fans to check out the entire TRD Pro line!”

Toyota’s history in off-road racing dates back more than 40 years, with legendary names like Ivan Stewart pacing the field in desert and short course races alike. Toyota’s Unlimited Trucks have defined the sport for generations, and top-tier drivers continue to rely on Toyota to power them to victories in premier events like the Mint 400. Ikuo Hanawa, one of Japan’s premier off-road racers and a Pikes Peak International Hill Climb class winner, will also make the trek to Las Vegas to compete in Class 7 in a Toyota Hilux in this year’s event.

“The Mint 400 has always been one of the most prestigious off-road races in the world and we’re very proud to be a supporting sponsor of this year’s race in addition to having several Toyotas competing,” said Paul Doleshal, group manager of motorsports and assets, Toyota Motor North America. “With the new 2022 Tundra hitting showrooms, it’s a perfect time for us to showcase not only Tundra, but our entire line of TRD Pro edition vehicles to an audience looking for the best off-road performance possible.”

Toyota has been a fixture in American motorsports for over four decades. In 2019, Toyota Racing Development (TRD, U.S.A) celebrated its 40th anniversary of motorsports excellence. TRD’s early success was achieved in off-road wins, such as the Baja 1000 with iconic drivers like Ivan Stewart. The knowledge learned on-track has assisted in making advancements to the Toyota vehicles you see roll off the factory floors across America. For more information on Toyota’s racing efforts, visit www.toyota.com/racing.

The Mint 400 has held the title of the toughest, most spectacular off-road race in North America since 1968 when it was first run. Initially, the race was a public relations event promoting the Mint Hotel’s annual deer hunt, but what started out as a hotel promotion soon grew into a legitimate desert race. Since its 2008 revival, “The Great American Off-Road Race” has only gotten bigger and more prestigious, and deeper fields every year only make it tougher to win.

This year’s BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 will take place from March 9-13 in Las Vegas. More information on the event for racers and spectators is available at TheMint400.com, or follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.

About The Mint 400
The Mint 400 is the oldest and most prestigious off-road race in America, and is held each March in the treacherous foothills of Sin City. The multi-day event features a massive vehicle parade down the world famous Las Vegas Strip, a two day festival on historic Fremont Street, and two days of grueling off-road racing on a desolate and punishing 400-mile racecourse. Nearly 65,000 off-road and recreational enthusiasts come to watch 500 race teams in 50+ classes from 25 different states and 15 different countries go door to door, while the Livestream coverage is beamed to over 800,000 viewers worldwide. No other off road race allows fans the thrilling experience of watching the top off-road race teams from around the world battle for fame and glory, in a festival setting – complete with a luxury VIP section. The Mint 400 is “The Great American Off-Road Race”!

NTE/SSR Reveals Lineup for Twelve Hours of Sebring

By
Official Release
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Mateo Llarena joins Yount and Conwright in Lamborghini Huracan GT3

DALLAS, Tex., (March 8, 2022) – The festivities for the Twelve Hours of Sebring get underway in less than two weeks’ time, and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship team NTE/SSR will welcome Lamborghini GT3 Junior driver Mateo Llarena to race in the No. 42 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 alongside Don Yount and fellow Junior driver Jaden Conwright in the March 16-19 event.

“We’re excited to welcome Mateo to the team,” said NTE Sport owner Paul Mata. “He demonstrated great skill with T3 Motorsports at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January, and we’re always glad to have another Lamborghini GT3 Junior driver join our mix. A mechanical issue ended our race early in the opening round of the season, so we’re looking forward to the chance to rebound and get back out there and fight for a race win.”

The team started the season in January at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, completing roughly 75 percent of the race until an ABS failure led to an incident that caused contact and took the car out of the race. The twelve-hour race marks the second event in the 2022 IMSA WeatherTech calendar, creating an all-out endurance competition across five classes.

“The whole team is excited to get back on track and show our success at Daytona before the brake failure was not a fluke,” said Yount. “I am confident that NTE has the issue sorted and we will be out the gate from first practice. Sebring is super tough on the car so we will find out quickly.”

Don Yount and Jaden Conwright were two of the four drivers in the Rolex 24 lineup, with Conwright being the sole driver confirmed for the entire 2022 season. While the Daytona race did not go according to plan, Conwright is making a name for himself early in 2022, becoming one of the newest Lamborghini GT3 Junior drivers as well as the inaugural recipient of the IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship.
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“I’m looking forward to heading back to Sebring as I made my debut with NTE and in IMSA at the 2020 Michelin Pilot Challenge event there,” said Conwright. “The Twelve Hours of Sebring is definitely a different beast to the other endurance events I’ve competed as the track’s characteristics are as much of a rival as the other cars. The pace at Daytona was solid up until we were forced to retire due to a technical fault, so I’m confident that we can continue and build off our experience during the Rolex 24 and optimize our NTE/SSR Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo with more time.”

NTE/SSR newcomer Mateo Llarena has much in common with Conwright, with both recently joining the Lamborghini ranks as GT3 Junior drivers as well as both making into the top ten of the IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship. Though only 18 years old, Llarena is also quickly earning his keep in the sportscar racing world, currently holding the title of the youngest driver to secure an IMSA WeatherTech Motul Pole Award following his first-place qualifying at age 17 at Watkins Glen International in 2021. The young Guatemalan racer began go-karting at four years old, earning multiple karting championships. In 2018, he got his first taste of sports cars, racing in the Porsche GT3 Cup Trophy Argentina. Just two years later, he became the youngest driver to be invited to the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Europe. He made his IMSA WeatherTech series debut in 2021, making this month’s outing his second run at the Twelve Hours of Sebring.

“I’m really looking forward to the Twelve Hours of Sebring,” Llarena said. “This will be my second time racing in it, so I have much more confidence than the first time, I already know the track and how the race works. I’m very happy to join NTE/SSR. I’m excited for the opportunity to get to know a new team and new drivers. For sure we will give it our all to get a good result.”

This year’s Twelve Hours of Sebring will host one of the most exciting weekends of the year for fans attending the event. With the IMSA WeatherTech Series acting as the event headliner, support series for the weekend include Michelin Pilot Challenge, Porsche Carrera Cup North America, and the FIA World Endurance Championship. Race week will begin on Tuesday, March 15 with an IMSA transporter parade through downtown Sebring at 5:30 pm. Practice sessions for NTE/SSR and the rest of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors begins on Thursday, March 17. The race will take place on Saturday, March 19 at 10:10 am Eastern, concluding at 10:10 pm that evening. Points for this race will not only be awarded to full-season standings, but the North American endurance Cup, a four-race endurance championship that exists within the main championship. The race will air in its entirety on Peacock, NBC Universal’s new home for IMSA streaming.

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About NTE Sport
NTE Sport is based in Dallas, Texas, and first raced in 2020. Owner Paul Mata has been in the industry for over 20 years before starting his own team and has always focused on bringing together a diverse group of individuals to provide new opportunities and bring new people into the sport. Past female drivers include Sheena Monk and Ashley Freiberg, and drivers from diverse racial backgrounds include Ryan Nash, Jaden Conwright, and Kerong Li. Dedicated to bringing highly skilled individuals from various backgrounds, NTE Sport aims to continue to make North American sports car racing a fun, welcoming, supportive environment while participating in the most competitive series in North America.

About Star Spangled Racing
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Star Spangled Racing is a newer sports car racing team, established in 2020 by first-generation immigrant Tiger Tari from Turkey. Tari is an accomplished businessman, race car driver, and philanthropist with big motorsport ambitions. Star Spangled Racing provides driving opportunities in the USA and Europe. Follow on Instagram here.

About Southwest Funding
Southwest Funding began operations in 1993 under the name Dallas Residential Mortgage. We enjoyed great success early on and before long we were serving the entire state of Texas. This growth caused us to change our name to Texas Residential Mortgage.

As we continued to grow and thrive in the industry, Texas Residential Mortgage was changed to Southwest Funding to better accommodate our growing business in other states.

Today we’re still thriving, thanks in part to happy customers who have spread the word about what our company is doing to help borrowers get a home loan that fits their situation in an enjoyable and timely way. www.southwestfunding.com

Lamborghini Dallas
Lamborghini Dallas has earned the Highest Rated Lamborghini Dealer in the United States award by DealerRater 10 years in a row. With a state-of-the-art showroom, factory-certified service facility, parts depot, and a team of master technicians, Lamborghini Dallas is dedicated to the legacy of the famed raging bull. As a member of Boardwalk Auto Group, we cultivate a focus on top-flight performance. It’s the driving force behind every nameplate we represent, every car we maintain, and every customer we have the privilege to serve. Performance. It’s what we do.

About Celebrity X Cruises
Celebrity Cruises’ iconic “X” is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. Celebrity Cruises’ 13 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity also presents incredible Cruisetour experiences in Alaska and Canada. Celebrity is one of six cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL). For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com, or call your travel advisor.

About Cargo Expreso
For more than 30 years, Cargo Expreso has been dedicated to efficiently covering the needs of handling documents, packages and logistics in general of important companies in the region. The fruit of this work is the trust that our clients place in us. We earn this trust by understanding your business and the importance of providing an excellent quality service, guaranteeing collection and delivery at the place and time that the client needs. For more information visit https://www.cargoexpreso.com/quienes-somos.

About Protect
PROTECT A/S is an international manufacturer of products capable of protecting people and property against burglary and robbery. Our business is solely about security fog. We are specialized, innovative and dedicated in this field. We believe security fog can defeat criminals and significantly reduce crime anywhere in the world. We can protect you and your valuables in seconds. We can create a safer world, make people happier and businesses more prosperous. For more information visit https://protectglobal.fi/.

About the DropUp Agency
The Dropup Agency is a consulting firm that provides innovative technology and marketing solutions. Companies of all sizes trust us to provide modernized results with a scalable infrastructure, helping them to transform digitally. Through innovation, creative design, and passion-driven marketing, Dropup helps brands more uniquely connect with customers.
www.thedropupagency.com

Dodge//SRT and Mopar Racers Set Sights on Success at NHRA Gatornationals

By
Official Release
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2022 NHRA Arizona Nationals
  • Dodge//SRT and Mopar head to the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Camping World Drag Racing Series’ traditional east coast season opener, the Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals, at Florida’s Gainesville Raceway March 10-13
  • Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Funny Car driver Matt Hagan seeks his first Gatornationals Wally aboard the Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat
  • TSR pilot Leah Pruett set to stage her Dodge Power Brokers dragster among eight competing in NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout specialty race during Saturday qualifying 
  • Cruz Pedregon Racing looking to make gains with Snap-on Tools Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car at Gatornationals 
  • Seven Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Paks to compete at Gainesville in first of eight Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown events this season and vie for new $10,000-to-win Direct Connection Contingency purse 
  • Dodge//SRT and Mopar displays in the NHRA Manufacturers Midway will feature a Direct Connection performance vehicle along with a new look on the Dodge Power Brokers Funny Car simulator for fans to experience the thrill of a nitro run
  • Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP) will kick off the first of seven activations at national events this season at the Dodge//SRT and Mopar displays 

March 8, 2022, Auburn Hills, Michigan — The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Camping World Drag Racing Series’ traditional east coast season opener takes place this weekend at the historic Gainesville Raceway with Dodge//SRT and Mopar racers excited to get staged for the Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals. Tony Stewart Racing’s Matt Hagan and Leah Pruett will seek a first win for their new team aboard their Dodge Power Brokers machines in their respective nitro categories, while both drivers are also looking to collect their first coveted Gatornationals Wally trophies.

Hagan, a three-time NHRA Funny Car World Champion, arrives in Gainesville, Florida, revving to go after powering his Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car from the team’s first No. 1 qualifier position to their first final round appearance at the Arizona Nationals. 

“After spending three weeks on the west coast, we compiled a lot of data out there between one week of testing and two races,” said Hagan. “There is a fair amount of altitude in Phoenix, so we’ll have to transition to sea level in Florida. It looks like it may be a bit of a rainy weekend, so it will be fast and cool. I’m looking forward to it. Crew chiefs will have some big changes to make as far as compression and other things they do to make our cars run better at sea level.” 

Hagan’s drive for success at one of the fastest tracks on the NHRA circuit is further amplified by the fact that it remains one of the few venues at which he has not yet turned on four consecutive win lights.

“Gainesville is a track that has always eluded me,” added Hagan. “I would like to be able to check it off. We are able to set track records if the temperatures and conditions are there, so I feel like we’re going into a racetrack where we can really lay down the performance that TSR is making with my Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat.”

Also ready to launch her Dodge Power Brokers Top Fuel dragster and the weekend on a positive note is Pruett, who puts an unfortunate pair of first round losses in the rearview mirror. Before setting her sights on going rounds in eliminations on Sunday, she’ll stage her 11,000-horsepower dragster for the Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout, a thrilling specialty race among eight competitors with a unique format. 

“I am probably more excited about the Callout for various reasons than all of my other competitors,” said Pruett. “I personally have been having trouble on the tree when it comes to Sunday eliminations. Therefore, us having ‘eliminations’ on Saturday will give me the opportunity for redemption I’ve been chewing on for weeks. That will subsequently make for the most extreme competition this team has yet to offer.

“Gainesville Raceway is one of the most historic tracks in the country,” Pruett added. “It’s relatively low sea level and high barometer make for recipes of fast passes but the humidity factor really tries to smother that extra horsepower. Given our unique weather forecast ahead, this weekend is definitely shaping up to be the ultimate horsepower war.”

Pruett is seeded sixth for the first of three shootout rounds set to take place as part of Saturday qualifying. The initial “callouts” will take place prior to the first round of Friday qualifying on March 11 at 5 p.m. Eastern. The quickest first-round winner will have their pick of the remaining semifinal opponents, automatically locking in the other pairing as well. FOX will provide TV coverage of the NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout, including live action of the final round, beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, March 12. 

In addition to Hagan and Pruett competing in the nitro ranks, aboard the Snap-on Tools Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is two-time Funny Car world champion and 1998 Gatornationals winner Cruz Pedregon. With two drives to the winner’s circle last year, the Cruz Pedregon Racing team is continuing to perform well with two top-five qualifying efforts and five round wins in the first two of 22 NHRA events this season.

The 53rd edition of the legendary Gatornationals event also kicks off the Constant Aviation NHRA Factory Stock Showdown (FSS) eight-event series season which showcases Detroit’s finest drag-racing ready, factory-built vehicles. The Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Paks competing in FSS this year will have even more incentive to go for a Wally as a new Direct Connection Contingency Program will award them with a $10,000 purse, the largest available contingency award from any manufacturer, for earning a win in the exciting fan-favorite race. There are seven Mopar Drag Paks on the entry list looking to qualify for this weekend’s race.

Fans attending the Gatornationals are invited to visit Dodge//SRT and Mopar’s massive 4,800-square-foot display, one of the largest exhibits in the NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, to check out a selection of performance parts and vehicles and meet their favorite Dodge//SRT drivers for autographs. Enthusiasts even get a chance to test their virtual race skills aboard the dueling pair of Dodge Challenger SRT Demon simulators or take to the driver’s seat in the Dodge Power Brokers Funny Car simulator to experience the thrill of a nitro run.  

This weekend the display will also host the Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP), which launches its fourth season of activation at NHRA national events. The program offers immersive service technician courses through 100 certified training institutions, such as universities, colleges, community colleges and technical centers, with a curriculum designed to immediately place students in Stellantis dealerships upon graduation to meet the demand for new service technicians. 

“We’re looking forward to activating with Dodge//SRT and Mopar at the races. It’s a perfect fit for Mopar CAP,” said Keith Yancy, Director of Stellantis Performance Institute, which manages the program. “Students can turn their passion for automotive technology into a lucrative career working on the hottest cars in the industry.”

Mopar CAP information booths at the Dodge//SRT and Mopar display trailers will feature a subject matter expert, program information, games and giveaways. For information on the program and activation is available at Moparcap.com. 

Fans who can’t make it to the race track this weekend can stream all the Gatornationals action on their digital devices via NHRA.TV and tune in to FS1 for qualifying highlights on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern and broadcast elimination round coverage on Sunday, March 13, beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern.

DodgeGarage: Digital Hub for Drag Racing News

Fans can follow all the NHRA action this season at DodgeGarage, the one-stop portal for Dodge//SRT and Mopar drag-racing news. The site includes daily updates and access to an online racing HQ, news, events, galleries, available downloads and merchandise. For more information, visit www.dodgegarage.com.

@DodgeMoparMotorsports on Instagram

The @DodgeMoparMotorsports Instagram channel continues to share content capturing Dodge//SRT Mopar drivers on the track. Fans can see action from the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and NHRA Sportsman grassroots racers, competing in classes such as Factory Stock Showdown, Stock and Super Stock, as well as additional motorsports series.

Dodge//SRT

For more than 100 years, the Dodge brand has carried on the spirit of brothers John and Horace Dodge. Their influence continues today as Dodge shifts into high gear with muscle cars and SUVs that deliver unrivaled performance in each of the segments where they compete.

Dodge drives forward as a pure performance brand, offering SRT versions of every model across the lineup. For the 2022 model year, Dodge delivers the drag-strip dominating 807-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock, the 797-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Redeye, the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world, and the Dodge Durango SRT 392, America’s fastest, most powerful and most capable three-row SUV. Combined, these three muscle cars make Dodge the industry’s most powerful brand, offering more horsepower than any other American brand across its entire lineup.

In 2020, Dodge was named the “#1 Brand in Initial Quality,” making it the first domestic brand ever to rank No. 1 in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS). In 2021, Dodge brand ranked No. 1 in the J.D. Power APEAL Study (mass market) — making it the only domestic brand ever to do so two years in a row.

Dodge is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Mopar

This year marks the 85th anniversary of Mopar.

A simple combination of the words MOtor and PARts, Mopar offers exceptional service, parts and customer-care. Born in 1937 as the name of a line of antifreeze products, Mopar has evolved over nearly 85 years to represent both complete vehicle care and authentic performance for owners and enthusiasts worldwide.

Mopar made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era with performance parts to enhance speed and handling for both on-road and racing use. Later, Mopar expanded to include technical service and customer support, and today integrates service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance customer and dealer support worldwide.

Complete information on Mopar is available at www.mopar.com. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow Dodge, Mopar and Stellantis news and video on:

Company blog: blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Dodge brand: www.dodge.com

Mopar brand: www.mopar.com/

DodgeGarage: www.dodgegarage.com

Mopar blog: blog.mopar.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dodge and www.facebook.com/mopar

Instagram: @Dodgemoparmotorsports, @dodgeofficial and @officialmopar

Twitter: @Dodge, @OfficialMopar and @StellantisNA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/dodge, https://www.youtube.com/c/mopar and www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

Bridget Burgess Geared Up for another Full Season of NASCAR’s ARCA Menards West Series with HMH Construction and GEARWRENCH

By
Official Release
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TOOELE, UT, March 7, 2022 – Bridget Burgess and BMI Racing announced their partnership with HMH Construction and GEARWRENCH to compete full time in NASCAR’s ARCA Menards West Series for 2022.

After gaining a significant amount of experience in 2021, Bridget and BMI Racing are looking to build on the results in 2022. The Australian family-run race shop is based at Utah Motorsports Campus, a racetrack facility in Tooele, Utah. It provides an excellent opportunity for Bridget to hone her road course skills as the series will travel to three road course tracks this year.

John Odom, CEO of HMH Construction, had this to say about the partnership, “The team at HMH Construction and I are proud to be partnered with this hardworking team, and we are excited to see what Bridget can do this year and, in the future, behind the wheel.”

With GEARWRENCH, BMI Racing has the tools to keep Bridget’s car running at peak performance.

“Whether it’s the GEARWRENCH 120XP lineup of torque wrenches, our 90-tooth ratchets and wrenches, or the incomparable lineup of Bolt Biter Extraction Tools, we’re proud to give Bridget the tools she needs to become a regular in Victory Lane,” said Janet Bolin, Senior Manager of Brand Marketing at GEARWRENCH.

Bridget’s first race kicks off this Friday, March 11, at Phoenix Raceway.

Bridget is powered by these great companies: HMH Construction, GEARWRENCH, Rugged Radios, Cometic Gasket, Ferrea Racing Components, FK Rod Ends, Fragola Peformance Systems, GC Cooling Fan, GT Radial, Hawk Performance, Impact Race Products, K&N Filters, Konig, Miller Electric, ProAm, PSC Motorsports, Sunoco Race Fuel, Tilton, XS Power

Facebook page: BridgetBurgess8
Instagram: BridgetBurgess8
Twitter: 8BridgetBurgess

Tire Types Explained: What Are the Different Types For?

By
SM
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Photo by Mike from Pexels

For those unversed when it comes to cars, the vastly different effect that tires can have on performance may seem surprising. Tires come in a range of varying classifications, each with its own properties that aid the car in distinct conditions. 

Anyone replacing their tires for the first time may be unaware of the vast improvements possible over the car’s standard tires. With so much choice, selecting the ideal tire classification can seem like a daunting task. 

Anyone looking to replace or upgrade their wheels must consider many factors such as price, effect, and size. It’s important to know how and where to buy great quality tires at excellent value to make the process much easier. 

Choosing the Right Tire

When producing tires, there are a host of effects that the manufacturer must consider. Depending on an individual’s needs, their desired performance outcome will determine which they should buy. 

Tire purchasing comes at a sizeable cost, therefore it’s of vital importance to be informed and choose correctly. As the vast selection can be overwhelming, this article details some of the pros and cons of the most common tire types. 

Tube Tires

Tube tires are the most basic and widely used type. Their name derives from the rubber tube that is enclosed and filled with air. 

Alternatively, a tubeless tire has the air contained within the actual tire itself. Some advantages to tubeless tires are that they weigh less and provide better cooling.

The outer part is made of rubber of varying patterns with different effects. These can further be broken down into either symmetrical, asymmetrical and directional.

As the name suggests, symmetrical and asymmetrical denote the symmetry of the pattern throughout the thread. Similarly, directional tires are designed especially for going in only one direction. 

Winter Tires

Winter tires are highly recommendable for any individual who frequently drives in cold, adverse conditions. Whilst the rubber in normal tires begins to harden in temperatures below 7C, winter tires are resistant to such effects. 

Furthermore, many winter tires also serve as a perfectly viable option during some warmer months, remaining soft and flexible. In some European countries, it is a legal requirement to fit winter tires during the coldest periods of the year.

Research suggests that these special tires can improve braking by up to 60% in winter conditions. When considering the potential hazards of driving on icy roads, winter tires are indispensable in their utility. 

There are some negatives to winter tires to be aware of. Not only are they more expensive, but they will also quickly wear out and during hot periods and use more fuel. 

All-Season Tires

Whilst winter tires obviously thrive in extremely cold temperatures, other options are better for those not living constantly in the cold. Winter tires are rarely used without having a summer alternative, requiring tires to be changed twice a year. 

All-season tires try to reduce the need for tire replacement by functioning adequately in all conditions. High silica content aids with low-temperature flexibility whilst the tread pattern is a mixture of both summer and winter tires. 

Energy-Saving Tires

As with many industries over the past few years, tire manufacturers have also become increasingly environmentally conscious. Energy-saving tires help to reduce the amount of fuel consumed by reducing the amount of friction lost as the tire rolls.

These tires often use silica over conventional rubber in order to maintain grip whilst offering vastly reduced rolling resistance. The replacement of rubber also helps to reduce the release of carbon dioxide by up to five grams per kilometer. 

The biggest disadvantage to energy-saving tires is the increased price. However, money saved on fuel means that it’s always a worthy investment. 

Conclusion

Although picking new tires for your car can seem like a headache, your car will be much better off for it. Tire selection requires careful thought but can vastly improve your driving experience and offer huge safety benefits. 

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Las Vegas

By
Jeffrey Boswell
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Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Kyle Larson: Larson took two tires during the final pit stop and assumed the lead at Las Vegas. But Hendrick teammate Alex Bowman got the best of Larson and took the win as Larson settled for the runner-up spot.

“Hopefully, I think I’ve smoothed things over with Chase Elliott,” Larson said. “We may not see eye to eye, mostly because Chase insists things should be an eye for an eye.

“But one thing we can agree on is the use of the abbreviation ‘MF.’ Of course, our meanings of the abbreviation differ greatly. All I can tell you is to me, it means ‘my fault.'”

2. Kyle Busch: After a spin into the wall in Saturday practice, Busch was forced to resort to a backup car on Sunday. He steadily made his way to the front and led with three laps to go before a late caution ultimately cost him the win.

“Nothing is more upsetting than ruining your primary car in practice,” Busch said. “Trust me, I was in a panic after that. My car may have had ‘Ethel M Chocolates’ on it, but my driver’s suit had ‘Fudge Stripe’ in it.

“But Erik Jones really screwed us when he lost control and caused that final caution. Erik used to be a Joe Gibbs Racing driver. Apparently, whether driving for JGR or not, Erik is still a liability.”

3. Martin Truex, Jr.: Truex surged late and was battling with Kyle Busch for the win when a caution flew with two laps to go. Truex and Busch took four tires but lost track position, and Truex eventually finished eighth.

“My battle with Kyle should have been for the win,” Truex said. “That’s what racing is all about. Two of NASCAR’s all-time bests going head to head. Some would call it ‘great versus great.’ Others would call it ‘good versus evil.'”

4. Alex Bowman: Bowman out-dragged Kyle Larson after a late restart and held on to win the Pennzoil 400.

“I think I speak for most, but not all, of Hendrick Motorsports drivers when I say nothing is safer than racing side by side with Kyle Larson with the outcome on the line, ” Bowman said.

5. Aric Almirola: Almirola finished sixth in the Pennzoil 400 and is the only driver with a top 10 finish in all three races this year.

“That’s called ‘consistency,'” Almirola said. “And as the NASCAR playoff format, and Mark Martin can tell you, consistency will get you nowhere.”

6. Joey Logano: Logano finished 14th at Las Vegas and is third in the points standings.

“The average age of this season’s three race-winners is approximately 27,” Logano said. “As a 31-year-old, that makes me feel somewhat ancient. But they all have something I want, which is a race victory, as well as a non-receding hairline and 20/20 vision.”

7. Ryan Blaney: Blaney was collected when Brad Keselowski got loose and spun on lap 104. Blaney finished 36th.

“Brad just seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Blaney said. “Or I should say, given his history of accidents this year, Brad seems to be in the wrong place every time.”

8. Austin Dillon: Dillon finished 11th at Las Vegas and is ninth in the points standings.

“How about this ‘Next Generation’ car?” Dillon said. “And how about these ‘Next Generation’ sponsors? Like Tyler Reddick’s sponsor, 3Chi, which is a supplier of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids is just a fancy way of saying ‘marijuana,’ much like ‘dysentery’ is a fancy way of saying ‘Martinsville hot dog.'”

9. Chase Elliott: Elliott finished ninth at Las Vegas.

“Did Kyle Larson really not see me when he ran me into the wall at Fontana?” Elliott said. “Maybe. Did I spin on purpose after that incident in an attempt to ruin Larson’s shot at winning? I won’t dignify that with an answer, but I will say that I went to a casino with Clint Bowyer, where we played roulette, and we both did, in fact, ‘intentionally’ spin the roulette wheel.”

10. Austin Cindric: Daytona 500 champ Cindric finished 19th ay Las Vegas.

“Denny Hamlin broke a gear on Lap 219,” Cindric said. “And a lot of drivers sarcastically said to Denny, ‘You’ve got no gears.’ And Denny of course replied, ‘No shift, Sherlock.'”

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