Home Blog Page 2103

CHEVY NCS AT MARTINSVILLE: Alex Bowman Press Conference Transcript

By
Official Release
-

NASCAR CUP SERIES
MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY
BLUE-EMU MAXIMUM PAIN RELIEF 400
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 8, 2022

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1, met with the media in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Martinsville Speedway. Press Conference Transcript:

YOU’VE GOTTEN AROUND HERE PRETTY WELL SINCE JOINING HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS. ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS OR THOUGHTS THAT THIS NEW CAR IS GOING TO COMPLETELY TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE GOOD HABITS YOU HAVE HERE, THE FEEL THAT YOU HAVE, AND IT’S NO LONGER GOING TO BE BASICALLY YOUR MARTINSVILLE?
“Yes and no. I did get to run the wheel force car here last year, which was a Next Gen car. I think running Richmond (Raceway) last weekend gave us a good idea that the short tracks are kind of still the short tracks. You still fight really similar things. While you may not have the same issues with things like wheel hop and stuff like that, it’s still loose in, tight in the center and loose off; kind of the standard stuff. We still weren’t good on short runs. We were still really good on long runs. So, it was pretty typical us. I think it will hopefully still be a good place for us.”

WITH THE BIGGER BRAKES, DOES IT STILL LOOK LIKE MARTINSVILLE – THE WAY THE RACE PLAYS OUT AND THE WAY THE DRIVERS RACE EACH OTHER?
“Yeah, I think so. I think this car definitely lends itself to being more aggressive. It’s not nearly as fragile as the old car was. We have more braking power than we have grip. So like Richmond (Raceway), you don’t have much grip to lean on the car getting into the corner. So, you have a ton of brake power, but you can’t really use it. I think this will be pretty similar to that. I’m excited to see how it works out.”

THIS RACE HAS GONE FROM 500 LAPS TO 400 LAPS. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT AND HOW THAT YOU FEEL THAT WILL IMPACT EVERYTHING?
“I think it’s great. I don’t think it’s going to impact the race very much. It’s still a long day around this place, for sure, so it’s not like it’s a short one. The stage lengths kind of change a little bit, but I think it’ll look similar. I think it’s definitely a good move and hopefully puts on an exciting show for the fans.”

LAST FALL, YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN THE RECORD BOOK HERE. IT’S 75 YEARS OF MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY. HOW NEAT WAS IT TO GET THAT WIN AND JUST BE A PART OF THAT WINNING TRADITION BECAUSE EVERYONE STRIVES TO GET THAT GRANDFATHER CLOCK?
“Yeah, it’s really special to have a win here. Obviously, it’s a really special trophy. We had some controversy, but still super cool to be able to win here. It means a lot to me. It’s a place that I honestly struggled at quite a bit at first. I feel like I’ve worked really hard to get better here and, lately, we have been pretty successful here. Hopefully we get another one this weekend.”

AT DOVER, HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS SWEPT THE TOP-FOUR LAST YEAR. HOW BIG OF A DEAL WAS THAT? DID YOU UNDERSTAND THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?
“Yeah, I think looking back at post-race, we all immediately understood and realized how special it was. Some things that we got to do throughout the week, like the photo we were able to take on Monday morning and stuff like that, was really cool. It was pretty special to be a part of that and be on the front side of that, as well.”

WHAT WAS IT LIKE IN THE CLOSING LAPS WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT LOOKED LIKE THAT WAS A POSSIBILITY?
“I didn’t know we were 1-2-3-4 until after the race was over. I was just trying to hold the No. 5 (Kyle Larson) off and win the race; kind of business as usual until post-race.”

WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE DRAFTING AT DAYTONA AND WHAT DO YOU EXPECT WITH THE NEXT GEN CAR AT TALLADEGA?
“Yeah, we got stuck with flat tires and four laps down pretty quickly at Daytona (International Speedway). Hopefully we can have a better day at Talladega (Superspeedway). The draft is similar, but different. It’s still superspeedway racing. I think Talladega is going to be pretty similar to Daytona, as they always are. Looking forward to trying to get some redemption from the Daytona 500.”

BRISTOL DIRT IS NEXT WEEK. HOW DO YOU FEEL GOING INTO THAT RACE THIS YEAR COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO?
“Yeah, it feels all new again, with the new car and not knowing what to expect on how the car drives. I’m looking forward to it. I think it being a night race is obviously a great call. We’ll see how it plays out. Hopefully we’ll eliminate some of the struggles from last year; whether it’s the dust, the mud and just lack of being able to see. I’d like to be able to see where my race car is traveling. But other than that, I’m really looking forward to it.”

IF BRISTOL DOESN’T GO AS HOPEFUL AS PEOPLE ARE THINKING IT WILL, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE DIRT EXPERIMENT CONTINUE AT A DIFFERENT TRACK, LIKE MORE OF A DIRT TRACK ITSELF; OR SHOULD NASCAR STICK TO PAVED RACETRACKS?
“I think as far as dirt tracks that are that size, the same things are going to happen wherever we go, with vision and things like that. I think ARCA is a good example of being able to make it work really successfully, but they’re running basically on rubber when they go to the mile (tracks).

I think the dirt thing is really cool. I enjoy it. We were really strong last year until we broke a transmission. So, I’m all for it. Hopefully the sequential is a little harder to break for me and I don’t create my own issue there again and have to ride around in third gear all day. I think it’s fun. The cars are really fun to drive. Obviously, it presents its own unique set of challenges and we’ve only had one try to get it right so far. I think the more we do it, the better it’s going to get.”

THE WEATHER TOMORROW NIGHT, IT’S GOING TO BE COLD. DOES THAT HAVE ANY EFFECT ON A DRIVER WHEN IT’S COLD LIKE THAT AND WHAT EFFECT IT MIGHT HAVE ON THE TRACK ITSELF?
“Yeah, I think the biggest thing is typically when it’s that cold, the racetrack has a lot of grip. Tire fall-off is not as bad as it is when it’s really hot and slick. From my side, Greg (Ives, crew chief) texted me earlier this week and he took all my cooling stuff out of the car. So, hopefully it actually is cold because if it gets hot tomorrow night, I’m going to be complaining (laughs).

It will just be a little different from the tire fall-off side of things. But it really doesn’t change a lot.”

THIS YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVEN DIFFERENT WINNERS TO START THE SEASON. LAST YEAR STARTED IN A VERY SIMILAR WAY. IS THAT JUST COINCIDENCE THAT THE SEASON HAS STARTED OFF LIKE THIS? TALK HAS ALREADY STARTED THAT THERE COULD BE 16 OR MORE DIFFERENT WINNERS BY THE END OF THE REGULAR SEASON – DO YOU BUY INTO THAT?
“Yeah, I think people probably will win multiple times. For me, I don’t really pay attention to that stuff a lot. I focus on my own thing and my own weeks; and just trying to go to the racetrack and do the best job I can. But my opinion, I think you’ll see people win multiple times. I don’t think you’ll see 16 different winners, but maybe you will. I guess we’ll wait and see.”

ARE YOU SURPRISED IT STARTED OUT THIS WAY LIKE LAST YEAR?
“Not really. I think with the new car, guys are figuring it out week-to-week. Big gains are being made right now. So, I’m not surprised to see so many winners.”

SPEAKING OF THIS CAR, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYWHERE WE GO, IT’S GIVING US A LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF THE RACING. IS THAT A GOOD THING FOR THE SERIES AND IS THAT A GOOD SIGN OF WHAT THIS CAR CAN DO?
“Yeah, I think it’s good. It’s like anything – the old car had tracks that it put on a really great show and tracks that left a little bit to be desired with it. I think this car is going to have places that it puts on a better show than others. That’s kind of how it is with any racecar.

I think it’s been really good. We’re all fighting our own individual struggles with it, whether it’s guys dealing with pedal stuff, seat stuff, handling stuff, whatever it is. It’s been a big learning process, which it’s been fun having something new that you’re not familiar with; and it’s not the same that it’s been, what feels like, forever. I’ve been enjoying it and I think it’s been really good.”

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

INDYCAR Announces Long Beach Grid Penalty

By
Official Release
-

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, April 8, 2022) – INDYCAR officials have announced a six-position starting grid penalty for the No. 29 Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport entry for avoidable contact involving driver Devlin DeFrancesco during the Sunday, March 20 race at Texas Motor Speedway.

DeFrancesco was in violation of:

Rule 9.3.3. Avoidable Contact – The primary responsibility for avoiding contact with a Competitor resides with the overtaking Competitor and the secondary responsibility resides with the Competitor(s) being overtaken. A Competitor who fails to demonstrate their responsibility and initiates a maneuver that results in contact with another Competitor may be penalized.

According to the rulebook, a penalty can be applied at the next INDYCAR race if the penalty cannot be served at the event where the infraction took place. The series’ next 2022 event is the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 10 on the Streets of Long Beach.

Porsche Sports Car Together Fest celebrates performance models at Indianapolis

By
Official Release
-

World’s largest gathering of GT Cars; one-make racing and off-track activities for the whole family and fans of all ages highlight Labor Day

Atlanta, April 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Porsche will return to Indianapolis over the Labor Day weekend to celebrate its long history of performance road and race cars, along with trackside activities for families and fans of all ages. The Sports Car Together Fest, the second annual marquee event at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) by Porsche, will highlight the German sports car manufacturer’s highest performance models: the GT line of road cars as well as its top one-make race series. Punctuating the September 2 to 4 event is what is expected to be the world’s largest gathering of Porsche GT cars and a spotlight on the 50th anniversary of the RS model. While the Porsche Carrera Cup North America presented by the Cayman Islands will headline the racing action on the track, multiple aspects of the Porsche automotive and sports culture will entertain and educate Porsche fans and casual attendees alike at the three-day end of summer event.

“Porsche at its heart is about community and passion. Coming together to celebrate some of our highest performing cars in action is like a family reunion for us,” said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “We look forward to welcoming enthusiasts, fans and just the curious to share the thrill of the track, the heights of sports car engineering in the real and virtual worlds, and the spirit of Porsche heritage.”

50 Years of RS

Short for Rennsport, the German word for “racing”, the first RS model, the 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022. Then, as now, the Porsche race car was directly based on the production road car. The anniversary is being recognized around the world as the birthday of the most revered vintage machines of the iconic 911 line. Porsche will have several displays to highlight this five-decade tradition at Indianapolis.

Around the Track

Multiple activities await visitors to the Porsche Sports Car Together Fest. In addition to the golden anniversary celebration of the RS model line, Sports Car Together Fest will play host to multiple activities off the track as well.

  • World’s largest gathering of Porsche GT cars. A special exhibition area dedicated to what is expected to be the largest gathering of highest performance models developed by Porsche.
  • Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge. For the second consecutive year, Porsche dealerships are invited to return a beloved Porsche sports car from the 1950s to 2000s back to its original glory.
  • Esports Championship. While the premiere Porsche one-make series battles wheel-to-wheel outside, the competition heats up in the virtual world inside. Additional details on the Porsche eSports championship are forthcoming and will be released alongside future Porsche Sports Car Together Fest announcements.
  • Lifestyle. The Porsche Sports Car Together Fest doesn’t only revolve around the car culture, it is a family-focused weekend. Porsche-centric events, programs, activities and displays around the facility include artists creating themed works, health and wellness activities for the entire family to participate in and more. Bringing in aspects of its sports and lifestyle experiences, Sports Car Together Fest is an event the entire family and fans of all ages can enjoy.

On-Track

Nearly non-stop activity will entertain the competition-minded visitors to The Speedway. The 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course of the legendary facility – incorporating parts of the oval made famous by the Indianapolis 500 – will be used for all on-track sessions. In addition to Rounds 13 and 14 of the 16-race Porsche Carrera Cup North America Presented by the Cayman Islands season, the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, Porsche Club of America (PCA) sports car racing and time attack events will provide the die-hard Indiana motorsport fans with intense Porsche-against-Porsche GT car racing.

More events and activities are regularly being added to the Porsche Sports Car Together Fest calendar and will, along with information of purchasing tickets, be announced in the near future.

Monster Mile Bash set for Saturday, April 30 in Dover following the A-GAME 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash race

By
Official Release
-
  •  Highlights include the Inaugural Monster Mile Cornhole Tournament, presented by Crown Royal, with a total prize payout of $2,500.
  • Tournament is one of many Saturday entertainment options at the Monster Mile, including live music, hot-air balloon rides, bumper car rides, fireworks and more!

DOVER, Del. (April 8, 2022) – NASCAR fans can test their cornhole skills – and win some cash in the process – during Dover Motor Speedway’s upcoming Monster Mile Bash on Saturday, April 30.

The planned festivities come in the middle of the Speedway’s April 29-May 1 NASCAR tripleheader weekend.

The Inaugural Monster Mile Cornhole Tournament, presented by Crown Royal, is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 following the A-GAME 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash race at the Monster Mile.

Hosted by Delaware Cornhole, registration for the tournament is available now online through April 30 at 3:45 p.m., with the boards set up just steps from the famous Monster Monument at Victory Plaza. Additional cornhole boards will be available for non-competitive free-play as well.

The entry fee is $50 for a two-person team, with a guaranteed prize pool of $2,500 at stake. All ages and all skill levels are welcome to participate. Registration is first-come, first-served, with a limit of 100 teams.

Proceeds will benefit Speedway Children’s Charities, a non-profit organization that provides funding for underserved children throughout the United States.

The tournament is just a part of the Monster Mile Bash festivities on Saturday. Other entertainment options include:

Live music in Victory Plaza – hosted by MTV legend Riki Rachtman – including a show by Jexxa, a popular duo who will perform original and cover music. Jexxa will also sing the national anthem before Saturday’s race.

Happy hour drink specials all night long, featuring an assortment of Ready To Drink Crown Royal cocktails, including Peach Tea, Washington Apple and Whiskey & Cola varieties.

Free bumper car rides, giant slide attraction and axe throwing in the FanZone.

Tethered hot air balloon rides will be available nearby, in Lot 8, from 7-9 p.m. Donations are encouraged and benefit Speedway Children’s Charities.

Saturday Night Fireworks, presented by Kent County Tourism, will begin at 9 p.m. and be visible from all areas of Dover Motor Speedway property.

Food will be available for purchase nearby at the SoDel Concepts tent by Victory Plaza, including the following favorites:
Philly Cheesesteaks
Nashville Hot Friend Chicken Sandwiches
Sticky Ikky Fried Rice Bowl (Chicken, Fried Egg, Veggies)
Delaware Destroyer (Waffle-Cut Fries with Cheese, Bacon, Scallions and Old Bay)
Scrapple Sandwiches (Traditional Delaware breakfast favorite)
Street Dog (Hot Dog with Tomato, Cilantro, Flaming Hot Cheetos, and more)

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

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

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

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

FOLLOW US:

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

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Overview- Martinsville Speedway

By
Official Release
-

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport
NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Overview-
Martinsville Speedway; April 8, 2022

Track: Martinsville Speedway– Oval (0.526-Mile)
Race: Call 811 Before You Dig 250; 250 Laps –60/60/130; 131.5 Miles
Date/Broadcast: Friday; April 8, 2022 7:30 PM ET
TV: Fox Sports 1 (FS1), and the FOX Sports App
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) – Check Local Listings for affiliate, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
Social Media: Jordan Anderson Racing and Bommarito AutoSport; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Myatt Snider; Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Myatt Snider – No. 31 TaxSlayer
Chevrolet Camaro SS – Martinsville Speedway

News and Notes:

  • Practice; After the completion of the two separate 15-minute practice sessions on Thursday evening, Myatt Snider would record a fast lap of 20.412 at 92.769 mph during his 21 lap session making the TaxSlayer Chevrolet the fastest car in Group A, and 4th overall of the 43 cars entered for the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) Call 811 Before You Dig 250.

– Starting Position; Directly after both 15-minute practice sessions teams would move into qualifying to determine the starting order for Friday night’s Call 811 Before You Dig 250. In 2022, short-track qualifying consists of a single round of single car qualifying for two laps. Snider would lay down a fast lap of 20.155 at 93.952 placing the No. 31 TaxSlayer Chevrolet Camaro 19th overall. The Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport team will start to the inside of row 10 for Friday night’s Call 811 Before You Dig 250.

– Martinsville Speedway Stats; Friday nights NXS Call 811 Before You Dig 250 will mark Snider’s fourth NXS start at Martinsville Speedway. In October of 2020, Snider made his NXS debut at the historic 0.526-mile Virginia paperclip earning himself a 23rd place finish after running in the top-ten majority of the race, and getting caught up in someone else’s retaliation in the closing laps. 2021 would see the NXS compete at Martinsville twice and once again Snider would put himself him contention to claim victory claiming the 15th position in the Spring and a 12th place finish in the Fall. In three races at Martinsville Speedway Snider holds an average finish of 17.0.

Featured Partners

  • TaxSlayer; TaxSlayer is an easy-to-use online tax filing platform with unlimited support at a fraction of the cost of the competition. Trusted for over 50 years, the Augusta-based tech company successfully completed more than 10 million federal and state e-filed tax returns in 2021 and processed $15 billion in refunds. With over 15,000 reviews on consumer review site Trustpilot, 85% of customers rate TaxSlayer Great or Excellent. On top of ensuring 100% accuracy, TaxSlayer has a maximum refund guarantee and is committed to providing the right tools at the right price. For more information, visit www.TaxSlayer.com.

– Chassis; Jordan Anderson Racing (JAR) Bommarito Autosport will bring Chassis No. 102 to Martinsville Speedway for Snider to compete with in the Call Before You Dig 250. Chassis No. 102 last competed at Phoenix Raceway in March where Snider would run mid-pack most of the day earning a 24th place finish. Prior to Phoenix, No. 102 competed at Martinsville Speedway in the Dead On Tools last October with Josh Berry behind the wheel. Berry would run in the Top-15 the entire day before getting dumped by Riley Herbst with two laps to go resulting in a 28th place finish. Prior to Martinsville Erik Jones would compete in Chassis No. 102 at Watkins Glen International in the Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey 200. In that race Jones would compete in the Top-15 all day before being involved in a late race accident where the damage was too severe to continue resulting in a 36th place finish. In the chassis debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with Driver/Owner Jordan Anderson behind the wheel No. 102 would run in the Top-20 the first two stages, but would encounter battery issues at the completion of Stage-2 resulting in a 34th place finish.

About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport is a NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) team, owned by owner/driver Jordan Anderson and Bommarito Automotive Group President, John Bommarito. Established in 2018, JAR has competed full-time in the last four NCWTS seasons claiming back-to-back runner-up finishes in the 2020 & 2021 season opening NextEra 250 at Daytona International Speedway. In its debut season the No. 31 NXS Chevrolet Camaro SS drove to 5 Top-Five finishes and 6 Top-Ten finishes in the team’s debut season. In 2022 JAR fields a full-time entry in the NXS Series; the No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro SS for driver Myatt Snider. JAR also fields the No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado for select drivers in the NCWTS.

SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt | Joe Graf Jr. Martinsville Speedway April Event Preview

By
Official Release
-

SS Greenlight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Martinsville (Va.) Speedway | Call 811 Before You Dig 250

Fast Facts
No. 07 SS GreenLight Racing Team:
Driver: Joe Graf Jr. (@JoeGrafJr)
Primary Partner(s): Bucked Up LFG Burn
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Joe Williams
Spotter: TJ Bell
2022 Driver Points Position: 29th | 2022 Owner Points Position: 20th
Engine: Roush Yates Engines (RYE)
Call 811 Before You Dig 250 Starting Position: 24th

Notes of Interest:

Full of Energy (Burn): Bucked Up Energy Drink and its sister products will continue their role as the primary partner of Graf’s No. 07 Ford Mustang this weekend.

Martinsville (Va.) Speedway is the sixth race of 2022 but is the 37th race overall in a multi-year, multi-race deal with the former ARCA Menards Series winner.

This weekend and for a second time in 2022, Bucked Up will promote its new Bucked Up LFG Burn product.

LFG Burn is a revolutionary pre-workout specifically designed to optimize fat loss. Designed to complement your hard work, LFG acts as both a pre-workout and a fat burning supplement.

This science-based, non-proprietary formula supplies breakthrough ingredients to help you achieve your noble quest towards fat loss.

About Bucked Up Energy: Bucked Up started in 2013 when twin brothers Ryan and Jeff Gardner started marketing a product called Deer Antler Spray. After selling thousands of bottles to GNCs nationwide, the company morphed into what is now Bucked Up, a full-fledged vitamins and supplements manufacturer.

The company has gone from its humble beginnings to becoming the No. 1 best-selling pre-workout brand that’s available in over 10,000 stores worldwide.

Plenty Of Other Bucked Up Energy Drinks Options Available Too: Bucked Up Energy now offers more than 10 quenching options, but two of their popular flavors, Pink Lemonade and Mango Tango now include low-stim options.

Low-stim has the same innovative ingredients that make their OG formula so powerful for focus, mood, motivation and energy. Bucked Up made just one small change and they have been surprised by the resulting epicness.

Boasting a modest of 100mg of caffeine, Bucked Up Low-Stim delivers the same energy, focus, mood, motivation – while reducing the common side effects that come from too-much caffeine, jitters, sleeplessness and anxiety.

Traveling Man: It’s been a busy week for Joe Graf Jr. In between the NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Richmond Raceway and Martinsville Speedway, Graf traveled to Las Vegas, Nev., where he attended a tradeshow for a current marketing partner, while also signed autographs and met with potential new marketing partners introduced through the current marketing partner’s business-to-business initiatives.

Settling In: Martinsville marks the eighth race that the SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt (SSGLRwJL) team embraces their manufacturer switch from Chevrolet to Ford while incorporating its technical alliance with Stewart-Haas Racing.

SHR will supply the organization with race cars while Roush Yates Engines will provide the legendary Ford horsepower. In addition to providing race cars to SSGLRwJL, SHR will also provide technical support for the entire 33-race season.

Additionally, Graf will have NASCAR Cup Series and Stewart-Haas Racing drivers Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe as teammates for select events throughout the 2022 season.

Don’t Forget The New Partner Too: SS GreenLight Racing has added Jeff Lefcourt as a new co-owner of the Mooresville, N.C.-based team, as well as director of business development for the organization.

Lefcourt, a native of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. joins SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt (SSGLRwJL) with a long history of racing endeavors including owning Bethel (N.Y.) Motor Speedway in upstate New York, a current-NASCAR sanctioned race track.

The noted philanthropist, entrepreneur and real estate developer has deep ties to grassroots racing and was instrumental in helping secure the Stewart-Haas Racing alliance with SSGLRwJL in 2022.

Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Martinsville Speedway Starts: Joe Graf Jr. will make his fourth career start at Martinsville Speedway in Friday night’s race.

In his previous three efforts, Graf has delivered a career track best 15th place effort driving for SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt last October.

Additionally, Graf has managed finishes of 21st and 38th respectively.

Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Short Track Nuggets: At tracks classified as short tracks with a track length of under 1.0-mile, Graf has 12 previous NASCAR Xfinity Series starts.

He holds an average starting position of 26.0 and an improved average result of 22.5 and has been running at the conclusion of 11 of the 12 races.

Richmond (Va.) Raceway | ToyotaCare 250 Race Recap: In the most recent NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, Graf and the SSGLRwJL team debuted the No. 07 Bucked Up Mango Tango Energy Drink Ford Mustang.

After successfully qualifying for the race on their time trials speed, Graf and his team struggled with the overall balance of their race car which hindered their overall performance and yielded a 29th place finish.

School In Session: While juggling a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule with SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt, college life has resumed for Joe Graf Jr.

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Graf Jr. has resorted to online classes at the University of New York, where he is pursuing a degree in business, media and sports management.

Sneaker Mania: Along with the adrenaline of the Motorsports competition, Joe Graf Jr. also has a vogue for hype sneakers. In his current collection, he owns and wears at least 90 limited edition sneakers – and his collection continues to grow every month.

The current estimated value of his collection tops $100,000.

From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Joe Williams is Joe Graf Jr.’s crew chief.

He will crew chief his 73rd NASCAR Xfinity Series race as crew chief on Friday night and his fourth at the 0.526-mile short track.

In his previous 72 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected one win (Auto Club Speedway | February 2022), six top-five and 17 top-10 finishes.

Hello From The Other Side: Graf Jr. has a teammate at SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt. Veteran David Starr will drive the No. 08 TicketSmarter Ford Mustang on Friday night for his third start of the 2022 season.

Starr is set to make his 237th career NASCAR Xfinity Series start and third at Martinsville Speedway. His best Xfinity track finish occurred in the 2021 Cook Out 250, where he finished 22nd after starting 34th for Motorsports Business Management (MBM Motorsports).

Follow on Social Media: For more on Joe Graf Jr. visit JoeGrafRacing.com, like him on Facebook (Joe Graf Jr.), follow him on TikTok (@JoeGrafJr), Twitter (@JoeGrafJr) and Instagram (@joegrafjr).

For more on SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt, please like them on Facebook (SS GreenLight Racing) and follow them on Instagram (@ssgreenlightracing) and Twitter (@SSGLR0708).

Joe Graf Jr. Pre-Race Quotes:

On Martinsville Speedway: “Everyone on the SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt team is very optimistic about Martinsville Speedway on Friday night. The speed and finesse we showcased as a team have us upbeat that we can return to the track and contend for another top-15 finish on Friday night.

“If we do that, it would be a welcomed boost for our upcoming stretch of races.”

On 2022 Season: “There is a lot to be proud about in 2022, but there is just as much work to be done. We pinpointed the issue with our Richmond race and are determined to work hard to make sure it’s the last time we experience that type of setback.

“Without question we have the speed in our race cars to battle for top-20s or better, we just need to do a better job of executing. We are definitely keeping that in mind heading to Martinsville.”

Race Information:

The Call 811 Before You Dig 250 (250 laps | 131.5 miles) is the eighth of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2022 schedule. The 38-car field will take the green flag on Friday night, April 8 shortly after 7:30 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

About SS Green Light Racing with Jeff Lefcourt:

As one of the most tenured teams in all of NASCAR, SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt led by team owner and former driver Bobby Dotter and new partner Jeff Lefcourt has been a mainstay entry in the sport fielding entries in either the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series or Xfinity Series competition since 2001.

SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt will continue with a two-car program in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2022.

Erik Jones Hosts ‘3 Reasons to Race’ Fundraiser

By
Official Release
-

Newly Renovated Birch Run Speedway Site of Erik Jones Foundation Event

BIRCH RUN, Mich. (April 8, 2022) – NASCAR Cup Series driver and Michigan native Erik Jones is returning to his roots on May 19 by hosting a fundraising event at Birch Run Speedway for his Erik Jones Foundation.

The 4/10-mile oval just 15 miles southeast of Saginaw is where Jones cut his racing teeth on his way to the elite NASCAR Cup Series. Today, the track is putting the finishing touches on a massive makeover that will be ready in time for the 2022 racing season. Part of the renovation includes a new event center, and the Erik Jones Foundation will christen the space with its first fundraiser of 2022 called 3 Reasons to Race, which aligns with the three pillars of the Erik Jones Foundation – igniting children’s passion for reading, encouraging early cancer detection and care, and promoting animal welfare.

Beginning at 5 p.m. EDT on May 19, 3 Reasons to Race will include a unique race-gaming experience where guests can win cash and prizes. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction featuring mementos from such notable NASCAR personalities as Richard Petty, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Ty Dillon and Jones, as well as other items, including four round-trip tickets on Allegiant Air, authentic sports items from the Detroit Tigers and Flint Firebirds, and two tickets to the FireKeepers Casino 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Aug. 7 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.

“I love going back home and reconnecting with friends and family, and now we’re able to do it with our foundation and raise money for a great cause,” said Jones, a native of Byron who owns 18 wins across NASCAR’s top-three national touring series – Cup (two), Xfinity (nine) and Camping World Truck (seven). “May is National Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month, and a portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Melanoma Research Foundation, a group I’ve worked with for several years. I lost my dad to cancer, and it’s made me so mindful of how important early detection is, because the sooner you diagnose it, the more options you have for treatment. This fundraiser will go directly toward research that provides those options.”

The 3 Reasons to Race fundraiser is highlighted by an immersive race-gaming event that includes a 15-foot long gameboard emulating an oval racetrack. Attendees purchase “Birch Run Bucks” from the “pit” and then place their bets on any of six 1/10th-scale racecars of their choice. After all bets are in, the payout odds are calculated. Jones, serving as grand marshal of the event, will call for the engines to fire, whereupon participants are off to the races, cheering on their favorite car in hopes of winning cash and prizes. Ping-pong balls drawn two at a time advance the cars on the gameboard each time their number is drawn. Those with bets on the first car that crosses the finish line, win. And to the victor go the spoils, as only the winners are paid from all of the bets placed. Tickets to support this fundraiser are available at 3 Reasons to Race Tickets.

Even with a new look, Birch Run Speedway is very familiar to Jones. He made his mark at the track as a 14-year-old when in August of 2010, he won the Bob Cross Memorial, becoming the youngest winner in ASA Late Model history. Now a 25-year-old in his sixth full season competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, Jones remains a proud Michigander. He chose Birch Run Speedway for his foundation’s event because of his history at the track, but also to help promote the upgrades across the multipurpose facility.

The figure-eight track and the quarter-mile oval located inside the 4/10-mile oval have been repaved. The 4/10-mile oval has gone untouched as its surface is a favorite of racers, allowing them multiple lanes to find speed and make passes. Pit road, however, has fresh asphalt, and 20 new concrete slabs were added to the pit area, enhancing working conditions for crews.

Improvements extend to fan amenities too. The parking lot has been repaved, and the event center’s pavilion has been enclosed with sliding glass doors on every wall, allowing it to be used throughout the year, regardless of weather. Soon, Birch Run Speedway will be home to Michigan’s longest bar, with a 130-foot long serving area dubbed “Gas Alley” replete with more than 50 TVs and additional high-top tables and chairs.

Attendees can see the revamped Birch Run Speedway in person all while supporting the Erik Jones Foundation. Silent auction items and sponsor opportunities are available for anyone who would like to donate. For more information on each, please email Events@ErikJonesFoundation.org. To purchase tickets, please go to 3 Reasons to Race Tickets.

Sponsors already on board with 3 Reasons to Race include UBS Financial Services, Johnson and Wood Mechanical Contractors, Industrial Propane Service, Alan R. Miller P.C., Brad Keselowski and Tina Eller and Thomas Barth.

Lawless Alan – Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 200 Race Recap

By
Official Release
-

Race Recap | Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 200 | Martinsville Speedway

Team: No. 45 AUTOParkit Chevrolet Silverado

Driver: Lawless Alan

Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @lawlessalan25

Start: 15th

Finish: 20th

Driver Point Standings: 19th

Owner Point Standings: 23rd

Race Rundown – No. 45 AUTOParkit Chevrolet Silverado

Alan and the No. 45 team held steady in the top-20 in the opening laps at Martinsville Thursday night before a strategy call to stay out during the caution on lap 38 positioned them in the top-10 heading into the final laps of Stage One. Alan fell one spot short of earning a stage point, settling for 11th in the opening stage.

After pitting at the stage break before the start of Stage Two, Alan was sent for a spin in turn two to bring out the caution but remained on the lead lap, resulting in a 29th-place finish in the stage. The No. 45 team opted to stay out at the stage break and restarted the final stage in eighth, but differing strategies on the track shuffled Alan back to outside the top-15 before settling for a 20th-place finish – marking the second-consecutive race as the highest finishing rookie in the field.

Alan on his first short track event of the 2022 season: “It was a decent night here at Martinsville for our No. 45 AUTOParkit team. Finishing 20th is not where we wanted to be, but we learned a lot. We were really aggressive – we used people up and we got used up – it’s all part of this place. We’ll learn from this experience and move on to Bristol.”

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

Carson Hocevar – Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 200 Race Recap

By
Official Release
-

Race Recap | Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 200 | Martinsville Speedway

Team: No. 42 Premier Security Solutions Chevrolet Silverado

Driver: Carson Hocevar

Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @CarsonHocevar

Start: 9th

Finish: 17th

Driver Point Standings: 12th

Owner Point Standings: 13th

Race Rundown – No. 42 Premier Security Solutions Chevrolet Silverado

Hocevar kept his No. 42 Chevrolet in the top-10 for a majority of the first stage before opting to pit under caution on lap 39 before the stage break, resulting in 14th-place finish in Stage One. After restarting fourth to begin Stage Two, Hocevar made his way into the bottom lane before making the pass to move into third by lap 62. Following a caution on lap 79, he restarted in second before settling for third in Stage Two to earn eight stage points.

Hocevar began to fight a brake issue towards the end of Stage Two and overshot his pit box during the team’s four-tire stop at the stage break. The team worked to remedy the issue during the final stage but it continued to persist, resulting in a 17th-place finish.

Hocevar on his run at Martinsville Speedway: “We had a top-10 Chevrolet Silverado tonight – running third in stage two showed just how much speed we had – but we just lost the brakes at the end. I overshot my pit box when the brake pedal went to the floor and after 10 laps of each run that followed I lost my brakes. I was still able to maintain everyone in front of me, but I wasn’t able to gain on them since I couldn’t drive harder into the corner. This No. 42 team is pretty good on the dirt so we’ll shift our focus to Bristol next week.”

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 Premier Security Solutions:

Founded in 2013 by a retired Flint Michigan Police Officer, Premier Security Solutions is committed to deflect and deter unlawful activity for their clients, create a safe campus, and provide a secure environment. A company fully committed to community involvement and protection. Premier partners with many community organizations like Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and his G.H.O.S.T. team combatting human trafficking. Premier provides an array of security services, including K-12 school campus, industrial logistics, corporate and event security in addition to a state-of-the-art monitoring center and all types of security training for both law enforcement and civilian trainees. For more information, please visit www.premiersecurity.solutions/

Kris Wright – Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 200 Race Recap

By
Official Release
-

Race Recap | Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 200 | Martinsville Speedway

Team: No. 44 F.N.B Corporation Chevrolet Silverado

Driver: Kris Wright

Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @KrisOnNASCAR

Start: 14th

Finish: 30th

Driver Point Standings: 17th

Owner Point Standings: 20th

Race Rundown – No. 44 F.N.B. Corporation Chevrolet Silverado

Wright and the No. 44 team were faced with adversity early on in Thursday night’s race at Martinsville after being involved in the first caution of the night on lap seven, but rallied back to post a 20th-place finish in Stage One. After making a scheduled four-tire stop at the stage break, Wright continued to battle his way through traffic to post a 25th-place result in Stage Two.

On lap 156, Wright was collected in a wreck coming out of turn two and had nowhere to go, resulting in heavy nose damage that put the No. 44 team three laps down. The team worked to make repairs under caution before being black flagged and brought down pit road under green, culminating in a 30th-place effort.

Wright on his night at Martinsville Speedway: “We had a decent run going tonight at Martinsville, but unfortunately had a lot of adversity thrown our way throughout the night that we had to battle through. We did all we could to keep coming back from each incident, but it wasn’t in the cards for us at the end. Getting black flagged at the end only added insult to injury and all we can do is move on and shift our focus to Bristol.”

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.

1...2,1022,1032,104...6,728Page 2,103 of 6,728