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Toyota Racing – Weekly Preview – 03.23.22

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: March 21-27, 2022

· NCS/NXS/NCWTS: Circuit of the Americas (Austin, Texas) – March 26-27

PLANO, Texas (March 23, 2022) – NASCAR goes left and right for the first time this season as it makes its second-ever stop at the Circuit of the Americas road course, just outside of Austin, Texas.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS | NCWTS

Stellar on the Road… Martin Truex Jr. is always one to watch on the road courses. He earned his second career victory in Sonoma in 2013 and since has added additional road course wins at Watkins Glen in 2017 and Sonoma in 2019.

Busch looks to add two more COTA wins… Kyle Busch is the defending winner of the Xfinity Series race at the Circuit of the Americas. He will not defend that title; however, he has two more chances to add Austin hardware this weekend as he competes in his second Truck Series race of the season aboard the No. 51 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, which went to victory lane on Saturday with Toyota development driver Corey Heim behind the wheel. Busch will also pilot his No. 18 Toyota Camry TRD in the Cup Series race on Sunday.

Bubba goes for two… Bubba Wallace will get extended time on track this weekend as he returns to the Xfinity Series for Joe Gibbs Racing for the first time in nearly a decade. Wallace will pilot the No. 18 Toyota GR Supra. The Alabama-native made his first six career Xfinity Series starts for the team and earned his first pole and top-10 finish in 2012 and 2013. Wallace made one Xfinity Series start last season, guiding the No. 61 Hattori Racing Enterprises Toyota GR Supra to a top-10 finish in Michigan.

Gibbs continues to impress… Last season’s rookie of the year, Ty Gibbs, continues to impress in his first full-time season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Gibbs led just one lap in Atlanta, but it was the most important one, as he made a bold last lap move to score his second win of the season and sixth in just 23 career starts. He will make his track debut at COTA this weekend.

Chase debuts… Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) will introduce drivers to the Xfinity Series for two consecutive race weekends. In COTA, Texas-native Parker Chase will make his series debut. The road-course ace ran at COTA last season for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series, where he qualified in the top-10. He will compete for a team that has been impressive to start the season, as they sit inside the top-10 in the owner point standings.

Smith continues to lead… Chandler Smith continues to lead the overall NASCAR Camping World Truck Series point standings after another top-five finish in Atlanta. The Las Vegas winner leads the overall standings by 13 points. Seven of the top-10 drivers in the current point standings drive Toyota Tundra TRD Pros.

Majeski coming off career-best… Ty Majeski is coming off a career-best third place run in the Truck Series race at Atlanta. The Wisconsin-native is one of two drivers with top-10 finishes in the first three races and sits third in the overall point standings. The ThorSport Racing driver will make his track debut in Austin this weekend.

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About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 43 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With the more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, more than a quarter of the company’s 2021 North American sales were electrified.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

JR Motorsports — NXS COTA Preview

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Official Release
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JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
TRACK: Circuit of the Americas
RACE: Pit Boss 250 (46 laps / 156.86 miles)
DATE: Saturday, March 26, 2022

Broadcast Information – TV: 4:30 p.m. ET on FS1 / Radio: 4 p.m. ET on PRN and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Sam Mayer
No. 1 Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet
• Sam Mayer will make his first start at Circuit of the Americas this weekend in the No. 1 Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet.
• In four starts at road courses in the NXS, Mayer has two top 10s with a best finish of 10th (twice) coming at the Charlotte Roval and Watkins Glen last season.
• Mayer and the Taylor-Moyer led No. 1 team have an average finish of 7.3 in Stage One and Two this season, along with top 10 efforts in nine of those 10 stages.

Josh Berry
No. 8 PUBG MOBILE Chevrolet
• Josh Berry makes his COTA debut this weekend in the No. 8 PUBG MOBILE Camaro.
• In one road-course start in the NXS, Berry drove to an eighth-place finish at Mid-Ohio last season.
• The Hendersonville, Tenn. native has now recorded five top-10 finishes in his last 10 starts in the NXS, dating back to Richmond Raceway last season.
• Berry led three laps and won Stage One last weekend before being swept up in a late-race incident.

Noah Gragson
No. 9 Bass Pro Shops / TrueTimber / Black Rifle Coffee Chevrolet
• In 15 career NXS starts on road courses, Noah Gragson has seven top-five and 12 top-10 finishes, with a best result of second at the Charlotte Roval in 2020.
• Gragson is atop the series points for the second straight week following last week’s event at Atlanta Motor Speedway. His win at Phoenix Raceway qualified him for the NXS Playoffs.
• Gragson has been a winner on road courses in his NASCAR career, earning victories in three NASCAR K&N Pro Series West races.

Justin Allgaier
No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet
• Justin Allgaier looks to better last year’s third-place finish in the inaugural NXS event at COTA this weekend.
• Overall in his NXS career, Allgaier has netted three wins, 11 top fives and 24 top 10s in 39 road course starts.
• Two of Allgaier’s three road-course victories came in 2018 with JRM at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Road America.
• Allgaier’s No. 7 Camaro will have a different look for this weekend. As one of two BRANDT Chevrolets on the road course at COTA, the Illinois native’s paint scheme will have a white base with the familiar bright red accents.

Miguel Paludo
No. 88 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet
• Miguel Paludo makes his return to the NXS and JRM this weekend at COTA behind the wheel of the No. 88 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet.
• In three starts for JRM in 2021, the seven-time and defending Porsche Carrera Cup Champion earned a best finish of seventh, coming at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course.
• A native of Nova Prata, Brazil, Paludo will be behind the wheel of a fifth entry for JRM. It’s just the seventh time in organizational history that the team has competed with five cars.

Driver Quotes

“I am really looking forward to COTA this weekend. I put a lot of effort in the last few years to be better on roadcourses and hopefully I can show that this weekend. We had great road course runs going last year so if I can minimize mistakes on track, I know we can contend for the win at the end.” – Sam Mayer

“COTA is such a fun and unique road course. We were able to have a solid race here last year and I see no reason why we can’t back that up again with our BRANDT Chevrolet. It’s going to be a special weekend overall for BRANDT with Miguel (Paludo) coming back in the (No.) 88. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we both can do.” – Justin Allgaier

“COTA is a great track and I am excited to get down there this weekend. I don’t have much experience on road courses but I have been putting in the time at the sim with this PUBG MOBILE group and with Josh Wise. This weekend we will see how much I have grown in these Xfinity Series cars and hopefully we have a shot to go for it at the end.” – Josh Berry

“COTA did not treat us well last year but we have had plenty of speed this year and now we’re going to a road course which fits my driving style. I have a lot of fun at these places and I know Luke (Lambert, crew chief) and this No. 9 Bass Pro Shops/TrueTimber/Black Rifle Coffee team will give me a fast car so that we can compete for another win.” – Noah Gragson

“It is very special to me to get this opportunity to return to JR Motorsports and get behind the wheel of this No. 88 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet. I can’t thank BRANDT and JRM enough for this opportunity and I’m ready to get back out on the track and contend for the win on Saturday, especially with my BRANDT teammate Justin (Allgaier).“ – Miguel Paludo

JRM Team Updates:
• JR Motorsports at COTA: JR Motorsports made its first start at the 3.426-mile Circuit of the Americas last season and brought home one top five, one top 10 and a best finish of third with Justin Allgaier. JRM will bring a fifth car this weekend, the seventh time in the organization’s history, as Miguel Paludo jumps behind the wheel of the No. 88 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet.
• Fourth Anniversary: Celebrating its fourth anniversary, PUBG MOBILE is a battle royale mobile game developed by Lightspeed and Quantum Studios of Tencent Games and KRAFTON, Inc. and is based on PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. The game focuses on visual quality, maps, fast-paced action, and other aspects, providing an all-rounded surreal battle royale experience to players. For more information, visit pubgmobile.com and download the game for free on the App Store or Google Play Store.
• Souvenir Rig Autograph Session: JRM drivers Justin Allgaier, Miguel Paludo and Noah Gragson will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports/Hendrick Motorsports souvenir trailer at COTA on Friday, March 25 from 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. local time.

Chandler Smith – No. 18 Safelite AutoGlass Tundra TRD Pro Camping World Trucks COTA Preview

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Official Release
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Chandler Smith: Driver, No. 18 Safelite AutoGlass® Toyota

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Overview:
Event: XPEL 225, Race 4 of 23, 42 Laps –12/14/16; 143.22 Miles
Location: Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas (3.426-mile, 20-turn road course)
Date/Broadcast: March 26, 2022, at 1 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

Mr. Smith Season 2:
Chandler Smith and the No. 18 Safelite team head to Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas looking to build on the momentum of two strong runs. Smith executed a last-lap pass on Zane Smith to bring home his first victory of 2022 at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway two races ago and then last week at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway was out front on the final lap when he got passed by KBM teammate Corey Heim and fell back to fourth by the time the field crossed the stripe.

In addition to being the primary sponsor on Smith’s normal No. 18 Tundra TRD Pro, Safelite, the nation’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration services, will adorn KBM’s No. 51 with owner-driver Kyle Busch this week at COTA. Busch’s flat white truck is a reciprocal of Smith’s flat black version. The two drivers have engaged in a challenge on social media, pledging that the lower finisher in Saturday’s event will clean all the windshields at KBM next week.

Smith was running ninth with two laps remaining in last year’s inaugural visit to COTA for the Truck Series, but wheel hopped into a run-off area. Despite Smith being in the hazard, the field would remain green until the finish and relegate him to a 33rd-place finish. His best finish across three road course races in the Truck Series was a 12th-place result last year at the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway Road Course.

After three events, Smith sits atop of the Camping World Truck Series regular season point standings, 13 tallies ahead of Tanner Gray. The 19-year-old driver also leads the Truck Series in driver rating (111.9), average starting position (2.3) and fastest laps (22), while his 77 laps led rank him second to KBM teammate John Hunter Nemechek (84).

Earlier this year, Smith and his wife, Kenzie, announced on social media that they are expecting their first child in August.

Smith earned NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 and finished eighth in the championship standings after producing two victories, one pole, 213 laps led, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes in his first full-time season. He earned his first career Truck Series victory at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in September and in the series finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway earned his first career pole and swept all three stages en route to his second victory. Across 38 career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts, the Toyota Racing Development product has collected two wins, 14 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes.

Veteran crew chief Danny Stockman will once again call the shots for Smith and the No. 18 team in 2022. Stockman’s drivers have produced six victories at KBM across his first two seasons, including two with Smith behind the wheel in 2021. The veteran crew chief captured a Truck Series championship with Austin Dillon in 2011 and also won an Xfinity Series championship with Dillon in 2013. Stockman has one win as a crew chief on a NASCAR road course, it came in 2015 with Paul Menard in the Xfinity Series race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc.

Charge Me will serve as an associate sponsor on the bedtop of Smith’s No. 18 Tundra TRD Pro for 16 races this season, including this weekend at COTA. Charge Me was founded on the principle that the electric vehicle (EV) revolution will require robust infrastructure support at all levels.

Chandler Smith, Driver Q&A:

How do you prepare for one of the newest tracks on the schedule?
“I actually was at COTA not too long ago in a Trans Am car, kind of testing and getting some laps overall. I’ve only been to COTA, this will be my fourth time overall, I’ve been in a TA2 car, I’ve been there in a truck, and I’ve also went and done some driving experience just to get overall laps there. I honestly love the track. Before it rained at the Truck Series race, we were really good, but it took a little while for me to catch up in the rain. Hopefully, it stays dry, and we should have a good showing in our Safelite Tundra.”

Does leading the points after three races give you confidence looking forward?
“Yeah, for sure, every little bit helps. Having a cushion, having a buffer, always helps for a rainy day, so I’m glad overall that we had a solid points day at Atlanta.”

You were able to beat Kyle at Las Vegas. Are you looking forward to racing against him again this weekend?
“I’m just looking forward to beating him and sitting there and bossing him around while he cleans windshields at KBM”

Chandler Smith Career Highlights:

  • Across 41 career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts has recorded three wins, 359 laps led, 16 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 14.5.
  • Led 55 laps and finished eighth in his Camping World Truck Series debut at Iowa Speedway in July of 2019. Drove a limited schedule for KBM in 2019 (four races) and 2020 (12 races), before going full-time in 2021.
  • Has collected nine wins, 10 poles, 1783 laps led, 22 top-five and 29 top-10 finishes en route to an average finish of 5.4 across 34 career ARCA Menards Series starts. Set an ARCA Racing Series record by winning four consecutive poles to start his career and earned his first victory after leading a race-high 102 laps at Madison (Wis.) International Speedway in his fourth series start.
  • Has numerous Super Late Model victories across his career, including two marquee wins: the Snowball Derby at 5 Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla. (2021) and SpeedFest at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Georgia (2018). Will compete in several Super Late Model events around his Truck Series schedule in 2022.

Chandler Smith’s No. 18 Safelite AutoGlass Tundra:
KBM-72: The No. 18 Safelite team will unload KBM-72 for Saturday’s race at COTA. In its lone start last year at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, Smith crossed the finish line in the 18th position but was credited with a 40th-place finish after his Tundra failed the height requirement in post-race inspection.

KBM-72 Performance Profile
KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM drivers produced an average finish of 21.0 in last year’s Truck Series event at Circuit of the Americas with John Hunter Nemechek scoring a team-best 12th-place finish.
  • Erik Jones’ victory in 2015 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ont. is KBM’s lone win on a road course.
  • KBM holds the Camping World Truck Series records for most career wins (92) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). With his victory at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway, Corey Heim became the 18th different driver to win a Truck Series event for KBM. In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
  • The No. 18, the number which was on the first Tundra that went to victory lane for KBM in 2010, has 24 career victories.

Ford Performance NASCAR: Circuit of the Americas Advance

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Official Release
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FORD PERFORMANCE NASCAR: CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS ADVANCE

For the second consecutive season, all three of NASCAR’s top touring series will be competing on the road course at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX. This also marks the second straight weekend that the NASCAR Camping World Truck and NASCAR Xfinity Series will be part of a doubleheader on Saturday. The NASCAR Cup Series is scheduled to close out the two-day show on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a look at some of Ford’s road racing history as COTA hosts the first of six Cup road course events this year.

This Week’s Schedule:

Saturday, March 26 – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, 1 p.m. ET (FS1)
Saturday, March 26 – NASCAR Xfinity Series, 4:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, March 27 – NASCAR Cup Series, 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)

ONE YEAR AGO

Todd Gilliland became the first NASCAR driver to win a national series event at Circuit of the Americas when he captured the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race last season. In a weekend that was hampered by rain, Gilliland was able to manage the mixed conditions of dry and wet pavement to win by nearly eight seconds. Gilliland, who registered his second series win that day, will be looking for his first NASCAR Cup Series victory this weekend as he continues his rookie season driving for Front Row Motorsports.

FORD’S ACTIVE ROAD COURSE CUP WINNERS

There are three current drivers who have won a NASCAR Cup Series race on a road course with Ford. The most recent winner was Ryan Blaney, who captured the inaugural event at the Charlotte Roval in 2018. Kevin Harvick, who goes into this weekend with 23 career Ford victories in just over five years, got his first with the Blue Oval in 2017 when he won at Sonoma. Joey Logano scored his Cup victory at Watkins Glen International in 2015, which completed a weekend sweep after he won the NASCAR Xfinity Series race one day earlier.

OTHER FORD ROAD COURSE WINNERS

Besides the drivers mentioned above, Ford has six other active Cup competitors who have won on a road course in either the NASCAR Cup, NASCAR Xfinity or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Brad Keselowski (Watkins Glen NXS with Ford, 2013); Chris Buescher (Mid-Ohio NXS with Ford, 2014); Michael McDowell (Road America NXS, 2016); Austin Cindric (NXS wins with Ford at Watkins Glen, 2019; Mid-Ohio, 2019; Road America, 2020, Daytona Road Course, 2020; and Indianapolis Road Course, 2021); Chase Briscoe (NXS wins with Ford at Charlotte Roval, 2018; and Indianapolis Road Course, 2020); and Todd Gilliland (Circuit of the Americas NCWTS with Ford, 2021).

FORD ROAD COURSE WINS IN THE MODERN ERA (1972-Present)

Circuit of the Americas is one of eight road courses the NASCAR Cup Series has competed on in the modern era, joining Riverside International Raceway (1958-88), Watkins Glen International (1957-Present), Sonoma Raceway (1989-Present), Charlotte Motor Speedway (2018-Present), Daytona International Speedway (2020-2021), Road America (2021-Present) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2021-Present). Ford has produced a total of 19 combined wins at those facilities from 1972-Present. Mark Martin leads the way with four victories, including three straight years at Watkins Glen, while Ricky Rudd, Marcos Ambrose and Geoffrey Bodine have two each.

Mahindra Tractors Racing: Chase Briscoe COTA Advance

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Official Release
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CHASE BRISCOE
COTA Advance
No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix (Round 6 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, March 27
● Location: Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas
● Layout: 3.426-mile, 20-turn road course
● Laps/Miles: 68 laps/231.88 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 15 laps / Stage 2: 15 laps / Final Stage: 38 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Chase Briscoe and the No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang team for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) head to Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, for the sixth stop on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. The 27-year-old driver is fresh off a frustrating 15th-place result at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Briscoe started on the pole and led five of the first six laps of the race before getting hung out of the pack and falling toward the back of the field. The No. 14 team worked its way back into the top-five before Briscoe and Ford Performance teammate Ryan Blaney got loose while making a run for the lead and made contact with the outside wall on the final lap.

● With five races complete, Briscoe currently holds a spot in the 16-driver playoff field by virtue of his win two weekends ago at Phoenix Raceway. He has two top-five finishes and sits third in points, 15 behind leader Chase Elliott.

● In last year’s inaugural event at COTA, Briscoe earned his first Cup Series top-10, finishing sixth after starting 27th. He went on to earn two additional top-10s, both coming at road course events – sixth at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, and ninth at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. When the Cup Series took to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in August, Briscoe qualified second and led 12 laps, nearly earning his first Cup Series victory before going off track with two laps to go and incurring a penalty that ended his bid.

● In addition to his top-10 performances in the Cup Series, two of Briscoe’s biggest wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series came on road courses. His first win, earned on the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval in 2018, has been credited as the win that saved his career. In 2020, when the Xfinity Series debuted its stock cars on the Indianapolis road course, Briscoe led a race-high 30 of 62 laps to capture a dominating win in front of his hometown crowd.

● This Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix serves as a home race for Mahindra Tractors, a brand of Houston-based Mahindra Ag North America. Part of Mahindra Group’s Automotive and Farm Sector, Mahindra Ag North America is the No. 1-selling farm tractor company in the world, based on volumes across all company brands. Mahindra farm equipment is engineered to be easy to operate by first-time tractor or side-by-side owners, and heavy duty to tackle the tough jobs of rural living, farming and ranching. Steel-framed Mahindra tractors and side-by-sides are ideal for customers who demand performance, reliability and comfort at a great value. Mahindra dealers are independent, family-owned businesses located throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Chase Briscoe, Driver of the No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

How are things behind the scenes with your new sponsors?

“It’s been really cool. I’ve been super fortunate my entire career. I’ve had really good relationships with all of the sponsors I’ve had and they are all incredible people. We’ve been able to build a lot of really cool things, but Mahindra Tractors is different in that it’s really the first time I’ve been aligned, with the exception of maybe one or two times, with an actual consumer brand. You look at HighPoint.com, for example, it’s not as much of a consumer play. It’s more of a B2B thing, whereas Mahindra is trying to sell tractors to fans and that’s something that I haven’t really had at the higher levels of NASCAR. It’s been cool to see the approach and what they’re trying to do to correlate that over to tractor sales, and it’s been a lot of fun. Anytime you can bring a new partner into the sport, it’s special, and to be able to do it in a way that we’ve been able to do it and make a big splash, it’s all because of them. They are obviously investing a lot, not only with the race team but with our broadcast partners and things like that. Not only are they seeing the success in all of this, but it’s also helping my brand to let people see my personality in these commercials and some of the other things we’re working on. We’re not done, yet. It’s just been a lot of fun for me to see how enthusiastic they are about this race team and it’s been a lot of fun.”

What are your thoughts about COTA based on last year’s race?

“From the racetrack standpoint, I feel like I’m kind of going there for the first time, just because last year I don’t think I ever ran a single lap in the dry. I think we practiced, qualified, everything in the wet, so it’s going to be like learning a whole new racetrack this week. I know from a facility standpoint it’s pretty remarkable. It’s super cool to go out there. Even last year in the rain, there were a ton of fans out there, so I’m excited to see what it looks like this year. I didn’t get to do a ton of exploring in the city last year, but I know Austin is a really cool town. I’m going to try to do a little bit more this year while we’re there, just because we’re there a little bit longer than usual. I’m super excited to get back. I’m really excited, truthfully, just to get this Next Gen car on a road course. Based on some of the testing we did on the (Charlotte) Roval, they’re a blast to run on the road course. I’m curious to see what the racing will be like. I think it will definitely change the landscape of these road-course races. I think you’re going to see a lot more guys that are competitive than in years past because you can drive this car so much harder. It does a lot of things a lot better than the old car, so it’ll be interesting to see how that works out and plays out. It looks like the weather is going to be really good and it should be a great show.”

What can we expect this weekend on a dry track, in comparison?

“I think it’ll definitely be different than what we saw last year. I mean, last year’s race will look way different than this year’s race with the weather. It was a different style of racing when it was that wet, but from a driver’s standpoint it’s a lot of fun, just the visibility is obviously tough. And then, from a fan’s standpoint, it’s tough to see what’s going on and a little more miserable than if it was a really nice day. I think this car on the road courses is where it’s really going to shine and, truthfully, on the oval stuff, it’s been a lot better than what people expected. I think the road course is probably going to blow it out of the park. It’s a really well-built racecar, especially for road-course racing. It’s going to be interesting to see with 40 of us out there going for it versus just a test session where only a couple of guys are on track, but I think COTA is a really good racetrack to unveil this thing on a road course and I’ve been really excited to get there, so I’m looking forward to it.”

You’ve had a chance to work with Joey Hand in preparation for the road-course races on the schedule. How has he helped you with your road-course development?

“It’s been huge. Joey is obviously an extremely good road-course racer. He has a little bit of a dirt background, so he can kind of relate to what I go through, but it’s been huge. Anytime you can have somebody come from a different discipline and different style driving cars and give input, it’s huge. We’ve seen that with other manufacturers kind of doing the same thing and, for me, I like criticism. I like people telling me what I’m doing wrong, and he literally just gave me a whole sheet of different things I could try. And I think the good thing about being at the simulator and having Joey there is just the fact that you can run laps, he can see it and come out and say, ‘Hey, try this, this and this,’ and you can apply it. You don’t have to wait until the weekend to try things. I know last year I was definitely able to find speed in places that he was telling me to try based on what we did in the simulator. Now we have to race against him. I’ve been telling him that I think he’s going to be really, really good this weekend. It’ll be interesting to see how those guys run. This thing, in a sense, is a lot like a sportscar, which is what he’s used to, so I’m excited to see him run this weekend and think he’ll be one of the guys to beat.”

No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Chase Briscoe
Hometown: Mitchell, Indiana

Crew Chief: John Klausmeier
Hometown: Perry Hall, Maryland

Car Chief: J.D. Frey
Hometown: Ferndale, California

Engineer: Mike Cook
Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Engineer: Marc Hendricksen
Hometown: Clinton, New Jersey

Spotter: Joey Campbell
Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Daniel Coffey
Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Chris Jackson
Hometown: Rock Hill, South Carolina

Tire Carrier: Jon Bernal
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Jack Man: Brandon Banks
Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Corey Coppola
Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Stephen Gonzalez
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Interior Mechanic: Trevor Adams
Hometown: Naples, Florida

Tire Specialist: Keith Eads
Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

Shock Specialist: Brian Holshouser
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Engine Tuner: Jon Phillips
Hometown: Jefferson City, Missouri

Transporter Co-Driver: Todd Cable
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Rob Fink
Hometown: Mocksville, North Carolina

LTK and Sheehan Head to Road Atlanta Trans Am

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Official Release
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Bow, New HAMPSHIRE – March 23, 2022 – Former Ironman Tom Sheehan and his Damon Racing team will be glad to head to the annual race in the Peach State in good condition after a strong but gruelling performance in North Carolina. On that occasion, Tom lifted the No. 97 LTK Insulation Technologies Damon Racing racecar seven places during the course of the race. The team scored 10 points to give him 17 for the season.

Tom and the team now focus on Round 3 of the 2022 Trans Am presented by Pirelli Championship season held this year at Road Atlanta, a circuit Tom knows well. The scheduling of this year’s races with Rounds 2 and 3 at Charlotte and now Atlanta on consecutive weekends means that most teams have stayed in the south and roll on from one to the other.

Now known as Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, the southern circuit hosting the weekend’s action is a 2.540-mile road course, located just north of Braselton. A hugely popular facility and the only one of its kind in the region, it is utilised for a wide variety of events, including professional and amateur sportscar and motorcycle races, racing and driving schools, corporate programs and testing for motorsports teams.

Known for its multiple elevation changes, Atlanta is a real driver’s track, and the current configuration has 12 Turns, including the famous esses between Turns 3 and 5. Turn 12 is a unique dive that brings drivers downhill to the front straight. The track is owned by IMSA Holdings, LLC through its subsidiary Road Atlanta, LLC, and is the home to the Petit Le Mans, as well as AMA motorcycle racing, and smaller events throughout the year. Michelin acquired naming rights to the facility in 2018.

Tom and the rest of the TA2 field can get their first taste of the circuit at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday when there’s an optional testing session. The second optional session is at 5:10 p.m. that afternoon. Practice is at 11:15 a.m. on Friday with the qualifying session at 4:25p.m. that afternoon. TA2 race at Atlanta is on Saturday, March 26 at 1pm and fans can buy tickets through this link: http://speedtour.net/events/. We hope to see you there!

If you were unable to attend the Racing in person or watch the race live, you can catch up

Catch all the action live on Trans Am’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/TheTransAmSeries

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Is Nitrogen Gas Better Than Air For Your Car Tires?

By
SM
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Photo by Robert Laursoo on Unsplash

As a car owner, you want the best for it to serve you longer and save you money. The car tires are an important part of your vehicle because they are the ones that hit the road and thus have an impact on safety, handling and safety. Regular tire checkups are crucial, and when filling them, you may be wondering between nitrogen and air which is the most appropriate. Read on to find out the right one for your car.

Why Nitrogen Is Better Than Air

For your tires to stay in good shape, they need pressure. When you use nitrogen, the pressure stays longer than when you put air in. Compared to compressed air, nitrogen is better because its molecules move slower and are larger.

When you use nitrogen, it will not seep out of the tires faster as air, thus maintaining the right pressure for long. The right pressure helps the tires last longer, saves you fuel cost and makes car handling better. The next time you want the right solution for your car, consider using nitrogen generators as they are reliable, dependable, and cost-effective.

Effect of Temperature Changes

Gas contracts in cool air and expands in hot air, which applies to any gas in a tire. That is why it is advisable to check your car tires before you start driving or early in the morning before the sun heats up. Using nitrogen in tires is advantageous because it does not support combustion or moisture.

Nitrogen is non-flammable, making it ideal for use in demanding environments or heavy commercial use. Any situation that requires the high performance of vehicles requires dry nitrogen as it reduces variations in tire pressure.

When to Opt For Nitrogen or Compressed Air

As much as nitrogen is advantageous, it is not necessary to use it. If your car usage in a day does not demand the tires, you can do without nitrogen. Since compressed air is convenient and free, you are better off with it than nitrogen.

What to Do When There Is No Nitrogen

When you opt to use nitrogen, there may be times that you find yourself in need of putting pressure in the tires, but the gas is not available nearby. Instead of driving with low air in your tires, you can fill them up using compressed air. However, the effectiveness of nitrogen and its purity will lessen. There will be no evidence that mixing the two can cause any serious chemical reaction.

The use of nitrogen does not mean you have to neglect regular checkups of tire inflation pressure. You have to re-inflate with nitrogen or air when you have low inflation pressure. It is risky operating a vehicle on underinflated tires.

Bottom Line

Your vehicle deserves the best care and whether you choose to use compressed air or nitrogen depends on the performance of your car. The most important thing is to maintain your car to serve you for a long time. One way of maintaining the ties well is by having them inflated as they tend to handle better, last longer, and wear evenly.

4 Ways to Turn Your Bike Into an Epic Artwork

By
SM
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When we are passionate about something, we give our absolute best in almost every aspect of it. Our passion pushes us to be creative and dedicated, allowing us to come up with brilliant ideas to show the world how passionate we truly are with the craft that we love. For bikers, we may think that it’s all about speed and performance. But a biker’s passion can be seen away from the road and perhaps hung on a wall like a motorcycle wall art. 

If you are a biker or know someone who loves motorcycles, here are some ways on how you can turn your bike into an epic artwork that can truly embody a biker’s passion:

  1. Motorcycle Portrait

Perhaps the most popular way to show how passionate a biker you are is to display a large portrait of your bike proudly in your home. You can either work with a talented graphic artist to digitally draw your bike or an exceptional photographer who can capture a breathtaking shot of your bike, perhaps even while you ride it. You may also consider going old-school and working with an artist to paint a portrait of your bike.

Whatever portrait you choose, you can demonstrate your love for motorcycles with beautiful artwork that serves as a great conversation starter when you invite guests over to your home. 

  1. Motorcycle scale model

Another great way to show your love for your bike is by displaying an awesome scale model. You can work with a scale modeling business to create a personalized model of your bike. Alternatively, you can have a 3D-printed miniature version of your motorcycle, which can even be made into parts that you can build together like a Lego. 

Whatever your chosen medium is, a scale model of your motorcycle (or perhaps even a couple of scale models) can be proudly exhibited on a display cabinet. A larger-scale model can also be made into a nice centerpiece for your home office, or perhaps a décor piece for your bedside table. 

  1. Motorcycle Sculpture

Making a sculpture of your motorcycle is another way for you to transform your passion for biking into amazing artwork. A nice clay sculpture can definitely spark great conversations when you host guests, especially if you can display it proudly. Aside from clay, there are a lot of other sculpting materials that you can explore, such as different types of wood, marble, maybe even bronze or synthetic resin. Check out amazing sculptors near you and see a wide array of materials your beloved bike can be sculpted into. 

  1. Turn your bike into an art form itself

Finally, you can transform your motorcycle itself. Turn your bike into a masterpiece by having it custom-painted or by making use of nice motocross graphics nz motorcycle decals. The idea is to make your motorcycle one-of-a-kind and a medium through which you can express your passion for biking.

As you transform your motorcycle into artwork, make sure to keep performance and safety in mind so you can continue to embrace speed without worry.

Show off your passion for biking with motorcycle art

There are many ways to show off your love for biking, and the four above are just some of them. No matter what art form you have in mind, transforming your bike into an epic piece of artwork is the perfect way to proudly showcase your passion for biking. 

How cryptocurrencies are taking over sports betting

By
SM
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Crypto sports betting is quickly gaining traction as more sport bettors choose to do away with fiat currencies. Over the years, cryptocurrencies have become a preferred choice on online sportsbooks. With lower fees, quick processing, and enhanced security, cryptocurrencies are proving to be a worthy choice. This is evident as the bitcoin price soared in the USA, ahead of the Super Bowl played on February 15. Being the most-watched sporting events, crypto sportsbook expected a huge number of wagers to be placed. Clearly, crypto sports betting is taking betting to the next level. 

Most popular cryptocurrencies in sports betting 

Bitcoin being the pioneer of cryptocurrencies is the most renown cryptocurrency with the largest market share. However, there are over 2,000 alternatives traded worldwide. Some have gained popularity over the years though Bitcoin still remains at the top. Each comes with a different purpose and use. Across most sportsbooks, you won’t miss these cryptocurrencies: Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin cash, Dash, and Cardano. In this smart betting guide, we give you details on why bettors are choosing cryptocurrencies, its advantages plus the surrounding legalities. Additionally, we will detail the downside of using cryptocurrencies in sports betting. 

How cryptocurrencies are improving sports betting 

There is no doubt that cryptocurrencies have and will continue improving sports betting for bettors. The safety that comes with this currency is among the top reason why bettors prefer it. Cryptocurrencies use blockchain technology which is inherently secure. In addition to this, there is no transaction limit making it easy for punters to work with their preferred minimum and maximum deposits. Transactions are quick, usually take a matter of minutes, and have little to no fees attached to them. Sportsbooks have also made crypto betting lucrative by having tailored made bonuses for crypto bettors. 

The downside of cryptocurrencies 

Like fiat currencies, cryptocurrencies also come with various disadvantages for players as well as the sportsbook. The lack of regulation beyond blockchain technology is among the top disadvantages of crypto sport betting. Additionally, there is no gaming commission that has tasked itself with regulating crypto sports betting. The price volatility is also a downside to these currencies as the price fluctuates often. The value of cryptocurrencies can vary from extreme low to exploding highs. Moreover, bettors might face difficulty when they need to reverse transactions as cryptocurrencies have no chargebacks once a transaction is complete. 

The legalities of crypto sport betting 

Cryptocurrencies are relatively new and so is their legality in most countries worldwide. There is complexity surrounding the use of these currencies in sportsbooks. Currently, Crypto Gambling Foundation is the only organization established to ensure fairness and safety in crypto gaming sites. In countries such as the US, few states such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada allow crypto betting legally. However, in the UK gaming using crypto is completely legal in UK-licensed crypto operators. Regardless of the legalities in each country, there is no hefty punishments or jail terms if caught transacting using cryptocurrencies. 

How to play in a crypto sportsbook 

There isn’t a lot of difference when it comes to betting in a crypto casino. Once a player has already established the sportsbook they want to wagger on they can proceed to register by filling in their details as in normal casinos. The difference only comes in with the method of payment. with crypto casinos players use crypto currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin cash, Lite coin. With this they can then choose the teams they want to wager on and place their bets, withdrawing is also not different once the bet has been finalized. TH 

The future of cryptocurrencies and sports betting 

Cryptocurrencies might have taken the betting world by storm, but their legality still remains murky and complex. However, we can all agree that these currencies are here to stay. Apart from this, crypto sports betting is proving to be much easier and better for players worldwide. Their safety, flexibility, and speed of transactions will remain unmatched by fiat currencies for a long time to come. As for now gaming commissions and regulatory bodies have no control of these currencies but as their use continues to explode we can expect an attempt to gain control. Despite this, the future of crypto betting will heavily rely on how mainstream society will continue to accept the use of cryptocurrencies. In spite of the welcoming nature of western nations, countries such as China prohibit the use of crypto-currencies even reinforcing the ban by not allowing banks that use these currencies. Moreover, companies such as Tesla’s turn around on accepting Bitcoin still puts a question on how cryptocurrencies will fair in the future. However, we can expect that these currencies will continue to prove worthy with time as they continue to rise in value.

ALEX BOWMAN TO DRIVE SPIRE MOTORSPORTS’ NO. 7 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AT CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS

By
Official Release
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CONCORD, N.C. (March 22, 2022) – Spire Motorsports announced today seven-time NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) winner Alex Bowman will drive the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado in Saturday’s XPEL 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race at Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

HendrickCars.com will serve as the effort’s primary sponsor while Ally, Bowman’s primary sponsor in the NCS, will be showcased as an associate sponsor on the truck’s decklid and lower-rear quarter panels.

Bowman, a native of Tucson, Ariz., is the full-time driver of Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the NCS. The 28-year-old tallied four wins on NASCAR’s senior circuit in 2021 and earned his first win of 2022 earlier this month at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Spire Motorsports made its NCWTS debut in February’s NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway where Austin Hill raced at the front of the field for most of the night until a flat right-front tire, late in the race, stalled his bid for the checkers. The team is led by championship-winning industry veterans Mike Greci and Kevin “Bono” Manion.

While Saturday’s race will mark Bowman’s first NCWTS start at COTA, he started 12th, led three laps and finished eighth in last year’s inaugural NCS race the famed 3.41-mile, 20-turn, Austin, Texas circuit.

“I’m eager to get back to COTA this weekend and make as many laps as I can,” said Bowman. “I had a good run in the Ally Chevrolet Camaro for Hendrick Motorsports last year and being able to race Spire Motorsports’ Chevy Silverado this year will be a great help as we get ready for Sunday. The more laps the better at a place like COTA. Spire Motorsports proved at Daytona they build trucks capable of racing at the front of the field so this weekend will be a great opportunity to get some extra seat time and try and race for the win.”

In five NCS races this season, Bowman has notched one win, two top 10s and is currently ninth in the NCS championship point standings. Despite being a veteran of 230 NCS starts, Saturday’s 42-lap NCWTS affair will mark just his third time behind the wheel of a Truck Series entry.

“Alex is going to be a great help to our team,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “He’s an excellent road racer who works hard at getting even better. Between Alex, Mike Greci and Bono Manion, we’ve got a great shot to put our best foot forward Saturday afternoon. We’re grateful to Mr. (Rick) Hendrick, HendrickCars.com and Ally for the support this weekend.”

The XPEL 225 from Circuit of the Americas will be televised live on FS1 Saturday, March 26 beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

About HendrickCars.com…
HendrickCars.com is the easiest way to shop thousands of new and pre-owned cars, trucks and SUVs. Customers can use the site to locate the nearest Hendrick Automotive Group dealership, schedule maintenance and learn about Hendrick Autoguard, the company’s industry-leading vehicle protection program. Visitors can also learn about career opportunities at Hendrick Automotive Group, which is currently in need of more than 350 service technicians.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports was established in 2018 and is co-owned by Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2022, Spire Motorsports will field two full-time NASCAR Cup Series entries. Corey LaJoie will drive the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in NASCAR’s premier series for the entire 2022 campaign while Josh Bilicki and Landon Cassill will split time in the team’s No. 77 entry. The team will also field a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team in select events.

Spire Motorsports earned an upset victory for the ages in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019.

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