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NTE Sport Brings Familiar Driver Lineup to New Lamborghini in WeatherTech Series

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DALLAS, Tex., (January 7, 2022) – IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship team NTE Sport is starting the 2022 race season off in style, switching to a new Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo for a full season in the GTD class. The team’s new car will make its debut in the Roar Before the 24–the first test and qualifying event of the season–with a familiar lineup, bringing back Don Yount, Benjamin Hites, Jaden Conwright, and Markus Palttala as drivers of the No. 42 entry. The team will announce its full-season plans and lineup at a later date.

“I’ll be very excited to get the race season officially started,” said team owner Paul Mata. “We’ve had a lot of moving parts over the course of this short off-season, and I’m proud of the program we’ve put together. We’re thrilled to get to work with Chris Ward and everyone at Lamborghini Squadra Corse, and can’t wait to see what we can do with such a strong lineup. It’ll be a great season!”

With the championship ending a month later than normal in November, the shortened off-season was a busy one for the Dallas-based team as they switched manufacturers and put together a full-season effort for 2022. Using a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo provided by Star-Spangled Racing, the team hustled to assemble their 2022 programs. Building on a strong four-race debut in the IMSA WeatherTech 2021, NTE Sport will waste no time finding stride in the new machinery.

As the sole NTE driver to compete in the team’s four races last year, Don Yount has become a pillar and strong supporter of the GTD team as their reliable gentleman driver. With one win and ten podiums to his IMSA resume, Yount has earned his place in the GTD class, a field dedicated to a mixture of professional and amateur drivers racing together in professional competition.

“I’m looking forward to my seventh Rolex 24 At Daytona in a row,” said Yount. “This might be the strongest lineup I have been involved with for the 24 Hour and I’m excited to see what we can do with the NTE Lamborghini. It’s good to be back in the car with Markus after our fourth place Watkins Glen run and Benjamin had a very strong Petit Le Mans. Jaden will be ready as always for extra-long stints. It’s a strong lineup with a new car and we have a lot to prove.”

Twenty-two-year-old Chilean driver Benjamin “Benja” Hites made his NTE Sport debut two months ago at the season finale event, Petit Le Mans. He put in an impressive qualifying performance in his first-ever IMSA WeatherTech event, setting a fast pace to secure second place in a field of fifteen cars. In an exciting qualifying session, Hites came within 0.001 seconds of pole position, secured by the Paul Miller Racing Lamborghini. This year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona will be another first for the Chilean racer, though he has ample experience in endurance racing in Europe. Recently recognized for his impressive on-track performance, Hites has been selected as a Lamborghini GT3 Junior Driver for 2022, a program created by Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s commitment to the growth of young drivers.

“I’m very happy that I will take part in the Rolex 24 At Daytona for the first time,” said Hites. “It is a great effort and I’m thankful to the NTE Sport team to give me the chance to drive with them again. I know Jaden and Don, and I’m convinced that with Markus Palttala, our No. 42 Lamborghini will be a podium contender.”

Quickly earning a name for himself in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Jaden Conwright made his IMSA debut last season at Watkins Glen International and quickly established himself as a rising star to watch. In his first IMSA WeatherTech qualifying session, Conwright put the No. 42 Audi R8 LMS in a third-place starting position, grabbing the attention of his fellow GTD competitors. Conwright’s strong performance in 2021 paid off, and on January 6, IMSA announced the 22-year-old not only became the first recipient of the IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship, but he also is joining his co-driver Hites as a Lamborghini GT3 Junior Driver for the approaching season.

“It’s definitely a big deal,” Conwright said. “I’m super grateful and happy to be the first recipient of this scholarship. I’m just looking forward to working with everyone and trying to create something that will be long-term and something that will help introduce more people into IMSA. I can’t thank everyone from NTE Sport enough for the opportunity to race with them again in 2022. Participating in my first Rolex 24 at Daytona and the first 24-hour race of my career is something I anxiously look forward to. It’s been a busy and productive off-season, working with IMSA and Lamborghini for the first time, but I can’t wait to finally get the season started at one of the world’s most premier endurance sportscar races! We had amazing pace at both Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta, and I look forward to sharing the car with Don, Benjamin, and Markus again, all together at Daytona.”

Markus Palttala will complete the driver lineup, returning after first joining the team last summer at Watkins Glen International. The team put in a strong run to the podium only to be thwarted in the final 15 minutes when contact from a faster DPi class car resulted in a narrow fourth-place finish. The Finnish race car driver holds 24 wins and 68 podium finishes, bringing his veteran knowledge to the newer race team.

“I’m very happy to rejoin NTE Sport after a positive first weekend together at the Glen last June,” said Palttala. “Daytona is one of the biggest sportscar races in the calendar and the best part is to start the season already in January when everything in Europe is still hibernating. I’ve never driven a GT3 Lamborghini before but I’ve raced against it enough times to know that it is a very competitive race car. It’s fairly similar to the Audi the team was running last year, so although we are surely facing a steep learning curve, hitting the track for the first time at the Roar, I’m confident we can target a top result. It’s the first time the four of us are sharing a car, but all of us have already worked with the team. I’ve already had a bunch of good results with Don, Jaden was super at the Glen and the team really appreciated Benjamin at Petit, so I believe we have a strong driver line-up in GTD. I can’t wait to head to Florida and get the project started at the Roar!”

The Roar Before the 24 will begin on-track activities on Friday, January 21 with two test sessions, followed by two practices and a qualifying session on Saturday. The 15-minute qualifying session will set the grid for the Motul Pole Award 100, a one-hour, forty-minute race that will determine the starting grid for the Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 29-30. For full event information including tickets, tune in, and scheduling, visit imsa.com.

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

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

As we continued to grow and thrive in the industry, Texas Residential Mortgage was changed to Southwest Funding to better accommodate our growing business in other states.
Today we’re still thriving, thanks in part to happy customers who have spread the word about what our company is doing to help borrowers get a home loan that fits their situation in an enjoyable and timely way. www.southwestfunding.com

About Gas Monkey Garage
Richard Rawlings, owner and founder of Gas Monkey Garage, is the star of the international hit series “Fast N’ Loud” & “Garage Rehab”. Since the inception of Gas Monkey Garage in 2004, Richard Rawlings continues to be anything except ordinary. Having built two commissioned custom cars for Hot Wheels, setting numerous world records, and cementing Gas Monkey Garage as a household name, Richard does anything but blend in!

Aside from his garage and television shows, Rawlings is a savvy businessman, turning Gas Monkey Garage into a full-fledged brand, owning multiple restaurants/venues, selling merchandise worldwide, and becoming a social media maverick boasting 20+ million followers. Learn more about Richard Rawlings and Gas Monkey at GasMonkeyGarage.com.

About Star Spangled Racing
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Star Spangled Racing is a newer sports car racing team, established in 2020 by first-generation immigrant Tiger Tari from Turkey. Tari is an accomplished businessman, race car driver, and philanthropist with big motorsport ambitions. Star Spangled Racing provides driving opportunities in the USA and Europe, currently racing in the Sports Car Club of America, the World Racing League, and American Endurance Racing, with aspirations to run in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Follow Star Spangled Racing on Instagram at @starspangledracing.

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

DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth Kicks Off On-Track Activity Tuesday with ’Next Gen’ Practice and DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented by Busch Light Wednesday

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Host of Exciting Events Slated, Leading up to 64th Annual Great American Race; Fully Open Frontstretch Seating, Camping, Hospitality & Pre-Race Experiences

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 7, 2022) – DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, which culminates with the 64th Annual DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 20, will kick off on-track activity on Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb. 15-16) with DAYTONA 500 practice and DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented By Busch Light, allowing fans more opportunities to see NASCAR’s new, anticipated ’Next Gen’ cars on the high banks of the World Center of Racing.

Tuesday, the first of six days of on-track activity, will feature two 50-minute practice sessions (5:05 pm ET/6:35 pm ET) for the NASCAR Cup Series teams, prepping for Wednesday’s run at the top-starting spot which will take place at 8:05 p.m. ET. Infield camping guests will be admitted Free into the UNOH Fanzone on Tuesday (opens at 4 p.m. ET), which will also host a concert (Artist to be named later) once the on-track activity has concluded. Frontstretch seating will not be offered but fans looking to attend Tuesday’s activities can purchase general admission tickets to the Fanzone – where onlookers can get an up-close look at the teams and drivers working on the incredible machines – for $20. Kids 12 and under are Free.

Wednesday will provide two unique opportunities for fans to see NASCAR’s best go against the clock on the 2.5-mile, 31-degree, iconic venue. The 100, 300 and 400 levels of the Axalta Injector will offer great frontstretch seating (opens at 7 p.m.) and great views ($20), while the UNOH Fanzone (opens at 6 p.m.) will once again be open to infield campers that evening. Kids 12 and under are again free. Hendrick Motorsports teammates Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman lead the list of active drivers with two top-starting spots for the DAYTONA 500.

Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth will have fully open frontstretch seating, expanded camping, hospitality and pre-race experiences. For ticket information on the 2022 DAYTONA 500, as well as Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth events, log onto www.DAYTONA500.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

The Next Gen Cup cars will also be in action on Thursday, Feb. 17 during the Bluegreen Vacations Duel At DAYTONA qualifying races, plus two additional 50-minute practices on Friday (Feb. 18) evening (6:00 p.m. ET) and Saturday morning (10:30 a.m. ET) before taking the green flag in the DAYTONA 500. The newly designed cars for 2022 give the drivers greater control and will put an emphasis back on race strategies, team personnel and vehicle setups while returning the ‘stock car’ look to NASCAR. The cars are set to put on great racing for fans, incorporate relevant technology and look more like street version vehicles.

Friday will see the NextEra Energy 250 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series while Saturday, Feb. 19 will see a doubleheader, featuring the Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire for the ARCA Menards Series and the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Practices will also take place in advance of these races. Below is a full schedule of on-track activity during Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth:

Tuesday, Feb. 15: DAYTONA 500 Practices (5:05 p.m./6:35 p.m. ET).
Wednesday, Feb. 16: DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented By Busch Light (8:05 p.m. ET).
Thursday, Feb. 17: Bluegreen Vacations Duel At DAYTONA qualifying races (7:00 p.m. ET); NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (4:35 p.m. ET) & ARCA Menards Series (5:30 p.m. ET) practices.
Friday, Feb. 18: NextEra Energy 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race (7:30 p.m. ET); ARCA Menards (1:30 p.m. ET) and Camping World Truck Series qualifying (3:00 p.m. ET); NASCAR Xfinity (4:35 p.m. ET) NASCAR Cup Series (6:00 p.m. ET) practices.
Saturday, Feb. 19: Lucas Oil 200 Driven By General Tire ARCA Menards race (1:30 p.m. ET) and Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series event (5:00 p.m. ET); NASCAR Cup Series final practice (10:30 a.m. ET); NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying (11:35 a.m. ET).
Sunday, Feb. 20: DAYTONA 500, The Great American Race (2:30 p.m. ET).
** Schedule subject to change

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest speedway news.

About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training. The iconic venue will be the site of a host of motorsports events early in 2022, beginning with AHRMA Classic Motofest and the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA in January, and the 64th DAYTONA 500, which will debut the first points race for NASCAR’s ‘Next Gen’ car as part of Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, in February. The tradition-rich 81st Annual Bike Week At DAYTONA returns in March, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, and in May with the Heroes Honor Festival. Later in the summer during Independence Day weekend, the track, in association with Torneos, will host Soccer Fest before the NASCAR Cup Series returns for the final race of the regular season with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Aug. 27.

All-Star Lineup to Drive Twin Cadillac DPi-V.R for Chip Ganassi Racing

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Cadillac Racing; Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia; November 13, 2021; Cadillac DPi-V.R teams Wheelen Engineering Racing (#31), Ally Cadillac Racing (#48), Mustang Sampling/JDC-Miller Motorsports (#5), and Cadillac Chip Ganassi Racing (#01); (Richard Prince/Cadillac Photo).

DETROIT (Jan. 7, 2022) – An all-star lineup of drivers will campaign the twin Cadillac DPi-V.R race cars for Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) in its second season of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Daytona Prototype international (DPi) competition.

Renger van der Zande will co-drive the No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R with Sebastien Bourdais for the full season. They will be joined by six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Scott Dixon and 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou for the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona to comprise a “Champions Cadillac” lineup.

Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn will be the full-time co-drivers of the No. 02 Cadillac Accessories Cadillac DPi-V.R and will be joined by Kevin Magnussen and Marcus Ericsson for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

“Our Cadillac drivers lead by example,” Chip Ganassi Racing Managing Director Mike Hull said. “Each have already won on the world stage. They unselfishly mirror each other’s performance on and off track. Their equal experience combined with skill set is driven through zero agenda.

“In today’s world of equal performance standards, the driver’s contribution is the ultimate separator. Our roster has eight of the very best in equal Cadillacs. Bamber, Bourdais, Ericsson, Dixon, Lynn, Magnussen and van der Zande — this group drives as one.”

Van der Zande, entering his second season with the team, has accumulated 15 wins and the 2016 Prototype Challenge (PC) championship in an IMSA career dating to 2013. He co-drove a Cadillac DPi to victory in the 2019 and 2020 Rolex 24 At Daytona and in the 2018 and 2020 Motul Petit Le Mans. In 2021, van de Zande co-drove the No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R with Magnussen to victory in the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic at The Raceway on Belle Isle.

Bourdais, a four-time INDYCAR champion, returns to the Ganassi team where he drove in its GT Le Mans (GTLM) program from 2016-19 – including a historic class win at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans. Bourdais has driven a Cadillac DPi-V.R the past two seasons for JDC-Miller MotorSports, earning a victory at Sebring.

Lynn is also a Twelve Hours of Sebring winner in a Cadillac DPi, picking up the trophy in 2017. The versatile driver was the GP3 Series champion in 2014 and the British Formula Renault champion in 2010 and 2011 among notable accomplishments.

Bamber, who co-drove the No. 1 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R in the 2021 season finale, is a two-time winner at Le Mans as part of the Porsche LMP1 program. He drove to the 2019 WeatherTech Championship GTLM title.

Chip Ganassi Racing full-time Cadillac DPi lineup
No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R – Renger van der Zande, Sebastien Bourdais
· Dixon, in his ninth season of part-time IMSA competition, is a four-time winner of the Rolex 24 At Daytona (2006, 2015, 2018 and 2020). The 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner is in his 22nd season driving for CGR – the longest tenure for a driver in team history (1990-present)
· Magnussen’s experience driving the Cadillac DPi-V.R will be an asset to the No. 02 team as he co-drove the No. 1 No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R in 2021, scoring one victory

No. 02 Cadillac Accessories Cadillac DPi-V.R – Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn
· Palou recently tested in the No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R in advance of his inaugural IMSA race. In 2021, Palou became the first Spaniard to win an INDYCAR title
· Ericsson will be making his IMSA WeatherTeach Sports Car Championship debut in the Cadillac DPi-V.R. The native of Sweden earned two victories in 16 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races in 2021 with Chip Ganassi Racing

On-track activity begins Jan. 21 at Daytona International Speedway with the Roar Before the Rolex 24 in preparation for the 60th anniversary of the 24-hour race Jan. 29-30.

About Cadillac
A leading luxury auto brand since 1902, Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio that features distinctive design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com.

About Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 30 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world. Today his teams include four cars in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, two cars in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Series and one entry in Extreme E. Overall, his teams have 21 championships and over 230 victories, including four Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400, eight Rolex 24 At Daytonas, the Twelve Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ganassi boasts a state-of-the-art race shop facility in Indianapolis with a corporate office in Pittsburgh.

Spencer Boyd and Young’s Motorsports Announce a Fourth Season Together

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Boyd Will Pilot the No. 12 Chevrolet Silverado in 2022

Mooresville, N.C. (January 7, 2022) Spencer Boyd and Young’s Motorsports announced a fourth season together with Boyd set to pilot the No. 12 Chevrolet Silverado in the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Season. Boyd has driven the No. 20 for Young’s Motorsports since 2019.

Tyler Young of Young’s Motorsports commented on the upcoming season and the number change for Boyd, “Spencer has earned the No. 12 ride, plain and simple. He works harder than any driver out there and I said last year that he is part of our growth strategy, so it’s great to be able to make that step with him.”

Ryan “Pickle” London will return as Crew Chief for the No. 12 team and will call the shots for Boyd. Pickle scored his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win last year at Talladega Superspeedway adding to his ARCA Menard’s Series success.

“I’m excited every year to get back to the track and this year is no exception,” said Spencer Boyd. “My schedule last season was jammed packed with seat time so I could get some different perspectives on my driving style. Pickle and I are going to take what was learned in those laps and build on them with this No. 12 team. They work their butts off each week and I’m going to make them proud.”

The trucks have added some new tracks again this year with Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Lucas Oil Raceway in the lineup while returning to Circuit of the Americas, Nashville, and the two dirt races at Bristol and Knoxville that were added last year. Boyd further added, “NASCAR has put together another great schedule! I’m looking forward to the new tracks, but really curious to race Atlanta with the new surface.”

While the sponsor lineup has yet to be announced, the driver of the No. 12 Young’s Motorsports pickup provided some insight, “We’ve got many of our partners from previous years returning which I’m completely humbled by, but you’ll also see some new paint as well. In addition to the new sponsors, we’ve got some new merch dropping too so stay tuned there! All around, I think this No. 12 team is going to turn some heads this year.”

Fans should expect announcements in the coming weeks detailing the sponsors for the season.

Tower Motorsport Announces 2022 Plans, Unveils Rolex 24 At Daytona Line Up

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No. 8 Oreca to race full season in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

Toronto, Ontario. (January 7, 2022) – The 2022 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season begins this month at Daytona International Speedway and Tower Motorsport will return to the series for another full season with the No. 8 Oreca in the LMP2 class. Team principal John Farano and 2021 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) Champion Louis Delétraz will run the seven-race championship and be joined by 2021 ELMS Champion Rui Andrade for the four endurance races. Ferdinand Habsburg, 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, will act as the team’s fourth driver for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Tower Motorsports concluded the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on the top step of the podium, claiming victory at Petit Le Mans, defending the team’s win at the same event in 2020. The team finished third in the LMP2 championship standings, placing in the top three for six of the seven races.

The 2022 season will mark Tower Motorsport’s third year in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Sponsored primarily by Tower Events and Tower Scaffold Services, the No. 8 Oreca will again sport its signature orange and white colors, with a black base to replace the previous year’s purple livery. With three reigning champions, Tower Motorsport’s stout lineup will prove to be a strong entry in the packed Rolex 24 field.

“I am very excited to be racing alongside Louis for the full 2022 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and thrilled to have Rui join us for the full Michelin Endurance Cup Championship, and having Ferdinand anchoring the team for the 24,” said Farano. “I have already had the pleasure of testing at Daytona with these amazing drivers who immediately put their speed and talents on display. I am very much looking forward to another great season with Rick Capone (Capone Motorsports) leading our technical crew (Erwan, Richie, Martin, Damien, Daniel, Alain, JJ, Jan, and John) and our amazing engineering group led by Matthieu Leroy and supported by Viktor and Townsend whom I am sure will continue to field one of the best performing cars on the grid.”

Having raced primarily in single-seaters, 24-year-old Louis Delétraz earned a name for himself, climbing up to compete in Formula 2 and spending two years as a Formula 1 Reserve Driver with Haas F1 Team. In 2015, he became the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup champion, and in 2021, he earned top honors again with Team WRT in the European Le Mans Series.

“I’m delighted to join Tower Motorsport for the full 2022 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship,” said Delétraz. Together with John, Rui and Ferdinand I think we have a super competitive lineup. The 2022 preparation has already started with some testing at Daytona, we all have the same goals and motivation of having a successful 2022 season. The off-season preparation has already started to be ready for Rolex 24 At Daytona at the end of January where we aim to start strong!”

Joining the full-season duo for the Michelin Endurance Cup, the four-race championship within the seven-race full season championship will be Rui Andrade. The 2021 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Pro-AM champion began his racing career karting at age 12 and made his single-seater debut in 2018. The 2021 season marked his first-time racing in LMP2, claiming top honors in ELMS and third place in the Asian Le Mans Series championship.

“I’m extremely happy with the opportunity to join John, Louis, and Ferdinand in the Rolex 24 At Daytona,” said Andrade. “It’s one of the world’s most prestigious motor races and having spent most of my childhood in America, I feel very privileged to be able to return to do what I love the most. I know Tower is an incredible team and have already had the chance to test with them and get to meet everyone has only made me more excited with what’s to come.”

Rounding out the Tower Motorsport lineup for 2022, 24-year-old Ferdinand Habsburg will complete the team, racing as the fourth driver in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Also with a background in single-seaters in Europe, Habsburg has had great success in sports car racing, winning the FIA World Endurance Championship LMP2 title, Rolex 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Asian Le Mans Series title, all in 2021.

“Racing in America is something else,” said Habsburg. “I have raced all around the world, but nothing comes close to the atmosphere in Daytona on race day. It just drags you in and makes you want to go back again and again. I am really looking forward to sharing a car with my fellow Bullet Rui, REMUS Ambassador Louis, and Tower Motorsport stalwart John Farano. My goal is quite clear: I missed out on the watch in Le Mans so I will give my all to grab one in Daytona.”

The 2022 schedule will see the LMP2 class returning to the same courses as the previous season, starting with the Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway, January 21-23. Acting as the first official series-wide test of the new season, the Roar also hosts the qualifying session for the first race of the year, the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Dubbed a “qualifying race,” the Motul Pole Award will be a one-hour, forty-minute race that will be held on January 23 at 2:00 pm Eastern and will set the grid for the Rolex 24 the following week, beginning on January 29th at 1:40 pm eastern. For ticket information and TV and stream listings, visit imsa.com.

RACKLEY W.A.R. ANNOUNCES DIBENEDETTO FULL TIME FOR 2022 NASCAR TRUCKS

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Centerville, TN (January 6, 2022) – Matt DiBenedetto shared a laugh this morning from the Rackley W.A.R. headquarters near Nashville when he confirmed out loud that he’s spent the past 12 years driving in two of NASCAR’s top series’; NASCAR Cup and Xfinity.

“I may be telling my age, I don’t know. I forget that I’ve been doing this stuff so long,” said DiBenedetto, upon being announced as the full-time driver of Rackley W.A.R.’s No. 25 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chevrolet Silverado for the 2022 racing season.

DiBenedetto, 30, one of the sport’s most likeable driver personalities, steps in for the middle Tennessee-based team as it enters its second season running full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series, which could prove to be a key year in the team’s rapid development.

Team co-owner Curtis Sutton shared the team’s sentiments in making the official and highly-anticipated announcement this morning.

“We are honored to have Matt DiBenedetto join Rackley W.A.R. full-time for the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season driving the number 25 Chevrolet. We feel that by teaming Matt up with experienced crew chief Chad Kendrick, we will be competing for multiple wins and be competitive at all race tracks. I truly believe that the NASCAR Truck Series is the most exciting, and I am looking forward to getting the season started.”

DiBenedetto said that this, too, is an exciting time in his career and that he’s happy to be racing with such a dedicated group.

“I can honestly say that, at this time in my career, I am truly excited. I feel like I’m going back to my roots in a lot of ways. I love the feeling you immediately get when you talk to Curtis, Willie, Chad; all the guys around this organization. They are all hard-core racers and everyone is extremely dedicated. This opportunity is a blessing to me and I’m really excited to do my part in taking this team to the next level.”

Rackley W.A.R. co-owner Willie Allen added that this is indeed a growth year for the team in its sophomore year and that he feels the alliances the team has made over the past year will continue to garner excellent results, and most importantly – wins.

“We have a lot of great folks around this race shop and in a lot of other places. This will be our second year having an alliance with GMS Racing and we’re really appreciative of all they do for us. We will continue our manufacturer alliance with GM and Chevrolet, and we’re super-thankful for the resources they make available to us. This series is for sure the most competitive out there right now, and we are really fortunate to have excellent partners. We anticipate a big year as we look forward to our first win.”

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will kick off its 2022 race season at Daytona International Speedway, on February 18th.

Follow Rackley W.A.R. on social media to keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content. Visit Rackley W.A.R.’s Twitter page – @Rackley_WAR and on Instagram at @rackley_war. “Like” Rackley W.A.R. on the official Facebook page at facebook.com/RackleyWAR.

ABOUT RACKLEY W.A.R.

Rackley W.A.R. offers motorsports competition, development, marketing, management, and a suite of other industry-related services for professional race car drivers, race teams and industry sponsors. Rackley W.A.R. competes nationally in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series as well as in regional Super and Pro Late Model events. Rackley W.A.R. is headed and co-owned by Curtis Sutton (Rackley Roofing, Inc.) and Willie Allen (Willie Allen Racing and W.A.R. Shocks, LLC).

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will announce challenges for making ever-better motorsports-bred cars at Tokyo Auto Salon

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World premiere of GR GT3 Concept and fully tuned model of the GR Yaris

Toyota City, Japan, Jan 7, 2022 – (JCN Newswire) – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) will exhibit at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2022 customized car event held at the Makuhari Messe (Chiba City) for three days from January 14 to January 16, 2022.*

TGR strives to “offer ever-better motorsports-bred cars”, and is participating in top categories such as the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) along with domestic rallies and races. The technology and knowledge gained through these activities is used in the creation of new road cars.

This year’s exhibition will feature the world premiere of the GR GT3 Concept, a racing-dedicated concept car that incorporates the knowledge and refined technologies TGR has gained in the field of motorsports, as well as the fully tuned model of the GR Yaris.

Furthermore, as a way to communicate the appeal of motorsports, the GR010 HYBRID that won all races in 2021, the first year of Hypercar class of the WEC, and cars from domestic and international competitions such as the SUPER GT, Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship and Japanese Rally Championship will be exhibited.

In addition to the exhibition cars listed above, some parts from the 2022 lineup of GR Heritage Parts for customers who truly love their vehicles will also be exhibited.

Further information regarding the exhibition cars and booths will be announced in due course, and the press conference scheduled on January 14, can be accessed from the following link.

The TGR booth will be operated with the utmost care to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and ask for your understanding and cooperation.

*January 14: Open to media and industry insiders, January 15-16: Open to Public

News URL: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/72277/

A Brief Guide To Collecting Diecast Cars

By
SM
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Are you a novice or an avid fan of model toys? You might want to collect diecast cars but don’t know how to start. A diecast toy or diecast car is a car toy produced by metal casting or die casting method, in which a molten metal alloy is put into a mold under high pressure to create a product. Diecast cars are usually made of zinc alloy. Many diecast manufacturers recreate full-size branded cars at a smaller scale, such as Ford, Chrysler, Volkswagen, and Rolls-Royce. 

So, where can collectors buy diecast cars just like blade 6 triple core games, and how do you store and take care of them to preserve their quality? Read this brief guide to collecting diecast cars as your reference.  

Where To Buy 

Collecting diecast cars is a great hobby suitable for all ages. Experts carefully designed and curated them, highlighting the value of the most treasured car brand models. However, it isn’t easy to find a shop that sells high-quality collectible diecast vehicles nowadays because toy stores quickly disappear from the high street. But you can order from Toynk Toys or other online stores that have a catalog of diecast cars for sale.

  • Dedicated Diecast Online Shops: Whether you’re looking for vintage cars, classic motors, sports cars, or service vehicles, dedicated online stores provide a wide selection at competitive prices. Collectors can buy diecast cars online, such as Darlington Diecast and other reputable companies. 
  • Resellers: You can also buy from resellers online in marketplaces and even on social media. Buy-and-sell diecast collectors deal with resellers because they’re able to choose their preferred scale of diecast cars, especially rare ones, at negotiable prices.  
  • Others: You can also buy diecast model cars at bargain prices in car boot sales, charity shops, and jumble sales. 

Tips On Buying Diecast Cars 

 Whether you’re into motorsports, vintage cars, or newer models, make sure to check out the following tips first before shopping: 

  • Choose The Size: The sizes of a diecast model car are expressed in scale proportions from the original car version, which range from 1:4 to 1:72. The higher the number, the smaller the car will be. Larger scales, such as 1:18, allow the diecast manufacturer to replicate many car details more accurately and intricately than smaller scales. 
  • Pick What You Love: Collecting any item comes with great passion because the satisfaction and experience are priceless. So, you might want to buy diecast cars that you love. They may even be the same brand or type, like sports cars or vintage cars.  
  • Buy From A Reputable Manufacturer: There are many collectible diecast cars for sale in the market. It pays off to research the reputation and customer service the diecast manufacturer offers to customers before shopping. This step will help you ensure that you only buy the highest quality and genuine diecast model cars to add to your collection.  
  • Keep The Original Packaging: If you plan to collect diecast cars as an investment, make sure to keep the original packaging as proof of authenticity and to preserve and even increase the car’s value in the future.   

Why Diecast Cars Are Expensive 

The most expensive diecast car models cost thousands and even millions of dollars. This is because manufacturers use rare earth metals to create premium quality diecast cars, such as carbon fibers, titanium, silver, and gold. In addition, the manufacturing processes are intricate and costly. 

How To Maintain And Store Diecast Cars 

If you’ve unboxed or opened your new diecast model cars, you’re probably wondering how to maintain and store your toy cars at home. Below are some diecast car maintenance and storage tips: 

  • Store your valued diecast cars at room temperature regardless of whether you removed them from the original packaging or not. Your collection should be kept in a relatively dry environment. 
  • Dust your diecast car models regularly to prevent tarnishing. You can use anti-tarnish bags to keep them away from dust. 
  • Get yourself a detailing diecast car maintenance kit, including cleaning solutions, wax, and applicators. Apply wax on a diecast car once it’s removed from the packaging. You can also clean the interiors of a window seat coupe diecast using spray and compressed air. 
  • Get the appropriate display casing for your diecast cars, which allows you to display them nicely on a prefabricated case. Display cases come in different sizes. Some collectors custom-build display cases for their diecast collection. 

Conclusion 

Collecting diecast cars is a fun hobby for many people. You can make your diecast collection a worthy investment, a source of your pride, or a symbol of your self-fulfillment. Whatever diecast model car you want to add to your collection, apply the tips above to maintain, properly store, and buy the best ones.  

Exclusive: First Seasons with Greg Biffle

By
Briar Starr
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Photo by David Yeazell for SpeedwayMedia.com.

In this edition of “First Seasons,” Speedway Media catches up with former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. During the interview, Biffle discusses how he entered the sport, getting to race for Jack Roush and meeting Roush for the first time. We also spoke about his first race win at Memphis along with many other memories throughout his career.

SM: You made your debut racing in the NASCAR Truck Series at the age of 28 driving for Jack Roush. Can you talk about what it was like making your debut during that age, which at the time was considered fairly late, and why the Truck Series?

GB: “Growing up in the Northwest racing out there, people always questioned me how did I get into NASCAR from Washington,” Biffle said. “It took a while because that’s not where a lot of drivers come from with a racing background. I started late too, as I didn’t start racing Street Stocks at the age of 16. I just didn’t have the opportunity to race quarter midget, go-karts, or bandoleros. My progression in a late model touring car series, I was 22 or 23-years-old up to that point. I was looking for the opportunity to get to the next level.”

“There were these races in the wintertime in Tucson, Arizona for the Winter Heat Series. At that time, I got to know Benny Parsons who at the time was a commentator for ESPN. He was actually the one who got me hooked up with Jack Roush. The Truck Series was just starting in that era. The opportunity kind of presented itself, I asked Benny how do I get an opportunity in the Winston West Series or in a Truck? He said, ‘I’ll pass your name and see what I can do.’

“Afterward, Geoff Smith called me (President of Roush Racing) out of the blue. He asked me if I wanted to race trucks for Jack Roush. I didn’t hesitate at all. It was like winning the lottery.”

SM: I know it’s been several years ago, but can you remember the first conservation you had with Jack about making your NASCAR debut? When was your first interaction with Jack?

GB: “So the first time I met Jack was when I went back to meet the sponsor (Grainger),” he said. “I flew to Michigan and flew on his small plane. It was me, Geoff Smith and a few PR people. That was the first time I met Jack.”

SM: Following up on that question, you spent three years racing in the Truck Series before moving up to the Busch Series in 2001 and 2002 and then going to Cup full-time in 2003. Was that always the plan between you and Jack to eventually go Cup racing someday and did you ever think it would happen so quickly?

GB: “It was obviously my plan, but really the plan was performanced-based I would say,” Biffle said about moving up the ladder. “If you’re successful, it’s like any other sport. If you win races, championships, you’re going to move to the next level. You’re going to get that opportunity at some point. That’s how it worked for me. We were successful in the Truck Series and moved to the Busch Series in ‘01, and then went to Cup.”

SM: Eventually, your first Truck race came at Disney where you started 20th and finished fifth. What do you remember about the weeks leading up to your debut? Were you anxious or nervous or were you more excited to get out there and race?

GB: “I was super nervous,” he said. “I remember going there my first time because I didn’t know what to expect. We had done some testing to that point. I didn’t have a lot of experience, but it was a big deal.”

SM: In your first outing at Disney, you started 20th and finished fifth. Were you satisfied with your first result in the Truck Series?

GB: “Oh absolutely,’’ the former Roush Racing driver said. “When you’re young, I was super excited about fifth. There again though, you want to win. Sometimes, when you’re in the moment, you don’t appreciate it until years later. I do remember this and thinking when I raced the first few races after my debut, there’s no way I’m going to beat these guys and compete with them because you’re getting all you can out of your truck.”

“I knew they were so much faster and I knew there was just no way I’m going to compete with these guys. When I moved to the Busch Series, I was like ‘okay, I won 17 races and a Truck title, I’m going to come in here and do well. It’s the same thing as the Truck Series. There were like 10 cars that were winning every week. The progression each time was more time when I moved up the ladder. I just didn’t think when I came in, I was going to win that series. Definitely, a humbling experience a few races later.”

SM: Following Disney, you sat on the pole at Portland and then won the pole three consecutive times from Memphis through Martinsville. However, along the way, you had some disappointing finishes at Phoenix with a crash, transmission problems at Watkins Glen, two more crashes at Texas and Nazareth. Even though you were competitive but had some of those issues, did you ever still feel there was some sort of learning curve throughout your rookie season, or did you start to get comfortable learning the truck?

GB: “I felt there was always a learning curve, I really did,” Biffle said. “Up to that point, I had a lot of chassis experience and I built cars for a long time. I was more hands-on in the Truck Series and we tested on many short tracks. We developed a front suspension package in the ‘98 season and got the truck more drivable and got the truck more competitive. I don’t think what we had in ‘98 was the best to win races. We should have won a couple, but it didn’t go that way.”

“We ended up doing two tires instead of four on a pit stop and our tires were worn out. It was just a mistake on our part. My crew chief (Randy Goss) didn’t have a lot of experience either since it was his first time. At the same time, the Truck Series didn’t do live pit stops like they do nowadays. Everything was new to Goss. I remember Andy Houston winning that specific race, but he had a Cup crew chief and they put four tires on and beat us on the last lap. We eventually got it figured out for the ‘99 season.”

SM: While you didn’t win in your rookie season, you would set the world on fire in ‘99 by winning nine races that year. In regard to your nine wins, I want to talk about your first win that came at Memphis. You qualified on the pole and finished first after leading 74 of 200 laps. What does that victory still mean to you to this day and have you ever had a chance to rewatch that race?

GB: “You know, I haven’t watched that race back as of late, but I should,” he said about winning Memphis. “(Winning that race) meant the world to me. We had been so close so many times. To finally win one, it changes your confidence dramatically. After we won three more, I looked at winning and we had so much confidence. When I’m looking at the next races, I think how can we not win here? We nearly won everywhere in ‘99.”

SM: You came close to winning the title in 1999, but ended up just short of that title before winning it in 2000 by defeating Kurt Busch. What kept you from winning the title in ‘99?

GB: “I think it goes a bit under the radar of what happened that season,” Biffle said about not winning the championship in ‘99. Our first race at Disney World Speedway, we brought an intake manifold. I remember the NASCAR official comes over and looks at the manifold and does all of his checking and this was a mile and a half manifold. The manifold made an additional four more horsepower. He approved the intake manifold and we ran it at that race.”

“We win at Las Vegas with three races to go and it’s our ninth win of the season. Obviously, we’re under the radar for being so successful that year. We win and celebrate and we’re getting ready to load our stuff up and they’re having this big meeting in the NASCAR trailer and the manifold is in question all of a sudden because it doesn’t match the gasket. They said it had to match the shape of the gasket, so it was a technicality of the rules.

“(NASCAR) ended up disqualifying us for the manifold, which they had done tech on throughout the season. I happened to be standing in the truck when the official came and looked at it. When they asked that guy in Las Vegas if he had approved this manifold and he wasn’t sure if he had seen that specific part before. I’m telling you what, Jack Roush had never won any NASCAR titles ever and he wanted every crew member, NASCAR official to take a lie detector test because we were getting the short hand of the deal. As a result, they took 120 points away from us and I lost the championship by eight points three races later.”

SM: While you didn’t win the championship in ‘99, you finally won the championship in 2000 after winning five races that year. What was it like winning your first championship and was it sort of a relief to win the title before moving to the Busch Series in ‘01? Did winning the title help your move to the Busch Series?

GB: “Yes, (winning the title) was definitely a relief,” the two-time champion said. “That year was so fulfilling, especially after the controversy in ‘99. Kurt had some of the exact same setups as we did, so we split up some of the wins in 2000. It was so nice to win that title because that was Jack’s first title in any series. I knew I was going Busch racing at the start of that season, so that was sort of my only opportunity to win the Truck title that year.”

SM: When you look back on your early NASCAR days, what are some of your fondest memories of entering the sport?

GB: “Obviously, first wins are fun memories,” Biffle said. “The first win in a truck at Memphis was a fun moment for me. The first win in the Busch Series and the first one at Daytona, that was neat to win there. I had the most wins in 2005 in the Cup Series and finished second in points. That was a heartburn moment, but at the same time very disappointing to finish so close to the championship.”

SM: Favorite trophy out of your collection?

GB: “There was a win in Dover and the Monster trophy is really neat,” he said. “I will tell you, I met a soldier at this hospital nearby. He was at the race on race day and we spent a little time together. The soldier was very inspiring to me. In that race, we were running fifth or sixth and I was like, we’re not going to win today, I have to make a change on this thing.”

“I asked for a big change and we started driving up through the field. We almost wrecked at one point, I don’t know how I saved it. I wheeled that thing to the front and I took chances because I felt inspired by him. The car was really loose, but we ended up winning. I celebrated in victory lane with him and I gave him the trophy so he could take it home. It was just a good story.”

SM: Some drivers keep a memorabilia collection and some don’t. Are you a driver that collects your own merchandise and if so, what do you have in your collection that reminds you of your rookie years?

GB: “I’ve got a decent collection, but I will admit the collection is not very organized,” Biffle said. “I got a lot of diecasts, (a replica toy car) because I bought every car that was ever made. Later years, I bought 12 of every paint scheme or diecast made, so that way I can give a few out. I have everything like Truck Series diecasts and hero cards.”

SM: Wrapping it up, it’s hard to believe your debut came 23 years ago. However, if time travel was available, what would a 52-year-old Greg Biffle tell a 28-year-old Greg Biffle? Is there anything you would do differently?

GB: “You know, not really,” the 19 time Cup Series winner said. “It’s like any other sport, you have to be passionate about what you do. You have to give it 110% every day, that’s the key. You can’t halfway something, you have to put your mind to it and be the best you can be. Be a student of the sport as well, you know, study the racetrack, study the tire, study the competitors, etc. The thing I did the most along the way is you learn from other people’s mistakes, so you don’t have to make the mistake yourself. Unfortunately in life, we learn from our mistakes, but we can also learn from others too.”

Throughout Biffle’s career, the Vancouver, Washington native made 510 Cup Series starts and earned 19 wins with 92 top fives and 175 Top 10 finishes. In the Xfinity Series, he has 244 starts and 20 wins along with winning the 2002 series championship. Biffle also earned 17 Truck Series wins and won the 2000 series championship.

Fans of Greg Biffle can follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

North Carolina’s first bull riding team run by Richard Childress Racing under General Manager Austin Dillon to compete in Winston-Salem

By
Official Release
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WINSTON-SALEM BASED CAROLINA CHAOS TO COMPETE IN GROUNDBREAKING PBR TEAM SERIES LAUNCHING IN JUNE 2022

North Carolina’s first bull riding team run by Richard Childress Racing under General Manager Austin Dillon to compete at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (January 6, 2022) – PBR (Professional Bull Riders) today announced that the Carolina Chaos will represent Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in the PBR Team Series, an elite new league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing in games beginning in June 2022.

North Carolina’s first bull riding team will call Wake Forest’s Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum home, joining the Demon Deacons men’s and women’s basketball teams in the 14,600 capacity multi-purpose arena in Winston-Salem.

The team will be run by Richard Childress Racing with 2018 Daytona 500 Champion Austin Dillon serving as General Manager. Dillon, who drives the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet, embarks on his ninth year of competition in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022. A former champion in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (2013)
and NASCAR Truck Series (2011), Dillon is a 19-time winner in NASCAR’s top-three touring series.

”I’ve always had an interest in the business side of sports, so I’m thrilled to get a chance at being the general manager of a PBR team alongside my grandfather,” said Dillon. “I grew up watching bull riders with my grandfather, so it’s special to be able to share this interest with him in our home state of North Carolina.”

The PBR Team Series’ inaugural 10-event regular season will culminate in a team playoff at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas November 4-6, 2022. The league will launch with eight founding teams, each scheduled to host in their respective city an annual bull riding event and western lifestyle festival, building excitement and rooting interests in the sport.

The PBR Team Series event for the Carolina Chaos at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in North Carolina will be announced at a later date. Fans can connect with the Carolina Chaos on social media at @Carolina Chaos on Facebook, @CarolinaChaos_ on Twitter, @CarolinaChaos_ on Instagram, and @CarolinaChaos_ on TikTok.

The full PBR Team Series league roster is:
Ariat Texas Rattlers, based in Fort Worth, Tex., owned by the Fisher family
Arizona Ridge Riders, based in Glendale, Ariz., owned by Teton Ridge
Austin Gamblers, based in Austin, Tex., owned by Egon Durban
Carolina Chaos, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., owned by the league and operated by Richard Childress Racing
Kansas City Outlaws, based in Kansas City, Mo., owned by Pulley Outlaws LLC
Missouri Thunder, based in Ridgedale, Mo., owned by Johnny Morris
Nashville Stampede, based in Nashville, Tenn., owned by Morris Communications Company
Oklahoma Freedom, based in Oklahoma City, Okla., owned by the league and operated by Prodigal

There will also be two “neutral site” league-produced regular season events and the season playoff and championship. All PBR Team Series events will be carried on either the CBS Television Network, streaming live on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network or Pluto TV.

The league will host a PBR Team Series rider draft on May 23 prior to start of the 2022 season, among PBR rider members who have declared for the draft during a league eligibility window. To determine team selection order of the athletes, a draft lottery among teams will be held prior to the PBR Unleash The Beast event at Madison Square Garden in New York on Friday, January 7.

The PBR Team Series complements the successful PBR Unleash The Beast premier tour, which held its first championship in 1994 and in 2022 will be staged January – May, with its World Finals held in Fort Worth, Texas from May 13-22, 2022.

The PBR has a rich history in the state of North Carolina. In addition to having made more than 30 stops in the Tar Heel State with the elite Unleash The Beast, several of the world’s best bull riders hail from North Carolina including two-time PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney, 2021 PBR Rookie of the Year Eli Vastbinder, and PBR Ring of Honor inductee Jerome Davis, who operates Davis Rodeo Ranch in Archdale, hosting events and raising PBR bucking bulls with his wife Tiffany.

The PBR debuted in Winston-Salem in 2008, visiting the city annually through 2010 with the premier Unleash The Beast. The organization held a subsequent elite tour event in the Twin City in 2013.

In 2009, North Carolinian Mauney captured the event win, going a perfect 3-for-3, including riding Deja Blue Emu for 91 points to clinch the victory.

“Over the past 29 years, PBR has grown to become a mainstream sport carried by CBS and Pluto TV and packing marquee arenas across the country,” said PBR CEO and Commissioner Sean Gleason. “The incredible lineup of passionate, highly successful team owners validates the new PBR Team Series league – a transformational addition to the sport that will help take PBR to new levels.”

The PBR Team Series builds on the existing structure of professional bull riding with the same basic rules for judging and scoring qualified 8-second bull rides. Events will be structured in a tournament-style format with all teams competing in head-to-head matchups against a different opponent each day. Each game will feature five riders per team squaring off against another team. Full team rosters will be comprised of seven riders on the core roster and up to three practice squad members. The team with the highest aggregate score of qualified rides among its riders will be declared the winner of each game. The event winner will be the team with the most game wins across an event, with a special bonus round designed as a tie-breaker to determine final event standings.

Team formatted bull-riding events have been growing in popularity since the debut of the PBR Global Cup in 2017, which pitted nation against nation in the name of national pride. The successful event format continued in June and July 2021 with the PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge, presented by U.S. Border Patrol. In addition, PBR has staged multiple Air Force Reserve Cowboys for a Cause team charity events.

About PBR (Professional Bull Riders):
PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. More than 500 bull riders compete in more than 200 events annually across the televised PBR Unleash The Beast tour (UTB), which features the top 35 bull riders in the world; the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour (PWVT); the PBR Touring Pro Division (TPD); and the PBR’s international circuits in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico. In June 2022, PBR will launch PBR Team Series – eight teams of the world’s best bull riders competing for a new championship. The organization’s digital assets include PBR RidePass on Pluto TV, which is home to Western sports. PBR is a subsidiary of IMG, a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media. For more information, visit PBR.com, or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/PBR, Twitter at Twitter.com/PBR, and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR.

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