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Ryan Truex rejoins Joe Gibbs Racing for a four-race Xfinity deal in 2022

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

Ryan Truex will be adding more NASCAR Xfinity Series events to his 2022 racing schedule after it was announced that he will be reuniting with Joe Gibbs Racing and drive the No. 18 Toyota Supra in a four-race Xfinity deal.

Truex, a two-time ARCA Menards Series East champion and brother of the 2017 Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., will be making his first start in JGR’s No. 18 Toyota at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 5. He will then return to compete at Martinsville Speedway on April 8, Darlington Raceway on May 7 and at Texas Motor Speedway on May 21.

The announcement comes as Truex is coming off a 12th-place result at Daytona International Speedway in his first of select starts for Sam Hunt Racing.

“I’m honored to compete in the No. 18 Toyota GR Supra with Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season,” Truex said. “Having the opportunity to get  behind the wheel of a Joe Gibbs Racing entry is an absolute dream come true. Even better, Toyota is sponsoring my inaugural race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway next weekend. I can’t thank them and Joe Gibbs Racing enough for making this happen.”

Prior to this season, Truex’s latest competition in the Xfinity Series occurred in 2019, where he made six starts for JR Motorsports. Since making his Xfinity debut in 2010, Truex has made 79 career starts in the Xfinity circuit, 12 occurring with Joe Gibbs Racing. During the 79-race schedule, he earned a pole, four top-five results and 24 top-10 results. His best result in the series are a pair of runner-up finishes: the first at Dover Motor Speedway in June 2012 and the second at Phoenix Raceway in March 2019. 

Through 2022, he has also made 73 career starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and 26 career starts in the NASCAR Cup Series. 

Truex is the third competitor to be confirmed to pilot Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 18 Toyota entry throughout this year’s Xfinity Series season. Drew Dollar made his first of four scheduled starts at Daytona International Speedway, where he finished 36th, while Trevor Bayne is scheduled to make his first of seven starts this upcoming weekend at Auto Club Speedway on Saturday, February 26.

Truex is scheduled to make his first Xfinity Series start with Joe Gibbs Racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 5 with coverage to occur at 4:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Monster Energy Racing: Riley Herbst Fontana NXS Advance

By
Official Release
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RILEY HERBST
Fontana NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

• Event: Production Alliance 300 (Round 2 of 33)
• Date: Saturday, Feb. 26
• Location: Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California
• Layout: 2-mile oval
• Time/TV/Radio: 5 p.m. EST on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

• Riley Herbst is a freshly minted 23-year-old who comes into Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, riding plenty of momentum after a strong fourth-place finish last Saturday in the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Herbst turned 23 on Feb. 24, and the driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) sits third in the championship point standings thanks to his fourth-place drive at Daytona. In addition to being a year wiser, Herbst comes into the second race of the season in a much more advantageous position than he did last year when in his SHR debut at Daytona he was collected in a multicar accident with less than 20 laps remaining to finish an undeserved 26th.

• Herbst’s strong run at Daytona follows him to one of his stronger tracks. Fontana is the site of his career-best Xfinity Series finish – second, earned when the series last raced at the track in 2020. Herbst later equaled that result a little less than five months later when he finished second at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta.

• Herbst has made only one Xfinity Series start at Fontana. He was a rookie in 2020 and when he finished second on Feb. 29, he and most everyone else had no indication that it would be two years before NASCAR returned to the 2-mile oval in Southern California. COVID-19 had just started to get people’s attention, but two weeks after Herbst’s career-best finish, COVID shut racing and the sports world down. California was especially hard hit, jettisoning Auto Club Speedway from the NASCAR schedule in 2021. Thankfully, progress has been made in the fight against COVID, and this weekend marks the triumphant return of Fontana to the NASCAR calendar, just in time to celebrate the track’s 25th anniversary.

Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang

You’re coming off a top-five finish in the season opener at Daytona. How helpful is it for this No. 98 Monster Energy team to come out of the gate strong?

“That finish at Daytona was huge. Last year, I think we had three DNFs in a row and that just put us in a hole, and then we battled back all year long. To start the season off with a fourth, all of these 98 guys deserve to be in victory lane and we’re working really hard to get there.”

Last time you were in Fontana you earned a career-best second-place finish. Does that help boost your confidence as you head back to Auto Club Speedway this weekend?

“It does, but you also have to think that it’s been two years since we raced here. I know that I can run well there, and I’m hoping that carries over and I can put our Monster Energy Ford Mustang in victory lane on Saturday. We had speed last week. This No. 98 team can get it done, and hopefully I can finish one spot better at Auto Club this year.”

Talk about what it would mean to put yourself and Monster Energy in victory lane this weekend.

“We’re all racing to win. We had a great run at Daytona but, ultimately, the goal is to knock down some victories early on and secure our spot in the playoffs. I’ve come close to a win several times, but could never quite close the deal. Hopefully, this season will bring a change of luck and I can go to victory lane with the No. 98 team and Monster Energy. Their support means everything, so it would feel great to get them there.”

No. 98 Monster Energy Team Roster

Primary Team Members:

Driver: Riley Herbst
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Crew Chief: Richard Boswell
Hometown: Friendship, Maryland

Car Chief: Matt Noyce
Hometown: Oregon, Wisconsin

Engineer: Justin Bolton
Hometown: Latrobe, Pennsylvania

Engineer: DJ VanderLey
Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Spotter: Tim Fedewa
Hometown: Holt, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Crew:

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

Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White
Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons
Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Fueler: Corey Coppola
Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Jackman: Brandon Banks
Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Road Crew Members:

Truck Driver: Steve Wood
Hometown: Eatontown, New Jersey

Engine Tuner: Willie Pelotte
Hometown: Oakland, Maine

XPEL TO BUILD ON TEAM PENSKE SUCCESS WITH SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN AND NO. 3 CHEVROLET IN 2022

By
Official Release
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Reigning INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year to Race XPEL Chevrolet This Season

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 24, 2022) – Team Penske and XPEL (NASDAQ: XPEL), a leading provider of protective films and coatings, announced today that 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year Scott McLaughlin will compete in the No. 3 XPEL Chevrolet at three races during the upcoming INDYCAR SERIES season. McLaughlin will first race the XPEL Chevy in the series race at Texas Motor Speedway where the company will also serve as the event title sponsor – the XPEL 375 on March 20. The No. 3 XPEL INDYCAR and McLaughlin will also race on the streets of Toronto on July 17 and in the championship finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 11.

“I feel really blessed to be able to represent a great partner in XPEL so early in my career here in America,” said McLaughlin. “XPEL is no stranger to Victory Lane – and we were so close to winning at Texas last year – so the confidence of the No. 3 team will be high when we return there in March. Winning for XPEL on their home turf in the race that they sponsor would be one of the biggest wins of my career.”

McLaughlin scored his career-best INDYCAR SERIES finish last season at Texas when he produced a memorable second-place result in his first career start on an oval track. The runner-up finish was one of several solid performances for McLaughlin, as he became the first Team Penske driver to win the series Rookie of the Year award since its inception in 1979.

Team Penske welcomed XPEL to its partner lineup in 2020 as the San Antonio-based company served as a primary sponsor on the No. 2 Chevrolet with driver Josef Newgarden over the last two INDYCAR SERIES seasons. Last July, Newgarden drove the No. 2 XPEL Chevrolet to Victory Lane in dominating fashion at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

“We are excited to see Scott represent XPEL in the yellow and black #3 Chevrolet this season,” said Robert Bezner, Vice President, Brand at XPEL. “So much of our business success is attributed to passionate brand representation by our global installer network. That is the same spirit we see in Scott and we are counting down the days until we join him in Victory Lane!”

The 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins on Sunday, February 27 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. With 14 out of 17 races on the 2022 series schedule broadcast on network television, the season opener will be seen live on NBC.

About XPEL
XPEL is a leading provider of protective films and coatings, including automotive paint protection film, surface protection film, automotive and commercial/residential window films, and ceramic coatings. With a global footprint, a network of trained installers and proprietary DAP software, XPEL is dedicated to exceeding customer expectations by providing high-quality products, leading customer service, expert technical support and world-class training. XPEL, Inc. is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “XPEL.”

About Team Penske
Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced more than 590 major race wins, over 650 pole positions and 41 championships across open-wheel, stock car and sports car racing competition. Over the course of its 56-year history, the team has also earned 18 Indianapolis 500 victories, three Daytona 500 Championships, a Formula 1 win, overall victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, along with a win in Australia’s legendary Bathurst 1000 race. In 2022, Team Penske will compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, NASCAR Cup Series and the World Endurance Championship. For more information about Team Penske, please visit www.teampenske.com.

Burton Returns to Fontana, Site of His First Major NASCAR Win

By
Official Release
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Harrison Burton and the No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford team are preparing for this weekend’s 400-miler at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif, the two-mile oval where Burton got his first major NASCAR victory in an Xfinity Series race in 2020.

Burton, then a rookie in NASCAR’s No. 2 series, started on the outside pole, led three times for a total of 40 laps, took the lead with 20 laps to go and held on to win the Production Alliance Group 300.

It was just his 12th start in that series. Trailing him across the finish line were Riley Herbst and this year’s Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric.

Burton, while familiar with the track that sat idle last year due to the coronavirus, knows that competing at Auto Club Speedway in the elite Cup Series in a new car is a big step up from his previous race there.

“I’m super excited to get to Fontana and race on that old worn-out surface,” Burton said. “It’s an awesome race track full of character and lane choices. That really puts it in the drivers’ hands.

“The last time I was there I won my first Xfinity race. so that naturally makes it one of my favorites.”

He said there will be lots to learn once he hits the track in the DEX Imaging Mustang.

“One of the biggest challenges I expect is learning how this Next Gen car will handle slipping and sliding and which tools can the driver use to help get through those moments,” he said.

Practice for the Wise Power 400 is set for Saturday at 11 a.m. (2 p.m. Eastern Time), and that will be followed by qualifying at 11:35 (2:35 Eastern).

Sunday’s 200-lap race is scheduled to start just after 3:35 p.m. Eastern Time, with TV coverage on FOX.

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About DEX Imaging
DEX Imaging is the digital document imaging division of Staples, the world’s largest business solutions provider. DEX sells and services the broadest selection of copiers, printers and data management solutions, such as HP, Konica Minolta, Canon, Kyocera and numerous others.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES:
Reducing Operating Costs
Reducing Paper Consumption
Increasing Productivity

DEX Imaging has been the recipient of virtually every industry award since the company’s inception, including the JD Power & Associates Award for Best Customer Experience, the prestigious ProTech Service award by Konica Minolta, the Diamond Premier Dealer Award by Kyocera, and the Elite DEALER Award by ‘ENX’ magazine. Other accolades include being named ‘Best Place to Work’ by numerous business journals in the markets DEX serves.

Wood Brothers Racing

Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.

Team Chevy takes momentum to Phoenix

By
Official Release
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CHEVROLET AT PHOENIX

What: NHRA Arizona Nationals
When: Friday, Feb. 25-Sunday, Feb. 27
Where: Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona
TV: FS1 will telecast taped eliminations at 7 p.m. ET Sunday, Feb.27

Team Chevy ready to run fast at Wild Horse Pass
Momentum from Funny Car, Pro Stock wins and Top Fuel runner-up carry over

DETROIT (Feb. 24, 2022) – Inconsistency, acknowledges Robert Hight, was the main culprit preventing the three-time NHRA Funny Car champion and the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS from contending for the 2021 title.

“That wasn’t a lot of fun last year,” he said. “Since Jimmy (Prock) came back, we’ve been in the thick of things every year. Won two championships, set records. But the guys stayed focused, worked really hard and looked at what bit us last year.”
After qualifying No. 2 in the season opener at Pomona, California, Hight laid down runs of 3.890, 3.893, 3.861 and 3.861 seconds in winning for the 54th time in his Funny Car career. It was the 147th Funny Car victory for Chevrolet, including 67 with the Camaro model and 20 by Hight, since 1967.

“If you look at our runs in testing and our runs here, I think they’ve found it,” he added. “We have to work race by race, run by run. This is a long road to win this championship. It’s not going to be easy. We’re up for the task. We on a mission, we’re focused and we’re going to do the best we can.”

Hight and rest of the Chevrolet contingent turn their attention to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in suburban Phoenix for the NHRA Arizona Nationals. The event was not held in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hight’s teammate at John Force Racing, Austin Prock, also found consistency in the Montana Brands/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet dragster. Qualifying fourth, Prock was the runner-up in the Winternationals for the second time in three appearances. After racing to the NHRA rookie of the year award in 2019, Prock competed in only three races the past two seasons.

His season debut was just about all that he could ask for. “This is my dream to drive this race car, and to be back and doing what I love again, it’s a lot of fun,” he said.

Brittany Force, driving the Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster, claimed the top qualifier honor at Pomona. It was the 11th No. 1 in the past 14 races for Force, who owns both ends of the Wild Horse Pass track records for Top Fuel (3.643 seconds and 337.92 mph, both set in February 2020).

Four-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders dominated the opening weekend, riding the No. 1 qualifying spot to victory in the Melling Performance Chevrolet Camaro SS.

Coming up short a semifinal matchup with Enders, reigning and five-time Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson, driving the HendrickCars.com Camaro SS, will seek his 100th career victory. She won the 2020 race at Wild Horse Pass. Chevrolet has recorded 348 wins, including 229 with the Camaro model, in 900 Pro Stock races since 1970.

FS1 will telecast taped eliminations at 7 p.m. ET Sunday, Feb. 27.

CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT
TOP FUEL
BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY/FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (No. 1 qualifier and semifinalist at opener): “This team is off to a great start. We ran well during qualifying, got the No. 1qualifier, and made a semifinal-round appearance. We have a great team around us with David Grubnic, Mac Savage, and all our guys with two new additions.”

AUSTIN PROCK, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONTANA BRAND/ROCKY MOUNTAIN TWIST CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (No. 4 qualifier and runner-up at opener): “Great start to the year. This team got put together about three to four weeks ago, and I thought we did an excellent job this past weekend. It’s going to be a long, fun year, and I’m really looking forward to it. This is my dream to drive this race car, and to be back and doing what I love again, it’s a lot of fun.”

FUNNY CAR
JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK BLUEDEF PLATINUM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (has eight wins at the track): “Ron Capps won the championship last year, but I don’t quit because he won the championship. I won’t quit because I lost first round (at Pomona). I drive this PEAK BlueDEF Chevy because I love driving race cars and I will fix it. It will only make me stronger.”

ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 2 qualifier and winner at opener): “It’s one of many battles, the first race of the year. To get the job done is a big day. We’re going to have a lot more of those this year.”

PRO STOCK
ERICA ENDERS, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, MELLING PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 1 qualifier and winner in opener): “We opted not to go to Phoenix (for testing in early February) because with all the fuel cars there we would probably only make three runs per day. With seven cars and 45 crew guys, we kind of wanted to make our own cluster at Bakersfield. We were able to do really well. We knew when we got our butts whipped here last year at the world finals that we had to go to work, and the guys did just that.”

GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 4 qualifier and semifinalist at opener; seeking to become fifth driver with 100 wins): “We did OK, but that’s not good enough. We have to go back to work. It’s obvious that some of the other teams have gained on us. We can run as fast as anybody right now, but we can’t run faster. We want to outrun everybody, like we did last year, so we have to get back to work and figure out how to find more power. The HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro is fast, and that’s great. But we need it to be faster. That’s what we’re going to work on.”

DALLAS GLENN, KB RACING, RAD TORQUE SYSTEMS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (semifinalist in opener): “It was nice to get behind the RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro last weekend. I wish we would’ve come back with the win the first race out, but I have to stay realistic with this new, to me, car. We’re getting the kinks out of it one lap at a time, and I think we will have a successful weekend in Phoenix.”

KYLE KORETSKY, KB RACING, LUCAS OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 3 qualifier in opener): “It was definitely a good start to the season. We’ll go to Phoenix and be ready to take it to the winner’s circle. (Testing two weeks ago at facility) The track is definitely not all there. We’ll continue to work on it, and I think we have enough data from the test session to really come out swinging. I was pleased with how we started out. We qualified out good and every round we got better.”

MATT HARTFORD, HARTFORD RACING, TOTAL SEAL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS: “(Arizona) is our hometown race and we’ll have a lot of friends and family and a lot of the employees come down, so it’s really important that we get to have a race in our hometown. We want to win everywhere, but we really want to win at home. We’re going to try to do better tomorrow than we did today, and we’re going to focus on exceeding our own expectations.”

TROY COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS: “Phoenix will be the perfect place to get past (early exit at Pomona because of a loose nut in right rear shock) and turn in a big result. It’s a long season and there will always be races that don’t live up to your expectations. How we react is key. I fully expect us to be back in contention this weekend. We’ll take nothing for granted and do all the work we need to do each round to put ourselves in the best position possible come race day.”

CAMRIE CARUSO, CAMRIE CARUSO RACING, POWERBUILT TOOLS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified seventh in Pro Stock debut at Pomona): “I think when you look at the whole weekend, this Powerbuilt Tools team did really well. We made some big strides, and we just have to take the positive from this race to Phoenix and beyond. Our biggest takeaway headed to Phoenix is we want to keep making good runs and just get that first win light in Arizona. We tested in Phoenix, but I think the national event will have a different feel. I am looking forward to getting back out there.”

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

No. 10 Rush Truck Centers/Mobil Delvac 1 Ford Racing: Aric Almirola Fontana Advance

By
Official Release
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ARIC ALMIROLA
Fontana Advance
No. 10 Rush Truck Centers/Mobil Delvac 1 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Wise Power 400 (Round 2 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Feb. 27
● Location: Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California
● Layout: 2-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 200 laps/400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 65 laps / Stage 2: 65 laps / Final Stage: 70 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Almirola finished fifth at the season-opening Daytona 500 last weekend. It was his second top-five finish at the iconic race.

● One More Time: On Jan. 10, Aric Almirola released a video on his YouTube channel announcing his retirement from fulltime NASCAR Cup Series racing after the 2022 season to spend more time with his family. This year marks Almirola’s 11th fulltime Cup Series season. The official press release can be viewed here.

● History at Auto Club Speedway: In 13 cup series starts at Fontana, Almirola has two top-10 finishes and seven laps led, which came in his last two starts there in 2019 and 2020.

● After the season-opener at Daytona, Almirola ranks 12th in the driver standings with 32 points.

● Drew Blickensderfer joined the team as the new crew chief for the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for 2022. He replaced Mike Bugarewicz, who was promoted to SHR performance director. Blickensderfer comes from Front Row Motorsports, where he led Michael McDowell to his first Daytona 500 win last season. Blickensderfer and Almirola were together in 2017 and 2018 at Richard Petty Motorsports.

● Almirola’s career: In 389 NASCAR Cup Series starts, Almirola has earned three wins, 27 top-five finishes, 85 top-10s, three poles, and has led 893 laps.

● Rush Truck Centers returns as a team partner of Stewart-Haas Racing with its first appearance on the No. 10 Ford this weekend at Auto Club Speedway and, later this season, serve as a primary sponsor of the No. 14 of Chase Briscoe. All of the SHR cars travel from race to race in haulers from Rush Truck Centers, the premier service solutions provider to the commercial vehicle industry. And those haulers are supported by the RushCare team of parts and service experts, who also provide concierge level service and maintenance, technical support, schedule mobile service, dispatche roadside assistance, help locate the nearest dealer and more. Rush Truck Centers is the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in the United States with 139 locations, and takes pride in its integrated approach to customer needs – from vehicle sales to aftermarket parts, service and body shop operations, plus financing, insurance, leasing and rental, as well as alternate fuel systems and other vehicle technologies.

● Mobil Delvac 1 joins Rush Truck Centers as the co-primary sponsor of the No. 10 Ford Mustang at Fontana. Mobil Delvac 1 heavy-duty diesel engine oils are designed to help commercial fleets save money and boost uptime through fuel economy savings, extending the life of engines, and lengthening oil drain intervals. In 2020, the SHR haulers moved from three oil changes per season to a single oil change by using Mobil Delvac 1 diesel engine oil.

● Rush Truck Centers is also a leader in all-makes parts for the commercial vehicle industry, and will soon be issuing its third All-Makes Parts Catalog. The catalog features 16,000 parts from more than 125 manufacturers, the most common parts needed for commercial vehicles. No matter what brand of truck you drive, you’ll find what you need in this catalog. It also is filled with product and technical tips to help keep our customers up and running. Contact your local Rush Truck Centers location to pre-order a copy.

● Beyond the 10 YouTube Series: In 2022, Almirola is sharing his life beyond the No. 10 Smithfield Ford with season three of his award-winning YouTube series. Fans and media can subscribe on YouTube to see Almirola’s personality on and off the track. Episodes have already featured life as a dad, a husband and an athlete, and it gives fans a unique perspective on what goes on in the life of a professional NASCAR driver. Fans can also follow Almirola’s social media channels: @Aric_Almirola on Twitter and Instagram, and @AricAlmirola on Facebook.

Aric Almirola, Driver of the No. 10 Rush Truck Centers/Mobil Delvac 1 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

What is your ultimate goal this season and how will you achieve it?

“A multi-win season to set us up for a championship run is the ultimate goal for me this season. The only way to do that is to have every facet of our team perfect. You have to be perfect at this level. I have to do my part, the crew has to do their part, the men and women at the shop have to do their part. Everything has to come together, but we have the hardest-working people around and I know the effort will be there this season to make it happen.”

You had a shot at victory lane in your final Daytona 500 as a fulltime driver. How did you feel about the closing laps, and are you proud of the effort?

“We were coming there to the end and I thought for sure like, ‘Man, this is setting up nicely to have that kind of storybook ending.’ I believed it. I really did. I believed it in my heart that it was going to happen and I still felt like I was in a really good position off of turn two on the white flag. I’m like, ‘Man, if they let us race back and there’s no crash, we’ve got a shot to win this thing.’ We came out fifth, but it was still fun. I’m proud of our team. It’s cool to get Ford in victory lane. We swept the week, so I’m proud of everybody, and now we go to California.”

Did you learn anything about the car this weekend that you can take to Fontana?

“I think the biggest thing is just knowing what the car feels like on edge and when we’re aggressive like we were at Daytona. But when we get to Fontana, it’s a complete reset. We have to relearn everything on a completely different style of racetrack. Look what we did at Daytona with no test session, though. We had two cars in the top-five. Our team did an incredible job dialing the cars in over the course of the week and got them where they needed to be to compete for the win. Some weekends we’ll have it close and some we won’t, but this team is capable of adapting quickly and we proved that at Daytona.”

No. 10 Rush Truck Centers/Mobil Delvac 1 Ford Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Aric Almirola

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer

Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Jerry Cook

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Engineer: Davin Restivo

Hometown: Asheboro, North Carolina

Engineer: James Kimbrough

Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

Spotter: Joel Edmonds

Hometown: Dobson, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Ryan Mulder

Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa

Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Tire Carrier: Tyler Bullard

Hometown: King, North Carolina

Jack Man: Sean Cotton

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Fuel Man: James “Ace” Keener

Hometown: Fortuna, California

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Tony Silvestri

Hometown: Sylvania, Ohio

Mechanic: Robbie Fairweather

Hometown: Westbrookville, New York

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Tire Specialist: Russel Simpson

Hometown: Medford, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Dale Lackey

Hometown: Taylorsville, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Wayne Smith

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Tony Stewart Racing: Phoenix Advance for the NHRA Arizona Nationals

By
Official Release
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Leah Pruett & Matt Hagan
Top Fuel | Funny Car
NHRA Arizona Nationals
Feb. 25-27 | Chandler, Arizona

Event Overview

Friday, Feb. 25 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

● Nitro qualifying session (Q1): 5 p.m. MST/7 p.m. EST

Saturday, Feb. 26 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

● Nitro qualifying session (Q2): 1:30 p.m. MST/3:30 p.m. EST
● Nitro qualifying session (Q3): 4:30 p.m. MST/6:30 p.m. EST

Sunday, Feb. 27 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

● Round 1: 11 a.m. MST/1 p.m. EST
● Round 2: 1:20 p.m. MST/3:20 p.m. EST
● Semi-Finals: 2:50 p.m. MST/4:50 p.m. EST
● Finals: 4:10 p.m. MST/6:10 p.m. EST

TV coverage on FS1

● Saturday, Feb. 26: Qualifying show, recapping all of Friday’s action (9 a.m. MST/11 a.m. EST)
● Saturday, Feb. 26: Qualifying show, recapping all of Saturday’s action (5:30 p.m. MST/7:30 p.m. EST)
● Sunday, Feb. 27: Finals show, recapping all of Sunday’s final-round action (5 p.m. MST/7 p.m. EST)

Notes of Interest

● Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park is located in Chandler, Arizona, just on the outskirts of Phoenix. It is a multi-use race facility that includes four racetracks – an NHRA sanctioned drag strip, a 1.6-mile road course, a 10-turn 1.25 mile road course, and a 1.1 mile road course. The drag strip is home to this weekend’s NHRA Arizona Nationals.

● Sparkling Ice +Caffeine is the primary partner of Leah Pruett and her Top Fuel dragster from Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) this weekend during the NHRA Arizona Nationals. It’s the first of the brand’s two primary sponsorships in 2022, with Sparkling Ice +Caffeine returning to Pruett’s 11,000-horsepower machine July 29-31 for the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Kent Washington. Sparkling Ice +Caffeine is a zero sugar, full-flavored sparkling water containing 70 milligrams of caffeine, along with vitamins and antioxidants. Sparkling Ice +Caffeine comes in six refreshing flavors: Black Raspberry, Blue Raspberry, Cherry Vanilla, Orange Passion Fruit, Strawberry and Citrus Twist. Pruett has served as an ambassador for Sparkling Ice since 2014 and the brand has been a part of all nine of her Top Fuel victories.

● Dodge Power Brokers and Direct Connection are the primary partners of Matt Hagan and his TSR-prepared Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car this weekend for the NHRA Arizona Nationals. The new Dodge Power Brokers program will roll out ready to serve as the exclusive source for all new Direct Connection, Dodge’s factory-backed performance parts program, and equipped with staff trained to deliver a performance-focused customer service experience.

● The Arizona Nationals will mark Pruett’s 174th career Top Fuel start and her ninth at Phoenix.

● The Arizona Nationals will mark Hagan’s 295th career Funny Car start and his 13th at Phoenix.

● Pruett earned her first and second career Top Fuel victories at Phoenix. In the 2016 Arizona Nationals, she defeated Brittany Force. And in Pruett’s return to Phoenix in 2017, she successfully defended her win by outdueling Doug Kalitta to earn her second Top Fuel triumph.

● When Pruett faced Force in the 2016 Arizona Nationals, it was the first time in NHRA history that two women faced off in the final round.

● Phoenix is Pruett’s most successful venue. In addition to her two Top Fuel victories, she has three final round appearances (2016, 2017 and 2019) and one No. 1 qualifier (2017). She also earned her career best speed at Phoenix – 334.15 mph in Q3 during the 2018 Arizona Nationals.

● Hagan has three career Funny Car wins at Phoenix (2015, defeated Del Worsham; 2017, defeated Ron Capps; and 2019, defeated J.R. Todd).

● Hagan has made four final-round appearances at Phoenix (2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019).

● Hagan has two No. 1 qualifiers at Phoenix (2015 and 2020).

Leah Pruett, Driver of the Sparkling Ice +Caffeine Top Fuel Dragster

There was a lot of newness surrounding you as you came into this season – how does it feel to have a full race weekend under your belt as you now turn your attention to Phoenix?

“The Phoenix race can’t come soon enough for us. We’re very pleased with the place we are right now, which is a position to continue to chip away at the performance. It’s very common for new teams and cars to throw tune-up darts in the dark hoping to at least land on the board. We’ve been hitting the board since day one and narrowing in on the bullseye, which is the 3.6-second zone. It’s much better to be under-aggressive and work our way up than over-aggressive and back into it. It’s an exciting time to transition so soon for just getting everything shook down, to focusing on faster performance. Many of the teams that were running in the 60s were also blowing up every run and killing blocks and superchargers. We don’t want to be doing that, hence the importance of our Sparkling Ice dragster running fast and healthy.”

You were able to test at Phoenix Feb. 9-12. How valuable were those days to you and your team and how helpful will they be for this weekend’s event at Phoenix?

“Racing on the same surface we tested on is important and will provide a valuable baseline heading into qualifying. It looks to be much cooler than when we tested there, so we can’t wait to wick it up. Phoenix is home to two of my Wally’s, and I would love to add to the Arizona Wally family. I also consider this race somewhat of a hometown race, as an Arizona resident, but also because I believe any racetrack that you can drive to in just a couple hours, as a racer or fan or family, really qualifies it as a home track to me.”

What are the characteristics of the track at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park and what challenges does it pose to make a quick run?

“The cool conditions, low altitude and low humidity in Phoenix make for a quick run. The atmospheric conditions factor into a successful run there, rather than the surface of the track.”

Between your test at Phoenix, your race last weekend at Pomona, and now your return to Phoenix for the second race of the NHRA schedule, is this stretch of West Coast racing helpful because it allows you to work in a similar climate for three weeks and hone routines because everyone is together, or is it a bit of a grind because it’s nearly a month on the road away from the team’s home base in Brownsburg, Indiana?

“This West Coast stretch at the start of the year is always challenging because there is no ‘warming up’ to the season. The parts you order and the people you put in place are fixed, and you’re committed to making that program work for those races. You’re not able to run back to the shop to build this piece or swap that part. So, this swing demands very thorough attention to detail. It also poses an immediate opportunity to have quick gratification after a never-ending couple of months of nonstop work. It’s nice for us all to immediately get a couple chances to get some feel-good win lights. By the end of Phoenix, everyone is going to be looking forward to catching our breath, but right now, we’re full steam, hammer down.”

Matt Hagan, Driver of the Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car

After your debut event with Tony Stewart Racing last weekend at Pomona, how does it feel to have a full race weekend under your belt as you now turn your attention to Phoenix?

“Putting Pomona behind us and rolling into Phoenix right away helps the team get back into the groove of things – making a run, taking it apart, putting it back together and dragging it back up to the starting line and just getting back into the rhythm. That rhythm helps builds confidence in my team and lets me just focus on what I have to do on the starting line with the Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat so we can turn on more win lights.”

You were able to test at Phoenix Feb. 9-12. How valuable were those days to you and your team and how helpful will they be for this weekend’s event at Phoenix?

“I love being at Phoenix. I love the atmosphere. I love the track and the scene around it. We were able to make 10 runs in testing, which got us to where we’re at now. I feel like we’ll roll in there with some really valuable data on both lanes, since we ran side-to-side. I feel really confident about it and the track will only get better since NHRA will be there prepping it and spraying it down. They’re doing a great job of putting a good racetrack underneath of us.”

What are the characteristics of the track at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park and what challenges does it pose to make a quick run?

“There aren’t a whole lot of challenges at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. It’s a good, smooth track and the shut-down is long. We don’t have a whole lot to worry about there. For us, it will be important to get the car dialed-in to run up top. I really think Dickie (Venables, crew chief) can go out there and stand on the pole in Phoenix, so I’m excited about that.”

Between your test at Phoenix, your race last weekend at Pomona, and now your return to Phoenix for the second race of the NHRA schedule, is this stretch of West Coast racing helpful because it allows you to work in a similar climate for three weeks and hone routines because everyone is together, or is it a bit of a grind because it’s nearly a month on the road away from the team’s home base in Brownsburg, Indiana?

“I think this team is used to being on the road and on the grind. For us, any time we get to tracks that are comparable with altitude or the same weather conditions, it helps crew chiefs.”

The Best Cars James Bond Ever Rolled Up to a Casino With

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SM
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Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash

The James Bond franchise is many things to many people. To us, though, two things pop into our minds when we hear that famous name – cars and casinos. 

The James Bond car is an institution among both gearheads and cinephiles, and there’s no point debating that. However, a high-stakes game of baccarat and a glass of dry martini are not far behind. 

The two images of the bustling casino floor and the best, most glamorous cars in the world are essential to agent 007’s suave image. It’s how we would choose to depict our own James Bond fantasy, at least. Well – in our version we would play online blackjack and drive Japanese tuners instead of British coupés, but that’s a matter of personal preference.

Today, we’ll set these two James Bond staples side by side. Let’s take a look back at some neck-turning vehicles Bond used to get to his favorite casinos. 

Dr. No – Sunbeam Alpine Series II

Dr. No was a first in many regards. It was the first Bond movie ever, and one of the opening scenes takes place at the Le Circle Casino in London. It’s also the first time we see those magic words – “Bond. James Bond.” Uttered while playing Chermin de Fer – a precursor to the Agent’s well-recorded love of baccarat.

The Bond Car wasn’t as much of a staple in the first film, obviously. As a result, we don’t really see James get to the casino in the Sunbeam Alpine. That part is implied. But the car’s very appearance sparked many trends that would follow the series for more than half a century.

The Alpine Series II is an English-made two-seater coupé. The first of its kind ever to appear alongside James Bond. If that doesn’t tell you anything, you haven’t seen many films in this franchise. Or you just haven’t been paying attention to the cars.

To be frank, choosing the Sunbeam largely came down to the limited resources available on-set in 1962. But it clearly set the stage for the Aston Martins to come, so it’s a landmark in is own right.

GoldenEye – Aston Martin DB5

We started with the first one, now we’ll move to the arguably “best” one. The DB5 is in many ways the quintessential James Bond car. It’s a sporty yet luxurious English two-seater, filled to the brim with gadgets of all sorts. In short, the Aston Martin DB5 is not a James Bond car. It’s the James Bond car.

It’s also largely thanks to the film series that the Aston Martin DB series became so recognizable. Even in this prestigious line, the DB5 holds a special place. For instance, in 2021 Aston Martin released a toy version of it, complete with gadgets and smokescreen launchers! Few things in recent memory have made us question our own adulthood as much as this.

Obviously, the DB5 appeared as the James Bond car in several films, including Goldfinger, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale, and even Skyfall. However, in 1995’s GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan rolls up in it to the mecca of all casino-lovers: the Monte Carlo Casino. The scene is as iconic as the cars in it – it also notably features an appearance of the Ferrari F335. 

Diamonds are Forever – Ford Mustang Mach 1

Another great example of why this list of James Bond casino cars exists in the first place. Diamonds are Forever is set in Las Vegas, the world capital of gambling. In it, Mr. Bond and Tiffany Case drive around in a hot red 1971 Mustang Mach 1. 

Now, putting Bond in an American muscle car was a bit unusual at the time, and it still is. But the core idea behind Diamonds are Forever is essential “007 hits the US.” Instead of the palaces of Monaco, he’s roaming around the neon-clad streets of Las Vegas. And instead of the more reserved Aston Martin, we see him in the full flashy glory of a Mustang. 

What better way to bring Agent 007 to America than in the most American car of all. 

The film’s villain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, also rolls around in a breathtaking golden Mercedes-Benz 600. It’s an impressive vehicle by all accounts, but bond villain cars are a topic we’ll save for another day.

Casino Royale – Aston Martin DBS

If Diamonds are Forever brought the Bond casino car to the US, Casino Royale brought it to the 21st century. Widely considered the greatest successor to the DB5’s throne, the DBS caught the viewers’ attention in ways its predecessor the Vanquish never could. And while the DB5 is still famous thanks to its 007 prestige, the DBS quickly found a place in every Bond fan’s heart.

Interestingly, both the original 1972 DBS and the 2007 DBS V12 found their way to the big screen thanks to Mr Bond. Both are iconic in their own right, but the new version is more closely related to Casinos. It was the Casino Royale Bond car, after all. Besides, we found that the V12 perfectly reflected Daniel Craig’s style of portraying the famous MI6 agent. It’s a bit of a divergence – from stylish oldtimers to a raging V12 supercar. It was a welcome change for sports car lovers, though.

The next actor to portray Bond is a highly-debated topic among the series’ fans. For us, though, the next casino Bond car is an equally important decision. 

RFK Racing Weekly Advance | Fontana

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Official Release
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Roush Fenway Keselowski Weekly Advance | Fontana

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Auto Club Speedway for the first time since 2020 this weekend to start a stretch of three-straight races on the West Coast. Fontana is the site of 15 wins overall for Jack Roush, including seven in the NASCAR Cup Series. Brad Keselowski has six-straight top-10s at the track, while Chris Buescher is coming off his best finish there two years ago.

NASCAR Cup Series Race at Auto Club Speedway
Sunday, Feb. 27 | 3:30 p.m. ET
FOX, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90

· Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Violet Defense Ford Mustang
· Chris Buescher, No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang

Natural Hat-Trick for RFK

In Feb. 2006, RFK accomplished one of the hardest feats in NASCAR, sweeping all three events at Auto Club Speedway. Mark Martin won in the NASCAR Truck Series on Friday, followed by wins from Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NCS.

California Love

RFK has won at ACS seven times in the Cup series dating back to 1998, when Martin earned the first victory for the organization at the two-mile oval. Since then, Biffle, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards and Kenseth have earned victories at ACS for team owner Jack Roush.

California Dreamin’

RFK won at least one race in one of NASCAR’s three major touring series at ACS for seven consecutive seasons from 2003-2009, tallying a total of 13 victories during that time frame.

Say Goodbye, Say Goodbye to Hollywood

RFK has left ACS with at least two victories during the same weekend four times, including a sweep of all three events in 2006. In addition, RFK swept both Xfinity races at ACS in 2005, while winning both the NCS and Xfinity races in the spring of that same season.

Jack Puttin’ it Down for Californ-i-a

RFK’s seven victories in the NCS at ACS are tied for sixth-most in the organization’s history with Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Phoenix Raceway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. ACS trails only Charlotte Motor Speedway (eight), Texas Motor Speedway (nine), Dover International Speedway (nine), Bristol Motor Speedway (11) and Michigan International Speedway (13) for the most Cup wins at one track.

Welcome to the Hotel California

RFK has earned six victories, 25 top-five finishes, 41 top-10 finishes and an average finish of 11.8 at ACS in the Xfinity Series. RFK swept the season series at ACS in 2004 and 2005 with drivers Biffle, Martin and Edwards.

Tale of the Tape

RFK has 127 Cup starts in Fontana with 52 top-10s, 30 top fives and seven wins. An RFK Ford has led 1441 laps at the 2-mile oval completing 29,000+ laps.

RFK Fontana Wins

1998 Martin Cup

2003 Busch Cup

2005-1 Biffle Cup

2006-1 Kenseth Cup

2007-1 Edwards Cup

2008-1 Kenseth Cup

2009-1 Kenseth Cup

2004-1 Biffle NXS

2004-2 Biffle NXS

2005-1 Martin NXS

2005-2 Edwards NXS

2006-1 Biffle NXS

2007-1 Kenseth NXS

2000 Busch Truck

2006 Martin Truck

Toyota Racing – NXS Auto Club Quotes – Trevor Bayne – 02.23.22

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Toyota Racing – Trevor Bayne
NASCAR Xfinity Series Quotes

FONTANA, Calif. (February 23, 2022) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Trevor Bayne was made available to media prior to the Auto Club Speedway race this Wednesday:

TREVOR BAYNE, No. 18 Devotion Nutrition Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

What have you done to prepare since you have been out of the seat?

“It’s about like it was when I had my first opportunity. You used to be able to go and test and practice and do all of those things. Fortunately, I have some experience to lean on having been to Auto Club before. It’s been four years since I’ve been there, and then technology has changed a lot since my last time getting started in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. It looks a little bit different this time. For me it’s a lot about watching in-car video of Kyle Busch when he ran there. We have a tool called SMT and its just data. You can watch – almost like a video game – all of the throttle and steering traces from every car in the race, so a lot of studying that data and some simulator work at TRD. They have a really good simulator system there that’s accessible to their Truck, Xfinity and Cup drivers – but it’s not the real thing. I know that. It’s going to be just a little bit of getting used to how fast it is again and getting used to some things. The handling will be different, but the tools that are available, I’ve been using, and you can see where I’m sitting – I’m in my gym right now. As soon as we get done, I will be getting my workout in today to try to just physically be ready to go.”

Can you give a sense of the impact of winning the Daytona 500 early in your career?

“I think the difference between Austin (Cindric) and I is they are already planning on a full schedule. When I won at Daytona, it was like holy smokes – how can we run more races? We just started throwing things at it. We went to Phoenix kind of unprepared, and it was really just piecemealed together for the rest of the season. Austin’s got a championship contending team behind him now. I think they are a little bit more prepared than we were. I don’t think we expected that being a part-time team and me being so young. Penske expects to win. I think they’ve got that infrastructure there to kind of carry that through and build on this momentum, which is huge for Austin, but Austin has had a lot off success already. He’s won championships. He’s won a lot of races. I know that he was probably pretty upset leaving Phoenix in second place, so for him to come out of Daytona and just to carry that momentum right into the Cup Series, I really think he’s in a great situation right now. He’s with a fast team with new cars. Everybody’s kind of on the same learning level now, where everybody has to reset and relearn. He’s got a sports car history, so it kind of drives like this with the steering rack and the independent suspension in the rear. I really think that he’s not at a disadvantage at all being a rookie. The thing I would tell Austin is just to enjoy where you are at right now. I think as race car drivers, as competitors, we are already looking to that next thing. It’s Wednesday, so he’s probably already thinking about the next win, which is great and that’s what you want to do, but you also need to enjoy the moment a little bit because you don’t know when or if you are going to get that opportunity again. Be hungry to win, but also enjoy where you are at.”

Has Austin’s win helped you remember certain parts of your win?

“Just seeing the pure excitement, which anybody that wins at Daytona is going to have that level of excitement, whether it’s Kyle Busch or Austin Cindric, but to see somebody so young coming in, doesn’t know what he doesn’t know, they don’t understand how hard it is to win these races – same as me when I was in that race, and just watching him in victory lane, watching him on doing the interviews, it took me right back to that feeling of what is even happening right now. I’m sure he felt that. There’s really no way to put it into words or explain to anyone else who hasn’t experienced that of how much that feeling is of this has to be a dream. This can’t be real. I don’t know. Your heartrate is up. You’re so excited in Victory Lane. You’re looking around – there’s nothing like it. It really did put that same emotion kind of right back into me when I watched him on TV winning and I don’t know how else to say it – pure celebration and enjoyment when you see a young guy like that win.”

How did you get the opportunity to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing this season?

“I fought for another opportunity for the last three years as most of you guys know. I did not want to be done in the race car. I still wanted to drive. I still wanted to be at the track, I just didn’t have the right opportunity. I didn’t have a chance to go and drive for another team where I felt like we could win or really any chance for that matter. I came back home and started a coffee business and really in a way tried to run from racing. I felt a little burnt out in 2018, so I just said, ‘we’re going to do something different.’ Every time I would turn on a race or something like that – that draw back into racing was so strong. In 2020, I had the opportunity to drive a truck for a few races and kind of help out Niece Motorsports, and that was fine, but it didn’t feel like another rebuilding – another shot to get back at it like I was before. Last year, I built a dirt late model. I ran five or six races. I came to Charlotte and ran the big race there. I ran fourth or fifth, so I’ve been in a race car, but I still miss it. But this opportunity feels different. It really didn’t come around till about mid-December. I was in a conversation with the owners of Devotion Nutrition. I’ve been talking to my dad, and we were all just talking about what would it take to get back in a race car and go racing. I called Steve DeSouza. I’ve known him for a long time, and said, ‘hey Steve, is there any opportunity at Joe Gibbs Racing because I know you have the best Xfinity program and I want to come back to win. I want to come back and make a statement and show what I can do as a driver, and if I can’t get it done, I want to know that I was in the best ride possible, and it just didn’t work out.’ We started having those initial conversations around December. Devotion – Dana (Lynn Kaye) is her name that owns Devotion Nutrition – and Mickey is her mom, so they are a female owned company, made in the USA. They have nutritional products, proteins, sleep recovery, all kinds of great products that I have been using to get me back in shape to go race. We took them to Joe Gibbs Racing. We had the first talks. Coach (Joe Gibbs) came into the office and talked with us for a while, and really for them, this is a huge risk because they are a small business, so spending what they are spending to go racing is a huge risk, but they believe in me and want to give me another shot to go back and do it. I think the fit for me at Joe Gibbs Racing as a Christian with Coach’s background and his ministry aspect. I think the competitive nature, just the whole thing, it really feels like one of those best opportunities I’ve ever had outside of getting in that Wood Brothers car in Daytona. To me, this feels like the reset. I don’t know what comes of this. I don’t know if I end up back in a Cup car full-time or a Xfinity car contending for championships. That’s what I would love to see happen, but I feel like in seven races, I need to go win three to five races if I’m going to have a shot at a comeback. That’s my goal. That’s what I told Jason Ratcliff (crew chief). We’ve got seven – let’s go win five. Maybe it only takes one or two, I don’t know, but to have a shot in the 18 car, that’s my goal.”

Does this whole thing, joining Toyota again, make you feel like a kid again?

“This whole thing makes me feel like a kid again. I think if I had got this chance in 2019, right after being in the Cup car, it would be like Matt D (DiBenedetto) going back to Truck racing. It’s like I’m excited to be here, but I would like to be in the Cup car, but for me this feels like first shot all over again. I feel like I’m going to Michael Waltrip Racing. I’ve got that same giddiness and fresh perspective that this is my first show all over again. It’s really similar. It’s with Toyota like you said. It’s seven races, which is where I started out at MWR. It was five to seven races, and we ran really good, so Michael (Waltrip) let me have more races, and I ended up doing 12 or 13. This really feels like that first shot again, which is so cool because my perspective and appreciation for that is right back to where I was when I was 18.”

How has it been getting to know your teammates and crew chief?

“I’m really excited about the whole group. Brandon Jones has done a good job. He’s learning a ton. Every year, he seems to mature as a driver. Ty Gibbs comes out swinging. He wins his first Xfinity race, so working with those two guys is going to be a lot of fun. Hopefully I can bring something to the table to help them with some experience. Maybe not so much in the driving, but just in life and how to handle things. Brandon has, but Ty has never been to Auto Club. Even though I’m just now getting there, and it’s like my first show, I feel a little like the veteran guy in that way. But both of those guys have unbelievable talent. As far as crew chief is concerned, Jason Ratcliff and I have known each other for a very long time and if I had to say I had to pick a crew chief to go race, it would have been Jason Ratcliff. We’ve gone on hunting trips together. We’ve just got a really good relationship, and he can get it done. I believe in him as a crew chief making the calls. When I heard about resin going down on the racetrack at California, it kind of freaked me out and then I remembered Jason is my crew chief and that I’m at JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) and they will have it all figured out by time we get there.”

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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.

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