Home Blog Page 2180

Chase Elliott signs contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports

By
Official Release
-
ELKHART LAKE, WISCONSIN - JULY 04: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Jockey Made in America 250 Presented by Kwik Trip at Road America on July 04, 2021 in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 20, 2022) – Hendrick Motorsports and driver Chase Elliott have reached a five-year contract extension that will keep the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion with the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team through the end of the 2027 racing season.

The agreement was signed Saturday afternoon at Daytona International Speedway in advance of today’s season-opening DAYTONA 500 (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX).

Elliott, 26, has never missed the Cup Series playoffs in his six full seasons at NASCAR’s top level. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native earned rookie of the year honors in 2016 and secured his first Cup title in 2020. He has already won 13 career points-paying races, including two in 2021 when he appeared in the Championship 4 for the second consecutive season.

In February 2011, Elliott signed with Hendrick Motorsports as a 15-year-old high school freshman and has since been successful at every level of competition. He won his first NASCAR national series title in 2014 (Xfinity Series) and is now a second-generation Cup Series champion following his father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, who earned the top honor in 1988.

“I feel so fortunate to be in this position,” said Chase Elliott, who will drive the No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in today’s DAYTONA 500. “I have a great team with leadership from Alan (Gustafson, crew chief) and the support of the best car owner and racing organization in the world. For me, there’s a lot of pride in driving for Hendrick Motorsports and having the opportunity to win races and compete for championships. We are capable of accomplishing a lot more and it starts today.”

In addition to his performance on the track, Elliott has been voted by fans as the NASCAR Cup Series’ most popular driver in each of the last four years. In 2017, he established the non-profit Chase Elliott Foundation, which provides support and financial assistance to well-qualified charitable organizations with an emphasis on helping others live healthier, happier lives. It has raised thousands of dollars in support of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and other important causes.

“Chase is a champion on and off the track,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “His talent inside the race car is undeniable, and he’s just scratching the surface of what he can do. This is a young man who is mature beyond his years, comes from an incredible family, and is humble, hardworking and never takes anything for granted. As long as Chase is driving, we want him right here with Hendrick Motorsports. This is an exciting way to start the season, and we look forward to many, many more together.”

Elliott’s previous contract with Hendrick Motorsports ran through 2022.

ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history. At the sport’s premier level, the organization holds the all-time records in every major statistical category, including championships (14), points-paying race victories (280) and laps led (nearly 75,000). It has earned at least one race win in a record 37 different seasons, including an active streak of 36 in a row (1986-2021). The team fields four full-time Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entries in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Headquartered on more than 100 acres in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Motorsports employs approximately 600 people. For more information, please visit HendrickMotorsports.com or interact on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Toyota unveils ‘Countless’ Daytona 500 feature

By
Official Release
-

PLANO, Texas (February 20, 2022) – Toyota is proud to debut ‘Countless’, a new commercial featuring two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, 2017 Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.

The piece highlights all of Toyota’s incredible accomplishments in its 15 seasons in the top level of NASCAR, including 162 race wins and three championships. However, for Toyota – it’s not all about the on-track achievements; it’s about the memories made and the ‘countless’ celebrations along the way.

Produced by North Carolina-based What Not Films, which was behind Toyota’s previous motorsports commercial efforts – ‘Sign the Line’ and ‘The Dream,’ ‘Countless’ will make its television debut as part of the Daytona 500 broadcast this afternoon before beginning regular commercial rotation at the series’ second race of the season at Auto Club Speedway.

LINKS TO THE COMPLETED PIECES ON TOYOTA RACING SOCIAL MEDIA: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBE

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.

Chevrolet drivers qualify No. 1 in NHRA opener

By
Official Release
-

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
LUCAS OIL NHRA WINTERNATIONALS PRESENED BY PROTECTTHEHARVEST.COM
AUTO CLUB RACEWAY IN POMONA, CALIFORMIA
FEB. 19, 2022

Chevrolet drivers qualify No. 1 in Top Fuel and Pro Stock

• Brittany Force starts season with 33rd career Top Fuel top honor
• Erica Enders takes her Pro Stock Camaro SS to the top in 900th race
• Robert Hight qualifies No. 2 in Funny Car in his Camaro SS

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2022) — Qualifying in the three professional categories for the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com showed that Chevrolet teams and drivers are fast and well-positioned for victories in the season opener.

Brittany Force claimed her 33rd career No. 1 qualifier honor in Top Fuel – and 11th in the past 14 races – with a blistering run of 3.661 seconds in her Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster on the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona track.

“It feels awesome just to be back out here at my home track, starting a new season with the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac team. Even better to go No. 1. First race of the season it just pumps all of us up to see what we can do this season,” said Force, the 2021 championship runner-up who will be seeking her first Winternationals victory.

Four-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders earned the 23rd No. 1 qualifier of her career with a pass of 6.521 seconds at 210.44 mph in the Melling Performance Camaro SS.

“She’s very consistent. She responds well to the input my crew chiefs give her. We haven’t scored a whole lot of No. 1 qualifier lately, but it’s a great way to start off the season,” Enders said.

Fourteen Camaro SS drivers will be aiming to hold the silver shifter – the trophy created for the winner of the 900th race in Pro Stock history. Bill Jenkins won the first race in the class in the 1970 Winternationals in his big-block Camaro.

Reigning Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson will seek his 100th career victory in the class, which would make him the second NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series driver to hit the milestone and fifth overall. Sixteen-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force leads the way with 154 wins. A victory by Anderson, who qualified fourth in the HendrickCars.com Camaro SS, would also tie Bob Glidden (7) for the most in Pro Stock in the Winternationals.

Camrie Carusso, who was a crew member on Enders’ car a few years ago, qualified eighth for her NHRA Pro Stock debut in the PowerBuilt Camaro SS. Race day will mark the second time two female drivers have competed for a Wally in the same event in Pro Stock history.

Robert Hight held the top spot in Funny Car qualifications based on his 3.882-second pass in Q1 until the final run of the third and final session. Hight improved his time to 3.861 seconds in the Auto Club of Southern California Camaro SS and qualified second. John Force qualified 16th in the BlueDEF Platinum Camaro SS.

FS1 will telecast taped eliminations at 10 p.m. ET on Feb. 20.

An interview with Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (33rd of career):
HOW GOOD DID THAT LAST RUN FEEL?
“It feels awesome just to be back out here at my home track, starting a new season with the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac team. I’m excited to be back with all of them, doing what we love. Even better to go No. 1. First race of the season it just pumps all of us up to see what we can do this season.”

IT SEEMS YOU BUILT UP TO THAT RUN.
“We were out at Phoenix testing. I think we made nine or 10 runs and it was a little bit of a struggle for us. We learned what we needed to, but we only made one full pass. We were making half-track runs most of the time, and we came out here and struggled on a couple qualifying runs. So, it felt good to have a solid pass down the track going into race day, and at 3.66 that’s pretty outstanding. I’m pumped, I’m excited about it, and I give that up to David Grubnic and Mac Savage and all our guys.”

HOW FRUSTRATING WAS IT TO NOT MAKE THAT ONE GLORY RUN AT TESTING?
“It was fine. We’re out there to find our routine of things again. Grubnic asked, ‘Brittany, do you need to make full passes?’ I told him I’d love to make a few going into Pomona. I stand by David Grubnic and what he wants to do. We did make one full pass. You want to get back in the feel of things, but honestly getting in the car, warming it up, doing a burnout at 60 feet is all you need. Typically, testing is all over the place with everyone trying to find their groove again. It’s always up and down and never as planned.”

WHEN YOU COME UP WITH GREAT CONDITIONS LIKE THIS, DO YOU KNOW GRUBNIC IS GOING TO TAKE YOU TO NO. 1?
“He’s really quiet. He has so much going on in his head. He just comes to me and says, ‘I’m not going to say anything.’ I already know what that means. We were in safe with our run last night, so it gave us the opportunity to push and take some chances.”

WHAT WOULD WINNING YOUR FIRST WINTERNATIONALS MEAN TO YOU?
“This is my home track. I love it here. I grew up here, sitting in the stands watching my dad. So, this is a very special track to me. It’s where my love of drag racing began. I have so many great memories here, standing in the winner’s circle with my dad and my sisters. Standing in my own winner’s circle in 2017 when we won the championship. So, to do it at the opening of the season, that’s what we’re going for. That’s why we’re here.”

An interview with Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier ERICA ENDERS, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, MELLING PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (23rd of her career):
DO YOU FEEL GOOD GOING INTO RACE DAY?
“Absolutely. This is probably the best race car we’ve had in a long time even considering the Countdown last year. We had a goal in the offseason to come out swinging. I think we have something to prove. We got our Chevy Camaro tuned up and to lay down three really consistent runs during qualifying and that gives you confidence heading into race day.”

THE 900TH PRO STOCK RACE AND YOU’RE GOING FOR YOUR FIRST WINTERNATIONALS VICTORY. HOW EXCITED ARE YOU?
“Tomorrow is very exciting, and I’ll try to focus on keeping it like a normal race. I just go up and try to control every aspect in my lane and try to do the best I can at the starting line, hit my shift points and turn on four win lights. We’ve been fortunate enough to battle it out for awards and it definitely would mean a lot to take that bad boy home.”

HOW DO YOU APPROACH TOMORROW?
“It’s another goal my team and I had this year. We’re not out here to make friends. We’re going to do our best to put our Melling Performance Camaro in the winner’s circle.”

CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT
TOP FUEL:
AUSTIN PROCK, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONTANA BRANDS/ROCKY MOUNTAIN TWIST CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (qualified ninth): “Overall, a pretty good start to the weekend. It’s been a while since I’ve driven one of these things, and this is the shortest shut down on the circuit, so you have to make sure you have the laundry out on time. Tomorrow we’ll have a decent baseline and go from there.”

FUNNY CAR:
JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, BLUEDEF PLATINUM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified 16th): “I’m just glad to be back in a PEAK Chevy, glad to be starting the season. This BlueDEF team is working hard, we’ll be OK. Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi, we’re looking good for this year.”

ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified second): We’ve got to get one run at a time and four on Sunday and then we’ll be excited.”

PRO STOCK:
GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified fourth): “We came in a little bit too conservative. We tested over at Phoenix and the racetrack just wasn’t that great, so we came in and tried to be safe on that first run yesterday. It was very safe; it just wasn’t quite quick enough and that’s what you get for that. It’s more indicative today of what we can run tomorrow. The car is as fast as anybody. We just lost a couple of qualifying spots because we were a little slack yesterday. It’s going to be a tough year.”

KYLE KORETSKY, KB RACING, LUCAS OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified third): “We’re happy with how everything went. Friday, we started out really strong and ended up No. 3. We’ll get ready for tomorrow.”

DALLAS GLENN, KB RACING, RAD TORQUE SYSTEMS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified seventh): “The car is working really good; it’s been good at 60 foot every run. I’m getting the clutch pedal handled, so the (fourth) run was my best light yet. I think the car is making good, clean runs and we’re just going to chip away at it. I think we’ll be good by the end of race day or even next race. The car is there and everything is there. We just have to put it all together.”

CAMRIE CARUSSO, CARUSSO RACING, POWERBUILT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified eighth in her first Pro Stock race): “It’s been crazy, it’s been fun and we’ve learned a ton. The PowerBuilt Camaro has been good to me and so has my team. We’ll be ready to bring our A game tomorrow.”

MATT HARTFORD, HARTFORD RACING, TOTAL SEAL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified 10th): “(Final run) We needed to get off the bump spot. We’ve not done a very good job this weekend – at least today. Yesterday I thought we made a good run, but we had a fuel that was not correct in a correctly labeled jug, and we got (penalized) for fuel and that put us way behind. The Total Seal/CIP1 Camaro knows how to win rounds, so we’ll go up there and execute tomorrow.”
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.

Rookie Austin Hill Captures NASCAR Xfinity Series Victory – the Beef. It’s What For Dinner. 300 at Daytona International Speedway

By
Official Release
-

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 19, 2022) – Austin Hill nosed ahead of AJ Allmendinger moments before a last-lap caution period at Daytona International Speedway to earn his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in Saturday’s Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300.

The caution froze the field with Hill declared the winner in his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start with Richard Childress Racing.

In a large pack, the cars were streaking down the backstretch at the 2.5-mile superspeedway when an aggressive push from Anthony Alfredo’s No. 23 Chevrolet turned Snider’s No. 31 Camaro in front of Jade Buford’s No. 48 Chevrolet.

Snider climbed from his destroyed race car in yet another testament to the safety of the vehicles. Snider visited the infield care center, where he was treated and released.

The victory was Hill’s first in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in his 16th start, after he moved from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to a full-time ride with RCR in the Xfinity ranks.

All told, nine cars were involved in the wreck that forced the race to end under the sixth caution of the evening.

Hill developed a strong run on the backstretch and made the winning pass after Allmendinger’s Chevrolet advanced too far in front of the lead pack.

“We timed it perfectly,” an elated Hill said after climbing from his car on the frontstretch. “Obviously, that caution came out, but we had a heck of a run, so who knows what would have happened there.

“I was able to drag back, the 98 (Riley Herbst) gave me a heck of a push, we were able to get by (Allmendinger), and this is so crazy.

“I won (a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season opener) in 2019 with a new team, now we’re with RCR, first race with them. We were able to get the job done… Man, I’m speechless. (Crew chief) Andy Street, (owner) Richard Childress, just all these guys back at RCR for believing in me. It’s been a fun offseason, and now we get to go race for a championship. Let’s go!”

Allmendinger was credited with his second straight runner-up finish in a Daytona Xfinity Series race.

“I’d have to go see the replay, study it,” Allmendinger said. “I’m sure I will. Kind of kept trying to block both lanes, and it looked like Austin moved up there and timed it perfect where he just got a massive shove, and I probably could have tried to really block, but I think I probably would have wrecked us if I would have done it.

“Seeing there, I’ve got to be better sometimes not getting too far out in the lead. I don’t know, I’ll just keep working on it, man.”

Noah Gragson was third, followed by Herbst and Justin Allgaier. Sheldon Creed, Alfredo, Ryan Sieg, Josh Bilicki and Brandon Brown completed the top 10.

Hill led four times for 23 of the 120 laps, second only to the 38 of reigning series champion Daniel Hemric, who was the victim of a 10-car crash on Lap 91. Hemric finished 28th, four laps down.

Another casualty of the final wreck was Ty Gibbs, who was making his first Xfinity start on the Daytona oval. Gibbs was 11th when the field was frozen by the caution.

Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth culminates Sunday with the 64th running of the DAYTONA 500, which is sold completely out. The Great American Race is set for a 2:30 p.m. ET start (FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Reining NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson will start from the Busch Light Pole Position.

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – 41st Annual Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. 300

Daytona International Speedway

Daytona Beach, Florida

Saturday, February 19, 2022

            1. (2)  Austin Hill #, Chevrolet, 120.

            2. (11)  AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 120.

            3. (14)  Noah Gragson, Chevrolet, 120.

            4. (10)  Riley Herbst, Ford, 120.

            5. (17)  Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 120.

            6. (4)  Sheldon Creed #, Chevrolet, 120.

            7. (16)  Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 120.

            8. (19)  Ryan Sieg, Ford, 120.

            9. (31)  Josh Bilicki, Chevrolet, 120.

            10. (13)  Brandon Brown, Chevrolet, 120.

            11. (15)  Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 120.

            12. (38)  Ryan Truex, Toyota, 120.

            13. (21)  JJ Yeley, Chevrolet, 120.

            14. (6)  Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 120.

            15. (20)  Jeffrey Earnhardt, Toyota, 120.

            16. (7)  Josh Berry, Chevrolet, 120.

            17. (9)  Brandon Jones, Toyota, 120.

            18. (8)  Ryan Vargas, Chevrolet, 120.

            19. (27)  Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 120.

            20. (25)  Bayley Currey, Chevrolet, 120.

            21. (36)  Kyle Sieg, Ford, 120.

            22. (33)  Myatt Snider, Chevrolet, Accident, 119.

            23. (3)  Jade Buford, Chevrolet, Accident, 119.

            24. (32)  Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet, Accident, 119.

            25. (18)  Matt Mills, Chevrolet, Accident, 119.

            26. (28)  Joey Gase, Ford, 119.

            27. (30)  Jesse Iwuji #, Chevrolet, 118.

            28. (1)  Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet, 116.

            29. (29)  Joe Graf Jr., Ford, 110.

            30. (34)  Sam Mayer, Chevrolet, 105.

            31. (24)  Josh Williams, Chevrolet, Accident, 95.

            32. (23)  Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet, Accident, 91.

            33. (37)  Shane Lee, Toyota, Accident, 91.

            34. (5)  Brett Moffitt, Chevrolet, Accident, 91.

            35. (26)  CJ McLaughlin, Ford, Accident, 91.

            36. (12)  Drew Dollar, Toyota, Accident, 14.

            37. (35)  Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, Accident, 13.

            38. (22)  Caesar Bacarella, Chevrolet, Engine, 11.

Average Speed of Race Winner: 136.605 mph.

Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 11 Mins, 46 Secs. Margin of Victory: Under Caution Seconds.

Caution Flags: 6 for 28 laps.

Lead Changes: 18 among 9 drivers.

Lap Leaders: D. Hemric 0;D. Hemric 1-2;A. Hill # 3-10;D. Hemric 11-33;J. Graf Jr. 34-36;B. Brown 37-48;N. Gragson 49-59;D. Hemric 60-66;T. Gibbs 67;D. Hemric 68-73;T. Gibbs 74-75;J. Berry 76;J. Bilicki 77-86;A. Hill # 87-97;A. Allmendinger 98-102;A. Hill # 103-105;A. Allmendinger 106-117;N. Gragson 118;A. Allmendinger 119;A. Hill # 120.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): Daniel Hemric 4 times for 38 laps; Austin Hill # 4 times for 23 laps; AJ Allmendinger 3 times for 18 laps; Brandon Brown 1 time for 12 laps; Noah Gragson 2 times for 12 laps; Josh Bilicki 1 time for 10 laps; Ty Gibbs 2 times for 3 laps; Joe Graf Jr. 1 time for 3 laps; Josh Berry 1 time for 1 lap.

Stage #1 Top Ten: 11,16,98,21,9,54,7,39,68,1

Stage #2 Top Ten: 11,39,1,16,7,68,54,8,19,98

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.

Herbst Scores Strong Fourth-Place Drive at Daytona

By
Official Release
-

Monster Energy Driver Picks Up Second Top-Five at Daytona
Date: Saturday, Feb. 19
Event: Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 (Round 1 of 33)
Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series
Location: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (2.5-mile oval)
Format: 120 laps, broken into three stages (30 laps/30 laps/60 laps)
Start/Finish: 10th / 4th (Running, completed 120 of 120 laps)
Point Standing: 3rd (42 points, nine out of first)
Race Winner: Austin Hill of Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)
Stage 1 Winner: Daniel Hemric of Kaulig Racing (Chevrolet)
Stage 2 Winner: Daniel Hemric of Kaulig Racing (Chevrolet)

Overview:

Riley Herbst picked up right where he left off last year by scoring a strong fourth-place finish in the season-opening NASCAR Xfinity Series race Saturday night at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. The driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing ended 2021 with a fourth-place drive in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway. Herbst was a top-10 mainstay at Daytona, starting 10th and staying among the top-10 throughout the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300. In the end, a two-wide battle to the finish worked out in Herbst’s favor as the Las Vegas native crossed the line in fourth to earn the 10th top-five of his nascent Xfinity Series career.

Riley Herbst, driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

“This was our goal. We finished last year’s season finale at Phoenix in fourth and we wanted another top five. That’s what we were missing last year was consistency, so it was good to start 2022 with a top-five run. We had a fast Monster Energy Ford Mustang.”

Notes:

● Herbst finished third in the first stage to earn eight bonus points and 10th in the second stage to earn one more bonus point.

● This was Herbst’s second top-five at Daytona. He equaled his previous best finish at Daytona – fourth in August 2020.

● Austin Hill won the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 to score his first career Xfinity Series victory.

● There were six caution periods for a total of 28 laps.

● Twenty-one of the 38 drivers in the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 finished on the lead lap.

● AJ Allmendinger leaves Daytona as the championship leader by just two points over second-place Austin Hill.

Next Up:

The next event on the Xfinity Series schedule is the Production Alliance 300 on Saturday, Feb. 26 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. The race starts at 5 p.m. EST with live coverage provided by FS1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Toyota Racing – NXS Daytona Post-Race Report – 02.19.22

By
Official Release
-

THREE GR SUPRA TOP-15 FINISHES AT DAYTONA

DAYTONA BEACH (February 19, 2022) – Three Toyota GR Supra drivers finished in the top-15 in Saturday’s season-opening NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race at Daytona International Speedway, including Ty Gibbs (11th), Ryan Truex (12th) and Jeffrey Earnhardt (15th).

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Daytona International Speedway
Race 1 of 33 – 300 miles, 120 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, Austin Hill*
2nd, AJ Allmendinger*
3rd, Noah Gragson*
4th, Riley Herbst*
5th, Justin Allgaier*
11th, TY GIBBS
12th, RYAN TRUEX
15th, JEFFREY EARNHARDT
17th, BRANDON JONES
33rd, SHANE LEE
36th, DREW DOLLAR
*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

TY GIBBS, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 11th

How was the race as a whole?

“I feel like we were pretty good with our Monster Energy GR Supra. We couldn’t suck up too well, so that was frustrating at points, but I feel like overall we were pretty good. I kind of got bottled up with just some dumb moves with experienced drivers. I feel like that is what caused that – I mean, we were last lap, but if you are 22nd, and you are three-wide with nowhere to go, you are not winning the race. Just driving dumb and cleaning everybody out is not the best decision, but that is just part of it. You see these things happen and you have to avoid them. I tried my best and went around there. Luckily, I didn’t flip over or anything, but I felt like we had a good run. I enjoyed it. I don’t know if superspeedway racing is my cup of tea or not, but I’m excited to go on to Fontana next week.”

RYAN TRUEX, No. 26 Circle B Diecast Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing

Finishing Position: 12th

Solid run all night, how was the race from your seat?

“Our strategy went perfect. We were going to do four tires on both pit stops. We had to start last, so we had nothing to lose. The Circle B GR Supra was good. I needed a pusher, but other than that, we ran really well. We did what we planned to do until the very end – the very last half lap at least – we were inches from making it through that wreck. All-in-all, I think Allen (Hart, crew chief) did a really good job, the team did a really good job, pit stops were good. We had to do our green flag pit stop last minute and executed it flawlessly. Just proud of the team, and hopefully I can do more with these guys.”

JEFFREY EARNHARDT, No. 24 ForeverLawn Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing

Finishing Position: 15th

How was your race as a whole?

“I think today is a true testament to the Sam Hunt Racing team. We didn’t give up all day. We didn’t have the best start with the battery issue, but we fought back and raced hard to get those Lucky Dogs and get those laps back. We got back on the lead lap and just fought all day. The guys made the right adjustments – the right calls – and we were able to keep this thing pretty clean. We went through the grass. I think if they put some ForeverLawn turf there, no one would have any problems. I’m really just happy for everyone. Yeah, we wanted to finish better but starting the year with a top-15 and seeing how hard these guys are willing to fight as a team is exciting for everyone involved. All the ForeverLawn guys are pumped to see just the fight in these guys. These Toyota Supras were fast all day long. We had to fight to be there in the end, and came up a little bit short. We will build on this and go on to Fontana.”

BRANDON JONES, No. 19 Menards/Proctor and Gamble – Swiffer Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 17th

How was today’s race?

“We were just kind of wrong place, wrong time at the end. I knew when I heard last lap and where we were kind of positioned that it was going to happen at some point. Didn’t really get it that bad. I actually followed somebody through the grass and I think that’s kind of what really took us out. All in all, not a terrible day. I think we got just a little bit of stage points there. Just kind of kept getting shuffled to the bottom and could never get to the that top lane. I’ve seen multiple times where the bottom here somewhat builds back up and it becomes pretty good, but it just seems that top lane is where you wanted to be all race. This place is tough. It’s good to come out the way we did I guess and we’ll go to the next one and get ready to race.”

DREW DOLLAR, No. 18 Lnyx Capital Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 36th

What happened out there?

“I haven’t got to see it yet. They just checked up really quick in front of us. Just kind of unfortunate circumstances. We all got bottled up on the bottom. I guess I got the bad end of it, but I had a really fast Toyota GR Supra to fire off there. I felt like we were going to have something at the end if we could have just been there. Unfortunate end to our day, but we will get back at it at Talladega.”

Jeremy Clements actually blamed it on inexperienced drivers. What is your response to that?

“I don’t really know. There is not much to say. I will go back and look at it and I will work to get better, but I have a great team. Joe Gibbs Racing – thanks to them for bringing a great car, and we will go back at it. I don’t know; I’ll go watch the race.”

#

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.

RCR NXS Post Race Report: Daytona International Speedway

By
Official Release
-

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics/United Rentals Chevrolet Team Kick Off 2022 Season With Thrilling Win at Daytona International Speedway

Finish: 1st
Start: 2nd
Points: 2nd

“We joined Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series to win, and that’s what we did tonight. I’m so happy for Bennett Transportation & Logistics, United Rentals, Global Industrial and all of the partners at RCR. I worked really well with my spotter, Derek Kneeland, all night. Throughout the race, I kept telling Derek and crew chief Andy Street that I was putting information in the memory bank to remember for late in the race. We timed it perfectly. I was able to drag back and the No. 98 car gave me a heck of a push. We were able to get by. I won at Daytona International Speedway in 2019 with a new team, so it’s cool to join RCR and to win my first race with them. It means so much to me that Andy Street, Danny Lawrence, Richard Childress, and all of the guys at RCR and ECR believe in me. It’s been a fun off-season, and now we get to go race for a championship.” -Austin Hill

Sheldon Creed Races The No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet To Solid Sixth-Place Finish at Daytona International Speedway

Finish: 6th
Start: 4th
Points: 9th

“We had a really strong and fast No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet Camaro, so I have to thank everyone at RCR and ECR for all of the work they did in the off season to put us in the best position possible to start off 2022. We ran up front and stayed out of trouble all night. Even after we got behind, we kept pushing and came home with a solid finish. It’s a really great start to the 2022 season for our whole team and I’m excited to keep this momentum going next weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Congrats to my teammate, Austin Hill, coming home with the win at Daytona. On to California.” -Sheldon Creed

Ford Performance NASCAR: Herbst and Sieg Post Top 10 Run in Daytona NXS Opener

By
Official Release
-

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner 300 | Saturday, February 19, 2022

FORD FINISHING RESULTS
4th – Riley Herbst
8th – Ryan Sieg
21st – Kyle Sieg
26th – Joey Gase
29th – Joe Graf Jr.
35th – CJ McLaughlin

RILEY HERBST, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang – “This was our goal. We finished last year’s season finale at Phoenix in fourth and we want another top five. That’s what we were missing last year is consistency, so it was good to start 2022 with a top-five run. We had a fast Ford Mustang. Monster Energy, everybody supporting us and ready to get out to California next week.”

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO GET OFF TO A GOOD START THIS SEASON? “It’s huge. Last year, I think we had three DNFs in a row and 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.”

THOUGHTS ON THE LAST LAP. YOU WERE FOURTH. WHAT KIND OF MOVE DID YOU WANT TO MAKE? “I was looking for Austin Cindric in the 22 car to help us out, but he wasn’t there. We gave a big shot to the 21 and that propelled him by the 16 I think. I’m ready for Talladega.”

RYAN SIEG, No. 39 CMRoofing.com/A-Game Ford Mustang – “It was a great day for our CMR Roofing Ford. I wasn’t gonna sit there and ride in the single-file line. It happened twice and I was one of the ones trying to get at the bottom. I just kept clawing and fighting our way to the front and it worked out right there in Stage 2 and at the end. All in all, a good day for our Ford.”

WERE YOU CLOSE TO THE 31? “I did see him out of my peripheral vision going backwards and then he went up, and then that’s all I could see because I got hit. We got some right-front damage at the end and thought I was gonna plow the wall. I got hooked there, but, all in all, just a great day to come out of Daytona not too bad. It’s a good points day and we’ll move on to California and do it again and try to get a top 10 there, too.”

CJ MCLAUGHLIN, No. 38 Sci Aps Ford Mustang – “I just got real aero loose coming out of four. We had a great Sci Aps Ford and RSS built me a great car. We were trying to stay out of the big one and then I caused it, so I feel bad for tearing everyone’s stuff up. I just got aero loose, tried to correct it and it came back and cleared everyone out. It’s my own fault. I had a great car and can’t thank Sci Aps and my family enough for helping me get this dream.”

WHAT’S THE THOUGHT PROCESS WHEN YOU KNOW YOU’RE TRYING TO CORRECT? “I thought I had it corrected and it just chopped back up the racetrack and that’s when I cleared everyone out. I was worried I was gonna take my teammate out because I got into Kyle’s bumper for a second and it was just turned around there.”

Déjà Vu: Heim Captures Second Straight Lucas Oil 200 Driven By General Tire ARCA Menards Series Victory at Daytona International Speedway

By
Official Release
-

DeLand, Florida Native Daniel Dye, Who Attends High School Just a Few Miles Away From Daytona, Finishes Third

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 19, 2022) – Corey Heim and Venturini Motorsports experienced a déjà vu Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.

Last year, Heim and his team opened the season with a superspeedway victory when he won the race following an overtime restart. While it was not technically an overtime finish this time, the 2022 Lucas Oil 200 Driven By General Tire ended with a restart on the final lap. And once again, Heim wheeled his No. 20 Crescent Tools Toyota for Venturini Motorsports to the checkered flag.

The victory marked VMS’ fifth consecutive ARCA Menards Series triumph at Daytona. It was Heim’s eighth trip to Victory Lane in the ARCA Menards Series dating back to 2020.

RELATED: Complete results from ARCA opener at Daytona

“My team made it easy on me,” Heim said. “I had great teammates with me the whole way. Venturini Motorsports — the most organized team out here. Toyota Racing has helped me get here, Crescent Tools … It just all came together for this race, and it worked out.”

The teammate who spent the majority of Saturday’s race pushing Heim was Parker Chase, who finished second, a new career high in the ARCA Menards Series.

Chase was on Heim’s bumper as the two crossed the finish line.

“The objective here today was to have a Venturini car win, and we succeeded at that,” Chase said. “Five in a row for Venturini, which is incredible. That’s what we came here to do.”

A stalled car brought out the final caution of Saturday’s race with four laps to go, setting up the final-lap restart. Drew Dollar, who was driving the No. 18 Lynx Capital Toyota for Kyle Busch Motorsports, crashed hard on the backstretch during the final lap before the leaders drove on to take the checkered. Dollar was evaluated in and released from the Daytona infield care center.

Daniel Dye, who attends high school just a few miles away from Daytona in DeLand, Florida, finished third Saturday to open his first full-time season in the ARCA Menards Series running for GMS Racing.

“To finish third, with us points racing this year, I think there were 36 cars in this race — to be in the top five and finish third clean is a great start to our year,” Dye said. “I’m just proud to be here and part of this GMS team.”

Sean Corr and Gus Dean rounded out the top five in Saturday’s race. Andy Jankowiak, Mason Diaz, Dave Mader III, Toni Breidinger and Ryan Huff completed the top 10.

Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth culminates Sunday with the 64th running of the DAYTONA 500, which is sold completely out. The Great American Race is set for a 2:30 p.m. ET start (FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, 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.

Toyota Racing NHRA Pomona Post-Qualifying Report — 2.19.22

By
Official Release
-

TOYOTA TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS QUALIFY TOP-10 IN POMONA
On-track debut of GR Supra Funny Car Set for Pomona with J.R. Todd and Alexis DeJoria

POMONA, Calif. (February 19, 2022) – The five Toyota Top Fuel dragsters all qualified in the top-10 for Sunday’s NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series kickoff at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. The GR Supra Funny Car will make its inaugural race start with Toyota drivers J.R. Todd and Alexis DeJoria piloting the new bodies.

Toyota Post-Qualifying Recap
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
Race 1 of 22

TOYOTA TOP FUEL QUALIFYING POSITIONS

NameCarQualifying PositionFirst Round Opponent
Brittany ForceMonster Energy Top Fuel Dragster*1R. August Jr.
Justin AshleyPhillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster2J. Maroney
Doug KalittaMac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster5T. Schumacher
Steve TorrenceCapco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster6D. Foley
Shawn LangdonDHL Toyota Top Fuel Dragster8J. Hart
Antron BrownMatco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster10L. Pruett

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING POSITIONS

NameCarQualifying PositionFirst Round Opponent
Ron CappsNAPA Auto Parts Funny Car*1J. Force
Alexis DeJoriaBandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car5J. Campbell
J.R. ToddDHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car8B. Bode

(*non-Toyota driver)

TOYOTA QUOTES

JUSTIN ASHLEY, Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Davis Motorsports

Qualifying Position: 2nd

Following your run in Q1 on Friday night, how did it feel to put down such a fast pass to post the provisional number one qualifier position?

“That run felt great. You have the whole off-season that is relatively quick since it is only two months, but at the end of the day it feels like it has been forever. It is exciting to be able to get back in this Phillips Connect Toyota dragster, to go down there on the first run of the season and go right to the top with a run as good as that in front of our new sponsor. That is exactly what we were looking for.”

DOUG KALITTA, Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

Qualifying Position: 5th

How strong is this Mac Tools Toyota and what are your expectations for tomorrow’s race?

“The Mac Tools Toyota dragster in the third session there was .372 was an 0. So I’m not exactly sure where that puts us, but I feel real good for taking that baby into Sunday. It should be good. I love running at this place. Just a lot of confidence in my team. We’ll up there and hope to have a great day tomorrow.”

How is the communication going with the new crew chief line-up on this race car?

“The new calls are good. And we’re only going to get better. So you know we’ll just keep at it. Looking forward to driving this thing for sure tomorrow.”

SHAWN LANGDON, DHL Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

Qualifying Position: 8th

You were in a must qualify position going into Q3, what happened in the first two qualifying runs and how do you feel about the pass you were able to put down in this session?

“Obviously, we had some mechanical issues on the first two runs. We had a clutch box malfunction and then we had a fitting break that let the clutch fluid out. We just had just some little malfunctions, but we just really went back up there and just really like Q1, there’s a lot left in the car, but it made a good run .374. That should get us in the top half of the field. And we just really kind of had to go back and go back to our testing notes. We got little notes, you know, just from a couple days testing and so we just kind of went to scenarios where you just trust the process and go with your gut instinct, and fortunately it paid off.”

Did you feel like this team finally got to show how strong the car is for this weekend?

“It’s not there yet, but it’s close.”

# # #

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.

1...2,1792,1802,181...6,731Page 2,180 of 6,731