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DXDT Racing Gears Up for 2022 GT World Challenge America Season

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Official Release
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Askew, Smithson, Sellers, and Müller complete lineups

STATESVILLE, N.C., (February 15, 2022) – In preparation for the 2022 Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS season, DXDT Racing has confirmed its lineups in the Pro/Am class, entering two Mercedes AMG GT3 cars in the upcoming championship. David Askew and Dirk Müller will race in the No. 63 USALCO Mercedes AMG GT3, joined by Scott Smithson and Bryan Sellers in the No. 08 Qelo Capital Mercedes AMG GT3.

One of the premier places in North America for professional and amateur GT3 drivers to compete together, Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS will return with its familiar format: 13 races spread over seven race weekends where two race car drivers will split the driving duties of each 90-minute race. The GT World Challenge America series will have three different classes based on driver skill rating: Pro/Pro, Pro/Am, and Am. Both DXDT entries will again compete in the Pro/Am class, comprised of one professional and one amateur driver. The team has competed in this class from its early days in the series, making great success as one of the top entries in an always competitive field.

In 2021, the team had a strong season with its three-car lineup in the headlining series, earning 18 top-five finishes, nine podiums, and three wins. For team owner and driver, David Askew, the 2022 season will mark his sixth consecutive year competing in the SRO America-sanctioned series after starting his racing career in 2015 club racing with NASA at Utah Motorsport Campus. From there, he joined the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series, where DXDT fielded several entries over a two-year tenure.

Team owner David Askew will be joined this year by contracted Multimatic driver Dirk Müller. The former Ford factory driver holds a coveted win at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning in 2016 on the 50th anniversary of Ford’s first overall win. Müller is also known to many North American fans for his involvement in the Rahal Letterman Racing GTLM team in the American Le Mans Series as a factory driver in the 2000s. Most recently, he raced the WeatherTech Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January and finished fifth.

After a year hiatus from SRO America to compete in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, Scott Smithson will return to DXDT Racing. He last raced with the team in 2020, competing in TC America’s TCR class. He had a successful season, earning six podiums and three wins. He finished third in what was a highly competitive season, showing the strength of his skill on track. His return to the team will see him move up full time to the GT3 category, racing alongside young sports car racing veteran Bryan Sellers. The 2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class champion and 2020 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona race winner has been working with Smithson over recent seasons, lending his race craft expertise. Sellers will join Smithson behind the wheel of the No. 08 Qelo Capital Mercedes AMG GT3.

The 2022 race season will see the series return to the usual fan-favorite road courses, with the addition of the brand-new Ozarks International Raceway in Gravois Mills, Missouri. The new circuit finished construction in the late summer of 2021 and features 3.87 miles of flowing turns and varying elevation changes, on its 650-acre plot in the Lake of the Ozarks. The SRO-America weekend will be the first professional racing event for the new circuit, no doubt offering an exciting and action packed weekend. The 2022 season will officially kick off on Easter weekend, April 15-17 at Sonoma Raceway, and Sonoma, California.

In preparation for the approaching GT World Challenge America season kick-off, the team has already completed rounds of off-season testing, getting driver and crew up to speed to contend for another championship. Askew and Smithson will also take advantage of extra track time at the end of the month, joining SRO’s GT America series start at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, February 24-26. Created solely for amateur drivers, the GT America series allows competitors to race GT3, GT3, and GT4 machinery in a pair of 40-minute races. Askew and Smithson will use the weekend to race their 2022 cars in a competitive environment, continuing to acclimate before their GT World Challenge America season begins in April. For all series information, visit www.sro-america.com.

DRIVER QUOTES

David Askew | No. 63 USALCO Mercedes AMG GT3
I’m really looking forward to this season. It seems a long time since we last raced at the Indy 8 Hour, but we’ve been busy ever since. DXDT continues to grow and evolve, and I spend more and more of my time working on the team. People are any team’s greatest asset, and I really enjoy the team-building part. It’s been extremely challenging for me being new and coming into the sport without a big Rolodex, but I keep chipping away at it. Slowly but surely, we are building a great team! This year we will focus on two Pro/Am cars in SRO GT World Challenge America. We have a lot of new faces. Simon Morley is our new Operations Manager with overall responsibility for the shop, race cars, and equipment. He has a lifelong wealth of experience with race teams and race cars, everything from GT to prototypes, to F1! We are deepening our relationship with AMG-Mercedes with the addition of my co-driver Dirk Muller. Bryan Sellers will co-drive with Scott Smithson who was one of our TCR drivers in ’20. We’ve already had two tests at Sebring, and Scott and I will both run in the GT America race at St Pete as a kickoff before we start the season at Sonoma in April. It’s looking like an incredibly competitive field this year, and clearly, SRO is doing the right things to create the best GT racing in North America. I can’t wait to get started!

Dirk Müller | No. 63 USALCO Mercedes AMG GT3
I’ve had a really warm welcome to DXDT Racing, and this is a great start to 2022. It’s good guys, a good team, and I feel happy to support them. I can’t wait to get the season going. Unfortunately, the season starts in April, so we have to be patient. We’ve been able to test and get ready in the meantime. With Dave, Scott, Bryan, and myself, we’re going to have a good season.

Scott Smithson | No. 08 Qelo Mercedes AMG GT3
Looking ahead to the 2022 race season, I’m excited to get back with DXDT Racing after running with the team in 2020 in a TCR car. Last year, I ran a TCR car again in IMSA and I’m looking forward to moving into GT3 racing now. I’m really excited to be back with the team. The way they operate is like a family, which is a lot more enjoyable for me. I’m looking forward to hopefully going for a championship.

Bryan Sellers | No. 08 Qelo Mercedes AMG GT3
I’m very excited to be joining DXDT Racing for the 2022 season. I think David Askew has put a bunch of really great people into place and is trying to build something that’s incredibly special with this program. It’ll be great to return to SRO. It’ll be my first time back since 2017 and it’s quite a bit different than it was then, so I’m looking forward to learning the rules and seeing the progression of the series. I’m looking forward to being back with Scott as my co-driver. I’ve been able to work with him for a couple of years, watching him progress through the TCR ranks. I can’t wait to see what’s capable of in a GT3 car. He’s been incredibly quick, and it seems like he’s a very good student of the sport. I’m excited for all the pieces to come into place and see what the season holds.

2022 SCHEDULE
Rounds 1 & 2
Sonoma Raceway
April 15-17

Rounds 3 & 4
Ozarks International Raceway
May 20-22

Rounds 5 & 6
VIRginia International Raceway
June 17-19

Rounds 7 & 8
Watkins Glen International
July 22-24

Rounds 9 & 10
Road America
August 19-21

Rounds 11 & 12
Sebring International Raceway
September 23-25

Round 13
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 7-9

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ABOUT DXDT RACING
DXDT Racing is a high-performance sports car racing team founded in 2014 by team principal David Askew and located in Statesville, N.C. The Team’s primary focus is GT3 and Touring Car racing in North America. DXDT is a provider of turnkey racing support and delivers customized racing solutions for its clients and sponsors. DXDT is a performance-driven team comprised of highly experienced racing professionals capable of delivering wins and championships, including ten wins in GT World Challenge and a Rookie of the Year in 2020 alone. Follow the team on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for race season updates.

About USALCO
USALCO is the premier manufacturer of Aluminum based chemicals for industrial and municipal markets. USALCO® is the leader in potable as well as industrial water and wastewater treatment chemistry. We are well-known for high quality and low cost alumina chemical applications, such as products for the manufacture of catalysts, titanium dioxide and molecular sieves. With over 60 years of experience in manufacturing coagulants, USALCO’s extensive product line includes our industry leading brands DelPAC®, AlcoPAC®, and Delta-Floc®. USALCO has 27 manufacturing locations, as well as its own dedicated fleet of trucks, ready to service needs anywhere in North America.

About Qelo
Qelo is a seasoned land development firm, founded and managed by experienced partners who hold over 50 years combined experience in real estate investment and capital management. The firm’s varied projects range from land development, vertical construction, and land banking. Qelo focuses on a portfolio of diversified projects throughout the ever-expanding Utah market and across the Intermountain West – this focus allows the firm to strategically select high-quality short-term and long-term projects to take advantage of a rapidly expanding economy within the region.

For more information, visit www.qelocapital.com.

Max Gutiérrez Sets Sights on Defending New Smyrna Title

By
Official Release
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NEW SMYRNA, Fla.: Since the checkered flag flew on the 2021 ARCA Menards Series East season finale at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway last fall, Max Gutiérrez has been anxiously awaiting his return to New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway.

The former NASCAR Mexico Challenge Series champion invaded the ARCA Menards Series East last February with little experience but a domineering presence and a methodical approach in the Jeep Beach 175.

Studying his competition throughout the night proved to be a blessing as the Rette Jones Racing development driver took advantage of a green-white-checkered restart to snicker Joe Gibbs Racing’s Sammy Smith and David Gilliland Racing’s Taylor Gray on the bottom lane coming to the checkered flag and edging his competition by 0.046 seconds to win the race in just his third career start.

Reflecting on the memories and blessings that the Feb. 8 race brought to his Mark Rette and Terry Jones owned race team, Gutiérrez returns to New Smyrna in the No. 30 TOUGHBUILT | TekNekk | Distributed Ledger Inc. (DLI) Ford Fusion confident of defending his race title in Tuesday night’s Race to Stop Suicide 200 presented by Place of Hope.

“I am incredibly blessed for this opportunity to come back to New Smyrna and keep that checkered flag within the Rette Jones Racing walls,” said Gutiérrez. “I could not have asked for a better way to start our season last year other than the dramatic fashion we delivered.

“I learned a lot last year running full time in the ARCA Menards Series East and I think that experience will only add to the hustle on Tuesday night.”

While Gutiérrez has a busy season of racing ahead, his 2022 schedule won’t consist of the ARCA Menards Series East championship. Instead, a more diverse ARCA schedule this season will allow the Mexico City, Mex. Native to challenge for wins while continuing to improve his race craft.

“We aren’t racing for points on Tuesday night, but we are racing for that trophy,” added Gutiérrez. “The dynamics of our situation will allow me to be more aggressive on Tuesday night, but I also know that if I want a shot at my second career ARCA Menards Series East victory, I need to keep the fenders intact and be around in the end – like I was last year.”

Gutiérrez’s determination throughout his inaugural trip to New Smyrna put him in the position to deliver Rette Jones Racing their second career ARCA Menards Series East triumph.

“We didn’t have the best car at the start of the race, but we all remained calm and Mark made some great adjustments throughout the race and we were able to capitalize when it counted most. It’s important for me to remember all of that not only leading up to the race – but even during the race too.”
Gutiérrez’s week won’t stop following New Smyrna on Tuesday night though.

On Saturday, Feb. 19, Gutiérrez, 19, will make his ARCA Menards Series debut at the famed Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway driving the No. 32 TOUGHBUILT | Rette Jones Racing car.

“There aren’t words to describe what the Daytona race will mean to me,” sounded Gutiérrez. “Daytona I feel like is every race car driver’s dream and mine is coming true. Our No. 32 TOUGHBUILT car was fast in preseason testing and I think we’ll be easily able to back up the speed throughout practice and qualifying.

“I can’t predict what will happen in the race, but I will do my best to execute a flawless race. While the tracks are on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, you must be in a place to finish first. I cannot thank TOUGHBUILT, TekNekk, Distributed Ledger Inc. (DLI) and GoGig enough for their support of these two races.”

GoGig in fact is increasing its commitment to Gutiérrez and the RJR team in 2022.

“GoGig is proud to sponsor Max Gutierrez and the TOUGHBUILT car at the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona,” offered Chris Hodges, founder and CEO of GoGig.

“GoGig’s founding principle was to remove bias and promote diversity + inclusion in the hiring process for job seekers by allowing them to remain anonymous. The entire GoGig team couldn’t be prouder to represent Max and his Hispanic heritage in the same manner at Daytona this weekend.”

In addition to TOUGHBUILT. TekNekk and Jimmy Morales Escuderia TELMEX | TELCEL, Distributed Ledger Inc. (DLI), GoGig, Ford Performance, Goodridge Fluid Transfer Systems, Jones Group Demolition and Abatement and JRi Shocks join the Mooresville, N.C.-based team as partners on Tuesday night.

Rette is thrilled to have Gutiérrez back under the Rette Jones Racing umbrella in 2022.

“Max did a terrific job for Rette Jones Racing and we are looking forward to hopefully starting off the 2022 race season – much like we did the 2021 season with a trip in Victory Lane,” he said. “But, there is a lot of great things on the horizon not only for Max but the Rette Jones Racing team as a whole.

“Max knows how to get around New Smyrna and with over 200 laps on the track, the track should prove to be extremely beneficial once again on Tuesday night. Saturday afternoon will be a historic moment for Max and I’m just glad to be a part of it.”

In 10 career ARCA Menards Series East starts, Gutiérrez has one win, two top-five and five top-10 finishes and hoists a series’ average finish of 9.9 over three years.

RJR is co-owned by Canadian entrepreneur and former race car driver Terry Jones.

The Race to Stop Suicide 200 presented by Place of Hope (200 laps | 100 miles) is the first of seven races on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series East schedule. Practice begins for the one-day show on Tuesday, February 15 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The results of practice will dictate the starting grid for the season-opening race. The event will take the green flag just after 7:30 p.m. with live television coverage on FloRacing and taped delay coverage on the USA Network.

The Lucas Oil 200 driven by General Tire (80 laps | 200 miles) is the first of 20 races on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Thurs., Feb. 17 with a fifty-minute session from 4:05 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. Group qualifying is set for Fri., Feb. 18 at 1:30 p.m. The season-opener for the 70th consecutive ARCA season is set the following afternoon on Feb. 19 to take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities.

For more on Max Gutiérrez, please visit maxgutierrez.com, like him on Facebook (Max Gutierrez Racing) or follow him on Instagram (@maxgutierrezmx).

For more on Rette Jones Racing, please visit RetteJonesRacing.com, like them on Facebook (Rette Jones Racing) or follow them on Twitter (@RetteJones30).
About TOUGHBUILT Industries Inc.:

TOUGHBUILT is an advanced product design, manufacturer and distributor with emphasis on innovative products. Currently focused on tools and other accessories for the professional and do-it-yourself construction industries.

We market and distribute various home improvement and construction product lines for both the do-it-yourself and professional markets under the TOUGHBUILT brand name, within the global multibillion-dollar-per-year tool market industry. All of our products are designed by our in-house design team.

Since launching product sales in 2013, we have experienced significant annual sales growth.

Our current product line includes three major categories, with several additional categories in various stages of development, consisting of Soft Goods & Kneepads and Sawhorses & Work Products.

Our mission is to provide products to the building and home improvement communities that are innovative, of superior quality, derived in part from enlightened creativity for our end users while enhancing performance, improving well-being and building high brand loyalty.

Additional information about the company is available at: toughbuilt.com.

About Rette Jones Racing:

Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, Rette Jones Racing (RJR) was founded in 2015 with the intent of building a successful racing operation built around the fundamentals of hard work and a never-give-up attitude.

Owned by racers Terry Jones and Mark Rette, RJR plan to field a full-time entry in 2022 in the ARCA Menards Series, while also planning to field vehicles in the ARCA Menards Series East and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) respectively.

The winning ARCA team also offers technical and setup intel as part of its technical alliance partnership program.

Andretti Expands KULR Technology Relationship for the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Presented by Gainbridge

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Official Release
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Marco Andretti to Pilot No. 98 KULR Technology Group / Curb Honda for 250th Career INDYCAR Start

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KULR Technology Group (NYSE American: KULR) has joined five-time Indy 500 championship winning team, Andretti Autosport, to serve as the primary sponsor of Marco Andretti’s No. 98 Honda for the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Presented by Gainbridge. The 2022 Greatest Spectacle in Racing will mark the third-generation driver’s 250th INDYCAR career start.

KULR Technology Group first joined Andretti Technologies (“ATEC”), the advanced technology arm of Andretti Autosport, and sister team, Andretti United Extreme E, in 2021 as the official thermal management and battery safety technical partner. The goal of the ATEC partnership focuses on transferring aerospace knowledge onto the racetrack. KULR’s expertise with lightweight, high-performance thermal management solutions through space exploration provides the opportunity to implement new cooling technology, battery cell architecture and testing methodologies within the high performance and high-power applications across the motorsport landscapes.

“We’ve worked with KULR through Andretti Technologies for over a year now, including last year’s Indy 500 with Marco, and we are thrilled to now welcome them as a primary sponsor to our INDYCAR program,” said Andretti Autosport Chairman and CEO Michael Andretti. “The development potential of KULR’s technology is exciting given their expertise in high-performance thermal management solutions and understanding of battery safety. We look forward to this special event in May as Marco celebrates 250 career INDYCAR starts.”

“We are humbled and honored to have the legendary Andretti Autosport racing team represent the KULR brand in the upcoming Indianapolis 500,” said KULR President and COO Keith Cochran. “As the primary sponsor for the #98 car driven by Marco Andretti, we are extending our partnership with Andretti Autosport and further demonstrating the breadth of applications for KULR’s technologies.”

Returning behind the wheel, Andretti is set to make his 17th Indy 500 start. Over the 16 starts, Andretti has recorded eight top-10 finishes and four podium results, additionally earning the Indianapolis 500 pole position in 2020. He will look to capitalize on his experience at the famed 2.5-mile oval and achieve his first Indianapolis 500 victory.

The No. 98 Honda and Marco Andretti will return to the track for Open Testing on April 20, ahead of the official Indianapolis 500 opening day on May 17. The 106th Running of the Indianapolis presented by Gainbridge will be seen on May 29 with live coverage on NBC.

For more information, visit AndrettiAutosport.com

About Andretti Autosport
Andretti Autosport, led by racing legend Michael Andretti, boasts a wide racing portfolio rooted in tradition and designed for success.

Under the banners of Andretti Autosport and Avalanche Andretti Formula E, the Indianapolis-based team fields multiple entries across the INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, the FIA Formula E World Championship and the IMSA Prototype Challenge LMP3 division. The team also competes as Walkinshaw Andretti United in the Australian Supercars category through partnership with Walkinshaw Racing and United Autosports. Additionally, the team fields an entry in the Extreme E championship via Andretti United Extreme E.

The global racing enterprise boasts four INDYCAR SERIES championships, five Indy Light titles, one Pro Mazda championship, a Silver Class GT4 Championship and has captured victory five times at the famed Indianapolis 500. The team also holds two X Games Gold Medals and five U.S. rallycross championships.

About KULR Technology Group Inc.
KULR Technology Group Inc. (NYSE American: KULR) develops, manufactures and licenses next-generation carbon fiber thermal management technologies for batteries and electronic systems. Leveraging the company’s roots in developing breakthrough cooling solutions for NASA space missions and backed by a strong intellectual property portfolio, KULR enables leading aerospace, electronics, energy storage, 5G infrastructure, and electric vehicle manufacturers to make their products cooler, lighter and safer for the consumer. For more information, please visit www.KULRTechnology.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to buy any securities of any entity. This release contains certain forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially from those stated or implied in such forward-looking statements, due to risks and uncertainties associated with our business, which include the risk factors disclosed in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2021. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” and “would” or similar words. All forecasts are provided by management in this release are based on information available at this time and management expects that internal projections and expectations may change over time. In addition, the forecasts are entirely on management’s best estimate of our future financial performance given our current contracts, current backlog of opportunities and conversations with new and existing customers about our products and services. We assume no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Swann Adds Sponsorship of Ryan Vargas During NASCAR Daytona Opening Weekend

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Official Release
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Swann®, the leader in Do-It-Yourself security products for over 35 years, adds a NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener sponsorship of Ryan Vargas for the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 during Daytona 500 Weekend.

The season opener will take place on Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Daytona International Speedway. It will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and MRN.

In addition to the season opener at Daytona, Swann will be sponsoring Ryan Vargas at the Production Alliance 300 at Auto Club Speedway and more races this NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

“We enjoy working with Ryan Vargas so much and decided to sponsor the season opener as well,” says Leslie Conover, Vice President of Sales for the Americas at Swann. “We will be rooting for him from the sidelines as we head into another NASCAR Xfinity Series season with Vargas as our spokesperson.”

The race is 120 laps or 300 miles with a Track Length of 2.5 miles. The Track Type is a Superspeedway with a paved surface.

“Eager to kick off this NASCAR Xfinity Series Season with Swann on my side for the season-opening race,” says Ryan Vargas, NASCAR Xfinity driver with a notable TikTok following. “I am able to focus on the track since my property and automobiles are secure.”

For more information, including a full list of Swann products, visit the company on the web at www.Swann.com.

ABOUT SWANN:

Swann is a veteran in the global security camera market and has been in this business for 35 years. As the worldwide leader of wired, DIY security solutions, Swann helps its customers protect their homes, businesses, and garages no matter where life takes them — around the world or the track. Founded in Melbourne, Australia, Swann creates innovative DIY security solutions, including its patent-pending Enforcer™ Series product line, which offers enhanced crime deterrence with controllable red and blue flashing lights, spotlights, and sirens, combined with mobile alerts, when unwanted activity is detected. Also, Swann is the only brand on the market that offers a complete lineup of inter-connectable wired and wireless security solutions via the Swann Security app that is completely integrated with Hey Google and Alexa. Follow Swann on social media for the latest products and news: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Beard Motorsports: Noah Gragson Daytona Speedweek Advance

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Official Release
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NOAH GRAGSON
Daytona Speedweek
Pole Qualifying | Duel | Daytona 500
No. 62 Beard Oil Distributing Chevrolet Camaro

Event Overview

● Wednesday, Feb. 16: Daytona 500 qualifying (single-lap qualifying to determine pole for the Daytona 500)

●  Time/TV/Radio: 8 p.m. ET on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

● Thursday, Feb. 17: Bluegreen Vacations Duel (twin 150-mile qualifying races that set the field for the Daytona 500)

●  Time/TV/Radio: 7 p.m. ET on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

● Sunday, Feb. 20: 64th annual Daytona 500 (first of 36 points-paying NASCAR Cup Series races in 2022)

●  Time/TV/Radio: 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Since its NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2017, Beard Motorsports has proven to be the little team that could, a modern-day David competing against the Goliaths of NASCAR. The family-owned organization has taken a strategic approach to its racing endeavors, forming a technical partnership with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and running only the superspeedway races at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and its sister track, Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. With a Chevrolet Camaro powered by an ECR-built engine, Beard Motorsports can race at the front, a fact proven by a pair of top-10 finishes in 2020 at the hands of former driver Brendan Gaughan – seventh in the Daytona 500 and eighth in the Coke Zero Sugar 400, also at Daytona.

● Beard Motorsports was the first non-chartered NASCAR Cup Series team to announce its intention to compete in the 64th running of the Daytona 500. The generational race team founded by the late Mark Beard Sr., and now run by his wife, Linda Beard, was the first independent team to procure a NextGen chassis for its use in 2022, beginning with the Daytona 500. Plans are for the No. 62 Beard Oil Distributing Chevrolet Camaro to compete in subsequent races at Daytona and Talladega with Noah Gragson as its driver.

● What drives Beard Motorsports? Passion. Linda, along with her children, carry on the pursuit of their husband and father, respectively, in racing and in business. Beard Motorsports and its family-owned company, Beard Oil Distributing – a certified women owned business – is a distinctive qualifier in the male-dominated sport of auto racing. Linda is hands-on with the family motorsports business and was alongside her husband as he pursued his passion of racing at Daytona – first as a NASCAR Xfinity Series driver in 1982 and simultaneously as a team owner. Today, Beard Motorsports competes in his honor. The 64th Daytona 500 will be the team’s 18th career NASCAR Cup Series start, its eighth at Daytona and its fifth in the Daytona 500.

● While it’s Linda Beard at the top of Beard Motorsports’ masthead, the team is managed with ample support from her children, Amie and Mark Beard Jr., along with help from crew chief Darren Shaw and Gaughan, the former NASCAR Cup Series driver who made 17 of his 67 career Cup Series starts with Beard Motorsports. It was Gaughan who, upon retiring from racing at the conclusion of the 2020 season, tabbed Gragson to be his successor in the No. 62 Beard Oil Distributing Chevrolet Camaro. In addition to both being natives of Las Vegas, Gaughan has observed Gragson’s rise from regional racer to a competitor in NASCAR’s top national touring series.

● While Gragson has yet to make his official debut in a NASCAR Cup Series points-paying race, he is not new to NASCAR. The 23-year-old competes fulltime in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and 2022 marks his fourth season in NASCAR’s stepping-stone division to the elite NASCAR Cup Series. Gragson is a five-time winner in the Xfinity Series, and he scored his first career victory in the 2020 season opener at Daytona. He is coming off his best year yet where in 2021 Gragson won three races and advanced to the Championship 4 where he competed for the series title in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.

● Before joining the Xfinity Series fulltime in 2019, Gragson competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2017 and 2018. He won twice – Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in October 2017 and Kansas Speedway in May 2018 – and finished second in the 2018 championship. Those Truck Series results were a continuation of the kind of talent Gragson showcased in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. In 2015 and 2016, Gragson raced in this developmental league, regionally split into two divisions – K&N Pro Series East and K&N Pro Series West. Gragson won six races between the two entities and narrowly missed out on the 2015 West title by a scant seven points.

● Even though Gragson has not yet made a points-paying start in a NASCAR Cup Series race, he has driven in NASCAR’s top series. In fact, it was last year for Beard Motorsports in the Bluegreen Vacations Duel – twin 150-mile qualifying races that set the field for the Daytona 500. Gragson started 22nd in his Duel race and drove to the middle of the pack by lap two. The No. 62 Beard Oil Distributing Chevrolet Camaro was inside the top-10 and, most importantly, in the transfer position for a Daytona 500 starting spot before the caution came out on lap 37. From fifth place, Gragson pitted for four fresh tires and fuel. He restarted in 12th place and battled with the No. 13 car of Garrett Smithley for the transfer spot. With just four laps to go, Gragson was involved in a multicar accident. The Beard Oil Distributing Chevrolet was damaged beyond repair, ultimately ending Gragson’s day and any chance of transferring to the Daytona 500.

● Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is unlike any other NASCAR Cup Series race. Before drivers compete in the Duel, they race the clock in single-lap qualifying. The two fastest cars are locked into the field while the rest of the drivers are split into the Duel. Odd-numbered drivers are in the first Duel and even-numbered drivers are in the second Duel. Only 40 spots are available in the Daytona 500 and, for drivers like Gragson, earning one of those coveted spots in the Daytona 500 comes one of two ways – be one of the two fastest independent teams in qualifying, or race your way into the Daytona 500 by way of the Duel. There are only four open spots in the Daytona 500 for independent teams, as chartered NASCAR teams hold the other 36 positions, giving them a guaranteed starting spot for the Daytona 500 and every race on the 2022 Cup Series schedule. A team that holds a charter is akin to a franchise, the way the Las Vegas Raiders and the Vegas Golden Knights are to the NFL and NHL, respectively. Gragson obviously wants to outperform 39 other drivers but, more specifically, any driver racing for the other independent teams looking to make the Daytona 500.

Noah Gragson, Driver of the No. 62 Beard Oil Distributing Chevrolet Camaro

Your fulltime job is racing for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series where your car owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr., is one of the best superspeedway racers NASCAR has ever seen. What advice has he provided as you prepare to make the Daytona 500?

“I was always the guy to ride around in the back, save your car to the end of the race. Dale said, ‘Screw that,’ and he told me that I needed to go out there and have the mentality of almost like going out to GoPro Motorplex or any go-kart track around the country, where you’re beating and banging and somehow everybody ends up finishing the race even when you’re super aggressive. He said, ‘Do whatever you’ve got to do to be up front and do whatever you’ve got to do to just be able to learn how to pass. Learn your car. Use the first three-quarters of the race to learn your racecar, try to make moves. If you fall back and you get to the tail of the line, who really cares? Just learn because you’re going to want that knowledge for later in the race.’ So, I did that the very next time I went to Daytona and there was a significant difference in the way the stats were at the end of the race. I had a different approach in 2020 and had a lot of success. Just being aggressive, not really daring, just learning the car with a wreckers or checkers mentality.”

Earnhardt tested the NextGen car at Daytona in mid-January. Have you gotten any insights from him about how different it is or how similar it is before you get into the NextGen car yourself?

“I talked to Dale after his test at Daytona and he said it’s a little bit different, but it handles like a speedway car. In fact, it should handle more like an Xfinity car, and the package should be more like that. The Xfinity Series has been my bread and butter these last few years, so it’s going to be a new set of challenges, but we’re excited for it. We’re excited to learn it, we’re excited to get on track down in Daytona and really figure it out, but we won’t know until we get there.”

Before you run the Daytona 500, you have to run the Duel. Last year, you came up a little bit short in the Duel. Have you replayed that race, and is there anything you would’ve done differently?

“I feel like last year’s Duel was one of the best races I’ve ever put together in my career. We kind of struggled on the pit stops just because we don’t have a fulltime crew, so that kind of hurt us. The first lap, we started the race in last – in 21st or 22nd – and by the time we got to turn three on the first lap, I was splitting Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney, who were running 13th and 14th down the back straightaway, and I got up to 12th getting into turn three on the first lap, so I passed 10 cars. I felt really comfortable last year, I felt comfortable with our crew chief, Darren. The car drove great and that has me really confident going into this season. Darren really knows what he’s doing underneath a racecar, and if we can just go and do our job and race to our full potential and minimize mistakes, there’s no reason we can’t get into the race this year.”

Even though it was a limited Daytona experience for four last year, did you have a “pinch me” moment when you were pulling off pit road and onto the track?

“A few times. Walking out, we had a rain delay after the first Duel. We were in the second Duel, and we were heading out to the grid and they’re pushing the 4 car of Kevin Harvick out to the grid, and it was Rodney Childers (crew chief) and Kevin Harvick walking next to me and I looked over and said, ‘Wow.’ I used to play as this guy in a video game and now we’re going to race on the world’s largest stage at Daytona International Speedway and be able to go head-to-head with these guys. Getting laps in there, that was really surreal. I was so focused in the race. Once I put my helmet on, I was so focused and ready to go to work. Once you’re up there with the big dogs and you see all those paint schemes and you see those numbers and drivers, it’s a pretty surreal moment. And then we wrecked and I got out of the car, unfortunately, with two laps to go and I just took a second to look around and thought, ‘Wow, this is incredible.’ Growing up as a kid never even expecting to make it to this level in my racing career – it’s always been a dream – and to be able to just take a second and do a 360 and look around and just really take that moment in – that was a really special moment to me. We just raced against the big dogs and, unfortunately, we came up short, but I really wanted to take that moment in.”

Is it helpful to have that experience in your hip pocket?

“I think it’s great having that experience with those Cup guys. I mean, we ran in the top-10, all the way up to sixth at one point. Kyle Busch was right behind me for 20 or 30 laps. Just trying to gain those guys’ respect and be able to show that while I am an Xfinity driver, I can hang with these guys and keep the car straight and not be tearing up other guys’ equipment. I think just getting the respect from the other competitors is the most important thing from last year, and being able to see what that race craft is in the Cup Series. It’s a big leap up to the Cup Series. It’s a challenge, and those guys are the best stock car drivers in America, and to be able to follow them and learn from them, it’s a big opportunity.”

Racing for an independent team with no guaranteed starting spot means you have to balance speed with self-preservation. How do you run up front in the Duel and make sure you keep a straight racecar and are there at the finish?

“You always have to be patiently aggressive, just trying to stay ahead of things and trying to put yourself in good positions. I’m going to drive my ass off just to do my best job and be aggressive from the start of the Duel. Hopefully, we’re locked in and that’ll mean a different approach, but you’ve got to be on it from the drop of the green flag.”

Last year as you readied for the Daytona 500, Linda Beard told you to “drive the piss out of it.” Does this fit your checkers-or-wreckers mentality?

“Missing qualifying last year due to tech inspection stuff really put us in a position of, ‘Hey, we need to be the highest open team.’ And, like Mrs. Beard said, ‘Go out there, son, and drive the piss out of it.’ And that’s what we did. I don’t know what the entry list looks like this year. We had 44, 45 cars last year. I’m not exactly sure how many we’re going to have this year. It might be less than that. That might stack the cards a little bit differently this year and we might be in a different position this year as far as the task at hand. We’ve just got to wait and see how qualifying goes and that’s really going to set us up for the Duel.”

Everybody loves an underdog. Do you go into Daytona with a chip on your shoulder, knowing you can upset the apple cart with these multicar teams and carry it as a badge of honor?

“Definitely. Even last year, racing up with these guys, there’s a picture of me leading the top line. I had Bubba Wallace behind me, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. Leading those cars and being in our 62 Beard Oil Distributing Chevrolet – the one that you don’t see every weekend and has one fulltime employee, crew chief Darren Shaw – it’s pretty remarkable what we were able to do. And moments like that, I feel like, definitely earn you respect in the sport. So, I definitely have a chip on my shoulder going into Daytona of, ‘Hey, we can still do it.’ We might be an underdog when it comes to everything on paper, but I know Darren Shaw, he brings really fast racecars to the racetrack. The Chevrolet power is incredible and the cars drive really well. I have everything on the table that I need to go out there and perform. Once we get out there, it’s my job to get the car into the Daytona 500.”

You’ve got more races with Beard Motorsports planned for this year. How important is it to come out of the gate strong and set the tone with your limited Cup Series schedule?

“I think the most important goal for us in setting the tone is completing all the laps. That’s what we want to do. We need to have a racecar – we only have one of them at Beard Motorsports – so we need to be finishing these races with the least amount of damage possible. We know some guys will wreck out, so we’ll just hope we don’t get collected in it. Completing all the laps is our number one goal, and bringing the car home in one piece with as little damage as possible. With the resources that we have, it makes it a challenge and it’s difficult only having one car, so your mindset is a little bit different. Let’s say if you had a backup car and you had another for the second superspeedway race of the season, that’s going to be a challenge, maybe not racing to my full potential and making moves as I normally would if we did have another car back at the shop. It’s definitely going to be difficult adapting to that because I’ve always been a checkers-or-wreckers racer and trying to be aggressing and make big, bold moves in trying to get to the front. This year, it might be hanging around in the back and let the other guys wreck, and don’t dice it up and try to finish the race.”

No. 62 Beard Motorsports Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Noah Gragson
Hometown: Las Vegas

Crew Chief: Darren Shaw
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Drew Mickey
Hometown: Walkerton, North Carolina

Spotter: Earl Barban
Hometown: St. Louis

President: Linda Beard
Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

VP of Racing Ops: Brendan Gaughan
Hometown: Las Vegas

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Tim Sheets
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana

Rear Tire Changer: David Mayo
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Damien Wermes
Hometown: Huntersville, North Carolina

Jack Man: DeAndre Smith
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Bobby Grant
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Jack Gagnon
Hometown: Quebec, Canada

Mechanic: Mark Sanders
Hometown: Springfield, Ohio

Mechanic: Nic Hill
Hometown: Fort Myers, Florida

Tire Technician: Mike Harrold
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Engine Tuner: Jason Watkins
Hometown: Ridgeway, Virginia

Transporter Driver: David Boggs
Hometown: Rock Hill, South Carolina

Young’s Motorsports ARCA East Race to Stop Suicide 200 Team Preview

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Official Release
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Young’s Motorsports | ARCA Menards Series East
New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway | Race to Stop Suicide 200

Fast Facts
No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:
Driver: Leland Honeyman Jr.
Primary Partner(s): LH Waterfront Construction | Besecker & Maynard Group
Manufacturer: Chevrolet SS
Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott
Engine: Ilmor Racing Technologies

Notes of Interest:

Welcome To The Team: Teenager Late Model sensation Leland Honeyman Jr. has joined Young’s Motorsports for the 2022 ARCA Menards Series East season.

Honeyman will run the No. 02 LH Waterfront Construction | Besecker & Maynard Group Chevrolet for the entire seven-race series beginning with Tuesday night’s Race to Stop Suicide 200 presented by Place of Hope at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway.

In addition to ARCA, Honeyman is slated to make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut this fall for the Mooresville, N.C.-based Young’s Motorsports team.

Just The Facts: Honeyman, 16, aligns with the Mooresville, N.C.-based team after a successful 2021 season competing in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series, where he earned championship-runner up honors and picked up an astounding victory in the annual Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway Fall Brawl.

The Phoenix, Ariz. native began honing his racing skills at the tender age of two racing Quads. By four years old, he moved into Trophy Karts and then subsequently collected three series championships in off-road racing Trophy Karts.

After an instrumental tenure in Go Karts, he moved into Bandolero competition in 2015 and two years later was crowned a Bandolero National Champion. From there, he moved into Limited Late Models before graduating to the Carolina Pro Late Model Series division in 2021.

Thankful For You: LH Waterfront Construction will serve as the primary marketing of Honeyman’s No. 02 Chevrolet for his rookie campaign in the ARCA Menards Series East.

Since 1995, LH Waterfront Construction has been building custom homes and performing remodels at the highest level.

Besecker & Maynard Group umbrellaed under Keller Williams Realty dynamically serves their clients with specialized realty services from listings to buyers.

They listen to learn your needs, then get to work to meet them head-on, with exemplary service and exceptional marketing to showcase your property listing with staging, stunning photography, social media exposure and print advertising in popular real estate magazines.

Their seasoned buyer specialists are here to help fine-tune your home search.

Calling The Shots: Guiding Honeyman as crew chief of the No. 02 LH Waterfront Construction | Besecker & Maynard Group Chevrolet is veteran crew chief Andrew Abbott.
Abbott returns to the Young’s Motorsports team after serving as crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Sam Hunt Racing.

With over 178 combined starts as crew chief in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Xfinity Series, Abbott has five top-five and 18 top-10 finishes, including a top-five finish most recently at Richmond (Va.) Raceway with John Hunter Nemechek in September 2021.

New Smyrna will officially mark Abbott’s crew chief debut under the ARCA banner.

Young’s Motorsports 2022 ARCA Season: A staple in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Mooresville, N.C.-based Young’s Motorsports will begin their second season of ARCA competition in 2022.

Last year, the organization expanded its platform to include the NASCAR-owned ARCA Menards Series.

Throughout the premier ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East seasons, Young’s Motorsports participated in 11 races with a best finish of seventh in their ARCA East debut at Dover (Del.) International Speedway with driver Connor Mosack.

In all, Young’s Motorsports delivered one top-10, four top-15s and 10 top-20 finishes.

Follow on Social Media: For more on Leland Honeyman Jr., please visit LelandHoneymanRacing.com, like him on Facebook (Leland Honeyman Racing) and follow on Instagram (@lelandhoneymanjr) and Twitter (@lelandhoneyman3).

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports) and follow on Instagram (youngsmotorsports) and Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

Leland Honeyman Jr. Pre-Race Quotes:

Talk about what the last couple of weeks have been like since your announcement? “The outpouring of support has been great. I cannot wait to get the 2022 racing season underway.

The Young’s Motorsports team has made me feel very welcome and I really think we have a chance to go to every race and not only be competitive but have a shot at Victory Lane and keep this Young’s Motorsports team in the hunt for the championship.”

Thoughts about New Smyrna this week: “I’m very optimistic about New Smyrna. It is going to be super important to get our No. 02 LH Waterfront Construction | Besecker & Maynard Group Chevrolet dialed in.

“With practice and qualifying being combined, we just want to put ourselves in a good position to post a good lap that will allow us to start the race near the front.

“From there, it’s about keeping our car dialed in and keeping the bigger picture in mind. I just want my ARCA Menards Series East debut to be a successful one.”

Thoughts about the upcoming 2022 season: “There is obviously pressure to perform. I want to prove that I have what it takes to not only be an excellent ARCA Menards Series driver – but doing everything I can to be prepared for my NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut later in the year.

“For me, it’s one race at a time. Winning, obviously is the goal, but making sure we get the best finish possible out of our No. 02 LH Waterfront Construction | Besecker & Maynard Group Chevrolet is my top priority.”

Race Information:

The Race to Stop Suicide 200 presented by Place of Hope (200 laps | 100 miles) is the first of seven races on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series East schedule. Practice begins for the one-day show on Tuesday, February 15 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The results of practice will dictate the starting grid for the season-opening race. The event will take the green flag just after 7:30 p.m. with live television coverage on FloRacing and taped delay coverage on the USA Network.

DGR NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Advance: Daytona International Speedway

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Official Release
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Friday, February 18
Track: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, 2.5-mile superspeedway
Race: 1 of 23
Event: NextEra Energy 250 (100 laps, 250 miles)

Schedule

Thursday, February 17
Final Practice: 5:05 p.m. ET

Friday, February 18
Qualifying: 3:00 p.m. ET
Race: 7:30 p.m. ET (FOX Sports 1)

Hailie Deegan, No. 1 Monster Energy Ford F-150

  • Hailie Deegan returns full-time to the No. 1 Ford F-150 for her sophomore season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with the support of Monster Energy and Wastequip.
  • Crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. will once again lead the team from atop the pit box and TJ Majors will guide the 20-year-old driver on the radio.
  • In her rookie campaign in 2021, Deegan earned her first career NCWTS top-10 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in Madison, Illinois with a seventh-place run.
  • In last year’s NextEra Energy 250, the Monster Energy driver had to settle for a 24th-place finish after contact with 19 laps remaining caused her to spin and make contact with the inside wall.
  • Beyond the Truck Series, she has one other start at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. In 2020, she started seventh in the ARCA Menards Series and finished runner-up in the 80-lap event.

Tanner Gray, No. 15 Black’s Tire Ford F-150

  • 2022 will be the third consecutive full-time season in the NCWTS for Tanner Gray.
  • Veteran crew chief Jerry Baxter has joined the organization to lead the No. 15 team in 2022. Baxter most recently worked at Richard Petty Motorsports with Erik Jones in the NASCAR Cup Series. In addition, Kevin Hamlin returns as the spotter for this season.
  • The 22-year-old driver is eager to return to Daytona after a mechanical failure during the pace laps of last year’s event kept him from completing a single green flag lap.
  • Gray’s only previous Truck Series start at the 2.5-mile track in 2020 ended in a 23rd-place result due to an accident. He also has two ARCA Menards Series starts with a best of finish of seventh last February.
  • Black’s Tire and David Gilliland Racing announced on February 7th that the premier distributor of tires, wheels, equipment and tire-related supplies will be partnering with Tanner Gray for four races in 2022 beginning at Daytona.

Riley Herbst, No. 17 Mechanix Wear Ford F-150

  • Riley Herbst is back behind the wheel of the No. 17 F-150 for Friday evening’s NextEra Energy 250 with support from Mechanix Wear.
  • In 2021, the Las Vegas native piloted the No. 17 at the Daytona Road Course and after starting 25th, earned a fifth-place finish. He also made one appearance in a DGR ARCA car at Watkins Glen International in August finishing sixth.
  • Herbst has a bevy of experience at Daytona with five starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series including a top-five and two top-10s, one Truck Series start with a pole award and three ARCA Menards Series starts with three top-10s.
  • After a part-time schedule last season, the No. 17 truck is anticipated to run a full-time schedule in 2022 featuring an all-star lineup anchored by Taylor Gray and Ryan Preece.

Driving Test Examiners Adding To Backlog

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SM
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One of the many lasting effects of the Covid pandemic in the UK is a worrying backlog in the number of untaken practical driving tests. Although theory tests can be completed remotely, the vital on-road exam obviously needs to be done accompanied by a test examiner. For a number of reasons linked to the pandemic, finding one of these is more difficult than it has ever been, with the result that some learner drivers are having to wait up to ten months before they can sit their test. As a successful theory test is only valid for two years, this is a worrying situation for thousands of learners.

Shortage of Examiners

A large part of the reason for this situation, of course, was the restriction regime put in place during the first Covid lockdown. Also, a “holiday” was introduced for MOT tests, the government banned practical driving tests with a view to cutting human contact as much as possible. This ban lasted for four months and was the first of many factors which began to accumulate and add to non-tested or failed learners.

After the ban was lifted, drivers who hadn’t been behind the wheel for months were often “rusty,” with the result that the failure rate rose dramatically. This in turn meant that it was another four months before tests could be retaken, as both instructors and examiners faced huge demands on their time.

Once the economy began to reopen, many of these stressed examiners decided to look for a new career. With a shortage in goods vehicle delivery drivers, wages in this sector began to rise sharply, with the result that driving experts took their HGV tests and stepped straight into better-paid work. As long as this situation persists, it is unlikely these drivers will return to their previous profession; with the result that there is a shortage of around 300 test examiners in the UK in 2022.

Increased Number of Fails

To make this shortage test passes even worse, it has emerged that newly recruited examiners are failing drivers for increasingly trivial reasons. Whereas the MOT test is set in stone, with very clear reasons for passing and failing at all levels, it seems that passing or failing the practical driving test relies much more on the examiners’ discretion. This in conjunction with new hygiene rules introduced by the DVSA, in another effort to try to slow down the spread of Covid 19. It seems that some test centers are enforcing these rules without any effort to apply common sense.

The DVSA directive is that anyone wanting to take their practical test must ensure the inside of the car (whether that’s their own or their instructors) is “clear and clean” before the examiner will enter the vehicle. This has led to cases of learner drivers being failed without getting behind the wheel. Cases are on record of examiners failing applicants because of blades of grass on foot pedals, traces of mud in the footwell, and other minor items which would be common in any car unless it came straight from the factory.

While the effort to curb the coronavirus is logical and admirable, there is surely no evidence of anyone catching it from a strand of hair on a car seat. Unfortunately, it seems that some examiners and their test centers disagree. Understandably, this has left a number of test applicants extremely upset; especially as there is no way to reclaim the £62 cost of a practical test.

Ongoing Problem

This shortage in the number of test passes is an ongoing problem that is certain to have an impact on many people’s lives. With the pandemic meaning that commuters are less willing to use public transport now than at almost any time in the past, the motoring network will be vital in getting people back to work, and life in general back to some level of normality. With the increase in popularity of electric cars, this is indeed something that the government would welcome (especially if those cars and/or their batteries are manufactured here in the UK).

While the issues of recruiting test examiners are certainly one way to address the problem, this will inevitably mean making the profession more attractive; i.e. financially worthwhile. Meanwhile, it is to be hoped that those examiners still employed are encouraged to take a more sensible view of hygiene regulations. Then, in conjunction with ever-reliable companies like checkmot.com, drivers can get back on the road where they belong.

What Are the Various Benefits of Ceramic Coating?

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SM
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According to the 2016 census, 50% of households in the Central Coast, Australia, own two or more cars. This data is even more than Greater Sydney, which is 46%. All the car owners in the country want the same thing, “keep their cars like new, forever.” But how can they achieve it? Ceramic coatings Central Coast are the best solution to keep your car appearance problems at bay.

You can be sure that your car’s paint will eventually begin to look a little less pristine over time. Each time you drive your vehicle, it is exposed to dust, sun, bugs, gas, and other types of debris, which gradually damage its paint.

What is the Ceramic Coating?

Ceramic coatings are chemical polymer solutions applied to the exterior of vehicles to prevent their paint from being damaged by external elements. It is usually applied by hand and creates an additional layer of hydrophobic protection on your car’s paint. This chemical bonding and production of a new layer prevents any damage to the factory paint.

Depending on the type of coating and polymer used, ceramic coating can provide a permanent or semi-permanent solution.

Benefits of Ceramic Coating

  • Protection from UV Rays

As one of the most sun-baked countries, Australia experiences the highest sun’s UV radiation levels. In fact, in summer, the UV index here ranges from 10-14. Australian sunlight can cause permanent damage to the exterior and interior of your car. It oxidizes your car’s paint, resulting in an old and worn-out appearance.

Ceramic coatings in the Central Coast can protect your car’s paint from various external elements such as the sun’s UV rays, dust, debris, etc. If your vehicle is ceramic coated, you don’t need to worry about parking it in the sun for hours.

  • Water-Repellent

The ceramic coating not only protects your car from UV rays, dust, and debris but also from water.

Scrubbing the mud from the car’s exterior is a headache as you need to do it extremely carefully so that the polymer doesn’t get damaged. The ceramic coating provides your car dust and water-repellent capability, so dirt and grime-containing water will bead on the surface and eventually wash away. Once you’ve jet-washed your car, it will appear spotless and ageless.

  • Gives Candy-like Gloss

The aesthetics here are something that every car owner will enjoy. Like car bras, ceramic coatings also add gloss and depth to your car’s paint. Your car will look glossy, enhancing its original paint job. It has certainly gained popularity in the Central Coast area over the past few years. More and more people are getting their cars painted with ceramic coatings in Central Coast due to the increasing UV index and other external factors in the region.

  • Cost-effective Option

The popularity of ceramic coatings has made almost all car owners choose it for their cars. Although the initial cost seems high, you will save money over time when you don’t have to pay regularly for wax, car washes, and exterior detailing services. Moreover, ceramic coatings are permanent, meaning you won’t have to worry about replacing them year after year.

  • Improves Durability

Ceramic coatings appear to protect your vehicle’s surface much better than any ordinary paint job. These coatings work by bonding quickly to the molecular structure of your car’s paint and cannot be removed by vibrations or external forces, which makes them last for years. It enhances the durability of your car’s paint, thus preventing it from rusting and looking dull and worn out.

Conclusion

Regular maintenance will keep your car looking good for a long time. As a car enthusiast, you will likely be thrilled with the value that ceramic coating will add to your car. The benefits of ceramic coating make it the best option if you want to keep your car looking new for a long time. It reduces the need for frequent car washes and keeps the paint intact even after long sun exposure.

Christian Rose Kicks Off 2022 Season With Double Effort in Sunshine State

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Official Release
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NEW SMYRNA, Fla: Christian Rose is still a relatively new name on the ARCA Menards Series scene, but the driver of the No. 42 West Virginia Tourism Chevrolet for Cook Racing Technologies (CRT) is focused on building himself into a household name throughout the 2022 season.

Rose, a former Division 1 baseball player for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore has traded the glove and bat in for a steering wheel and helmet and sets his sight on making noise on the race track in a diverse 2022 schedule that will include competition in the premier ARCA Menards Series and the regional touring ARCA Menards Series East.

Despite just four years of experience as a driver, Rose has captivated an audience for his ability to quickly dial in his race car and backup his intuition with his race craft on the track which included producing two top-10 finishes in his only two starts in the ARCA Menards Series West division last year at the Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway Bullring and All American (Calif.) Speedway respectively.

With some confidence on his side, Rose will kick off his 2022 season with a double dose of action this week at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway and Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

“I’m really excited about 2022,” said Rose. “This is the year where I am focused on taking all my experience and applying it into results for West Virginia Tourism and Cook Racing Technologies. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity that will allow me to race on a larger scale – but I must perform.

“Opportunities like this are truly once in a lifetime and I am taking the necessary steps that I know of to capitalize on the opportunity and prepare for the long term when it comes to my racing career.”

Before shifting his attention to the ARCA Menards Series West last year, Rose spent 2019 and 2020 competing in Late Models which included a large dose of action at New Smyrna which gives the Martinsburg, W.V. native a positive outlook on Tuesday’s Race to Stop Suicide 200 presented by Place of Hope.

“I’ve been hungry to get to New Smyrna because I have turned so many laps there,” added Rose. “I spent a lot of time racing there on a weekly basis a couple of years ago, so I feel like that experience and knowing the fundamentals of the track will put us in a good position to start the week off on a good note.
“Hopefully, we’ll find ourselves in a place to contend for a top-five finish on Tuesday and then turn our attention to Daytona.”

Saturday afternoon’s Lucas Oil 200 driven by General Tire will be Rose’s inaugural debut in the premier ARCA Menards Series. In January, Rose boasted a time inside the top-five on the second day of preseason testing giving him the confidence that his superspeedway debut has the potential to be memorable.

“Daytona is such a huge blessing, you really don’t understand,” he said. “Our preseason test went really well and Bruce (Cook) and the team went through our No. 42 West Virginia Tourism Chevrolet with a fine-tooth comb to make sure we can unload for practice on Thursday afternoon in a good place.

“Daytona is going to be the biggest learning experience of my career but it is a challenge I am ready to conquer and ready to conquer it well. If we can keep ourselves out of trouble and be in a place for a top-10 finish on Saturday afternoon, then I feel like we can put an exclamation point on the weekend!”
In 2022, Rose will also continue to strengthen a relationship with the West Virginia Department of Tourism.

The West Virginia Department of Tourism promotes West Virginia as a leading four-season travel destination and top state to live, work and retire.

Known as the Mountain State, West Virginia is one of the most scenic states in the United States and home to thousands of acres of parks and public lands, including America’s newest national park and 45 state parks and forests. In addition to its majestic mountains and rolling hills, West Virginia is full of rich historic sites, enchanting art galleries, charming towns and an immense sense of belonging found only in its heaven-like landscapes.

In West Virginia, let country roads lead you far away from everything. And a little closer to heaven.
“My relationship with the West Virginia Department of Tourism is everything to me,” added Rose.

“Without them, I would not be able to race at New Smyrna or Daytona. It is my goal throughout the year to spread the mission of everything the West Virginia Department of Tourism means.
“It is going to be a fun year.”

Bruce Cook, owner of Cook Racing Technologies and crew chief of both Rose’s entries this week is excited to have the 26-year-old Rose back in his corner for another year of learning, racing and chasing checkered flags.

“Without a doubt, Christian is going to impress people this season,” sounded Cook. “He has really flown under the radar the last year and a half, but I think he is going to be in a position to explode on the track when it comes to his consistency and results.

“I feel like he is definitely capable of winning races and if everything goes our way on a particular race weekend, there isn’t a reason why we should be in a position to challenge for several wins this year. I cannot thank the West Virginia Department of Tourism and the rest of Christian’s partners for their trust and faith in my race team with a talented driver aboard.

“I cannot wait to get the season going on Tuesday night.”

A detailed schedule for Rose will be announced at a later date.

For more on Christian Rose, please like him on Facebook (Christian Rose Racing) or follow him on Instagram (@christianroseracing) and Twitter (@CRoseRacing).

The Race to Stop Suicide 200 presented by Place of Hope (200 laps | 100 miles) is the first of seven races on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series East schedule. Practice begins for the one-day show on Tuesday, February 15 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The results of practice will dictate the starting grid for the season-opening race. The event will take the green flag just after 7:30 p.m. with live television coverage on FloRacing and taped delay coverage on the USA Network.

The Lucas Oil 200 driven by General Tire (80 laps | 200 miles) is the first of 20 races on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Thurs., Feb. 17 with a fifty-minute session from 4:05 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. Group qualifying is set for Fri., Feb. 18 at 1:30 p.m. The season-opener for the 70th consecutive ARCA season is set the following afternoon on Feb. 19 to take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities.

About The West Virginia Department of Tourism:

The West Virginia Department of Tourism promotes West Virginia as a leading four-season travel destination and top state to live, work and retire.
Known as the Mountain State, West Virginia is one of the most scenic states in the United States and home to thousands of acres of parks and public lands, including America’s newest national park and 45 state parks and forests.

In addition to its majestic mountains and rolling hills, West Virginia is full of rich historic sites, enchanting art galleries, charming towns and an immense sense of belonging found only in its heaven-like landscapes.

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