Home Blog Page 2225

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

By
Official Release
-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT RACKLEY W.A.R.

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

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

By
Official Release
-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Brief Guide To Collecting Diecast Cars

By
SM
-

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

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

Where To Buy 

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

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

Tips On Buying Diecast Cars 

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

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

Why Diecast Cars Are Expensive 

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

How To Maintain And Store Diecast Cars 

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

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

Conclusion 

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

Exclusive: First Seasons with Greg Biffle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SM: Favorite trophy out of your collection?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By
Official Release
-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flat Rock Speedway and Grundy County Speedway added to 2022 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Schedule

By
Official Release
-

Salem, IN. (January 4, 2022) – Champion Racing Association Powered by JEGS officials have announced the two TBA dates that were listed on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance 2022 schedule, when it was officially released on December 10th. The series will visit Flat Rock Speedway in Flat Rock, Michigan on Saturday, June 18th and will visit Grundy County Speedway in Morris, Illinois on Friday, July 22nd.

The June 18th event at Flat Rock Speedway will be the series first ever event at that track that has been a staple of the ARCA/CRA Super Series for many seasons. The 125-lap event will be a combo points event for both the ARCA/CRA Super Series and the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour with a winner declared for both series, similar to what both series did in 2019 and 2021 at Berlin Raceway. The very racy ¼ mile track has seen some great ARCA/CRA Super Series events in the past featuring tight side by side racing. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor Carson Hocevar won the ARCA/CRA Super Series event at Flat Rock Speedway in 2021, Brian Bergakker got his first ever CRA win at that event in 2019, Brian Campbell won in 2017, Hunter Baize won in 2015, Travis Braden won in 2014, Scott Hantz won in 2013 and 2012, the first two years the series raced at Flat Rock.

Flat Rock Speedway was on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour schedule in 2019 and 2020, but the series never got to actually have an event at the track. The 2019 event ended up being cancelled twice because of weather. The 2020 event was cancelled because of COVID.

The July 22nd Chicagoland Showdown 100 presented by McMahon Transport at Grundy County Speedway will be the series first ever event at that track. The ARCA/CRA Super Series had one event at the 1/3-mile-high banked oval on June 12th, 2005. 43 cars showed up for the event with several local cars trying to get their first ever CRA win that day. Wausau, Wisconsin native Jeremy Lepak picked up the win in the 125-lap event in his first ever start with the series. Multi-time Grundy County Speedway Track Champion Eddie Hoffman is a nine-time winner with the ARCA/CRA Super Series and a two-time winner with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour, he was the tracks 2021 Late Model Champion.

“CRA reached out to us about having an event, and the deal came together pretty quickly with the help of McMahon Transport,” remarked Grundy County Speedway Promoter Steve Bechtel. “We are excited to bring this show to the fans in the Chicagoland area!”

The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour has competed in the state of Illinois once prior, that event took place in the series inaugural season in 2011 at Rockford Speedway. Current NASCAR Cup Series driver Erik Jones got the win that day on his way to claiming the series 2011 inaugural Championship.

“We are really looking forward to having JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour events at Flat Rock Speedway and Grundy County Speedway during the 2022 season,” remarked R.J. Scott, Managing Partner with CRA. “Both tracks have a ton of history and put on great races. Both tracks bring a lot to the great diversity to the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour 2022 schedule!”

The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour will kick off it’s 2022 season in a special non-points 100 lap event as part of SpeedFest 2022 at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Georgia on January 28th and 29th.

More information on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour is available at www.cra-racing.com.

NASCAR Announces Two Key Competition Personnel Promotions

By
Official Release
-

Brad Moran Named NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director;

Seth Kramlich to Camping World Truck Series Managing Director

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 6, 2022) – NASCAR today announced that Brad Moran has been promoted to NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director and Seth Kramlich will transition to the role of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Managing Director.

Both Moran and Kramlich enter their new positions following years of experience managing racing series at the national level. Most recently, Moran held the position of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Managing Director. Kramlich moves to his new role after three years as NASCAR Xfinity Series Assistant Director. Moran, Kramlich and NASCAR Xfinity Series Managing Director Wayne Auton will continue to be headquartered at the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, N.C., and report to Scott Miller, Senior Vice President of Competition.

“Brad and Seth both share a racer’s mentality, and will bring knowledge, passion and strong relationships to these important roles,” Miller said. “We look forward to their leadership as they continue to help bring the best racing to our fans at both the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series levels.”

With over 30 years of experience in the motorsports industry, Moran joined NASCAR in December 2008 to oversee all of NASCAR’s touring series. The Canada native moved to the helm of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in July of 2016, guiding the series through its first season of the playoff format. Previously, Moran was the Series Director for Canada’s NASCAR Pinty’s Series for four seasons and was the owner of Barrie (Ont.) Speedway for seven seasons.

“The entire competition team is incredibly strong at the NASCAR Cup Series level, and I look forward to helping them grow the series at this exciting time in our sport,” Moran said. “As we introduce the Next Gen car and continue to promote the outstanding talent and personalities at NASCAR’s top level, I’m honored to help shepherd the series alongside this experienced group of teammates.”

Kramlich, who joined NASCAR in 2014 after working at Evergreen (Wash.) Speedway, transitions to his new role after being named the Assistant Series Director of the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2019. Prior to that role, he held various positions within NASCAR competition working with key officials in Racing Operations and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, including under the leadership of four former truck series directors.

“My NASCAR roots are with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, so it is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to return to one of the best series in all of NASCAR,” Kramlich said. “The Camping World Truck drivers, teams and fans are incredibly passionate about racing, and I’m honored to be chosen to help guide this great series.”

Moran joins a strong team in the NASCAR Cup Series garage with Kip Childress as Assistant Series Director and Carl Goodman, who will manage the technical inspections of the Next Gen race car. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will see Jesse Dollevoet remain in his role as the Assistant Series Director and Brad Houk continuing in the technical role. Wayne Auton and Eric Peterson will continue to lead the NASCAR Xfinity Series garage.

About NASCAR:

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), one local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series) and three international series (NASCAR Pinty’s Series, NASCAR Peak Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

Sean Creech Motorsport Returns to WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

By
Official Release
-

Two familiar veterans will join two outstanding young stars for 2022 LMP3 season opener at the Rolex 24 at Daytona

Jupiter, Fla. (6 January 2022) — Sean Creech Motorsport (SCM) returns to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship action in 2022 for a full-season campaign in the quickly-growing LMP3 class. The team will field the No. 33 Sean Creech Motorsport Exelixis Ligier JS P320 and will open the 2022 season with an outing in the 60th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona January 29-30.

Four-time Rolex 24 winner João Barbosa and Dr. Lance Willsey will make up the full-season lineup, while 18-year-old Malthe Jakobsen and 21-year-old Sebastian Priaulx are set to make their Rolex 24 debuts.

Barbosa and Willsey raced with SCM in 2021, finishing second at the Rolex 24 and contesting four races in the debut season for LMP3 in WeatherTech competition. Both drivers have lengthy histories with SCM: Barbosa first drove with the team over 20 years ago, while Willsey raced several seasons with the team’s IMSA Prototype Challenge effort and has also partnered with the team in vintage competition as well.

“The team did such a good job last year, so I think there’s huge potential for this year,” said Barbosa, a resident of nearby Ormond Beach who is set for his 20th Rolex 24 start. “We finished second last year and we want to do as good or better. With Malthe and Sebastian, it’s a young and strong team to face the challenge of the LMP3 class. Malthe knows the car and his experience in Europe really helps. I coached Sebastian in a few races last year and have followed his progress, he did a stellar job last year. He has huge potential as well and this will give him great experience. We’ll get them as many laps as we can at the Roar, but we know they’ll have plenty of time to get ready.”

“I am very pleased to be back with the team and ready to take on the Rolex 24,” said Willsey, who will make his 13th Rolex 24 start this year. “This is such a special race and requires the highest level of commitment from team and drivers. We have a great driver lineup this year, with João, who of course has won this race four times, and Malthe and Sebastian, who are fast and eager for the challenge. I’m looking forward to it!”

Newcomers Priaulx, from Guernsey, UK and Jakobsen, from Denmark, share very similar background stories. Both come from racing families, both have enjoyed successful karting careers before moving to junior formula car racing, both have made impressive starts in sports car racing – and both will contest their first 24-hour race at the Rolex 24.

The son of three-time FIA World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx, Sebastian Priaulx parlayed a successful karting career into a two-year stint in the Ginetta Junior Championship, where he finished second in the 2017 title chase. He contested the 2018 British F4 Championship but shifted his focus back to sports cars and finished second in the 2019 British GT Championship. Priaulx made the move to the U.S. in 2019, winning in his IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge debut at Road Atlanta. Priaulx returned to IMPC in 2020 with Multimatic and most recently raced to the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup North America title.

“It’s a dream, to do this race,” said Priaulx. “I’m very excited, it’s my first 24-hour race, and I’m over the moon to be working with these guys. João was my driver coach last year so it will be great working with him at Daytona. Sean has such a great history and it’s a good group of guys, so I’m ready to get going! I’ve watched a lot of 24-hour races and I know how draining it is, mentally and physically, so I’m doing a lot of training to get my endurance levels up, and a lot of sim work. It’s a very different kind of racing compared to a 45-minute sprint race, or the four-hour race I did at Daytona two years ago. It’s one of those tracks that can be easily underestimated, as it looks like a couple of corners and an oval. But it’s actually quite technical, and finding that last bit of speed is difficult, but I’m excited for the effort.”

Jakobsen grew up at the racetrack alongside dad Lasse, who raced formula cars in Germany. He drove his first kart at age three and won several Danish karting titles before turning to cars in 2018. He won the Danish F4 Championship in 2019 before turning to sports car racing and competing in the European Le Mans Series. Jakobsen competed in the Asian Le Mans Series, ELMS, two Michelin Le Mans Cup events in 2021, and at Petit Le Mans.

He tested in the SCM Ligier in early December at Daytona, and his immediate pace caught everyone’s attention.

“We’d been talking to Sean for some time, and I tested with the team last month at Daytona,” said Jakobsen. “It’s a really great team and I’m glad we were able to put something together. I’m looking forward to working with the engineers and mechanics, and with João, Lance and Sebastian. They know the car and the setup so well. It helps that I’ve raced the Ligier in ELMS, but racing with the speed of the DPi cars, and all the traffic, will be different. This is a real endurance race, so I am doing sim work and physical training, so I’ll be ready for it!”

The SCM team, including team principal Sean Creech, brought a successful 30-year racing history to the series, with a racing resume that spans the decades and includes Group C, IMSA GTP, WSC, Grand-Am, SRO World Challenge, and IMSA competition. Creech’s Jupiter, Florida-based team includes a roster of crew and consultants that have worked with him for years and are ready to return to IMSA action.

“I’m glad we could put this effort together for 2022, especially with this outstanding driver lineup,” said Creech. “It’s a great combination – two veterans, including a four-time winner, and two young drivers who are already proven winners. Between myself, the crew, Lance and João, we have literally thousands of miles at Daytona under our belts – we’ll get Sebastian and Malthe up to speed quickly at the Roar and be ready to take on the 24. We’d like to return to the podium but obviously, one step higher!”

The Rolex 24 at Daytona event gets underway January 21-23 with the traditional Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway.

New Year New Horizons for Showtime Motorsports as Trans Am Season Opener Looms

By
Official Release
-

Franklin, TENNESSEE – January 6, 2021 – Ken Thwaits’ Franklin Road Apparel Showtime Motorsports team has already made a significant impact in Trans Am with the likable driver capturing the 2020 XtremeGT Championship in the Audi R8LMS Ultra before stepping up to TA Class in 2021. Ken finished in an extraordinary P4 from 20 drivers in his first season in the iconic muscle car TA1 division while his Franklin Road Apparel has become an official supplier to the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli and was a title sponsor of the inaugural TA2 Class Music City Grand Prix where Ken also piloted a TA2 car.

A hugely popular figure around the paddock, Ken will be back behind the wheel of the TA Class Chevrolet Camaro this year, but as well as being a very talented wheelman in his own right, Ken is also team owner and principal of Showtime Motorsports. 2022 sees the Tennessee outfit expand their reach into Trans Am enormously, with past champions Cameron Lawrence and Carl Rydquist gunning for glory in TA2 while there remains a seat available in the companion car to Ken’s in the TA1 Class after Charlotte.

Ken is the embodiment of professionalism and his enthusiasm for the coming season – when we hope to have an uninterrupted Trans Am program – was tangible when we spoke to him over the new year holiday, “Going into 2022 we are very excited about having our team set for the first two races of the season as well as the full season. We’re excited to announce the team will be running Paul Menard at Sebring and Charlotte in the first two races of the season in the second TA Chevrolet Camaro. The aim is to showcase the speed of our TA program and demonstrate what we can bring from a competition standpoint.”

Menard, known for competing at the highest level of NASCAR and an accomplished wheelman of various disciplines. He competed full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2007 to 2019 and notably winning the 2011 Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He drove for top teams including for Dale Earnhardt Inc., Yates Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing and Wood Brothers Racing.

Now, he’s driving for Franklin Road and Showtime Motorsports in 2022. Paul will be behind the wheel of the stunning new black No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro that Ken and company are completing in readiness for Sebring. This second TA1 car represents a special opportunity for the right individual to establish a place for him or herself in the Trans Am TA Class with a tremendously competitive car and team.

Ken continued, “I feel that our TA2 line-up is very strong and we’ll be making a bold bid for the national TA2 championship. From a TA perspective we will be driving tried, proven race cars that should be very fast from race one.”

Ken was spotted at the recent Performance Industry Show in Indianapolis and is always looking to improve technical aspects of the cars and the team, something he alluded to when he added, “From an infrastructure standpoint we have moved into our new shop facilities in Denver North Carolina near Charlotte which allows us access to key parts suppliers that are nearby. The move also allows us the ability to prepare our race cars more efficiently between races.”

The season begins with the traditional first flourish at Sebring International Raceway at the end of February where Franklin Road Apparel and Showtime Motorsports will be at the forefront of the action. Until then, teams and fans can find the Franklin Road Apparel Trans Am clothing here: https://www.franklinroad.com/search/trans+am/

About Showtime Motorsports:
The Showtime Motorsports brand includes Ken Thwaits’ racing team and racecars, and an outstanding classic Camaro collection. Showtime Motorsports brings together a dynamic staff who employ diverse talents and share a passion for cars, racing and caring for clients like they are our own family members.

Front Row Motorsports Hires Blake Harris in Crew Chief Role

By
Official Release
-

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 6, 2022) – Front Row Motorsports (FRM) today announced the sharp-minded and energetic leader Blake Harris as the crew chief for Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Ford Mustang team. Harris, 34, joins FRM from previous winning stints at Furniture Row Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing with NASCAR Cup Series champion, Martin Truex, Jr.

A native of Maypearl, Texas, Harris will continue the success McDowell and the No. 34 have had since McDowell joined the organization in 2018. McDowell has had career years with FRM in this span that includes 12 top-10 and four top-five finishes, highlighted by winning the Daytona 500 last season.

“Blake has proven to be championship leader who is ready to take McDowell and our No. 34 team to the next level,” said Jerry Freeze, General Manager, Front Row Motorsports. “He’s young but has a wealth of knowledge and experience with one of the best teams in the NASCAR Cup Series. He played a key role in wins and a championship. Blake is the type of person we want to help us continue to contend.”

A championship resume, Harris has spent time at Evernham Motorsports, Furniture Row Racing and most recently Joe Gibbs Racing winning over 25 NASCAR Cup Series races and the 2017 championship. He moves up from car chief to the crew chief role at FRM.

Harris duties begin immediately and will accompany the team at upcoming tests at Daytona International Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Camping World Truck Series and the 2021 Daytona 500 champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team– from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

1...2,2242,2252,226...6,727Page 2,225 of 6,727