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Five Key Tips for Motorbike Care

By
SM
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Photo by Zane Lee on Unsplash

Taking good care of your motorcycle is crucial to keep it in perfect condition, so you can enjoy riding it for many years. What’s more, a well-maintained bike is much safer than a neglected one. All it takes is learning and getting to know your bike so you can be able to do some DIY maintenance that could keep you safe and save you lots of money, not to mention the satisfying feeling once you take good care of your motorcycle. When it comes to learning more about your bike, the best thing you could do is read the manual that came with the bike, as it usually includes a chart that lists all the maintenance tasks and all the details about your motorcycle. There are various motorcycle types — from racing motorcycles to scooters, but the main principle for maintenance is the same for all the bikes. Although motorcycle maintenance may seem challenging to rookies, it’s certainly not rocket science and anyone can learn how to do it. So today, we got the X key tips for motorbike care, for all the motorcycle enthusiasts out there.

Check Tire Pressure

Checking your tire pressure is imperative to ensure you’re riding safely. Pressure needs to be balanced — not too low or too high, as it may affect the bike’s handling. Ordinarily, you’ll have to check the recommended air pressure (PSI) on your tire or bike’s manual, then remove the cap located on the inside of the wheel, use a tire pressure gauge to measure your levels, and inflate/deflate according to recommended PSI level.

Replace the Oil

Aiming to keep the engine running smoothly, you’ll have to change the oil for every several thousand miles. Of course, the mileage differs on each engine, so check your manual to see how often you have to change the oil in your case. Begin riding your bike for about five minutes to warm it up a bit, then turn off the engine and remove the drain and oil fill plugs so that oil can escape into the drain container. Next, remove the oil filter (which is a very untidy process, so be prepared for that). Once the oil is fully removed, place a new oil filter, replace all the parts that you removed and refill the oil with the help of a funnel and with a sufficient amount and type of oil, specified in your manual. After that, replace the oil fill cap and you’re good to go.

Replace the Air Filter

An air filter is a very important part of every bike since it keeps all the debris and dirt out of the engine. However, once the filter is clogged and dirty, the engine’s performance will decrease and it needs to be replaced. Although this process isn’t difficult, sometimes it can be time-consuming since you may need to remove the gas tank and other parts to get to the air filter. Once you do, take it out and replace it with a new one, and put everything back in its place.

Replace the Coolant

A coolant is a liquid that prevents your engine from overheating, freezing, and corrosion. Just like other liquids, it needs to be changed from time to time. To begin, remove any necessary parts to gain access to the coolant drain bolt. Place a drain container under the engine and remove the bolt and radiator cap. After the coolant is removed, reinstall the bolt, cap, and other parts that you potentially removed and start the engine to warm it up a bit. After a few minutes, turn it off and wait for an engine to cool down. Once it does, remove the radiator cap and inspect the coolant level. Keep in mind that it needs to be filled with an amount specified in the bike’s manual. 

Keep the Chain Clean

The majority of the chains of today are O-ring, which makes the cleaning process much simpler than older, unsealed chains. Once your chain gets dirty or you get to the mileage after which your manual recommends cleaning it, you’ll need to clean your chain. Start by raising the rear wheel of your bike and putting the transmission in neutral, so that chain can move unobstructed. Use a fiber brush to remove grime and rubble from the chain. Then add some specialized chain lube as you rotate the back wheel so it spreads evenly. Let it sit for a few minutes then wipe off any excess lube with a paper towel.

Turning dreams into reality: how to become a professional racing pilot?

By
SM
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Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

Almost all car lovers like competition, and at some point, we all dream to get on a circuit with a kart, or even our private car. But being a driver is a big deal and, to achieve it, it is essential to be aware of some aspects that we are going to analyze.

A popular option is to go to a go-kart circuit and do a few laps or compete with friends or work colleagues. However, what should you do if you want to go further and start competing more seriously and constantly? In that case, you should know some aspects that will allow us to enjoy and improve our expectations.

Level of involvement, which driver do I want to be?

The first thing to be clear about is our aspirations: do we want to be an amateur driver who sees motor racing as entertainment, or do we want to be professionals and earn a living or even make it to Formula 1?

The answer to these questions will depend on our level of commitment, involvement, and, obviously, economic investment, which in any case will be high as it is a technological and expensive sport.

Karting is the best initiation school for an aspiring professional driver.

To become a driver, it is not enough to have talent. As in any professional activity in which we want to stand out, it is essential to prepare and make sacrifices to improve our skills and extract our full potential. In the case of a driver, this preparation is not limited to driving, but also physical and mental preparation, as well as acquiring knowledge about technique and even communication and marketing, depending on how far we are willing to go up the complicated and steep pyramid of the motor racing categories.

The right age to be a driver

How far we want to go will also determine the right time to start. Unless you are looking to become a top-level professional driver, age will not be an impediment. There are now many motor racing disciplines in which physical fitness is a secondary issue. You can simply pass a conventional medical examination to be declared fit.

On the other hand, if we desire to reach very high levels and become professional, it is almost essential to start karting at an early age, even before the age of ten. In a highly professionalized and complex sport in which Max Verstappen holds the Formula 1 record for earliness at 17 years, five months, and 15 days, starting early and gaining experience in competition is vital to reach the top in the future.

Unlike a couple of decades ago, a driver over the age of 25 is starting to get a bit ‘old’ to start in Formula 1, although it is not uncommon to see top drivers over the age of 35 on the grid in the premier class. The key is to accumulate experience to consolidate our learning and build confidence in the teams.

What do you need to obtain to become a driver?

It will depend on your aspirations, but it won’t be cheap. The full list of things you need to acquire in your racing path includes the following expenses:

  • Driver’s license, medical examinations, insurance.
  • Driver’s equipment approved by the International Automobile Federation: a helmet, HANS (Head and Neck Support Device), fireproof overalls and underwear, boots, and underhelmet. 
  • Registration fees for racing events. With the registration fee, the rider has access to all the services derived from the competition: the use of the circuit, assistance from the stewards, application of the rules, garage and the necessary supplies for its use, trophies, etc.
  • The race car. The costliest element of your equipment. It can be either bought, rented, or modernized following international requirements.
  • The appropriate team of mechanics. Although the chassis and engines are the same in every competing car, the team’s experience and capabilities still make a difference, and being part of a modest or second-tier team makes it very difficult to obtain outstanding results.

In summary, a season as an amateur driver at the national level and with few pretensions can be costly because of the license, equipment, and race entries. From there, the type of car and its potential will determine an additional budget that we can alleviate with formulas such as sharing a car with another driver, which is usually done in endurance events or competitions with several races over the weekend.

The road to Formula 1

If we have decided that our personal or our child’s goal is to make it to the top, we must assume that a long journey through the circuit racing pyramid, where Formula 1 is at the top, awaits us.

This, in addition to a lot of time, dedication, and sacrifice, involves spending a considerable amount of money to qualify for the best equipment and to compete with the best teams if our level allows it. This is what we see in all the existing professional racing champions’ essay examples.

If our aspirations are professional, as would be the case, the first thing to do is to start with karting, which has numerous categories depending on the age and characteristics of the kart.

Formula 3 already demands a very high sporting level and financial outlay.

After a few years of experience and victories, single-seaters are the logical step towards the top, so a championship such as Formula Renault or Formula 4 is the most appropriate at first. However, there are other cheaper and less competitive options.

It is usual for the driver to spend at least a couple of seasons in each category to gain experience in the first year and obtain relevant results in the second while acquiring knowledge of aerodynamics, mechanics, and set-up as the single-seaters become faster, more powerful, and more complex.

If the results and the budget are good enough, the next step is Formula 3, where we already have significant international championships. In addition, this discipline has a Formula 1 support event on the same weekend and circuit, so the media exposure and exposure to the big teams and sponsors are very high.

The last step before F1 is Formula 2, a very competitive and expensive competition in which the presence on the track is limited, but the repercussion is very high. Suppose we don’t manage to get there, but we still want to aspire to professionalism. In that case, we can opt for other single-seater categories such as the American IndyCar, Formula E or try our luck in other circuit racing disciplines, which have official factory drivers from various brands who can enjoy great prestige and sporting and economic status, as well as allowing us to have a long sporting career as it is less dependent on age.

On the other hand, if we like dirt, we can opt for various categories of rallies, mountain climbs, rallycross, dirt or asphalt, raids, and other disciplines with different levels of specialization and professionalism but always at a lower cost than the circuits.

Hamilton narrows championship deficit to Verstappen by winning the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix

By
Andrew Kim
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Sir Lewis Hamilton took another swing towards Max Verstappen’s championship standings lead after the reigning seven-time Formula One champion notched a dominant win in the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix at Losail International Circuit on Sunday, November 21.

Hamilton, who started on pole position for the fourth time in 2021 and the 102nd of his career, was able to launch away from the field at the start and he never relinquished the top spot as he claimed the win by more than 25 seconds over runner-up Verstappen, who kept the seven-time champion within his sights and to maintain the lead in the standings by a narrow margin.

With the victory, Hamilton secured his seventh Grand Prix victory of the season and the 102nd victory of his F1 career as he reduced his deficit to Verstappen in the standings from 14 to eight while continuing his pursuit for a record-setting eighth F1 title. He also became the first competitor to achieve a Grand Prix victory in 30 different F1 circuits.

“It was a good weekend,” Hamilton said. “Super solid. I couldn’t really ask for any more. I would’ve loved to have got that extra point out there for the fastest lap, but obviously, I was against with the VSC, obviously with the tyre punctures and everything like that, it was just too risky. It’s been great this weekend. First stint was really strong, [Verstappen and Red Bull] were still really fast as you could see. They went past people so easily. We’ve been strong, so I’m excited for these next two races. I think we’ve got a good car. If we can get the car in a good place these next two [races, I think we should be real strong.”

Verstappen, who originally qualified on the front row but fell back to seventh as part of a five-place grid penalty for failing to respect double waved yellow flags in qualifying, was able to march his way to the front and settle in second place for the seventh time this season. By pitting in the final laps and notching the fastest time of the event, where he earned an additional point, he maintains the top spot in the standings and maintains his quest for his first F1 title with two races remaining to the schedule.

“It was an exciting start,” Verstappen said. “It got really close with Fernando [Alonso] into Turn 2, but the race, quite quickly, I was back into P2. From there on, as I tried to keep the gap small so that I could not do a pit stop or like an extra pit stop, and it worked out well because we did the fastest lap like that and any weekend where you like pace and still finish second and get that fastest lap point, I think it’s good. Overall, we’re still lacking pace, also in the race, but of course, very happy with this result.”

Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso, who started in third place, made an aggressive one-stop strategy work to his perfection after the two-time F1 champion fended off Sergio “Checo” Perez to finish in third place and claim his first podium result since finishing in second place in the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix. With the result, Alonso, who returned to F1 competition this season since retiring in 2018, became the 13th different competitor to achieve an F1 podium in 2021 as he recorded the first podium result for Alpine F1 Team since the team won the Hungarian Grand Prix in August with Esteban Ocon.

“The love keeps going for this track,” Alonso, who was voted Driver of the Day, said. “The car was mega again on the race and we could keep up the pace with Perez and in front of the McLarens, the Ferraris, so I think we were, maybe on pure pace, fourth or fifth, but then obviously, we gambled on the strategy, only one stop. Perez did two [pit stops] and we managed to step on the podium with two great champions, Max and Lewis. That means a lot for me as well. After seven years, waiting for a podium, it was tough sometimes. You go up and down on your career and you need to keep up, never give up and show some determination, some dedication to this sport because you dedicate your life to Formula One, to train and to prepare for the next race. It doesn’t matter if you’re 11th, if you’re 15th or eventually, when you come fight for a podium like today. I love racing and this podium means a lot.”

Perez settled in fourth-place for his 13th top-five result of the season.

Esteban Ocon, teammate to Alonso, finished in fifth place for his first top-five result since claiming his maiden Grand Prix victory at Hungary in August, thus keeping the Alpine F1 Team ahead of AlphaTauri for fifth place in the Constructors’ standings. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll finished in sixth place for his best result of the season and for his ninth top-10 points-paying result of the season.

Teammates Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc kept Ferrari situated in third place in the constructor’s standings by finishing seventh and eighth followed by McLaren’s Lando Norris, the first competitor scored a lap behind the leaders. Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel rounded out the top 10 on the track.

Finishing just outside of the top 10 was AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly, who started on the front row for the first time in his career but who failed to make a two-tyre strategy work.

Daniel Ricciardo settled in 12th place ahead of rookie Yuki Tsunoda, Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi, who is down to his final two F1 races this season and with Alfa Romeo.

Haas’ Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin finished 16th and 18th while Williams Racing’s George Russell and Nicholas Latifi ended up in 17th and 19th after both suffered late tyre punctures. While Russell was able to return to his pit stall and finish the race two laps behind the leaders, Latifi was unable to do so as he retired on the track in 19th place.

Valtteri Bottas, who received a three-place grid penalty and was relegated to sixth place, was able to methodically work his way towards the front in the first half of the event. His race, however, went away on Lap 33 when he suffered a left-front tyre puncture as he slid off the track  and into the gravel in Turn 7. Despite recovering from the issue, he ended up retiring on Lap 50 and in 20th place, dead last, as he retained third place in the driver’s standings by 13 points over Perez.

Results:

1. Lewis Hamilton, 25 points

2. Max Verstappen, 19 points

3. Fernando Alonso, 15 points

4. Sergio Perez, 12 points

5. Esteban Ocon, 10 points

6. Lance Stroll, eight points

7. Carlos Sainz, six points

8. Charles Leclerc, four points

9. Lando Norris, two points, +1 lap

10. Sebastian Vettel, one point, +1 lap 

11. Pierre Gasly, +1 lap

12. Daniel Ricciardo, +1 lap

13. Yuki Tsunoda, +1 lap

14. Kimi Räikkönen, +1 lap

15. Antonio Giovinazzi, +1 lap

16. Mick Schumacher, +1 lap

17. George Russell, +2 laps

18. Nikita Mazepin, +2 laps

19. Nicholas Latifi – Retired

20. Valtteri Bottas – Retired 

Max Verstappen continues to lead the drivers’ standings by eight points over Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team continues to lead the constructors’ standings by five points over Red Bull Racing Honda.

With two races remaining in the schedule, the 2021 Formula One season will be taking its final off-week period before returning for the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Street Circuit on November 5.

Nitro Rallycross Delivers Intense Battles and Airtight Finishes at So Cal Opener

By
Official Release
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KEVIN HANSEN TOPS TRAVIS PASTRANA IN SUPERCAR QUALIFYING;

CASPER JANSSON WINS NRX NEXT FINAL

Racing Resumes Sunday with Supercar Class Finals

(Los Angeles – November 20, 2021) Nitro Rallycross threw the Southern California round of its 2021 championship series into high gear on day one of the tour’s penultimate stop at iconic Glen Helen Raceway. The elite field of world class drivers, including Travis Pastrana (USA), Tanner Foust USA), Scott Speed (USA) and more, showcased Nitro RX’s high adrenaline action which featured 100-ft jumps, metal-on-metal passes and classic finishes, all on the series’ latest revolutionary track.

In the top Supercar class, Pastrana came out of the gate strong in the Battle Brackets qualifier and advanced through to the final, where he faced off against Kevin Hansen (SWE). While previously Pastrana had set the pace, Hansen immediately dropped the hammer, shutting the door on Pastrana and taking the inside line at the start. The pair battled throughout, with Pastrana even taking the joker lap with Hansen. Seeing an opening to make a decisive move, Pastrana passed Hansen on the inside, but shot wide. Hansen then retook the lead and held on for the win. The victory, Hansen’s second top qualifier of the series, secured pole position for the Sunday heat of his choice as well as four series points.

In another highlight from the day, Speed faced Kevin Eriksson (SWE) in round two.  After Speed’s textbook start, Eriksson steadily gained ground to get side-by-side on the final lap. It was back and forth right down to the wire, with Eriksson poised to overtake Speed as they launched across the finish line, but he came up just 0.047 of a second short. Afterwards four-time X Games medalist Liam Doran (GBR) called it the best racing of the series so far.

The Supercar competition resumes on Sunday with series of heats, semifinals, and a last-chance qualifier (LCQ). Both a spot in the eight-car final as well as the opportunity to earn more championship points on the line, which is all the more crucial with only one more round remaining.

Supercar Qualifying Order (Round 4):

FinishCar #NameNationTeam
19Kevin HansenSWERed Bull Hansen NRX Team
2199Travis PastranaUSASubaru Motorsports USA
335Fraser McConnellJAMOlsbergs MSE
441Scott SpeedUSASubaru Motorsports USA
513Andreas BakkerudNORZipRecruiter / Subaru Motorsports USA
623Kevin ErikssonSWEOlsbergs MSE
716Oliver ErikssonSWEXCITE Energy Racing
821Timmy HansenSWERed Bull Hansen NRX Team
900Steve ArpinCANGRX Loenbro
1033Liam DoranGBRMonster Energy RX Cartel
114Robin LarssonSWEMonster Energy RX Cartel
1234Tanner FoustUSADreyer Reinbold Racing
1381Ronalds BaldinsLATOlsbergs MSE
1402Cabot BighamUSADreyer Reinbold Racing
1542Oliver BennettGBRXCITE Energy Racing

In the NRX Next developmental class, Casper Jansson (SWE) scored his second finals victory. Late in the deciding race, Sage Karam (USA) had a prime opportunity to extend his streak of three-straight wins. But Jansson, who had steadily worked his way up the pack, seemingly came out of nowhere with a pass on the joker to move into first. Karam then fought off mechanical issues to hold on to third place with George Megennis (USA) finishing second.

NRX Next Final (Round 7):

FinishCar #NameNationTeam
136Casper JanssonSWEEnlunds Motorsport
29George MegennisUSA#YellowSquad
324Sage KaramUSADreyer Reinbold Racing
421Conner MartellUSA 
599Eric GordonUSABak 40 Motorsport
660Martin EnlundSWEEnlunds Motorsport
755Lane VacalaUSADreyer Reinbold Racing
805Kyle SchwartzUSASTS RX

More Supercar and NRX Next action is on deck Sunday at Glen Helen Raceway, a premier off-road racing destination and home of the AMA 125/250 MX Nationals, the Off-Road Winter Series and the National MX track.

To experience Nitro RX’s high-flying action in person, tickets can be purchased at https://www.nitrorallycross.com/calendar. Fans can also watch live on Peacock in the U.S. as well as on YouTube worldwide.

2021 NITRO RALLYCROSS SCHEDULE

Sept. 24-25 // Utah Motorsports Campus // Salt Lake City, Utah

Oct. 2-3 // ERX Motor Park // Minneapolis, Minnesota

Nov. 13-14 // Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park // Phoenix, Arizona

Nov. 20-21 // Glen Helen Raceway // Southern California

Dec. 4-5 // The FIRM // North Florida

MEDIA ASSETS:

Photo assets coming soon

ABOUT NITRO RALLYCROSS

Launched in 2018 by motorsports icon Travis Pastrana and the innovators of Nitro Circus, Nitro Rallycross has revolutionized motorsport. With innovative purpose-built courses, banked turns inspired by the wide-open action of Supercross and short-form, head-to-head competition, Nitro Rallycross creates high-impact, thrill-packed racing. NRX’s custom-built permanent tracks – featuring the biggest jumps seen in motorsports – create unrivaled racing excitement. The full-throttle competition is now set to go global, as Nitro Rallycross expands into a full standalone championship series. Looking ahead to 2022, NRX will also add an electric Supercar circuit featuring the all-new FC1-X, the most powerful Rallycross vehicle ever built. For more information, visit NitroRallycross.com.

Nitro Rallycross is part of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment. Thrill One is a next-generation content company that lives at the nexus of sports, entertainment and lifestyle, combining the resources of Nitro Circus, Street League Skateboarding, Nitro Rallycross and Thrill One Media. A multi-media platform founded in 2020, Thrill One is dedicated to creating mind-blowing action sports events and original content, fueled by the most daring athletes, talent and brands in thrill-based entertainment. It also boasts one of the largest aggregate social audiences in action sports, with more than 40 million followers across its multiple brand pages and channels. Visit thrillone.com/ for additional information.

LOGAN SEAVEY WINS LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR MAIN AT HANGTOWN 100

By
Official Release
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(Upland, CA, November 19, 2021) USAC racing star Logan Seavey made a cameo appearance in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series/Bay Cities Racing Association co-sanctioned “Hangtown 100” and won the 25-lap main event Thursday night at the Placerville Speedway. The win was his first ever in the CLS.

The fastest 12 qualifiers garnered points. The heat races used an ASCS formula that distributed points by combining finishing positions and passing points. When those points were tallied up after the heats, the top sixteen drivers went straight into the main event. Drivers that did not accumulate enough points to get into the top sixteen ran a twelve lap B main. The top four finishers in the B earned the final spots for the main event.

Seavey began the evening on the right foot by being the fastest of 34-qualifiers with a time of 12.558 on the quarter-mile oval. San Diego’s A.J. Bender, winner of the “5th Annual Western States Lightning Sprint Car Championship” at the Bakersfield Speedway on Tuesday night, was second fastest with a lap of 12.624.  Alex Lewis, who traveled south from Bellingham, Washington for the race, was third best in time trials with a 12.663.

Placerville regular Scott Kinney of Citrus Heights, El Cajon 14-year-old Braden Chiaramonte, Lakeside teen Grant Sexton and Bender captured the four, eight lap heat races.

Modesto’s Jozef Ferolito, Placerville local Brandon Leedy, Gardena’s Dominic Del Monte and Fargo, North Dakota’s Cody Meyer took the four transfers in the hotly contested B main.

For the main event, Lewis was on the pole, and he had Seavey alongside. Row two was made up of Sexton Gatlin teammates Sexton and Bender. The third row featured Chiaramonte on the inside with Levi Klatt from Langley, British Columbia Canada next to him. CLS teens David Gasper of Santa Barbara and Palmdale’s Eric Greco, who were still battling for the series championship, staffed row four.

Seavey leapt into the lead when the green light flashed to start the main event, but the proceedings did not get far. Mid-pack starters Brent Sexton, and the Citrus Heights duo of Hunter Kinney and Scott Kinney got together on the front straight. Hunter and Sexton flipped, and the red flag immediately replaced the green. Except for hurt feelings, the drivers suffered no injuries. However, all three of their cars suffered too much damage to continue and they were done for the night.

Once the three wrecked cars were towed off the track, 17 cars raced to the green flag. Seavey jumped into the lead, in the Bullet Motorsports/El Dorado Landscaped/Adco Driveline and Custom Exhaust/Jack Morgan Graphics/T&G Racing #51, at the beginning over Lewis and Bender.

Grant Sexton was fifth at the outset and moved up to fourth on lap six. Unfortunately, his race began to unravel on lap ten when he bicycled going into one and slid off the track. That resulted in a yellow flag that sent him to the back of the pack.

The lap ten restart saw Seavey at the point with Lewis, second and Bender in third. Chiaramonte assumed the fourth-place spot with Klatt in fifth. The race went four more laps before Sexton again slid off the track in the same spot bringing out another yellow. The top four was the same for the restart, but the race only got to the 15th circuit when Sexton got upside down halting the action once more. That proved to be the end of a very uncharacteristic night for the driver who leads the POWRi Southwest Lightning Series championship standings.

After the race restarted, Bender began to attack second-place Lewis and coming off turn two on the sixteenth go around, he used the outside line to race by the Pacific Northwest driver and set his sights on Seavey. However, the race would not stay green for long. For the second time in 48-hours, disaster struck for fourth place running Chiaramonte on lap 18. Tuesday at Bakersfield, he was a full straight ahead of the competition when his engine exploded in a spectacular ball of flames. This time, on the same lap and nearly the same spot on the track, the teen caught a piece of the inside berm in turn one and flipped wildly bringing out a red flag. Fortunately, he was uninjured, but his car needed major physical attention.

After the cleanup from Chiaramonte’s aeronautics, Bender hung close to Seavey for three laps, but the race long leader eventually pulled away and as the checkered waved over the field, he had an eight-length advantage over Bender. Pole sitter Lewis was third with Klatt fourth. Yucca Valley’s Jeff Dyer came all the way from 12th to finish fifth. B main winner Ferolito was the race “Hard Charger” finishing seventh after starting 17th.

With two races to go in the season, Gasper increased his point lead from 13-points to 65 over Turnbull. Greco, after his Bakersfield fiasco, recovered with a ninth-place finish and was just four-point shy of Turnbull. Dyer and Bender stayed fourth and fifth.

Fans can witness Saturday’s finale at the Placerville Speedway which is located at 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville (95667). The grandstands will open at 3:00 PM with racing at 6:30. The website for the track is at the following link https://www.placervillespeedway.com/. The office phone is (530) 344-7592.

Fans around the world who cannot attend the races, will be able to watch all four live on The Flo Racing PPV site at https://www.floracing.com/

The CLS would like to thank 2021 series sponsors Hoosier Tires, T Shirts by Timeless, TJ Forged Racing Wheels, and Walker Performance Filtration. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, please call Alex Grigoreas at (909) 437-3170.

To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints

Bakersfield Speedway 25-Lap Main Event Finish (with starting positions)

1. Logan Seavey – Sutter, CA – 2nd

2. A.J. Bender – San Diego, CA – 4th

3. Alex Lewis – Bellingham, WA – 1st

4. Levi Klatt – Langley, BC, Canada – 6th

5. Jeff Dyer – Yucca Valley, CA – 12th

6. David Gasper – Santa Barbara, CA – 7th

7. Joseph Ferolito – Modesto, CA – 17th

8. Dakota Albright – Rutherford, CA – 16th

9. Eric Greco – Palmdale, CA – 8th  

10. Brandon Leedy – Placerville, CA – 18th

11. Dominic Del Monte – Gardena, CA – 19th   

12. Chris Crowder – Colorado Springs, CO – 13th

13. Greg Dennett – Fremont, CA – 14th  

14. Cody Meyer – Fargo, ND – 20th   

15. Braden Chiaramonte – El Cajon, CA – 5th

16. Grant Sexton – Lakeside, CA – 3rd

17. James Turnbull – Indio, CA – 15th

18 Brent Sexton – Lakeside, CA – 9th

19. Hunter Kinney – Citrus Heights, CA – 10th

20. Scott Kinney – Citrus Heights, CA – 11th

Lap Leaders: Seavey 1-25

Hard Charger: Josef Ferolito: 17th – Finish 7th  

Lightning Sprint Car Series Points

1. David Gasper ® – Santa Barbara, CA – 1662

2. James Turnbull – Indio – 1597

3. Eric Greco – Palmdale, CA – 1593

4. Jeff Dyer – Yucca Valley, CA – 1487

5. A.J. Bender – San Diego, CA – 1225

6. Dominic Del Monte – Gardena, CA – 1160

7. Jon Robertson – Torrance, CA – 1046

8. Pat Kelley – Chino, CA – 871

9. Aiden Lange – Lakewood, CA – 815

10. Bobby Michnowicz – Oak Hills, CA – 807

CLS/BCRA Civil War Series Point Standings

1. Dave Gasper – CLS – 461

2. James Turnbull – CLS – 410

3. Eric Greco – CLS – 391

4. Brandon Leedy – BCRA – 372

5. Jeff Dyer – CLS – 337

6. Terry Bergstrom – BCRA – 331

7. Dominic Del Monte – CLS – 312

8. Dakota Albright – BCRA – 306

8. Bobby Michnowicz – CLS – 276

10. Aiden Lange – CLS – 235

2021 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule

March 13                   Bakersfield Speedway – Eric Greco

April 10                       Bakersfield Speedway – Bobby Michnowicz

April 24                      Merced Speedway (Wayne Albright Memorial – Round #1 of the Civil War Series with BCRA – Wingless) – James Turnbull

May 15                       Bakersfield Speedway – A.J. Bender

June 5                        Ventura Raceway – A.J. Bender

June 19                      Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford) – Postponed due to heat.

July 3                          Santa Maria Speedway – Eric Greco

July 24                       Santa Maria Speedway (Wing Madness #1) Santa Maria – A.J. Bender

August 7                    Merced Speedway (Civil War Series #2 with BCRA – Winged) – Dave Gasper

August 28                  Ventura Raceway – Eric Greco

September 18           Bakersfield Speedway (Civil War #3 with BCRA – Winged) – Kevin Michnowicz

September 19           The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – David Gasper

October 2                  Ventura Raceway – Eric Greco

October 30                Ventura Raceway – Jeff Dyer

November 16            Bakersfield Speedway (Civil War #4 with BCRA – Winged – Western States Lightning Sprint Car Championship) – A.J. Bender

November 18            Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with BCRA and in companion with the USAC National Midgets)

November 19             Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with BCRA and in companion with the USAC National Midgets)

November 20            Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with BCRA and in companion with the USAC National Midgets)

PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS

1994 Tony Everhart

1995 Gary Sexton

1996 Rob Sczymczak

1997 Jon Rahe

1998 Chris Rahe

1999 Brent Sexton

2000 Greg Bragg

2001 Greg Bragg

2002 Greg Bragg

2003 David Cardey

2004 Keith Janca

2005 Johnny Bates

2006 Donny Gansen

2007 Shane Rossen

2008 Brent Sexton

2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr.

2010 Jarrett Kramer

2011 Tim Brown

2012 Bobby Michnowicz

2013 Stephen Limon                                                  

2014 Bobby Michnowicz

2015 Bobby Michnowicz

2016 Bobby Michnowicz

2017 Bobby Michnowicz

2018 Jarrett Kramer

2019 Jarrett Kramer

Wayne Taylor Racing Claims IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup

By
Official Release
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Justice Brothers Factory effort bookends big 2021 season with another title at Road Atlanta

BRASELTON, Ga. (19 Nov. 2021) – Justice Brothers wrapped up a successful 2021 sports car racing campaign with partner team Wayne Taylor Racing winning the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup with a close third-place finish at the Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque and Alexander Rossi took the unique title, based on positions at various race distances in the four endurance classics on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, Sahlen’s Six Hours of Watkins Glen, and Petit Le Mans. Justice Brothers won Petit Le Mans with the Taylors in 2018 and 2020.

Taylor and Albuquerque also came within an eyelash of capturing the 2021 DPi championship in the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ASRX-05. Leading the standings since winning the season-opening Rolex 24, Taylor made a bold if unlikely pass across the grass to take the crucial second-place position entering the final turn at Road Atlanta. Action Express driver Felipe Nasr, however, was able to maintain momentum and regained the position – and the season championship – by 0.405-seconds at the checkered flag.

“This was the hardest weekend in recent memory,” Ricky Taylor said. “It was a trying weekend where we didn’t have pace until the race. I think the way the race was going and what we saw at the end was all the drivers doing our best to pay the guys back and earn what the team deserves. It’s an incredibly disappointing result, but we’re lucky to be able to fight like this.

“I think the positive is that we have the shortest offseason we’ve ever had this year, so we can go straight to Daytona and finish next season like we wanted to finish this one: one spot higher,” Taylor added.

Justice Brothers also sponsored three additional contenders – all of whom led Petit Le Mans at different stages of the challenging race.

Meyer Shank Racing was one of the cars to beat in DPi. Helio Castroneves – who captured his fourth Indianapolis 500 victory earlier this year with support from Justice Brothers – joined Juan Pablo Montoya and Dane Cameron in the No. 60 Acura ARX-05. The car was in contention for the victory until floor damage led to its retirement in the final hour.

The Sebring-winning No. 5 JDC-Miller Motorsports Cadillac DPi-V.R of Tristan Nunez, Loic Duval and Sebastien Bourdais led four times for 33 laps, and was in the hunt until dropping out with just over one hour remaining.

Performance Tech Motorsports’ No. 38 Rediscover My Life Ligier JSP320 of Dan Goldburg, Miathe Jakobsen and Rasmus Lindh paced practice and qualified second in the LMP3 category. The team led two laps, but was forced to retire with a mechanical failure with three hours and 30 minutes remaining.

Justice Brothers, Inc. is a manufacturer and worldwide distributor of over 100 car care products, fleet, farm, and industrial lubricants and cleaners. Since their beginnings in the additive industry, the Justice Brothers Corporation has been an innovator in the development of technically advanced products to solve problems in the automotive service industry. During their over 85 years in the automotive industry, Justice Brothers has built a large and loyal customer base that encompasses quick lubes, dealerships, and independent auto stores.

Justice Brothers will be looking for its fifth Rolex 24 victory with the Taylors since 2017 when the 2022 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship begins on Jan. 29-30.

What Kind of Interior Accessories are Mandatory for Jeep Grand Cherokee?

By
SM
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The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a popular SUV because of its all-around excellence when it comes to power, safety, and comfort. 

Besides, it has a quality and stylish interior. But if you want to make your stay inside as enjoyable as possible, there are interior accessories that are a must-have. 

Yeah, you heard that right! So, what kind of interior accessories are mandatory for Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Well, in this article, we take a look at the top 5 most important accessories that your Grand Cherokee should have. Check them out.

5 Jeep Grand Cherokee Interior Accessories

  1. Car Storage Organizer

Using storage organizers in your Jeep Grand Cherokee is a great way to ensure that your things stay in an orderly fashion. This is especially important if you have kids. 

Storage organizers help reduce distractions while driving, which could cause accidents. Also, they allow you to find your items quickly and make it easy to clean and vacuum your vehicle’s interior. 

Generally, when it comes to car storage organizers, they are available in different types. For instance, there are cargo trunk organizers and seatback organizers to keep the back of your Jeep neat. 

Additionally, there are cargo net trunk organizers designed to help keep your groceries, tools, and gear in one place. 

  1. Jeep Grand Cherokee Floor Mats

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is popularly known for its off-road capabilities. However, it also has a luxurious interior. Unfortunately, maintaining its luxurious interior can be challenging, especially if you love off-road driving.

But with high-quality Jeep Grand Cherokee floor mats, you can keep the interior of your vehicle as good as new. These mats are built to offer the best possible protection for your vehicle’s floor by trapping dirt, mud, road salt, and debris. 

The important thing here is investing in the best all-weather mats that are not only durable but also high-quality. More importantly, be sure to check Garage Deed lists for your peace of mind.

  1. USB Car Charger Adapter

Sometimes you may forget to charge your phone. Unfortunately, this can be a problem when you have to use your device to conduct business and your phone battery dies. 

Therefore, to ensure that your device does not run out of power, it is important to have a USB car charger adapter. This way, you can conduct your business on the go and avoid embarrassing dropped calls. 

However, you must get an adapter with a high amp output so you can charge multiple devices at the same time. 

Also Check: Is the Jeep Gladiator a Good Truck?

  1. Car Phone Holder Mount

Driving your Jeep Grand Cherokee while on phone is against the law. However, sometimes situations usually compel people to break this law. 

Unfortunately, being on the phone while driving can lead to people causing accidents. The good news is that with a car phone holder mount, you can enjoy hands-free conversations. 

You see, these phone mounts are designed to hold your device securely when driving. The best part is that most of them are compatible with a wide range of phones.

Simply put, these mounts help ensure distraction-free driving while allowing you to enjoy hands-free music and GPS navigation. 

  1. Car Garbage Can

If you want to keep your Jeep Grand Cherokee’s interior tidy, then a car garbage can is a must-have. You see, it can be frustrating when people leave trash in your vehicle.

But with the best car garbage can, you will never have to worry about dirt being left inside your Jeep. And if you often travel with your pets or kids, a garbage can becomes a must-have interior accessory. 

Just make sure to get the right size garbage bin that will not take up too much space inside your car. Also, get a can that is easy to use, install, and clean up.

Final Words

There are so many awesome aftermarket accessories available for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, the above interior accessories are mandatory if you own a Jeep Grand Cherokee. This is because they are designed to enhance the quality of your ride and your driving comfort. 

Read More: Why Are F1 Steering Wheels So Expensive?

How to choose the best automobile and home insurance bundles

By
SM
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Photo by Thirsty Turf Irrigation on Unsplash

If you are a homeowner and also own an automobile, you may want to consider obtaining your insurance coverage from one provider, commonly known as bundling. Finding the best auto and home insurance coverage can be challenging, as the discounts will vary when you choose to bundle. You may save 10% on your auto insurance premium, but save a larger percentage on your home insurance.

Most insurance companies offer a discount for this service, which usually means lower prices for you. Another advantage is that you only have to deal with one agent to handle all of your insurance needs. Savings will vary by company, ranging from approximately 10% to 25%, and sometimes higher.

Also, keep in mind that your first steps should include researching different insurance agencies and obtaining quotes from each. Working with a local independent insurance agency can be especially helpful, as an independent agent often has access to multiple insurance companies and can assist you in comparing options.

Get Separate Quotes

It is also a good idea to request separate quotes for your home and auto insurance, then compare them with the price you would pay when bundling. And remember, there are other factors that can influence your insurance rates. It may come as a surprise that a poor credit rating will often cause a price increase when your insurance policy renews. A poor driving record will also affect the price you pay.

Your first instinct may be to accept the first policy that offers the best price, but you need to ensure it is not only affordable but also provides the benefits you need.

Make certain that it includes protection for your home, personal property, outside structures, living expenses that may occur, and, if applicable, flood or earthquake coverage. You also need to ensure that the amount of insurance you have is proportionate to your needs.  

Excellent customer service is another issue to examine. Your relationship with your insurance provider can be crucial when you have to file a claim. It is always helpful to take a look at reviews from people who have previously dealt with the company, and their experiences can give you added confidence in your decision.

In Closing

Take all of the above items into consideration when it’s time to renew your insurance policies. And when your policy is up for renewal, or anytime you have a major change in your life, it’s a good idea to re-evaluate your needs so that you can make an informed decision.

There are sites that can help you compare rates from different companies to assist you in your research. If you have an independent insurance agent, they probably have a relationship with multiple companies, so they can often provide you with guidance.

To summarize, bundling your insurance can save you money and can make filing claims simpler and more streamlined, as you only have to deal with one company to handle all your insurance needs. And remember to take time each year to reassess your needs. Major life changes, such as marriage, divorce, and having children, will affect your insurance needs. The best decision is an informed decision.  

ARCA Menards East and West Schedules Announced

By
Official Release
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Eleven Races Set for West; Seven Slated in East

TOLEDO, Oh. – (Nov. 19, 2021) – The schedules for the ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Series West have been finalized, with seven races slated for the East and eleven set for the West.

The ARCA Menards East season will commence with the series’ ninth visit to New Smyrna Speedway on Tuesday, February 15. The ARCA Menards West season kicks off a month later with a combination race with the ARCA Menards Series at Phoenix Raceway on Friday, March 11.

The highlights:

  • The East season will start with two consecutive races in Florida as Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola follows New Smyrna on Saturday, March 19.
  • Dover International Speedway and Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway will once again host the series on April 29 and May 7, respectively. The concrete one-mile Dover oval will be the fastest track on the East schedule.
  • The East season will conclude with three straight combination events with the ARCA Menards Series at Iowa Speedway on June 11, The Milwaukee Mile on August 28, and the season finale at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 15.
  • Irwindale Speedway and Portland International Raceway will both host a pair of West events, with Irwindale’s set for March 26 and July 2, while the Portland road course events will be June 4 and September 3.
  • Kern County Raceway Park returns to the schedule after a year’s absence on April 23, while Evergreen Speedway also returns on August 20. The race at Evergreen is slated to be the 1000th race in West Series history dating back to 1954.
  • Traditional events at Sonoma Raceway, All-American Speedway, and The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway all return.
  • The West season finale remains at Phoenix Raceway on November 5, part of NASCAR Championship Weekend at the one-mile desert oval.
  • The East races at Dover and Bristol will be part of conjunction weekends with the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
  • West races at Phoenix will be in conjunction with the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and/or the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series; one race at Portland will be in conjunction with the NTT Data IndyCar Series and the other will be in conjunction with the NASCAR Xfinity Series; the Sonoma race will be in conjunction with the NASCAR Cup Series.

The complete 2022 ARCA Menards Series East schedule:

Feb. 15                New Smyrna Speedway                                New Smyrna Beach, FL

March 19             Five Flags Speedway                                      Pensacola, FL

April 29                Dover International Speedway                   Dover, DE

May 7                   Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway               Nashville, TN

June 11                Iowa Speedway                                               Newton, IA

Aug. 28                The Milwaukee Mile                                      West Allis, WI

Sept. 15               Bristol Motor Speedway                               Bristol, TN

The complete 2022 ARCA Menards Series West schedule:

March 11             Phoenix Raceway                                           Avondale, AZ

March 26             Irwindale Speedway                                      Irwindale, CA

April 23                Kern County Raceway Park                          Bakersfield, CA

June 4                  Portland International Raceway                Portland, OR

June 11                Sonoma Raceway                                          Sonoma, CA

July 2                    Irwindale Speedway                                      Irwindale, CA

Aug. 20                Evergreen Speedway                                     Evergreen, WA

Sept. 3                 Portland International Raceway                Portland, OR

Oct. 1                   All-American Speedway                                Roseville, CA

Oct. 14                 The Bullring at LVMS                                     Las Vegas, NV

Nov. 5                  Phoenix Raceway                                           Avondale, AZ

All dates are tentative and subject to change.

Race start times and broadcast schedules will be announced at a later date.

About ARCA

The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly racing all across the country, the organization is scheduled to administer more than 100 events in multiple racing series in 2022, including the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, the ARCA/CRA Super Series, and the ARCA Midwest Tour, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.  For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing).

Practice & Qualifying Return With Knockout-Style Format in 2022

By
Official Release
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NASCAR to Implement Group-Based Qualifying for Three National Series

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (November 19, 2021) – NASCAR today announced the return of practice and qualifying to its race weekends in 2022, with a dramatic knockout-style qualifying format setting the starting lineup for each NASCAR Cup Series race.

The announcement comes after nearly two seasons with race weekends largely held without practice or qualifying – a procedure born out of necessity to reduce travel days and on-site personnel while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, all events across all three NASCAR national series are scheduled to include qualifying.

“NASCAR is excited to return practice and qualifying to its race weekends,” said Scott Miller, NASCAR senior vice president of competition. “We missed seeing cars and trucks on track all weekend long, and so did our fans. We worked closely with our broadcast partners, teams and racetracks to create an exciting, unique qualifying format, while keeping several of the efficiencies that helped our entire industry successfully navigate the pandemic.”

For a majority of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, the field will be split into two groups and participate in a practice and qualifying event that will last approximately two hours. The two-hour window will allow broadcast partners ample time and ability to cover the entire field, bringing wide-ranging, in-depth stories and insight to millions of fans each and every weekend.

During six NASCAR Cup Series weekends, five NASCAR Xfinity Series weekends and eight NASCAR Camping World Truck Series weekends, NASCAR will implement an extended practice weekend schedule, which will feature one standalone 50-minute practice as well as a qualifying event.

Daytona International Speedway’s Speedweeks and the lead-up to the DAYTONA 500 will employ the extended practice format for all three series. Busch Pole Award Qualifying for the DAYTONA 500 is scheduled for Wednesday evening, Feb. 16, 2022.

NASCAR Cup Series

Oval Qualifying

  • Group A and Group B will each receive 15 minutes of practice
    • Groups set by odd/even finishing order of previous race
  • Qualifying Round 1 (Group A) – single car, one lap*
    • Top 5 transfer to Final Round
  • Qualifying Round 1 (Group B) – single car, one lap*
    • Top 5 transfer to Final Round
  • Qualifying Final Round (10 cars) – single car, one lap*

* — Two laps at Bristol, Dover, Martinsville and Richmond

Superspeedways

  • Qualifying Round 1 (all cars) – single car, one lap
    • Top 10 transfer to Final Round
  • Qualifying Final Round (10 cars) – single car, one lap

Road Course

  • Group A and Group B will each receive 20 minutes of practice
  • Qualifying Round 1 (Group A) – 15-minute timed session
    • Top 5 transfer to Final Round
  • Qualifying Round 1 (Group B) – 15-minute timed session
    • Top 5 transfer to Final Round
  • Qualifying Final Round (10 cars) – 10-minute timed session

Dirt

  • Two 50-minute practice sessions
  • 4 qualifying races determine the field and lineup for the main race; order of qualifying races based on random draw

Extended Practice Weekends

  • Events:Daytona 500, Atlanta-1, Bristol Dirt, WWT Raceway at Gateway, Nashville, Phoenix-2
  • One standalone 50-minute practice replaces group practice sessions
  • Qualifying procedure is based on the track type, following the procedures above

NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (90 minutes)

Oval Qualifying

  • 20-minute practice for all vehicles
  • Qualifying (all vehicles) – single vehicle, one lap*

* — Two laps at Bristol, Dover, Martinsville and Richmond

Superspeedways, NCWTS Dirt

  • Same as NASCAR Cup Series format

Road Courses

  • All vehicles receive 20 minutes of practice in a single session
  • Qualifying Round 1 (Group A) – 15-minute timed session
    • Top 5 transfer to Final Round
  • Qualifying Round 1 (Group B) – 15-minute timed session
    • Top 5 transfer to Final Round
  • Qualifying Final Round (10 vehicles) – 10-minute timed session

Extended Practice Weekends

  • NXS:Daytona-1, Atlanta-1, Portland, Nashville, Phoenix-2
  • NCWTS:Daytona, Atlanta, Bristol Dirt, Knoxville, Sonoma, Mid-Ohio, Nashville, Phoenix-2
  • One standalone 50-minute practice replaces group practice sessions
  • Qualifying procedure is based on the track type, following the procedures above
2022-NASCAR-Qualifying-Graphic

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’).

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