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NASCAR and Champion’s Week Return to Nashville

By
Official Release
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Annual postseason celebration set to honor

NASCAR Champions in the Music City during 2021 Awards

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 11, 2021) – As the 2021 season comes to an end, NASCAR prepares for a return to Nashville from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 to host its annual Champion’s Week celebration.

The NASCAR Awards held on Dec. 2 at the Music City Center will formally crown this season’s champions, as fellow drivers, industry luminaries and celebrities descend upon the heart of downtown Nashville for the first time in two years to celebrate a memorable 2021 season.

In addition to the Cup Series Champion, NASCAR will honor the Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series champions in the largest Awards Show to date. In addition, the champions of the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, as well as the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national champion, have been invited to the NASCAR national series events in Nashville to celebrate their titles.

In addition to the Awards, the streets of Nashville will once again host the “Burnouts on Broadway presented by DoorDash” on Wednesday, Dec. 1 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. CT, an event where all drivers will look to leave their mark – literally – on lower Broadway under the neon-lit streets.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to return to Nashville to celebrate the champions of our sport,” said Pete Jung, SVP, Chief Marketing Officer at NASCAR. “Although we weren’t able to celebrate in person in Nashville last year, we saw the city’s energy and passion for motorsports on full display when we came to Nashville Superspeedway earlier this year. Nashville welcomed us with open arms in 2019 and we’re looking forward to another unforgettable Champion’s Week in Music City.”

The formal postseason Awards is a tradition that stretches back to 1981, when the event was held in New York City. It relocated to Las Vegas in 2009 and then called Nashville its home for the first time in 2019.

For more information on Champion’s Week, including a more detailed schedule and more, please visit www.nascar.com/championsweek

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’).

Top Ford Truck Builds of SEMA 2021

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Official Release
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AmericanTrucks’ New ‘The Haul’ Episode Takes Viewers to Vegas

PAOLI, Pa. (Nov 10th, 2021) – In this episode of AmericanTrucks’ (AT) ‘The Haul’ YouTube series, Justin Dugan is on location in Las Vegas, NV to check out the “biggest and baddest” Ford truck builds at SEMA 2021. The video includes vehicle walkarounds, event coverage, and what to expect at this year’s show.

“We’re going to be bringing you the hottest trucks of the show, not just F-150s but also the little guys, the big guys, and everything in between,” says Justin. After taking in the sights and sounds of the Ford Out Front playground, Justin heads over to some standout truck builds to give viewers a taste of what to expect when visiting the show. Inside at the Ford Booth, Justin shares footage and commentary on some of top picks: a BTR Customs F-150 Tremor, Ford F-100 Eluminator, Ford Performance Sport truck, 2021 F-150 Lighting, Tucci Hotrods’ Maverick, Skyjacker Suspensions’ 2021 Ranger, Air Design’s Maverick, and Addictive Desert Design‘s Raptor.

AT’s new episode of ‘The Haul’ shares the excitement of SEMA with a focus on noteworthy Ford truck builds. From the tried-and-true F150s/F250’s to new products like the Maverick and Bronco; there’s something for everyone at SEMA 2021. AT is committed to its community of truck owners and enthusiasts with event coverage, how-to videos, parts reviews, customer builds, and much more.

View it here: https://www.americantrucks.com/at-ford-sema-2021.html

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About AmericanTrucks

AmericanTrucks is regarded as one of the best, most reliable online aftermarket retailers providing parts and accessories for F150, F250, Ranger, Silverado, Sierra, and RAM. Catering to the needs and demands of late-model truck owners and enthusiasts, AmericanTrucks provides the best parts with support from genuine truck experts. Located just outside of Philadelphia, AmericanTrucks is dedicated to offering the truck community with the highest quality of parts and customer service. Please visit https://www.americantrucks.com for more information.

Brian Wilson joins Wood Brothers Racing as crew chief for Harrison Burton in 2022

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Simon Scoggins for SpeedwayMedia.com.

The legendary Wood Brothers Racing team took to social media to announce that Brian Wilson will be joining the organization to serve as crew chief for rookie Harrison Burton and the iconic No. 21 Ford Mustang team for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Wilson, a native from Detroit, Michigan, and a graduate from North Carolina State University with a degree in mechanical engineering, is coming off his sixth season as a crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Team Penske. He guided Austin Cindric and the No. 22 Ford Mustang team to five victories, a pole, 22 top-five results, 26 top-10 results, an average-finishing result of 8.2, a runner-up result in the driver’s standings with Cindric and an owner’s championship for the team in 2021, which marked Team Penske’s sixth Xfinity owner’s title.

Having spent the previous three seasons as a full-time crew chief for Cindric, Wilson achieved his first championship as a crew chief during the 2020 Xfinity season with Cindric, who won six races and achieved 19 top-five results, 26 top-10 results and an average-finishing result of 8.6 throughout the season.

In 163 appearances as an Xfinity crew chief that spans back to 2016 and all with Team Penske, Wilson achieved 23 career victories between four different competitors (Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano). He also achieved 14 poles, 89 top-five results and 126 top-10 results between six different competitors, including Sam Hornish Jr. and Paul Menard.

The 2022 season will mark Wilson’s first as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series crew chief. He previously served as a Cup crew chief in four races in 2017 for Brad Keselowski and Penske’s No. 2 Ford Fusion team, where Keselowski finished in the top 10 in all races Wilson was atop the pit box and calling the shots. Wilson also served as a race engineer for Keselowski in the Cup circuit for five seasons prior to becoming an Xfinity crew chief in 2016.

Wilson replaces Jonathan Hassler, a former Team Penske race engineer who became the crew chief for the Wood Brothers Racing team in June and in place of veteran Greg Erwin. Hassler is set to join Team Penske and serve as crew chief for Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Ford Mustang team for the 2022 Cup season.

The 2022 season will also mark the first full-time Cup campaign for driver Harrison Burton, who is set to pilot the No. 21 Ford as a Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year contender. The second-generation competitor from Huntersville, North Carolina, spent the previous two seasons in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing. During the two-year span, Burton achieved four career victories, 25 top-five results, 44 top-10 results, an average-finishing result of 11.4 and two Xfinity Playoff appearances, where he finished in eighth place in the final standings in both seasons.

Burton replaces Matt DiBenedetto, who spent the previous two seasons driving for the Wood Brothers in the Cup circuit. In two seasons, DiBenedetto earned six top-five results, 20 top-10 results and a Cup Playoff appearance in 2020, where he finished in 13th place in the final standings. DiBenedetto, who finished 18th in the 2021 Cup final standings, has yet to announce his plans for the upcoming NASCAR season.

Wilson is set to make his NASCAR Cup Series crew chief debut with the Wood Brothers Racing team in 2022, beginning at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum. The event is scheduled to occur on February 6, 2022, at 8 p.m. ET on FS1.

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION: POMONA – PRE-RACE ADVANCE & QUOTES

By
Official Release
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CHEVROLET AT POMONA

What: Auto Club Finals
When: Friday, Nov. 12-Sunday, Nov. 14
Where: Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California
TV: FS1 will telecast eliminations live at 4 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 14

Team Chevy drivers aiming to lock up championships
Titles on the line in pro categories at Auto Club Finals in California

DETROIT (Nov. 11, 2021) – Chevrolet drivers in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Camping World Drag Racing Series return to Southern California with championships on the line in the Auto Club Finals.

Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California, will host its second NHRA event in the past 14 weeks, and titles will be decided in the four professional classes. The points-and-a-half structure will set the stage for race day drama.
Team Chevy drivers Greg Anderson and Erica Enders are locked in the Pro Stock “drive for five” as both seek their fifth world championship.

Anderson, who has led the Pro Stock standings since the opening race in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro SS, holds a 32-point advantage over Enders. Rookie of the year favorite Dallas Glenn, driving the RAD Torque Systems Camaro SS, is also in the hunt.

“We just have to keep doing what we’re doing and execute,” said Anderson, who has scored four wins, four runner-up finishes and 11 No. 1 qualifiers through 16 races as he seeks his fifth Pro Stock championship. “It doesn’t make much sense for us to change our gameplan because the bottom line is we have the best package when we execute. We’ll treat it as another race and go do what we do best and that’s go and try to win.”

Enders claimed her third Pro Stock title at the track in 2019. The 2020 season finale was not held at Auto Club Raceway because of state COVID-19 protocols.

Said Enders, who has four wins and a pair of runner-up finishes in the Melling Performance Camaro SS for Elite Motorsports: “Sometimes you have to remove yourself from the situation to really grasp how cool it is and almost surreal. As a kid driving junior dragsters, I could have only imagined competing for one world championship let alone our attempt at a fifth. This is a dream come true for me.”

Brittany Force, who wrapped up the 2017 Top Fuel title at Auto Club Raceway, is second in the standings and within striking range of her second championship. Force recorded one of her 12 No. 1 qualifier honors driving the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet dragster in the first race at Pomona.

“We still have a shot at getting to the top, but that team needs to be defeated in the first round and we need to win the event,” she said. “It’s Pomona, my home track and I’ve seen crazier things happen with teams pulling off a championship at the very end. Our team did it in 2017 and we’re going after it again. One race, one weekend and we’re giving it everything we got.”

Auto Club Raceway is the home track for John Force Racing. Team patriarch John Force is the Funny Car leader with a whopping 16 wins and 16 No. 1 qualifier honors at the track, including eight victories in the season finale. Force, driving the PEAK Antifreeze & Coolant Camaro SS, will challenge for his record-extending 17th Funny Car title.

Teammate Robert Hight, driving the Auto Club of Southern California Camaro SS, has recorded five victories between the twice-yearly races at the track.
Chevrolet has clinched its 26th Manufacturers Cup and Aaron Stanfield is the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown champion for the second season in a row driving the Janac Brothers Racing Chevrolet COPO Camaro. Stanfield will be recognized alongside his father Greg, who earned his fifth Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series championship driving his ’87 Camaro, as the first father-son duo to win NHRA national championships in the same season.

FS1 will telecast eliminations live at 4 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 14.

CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT

TOP FUEL:

BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY/FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (second in points): “We head into the final race of the 2021 season in Pomona this next weekend. I’m ready to get Friday qualifying started and get this weekend going. We are currently No. 2 in points, 105 behind Steve Torrence. We still have a shot at getting to the top, but that team needs to be defeated in the first round and we need to win the event. It’s Pomona, my home track and I’ve seen crazier things happen with teams pulling off a championship at the very end. Our team did it in 2017 and we’re going after it again. One race, one weekend and we’re giving it everything we got.”

FUNNY CAR:

JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK ANTIFREEZE 7 COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (fifth in points): “I’m still in it. It could still happen. I know it’s a slight chance, but it’s still a chance and we’re going to do everything we can to try to make it happen. Winning championships, it comes down to the wire, things can get wild. I would know. It’s going to be a fight, but I know this PEAK Chevy team, they’re up for it. Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi, Joe Barlam and all my guys, they want it just as much as I do.”

ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (seventh in points): “It’s been an inconsistent season for this Auto Club team. I’m hoping that the progress we’ve made towards the end here will continue into next year. We’ve worked hard, and, in some places, it’s paid off. There’s been some mistakes, but we’ve worked as a team to overcome them. Now it’s about going out there and finishing the year off with a bang and having some fun while doing it. Auto Club Raceway, the Auto Club Finals. There’s so much to be racing for at this event. It’s the end of the season, it’s my sponsor’s race at my sponsor’s racetrack and it’s home for John Force Racing. All the more reason for us to come out and do well. Take it one pass at a time starting in qualifying. I can’t wait to get out there and get the weekend started.”

PRO STOCK:

GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (first in points): “We just have to keep doing what we’re doing and execute. As long as we execute, we’ll be just fine, we’ll when the thing. We’ve got, I believe, the fastest car and if we can make the run we need and I can get the light I need to have, then we’re going to win. It doesn’t make much sense for us to change our gameplan because the bottom line is we have the best package when we execute. I think the odds are in our favor. I’d rather have the lead going in; it makes them have to do a better job than we do. We’ll treat it as another race and go do what we do best and that’s go and try to win. I’d love nothing better than to close out the season with a win. I’ve always said I don’t go to a race to make more points than the next driver, I go to win the race. That’s the goal and it all ties together.”

ERICA ENDERS, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, MELLING PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (second in points): “My plan is to park it in the winner’s circle. I’m looking forward to it; I know my guys are up for it. Here we are in our attempt at a fifth world championship. Sometimes you have to remove yourself from the situation to really grasp how cool it is and almost surreal. As a kid driving junior dragsters, I could have only imagined competing for one world championship let alone our attempt at a fifth. This is a dream come true for me.”

DALLAS GLENN, KB RACING, RAD TORQUE SYSTEMS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (third in points): “Our Vegas win two weeks ago really put us in a good spot for this last race of the season. Obviously, we’re the longshot for the championship but it’s still mathematically possible. If Greg and Erica go out in the first round and I take it to the winner’s circle, we’ll be the champs. All I need is a chance.”

KYLE KORETZKY, KB RACING, LUCAS OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (fourth in points): “I’m pumped up and sad in the same sentence. The season has gone by so quickly. We’ve had a great season so far and looking to finish strong. We’re going to Pomona to do everything we can to finish off our second season on a winning note. I think every run I learned something new. I learned a different way to win and a different way to lose and keep pushing forward. That’s part of the learning curve. We’re looking good right now to run a full 2022 season.”

TROY COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS.COM ORDER CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (fifth in points): “The Finals are one of those almost mythical drag races you grow up dreaming about. For a kid from Ohio, the Finals invoked thoughts of sunshine, a really cool So-Cal drag racing vibe, and the history of all the greats that have won there. Plus, it’s nearly always the place where championships are decided. If we can have a strong finish with our JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, then I’ll be happy. It’s been such a fun season and I’ve learned so much. The time has absolutely flown by for me. I don’t want it to stop.”

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

Team Hardpoint Ready For IMSA WeatherTech, Porsche Carrera Cup North America Finales at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

By
Official Release
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Ferriol and Legge Joined by Andrew Davis in No. 88 Richard Mille/GridRival Porsche 911 GT3 R; Castro and Dickinson Set For Porsche Single-Make Tripleheader

BRASELTON, Georgia (November 10, 2021) – Team Hardpoint’s 2021 calendar reaches its conclusion this week at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, where the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season wraps with the 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans, and the Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship concludes with a tripleheader.

Season regulars Rob Ferriol and Katherine Legge are joined Team Hardpoint endurance racing stalwart Andrew Davis for the GT Daytona (GTD) class finale in the No. 88 Richard Mille/GridRival Porsche 911 GT3 R, while Riley Dickinson returns in the Porsche Carrera Cup Pro Class behind the wheel of the No. 53 Porsche Austin/Team Hardpoint Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and Efrin Castro is back in the No. 65 Fine Fare Supermarkets/GoDominicanRepublic.com Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for Pro-Am competition.

The Motul Petit Le Mans begins on Saturday, November 13 at 12:10 p.m. EST, running well into the Georgia darkness and ending at 10:10 p.m. The race can be seen in its entirety on the NBC family of networks, with the opening three hours live on NBC before making the move to NBCSN for cable and satellite subscribers. It can also be seen commercial-free through TrackPass on the NBC Sports app. The 45-minute Porsche Carrera Cup races, which take place at 12:10 p.m. EST and 4:45 p.m. EST on Thursday, November 11 and at 11:15 a.m. EST on Friday, November 12, can be seen live on IMSA.com.

Ferriol and Legge will conclude their first season as co-drivers with Legge’s home race. The UK-native now resides in suburban Atlanta, and has a season-best finish with the team with a fifth-place finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring back in March.

Davis, also a Georgia resident and a University of Georgia graduate, rejoins Team Hardpoint for the final Michelin Endurance Cup race of the IMSA WeatherTech season. Davis drove with the team at the 24 Hours At Daytona and during the six-hour race at Watkins Glen this season, as well as at Petit LeMans and Sebring during the 2020 season.

Ferriol leads the Bob Akin award standings heading into the finale, a season-long award for eligible bronze-rated drivers in the GT Daytona class.

Dickinson enters the Porsche Carrera Cup’s final weekend fourth in points overall and in the Pro Class and coming off his best overall weekend at VIRginia International Raceway. Dickinson earned a third place and runner-up finish at the team’s home race and has three more chances to earn his first win of the season.

Castro sits second in the Pro-Am class points and has won three of the last five races on the schedule. Castro sits solidly in second in the standings and is still alive in the championship hunt with a strong weekend and a stumble by the championship leader.

Petit LeMans’ traditional Saturday race slides the event schedule up by a day. The Porsche Carrera Cup drivers opened the event with a practice session on Wednesday morning, with a second 30-minute practice before qualifying on Wednesday afternoon to set the grid for the first of the three 45-minute races. The WeatherTech Championship gets three practice sessions on Thursday, including the fan-favorite night practice, Friday features qualifying to set the grid for Motul Petit Le Mans.

Katherine Legge, Driver, No. 88 Porsche 911 GT3 R: “I am really looking forward to Petit. It’s one of my favorite races on the schedule, and a great way to round out the season. It is my home race, a fantastic track and I love the format of the endurance races. With it being later in the year, it might add some temperature changes to the mix this weekend. It’s fun to have Andrew back with Rob and I, and the three of us are dedicated to finishing strong in the No. 88 Richard Mille/GridRival Porsche 911 GT3 R!”

Rob Ferriol, Driver and Team Owner, No. 88 Porsche 911 GT3 R: “Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is such a great venue and event to end the season, much in the way the Rolex 24 is such a great way to start the season. The atmosphere is electric, fan turnout is always amazing, and the track itself is a blast to drive – there’s nothing like coming down the hill into T12 full tilt in a Porsche 911 GT3 R! This year we’ve got two hometown heroes in the car between Katherine and Andrew, so I’m excited to see how we stack up when the fireworks go off Saturday night.

Andrew Davis, Driver, No. 88 Porsche 911 GT3 R: “I’m beyond excited to join Team Hardpoint once again, this time in my own backyard! I really believe in the program that Rob Ferriol has assembled, and it’s truly an honor to be asked to return to the squad once again. Rob and Katherine are both great teammates. They create an open book environment which really helps me step in and perform my role to the best of my abilities. Road Atlanta is a very special place for me, having grown up at the circuit since the age of four. Motul Petit Le Mans has developed into an international event with a great deal of significance. Seeing that growth, along with the increasing crowds makes me very proud of what my home circuit has accomplished over the years.”

Riley Dickinson, Driver, No. 53 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: “This is the championship finale for Porsche Carrera Cup North America, so we’re excited to get this thing kicked off. It’s been a great year with Porsche Austin and Team Hardpoint, and I’m really looking forward to ending this thing on a high note. Road Atlanta is one of my favorites, and I’m really excited to be here and have three races this weekend. We’ll see what we can make happen, but it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Efrin Castro, Driver, No. 65 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: “I feel very confident coming into Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, it’s one of my favorite tracks. The weather is beautiful, the car is great, and you can’t ask for anything more. We did a great job on test days, and I think we have a solid car to compete. I want to show my talent, and I want to show my hard work and finish the year on a high note. I’m looking forward to it.”

About Team Hardpoint:
Hardpoint Motorsports was founded by Rob Ferriol in 2018 with the vision of combining his experience as a successful entrepreneur with his passion for racing. Headquartered at VIRginia International Raceway, the team’s 2021 plans include a full-season effort in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship in a Porsche 911 GT3 R and a multi-car effort in the IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup North America. More information on Hardpoint Motorsports can be found at www.hardpoint.com or through its strong social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

A Guide To The Evolution Of NASCAR Race Cars

By
SM
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PONTIAC, MI/USA - AUGUST 20,2021: A 1952 Fabulous Hudson Hornet #92 race car that influenced Disney - Pixar "Cars" movie at the Woodward Dream Show, M1 Concourse, Pontiac, Michigan.

For the upcoming 2022 racing season, the National Association for Stock Car Racing (NASCAR) recently announced two firsts in the sport’s history. First, it’s building a quarter-mile track inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the first time NASCAR has ever done so in a stadium setting. 

But perhaps the bigger news is the second one: the debut of the seventh generation of NASCAR racing cars, known as NASCAR Next Gen. After the race, it’ll add to the 73-year-old legacy of one of—if not—the most popular racing series in America.

In anticipation of the 2022 racing season starting on February 6, this article will take you on a trip down memory lane. Here’s a recollection of cars from past, present, and future generations, how they got from modified frames to ones akin to what you now see on a used cars dealer. 

Humble Beginnings After The War: Generation 1 (1948 – 1966)

Founded in 1948, NASCAR basically began when new cars were in short supply, as carmakers focused on wartime production and were only starting to retool their production lines and manufacturing plants. As a result, it wasn’t unusual for pre-World War II makes and models to run the track like Red Byron’s 1939 Ford.

The first generation cars set the template for stock racing: a vehicle with a stock body, its doors strapped shut, seat belts, and a heavy-duty rear axle to mitigate rolling. Near the end, NASCAR required racecars to have roll cages, but most racers didn’t take it seriously as it added weight.

Introduction Of Changes: Generation 2 (1967 – 1980)

By 1967, NASCAR introduced several changes; the cars retained their stock body but mounted on a modified frame and chassis. These requirements showed the sport’s position on enhancing safety, but they also improved handling.

It was also during this period that teams began emphasizing aerodynamics, specifically adding lip and full-fledged spoilers. The move helped Buddy Baker and his 1970 Dodge Daytona make history, becoming the first to average over 200 mph in a closed course. 

Smaller And Faster Cars: Generation 3 (1981 – 1991)

The more modifications teams made with their cars, the less they looked like those displayed in different showrooms. To make it so, NASCAR made new changes, including lowering the wheelbase size to a baseline of 110 inches (which remains to this day) and downsizing the cars themselves.

The changes made racing vehicles smaller than their predecessors, but a focus on engine power meant they were faster. Bill Elliot’s still-undisputed qualifying speed pegged at 212.809 mph opened the world to a faster and more exhilarating NASCAR.

Aerodynamics: Generation 4 (1992 – 2006)

The fourth generation of stock cars would, in a figurative sense, see them come out of wind tunnels. Aerodynamics became the name of the game, as teams would invest in wind tunnel testing to craft exterior parts. They also made the parts out of lighter composites like fiberglass.

Unlike the previous generations, modifications comprised almost every part of the racecar. They barely resembled their showroom counterparts, which was good or bad depending on where you stand on the issue. 

Ultimately, such trends would come to a head with Dale Earnhardt’s fatal crash at the Daytona 500 in 2001. His death showed the perils of overcompensation, prompting NASCAR to return to emphasizing safety six years later.

Emphasis On Safety Features: Generation 5 (2007 – 2012)

NASCAR’s return to safety would result in the debut of the Car of Tomorrow in 2007, which featured plenty of safety mechanisms. Some of these include foam-filled sides and a centrally-oriented driver area to protect them from rollovers and crashes better. 

Initial feedback was lukewarm at best, as the emphasis on safety also meant sacrificing overall performance. Eventually, the public learned to appreciate it after Michael McDowell in 2008 survived a 180-mph crash against the racetrack barrier (which also had been made safer).

Current Race Car Makes: Generation 6 (2013 – 2021)

The current generation is the product of input from fans and drivers alike. Teams pulled back on reliance on aerodynamics, seeing that it affected their ability to race in a pack. Car manufacturers reentered the fray with their unique body panels, resulting in designs that appear more akin to the showroom ones. As NASCAR puts it, this generation put the ‘stock’ back in stock car racing. 

Next Gen: Generation 7 (2022 and beyond)

Next Gen will mark the first time racing teams will have to buy their components from official vendors instead of a more open market. Apart from that, the regulations will be mostly modern versions of those in place in the 1960s, including independent rear suspension, wheel diameter limit increase to 18 inches, and a center-lock lug nut.

Conclusion

It’s safe to say that Next Gen won’t mark the pinnacle of NASCAR race car evolution because technology steadily marches on. Will its successor introduce radical modifications or remain faithful to the stock spirit? Only time will tell.

DAVE ELENZ NAMED CREW CHIEF FOR RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS

By
Official Release
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WELCOME, N.C. (November 10, 2021)—Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced today that Dave Elenz will join the organization as crew chief of the No. 43 Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, piloted by Erik Jones, for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) campaign.

The Gaylord, Mich.-native, is a seven-year NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) veteran crew chief – including five full-time seasons with JR Motorsports. The 2022 season will mark Elenz’s first full-time season as crew chief in the NASCAR Cup Series.

As crew chief, Elenz won back-to-back NASCAR Xfinity Series championships with William Byron in 2017 and Tyler Reddick in 2018. In 228 NASCAR Xfinity Series combined starts, Elenz has recorded 15 victories, 77 top-five finishes and 149 top-10 finishes.

“In 2001, when I started in NASCAR, my goal was to contend for a NASCAR Cup Series championship-title as a crew chief,” Elenz said. “The past seven years at JR Motorsports has prepared me for the next chapter in my career. Working with champion-caliber drivers like William (Byron), Tyler (Reddick), and Noah (Gragson) has not only fueled my desire to move up to the next level, but has also prepared me to the fullest for that next step.

“I appreciate Noah’s support and encouragement on this decision. I have immense gratitude for everyone at JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports and their continued support over the years. I cannot thank them enough. I am excited to start my next chapter with Erik (Jones) and Richard Petty Motorsports.”

A graduate of Clemson (S.C.) University, Elenz began his career at Jasper Racing in 2001. The 40-year-old held tenure at Ginn Racing from 2003 to 2007 and at Red Bull Racing Team from 2009 to 2011. At Red Bull Racing Team, Elenz was a part of the organization’s first NASCAR Cup Series victory (Michigan) in 2009 as the lead engineer.

In 2012, Elenz joined Hendrick Motorsports as an engineer. Working alongside crew chief Chad Knaus, Elenz was an engineer on Jimmie Johnson’s NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning team in 2013. Elenz joined JR Motorsports as a crew chief for the 2015 season.

“I have watched Dave’s career develop, and I have always been impressed with him as a person and as a competitor,” Philippe Lopez, competition director for Richard Petty Motorsports, said. “As a race engineer, he has won races and a championship in the NASCAR Cup Series, and as a crew chief he has won races and championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with a very diverse group of drivers. I am very excited to have him take on the role as crew chief for Richard Petty Motorsports as we rollout the Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the 2022 season.”

About Richard Petty Motorsports

A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM), co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. Petty Enterprises recorded 268 victories, and Richard Petty Motorsports has recorded five victories, for a total of 273, respectively. Richard Petty Motorsports has business partnerships with national and global leaders. Today the race operation fields the famed No. 43 in the NASCAR Cup Series with driver Erik Jones. The team is headquartered in Welcome, N.C.

For additional information, news and the latest updates, please visit www.richardpettymotorsports.com or connect with RPM on Facebook (Richard Petty Motorsports), Twitter (@RPMotorsports) or Instagram (@richardpettymotorsports).

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Portland International Raceway

By
Official Release
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NASCAR racing returns to the Pacific Northwest on June 3-4, 2022

PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov. 10, 2021) – The NASCAR Xfinity Series will make its thrilling debut at Portland International Raceway (PIR) on June 3-4, 2022. Beginning at 10 a.m. PT tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 11), 2-Day tickets go on sale to the public online at portlandgp.com or by calling 503-400-6070.

2-Day Grandstand seats, 2-Day General Admission and 2-Day parking passes will be available for purchase starting tomorrow. General admission is free to the event for children 12 and under when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Single day tickets for Friday or Saturday entry only will be released in 2022.

“For the first time since 2000, a NASCAR national racing series will visit PIR and the Pacific Northwest next year. The excitement increases further tomorrow with the launch of public ticket sales,” said Jerry Jensen, general manager of Green Savoree Portland, LLC, which owns and operates the event at PIR. “Now is the time for fans to secure the best seats for this great new event featuring the rising stars of NASCAR coming to the Rose City. We again want to thank the City of Portland, PIR, Travel Portland and Sport Oregon for helping us make it happen.”

Grandstand seats are available at three price points. 2-Day Gold located in Grandstand K is $95 per seat and also includes an infield parking pass. 2-Day Silver for Grandstands C2, C3 and C4 is $80, and 2-Day Bronze for seats in Grandstands G, H and J is $70. The grandstand pricing includes gate admission. 2-Day General Admission is $55.

A 2-Day Parking Pass for a single vehicle space in the Beaches or Broadacre lots is $40. The RV Club is also available for $700 to $900 depending on the spot location which includes eight weekend general admission tickets included in the package price.

All ticket pricing and options are posted online at portlandgp.com. Stay up to speed on NASCAR’s visit to Portland on social media all year long by following #PortlandNASCAR or by signing up for the E-Club on the website.

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 and three international 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, Americrown Service 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’).

About Green Savoree Racing Promotions:
Green Savoree Racing Promotions (GSRP) is an Indianapolis-based motorsports event ownership and management company whose subsidiaries own, operate and promote race properties in Lexington, Ohio, home of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Mid-Ohio School, Portland, Ore., St. Petersburg, Fla., and Toronto, Ontario. These events provide a festival experience and showcase some of the most exciting racing series in the world including the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires open-wheel development series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, ARCA Menards Series and more. In working together since 1993, co-owners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree have won four INDYCAR championships, three Indianapolis 500 races and the 12 Hours of Sebring as team principals, and established the first INDYCAR street race in 2004. More information about the company, its subsidiaries, and these events is available on the event websites at gpstpete.com, hondaindy.com, midohio.com and portlandgp.com.

NTE Sport Aims for Strong Finale at Petit Le Mans with Yount, Conwright, and Hites

By
Official Release
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Dallas-based team adds additional Michelin Pilot Challenge entry for Finale

DALLAS, Tex., (November 9, 2021) – NTE Sport’s freshman season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will end next weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta as the team competes in the season finale, Motul Petit Le Mans. Don Yount, Jaden Conwright, and Benjamin Hites will drive the No. 42 Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo, racing in the ten-hour endurance event on November 13. The young team has also expanded its program, adding a Michelin Pilot Challenge entry to the weekend, with Jean-Francois Brunot and Kerong Li driving the No. 41 Audi R8 GT4.

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
In their debut season, the team has completed three races in its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTD class, impressively earning a top-five finish in their second round at the Six Hours of the Glen with drivers Don Yount, Jaden Conwright, and Markus Palttala.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time,” said Team Owner Paul Mata. “Our program is small, but we’ve shown that we’re able to race well and work the strategy in what is a very competitive class. Don and Jaden have really adapted to the car well, and we’re excited to welcome Benjamin and see what we’ve got!”

Yount is the only driver to compete in each of NTE’s events this year, having previous experience in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Michelin Pilot Challenge, and Prototype Challenge. Conwright made his IMSA debut this year at Watkins Glen International, where his talent was first showcased to the field in his third-place qualifying session. The pair, with Markus Palttala, finished fourth, showing a competitive performance for a podium finish.

At 22 years old, Benjamin Hites will make his IMSA WeatherTech debut next weekend. The Chilean race car driver first appeared in sports car racing in 2017, competing in the Top Race Series Argentina, where he stayed for two years. By 2018, Hites was competing in the United States, participating in Ferrari Challenge North America, earning two wins and five podiums. He continued to gain experience around the world, participating in the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, and the International GT Open, where he celebrated a win in September.

Forty-three entries are slated to run in the final race, and the GTD class will be comprised of 15 cars, each also running three drivers. While the partial-season team is not in the hunt for any championship titles, the group behind the No. 42 Audi will still be eager to finish the season on a strong note to provide momentum into the 2022 season.

“Even though we’re putting a lot of resources into the final race of the year, we’re also working hard to set up a strong 2022,” said Mata. “We are working on a couple of various things for next season, and hope that a great finish at Petit Le Mans will provide a strong momentum into the new year.”

Motul Petit Le Mans will take place from 12:10 pm to 10:10 pm Eastern on Saturday, November 13, with live coverage beginning on NBC, then switching to NBCSN starting at 3:00 pm. IMSA Radio will offer live, commercial-free audio coverage of qualifying and the race. International listings and full event information can be found on imsa.com.

DRIVER QUOTES | IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
No. 42 Audi R8 LMS

Don Yount
I’m looking forward to a return to Atlanta to run in Petit Le Mans. I’m excited to see what November weather brings to the race. I know NTE and my co-drivers will bring their best game to the event.

Jaden Conwright
I’m very thankful that everyone from NTE Sport is giving me another opportunity to run with them again in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship in their Audi R8 GT3. Like Watkins Glen, I haven’t been to Road Atlanta before in my career, but I’ll be looking to continue to build off the momentum that we created earlier this year. It looks like it’s shaping up to be a grueling and competitive Motul Petit Le Mans, but there’s no doubt that we have the right guys and equipment to take on the challenge and aim for that podium that we came just short of in Watkins Glen!

Benjamin Hites
I’m really happy to join NTE for Petit Le Mans and to make my IMSA debut in such an important race. I would like to thank Paul and the entire NTE Team to trust me the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo, and I’m looking to achieve a good race result alongside Jaden and Don.

Michelin Pilot Challenge
This weekend, the team will also return to its Michelin Pilot Challenge roots, racing the No. 41 Audi R8 GT4.

This weekend will mark a new chapter for Kerong Li, born in Xian, China, and now a student at Boston, University. Li started his motorsports career at the Primal Racing School in Atlanta, Georgia, then graduated to race radical cars. He advanced to the F4 US Championship and this weekend will make his sportscar racing debut in Friday’s Michelin Pilot Challenge race.

Born in Madagascar but now residing in Atlanta, Georgia, Jean-Francois Brunot will get to enjoy the home-race experience this weekend. His lifelong passion for competitive racing saw him racing his first Motocross bike at six years old and karting by age twelve. He climbed the U.S. sports car racing ladder, obtaining success in SCCA, NASA, Mazda MX-5 Cup, and more before joining the professional ranks of IMSA, 24H Series, and various other international sports car racing championships.

The Fox Factory 120 will begin on Friday at 1:10 pm Eastern, airing live on imsa.tv and NBC SportsGold’s TRACKPASS. Fans can also listen to live IMSA Radio coverage throughout the weekend and follow live scoring all on imsa.com.

Kirkwood joins A.J. Foyt Racing for 2022 IndyCar season

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo credit: Chris Owens (Penske Entertainment).

The reigning Indy Lights champion Kyle Kirkwood has a new team to call home after it was announced that he will be joining AJ Foyt Racing and pilot the No. 14 Dallara-Chevrolet for the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season.

Kirkwood, a 23-year-old native from Jupiter, Florida, who began his racing career through karting before working his way through the open wheel ladder, is coming off his first Indy Lights championship, where he won 10 races while competing for Andretti Autosport.

The partnership with AJ Foyt Racing will mark Kirkwood’s inaugural presence in IndyCar competition for the upcoming season.

“I actually met [team president] Larry [Foyt] for the first time in 2018 at Road America when I was driving in USF2000 with Cape Motorsports,” Kirkwood said. “He was the first person in the INDYCAR paddock to show me around the car and explain the dynamics of what it takes to be an Indy car team and driver. From that moment, I felt very comfortable with the atmosphere of the team and now it has come to fruition that I will be driving the No. 14. It’s hard to explain in words the excitement I have to drive for such an experienced and legendary team. I know I will be filling some very big shoes, but I think it’s the perfect timing and group to be able to do so. Considering I have 19 years of experience driving, and it’s all led to this moment to becoming a full time Indy car driver — It’s truly a dream come true,” the Floridian continued. “It’s incredible seeing the completely unexpected path I took in previous years blossom into something I’ve always hoped for as a kid in karting.”

In winning this year’s Indy Lights title, Kirkwood became the first competitor to achieve a championship in every Road to Indy program (US F2000 National Championship in 2018, Indy Pro 2000 Championship in 2019 and Indy Lights Championship in 2021). The Road to Indy program was established in 2010 to provide a scholarship-funded path for aspiring competitors to compete in the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. 

Having won all three titles in the program and with the scholarship prize, he is guaranteed a starting spot for three IndyCar events, including the 2022 Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Kirkwood, who is also a champion of the Formula 4 United States Championship league in 2017 and who won a Team USA Scholarship in 2016 while competing in F4, experienced his first taste in an IndyCar during a test session with Andretti Autosport at Sebring International Raceway in October. Since then, he participated in three IndyCar test sessions with his latest test occurring at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course for the Chris Griffis Memorial Open Test near the end of October.

“What I’ve learned in my three INDYCAR tests is that the Indy Lights car and the Indy car are not massively different,” Kirkwood added. “As we’ve seen with many drivers, it’s quite an easy transition. The best thing that you can take away from the RTI [Road to Indy] is the track experience. With minimal time during weekends, it’s crucial to maximize practice. Having the track experience eliminates a period of time spent learning, so you can solely focus on the car and driving. The biggest difference I’ve noticed in my tests is the tire. The Firestone tire creates a lot more grip. There are other differences, like steering weight, downforce and braking capabilities, but all of those are just a nice step forward from the Indy Lights car.”

Initially left without a full-time ride with Andretti for the upcoming IndyCar season, Kirkwood began reaching out to other teams for an opportunity to compete in the series before landing himself a full-time seat with AJ Foyt Racing.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kyle to the team,” Larry Foyt, Team President of AJ Foyt Enterprises, Inc., added. “Obviously, he has been very successful on his climb through the Road to Indy Championships and his record speaks for itself. This deal came together rather quickly, but I’ve already been impressed with how Kyle thinks about racing and the maturity he seems to have for such a young driver. The NTT INDYCAR Series is as competitive as ever, and the challenges are great, but we feel Kyle will be a great asset as we take on those challenges and work to grow as a team.”

Kirkwood replaces veteran Sébastien Bourdais, a four-time consecutive Champ Car champion who drove AJ Foyt’s No. 14 Chevrolet during the final three races of the 2020 IndyCar season before taking over the ride on a full-time basis in 2021. Bourdais is set to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing and its Daytona Prototype international (Dpi) program for the upcoming IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

Kirkwood’s confirmation to compete for AJ Foyt Racing completes one of three planned entries for the team for the upcoming IndyCar season. The remainder of the team’s driver lineup is to be determined.

Kirkwood is set to make his NTT IndyCar Series debut in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg at the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, on February 27, 2022.

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