Home Blog Page 2290

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Martinsville

By
Official Release
-

Martinsville Speedway
Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021
.526-Mile Oval
2:00 PM ET
Location: Martinsville, Virginia
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (35 of 36)
Radio: SiriusXM logo PRN logo

5 KYLE LARSON

Age: 29 (July 31, 1992)

Hometown: Elk Grove, California

Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels

Standings: 1st

No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE: At Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Kyle Larson led 130 of 267 laps en route to his ninth victory of 2021. The win marked his third consecutive victory – the second time he has won three races in a row this season. This is the first time a driver has earned three consecutive wins on two separate occasions in one season since Dale Earnhardt accomplished the feat in 1987.

HOT DOG: Prior to his victory at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, Larson had scored NASCAR nine runner-up finishes – the most all-time without a Cup Series victory – in 71 career starts on 1.5-mile tracks. Following his win at Kansas on Sunday, the 29-year-old driver now has four victories in the last eight races held on tracks of that length.

PEN-ULTIMATE: Entering the penultimate race of the season, Larson leads the series in wins (nine), top-five finishes (19), top-10s (25), stage wins (17), laps led (2,397) and average start (6.4) – all career-bests. His laps led total is 998 more than the closest competitor.

WITHIN REACH: Larson’s laps led total of 2,397 is the most ever during a 36-race season and is the most since former Hendrick Motorsports driver and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon paced the field for 2,610 circuits in 1995. If Larson leads at least 214 of the remaining 812 laps in the final two races, he will set the record for most laps led by a Hendrick Motorsports driver during a season in just his first year with the championship organization.

TO THE NINES: Along with nine wins, Larson has also posted runner-up finishes in six races. The driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE has finished in the top two in 44% of the Cup Series races held in 2021.

APRIL SHOWERS: In April at Martinsville Speedway, Larson started 19th and finished fifth in the rain-delayed event. Overall, he has two top-five finishes and three top-10s in 13 starts at the .526-mile Virginia short track.

UPPING THEIR GAME: At 13.63 seconds, the No. 5 pit crew owns the quickest average time for four-tire pit stops in 2021. During the playoffs, their average time is even quicker at a series-best 13.27 seconds. The over-the-wall crew is comprised of gasman Brandon Harder, jackman Brandon Johnson, tire carrier R.J. Barnette and tire changers Donnie Tasser (front) and Calvin Teague (rear).

YOUR CAR NEEDS: This weekend, Larson will drive the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE. From the convenience of home, customers can select the category, make, model and vehicle packages that are important to them from the nearly 30,000 new, high-quality pre-owned and certified cars, trucks and SUVs available at HendrickCars.com. The website also makes it easy for customers to find one of Hendrick Automotive Group’s 93 dealership locations nationwide.

WE’RE HIRING: Hendrick Automotive Group is hiring more than 300 technicians at its dealerships throughout the country. Positions are open for all skill levels and offer tuition and training reimbursement. Interested people can apply at HendrickCars.com.

OVER $200K: In March, Larson announced the launch of the Kyle Larson Foundation, which was established to better serve today’s youth, families and communities in need through hands-on support. The Sanneh Foundation and the Urban Youth Racing School are the primary beneficiaries of the foundation, which will also work closely with Hendrick Cares, the corporate social responsibility program of Hendrick Automotive Group. To kickstart the “Drive for 5,” Larson pledged a personal donation of $5 for every Cup Series lap he completes this season and will contribute another $5,000 for every top-five finish he earns. Through 34 races, he has already pledged more than $140,000 and raised more than $200,000. To learn more, please visit KyleLarsonFoundation.org.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT

Age: 25 (Nov. 28, 1995)

Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia

Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia

Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson

Standings: 2nd

No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

FINAL TWO: This Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway marks the final race of the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, currently sits second in the playoff standings, 34 points above the cutline. In the eight playoff races, Elliott has garnered three top-five finishes, led 232 laps and picked up 269 points.

SEASON SUMMARY: With only two races remaining in the 2021 Cup Series season, Elliott’s nine top-two finishes are the most he has collected in a single year. The driver of the No. 9’s 14 top-five finishes are his most at the 34-race mark. In those 34 races, Elliott has also picked up two wins, 20 top-10s and 569 laps led.

PAPERCLIP PERFORMANCE: Elliott is set to make his 13th Martinsville Speedway start in the Cup Series on Sunday. The 25-year-old driver made his Cup Series debut at the track for Hendrick Motorsports on March 29, 2015, and has since led a total of 429 laps there – his second-most laps led at any track (Bristol Motor Speedway – 439).

CLOCKING IN: During last season’s Round of 8 finale at Martinsville, Elliott turned in a stellar performance. He overcame several obstacles and led a career-high 236 laps – most laps led by Elliott in a single NCS event – en route to his first Cup Series win at the track. The victory secured Elliott’s first-ever berth in the Championship 4. He joined teammate Jimmie Johnson and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon as Hendrick Motorsports drivers who secured a spot in the championship race by winning at Martinsville.

MARTINSVILLE MASH: In the last five races at Martinsville, Elliott has finished inside the top five in four of those events. He is the only driver with an active top-five streak of at least two races at the .526-mile track.

SHORT-TRACK STATS: On Sunday, Elliott will make his 37th short-track start in the Cup Series. In those races, he has garnered 12 top-five finishes, 18 top-10s and led 962 laps. Since the start of 2020, Elliott leads all drivers with the most points (363) collected on short tracks

GUSTAFSON’S PAPERCLIP PAST: No. 9 team crew chief Alan Gustafson is set to call his 34th Martinsville Speedway race from atop the pit box this weekend. In his previous 33 Cup Series starts at the track, he has three wins – most recently with Elliott in November 2020 to solidify the No. 9 team’s spot in the Championship 4. Gustafson also has 15 top-five finishes and 24 top-10s at the venue. His other two wins at the paperclip-shaped track came with Gordon in 2013 and 2015.

PIT POWER: The No. 9 team owns the third-best average time for four-tire pit stops at 13.37 seconds during the playoffs. The NAPA pit crew is comprised of jackman T.J. Semke, gasman John Gianninoto, tire carrier Jared Erspamer and tire changers Chad Avrit and Nick O’Dell.

NAPA KNOW HOW: The familiar blue, white and yellow NAPA AUTO PARTS paint scheme will be on track this weekend at Martinsville. The Atlanta-based company is serving as majority sponsor for Elliott and the No. 9 team for 25 Cup Series races this season.

24 WILLIAM BYRON

Age: 23 (Nov. 29, 1997)

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle

Standings: 10th

No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

CONTINUING THE TREND: Down to the last two races in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, William Byron continues to post career-best stats this year at the highest level of competition in the No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE. So far, Byron has collected one win (Homestead-Miami Speedway), two pole awards (Road America and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course – most by a driver this season), four top-two finishes, 11 top-five finishes and 19 top-10s all while leading 425 laps and collecting three stage wins. In his Cup career, these are the most top-two finishes, top-fives, top-10s, laps led and stage wins the Charlotte, North Carolina, native has earned in a single season.

MARTINSVILLE MINUTES: Despite his young age, Byron’s time at Martinsville Speedway goes back to when he attended his first Cup Series race at the paperclip-shaped track in 2006 as a fan. Since then, the 23-year-old driver has moved through the NASCAR ranks and is now poised to make his 10th overall start at the half-mile track, his eighth in the Cup Series. Of those seven Cup Series starts at the 0.526-mile venue, Byron has a track-best finish of second in the fall of 2019 where he came within car lengths of scoring the win. Aside from his Cup Series starts, he has two other Martinsville starts from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2016, where he qualified seventh for both events and raced to one top-five finish and two top-10s.

THE FUGLE FILES: This Sunday’s race will mark crew chief Rudy Fugle’s second trip to Martinsville Speedway in the Cup Series. Earlier this season, Fugle and the No. 24 team started third at the Virginia-based track and raced to a fourth-place result. Aside from that Cup start, the Livonia, New York, native has 14 starts at the paperclip-shaped track already under his belt, all in the Truck Series. In those 14 races, Fugle accumulated one win (May 2019), six top-five finishes and 12 top-10s. Two of those previous starts were with Byron, both in 2016, where the duo started seventh in both races and raced to a third-place result in the spring and an eighth-place finish in the fall.

LIBERTY U ONBOARD: For the final time in the 2021 season, Byron will pilot the No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE for Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway. Liberty University has a long history with Byron starting back in 2014 in the late model ranks. Liberty University has been Training Champions for Christ since it was founded in 1971. Located in the mountains of Central Virginia, Liberty is a liberal arts institution with 17 colleges and schools that offers more than 600 degree programs from the certificate to the doctoral level, on campus and online. Working on an undergraduate degree in strategic communication, Byron is in his junior year at Liberty University through its online program. For a better look at Byron’s Liberty University paint scheme, click here.

48 Alex Bowman

Age: 28 (April 25, 1993)

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

Resides: Concord, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Greg Ives

Standings: 12th

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: With two races remaining in the NASCAR Cup Series season, Alex Bowman has had a career year through 34 events. The 28-year-old driver has three wins (career season high), seven top-five results (tied for a season high) and 15 top-10s (tied for a season high). Bowman has led 152 laps this season at eight different venues. Since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2016 as a replacement driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bowman has five wins, 23 top-five results, 56 top-10s, 1,066 laps led and three pole awards, including two in the DAYTONA 500.

BOWMAN AT MARTINSVILLE: Bowman impressed at Martinsville Speedway last season when he earned sixth-place finishes in both races. He has three top-10 finishes in 11 career starts at the Virginia track in the Cup Series. Earlier this year, Bowman finished 34th when he was caught up in an incident on lap 384 after pitting for a loose wheel. Prior to the pit stop, the No. 48 team raced up to second place before making a second stop on pit road.

SHORT-TRACK STATS: The driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE has made 33 paved short-track starts in his seven-year Cup Series career. Bowman has one win (Richmond Raceway), three top-five finishes and seven top-10s at Richmond, Martinsville and Bristol Motor Speedway. So far this season, Bowman captured his first short-track victory at Richmond after leading 98 laps and posted two top-five results on these tracks. Bowman earned the 10th-most points (123) on short tracks in 2021 and the ninth-most (270) since the start of 2020.

IVES IN VIRGINIA: Crew chief Greg Ives will call the shots for the 14th time at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday afternoon. The Bark River, Michigan, native has one top-five finish and five top-10s at the short track with a best finish of fourth coming in 2015 with Earnhardt. Ives was a race engineer for the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team from 2006-2012 when he was a part of six wins, three pole awards and 12 top-10 finishes at Martinsville with Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel.

2X WINNING OWNER AT MILLBRIDGE: Monday evening, Alex Bowman Racing’s No. 55 midget entry driven by CJ Leary competed in the Walkapedia Carolina Midget Showdown at Millbridge Speedway in Salisbury, North Carolina. The brand-new chassis battled inside the top two for most of the 30-lap feature before claiming Bowman’s second-career win as a team owner. The team came back on Tuesday evening to dominate the 40-lap event and sweep the showdown for ABR’s third victory. Earlier this year, Josh Wise piloted the ABR entry to victory lane at IRP in Indianapolis.

PIT ROAD TIMES: The No. 48 pit crew sits sixth on the charts for the fastest average four-tire stop time of 13.88. The team includes fueler Jacob Conley, tire carrier Allen Stallings, jackman Dustin Lineback and tire changers Scott Brzozowski and Devin DelRicco.

CLOSE TO HOME: No. 48 engine tuner Stephen Raynor calls Martinsville Speedway his home track. The 35-year-old team member grew up and currently resides in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which is approximately 50 miles from the Virginia venue. He has been with the Hendrick Motorsports engine department for nine years.

TICK-TOCK STARS: Hendrick Motorsports has 25 points-paying wins at Martinsville Speedway, which are the most victories by any team at any track in NASCAR Cup Series history. In addition to its 25 iconic grandfather clock trophies, the organization holds the Martinsville records for pole positions (17), top-five finishes (85), top-10s (136) and laps led (9,607). A track record six different Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won there.

WINS-VILLE: Hendrick Motorsports has won 11 Cup Series playoff races at Martinsville. With four post-season victories at the half-mile venue, Joe Gibbs Racing is the only other team with more than one playoff win there.

SHORT-TRACK SUCCESS: With 53 all-time wins on short tracks, Hendrick Motorsports leads all active Cup Series teams. It has 10 more than next-best JGR (43) and 20 more than third-place Team Penske (33). A total of 13 different drivers have won at least one short-track race for Hendrick Motorsports.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PILLOW: Dating back to 2020, Hendrick Motorsports has won five consecutive Cup Series playoff elimination races. It has won 10 of 30 playoff elimination events overall and at least one elimination race in each of the last four seasons.

BANNER YEAR: Including Kyle Larson’s performance Sunday at Kansas Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports now has 15 Cup Series points-paying victories in 2021, which represents its second-best single-season win total since Rick Hendrick founded the organization in 1984. In 2007, Hendrick Motorsports posted a team record 18 points wins and earned 14 combined victories in 1998.

TWOFER: With 15 victories and 16 second-place results, Hendrick Motorsports has posted 31 top-two finishes during the 2021 Cup Series season – one away from tying the modern-era record for a team. From 1972 through 2021, the mark for top-two finishes in a single season is 32 by Joe Gibbs Racing in 2019. In that span, Hendrick Motorsports’ 29 in 2009 ranks third and its 27 in 2007 is fourth.

PLAYOFF PERFORMANCE: At Kansas, Hendrick Motorsports recorded its 51st all-time win during the Cup Series playoffs – 18 more than next-best JGR (33) and more than double third-place Penske Racing (24). In eight playoff events this year, the team has four victories – all courtesy of Larson. Dating back to last season, Hendrick Motorsports has won seven of the last 13 playoff races.

QUOTABLE /

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on April race at Martinsville: “Martinsville has been a really tough track for me in the past. Earlier this year, we were really good there in Hendrick (Motorsports) equipment and I was able to run top five. That run helped my confidence a lot. I think if we can go there and have another good run and, heck, if we can get a win there, yes – I’ll be feeling great going to Phoenix.”

Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on something to prove at Martinsville: “We definitely want to have a good run this weekend in Martinsville. We have had that one circled for a while because we, as a team, feel like we have something to prove. Hopefully, we can do that. Martinsville is an amazing track for the (No.) 9 team. So, I would imagine they’re going to be the favorite to win Martinsville, and hopefully both teams can go into Phoenix with some good momentum.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on heading into Martinsville 34 points above cutline: “I don’t know if it allows you to do much of anything now. After what we saw in Kansas, I am not really sure that any amount of points is safe. I really think anyone in this round can win this weekend. So, we are really going to have to be on it, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity and excited for the challenge.”

Elliott on Martinsville being an elimination race: “As a group, we’ve done a better job at just enjoying those moments and I feel like I’ve done a better job of enjoying them and performing in those situations. It’s really become exciting for me and our team, which is a great thing. Hopefully, we can lock in one of the first two weeks or at least have some really good runs as far as points. If it comes down to it, we’ll embrace it and enjoy that moment and try to move on.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on the challenges of racing at Martinsville: “I look forward to going to Martinsville this weekend. Ever since the second half of the 2019 season, I’ve looked forward to racing there even more. I feel like I’ve really found a good balance when going there now. It’s a fun track but it is always a challenge to race at, no matter how many times you have. You want to make the best lap times every lap because it’s so easy to get behind early and even harder to make up lost time. At the same time, you have to manage your brakes so they last the whole race. 500 laps around Martinsville are always tough. It’s about surviving and being there at the end.”

Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on keeping momentum through the end of the season: “We may not be in the playoffs anymore but I think the (No.) 24 team is still making a statement each and every week. That’s what we want to accomplish. We aren’t letting off the gas or waiting around for next season to start. Preparation for next season has already begun and we don’t want to lose the momentum that we have worked so hard to gain. I think this weekend at Martinsville will be another weekend where we can show how much we have elevated this team throughout the season. When we went there in the spring we had a good, solid race overall. This time, we’re looking to improve on that. William has really hit his stride at Martinsville the last couple years, and we have such great notes already from our teammates. This is a long, grueling race but as long as we take care of our car, we will have a shot at a win in the end. I’m confident in that.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on returning to Martinsville: “I’m looking forward to Martinsville. We were actually really strong there in the spring (but) didn’t get to show it. We had a loose wheel and had to pit under green and then they all crashed on the next restart – we got run over like we did in Texas. I think we had a car capable of winning. We went to Richmond the week after that and won. I think our short-track stuff is pretty solid right now, and I’m looking forward to getting there.”

Redesigned NASCAR BetCenter to Feature Content from The Action Network

By
Official Release
-

Expanded partnership brings shared sports betting content to NASCAR platforms

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 28, 2021) – NASCAR is expanding its sports betting footprint, announcing today an expanded content partnership with The Action Network, the most trusted source for sports betting insights and analytics. The partnership will create engaging editorial content and analysis on NASCAR BetCenter while also featuring a NASCAR navigation area on The Action Network’s website and app.

“As NASCAR’s handle continues to grow, we want to ensure we’re delivering the highest quality content for people actively engaged with sports betting,” said Joseph Solosky, Managing Director of Sports Betting, NASCAR. “Our continued partnership with The Action Network further strengthens our sports betting content as their team of experts help us generate new and creative ways to engage with fans and grow the sport.”

In 2019, NASCAR became the first sports league to partner with The Action Network around shared sports betting content. Since then, the NASCAR BetCenter was created, offering fans the latest driver odds, picks, predictions and more. Through this enhanced partnership, the NASCAR BetCenter will begin offering more betting-oriented content to fans through a seamless integration across NASCAR and The Action Network platforms.

“We’re thrilled to renew and expand our partnership with NASCAR,” said Chad Millman, Chief Content Officer, The Action Network. “They’ve been at the forefront of bringing innovative content and gaming options to fans for several years, reminding everyone that the rush of betting races is the perfect complement to watching them.”

This announcement is the latest in a series of partnerships demonstrating NASCAR’s commitment to building a responsible and unique sports betting experience for race fans and new audiences. Most recently, Fubo Sportsbook became the fourth Authorized Gaming Operator (AGO) of NASCAR, joining Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM and WynnBET.

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’).

Hagerty Motorsports Team, Round 3 Racing, Set for New MotorTrend TV Series “The Drive Within”

By
Official Release
-

“The Drive Within”, premiering Friday, November 12 at 6 PM ET/PT, on MotorTrend TV features the semi-professional Hagerty Motorsports team as they chase a national endurance racing championship.

Joilet, Ill. (29 October 2021) – With winners and losers, personalities and politics, setbacks and breakthroughs, there are few things that naturally deliver entertainment like auto racing. After following the Hagerty Motorsports team Round 3 Racing (R3R) through the 2021 racing season, MotorTrend TV will share that excitement with “The Drive Within”, a new six episode series set to premiere Friday, November 12 at 6 PM ET/PT.

“The Drive Within” will tell the story of a dramatic up and down World Racing League (WRL) season as the Chicago-based team competes through a full season of endurance races on the most iconic tracks in the country, some races lasting as long as 24 hours.

The Hagerty Motorsports team R3R is a father-and-son squad headed by Brad and Buz McCall, who collectively have decades of experience in the sport as both drivers and team owners. The team has distinguished itself from the competition with a high level of both preparation and performance as well as through partnerships with Hagerty and Shift Up Now in an effort to promote diversity in the sport.

R3R fields a four-car effort of Porsche Boxsters and Caymans, with at least three drivers sharing the car in each race. Four female Shift Up Now drivers on the 2021 roster including pro prospects Sarah Montgomery, Loni Unser, Shea Holbrook, and Hannah Grisham.

The mix of on-track action, off-track camaraderie, and new initiatives aimed at bringing more diversity into the world of motorsport attracted MotorTrend TV to capture the story in the form of a new television series.

Former “Monster Garage” producer Benjamin Wood joined the team as showrunner, bringing more than two decades of experience producing shows for a range of platforms including National Geographic, History and Discovery Channel.

“‘The Drive Within’ is another example of MotorTrend Studios’ unmatched ability to develop and produce high quality automotive stories. Combined with the power and reach of MotorTrend TV we’re uniquely positioned to deliver those stories to a passionate audience,” said Mike Suggett, head of programming and development, MotorTrend Group. “The innovative Hagerty team has a keen eye for storytelling, and once again we’ve partnered with them to give car fans more of what they love.”

While WRL is a grassroots-oriented racing series, Buz McCall’s years of operating successful race teams in Trans Am and NASCAR competition is evident in the professional preparation that has delivered an impressive trophy collection in a short time.

“This team, the drivers and the season itself is an amazing story and we are thrilled to see it being told and shared,” said Justin Moreno, VP of Marketing at Hagerty. “Hagerty exists to fuel car culture and ultimately save driving for future generations. In this team we found a group of incredibly talented individuals who share our passion and are willing to give everything to get behind the wheel and compete. The Hagerty spirit runs deep across the team and they are great ambassadors for Hagerty Motorsports.”

Filming for the “The Drive Within” began this May ahead of the Road America race weekend, and will continue through a schedule of events that includes a selection of renowned race tracks including Daytona International Speedway, Road Atlanta, VIRginia International Raceway and Sebring International Raceway.

The cast includes R3R Team Owners Brad and Buz McCall, Shift Up now drivers Sarah Montgomery, Loni Unser, Shea Holbrook, as well as additional Hagerty Motorsports drivers Christian Maloof, James Candelaria, Mo Dadkhah, Mike Gilbert, Carter Pease, Cole Loftsgard, and Jim Ptak. Marc Gamora, the R3R crew chief, will also be a featured cast member. In addition to the full season cast, Hagerty CEO McKeel Hagerty, Vice President of Marketing Justin Moreno, and Brian Ghidinelli Founder of MotorsportReg will also be featured.

“To have our team as the focus of a production like this with MotorTrend is an honor and truly amazing experience,” said Brad McCall. “Every weekend is something different, and WRL provides close racing that makes for a great show. The Round 3 Racing team is excited to show the world what we do every weekend and hopefully we can spread our love for racing and the Hagerty spirit to those watching.”

”The Drive Within” will premiere Friday, November 12, 2021 at 6 PM ET/PT on MotorTrend TV. Round 3 Racing will be in action this weekend at Sebring International Raceway for the only 24-hour endurance race of the 2021 WRL season.

“The Drive Within” is produced by MotorTrend Studios, a division of MotorTrend Group. For MotorTrend Studios, Levi Rugg is executive producer. For MotorTrend Group, Mike Suggett is head of programming and development, and Alex Wellen is global president and general manager.

Unibet Racing: Kevin Harvick Martinsville Advance

By
Official Release
-

KEVIN HARVICK
Martinsville Advance
No. 4 Unibet Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview
● Event: Xfinity 500 (Round 35 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 31
● Location: Martinsville (Va.) Speedway
● Layout: .526-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 500 laps/263 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 130 laps / Stage 2: 130 laps / Final Stage: 240 laps
● TV/Radio: NBC / MRN Radio / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Unibet is the primary sponsor for driver Kevin Harvick and the No. 4 team of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) in the Xfinity 500 Sunday at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Unibet is a part of the Kindred Group, one of the top online gambling operators with business across Europe, the U.S. and Australia. The Unibet brand is building on its years of European experience in the responsible gambling and player sustainability field and extending that mindset to its U.S. operations, with motorsports being a key platform.

● Harvick is out of the NASCAR Playoffs, but he’s still competing at a playoff-caliber level. The 45-year-old racer from Bakersfield, California, comes into Martinsville fresh off a strong third-place finish last Sunday at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City. It was his 10th top-five and his 23rd top-10 of the season. There are only two other drivers who have more top-10s this year than Harvick – championship leader Kyle Larson (25 top-10s) and Denny Hamlin (24 top-10s).

● When it comes to finishing among the top-10 in NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville, Harvick is batting .500. The driver of the No. 4 Unibet Ford Mustang has made 40 career starts at the .526-mile oval and recorded 20 top-10s, the second-highest tally among all active Cup Series drivers. Only Hamlin has more top-10s (22).

● Among those 20 top-10s earned by Harvick is a win in April 2011. He defeated Dale Earnhardt Jr., by .727 of a second to win the Goody’s Fast Relief 500. It was Harvick’s 20th NASCAR Cup Series start at the track and his 16th career Cup Series victory. Harvick now has 58 career Cup Series wins and is alone at 10th on the all-time win list.

● Harvick’s next best finish outside of that lone Martinsville win in April 2011 was a third-place drive in the series’ prior visit to the track in October 2010. It was the start of a three-race run of top-fives at Martinsville, as Harvick followed his win with a fourth-place effort in the series’ return to the facility in October.

● Harvick’s best Martinsville finish since joining SHR in 2014 is a pair of fifth-place results – Oct. 29, 2017 and March 20, 2018. He finished ninth in his most recent visit to the track in April.

● Martinsville is the shortest track on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, and its tight corners with only 12 degrees of banking means that beating and banging – be it door-to-door or bumper-to-bumper – is commonplace. But that also means accidents are prevalent, and being able to keep one’s car running from start to finish is easier said than done. In Harvick’s 40 career Cup Series starts at Martinsville, he has an impressive lap completion rate of 98.3 percent. That means that of the 20,039 laps available to him, he has failed to complete just 344 of those laps. Among active drivers, only Kurt Busch has completed more laps at Martinsville (20,381), but with two more starts than Harvick (42).

● Harvick has tasted success in every type of car he has raced at Martinsville. In addition to his NASCAR Cup Series win, he has a NASCAR Xfinity Series triumph and three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victories.

● Harvick is undefeated in the Xfinity Series at Martinsville. He earned the equivalent of a walk-off homer on July 22, 2006 when in his only Xfinity Series start at the track, he led three times for a race-high 149 laps to take the win by .271 of a second over runner-up Clint Bowyer.

● Harvick’s three Truck Series wins at Martinsville came in 17 starts. He won on March 30, 2009 (defeated Ron Hornaday Jr.), March 27, 2010 (defeated Hornaday again) and March 31, 2012 (defeated Ty Dillon).

● The Truck Series is where Harvick made his first start of any kind at Martinsville – Sept. 26, 1998 when he finished 25th. Harvick earned his first top-10 at Martinsville on April 17, 1999 in a Ford F-150 for team owner Jim Herrick.

● DYK? Harvick tested a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car at Martinsville on Jan. 21, 2020. The Modified Tour is NASCAR’s oldest division and it is the only open-wheel series sanctioned by NASCAR. Compared to a NASCAR Cup Series car, a Tour car is 11 inches shorter in height and a little more than 23 inches wider. It also weighs nearly 800 pounds less. Harvick’s test came via Ryan Preece’s No. 6NY Tour car. Preece was the 2013 series champion and he earned the first of his 25 career Modified Tour victories at Martinsville on Sept. 20, 2008, leading 265 of the race’s 300 laps. Harvick and his company, KHI Management, represent Preece, who is now in his third full season competing in the Cup Series.

Kevin Harvick, Driver of the No. 4 Unibet Ford Mustang

How are you approaching this Sunday’s race at Martinsville, where you’re racing the track and those eight drivers still in the playoffs? More specifically, do you approach this race differently than you did when you raced at Martinsville back in April?

“It’s pretty much the same. You have to be on the offensive a lot of the time, but you also have to put yourself in good positions defensively, as well, to make sure you don’t get your car torn up, or get it torn up as little as possible as you go through the day. It’s definitely a little bit different at the end of the year just because of the fact that everybody’s agenda is different. You have eight guys who are left racing for a championship. You’ve got guys that want to win races and you’ve got guys who just want to have a good finish. So, there are a number of different agendas that, really, we’re dealing with all the way through the playoffs.”

If you make a mistake at Martinsville and it impacts someone else, how and when do you deal with it?

“You only have so much time, so you just have to deal with it after the race. The repercussions of doing something on purpose are usually pretty noticeable. You have to balance that, especially with guys who have been doing this for a long time.”

Where’s the best place to be at Martinsville to help avoid trouble on the racetrack?

“The best position to be in at any racetrack is in the lead. You want to be in control of the race and try to get yourself in a position to where you can have a good, clean restart and have as much clear track, especially at Martinsville. There is so much pushing and shoving on the restarts to get to the bottom lane that I want to have our Unibet Ford Mustang as far forward as possible.”

Martinsville is a place known for beating and banging, but there’s a discussion of late about how younger drivers are racing and where the line is between being aggressive and over-aggressive. What’s your take on all of this?

“You race hard, it’s kind of an eye for an eye, but it’s also kind of self-policing. Somebody pulls you in the corner, puts their arm around you where you have to take a look at how you do things. But it is different now, and that’s one of the side effects of not having any Cup drivers in the Trucks and Xfinity Series as much because you don’t really learn the proper way to do it until you get here to Cup, and it’s kind of trial and error and it teaches you through the years. When I started, there were 20 to 25 Cup drivers that would show up for the Xfinity Series races and you kind of learned those lessons before you got here. Same thing for the Truck deal. We have a lot of really great young drivers here in the Cup Series, but it takes really two or three years for them to really get their feet on the ground, to show their potential, how to take care of their car. I think Ross Chastain is a great example of learning how to race the proper way. He’s just done it faster than most. I think his progression has been fun to watch just because that’s how you’re supposed to do it. It’s about maximizing that potential. Here, you have to finish races.”

In addition to there being a new era of drivers, we’re embarking on a new era of racecars with the debut of the NextGen car in 2022. You were able to test the NextGen car earlier this month at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval. What’s it like?

“The current car has been a great car for us as far as safety and competition and different rules packages and body styles. The teams have designed their own chassis and their own parts and their own pieces. The NextGen car is definitely different but, in the end, it’s still a racecar. I don’t think we’re going to have really any advantage just because of the fact that everybody was there at the test and everybody was focused on the NextGen car and trying to figure out exactly what you need to do and where you need to do it. It was interesting to see all the crewmembers and engineers and everybody back in the garage. It’s been a long time since we had a test like that. From the NASCAR standpoint, they obviously put everybody in a position to be able to test at the same racetracks and have the same opportunities. It’s interesting, because it is drastically different. Teams have a lot less control over what they can make and how they can get parts – you’re at the mercy of vendors. As you go through these tests, there are a number of things that need to be worked on. They’ve done a good job of addressing the heat inside the racecars and coming up with something that we can fix there, but the only way to really go about finding all those problems is to have cars at the racetrack, like we did at the Roval. You’re seeing real-life problems that you have to solve quickly, before the season starts next year. But you have a lot of really smart people with all those engineers and all those team members, and that’s when all those problems start getting solved. It’ll be fun to watch the progression. It’ll be quick, now, because of the fact everybody is in the car and in the garage and working on the NextGen car.”

No. 4 Unibet Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Kevin Harvick
Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Crew Chief: Rodney Childers
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Robert “Cheddar” Smith
Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin

Engineer: Dax Gerringer
Hometown: Gibsonville, North Carolina

Engineer: Stephen Doran
Hometown: Butler, Pennsylvania

Spotter: Tim Fedewa
Hometown: Holt, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Shayne Pipala
Hometown: Frankfort Square, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Daniel Smith
Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Jeremy Howard
Hometown: Delhart, Texas

Jack Man: Stan Doolittle
Hometown: Ninety Six, South Carolina

Fuel Man: Evan Marchal
Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Richie Bean
Hometown: Bradford, Vermont

Tire Specialist: Jamie Turski
Hometown: Trumbull, Connecticut

Engine Tuner: Robert Brandt
Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Transporter Co-Driver: Rick Hodges
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Stephen Mitchell
Hometown: Woodville, Ohio

Roush Fenway Weekly Advance | Martinsville II

By
Official Release
-

Roush Fenway Weekly Advance | Martinsville II

Roush Fenway heads to Virginia for the second-to-last race of the 2021 season on Sunday, a Halloween special that will close out the round of 8 in the NASCAR Playoffs. Jack Roush has six wins all-time at ‘The Paperclip’ including four in the Cup Series.

Xfinity 500
Sunday, Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. ET
NBC, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90
· Ryan Newman, No. 6 Kohler Generators Ford Mustang
· Chris Buescher, No. 17 Fifth Third Bank Ford Mustang

Kansas Recap, Martinsville Preview

  • Buescher was one of only 15 cars to finish on the lead lap in Sunday’s 400-mile race from Kansas Speedway, earning a 12th-place run in the Fastenal Ford. Newman finished 27th.
  • Fifth Third Bank is back on Buescher’s No. 17 machine this weekend at Martinsville for its final primary of 2021. They will carry the standard Fifth Third scheme with a pink number in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and also feature Colony Tire on the decklid as part of the Fueled by Fifth Third pass-through program.
  • Kohler Generators will ride on Newman’s Ford for its final primary of the season, and carry a different look with a nod to Halloween on Sunday.

For Whom The Bell Tolls

Roush Fenway has earned four Grandfather Clocks at Martinsville with former drivers Mark Martin (two), Jeff Burton and Kurt Busch. Roush Fenway most recently went to victory lane with Busch in Oct. 2002.

Rock Around the Clock

Roush Fenway had its overall most-successful outing at Martinsville in the spring of 2002 when it placed all four of its cars inside the top 10 with drivers Martin, Burton, Busch and Matt Kenseth.

Closing Time

Roush Fenway earned a one-two finish in the April 9, 2000 event at Martinsville with former drivers Martin and Burton. Martin paced the field for 64 laps en route to the victory.

Short-Track Prowess

Roush Fenway has started a total of 682 NCS races on short tracks, recording a total of 22 wins, 122 top-five finishes, 243 top-10 finishes and 7,584 laps led.

Tale of the Tape

Roush Fenway has started 218 NCS races at Martinsville, recording four victories, 26 top-five finishes, 68 top-10 finishes, an average finish of 17.7 and has led 1,378 laps. Roush Fenway also boasts two NASCAR Truck Series wins in 46 starts at Martinsville (fall of ’03 and ’05).

Roush Fenway Martinsville Wins

1992-1 Martin Cup

1997-2 Burton Cup

2000-1 Martin Cup

2002-2 Busch Cup

2003-2 Wood Truck

2005-2 Craven Truck

Martinsville Is One of the No. 21 Team’s Favorite Venues

By
Official Release
-

As the NASCAR Cup Series season comes down to the final two races, Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are hoping to end their season with a couple of strong finishes.

The first chance comes this weekend at Martinsville Speedway, the Wood Brothers’ home track, in the 73rd running of the race now known as the Xfinity 500.

The Woods have competed at Martinsville 120 times, beginning with in 1953 when the team’s late founder Glenn Wood drove a Lincoln on the half-mile paper-clip-shaped oval just east of the Woods’ hometown of Stuart, Va.

Since then they’ve won two times at Martinsville, along with posting 28 top-five and 45 top-10 finishes. Two of those top-10s came in 2020, DiBenedetto’s first year with the No. 21 team.

Back in April, DiBenedetto came close to adding a third straight top-10 at Martinsville but wound up 12th.

He’s excited about returning to Martinsville for his 14th career start there and his fourth aboard the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang.

“It’s one of my favorite tracks of the year,” he said. “Our Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustangs are strong there.”

If DiBenedetto can score top-10 finishes in the next two races, including the season finale at Phoenix Raceway, he’ll tie his career-best season for top-10s, set last year with 11.

He’s vowing to do just that.

“We are going to make the most of it as the end of the season approaches,” he said.

There will be no practice or qualifying prior to the start of Sunday’s 500-lapper. DiBenedetto is set to start 21st, as the line-up was determined using performance metrics from last Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway.

The green flag is set to fly at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, with Stage breaks at Laps 130 and 260. NBC will carry the live TV broadcast.

About Motorcraft:

Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford and Lincoln Dealers, independent distributors and automotive parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.

About Omnicraft:

Omnicraft is part of the Ford lineup of parts brands: Ford Parts, Motorcraft and Omnicraft. Omnicraft is the exclusive non-Ford/Lincoln parts brand of premium aftermarket parts. With over a century of parts heritage to build upon, Omnicraft provides excellent quality and fit and is a preferred choice of professional automotive technicians. To find out more about Omnicraft, visit www.omnicraftautoparts.com or contact your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership.

About Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center

Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine vehicle maintenance including tire repair and replacement with a Low Tire Price Guarantee and a full menu of automotive services including oil and filter, brakes, alignments, batteries, and shocks and struts on all vehicle makes and models. Service is performed by certified technicians at more than 1,000 locations worldwide while you wait, and no appointment is necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Wood Brothers Racing

Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glen Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glen’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Matt DiBenedetto in the famous No. 21 racer.

Mitsubishi Motors Launches the All-New Outlander PHEV Model and Starts Sales in Japan in December

By
Official Release
-

Flagship SUV Combines Leading Electrification and All-Wheel Control Technologies

TOKYO, Oct 28, 2021 – (JCN Newswire) – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today premiered online its fully redesigned plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) model of the Outlander crossover SUV. Sales will commence in Japan on December 16, followed by Australia and New Zealand in the first half of 2022 and North America in the second half of 2022.

The all-new Outlander PHEV model is MMC’s flagship model which brings together its expertise in electrification and all-wheel control technologies, while also incorporating a newly-developed platform and an array of advanced technologies. Based on the product concept of “I-Fu-Do-Do” or authentic and majestic in Japanese, it adds a new dimension to the powerful ride, roomy interior spaces and wide-ranging functionalities expected of an SUV, along with the smooth yet powerful acceleration, and the safe, secure and comfortable ride unique to an electric vehicle (EV) in any driving conditions.

“With low CO2 emissions and environmental impact in terms of life-cycle assessment, the all-new Outlander PHEV model can be considered the best solution for carbon neutrality today,” said Takao Kato, president and chief executive officer, MMC. “With our electrification technology that delivers an exhilarating, eco-friendly ride, plus all-wheel control technology for safety and peace of mind in any kind of weather and road conditions, we are confident this new Outlander can make driving even more enjoyable and fulfilling.”

The Outlander was initially released in 20011 as MMC’s first crossover SUV. Since then, it has been rolled out globally over three generations and has become a core model in the company’s lineup, comprising approximately 20 percent of the sales volume. After the PHEV model was added to the previous generation in Japan in 2013, it was sequentially launched in regions including Europe, Oceania, North America and ASEAN, and has become a leader in the PHEV category with around 290,000 total units2 sold thus far.

Product overview

The all-new Outlander PHEV model has been given significant upgrades all over, focusing on the following three attributes.

  • New-generation PHEV system that delivers more powerful road performance and greater driving range
  • Safe, secure and comfortable driving in various weather and road conditions
  • Exterior with powerful presence and advanced, high-class interior

New-generation PHEV system that delivers more powerful road performance and greater driving range

To further enhance its appeal as an EV, MMC has completely updated the Outlander’s PHEV components, extended its EV driving range and enhanced the exhilarating acceleration unique to EVs. With an increase of around 40 percent in the output of the front and rear motors and drive battery, the new model can keep driving in EV mode and avoid starting the engine as much as possible even when pressing hard on the accelerator, delivering the smooth, powerful and satisfying motor-based driving of high-output twin-motor 4WD. Switching to a large capacity drive battery with total capacity of 20 kilowatts (kWh) and raising the equivalent all-electric range to 87 kilometers (km, in WLTC mode)4, 5 has assured sufficient driving range even when using functions such as the air conditioner, while at the same time helping to reduce the frequency of charging. An increase in the capacity of the gas tank has also expanded the total possible range when combining EV driving with hybrid driving.

The power drive unit for the front motor is newly equipped with a booster function which bolsters driving force by raising the supply of voltage to the front motor while simultaneously improving electricity consumption by raising the efficiency of the generator. Unifying the rear motor with the control unit also secured enough floor space to install a third row of seats, enabling a seven-passenger seating layout. Installing the control unit on the outside of the passenger compartment has also helped to shut out high-frequency noise for superior quietness.

Newly added innovative pedal operation mode makes it possible to both accelerate and decelerate just by controlling the accelerator pedal. The accelerator pedal alone can exert proper braking force with no need to switch to the brake pedal when decelerating6, so drivers can concentrate on steering and have more peace of mind in slippery surfaces such as snowy roads, as well as reducing the fatigue caused by switching pedals.

Safe, secure and comfortable driving in various weather and road conditions

The S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) integrated vehicle dynamics control system, based on a twin-motor 4WD system with one drive motor in front and another in the rear, has a new brake AYC (Active Yaw Control) function for the rear wheels. This allows the system to distribute the driving force to the front and rear wheels optimally according to road and driving conditions, while torque vectoring by controlling the brakes on the left and right wheels is also possible for the front and rear wheels. This makes it possible to extract the maximum performance from all four tires in a more balanced manner, delivering handling true to the driver’s intention and high operating stability.

Seven drive modes can be selected depending on road surface conditions and driving style. Normal is the basic mode, optimized for normal driving on paved roads. Tarmac mode provides brisk acceleration response and high-cornering performance on dry paved surfaces. Gravel mode provides balanced operability and road handling ability on unpaved or wet paved roads, and Snow mode delivers stable vehicle behavior on snowy and other slippery roads. Mud mode optimizes tire slippage according to vehicle speed for superior road handling on muddy roads and deep trenches of snow, while also providing better ability to escape when stuck. Modes that can be used according to driving style are Power mode, which delivers powerful acceleration when needed, and Eco mode which prioritizes economic and environmentally friendly driving. These seven driving modes ensure a comfortable, enjoyable driving experience along with safety and peace of mind.

The newly developed platform and highly rigid structure of RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body design achieve a high level of safety and steering stability. In addition to greatly increasing the front body rigidity and torsional rigidity which contributed to improving steering stability, MMC has also used hot stamping method ultra-high tensile strength steel sheets (1,470 MPa). Incorporated around the passenger compartment, these sheets go beyond the conventional steel sheet reinforcement to form a highly durable passenger compartment with little deformation. Inclusion of the latest version of MMC’s active safety technologies, which detect collision risks with multiple sensors for safer driving, keep collision risks to a minimum while offering safety and peace of mind.

The all-new Outlander is equipped with evolved MI-PILOT7 single-lane driver assistance technology for highways. The control system integrates Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) to assist the driver in maintaining distance between vehicles while keeping in the center of the lane. It also detects speed limit signs and automatically adjusts the set speed accordingly. MI-PILOT with Navi-link utilizes map data to automatically adjust vehicle speed as needed according to curves, forks, and other circumstances on expressways. Also, the vehicle can automatically start within about 30 seconds of stopping in traffic, alleviating fatigue on the expressway.

Mitsubishi Connect is adopted for more safety, security and comfort behind the wheel. User can easily access emergency assistance, check the travelable distance of the drive battery, set charging times and alerts to avoid forgetting to charge, and display the positioning of a parked vehicle on smartphone app maps to see where it is located. Mitsubishi Connect also has a parental control function that sends notifications of vehicle driving status.

Exterior with powerful presence and advanced, high-class interior

Based on the bold expressions of functionality with which MMC has designed its SUVs over the years, the company developed the all-new Outlander under its new design concept — Bold Stride — which expresses a bold, fixating presence with a solid stance and dependability for drivers to take a new step forward.

On the front, MMC has evolved the Dynamic Shield for a new generation to create a front-end design with a sense of presence. Seen from the side, the large-diameter 20-inch wheels along with the muscular fender flares that house them combine with D-pillars inspired by the vertical tail of airplanes and a floating roof to conjure an image of powerful yet crisp road performance. The rear side of the all-new Outlander features tailgate design comprised of a hexagon motif, and the horizontally themed tail lights that extend to both edges create a styling that accentuates wideness and stability. Body color can be selected from a total of 10 colors including the vivid, crystalline, high brightness Diamond Color series – Red Diamond, White Diamond, and the new Black Diamond.

Inside, the horizontally sculpted instrument panel makes it easy to understand the position of the car while driving, and expresses robustness and a feeling of spaciousness. The center console is designed to project a broad high-class presence. Finely textured soft padding that is pleasing to the touch can be found all over the interior, with stitching added for a high-quality feel. Based on the Mitsubishi Touch approach, the monitors and gauges are designed to be reassuringly easy to see, while the selectors, dials and switches are designed to provide a confident grip and operation, resulting in a quality feel that appeals to the senses.

Trim levels and pricing

Three trim levels are available. The base model M (five passengers) comes standard with driver assistance technologies and active safety system, the fully equipped G (five or seven passengers) has additional features including 20-inch wheels and Mitsubishi Connect, and the high-end P (seven passengers) comes equipped with premium interior and exterior, Bose premium sound system and more.

The all-new Outlander PHEV model is priced from 4,621,100 to 5,320,700 yen (10% consumption tax included).

  1. Sold as Airtrek in Japan
  2. As of September 2021
  3. Japanese specifications. Vehicle specifications may vary depending on model and/or market.
  4. For the M trim level. Range of the P and G trim levels is 83 km.
  5. WLTC: Worldwide harmonized Light duty Test Cycle is an internationally recognized test cycle that is composed of urban, suburban, and highway driving modes with average usage ratios.
  6. Brake pedal must be used when stronger deceleration is required or when stopping the car.
  7. MI-PILOT Assist in the U.S. and Canada.

About Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (TSE:7211), MMC–a member of the Alliance with Renault and Nissan—, is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has more than 30,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, mainland China, the Philippines, Viet Nam and Russia. MMC has a competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and appeals to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation. Since the production of our first vehicle more than a century ago, MMC has been a leader in electrification–launched the i-MiEV – the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, followed by the Outlander PHEV – the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013. MMC announced a three-year business plan in July 2020 to introduce more competitive and cutting-edge models, including the Eclipse Cross PHEV (PHEV model), the all-new Outlander and the all-new Triton/L200.

For more information on MMC, please visit the company’s website at
https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/

JEFF DYER SEEKS REDEMPTION THIS SATURDAY AT THE VENTURA RACEWAY

By
Official Release
-
Jeff Dyer photo courtesy of Lance Jennings.

(Yucca Valley, CA, October 27, 2021) When the California Lightning Sprint Car Series returns to Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway for the final time in 2021 this Saturday night, veteran driver Jeff Dyer will be seeking redemption after a heartbreaking loss at the track four weeks ago.  The race will be the busy drivers 28th start in the 2021 campaign. 

When the CLS last visited Ventura on October 2nd, Dyer, who lives in Yucca Valley, California, was fast all night long.  He placed second in both his heat race and the dash.  The runner-up spot in the dash put him on the outside of the front row for the 25-lap main event.  From there, he dominated the race.  That is, he dominated the race for the first 23-laps.  Having lapped all the way up to the fifth-place car, Dyer was less than 20-seconds away from victory on the ocean side oval.  However, his clutch failed.  That saw him go from sure victory to a sixth-place finish in the blink of an eye.

Dyer is ranked fourth in the season long CLS championship standings heading into this Saturday’s race.  His first three appearances at Ventura have seen him at, or near, the front of the pack.  His best finish thus far in 2021 came at the track when he placed second on June 5th.  On August 28th he finished 4th and as mentioned above, he led all but the last two laps there on October 2nd. 

Even though the CLS has not been in action for a month, Dyer has done anything, but sit around.  Two weeks ago he contested the prestigious “California Cup” for Lightning Sprint Cars at the Lemoore Raceway.  The highlight of the weekend came on night number two when he started seventh and finished third in the main event.  On the opening night, he started third in the main, but took himself out going for the lead, and ended up 14th.  In the 40-lap finale, he started ninth and waltzed his way up to sixth before getting tangled up in someone else’s mess.  He restarted at the back of the talent laden field and thrilled the crowd with a drive through the pack to seventh.  More was in the offering, but with 10-laps to go, his throttle stuck wide open.  That forced an early evacuation from the main event with a 16th place finish.

Last Saturday night Dyer journeyed to Perris Auto Speedway for his final 2021 appearance in the Amsoil USAC/CRA Series.  An annoying oil leak where the pan meets the block plagued the Dyer Motorsports/Cal Smith #39 all night long.  Dyer started the main event in 21st.  However, when the engine began to smoke again, he wisely pulled it off to prevent damage. 

Fans who want to watch Dyer compete at the beautiful ocean side oval can find the track on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard (93001).  The website is http://venturaraceway.com/ and the office phone number is (805) 648-RACE.  Spectator gates will open at 3:00 p.m. and the first race of the night will take the green flag at 5:30.

Throughout the 2021 campaign, Dyer will be racing in memory of his grandfather, Glenn Sels. 

With the end of the 2021 season less than a month away, Dyer is already preparing for the 2022 campaign.  If you or your company would like to jump on board with this hard racing, fun loving team, please contact him using the information at the top of this release.

Dyer Motorsports would like to thank the following for making the 2021 USAC/CRA and California Lightning Sprint Car Series racing seasons possible.  Glenn Sels Engineering, Cal Smith Racing, John Springstead Racing, Say No To Drugs, T Shirts By Timeless, Specialty Fasteners, Justice Brothers, LDS Investigations, Hair Cuts by Susie, Darrien Racing, Amsoil, Dependable Machines, Tucker Racing, JC Auto and Repair, Homeland Hearth, Schweitzer Racing and Crutchfield Race Engines.  If you would like to be a part of the team in 2021, call or send an Email to the contact information at the top of this page. 

Jeff Dyer’s 2021 Racing Results

3-12             Kern County Raceway                USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                              14th A Main  

3-13             Bakersfield Speedway                 California Lightning Sprint Cars                                 15th A Main

3-26             Mojave Valley Raceway              POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints                              8th A Main

3-27             Mojave Valley Raceway              POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints                              2nd A Main

4-3               Barona Speedway                       POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints                              11th A Main

4-10             Bakersfield Speedway                 California Lightning Sprints                                        20th A Main

4-17             Merced Speedway                      California Lightning/BCRA Civil War                          7th A Main

5-15             Bakersfield Speedway                 California Lightning Sprint Cars                                 3rd A Main

5-22             Perris Auto Speedway                 USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                              17th A Main  

5-29             Central Missouri Speedway         POWRi Lightning Sprint Car Nationals                          4th A Main

5-30             Central Missouri Speedway         POWRi Lightning Sprint Car Nationals                          12th A Main  

6-5               Ventura Raceway                       California Lightning Sprint Cars                                 2nd A Main   

7-3               Santa Maria Raceway                 California Lightning Sprint Cars                                 11th A Main  

7-3               Santa Maria Raceway                 USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                              13th A Main

7-17             Perris Auto Speedway                 USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                              12th A Main

7-24             Santa Maria Speedway               California Lightning Sprint Cars                                 6th A Main

8-21             Perris Auto Speedway                 USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                              12th A Main

8-28             Ventura Raceway                       California Lightning Sprint Cars                                 4th A Main

9-18             Bakersfield Speedway                 California Lightning Sprint Cars                                 2nd A Main

9-19             Kern County Raceway                California Lightning Sprint Cars                                 7th A Main

9-19             Kern County Raceway                USAC West Coast Sprint Cars                                        9th A Main

9-25             Perris Auto Speedway                 USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                              14th A Main

10-2             Ventura Raceway                       California Lightning Sprint Cars                                 6th A Main

10-14           Lemoore Raceway                      California Cup Lightning Sprints          Cars                       11th A Main

10-15           Lemoore Raceway                      California Cup Lightning Sprints          Cars                       3rd A Main

10-16           Lemoore Raceway                      California Cup Lightning Sprints          Cars                       16th A Main

10-23           Perris Auto Speedway                 USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                              24th A Main        

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Launches the All-New GR86

By
Official Release
-

Fans of the 86 can test-drive and compare the GR86 and Subaru BRZ at FUJI 86 STYLE with BRZ

Toyota City, Japan, Oct 28, 2021 – (JCN Newswire) – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) commenced sales of the all-new GR86 at GR Garage and Toyota dealers nationwide, on October 28.

The GR86 was jointly developed with Subaru Corporation (Subaru). In September 2019, Toyota and Subaru entered into a new business and capital alliance, and have promoted their goal of making ever-better cars in new fields, such as by jointly developing the new Toyota bZ4X battery electric vehicle (BEV). But the two companies also share a desire to continue delivering the excitement, thrill, and joy of driving sports cars; to this end, they have also engaged in the joint development of sports cars that embody the unique qualities of both companies.

The GR86 shares the same base as the Subaru BRZ. However, Toyota focused on delivering the unique driving feel of a GR vehicle, with intuitive handling and instinctive responsiveness, linear response, and outstanding agility at the upper limits of performance. While carrying on the tradition of the 86 and engaging in friendly rivalry with Subaru’s BRZ development team, TGR sought to develop a vehicle that would realize a GR-like evolution. As a result, the new GR86 has been reborn as a car designed with outstanding driving feel that is both direct and satisfying.

To mark its launch, TGR will exhibit the new GR86 at FUJI 86 STYLE with BRZ 2021 (86 Style)(1), which is hosted by Fuji International Speedway Co., Ltd. The event will provide fans with the chance to drive the new GR86 at the earliest opportunity(2) and compare its ride with the Subaru BRZ, while other activities are planned to enable visitors to experience the driving feel of the GR86. Also, the event will be streamed live on TGR’s official YouTube channel.

Overview of 86 Style

Date: November 21, 2021
Location: Fuji Speedway
Host: Fuji International Speedway Co., Ltd.
Sponsors: Subaru Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation

For further details, including how to attend the event, please visit the following website
only)
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCtALHup92q5xIFb7n9UXVg

Sales Outline:
1. Base sales volume 700 units
2. In-store presentations December 11-12, 2021
3. The new GR86 will also be available via the KINTO ONE car subscription service3 from October 28. For the first time in KINTO ONE’s history, customers will be permitted to modify the GR86 (illegal modifications and other exclusions apply); the vehicle will be available from 21,450 yen4 per month (including tax).

For further details, please visit the KINTO ONE GR86 website: https://kinto-jp.com/lp/gr86/ (Japanese only)

Production Plant:
Main Plant of Gunma Plant, Subaru Corporation

(1) 86 Style complies with government guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. To this end, various measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be taken, including taking visitor body temperatures at entry gates.
(2) There are limits to the number of test-drive opportunities available. For further details, please visit the following website
only)

For more information visit https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/toyota/36247827.html.

The City of New Orleans: Things You Didn’t Know

By
SM
-

New Orleans is an amazing and unique city. Everyone knows about Mardi Gras, but have you heard of the most haunted house in New Orleans or eaten alligator for breakfast? In this article, we have compiled some of the most unusual facts about “NOLA,” as called by the locals. Some are well-known and some new, but they are all fun new things to learn about the Big Easy!

New Orleans – or N’awlins – has a rich culture reflected in its food, music, and festivals. French colonists established the city as La Nouvelle-Orléans in 1718.  In 1862, following the Louisiana Purchase from France, New Orleans took on a new role as part of the United States. Since then, the city has established itself as one of the most prominent cities of the state of Louisiana – if not the entire country. Let us take a look at some of the most intriguing features of New Orleans.

The Motorcycle Culture

The sense of camaraderie and community that connects motorcycle riders across the world is almost unrivaled. In New Orleans, this scenario is especially vivid. There is an array of riding experiences that you can acquire from this city.

Go out on a sunny day in the streets of NOLA, and, chances are, you will witness a massive group of bikers riding in unison. You might also see groups of “old-school” bikers bursting through the empty streets on their chromed Harleys. Even their attires are unique, with stylish leather jackets and heavy boots being their most prominent features, aside from the intensely customized bikes. 

The female riders are hardly different, except for their clothing which they hardly wear while biking. The New Orleans Motorcycle Culture is fascinating, especially for tourists who have never seen anything like it ever before. In fact, a visit to NOLA might be the perfect opportunity to ride a motorcycle on the highway for the first time. You don’t want to miss out on that.

The City’s Haunted Nature

New Orleans is home to the most haunted places in the United States. Of course, there’s no government-issued data on which cities are the most haunted in the United States. However, whether you are a skeptic of the spectral or have a passion for the phantom, it is easy to see why New Orleans – with its creepy cemeteries, voodoo practices, and ties to the occult – has earned its reputation as a refuge for souls yet to depart.

There are endless horror stories associated with the city. The slave tortures, the Royal Street estate murders committed by Delphine LaLaurie, the massacre at Gardette-LePretre Mansion, the child’s presence at Hotel Monteleone, the poltergeists of Muriel’s restaurant – you name it! The city has it all. The city plays host to countless tourists every year just for this very reason. Talk about the ultimate experience of a haunted city!

The World’s Longest Continuous Bridge

In the Guinness Book of World Records, the iconic Lake Pontchartrain Causeway holds the record for being the longest, over-water, continuous bridge in the world. The record has remained untouched ever since the bridge was built back in 1956. It is a remarkable landmark, something every tourist in the city must visit. The bridge is so astonishingly long, drivers have claimed that they lose sight of land when they reach the middle. 

Imagine how scary it can be! There have also been reports of mothers giving birth on the bridge as they could not cross the bridge and make it in time to the hospital. We suggest every New Orleans tourist go check the Causeway out. Chances are, they will stay baffled for days!

The Birthplace of Poker and Craps

The globally recognized card games Poker and Craps originated from the city of New Orleans. Poker was initially a French game called Poque and was quite popular during the 17th century. With the arrival of French colonists, the game entered US soil (New Orleans, to be precise) and stayed. American settlers converted the name into English and began calling it Poker. Over time, many rules changed, but the theme remained the same. The story behind craps is also similar, with its initial name being Crapaud – French for frog.

Mardi Gras Is a Children’s Event

While Mardi Gras might seem like an all-out party from the outside, the event is for young children. The kids of New Orleans grow in a unique environment because of Mardi Gras, as nothing can compare with it in the entire country.

When the occasion hits, you will witness never-ending parades – throwing doubloons, beads, trinkets, and whatnot, to the children screaming their lungs out in the streets. At St. Charles Avenue, you will see hundreds of beautifully-dressed children waiting in line to join the massive costume party, which is a feature of Mardi Gras.

The Strange Cemeteries Are Different

If you happen to breathe your last breath in New Orleans, there is a big possibility that you will not be buried “six feet under.” Instead, you may end up in one of the iconic above-ground necropolises in the city. 

The geographic placement of NOLA means it is basically below sea level. The entire city contains wet soil, making it unwise to bury the dead in the ground. Thus, mausoleums and tombs were built to solve this horrendous problem.

As time passed, these tombs developed. Nowadays, you will see colossal family tombs and grand cemeteries. This method of burial has now made its way into the core culture of the city. There are more than 40 legendary cemeteries in New Orleans – the largest being the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. If you happen to visit the place, make sure you check out the famous tombs of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo queen, and Homer Plessy, the civil rights activist.

Final Thoughts

Every city in the world has its own set of unique features. However, when it comes to New Orleans, the attributes are just too many. If on a short trip, there is every possibility that you will not be able to cover even half of what the city has to offer. 

Make sure you do your research and identify the spots that you desire to visit before booking the tickets.

1...2,2892,2902,291...6,741Page 2,290 of 6,741