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Ford Performance NASCAR: Martinsville

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Official Release
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FORD PERFORMANCE NASCAR: MARTINSVILLE

All three major NASCAR series will be holding elimination races this weekend at Martinsville Speedway as the NASCAR Cup, NASCAR XFINITY and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series set their respective Championship 4 fields.

This Week’s Schedule:
Saturday, Oct. 30 – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, 1 p.m. ET (FS1)
Saturday, Oct. 30 – NASCAR XFINITY Series, 6 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
Sunday, Oct. 31 – NASCAR Cup Series, 2 p.m. ET (NBC)

FORD IN THE NASCAR CUP SERIES AT MARTINSVILLE
· Ford has 30 series wins at Martinsville Speedway.
· Ford has won four of the last nine series events at Martinsville.
· Brad Keselowski has two of those wins while Joey Logano has one.

ROUND OF 8 NCS PLAYOFF STANDINGS (Top 4 Advance After Martinsville)
5th — Ryan Blaney (-1 below final transfer spot)
7th – Brad Keselowski (-6)
8th — Joey Logano (-26)

FORD IN THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES AT MARTINSVILLE
· Ford has 1 series win at Martinsville Speedway.
· Kenny Wallace has that lone series win (1994).
· Austin Cindric has finished in the top 10 in both of his series starts.

ROUND OF 8 NXS PLAYOFF STANDINGS (Top 4 Advance After Martinsville)

1st — Austin Cindric (+47 above final transfer spot)

FORD IN THE NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES AT MARTINSVILLE
· Ford has five all-time NCWTS wins at Martinsville Speedway.
· Todd Gilliland recorded his first series victory at Martinsville Speedway.
· Hailie Deegan will be making her Martinsville Speedway debut this weekend.

BLANEY ON THE BUBBLE

Ryan Blaney goes into this weekend’s elimination race at Martinsville one point behind Kyle Busch for the final Championship 4 spot. He figures to be a contender at the half-mile track based on recent performances that included four straight finishes of fifth or better until an 11th-place run earlier this year ended that streak. Overall, Blaney has five top-5 finishes at Martinsville in 11 career Cup starts and an average finish of 10.7, which ranks second personally among all tracks in which he has 10 or more starts. The only track where he has a better average finish is Las Vegas (8.8 in 11 starts).

KESELOWSKI STILL IN CONTENTION

Brad Keselowski is six points behind Kyle Busch for the final position in the Championship 4, but Martinsville Speedway has been a good place for the Rochester, Michigan native. He comes into Sunday’s scheduled race with two career Cup wins and finishes of fifth or better in 9 of the last 11 races at the track known as the paper clip. Martinsville also ranks fifth in terms of Keselowski’s best average finish, which is 11.2 in 23 starts. His streak of 10 straight top 10 Cup finishes at the track came to an end earlier this year when he was involved in a 12-car accident in the final stage and finished 33rd.

LOGANO LOOKING FOR WIN TO ADVANCE

Joey Logano enters Sunday’s Round of 8 elimination race 26 points below the cutline and in need of a win to make the Championship 4 for a second consecutive season. Logano has also had his share of success at Martinsville Speedway, sitting on the pole three straight times (2015-16) and winning the playoff race in 2018. He has a streak of four straight top 10 Cup finishes at the track, including a sixth place run earlier this season. Logano’s average finish of 12.1 in 24 starts is his fourth best among all active tracks in which he’s had at least 10 starts with only Las Vegas (8.6), Richmond (10.2) and Indianapolis (10.8) being better.

CINDRIC IN GOOD POSITION TO ADVANCE

Austin Cindric finds himself in the best place possible going into Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series elimination race, sitting first in the playoff standings and holding a 47-point cushion over fifth-place Justin Haley. Cindric has been a model of consistency in the postseason as he goes for his second straight championship. He has started first or second in all five races to date and has an average finish of 4.2. As noted above, Cindric has two NXS starts at Martinsville and has finished 10th or better on both occasions. He was 10th in his track debut last season and followed that up with a sixth place run earlier this year.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS AT MARTINSVILLE

1961 – Fred Lorenzen (1)

1962 – Nelson Stacy (2)

1963 – Fred Lorenzen (2)

1964 – Fred Lorenzen (Sweep)

1965 – Fred Lorenzen and Junior Johnson

1966 – Fred Lorenzen (2)

1969 – Richard Petty (Sweep)

1986 – Ricky Rudd (1)

1990 – Geoffrey Bodine (Sweep)

1992 – Mark Martin and Geoffrey Bodine

1993 – Ernie Irvan (2)

1994 – Rusty Wallace (Sweep)

1995 – Rusty Wallace (1)

1996 – Rusty Wallace (1)

1997 – Jeff Burton (1)

1998 – Ricky Rudd (2)

2000 – Mark Martin (1)

2001 – Dale Jarrett and Ricky Craven

2002 – Kurt Busch (2)

2017 – Brad Keselowski (1)

2018 – Clint Bowyer and Joey Logano

2019 – Brad Keselowski (1)

FORD NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS AT MARTINSVILLE

1994 – Kenny Wallace

FORD NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT MARTINSVILLE

1995 – Joe Ruttman

2003 – Jon Wood

2004 – Rick Crawford

2005 – Ricky Craven (2)

2015 – Joey Logano (1)

2020 – Grant Enfinger

Wayne Taylor Racing in Misano, Italy for Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Finals this Weekend

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Official Release
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Brownsburg, Ind. (October 26, 2021) – The Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor Racing stable of Lamborghini Super Trofeos will compete in Misano, Italy at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli this weekend for Round six of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America championship and the two-race World Finals event. The team’s five drivers split amongst three classes in PRO, PRO|AM, and AM will race against the best LST drivers in Europe and North America.

Over 60 drivers from around the word will take to the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli circuit, a 2.262-mile, 16 turn track most known for hosting MotoGP. The Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor team, which Is sitting third and fourth In the Dealer and Team Championships respectively, will look to make their mark here as they enter the final race weekend of the season with 7 wins and 18 podiums.

Kyle Marcelli and Daniel Formal will co-drive the No. 101 Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Super Trofeo. The co-drivers have overcome adversity to win three of the last four races in the 2021 season and currently sit fourth in the championship just three points out of third place and 24 points out of first.

Driver of the No. 125 Harrison Contracting with Wayne Taylor Racing LST, Ashton Harrison, is currently third in the AM Championship with only a 4-point deficit from second position and 17-point deficit to first position. The American’s 2021 season has been productive and impressive in her first year as a solo AM driver with two wins and seven podiums. Harrison’s last World Finals run ended with great success as she became the first woman to win a Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Finals race.

Jordan Missig, driver of the No. 153 Wayne Taylor Racing LST, has shown fantastic growth as a driver in the PRO|AM class where the Illinois native is in third place in the championship after missing Round 3 at Watkins Glen International due to a scheduling conflict with his other racing series. Missig has captured two wins and seven podiums in his first year in Lamborghini Super Trofeo. He will compete in the PRO|AM class for the final rounds of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Championship and switch to PRO for the two World Finals races later in the weekend.

Randy Sellari, the 2020 LB Cup champion, driver of the No. 103 JG Wentworth with Wayne Taylor Racing LST, having moved up to the AM Class this season, enters the final round of the LST NA championship tied for fourth position. Sellari is looking forward to showcasing his consistent growth this year on the world stage.

Practice for the final Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America round begins on Thursday, October 28th at 3:00 a.m. ET/9:00 a.m. CET with Qualifying following at 10:20 a.m. ET/4:20 p.m. CET. Race 1 will start at 3:25 a.m. ET/9:25 a.m. CET with Race 2 starting at 8:45 a.m. ET/2: 45 p.m. CET on Friday. Saturday begins the World Finals festivities as green flag for AM & LB Cup at 10:30 a.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CET and 11:55 a.m. ET/5:55 p.m. CET for the PRO & PRO|AM race. World Finals Race 2 will start on Sunday at 6:05 a.m. ET/12:05 p.m. CET for the AM & LB Cup and 9:25 a.m. ET/2:25 p.m. CET for the PRO and PRO|AM. All race coverage will be available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/nhy_zaDQ0dQ.

Kyle Marcelli, No. 101 Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo (PRO)
“Our 2021 Lamborghini Super Trofeo campaign has been quite successful. We started the season with two podiums in the first four races at COTA and VIR. Then, had the wind knocked out of our sails at Watkins Glen. But as the saying goes “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” could not have been truer. We rebounded with three wins in the last four races at Road America and Laguna Seca. Every member of the Wayne Taylor Racing team has been operating at the top of their game and have played a key role in our success. As I look forward to the World Finals, I am excited. This will be my first world final event. I’m told the schedule is busy and the competition will be tough. That said, Danny and I have been working well together and I expect us to have the No. 101 Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini at the front of the grid.”

Daniel Formal, No. 101 Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo (PRO)
“This is the last event of the season and it’s been a great season so far, especially the second half with three wins in four races and my first pole position. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity with Wayne Taylor Racing and Prestige Performance. They have become a part of my family and I want to give them the best result possible in Misano. Hopefully we can build on that and have a relationship for 2022 and keep on trying to win the championship in Lamborghini Super Trofeo. We still have a chance to win the championship mathematically and we are going to give it our all. Kyle and I are ready, we’ve been working together better than I ever expected. He’s become like a brother to me. I’m just super excited for the final event and ready to give it 100%.”

Ashton Harrison, No. 125 Harrison Contracting with Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Super Trofeo (AM)
“I can’t believe we are at the end of the 2021 season. It’s hard to believe I’m closing out on my junior year of Lamborghini Super Trofeo. It has been a rewarding year and I’m looking forward to closing out the season with success at Misano. I expect the entire Wayne Taylor Racing team to be a strong group as we have been all year going into worlds. We were strong in 2019 and I’d like to imagine we are even better now. I am so thankful to my team; especially Travis, Shawn and Shishir for all the hard work they’ve put into our program. The 2019 Worlds Finals were good to me, and I have high expectations for myself leading into this year’s worlds event. I want that Lamborghini Worlds Title.”

Jordan Missig, No. 153 Wayne Taylor Racing (PRO|AM)
“The 2021 season is sure one I will remember for a long time. Basically, has been a season full of trial by fire, but the good news is I really haven’t been burned badly. In other words, it has been a really good first season for not being in the car until this year. I was able to capture my first podium in my first race out at COTA, then later collect two wins up at one of my favorite tracks in Road America, and most recently get another podium out west at Laguna Seca. So, to collect two wins and four podiums in eight races is something that I am really proud of how this season has turned out so far. But we are still not done, now the focus turns overseas to Italy to take part in the World Finals event where I will finish up the North America Season in Pro-Am before making the jump to the Pro Class for the world Finals event. I am beyond excited to finally get the opportunity to go race in Europe with some of the best Sports Car Drivers in the world, and I can’t wait to take the fight to them. I have been putting a lot of hours and sim time to the Misano World Circuit and I hope it will help me get up to speed quickly when we get on track for the very first time. As always, I want to thank Wayne Taylor Racing for their outstanding efforts and support throughout the whole season and getting us all ready for the final race of the 2021 season.”

Randy Sellari, No. 103 JG Wentworth with Wayne Taylor Racing (AM)
“The season so far has been full of ups and downs. I am really thankful for a successful return to Wayne Taylor Racing during the 2021 season which has allowed me to continue my growth and ultimately make my debut in the AM category. Things haven’t been without hiccups or upsets but I’m proud of how I was able to jump back at different moments throughout the year. Ultimately, as a competitor you always go out wanting to achieve more but I can look back on this year and be proud of my improved pace in such an extremely competitive field. With this year being my 4th trip to a Super Trofeo World Finals (one year as a spectator and three years participating), I realize that anything can happen. It will be interesting to see where I stack up against the other competitors from around the world and as always, my sights are set on a podium. I’ve done quite a lot of sim work, so I feel ready for this challenge.”

Mystery Designer to Debut Artisanship Aboard Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet in Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway

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Official Release
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CONCORD, N.C. (October 26, 2021) – Spire+, in partnership with Spire Motorsports, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with a contemporary artist to design the team’s No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

The yet to be named artisan has been contracted by Spire+ and given full creative license to fashion a paint scheme to make a splash in the agency’s first Cup Series venture.

Spire+, a division of Spire Holdings, is a full-service marketing and advertising division dedicated to providing the automotive industry with innovative strategies, inspiring content development, impactful design, and unwavering customer service.

Spire Holdings is the parent organization of Spire+, Spire Motorsports, Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E), Spire Hockey, and Track Enterprises.

“It’s very cool that our brand will be on a billboard going 120 mph and NASCAR is such a great place to showcase our agency,” explained Spire+ president John Marsh. “To be honest, we’ve been so busy after announcing our launch in September that we had to bring in a trusted freelancer to do our car design. It’s putting it lightly that we took a chance but I’m sure the designer will nail it.

“We’re going to release a three-part series on our Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages this week documenting the process and identifying the artist, so we’d love to have everyone visit those channels leading up to the race at Martinsville this weekend and learn more about what Spire+ is all about.”

Spire+ boasts a marquee lineup of strategists, marketers, promoters, advertising professionals, and brand builders with impeccable industry credentials and a unique business acumen, guiding its clients from a position of experience and integrity.

“We’re thrilled to introduce Spire+ to the NASCAR Cup Series community,” said Spire Holdings co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “We’ve got an incredible group of brand builders who thrive on thinking outside the box. To that point, we’ve enlisted a talented new artist to design the car, so we’re waiting with bated breath to see how it turns out. I’ve seen this individual’s artwork firsthand and it’s always an inspired finished product. I have no doubt this particular paint scheme will make a big splash on the race track for both Spire+ and Spire Motorsports.”

The Xfinity 500 from Martinsville Speedway will be televised live on NBC Sunday, October 31 beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The penultimate race on the 2021 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

About Spire+ …
The Spire+ vision is seen through the lens of success and founded on an impeccable reputation in motorsports. With a storied history written by countless checkered flags and marketing victories, extending its current client roster within the automotive industry is a natural extension of Spire Holdings.

Spire+ creates and consistently adds value, while continually striving to advance its clients initiatives and market share. Each day, Spire+ endeavors to be best-in-class and take its clients and itself higher. For more information about Spire+ please log on to Spire-Plus.com or visit us on Instagram, twitter, and LinkedIn.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports was established in 2018 and is co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. Spire Motorsports earned an upset victory for the ages in its first full season when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019.

M&M’S Halloween Racing: Kyle Busch Martinsville Advance

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Official Release
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KYLE BUSCH
Trick-or-Treat

HUNTERSVILLE, North Carolina (Oct. 26, 2021) – This Sunday is a notable day for Kyle Busch for a couple of reasons. Of course, Busch’s main focus is on Sunday’s Xfinity 500 NASCAR Cup Series race a Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’S Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), will also use the opportunity to celebrate Halloween as the race happens to fall on Oct. 31, when he will sport the colorful candymaker’s special scheme for the second weekend in a row in celebration of M&M’S Halloween fun packs.

Along with his favorite chocolate candies, Busch is looking for something else to add to his Halloween treat bag following Sunday’s race at Martinsville, and that’s the traditional Martinsville grandfather clock trophy for winning at NASCAR’s shortest track. While the clock may be way too big for his treat bag, a win would be quite the treat as it would automatically qualify him for the season-ending Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway next weekend. Busch knows the feeling well as he won at Martinsville in October 2017, qualifying him for the winner-take-all playoff finale. He currently sits fourth in the standings, just one point above the top-four cutline, heading into the final race of the Round of 8 of this year’s Cup Series playoffs.

The spooky-looking M&M’S scheme will race on Halloween at a place that used to challenge Busch at the start of his career, and in the early part of his 14-year tenure with JGR. Busch finished outside the top-10 in three of his first four Martinsville races with JGR in 2008 and 2009. Since then, Busch has scored 12 top-five finishes there and he hopes a 13th top-five with JGR Sunday will continue his championship hopes.

The beginning of the recent success at Martinsville for Busch and the M&M’s team came with the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion’s first career win at the paperclip-shaped oval in April 2016. Not only did he bring home his first Martinsville clock, he did it in dominating fashion, leading five times for a race-high 352 laps en route to victory lane. He added a second career win there in 2017.

All season long, Busch and his team have never backed down from a challenge. Two brushes with the wall last Sunday at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City led to a disappointing 28th-place finish. Even with that result, Busch sits in the final transfer spot to the Championship 4 in a very tight battle where fourth through seventh in the standings are separated by just seven points. Only Kyle Larson – who won the first two races in the Round of 8 – is locked into the Championship 4 next weekend, leaving three spots at Phoenix up for grabs at Martinsville.

This year M&M’S is bringing Halloween celebrations to communities around the country, partnering with organizations such as Boys & Girls Club of Charlotte, and providing activities, costumes and, most importantly, candy for the families they work with. Busch and some of his No. 18 team spent time packing a race-themed package for kids at the Boys & Girls Club, which of course included some M&M’S candy for the Halloween celebration.

So, as the season heads into the homestretch, Busch and the M&M’S Halloween team know that, when it comes to being championship-eligible at Phoenix, they’ll need to take advantage of the confidence they’ve built at Martinsville since 2015. Buoyed by already having conquered the .526-mile short track in Southern Virginia multiple times in recent years, Busch hopes to add a punched ticket to the championship race at Phoenix to his treat bag by the end of Sunday’s 500-lap marathon, in addition to M&M’S goodies and the traditional grandfather clock, of course.

KYLE BUSCH, Driver of the No. 18 M&M’S Halloween Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing:

How do you feel about your position just above the cutline heading to Martinsville?

“I was expecting much worse with how our race went at Kansas. We still have a decent shot, but it’s just going to be tough. Just going to be a hard-fought fight for that final spot with our M&M’S Halloween Camry. You don’t necessarily have to win, but certainly we are going to have to work hard to get up front and stay up there, get as many stage points as possible and see where things shake out. Whether we can get a top-five or even a win, we’ll see.”

What is the key to you getting a win at Martinsville?

“It’s a tough racetrack and, any time you come in the pits and make an adjustment on your car, you certainly hope it goes the right way, or you make enough of it, or you don’t make too much of an adjustment. The last run can be tricky, too, because you can be coming off a 50-lap run on right-side tires and take four and you’ve only got 30 (laps) to go, or you could have 80 to go and you know you have to manage that run all the way to the end.”

What’s unique about Martinsville that makes for good racing there?

“Typically, you are off the throttle more than you are on the throttle at Martinsville, so your time is lost or made when you are off the gas. That lends itself to guys dive-bombing and making moves and being light on the brake and running into the back of guys, or rooting them out of the bottom and getting them shuffled back. The more that track becomes a bottom feeder-type racetrack and you can go and get a guy shuffled out, there’s no worry to you because he can’t get back in line. If he goes back five spots, then you have that cushion again. There are all kinds of different ways Martinsville has always put on really good and exciting racing.”

Your racecar is sporting the special M&M’s Halloween paint scheme this week. What was your favorite Halloween costume that you wore as a kid?

“Actually, one year I went as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. I think that was my favorite costume as a kid. I was Michelangelo and I even had the fake nunchuk. One year, I was a football player and, one year, I even dressed up as Jeff Gordon since he was my favorite racecar driver when I was a kid.”

Growing up in Las Vegas, what do you remember about Halloween and trick-or-treating?

“It was always cold in Las Vegas during Halloween, even though it can be really hot most of the year. I guess the biggest memory was going out to everyone’s house and trick-or-treating and hanging out with friends as a group. Sometimes, people wouldn’t be home, so they had a bucket out and you would reach in and grab whatever you wanted out of the bucket. It was all about how much candy you could collect, not necessarily about how much you would eat when you got home.”

Event Overview:

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

Meet the No. 18 M&M’S Halloween / Joe Gibbs Racing Team

Primary Team Members:

Driver: Kyle Busch
Hometown: Las Vegas

Crew Chief: Ben Beshore
Hometown: York, Pennsylvania

Car Chief: Nate Bellows
Hometown: Fairfax, Vermont

Spotter: Tony Hirschman
Hometown: Northampton, Pennsylvania

Over-The-Wall Crew Members:

Gas Man: Matt Tyrrell
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Front Tire Changer: Blake Houston
Hometown: Enochville, North Carolina

Jackman: T.J. Ford
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Joe Crossen

Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Jeff Cordero
Hometown: Salem, Connecticut

Road Crew Members:

Race Engineer: Seth Chavka
Hometown: Soldotna, Alaska

Truck Driver: Chris Miko
Hometown: Bronx, New York

Truck Driver: Tom McCrimmon
Hometown: Spicer, Minnesota

Mechanic/Tire Specialist: Justin Peiffer

Hometown: Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Mechanic: Scott Eldridge
Hometown: Warsaw, Indiana

Notes of Interest:

● Above The Cutline: Sunday’s Cup Series race at Martinsville marks the final race of the Round of 8 of this year’s playoffs. Busch currently sits in the fourth and final transfer position, just one point above the top-four cutline. Kyle Larson won the first two races of the Round of 8 and is currently the only driver locked into the Championship 4 Nov. 7 at Phoenix Raceway with the final three spots to be determined this weekend.

● All in the Stats:Busch has two wins, 16 top-five finishes and 19 top-10s and has led a total of 1,429 laps in 32 career Cup Series starts at Martinsville. Busch’s average Martinsville finish is 12.1.

● Alone in Ninth: With Busch’s win at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in June, the two-time Cup Series champion scored his 59th career win in NASCAR’s top series as he moved past Kevin Harvick into sole possession of ninth on the all-time win list. Next up on the win list is Dale Earnhardt, the seven-time Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer who won 76 races during his storied career.

● 222 and Counting: Busch will be aiming to add to his record 222 overall wins among NASCAR’s top three series this weekend at Martinsville. In addition to his 59 Cup Series wins and 102 in the Xfinity Series, Busch has 61 wins in the Camping World Truck Series.

Veteran HSR Competitor Jack Lewis Celebrates 50 Years at the “World Center of Racing” at this Week’s HSR Classic Daytona Presented by IMSA at Daytona International Speedway

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Official Release
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North America’s Premier Vintage and Historic 24-Hour Race Runs This Week at Daytona International Speedway for the Seventh Time

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (October 26, 2021) – Veteran Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) competitor Jack Lewis celebrates 50 years of racing success at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) this week in the HSR Classic Daytona presented by IMSA, the premier vintage and historic 24-hour sports car race in North America, which runs for the seventh time at the “World Center of Racing,” October 27 – 31.

Lewis debuted at Daytona in 1971 at the age of 21, driving a 1955 Porsche Speedster in an IMSA support race. It was the first of a string of ongoing visits to the high-banked road course over the next five decades that have seen Lewis amass a solid record of success in both contemporary and vintage and historic racing competition at DIS.

Driving his Jack Lewis Enterprises 1974 No. 9 Porsche 911 RSR (pictured at top), Lewis competes in both the HSR Classic Daytona this Saturday and Sunday and the accompanying HSR Daytona Historics events that set the stage for the classic 24-hour race from Thursday on.

“All of us at HSR want to congratulate Jack and his wife Helga Lewis (pictured with Lewis above in 1991) on 50 years of racing at Daytona International Speedway and an amazing competition career that shows no signs of slowing down,” said HSR President David Hinton. “Jack debuted at Daytona in 1971 at the age of 21 and returns for his 50th Anniversary at Daytona in the HSR Classic 24 at the age of 71 in ’21! He is still a threat for the podium every time he takes a green flag, and we are honored to know and race with Jack at HSR. He is a credit to sports car racing competition at every level.”

Lewis’ Golden Anniversary is fittingly framed by the famous Porsche Gold Crest on a weekend that also celebrates Porsche as the Featured Marque of the 2021 HSR Classic Daytona. The Norcross, Georgia resident has driven nothing but Porsches at Daytona the last 50 years.

“The 50 years went by in no time, but at times it was dreadfully hard to keep it going,” Lewis said. “I’m most grateful to my wife, Helga, for supporting all my efforts and for my good health and having the abilities that allow me to do this. Looking back and now, I’ve always been able to live my dream.”

In addition to vintage and historic racing achievements, Lewis has an accomplished resume of contemporary competition success and race wins at Daytona. He ran four Daytona 250 night races in the Grand American Road Racing (Grand-Am) era in the early 2000s, boosting his total professional starts at Daytona to 22.

“My most memorable race at Daytona (pictured above) was the Daytona 250 on the July 4, 2002 weekend with NASCAR,” Lewis said. “The Grand-Am sports car race was on Friday night after NASCAR Cup qualifying. I started next to Tony Stewart and won the GT race. My son, Mike, was the rear tire changer. It was our second Grand-Am win in our Porsche GT3, having won the Watkins Glen 6 Hour the week before. All a dream come true for me!”

Lewis made his first Rolex 24 start in 1982, driving with Bob Beasley and George Stone in a Porsche 911 RSR (pictured below). He drove the same Porsche at Daytona in July’s Paul Revere 250 later that year and again in the Rolex 24 from 1983 – 1986 and in 1988.

Lewis returned to Daytona for the 24 hour in 1992 through 1998 driving Jack Lewis Enterprises prepared Porsches, except in 1995 when he drove for Alex Job Racing. In 1999, he drove with fellow HSR standout Kevin Wheeler in a JLE/KMW Motorsports prepared Porsche RSR. He also partnered in Rolex 24 efforts with David Murry (2002), fellow HSR competitor Tom McGlynn (2004) and Steve Bernheim (2005).

Lewis was the 1995 IMSA Driver of the Year in addition to garnering HSR Driver of the Year honors in 1991 and a full 20 years later in 2011. The first HSR driver honor was fueled in part by Lewis winning the inaugural Vintage Rolex Endurance Championship in 1991.

Lewis’ most recent podium appearances in HSR feature races were earned just last month in the HSR Fall Historics at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. He drove the No. 9 RSR to second-place overall and Porsche-class finishes in that event’s HSR Sasco Sports International/American Challenge race and another runner-up honor in the HSR Classic RS Cup race.

This weekend marks the fourth HSR Classic 24 start for Lewis, all in his IROC-themed 1974 No. 9 RSR, which is a continuation of the same Porsche he made his Rolex 24 debut in nearly 40 years ago in 1982.

“My association with HSR began in the 1980s,” Lewis said. “Now, here we are, at 50 years and circling back!”

Debuting in 2014 at the “World Center of Racing,” the immediate success of the inaugural HSR Classic Daytona called for a second running in 2015. After a year off, the 24-Hour classic race on the 3.56-mile DIS road course returned in 2017 and is now an annual fixture on the HSR calendar.

The HSR Classic Daytona features seven different Run Groups competing in succession for a full 24 hours on the iconic Daytona International Speedway (DIS) 3.56-mile road course. The various period-correct classes within each Run Group combine to make just about any closed-wheel competition sports car from the last 60 years eligible for the HSR Classic Daytona.

A competitor test day on Wednesday, October 27, kicks off the 2021 HSR Classic Daytona presented by IMSA. The full-day test sets the stage for the following four days of official competition, which culminates with the classic 24-hour race from Saturday, October 30, at 1 p.m. EDT straight through to the final checkered flag 24 hours later on Sunday, October 31.

Information on the 2021 HSR Classic Daytona and the accompanying HSR Daytona Historics, including the event schedule and much more, can be found by clicking here.

Spectator tickets for the HSR Classic Daytona can be purchased at DIS Gate 40, off of Williamson Boulevard, beginning Thursday, October 28 at 7:30 a.m. EDT. A variety of single day, two-day and three and four-day weekend passes are available for purchase as well as RV and tent camping options and parking passes. Learn more at www.HSRTickets.com.

The 2021 HSR Classic Daytona presented by IMSA entry list can be found by clicking here.

About HSR: Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the race cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter and Instagram at @HSR_race. A dedicated website for the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA is available at www.Classic24hour.com.

Colored Exhaust from your Car: What does it mean?

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SM
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Photo by Matt Boitor on Unsplash

In our everyday lives, we often come across cars on the street that release smoke from their exhaust pipes. Even though it is a normal sight for most, no one thinks about what the color and consistency have to say about the condition of the car. Not only does the appearance of the smoke give us details on the state of the car, but it can also determine how it affects our health.

If your car is healthy, you should barely notice any of the exhaust released from the combustion process. However, during unfortunate events, different colors of smoke, such as grey with a tinge of blue to it, thick and black or white smoke from exhaust pipe can indicate a fault in the car in most cases. On the brighter side, faulty cars are not always the answer.

So what does the difference in smoke determine? To figure that out, we need to observe the circumstances surrounding the car. Is it stationary or accelerating, and after all of the sleuthing, we need to figure out the condition of the car – is it old or new, or has it been reconditioned? 

White Smoke 

Out of all, white smoke occurs most often as it is faced by most people on a cold winter day. White smoke is simply water vapor from the rear end of the car as the cold engine of the car is being heated up once it’s started. As the temperature rises with the engine, condensation occurs, and steam is produced, we see white smoke being released. Although this occurrence is not something to be worried about, for short trips, the exhaust pipe may not warm up to the exhaust tip, meaning not all of the condensing water turns into water vapor and might get trapped inside to form rust and cause long-term problems.

On the other hand, if you observe continual thick white or grey smoke, it is not normal and could be a serious problem. When you see this sort of smoke, it means that the coolant is being heated up and coming out of the exhaust. 

This, especially in summer, would cause your engine to overheat. This smoke could also be a result of a cracked cylinder block, which can be extremely dangerous and needs immediate attention.

Are you a car enthusiast? Keep your car up-to-date with these tips. 

Blue Smoke

The best time to check if your car is giving blue smoke is to observe the exhaust the first time of the day you start your car. Blue smoke usually indicates the oil has entered the cars’ set up and is usually followed up by a burning smell. The sole purpose of engine oil is to help the system run smoothly, and if there is no complication with the car, it should not interfere with the fuel system. If blue smoke comes out of a car with high mileage, it indicates the car’s valve system or piston rings have been worn out, resulting in oil entering the fuel system, and it can cost a fortune to fix. 

However, if the car was serviced recently, blue smoke can be an aftermath of excess oil being put back into the system. Blue smokes are more often seen in older cars, but lack of maintenance can also make new cars give out blue smokes.

What you need to do first is check your dipstick. Add oil if the oil is under the “add” mark, and drain the excess if the level exceeds the “full” mark. If you still see the problem after this, a mechanic can solve your problem by fixing any leaky parts. 

Want to add your own personalized touch to your car? Check this out.

Grey Smoke

Since grey is a wide range of colors, identifying grey smoke correctly can be a bit tricky. Is the smoke light grey, which is almost whitish, or does it have a blue tint to it? If it is a dusty grey, that is what we are looking for. Similar to blue smoke, grey smoke may also indicate too much oil being burned. 

Other than that, a malfunctioning Positive Crankcase Ventilation may also be the cause which can be very expensive to fix. Not only that, if the car is an automatic gearbox, grey smoke can also be released. In this case, what you need to do is check your transmission fluid for any burning smell. If found positive, simply changing the fluid will solve your problem. If the problem persists even after changing the fluid, take it to the mechanic as soon as possible because transmission failure while driving can be dangerous!

Black Smoke

Last but not least, black smoke can be produced because of various reasons. For example, in a diesel-powered car, it could be unburnt diesel from built-up soot even though the diesel particulate filter is made for the sole purpose of trapping the soot from unburnt diesel, but if the car is driven slowly, the soot can build up slowly and cause black smoke. To solve this, accelerating the car at a higher speed will result in soot being deposited on the road. However, in a petrol car, black smoke can indicate that too much fuel is being used up, and the solution to this could be as simple as changing the car’s air filter or taking it to a workshop to clean the fuel pressure regulator or to check if there is a clog in the fuel injectors.

Final Thoughts

Smokes can indicate a lot about the car. Similar to the human body, some issues may be more serious than they seem, and it is best if we leave them to trained professionals instead of trying to take matters into our own hands. However, if we take proper care of our cars and have regular check-ups, problems should not arise, and one car can last for years, if not centuries.

Sports-car champ Pardus to make oval debut at Martinsville

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Official Release
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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 12: NASCAR driver Preston Pardus poses for a photo at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

What: Dead On Tools 250
When: Saturday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m. EDT
Where: Martinsville (Va.) Speedway (.526 miles)
Driver: Preston Pardus, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Car: No. 90 Danus Utilities/Chinchor Electric Chevrolet
Crew chief: Tony Furr
Distance: Stages of 60, 60 and 130 laps (131.5 miles)
Broadcast info: TV – NBCSN; Radio – Motor Racing Network/Sirius XM Ch. 90

PARDUS SET FOR XFINITY SHORT-TRACK DEBUT AT MARTINSVILLE

MARTINSVILLE, VA. — Four national championships and 13 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts have given Preston Pardus plenty of time behind the wheel of race cars.

But the 24-year-old from Daytona Beach, Fla., will tackle something new Saturday when he makes his short-track, and oval, debut. The last time he raced on a track with only left turns was as a kid in quarter-midget competition.

Driving for DGM Racing at Martinsville Speedway, Pardus will start on owner parts near the rear of the field in the Dead On Tools 250. And while he hasn’t raced on a short track, Pardus’ Martinsville outing will be the capper to a stellar month. Over the past 30 days, Pardus has won NASA and SCCA championships, and he notched his career-best Xfinity finish of seventh at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL on Oct. 9.

He’ll be competing on Martinsville’s .526-mile track will zero laps of experience under his belt prior to the 6 p.m. green flag.

“No practice, no qualifying. Oh, yeah, we’re going in cold,” Pardus said.

His biggest asset will likely be crew chief Tony Furr, who has served as Pardus’ crew chief for most of his Xfinity road-course starts.

“I feel like he’s a great crew chief overall, and he loves being able to show and have good cars,” Pardus said. “Short tracks show when you have a really good car. I think he’ll be able to do stuff mechanically to adjust on it as the race unfolds. He’s been to Martinsville plenty of times over the years, and I’m sure he’s got a good notebook.”

Furr has called the shots for drivers in more than 550 NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck series events. He said that Martinsville Speedway is a good place for Pardus to make his oval-track debut.

The difference from road-course competition, Furr said, will be that “he’s going to have cars around him the whole time — the front, the sides, the back. You’re in traffic pretty much the whole lap. It is a different style of racing, and there’s a lot more rubbing than normal.

“But I think he’ll do good. He understands braking very well, and braking is 85 to 90 percent of Martinsville. He understands tire management. So, the basic things, I think he’ll do well with. The problem is going to be a lot more traffic around him the whole time.”

Pardus’ first concern will be moving forward in the field as quickly as possible. His starting position means that the leader will be in Turn 2 before Pardus crosses under the green flag.

“He’ll have to have a little more ‘bark’ in him than he does on a road course,” Furr said, “because there’ll be wolves out there.”

Pardus said he understands he will have to take a more aggressive approach early on than that to which he’s accustomed.

“If you’re going to be messing around and taking your time passing people, you’re going to get lapped quicker — or get set up to get lapped quicker,” Pardus said. “You’ve got to always make sure you’re going forward. We have to focus on track position all day because it’s so crucial to be up front and not get lapped.

“It is what it is. You’ve just to get going.”

Pardus on Sept. 26 captured the NASA Spec Miata title on his hometown track, Daytona International Speedway. He led all the way until being passed on the final lap, then battled back using the draft to regain the top spot off of NASCAR’s fourth turn and dashed to the checkered flag.

Five days later, Pardus blistered the Spec Miata field at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. By the end of the 19-lap event, Pardus was almost seven seconds ahead of the second-place driver.

At Martinsville, he’ll be playing catch-up from the get-go.

“It’s going to be something, but it’ll be fun,” he said with a laugh. “No matter how it goes, it’ll be a learning experience, and that’ll be cool.”

Jake Garcia to Make ARCA Menards Series West Debut With DGR

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Official Release
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16-Year-Old Georgia Native to Make First Start at Phoenix

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 25, 2021)—David Gilliland Racing (DGR) announced today that 2021 Southern Super Series (SSS) champion Jake Garcia will join its driver development program. The 16-year-old driver will make his ARCA Menards Series West debut behind the wheel of the No. 45 Ford Fusion when the series visits Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway on November 6.

Garcia has spent the last three seasons racing Pro and Super Late Models across the southeast region. In 2019, he earned two wins and captured the Allen Turner Pro Late Model track championship at Five Flags (Fla.) Speedway. In his first ever attempt at the Snowball Derby that year, he finished second to become the youngest driver to earn a podium in the historic event. He progressed to Super Late Models in 2020 and finished second overall in SSS point standings to garner Rookie of the Year honors in addition to a trio of Pro Late Model victories at Montgomery (Ala.) Motor Speedway.

The Georgian has put together a career year so far in 2021. Through 32 races, he has amassed six wins, 17 top-fives and 24 top-10s between both classes of late models. In addition to clinching the SSS championship, Garcia collected the Deep South Cranes Blizzard Series championship as the Super Late Model Track Champion at Five Flags.

“It’s an honor to be a part of David Gilliland Racing,” Garcia said. “I’m very excited to make my first ARCA start at Phoenix. It is a great opportunity and I’m confident we will have success.”

“Jake has put together an impressive resume so far in his career,” said David Gilliland, co-owner of DGR. “He is a great kid who has had success in everything he has driven. I’m excited that his first career ARCA race will be for us and I can’t wait to see how he does.”

The ARCA Menards Series West race at Phoenix Raceway will be streamed live on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold at 3:00 p.m. ET on November 6. A tape-delayed broadcast will air on NBCSN on Thursday, November 11 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

You can follow along with Jake at www.JakeGarciaRacing.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About David Gilliland Racing

David Gilliland Racing (DGR) is a race team owned by NASCAR veteran David Gilliland and businessman Johnny Gray. The team specializes in driver development, competing full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, multiple ARCA Menards Series divisions and CARS Tour with factory support from Ford Performance. In its first four years of operation, DGR has achieved success in each series tallying up multiple wins and championships. The team operates out of three buildings totaling 60,000 square feet in Mooresville, N.C.

Sherfick Companies and Super DOPE Chiropractic to support Chris Hacker in Martinsville Speedway debut with Niece Motorsports

By
Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, N.C.: fgrACCEL and Niece Motorsports jointly announced today that Sherfick Companies and Super DOPE Chiropractic have leaped aboard for NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) rookie Chris Hacker’s debut at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway for the penultimate race of the 2021 season.

The Oct. 30 running of the United Rentals 200 will mark Hacker’s third career start in one of NASCAR’s national divisions, but also provide an opportunity to highlight two new partners Sherfick Companies and Super DOPE Chiropractic Inc. (SDC) in the Truck Series for one of their most anticipated races of the season.

Sherfick Companies is a family-owned real estate development and construction business with experience in commercial and residential construction and design.

Michael and Gabby Sherfick team up on the designs, while Gabby takes the lead on all the important finishes that attract clients and home buyers from all around the globe. She is also a licensed real estate agent who serves at the company’s forefront.

Martinsville will mark the Sherfick’s second investment in the sport of NASCAR. Earlier this year, the team was a partner in the NASCAR Cup Series with StarCom Racing and driver Quin Houff at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.

The historic Virginia short track will however be the debut in the sport for Super DOPE Chiropractic.

SDC is owned and operated by Dr. David Coberly (IG: @SuperDOPEChiro), a long-time race fan.

SDC is an Indianapolis-based Chiropractic business with one location downtown and one in Carmel with five additional locations in the works.

Like Michael Sherfick, Dr. Coberly is an Army veteran and is passionate about improving the lives of the community around him.

“It was a no-brainer when Mike approached me about sponsoring Chris and the Niece Motorsports truck,” offered Dr. Coberly. “Chris Hacker is a Noblesville native and opportunities like this do not come around often.”

Hacker is counting down the days to his return to the Truck Series.

“I am very thankful and humbled to represent Sherfick Companies and Super DOPE Chiropractic at Martinsville Speedway,” said Hacker. “It is great to see new companies who are enjoying the benefits of a partnership in NASCAR and eager to explore further opportunities.

“They could easily have chosen to continue to have a presence in the NASCAR Cup Series, but they have jumped aboard the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series train with myself and Niece Motorsports. I’m excited about wheeling the No. 45 Sherfick Companies | Super DOPE Chiropractic Chevrolet Silverado at a short track.”

With the Sherfick’s and Dr. Coberly both living in Noblesville and Hacker being a native of Noblesville – the pressure is on to perform for the hometown.

“Martinsville is a huge opportunity to represent two companies that are local to me back in Indiana, so of course I want to go to the track and put our No. 45 Sherfick Companies | Super DOPE Chiropractic Chevrolet Silverado in the top-10.

That race is never easy though. There are going to be a lot of drivers on different agendas, but we just need to stay focused on our plan and hope we are rewarded at the end with a great finish and some welcomed exposure.”

“We are no strangers to racing and with Niece Motorsports equipment, we feel Chris has a really good chance for a strong finish,” offered Michael Sherfick.

Dr. Coberly added, “Super DOPE Chiropractic is excited to be along for Chris Hacker’s journey in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. I look forward to a great race and even better finish on Saturday afternoon.

The penultimate race of the 2021 NCWTS will be Hacker’s second race with Mooresville, N.C.-based Niece Motorsports. Hacker made his debut for the organization at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway in September.

Hacker began racing when he was eight years old, and at age 13 became the youngest driver to win in the Champions Racing Association Late Model Series.

Last year, Hacker made his NASCAR debut in the ARCA Menards West Series at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway, where he earned a noteworthy top-15 finish.

Earlier this season, in the premier ARCA Menards Series, Hacker earned a 10th place finish at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

In addition to his ARCA starts, Hacker made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in August, in the No. 34 Reaume Brothers Racing entry.

For more on Chris Hacker, please like him on Facebook (Chris Hacker Motorsports), follow him on Twitter (@chrishacker_) and Instagram (@chris_hacker).

The United Rentals 200 (200 laps | 105.2 miles) is the 21st of 22 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races on the 2021 schedule. The 40-truck field will take the green flag on Sat., Oct. 30, 2021, shortly after 1:00 p.m. ET with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio NASCAR Channel 90.

About Niece Motorsports:

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2021, Niece Motorsports enters its sixth season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices.

Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry.

Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Buescher Rebounds for Top-12 Finish in Kansas

By
Official Release
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KANSAS CITY, Kansas (Oct. 24, 2021) – Chris Buescher battled for 400 miles of racing at Kansas Speedway Sunday afternoon, turning in a 12th-place finish to rebound as one of only 15 cars on the lead lap.

The No. 17 Fastenal Ford would line up where it finished a week ago in Texas in 21st. At the onset of the race, Buescher fell to the 25th position before a caution for weather occurred on lap 9. When the race resumed on lap 15, he used the remainder of the 80-lap stage to drive up to 14th.

During a caution-free stage two, the No. 17 team would work on the long-run speed of the car. Buescher managed to stay around the top-15 for the majority of the stage, but unfortunately would fall a lap down during the near 80-lap green flag cycle. The No. 17 would round out the second stage in the 16th position.

To begin stage three, Buescher would find himself racing for the lucky dog spot, which he would earn as the caution flew with under 50 laps remaining. Lining up 13th for the final restart, Buescher and the No. 17 Fastenal team would hold their own for a 12th-place finish at Kansas Speedway, his tenth finish inside the top-12 this season.

The No. 17 team is back next weekend at Martinsville Speedway, where short track action Sunday is set for 2 p.m. ET on NBC. It can also be heard on MRN and SiriusXM Channel 90.

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