CHASE BRISCOE
Las Vegas Advance
No. 14 One Cure Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: South Point 400 (Round 30 of 36)
● Time/Date: 7 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 26
● Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
● Layout: 1.5-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 267 laps/400.5 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 80 laps / Stage 2: 80 laps / Final Stage: 107 laps
● TV/Radio: NBCSN / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Chase Briscoe and the No. 14 One Cure Ford Mustang team for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) venture west for the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the first race at an intermediate track since mid-July. With just seven races remaining, Briscoe continues to add to his 255-point lead in the NASCAR Cup Series rookie of the year standings.
● The One Cure project is led by the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University with a mission to find a cancer cure through research benefiting man’s best friend. It is founded on the principle that cancer affects all creatures and that treatment breakthroughs come through collaboration between scientists and doctors working with people and animals. This approach is known as comparative oncology and it is the guiding concept of One Cure and the Flint Animal Cancer Center. The center works to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in pets, and teams with the human medical field to translate research findings that will help people with cancer.The center, located in Colorado State’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, sees more than 1,500 new animal cancer patients every year, with approximately 130 of them enrolled in carefully monitored clinical trials specific to their cancer type. The canine and feline patients are helping pioneer cancer research, moving cutting-edge treatments out of the laboratory and into clinical practice, ultimately providing hope for the next generation of animal and human cancer patients.
● In the six points-paying races at 1.5-mile tracks this season, Briscoe’s best finish was his most recent – a 15th-place result earned July 11th at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Briscoe also finished fourth in the All-Star Open at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.
● Despite finishing 21st at Las Vegas in March, it has been one of Briscoe’s more successful tracks. He swept both NASCAR Xfinity Series races at the venue during the 2020 season and both wins aided in his pursuit of the championship. The first win on Feb. 23 secured Briscoe’s spot in the 12-driver playoff field, and the follow-up win in October locked him into the Round of 8. The No. 98 team went on to win once more at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City to advance to the Championship 4.
● Briscoe has five career Xfinity Series starts at Las Vegas with the two wins among three top-10s. He also made a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series appearance at the 1.5-mile oval in September 2017, starting third and leading the first 40 laps before finishing third in a Ford F-150.

Chase Briscoe, Driver of the No. 14 One Cure Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

It’s going to be hot in Las Vegas, which is no surprise, but how does that change how the track races?

“This will probably be one of the last hot races we have. I enjoy the hot races, it’s not the most comfortable, but the racing is fun when you can slip and slide around. Vegas is one of my favorite tracks and it seems like the hotter it gets, the wider it gets. So maybe the heat will be better for us. I think as a team we’ve learned a lot since the last mile-and-a-half race, which was so long ago, so I’m excited to get back to one and see if we’ve made up ground.”

You’ve had a tendency to improve in your second trip to tracks. Do you expect that to be the case this Sunday?

“I don’t know. Twenty-first was not an ideal finish and I feel like I’m a different driver now. Our cars have gotten better, and I’ve gotten better, but who knows. I think we still have a good amount of work to do to get a win on a mile-and-a-half, but at Michigan we were in the top-five with eight to go. If you get some restarts and can make up ground, anything can happen. I feel like from a speed standpoint we should be in the top-10 or 15 if we can do everything right. But, that’s the key – we have to execute. You have to do everything right in these Cup Series races. I think the big thing for us will be figuring out the balance between drag and downforce. That was our biggest issue in the spring at Vegas. Hopefully we can hit all those variables right and have a good day.”

You’ve only got a handful of races left in your rookie season. Are you looking forward to the offseason, or are you sad to see it end?

“It’s coming quickly. It’s crazy to think we’re almost done. It feels like the Daytona 500 was just last month. This season has been flying by and, in a way, it’s unfortunate but it’s exciting to see what the new car is going to bring. We’re getting back to what NASCAR used to be, in a way, with offseason testing and the preparation. It’ll be cool to experience that and start with a clean slate. This rookie year has been harder and harder to catch up to the veterans without practice. It’ll be kind of an even playing field and interesting to see who can figure out the new car the quickest. The people who do that will have a huge advantage at the start of the season.”

No. 14 One Cure Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Chase Briscoe
Hometown: Mitchell, Indiana

Crew Chief: John Klausmeier
Hometown: Perry Hall, Maryland

Car Chief: Chad Haney
Hometown: Fairmont, West Virginia

Engineer: Mike Cook
Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Engineer: Marc Hendricksen
Hometown: Clinton, New Jersey

Spotter: Joe White
Hometown: Windsor, Virginia

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Daniel Coffey
Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Chris Jackson
Hometown: Rock Hill, South Carolina

Tire Carrier: Jon Bernal
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Jack Man: Brandon Banks
Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Justin Wilson
Hometown: Wise, Virginia

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Stephen Gonzalez
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Front End Mechanic: J.D. Frey
Hometown: Ferndale, California

Interior Mechanic: Trevor Adams
Hometown: Naples, Florida

Tire Specialist: Keith Eads
Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

Engine Tuner: Jon Phillips
Hometown: Jefferson City, Missouri

Transporter Co-Driver: Todd Cable
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Glenn Funderburk
Hometown: Mint Hill, North Carolina

COLE CUSTER
Las Vegas Advance
No. 41 Dixie Vodka Greyhound Cocktail Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: South Point 400 (Round 30 of 36)
● Time/Date: 7 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 26
● Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
● Layout: 1.5-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 267 laps/400.5 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 80 laps / Stage 2: 80 laps / Final Stage: 107 laps
● TV/Radio: NBCSN / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Cole Custer and the No. 41 Ford Mustang team for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) welcome back Dixie Vodka for the third of four races this season and introduce another exciting new product offering as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Sunday’s South Point 400. Dixie Vodka, the largest premium craft vodka produced in the Southeast, has created a new, ready-to-drink canned beverage called “Greyhound Cocktail” alongside a series of three other canned cocktails from the brand. Greyhound Cocktail is the perfect blend of Southern Vodka and tart, with refreshing grapefruit for a taste of summer all year round. Click here to order yours today!
● Sunday’s 400-mile race at Las Vegas will be Custer’s 69th Cup Series start and his fifth on the 1.5-mile oval. The reigning Cup Series Rookie of the Year’s 16th-place finish last September was the best of his first four Cup Series visits to Las Vegas. The desert oval is where Custer made his Cup Series debut in the March 2018 race, when he started 30th and finished 25th in the No. 54 Rick Ware Racing Ford.
● In five NASCAR Xfinity Series outings at Las Vegas from 2017 through 2019, all behind the wheel of the No. 00 SHR Ford, Custer started on the pole in each of the last three, and he posted top-10 finishes in each of the last four with a best of third in the September 2018 race. He also led a total of 54 laps in Xfinity Series competition at Las Vegas.
● In Custer’s lone career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series outing at Las Vegas, he started and finished third in the October 2016 race, driving the No. 00 entry for JR Motorsports.
● After last Saturday night’s 28th-place finish on the .533-mile Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway oval, Custer arrives at Las Vegas 28th in the driver standings.
● Launched in 2014 and based in Charleston, South Carolina, Dixie Vodka was established with the simple mission of creating an all-American premium craft vodka that represents the best of Southern flavor, craftsmanship and hospitality. With six signature flavors – including its flagship Southern Original, Black Pepper, Citrus, Mint, Peach and Wildflower Honey – Dixie Vodka partners with local farmers across the South to infuse regionally cherished ingredients into its award-winning products, each of which is six-times distilled from American corn. In 2020, Dixie Vodka was ranked the ninth-fastest growing spirits brand in the United States by the Beverage Information Group and remains the largest premium craft vodka produced in the Southeast. In partnership with the Southern-raised sport that transcends regional boundaries, Dixie Vodka is proud to serve as the Official Vodka of NASCAR, the title sponsor of the Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and the Official Vodka of Stewart-Haas Racing. Dixie Vodka donates at least 1% of all profits through its 1% for the Planet program, a commitment to supporting non-profits that work to protect the future of the planet. A core brand within the Grain & Barrel Spirits portfolio – an innovation-driven beverage platform that develops and scales craft spirits brands led by founder Matti Anttila – Dixie Vodka can be found on Facebook and Instagram, and on shelves in more than 30 states.
● September is Hunger Action Month, and SHR, its partner Wow Wow Classic Waffles, and Feeding America®, the largest hunger relief organization in the United States with a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, are asking fans to think about their answer to a simple question: How will you choose to end hunger? Hunger Action Month is an annual campaign dedicated to driving awareness and inspiring action to help end hunger in America, both on a national scale and on the ground in local communities. It’s a time when the Feeding America network of food banks and the public come together to raise awareness and inspire action to help people facing impossible choices due to hunger. Fans are encouraged to visit the Hunger Action Month page via the Feeding America website to learn how they can take action through sharing, volunteering, pledging to advocate, fundraising and making a donation. Each $1 donated helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks. Custer and the No. 41 SHR Ford team have accumulated nearly 100 volunteer hours to date, working with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in packing bags and helping with drop-off events at Charlotte-area schools.
● Fans can do their part by texting HUNGER to 50555 to make a $5 donation to Feeding America, by visiting the Feeding America donation page on Facebook, or the donation page via the Feeding America website. Each $1 donated helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 41 Dixie Vodka Greyhound Cocktail Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Now that you’re down to the final seven races of the season, what kind of things are you looking to accomplish as you navigate the home stretch?

“The biggest thing is trying to end on a high note for all the guys who have worked so hard this year to get us going in the right direction. I think we’re doing that at Stewart-Haas Racing, it’s just a matter of doing it consistently and executing how we need to. You also want to help your teammates who are still in contention for the championship, but there’s only so much you can do, at times. You can do little things but, at the same time, it’s all about getting a championship for a Stewart-Haas car, so we’re going to do whatever we have to and help our teammates as they pursue that. The advantage of having a four-car team is being able to try different things and to share that information with whoever needs it.”

How would you assess where the No. 41 Ford team is as you head to Las Vegas this weekend?

“I think we’re making strides to get better. I don’t think we’re we want to be, for sure, but I think we’re making strides to get ourselves back in the ballpark where we know we should be running, at least, and giving ourselves a chance to go out there and get some good finishes. I think there are still gains to be made, but we’re working as hard as we can to make sure we’re in the mix on these final weekends.”

Is it difficult to maintain a level of intensity of when you’re not in the playoffs?

“I think you have to maintain your intensity no matter what. As a racecar driver, we go out there and try to win every weekend, and no competitor is happy not winning. So you’re out there giving it all you’ve got and you’re studying as hard as you can. Once you win, the next thing you want to do is to find a way to win again and get that feeling again, so you’re trying as hard as you can, taking every opportunity you can to try and get back to victory lane.”

You’re headed to Las Vegas, which is one of those tracks where the surface has aged and it seems to be quite racy. How does that affect the complexion of a race there these days?

“Yeah, it’s huge. Whenever you see these tracks that are wearing out more and more, it just makes them racier and racier, in my opinion. We’re able to slip and slide around and you’re able to do more. You’re able to move around the track and you’re able to kind of find some things that are better than the guy next to you, so it’s something that’s really fun and I think it’s something that every single driver gets excited about when the pavement gets wore out.”

How does Las Vegas compare to other tracks that are worn?

“It’s a track that’s kind of transitioning into that field, I guess you’d say. It’s getting there. It’s starting to get a little more worn out but, also, the big thing there are the bumps. The surface might not be extremely worn, but they have huge bumps, so it does bring a huge challenge into how the driver is going to make it through the bumps and how the team is going to set the car up through it.”

No. 41 Dixie Vodka Greyhound Cocktail Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Cole Custer
Hometown: Ladera Ranch, California

Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett
Hometown: Amherst, Ohio

Car Chief: Tony Cardamone
Hometown: Bristol, Virginia

Engineer: Davin Restivo
Hometown: Ashboro, North Carolina

Engineer: Scott Bingham
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Spotter: Andy Houston
Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: John Roselli

Hometown: Terre Haute, Indiana

Rear Tire Changer: Coleman Dollarhide
Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons
Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Matthew Schlytter

Hometown: Ponte Vedra, Florida

Fuel Man: Corey Coppola
Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Joe Zanolini
Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Mechanic: Nick McIntosh
Hometown: Havre, Montana

Shock Specialist: Aaron Kuehn
Hometown: Kensington, Connecticut

Tire Specialist: Thomas Gagliano
Hometown: East Hampton, Connecticut

Engine Specialist: Evan Cupples
Hometown: Hudson, Illinois

Transporter Co-Driver: Eddie DeGroot

Hometown: Baldwinsville, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues
Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are headed to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, hoping to recapture the magic from 2020 when they scored runner-up finishes in both Cup races. For this weekend’s event, they’re using the No. 21 Mustang to raise awareness for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline during the entire month of September, which is #SuicidePreventionMonth.

Instead of the No. 21 Mustang carrying the usual colors of Motorcraft and Quick Lane, the paint scheme for Sunday’s South Point 400 will focus on the suicide prevention campaign.

Jon Orth, Marketing Manager for Ford Customer Service Division, recently lost a close friend to suicide and spearheaded the effort to use the car to promote suicide prevention and to publicize the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number, which is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Part of the weekend effort is to also support the #BeThe1To campaign, which is designed to help people know steps to take if they are concerned about someone who might be considering taking their own life.

DiBenedetto said the paint scheme and the campaign are important to him too.

“Vegas has been an awesome track for us as far as performance, so I’m looking forward to that,” he said. “But bigger than that, I’m really honored to be driving the car to raise awareness for suicide prevention.”

“I have a conviction to always want to help others, and this is a topic close to my heart as we have had people close to us either take their own lives or contemplate it.”

“It’s an honor to be driving this race car this weekend, and I hope we can make a great impact on people to let them know that being vulnerable is OK.”

There will be no practice or qualifying prior to the start of Sunday’s South Point 400, and DiBenedetto will line up 14th, the line-up being set based on results at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The race is set to get the green flag just after 4 p.m. (7 p.m. Eastern Time), with live TV coverage on NBCSN.

Stage breaks are set for Laps 80 and 160.

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.

Roush Fenway Weekly Advance | Las Vegas

Las Vegas plays host to its second race weekend of the 2021 season as the NASCAR Cup Series is set for 400 miles of action Sunday evening. Jack Roush has 16 wins all-time including seven in the NCS, where Ryan Newman is set for his 24th start and Chris Buescher makes his 10th.

South Point 400
Sunday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. ET
NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM Channel 90
· Ryan Newman, No. 6 Guaranteed Rate Ford Mustang
· Chris Buescher, No. 17 Violet Defense Ford Mustang

Bristol Recap, Vegas Preview

• Newman was collected in a multi-car crash in stage two of last Saturday night’s race from Bristol to finish 38th in the Kohler Generators Ford.
• Buescher battled through damage sustained from that incident to finish 23rd.
• Guaranteed Rate is back on Newman’s machine for its last race of the 2021 campaign.
• Violet Defense makes its debut in the sport this weekend as the primary on the No. 17 for the first of four primaries this fall.

Early JACKpot

Roush Fenway hit the Vegas jackpot right off the bat, winning the inaugural Cup event at Las Vegas in 1998. Mark Martin led 82 laps in the victory that served as a banner day for Roush Fenway.

Inaugural Sweep

Roush Fenway placed all five of its Cup entries inside the top 10 of that inaugural Las Vegas Cup race in 1998, including three inside the top five, four inside the top six, one in the winners circle and the runner up (6 – 1st, 99 – 2nd, 26 – 4th, 16 – 6th and 97 – 10th).

Continued Success

Roush Fenway Racing won the first three Cup races at LVMS from ‘98-’00, with Jeff Burton winning back-to-back events in ’99 and ’00. Roush Fenway also took three of the first nine Xfinity Series events at LVMS.

Victory Lane at Vegas

In addition to the first three Cup races at LVMS, Roush Fenway again found the winners’ circle in 2003 and 2004 at the 1.5-mile track with Matt Kenseth. Carl Edwards took the checkered flag at the 2008 and 2011 events to give RFR seven Cup wins at Las Vegas with four different drivers.

Back to Back at Vegas

Roush Fenway has won back-to-back Cup races at LVMS on two separate occasions in ’99-’00 and ’03-04’ and once in the Xfinity Series in ‘99 and ‘00.

Across the Board at Vegas

All in all, Roush Fenway Racing has tallied 16 total NASCAR wins, while turning 38,000+ laps in NASCAR action at LVMS for 57,000+ miles, while leading over 2,600 laps at the track in NASCAR’s top three divisions. At the same time the organization has finished inside the top 10 in 50 percent of its 180 NASCAR starts at LVMS.

Roush Fenway Las Vegas Wins

1998 Martin Cup
1999 Burton Cup
2000 Burton Cup
2003 Kenseth Cup
2004 Kenseth Cup
2008 Edwards Cup
2011 Edwards Cup
1999 Martin NXS
2000 Burton NXS
2002 Burton NXS
2005 Martin NXS
2009 Biffle NXS
2012 Stenhouse NXS
1997 Ruttman NGOTS
1999 Biffle NGOTS
2007 Kvapil NGOTS

NASCAR CUP SERIES
SOUTH POINT 400
LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 AXALTA CAMARO ZL1 1LE, Teleconference Transcript Highlights:

THE FACT THAT YOU’VE HAD SOME SUCCESS AT LAS VEGAS, HOW DOES THAT HELP YOUR MINDSET GOING INTO THIS NEXT ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS?
“I feel like Las Vegas has been a pretty good track for me in the past. I’ve scored a lot of Stage points in the past races. I think the aggression level is going to be really high on the restarts and that’s kind of your chance to make up ground for a lot of guys at 1.5-mile tracks with the 550 horsepower. So yeah, I think those are going to be crazy. My spotter and I have been working really hard on trying to be really good on those restarts. I think we were good at Michigan. I think we’ve been good at the last 550 horsepower tracks. I’m pretty excited for Las Vegas based on our past history and the way we’ve been running on those tracks.”

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN TAKE FROM THE PRESSURE AT THE BRISTOL RACE RUN AND APPLY IT TO THE REST OF THE PLAYOFFS?
“I think for sure. I think for us, we’ve already kind of been through that pressure moment. A lot of guys maybe haven’t that we’re racing against haven’t been through that. Yeah, I feel like for us, we learned a lot about ourselves on Saturday. I feel like we learned a lot about how we can come through under pressure and how we can bring a good race car and how we can execute the race really well. So, it’s been a little while since we’ve had as strong a race as that throughout, and no mistakes. There’s always adversity in a race, but I feel like we handled the adversity that we did have really well and brought it home in third place. So, with that being said, Las Vegas is a lot different than a short track, but I do feel like the way we did perform is going to carry over.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WILL REMEMBER ABOUT THAT RACE? WHERE DOES IT RANK FOR YOU CAREER-WISE?
“It’s pretty high up there. I was saying this after the race that I feel like I had a similar situation to make it in last year into the Playoffs in general, with my first win, so that was a big deal. But yeah, this one was pretty awesome. I think any time you can do well at Bristol, it’s been a good track for me, but I haven’t had the finishes. It was nice to be there at the end of 500 laps and have a shot to win, honestly, and be really close and see the leaders. I think that was really cool for me and kind of a new feeling. I was excited. I love that night race. Every driver really does. So, it was cool to do well.”

DO YOU BREAK DOWN THE PLAYOFFS SO DEEP THAT YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW MANY POINTS YOU WANT TO SCORE IN THE ROUNDS AND HOW MANY YOU NEED TO SCORE THIS WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS? OR DO YOU NOT GET THAT DEEP?
“I think the team, for sure, does. They definitely kind of know what to expect points-wise, that can help us advance through the rounds. But honestly, the biggest thing is just having a really good race. In the first round, I think having one really good race is almost enough, but I think this race (round) you’ve got to have two or three really good races. So yeah, the Stage points create such a different playing field. If you get a lot of Stage points, you put yourself in a way better position. And you put a good finish on top of that, you’re well above a lot of guys. I think that’s the biggest thing I focus on is trying to get those Stage points and trying to put myself in a good spot for the end.”

LOOKING AHEAD TO TALLADEGA, HOW DO YOU PLAY TRYING TO JOCKEY FOR STAGE POINTS AND HOPE TO AVOID THE BIG ONE EARLIER IN THE RACE?
“It’s tough. I think the wrecks and the Stages are possible, but I honestly feel like you’ve just got to go as hard as you can. I’ve tried to play the lay back getting to the front, and all that. There are times that you can chill out just because the momentum of the race isn’t maybe that important in that time, but you’ve got to try to go for those Stage points and put yourself in a good spot. For me, personally, I try to go for the points and see what can happen.”

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT SAY LAS VEGAS IS THE MOST PREDICTABLE RACE IN THIS ROUND. OTHERS SAY VEGAS IS MORE UNPREDICTABLE THAN THE ROVAL BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT IS THERE. IS VEGAS A MORE PREDICTABLE RACE OR A WILDCARD RACE?
“Just because it’s the first race of the round, I think it adds some unpredictability there. A lot of guys can have early mistakes and mishaps at this first race in the round. It’s very easy to kind of take yourself out of it pretty early on. As far as speed and performance goes, I think you kind of know who the big hitters are going to be at this race with the No. 5 (Kyle Larson) and hopefully us and some of the Gibbs cars, and just knowing who has run well at the 1.5 miles. But that doesn’t really tell the whole story because it can come down to restarts and then anybody can win, basically. I think you’ve just got to put yourself in a good position and then you’ve got to go do really well in those restarts. That’s probably what it’s going to come down to. It’s tough. Las Vegas isn’t as straight forward as we used to think it was. And then, I think the ROVAL is definitely tough because road courses are difficult to get through traffic and all those things. But I definitely look at Talladega as the most unpredictable. And at the other two you somewhat control what you do.”

REGARDING RESTARTS, WHAT IS THE KEY THERE? IS IT GETTING THE SHIFTS RIGHT AT THE START? IS IT CONTROLLING YOUR EMOTIONS? WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT MATTER AND WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’VE GOTTEN BETTER?
“It’s just obviously aggression, but it’s just anticipation, obviously; trying to anticipate where the runs are going to come from. The more you watch tape and the more you kind of understand what’s happened in the past, the better prepared you are for what scenario is going to happen. But it honestly comes down to anticipation and having a good spotter that knows what runs are going to come and is preparing you for it. Tab (Boyd) and I have worked a lot on that over the past six months to a year. You’ve got to be up front at the 1.5-miles to have success. A lot of that comes from restarts and holding your track position and things like that. It’s important.”

HOW HAVE YOU AND RUDY FUGLE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER THIS YEAR? WHAT’S BEEN GOING GREAT AND WHAT DO YOU NEED TO IMPROVE ON?
“Honestly, the thing with Rudy and me has just been experience. I think we’re trying to learn so much in a quick time. A lot of the teams and drivers we’re racing against have worked together for a couple of years now and that has hurt us a little bit with no practice. But I feel like we’ve kind of overcome that with really good communication. We have a lot of meetings throughout the week about set-up and what we want to do going to the race track. Although we really don’t have time to really practice it, I feel like we show up really strong. I think that’s been an adjustment. I feel like we’ve done really well in pressure situations and opportunities to win. He knows how to push my buttons and knows how to get the most out of me. As any crew chief, that’s the biggest thing is trying to get everything you can out of your driver. I feel like he’s done a really good job of knowing how to do that with me and he showed that at Bristol. We had good communication throughout the race and didn’t let the pressure get to us and make crazy decisions and had a really good race.”

YOU WERE TOP 5 IN POINTS IN THE REGULAR SEASON. DID THIS FIRST ROUND SURPRISE YOU AS HOW STRESSFUL IT TURNED OUT TO BE?
“Yeah, it definitely got turned on its side with everything happened at Darlington. Darlington seems like years ago now that we’ve been through the last two weeks. Just thinking back to that race and how much we overcame, to have a flat tire and crash after that, was just devastating. We thought we had put ourselves in a good position to overcome all that. At Richmond, we just kind of laid an egg and wasn’t really that fast and that was a big bummer, too. But we overcame it at Bristol and had a really good run and set the tone for the rest of our year. It was a tough stretch for six or seven weeks of just not getting the finishes. But we’ve had the speed and I feel like now we’re going to get the finishes.”

AFTER BRISTOL, DO YOU AND RUDY NOW JUST TAKE A BREATH AND GET EVERYBODY TO RESET AND TAKE A BREATH? OR IS IT JUST BUSINESS AS USUAL AND DON’T NEED TO REMIND EVERYONE TO JUST REFOCUS?
“A little bit of both. I think it was nice to have Sunday to kind of reflect and have that off-time. I know the guys worked on the car still. I think everyone kind of got a chance to breathe and reset. I don’t feel like we’ll have any issues about showing up at Vegas fresh and ready. We’ve got an extra this week to really recover and get prepared. I feel like we’re going to be ready when we get on the plane and go out there. I don’t think that will be an issue.”

WHAT’S THE MOOD IN THE ENTIRE HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CAMP?
“I think there’s a lot of strength in the individual teams and obviously, the whole company that brings cars that we’re capable of bringing to the race track. We had a difficult stretch there with the start of the Playoffs. I would say half of our guys ran well at Richmond. And we all ran well at Bristol and that was a really good sight to see because Bristol is a tough place, and it can really be hard on you. So yeah, I think we’re poised to do really good things and we’ve overcome some things and there will be a lot more as we go through the Playoffs.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO RACE AT A TRACK WITH THAT HOMETOWN CONNECTION, LIKE CHARLOTTE, IN THE PLAYOFFS?
“Oh, it’s amazing. I love going to Charlotte every year to race. I always have a really warm welcome there and it’s a really important race track to me. We’d love to win there this year and I feel like I’ve got the opportunity to this year with the way we’ve been on road courses. I’m pretty excited for it. We just have to go there and perform well.”
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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (September 22, 2021) – Anthony Alfredo will return the Dockside Logistics colors this Sunday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Alfredo will be making his second NASCAR Cup Series start at the track, finishing 24th earlier this season.

Dockside Logistics is headquartered in Charleston, S.C. and Houston, Texas. The company is committed to providing measurable difference in 3PL, warehousing and distribution, packaging & preservation, transportation, and order fulfillment.

Dockside Logistics creates innovative solutions to meet the needs of the modern marketplace. In an environment that demands perfection in every level of the logistics equation, Dockside has consistently delivered exceptional, cost effective service, and forged lasting relationships with our customers.

Alfredo is hoping that his added experience and team notes will help the team on Sunday.

“I feel more confident when we get back to a track for a second time,” said Alfredo. ‘We have some notes, I know the track in the Cup car and we’re not playing from behind. We should be in position for a good race on Sunday.”

Alfredo wants to finish the season strong and knows the next few weeks provide that opportunity.

“We look at Las Vegas, Talladega and the Charlotte ROVAL as great opportunities for us,” continued Alfredo. “We really feel that we can race in the top-20 and now it’s time to see those results. We had momentum going into Bristol, but it didn’t work out. The next three races, I feel that we have a good chance for some of our best finishes.”

Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race begins at 7:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

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