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No. 10 Smithfield Ford Racing: Aric Almirola Talladega Advance

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Official Release
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Aric Almirola
Talladega Advance
Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: YellaWood 500 (Round 30 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 3
● Location: Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway
● Layout: 2.66-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 188 laps/500.8 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 60 laps / Stage 2: 60 laps / Final Stage: 68 laps
● TV/Radio: NBC / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● With his third-place finish in the June 2020 race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Aric Almirola tied the record of eight consecutive Talladega top-10s set by Dale Earnhardt Jr., from April 2001 to October 2004. Despite seeing his streak come to an abrupt end thanks to a multicar accident on lap 57 of last October’s race on the 2.66-mile oval, followed by his 15th-place finish there April 25, Almirola’s average finish in his last 10 Talladega outings is 9.3 – best in the NASCAR Cup Series.
● History at Talladega: In 23 career starts, Almirola has one win, nine top-10 finishes, five top-fives, and has led 71 laps. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Talladega, Almirola visited victory lane in May 2017.
● Last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Almirola ran as high as eighth place before finishing 19th. It was his eighth Las Vegas top-20.
● Almirola locked himself into the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with his July 18 victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon. He led 46 laps around the flat, 1.058-mile oval en route to his third career NASCAR Cup Series win. After a year full of adversity and bad luck, the victory put the No. 10 team, which was 27th in the standings and facing a must-win situation if it was going to compete for this year’s championship, in prime position to earn one of the 16 coveted berths in the 10-race playoffs. Almirola’s award-winning YouTube series “Beyond the 10” captured his entire race day here.
● Although Almirola did not advance to the Round of 12, this year marked his fifth playoff appearance and fourth consecutive playoff appearance since joining Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR). While he can no longer compete for a championship, Almirola has set his sights on a top-10 points position after the checkered flag drops at the season finale Nov. 7 at Phoenix Raceway. Fans and media can watch the “Beyond the 10” episode of his playoff run on YouTube here.
● Smithfield celebrates 10 years of partnership with Almirola this season with a special campaign called Taste Victory.As one of the most active partners in NASCAR, Smithfield engages fans all year long by hosting a microsite that provides the opportunity to win when Almirola wins or finishes inside the top-10. When Almirola wins, one fan wins $10,000, and 10 fans win a gift card for each top-10 finish. The microsite also doubles as an Aric Almirola fan page and entertainment source where fans can get behind the wheel of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford with a custom racing game, and learn more about Almirola with fast facts, favorite recipes and custom content about his life on and off the track. Visit www.tastevictory.com to learn more. Thanks to Almirola’s Feb. 11 win in his Duel qualifying race for the Daytona 500 and his July 18 win at New Hampshire, two lucky fans have already won $10,000 each.
● Career Stats: Almirola has career totals of three wins, two poles, 26 top-five finishes, 82 top-10s and 893 laps led in 382 NASCAR Cup Series starts.
● Beyond the 10 YouTube Series: In 2021, Almirola continues to share his life beyond the No. 10 Ford with season three of his award-winning YouTube series. Fans and media can subscribe on YouTube to see Almirola’s personality on and off the track. Episodes have already featured life as a dad, a husband and an athlete, and it gives fans a unique perspective on what goes on in the life of a professional NASCAR driver. Fans can also follow Almirola’s social media channels: @Aric_Almirola on Twitter and Instagram, and @AricAlmirola on Facebook. =
● Point standings: Almirola is currently 15th in the driver standings with 2,093 points.

Aric Almirola, Driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

What would it mean to you to pull off another win this year, especially at a track that you’ve seen so much success at in the past?

“It would really just solidify this season for us. We came into the year expecting to compete for multiple wins. Our year as a whole has not been what we expected, but to put another win under our belt for 2021 would give us such a sense of accomplishment. It would mean the world to put Smithfield in victory lane again there, too. We have a few other races left this season that we can be competitive at, but Talladega is always circled on my list.”

What is it about Talladega that clicks with you so well?

“I always had to go to these races and be aggressive because, back then, they were our only realistic options to win races. It was the only way I could make it into the playoffs and we were able to do that in 2014. They’ve been good to me. I’ve always gone into those races with that mindset. It’s such a high-speed chess match and I like that about these tracks. I like the strategy aspect, but you just have to be at the right place at the right time and we’ve been able to do that a lot.”

Walk us through that Talladega win in 2018.

“I just so happened to be the guy who ran third and fourth the whole race and saved a ton of fuel. Kevin (Harvick) was going to line up third and the plan was that we were going to finish one-two-three-four as an organization. Harvick ran out of fuel and the plan was over. I knew I was on my own. Paul Menard gave me a hell of a push and I got to second. When I heard they were wrecking behind me, I thought I would finish second, but I kept it wide open because my spotter told me to keep digging. I ran Kurt (Busch) down and I didn’t know if I was going to beat him, but I was damn sure going to make it exciting. When I pulled next to him, I heard his car starting to run out of fuel. We finally won after a strand of bad luck that year.”

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Team Roster

Primary Team Members Driver:
Aric Almirola Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Crew Chief: Mike Bugarewicz
Hometown: Lehighton, Pennsylvania Car Chief: Jerry Cook
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
Engineer: Lee Deese
Hometown: Rockingham, North Carolina
Engineer: James Kimbrough
Hometown: Pensacola, Florida
Spotter: Joel Edmonds
Hometown: Dobson, North Carolina		Over-The-Wall Members
Front Tire Changer: Ryan Mulder
Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa
Rear Tire Changer: Michael Johnson
Hometown: Andover, New York
Tire Carrier: Tyler Bullard
Hometown: King, North Carolina 
Jack Man: Sean Cotton
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina
Fuel Man: James “Ace” Keener
Hometown: Fortuna, California		Road Crew Members
Mechanic: Tony Silvestri
Hometown: Sylvania, Ohio Mechanic: Robbie Fairweather
Hometown: Westbrookville, New York
Engine Tuner: Matt MoellerHometown: Monroe, New York
Tire Specialist: Russel Simpson
Hometown: Medford, New York Transporter Co-Driver: Dale Lackey
Hometown: Taylorsville, North Carolina Transporter
Co-Driver: Wayne Smith
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia 

Azalea Gynecology Partners with Jack Wood and GMS Racing at Talladega Superspeedway

By
Official Release
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Statesville, NC — GMS Racing is proud to announce a new partnership with Azalea Gynecology, who will be featured on Jack Wood’s No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado at Talladega Superspeedway as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series hits race number twenty on the calendar.

Wood, who will be making his first-career NCWTS start at a superspeedway on Saturday, anticipates a challenging race that has a lot at stake. Fortunately for the rookie, he has some restrictor plate track experience in the ARCA Menards Series from earlier this year.

In the two ARCA races on superspeedways this season, the 21-year-old recorded finishes of ninth at Daytona International Speedway in February and eleventh at Talladega Superspeedway in April. Wood looks forward to this weekend’s race to showcase his ability in the draft.

“I’m excited to represent Azalea Gynecology on my pink No. 24 Silverado at Talladega. Breast cancer awareness month is always a great cause to promote women’s health, and I am thankful to have their support this weekend. I think our truck looks great, and I’m more than ready to make my first truck start in a restrictor plate race! Hopefully, I am able to bring home a solid finish to our new supporters,” said Jack.

Prominently featured on Wood’s No. 24 Chevrolet will be Azalea Gynecology, who is using its sponsorship to raise awareness for breast cancer research. Jack will sport a bright pink paint scheme with a breast cancer ribbon adorning the sides of his Silverado.

Located in the ocean front city of Wilmington, North Carolina, Azalea Gynecology offers a variety of services in office such as routine and prevention care, as well as a selection of in office procedures. Dr. Pamela Novosel leads her team of all female Physicians Assistants ensuring that at whatever stage in life their clients are in, their concerns are addressed with superior health care and a knowledgeable staff.

“Azalea Gynecology is proud to be partnering with Jack Wood and the GMS Motorsports team for the Talladega race on Oct 2, 2021! We’re excited to see what this young and up coming driver can do behind the wheel at Talladega. It’s really exciting to be able to see our brand on a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series truck and to promote Breast Cancer awareness and a healthy life to all of the female fans.” – Dr. Pamela Novosel, Owner

Riding along with Jack Wood will be seventeen ribbons featuring the names of breast cancer survivors who are relatives of GMS Racing employees and crew members. The practice has become a yearly tradition for the team, and we are proud to continue it at Talladega.

Fans can cheer on the GMS Racing No. 24 Azalea Gynecology Chevrolet Silverado during the Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, October 2nd. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast the race live at 1:00 PM ET. Be sure to follow Jack Wood on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with the handle @DriverJackWood.

ABOUT AZALEA GYNECOLOGY:

From adolescence through menopause, Azalea Gynecology addresses your concerns, whatever they may be. We endeavor to meet you where you are in your phase of life. We’re about spanning the generations with superior health care – and we’ve been doing just that since our inception in 1996. Azalea Gynecology understands and fully appreciates the needs of women – all of our providers are women.

Dr. Celine Daily first adopted the Azalea Gynecology philosophy and brought it to coastal Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1994. Dr. Daily retired in May 2020 and the practice is now owned by Dr. Pamela Novosel who has collectively cared for thousands of women. For more information, please visit www.azaleagyn.com.

ABOUT GMS RACING:

GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with drivers Sheldon Creed, Zane Smith, Tyler Ankrum, Chase Purdy and Jack Wood. The team also competes in the ARCA Menards Series with Daniel Dye. Since the team began in 2014, GMS Racing won the 2016 and 2020 Camping World Trucks Championship, the 2015 ARCA Menards Series championship as well as the 2019 & 2020 ARCA East championship. GMS has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. The campus also includes operations for GMS Fabrication. More information can be found at gmsracing.net.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Newman Finishes 20th Sunday at Las Vegas

By
Official Release
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LAS VEGAS (Sept. 26, 2021) – Ryan Newman finished 20th Sunday evening at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the Guaranteed Rate Ford in a 400-mile race that saw just one natural caution.

Newman, in his 24th Cup start in Las Vegas, started from the 29th position but began his slow maneuver through the field as the two opening stages ran 80 laps each, with a competition caution 30 laps in. Newman ran 20th at the time of that first yellow and went on to finish 23rd in the opening segment.

He began the second stage from the 22nd spot and elected to stay out under the yellow flag at lap 91, which ultimately allowed the team to stretch the fuel strategy to the end of stage two where he finished in 12th.

The race’s final stage would run caution-free and included a round of green-flag pit stops as Newman crossed the line 20th.

Newman and the No. 6 team are back in action next weekend when NASCAR visits Talladega Superspeedway. Race coverage next Sunday afternoon is set for 2 p.m. ET on NBC, and can also be heard on MRN and SiriusXM Channel 90.

Spencer Boyd Adds The Charlotte Roval to Schedule Thanks to RimTyme

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Official Release
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Mooresville, NC (September 27, 2021) – Spencer Boyd will be behind the wheel of the No. 52 Chevrolet Camaro for Jimmy Means Racing for the third time this year when the NASCAR Xfinity Series races the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (The Roval) on Saturday, October 9. The race is being added to Boyd’s busy schedule thanks to his new sponsor, RimTyme Custom Wheels and Tires. RimTyme has 36 stores nationwide with more scheduled to open in the future.

“We brought our Credit MRI/Jack Sprague throwback truck to a RimTyme earlier this year for an MGP Caliper Covers event,” mentioned Boyd. “It was a great event and I got to meet the Director of Operations who helped put this all together. I raced in the inaugural Roval race back in 2018 so I’ll have to dust off that notebook, but I’m truly excited to get back out there.”

RimTyme Custom Wheels and Tires carries more custom rims than the traditional wheel shop. They have a large selection of name brand custom wheels available in the latest styles, finishes, colors, and sizes. In addition, to a variety of wheel brands, RimTyme carries popular tire brands for everyday driving needs at affordable prices to fit any budget.

Brock Roberts, Director of Operations at RimTyme, commented on the partnership with Boyd, “Spencer’s personality is so big and we love his engagement with fans. He is a great representative for our brand in a sport where we know people love their cars. Our staff are automotive stylists that know the latest trends and styles, so we can give NASCAR fans the custom wheels and tires they want.”

RimTyme will be hosting a meet and greet with Spencer Boyd across the street from Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, October 10 at 10am. They will be camped out all weekend long handing out autographed hero cards, so stop by, get an autograph, and check out all RimTyme has to offer.

Find a RimTyme Custom Wheels and Tires location near you at www.rimtyme.com/locations

IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCES BY WMI DRIVERS AT DELAWARE

By
Official Release
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(September 27, 2021) Wight Motorsports Inc (WMI) four entries for the final two races of the 2021 NASCAR Pinty’s Series this past Sunday at Delaware Speedway each made their mark in the races. Taking over the #64 car for the injured Mark Dilley was Brandon Watson who has turned plenty of heads in his brief Pinty’s career.

Watson would lead a total of 23 laps in race one but give up top spot late to settle for a runner up position. In race two Watson also ran near the front for the entire 150-lap race and claimed a fourth-place finish.

WMI also welcomed newly elected member of the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame Glenn Styres to the #19 car and his first ever Pinty’s Series races. Styres has very little asphalt racing experience but showed plenty of skill gaining seven spots in race one.

Additionally, #80 driver Donald Theetge demonstrated his driving skills showing plenty of speed and overcoming some obstacles. Theetge suffered a cut tire that hurt his finishing position in race one. He would record a ninth-place result in the opener and come home 11th in the second race.

Last year’s rookie of the year TJ Rinomato continued show improvements each week. Rinomato put it all together finishing 12th in race one, a career best but only briefly. In race two he claimed his first ever top-ten finish with a new career best ninth place result.

Quotes from David Wight, WMI Principal
“Each of our four drivers have reason to be proud of their performance. In only four series races Brandon has showed he belongs here. He just missed out on a win in the first race Sunday and finished fourth in the second. He’s a very skilled driver with a lot of potential.

“Donald Theetge showed real determination battling through a couple of different issues, there was a problem with water in the fuel and he suffered a puncture. But he also showed a lot of speed running with the lead group until the setbacks”.

“Glenn Styres had a steep learning curve, not having raced on asphalt in many years. But you could see the improvement almost every lap, and I know he had a lot of fun and to pick up seven spots in your first race, that’s outstanding”.

“Big props to TJ Rinomato as well. He’s grown a lot as a driver this year and you can see his progress. He had first ever top ten with a ninth-place finish in race two on Sunday”.

“I’m very proud of all the hard work and effort the entire WMI team has put in this year. We got our first two Pinty’s series race wins and had some other strong finishes. For only a second-year team to run this strong in so many races this year says a lot about the kind of team we’re building here and we can’t wait to be back in 2022”.

RACE ONE PERFORMANCE

DRIVERSTARTEDFINISHED
Glenn Styres2114
Donald Theetge89
Brandon Watson42
TJ Rinomato1912

RACE TWO PERFORMANCE

DRIVERSTARTEDFINISHED
Glenn Styres2114
Donald Theetge311
Brandon Watson24
TJ Rinomato179

Sunday’s races were the final two events of the 2021 NASCAR Pinty’s Series for the WMI teams.

Television Coverage
You can watch all three races from Delaware Speedway this past weekend in the days ahead. The Canadian Tire 125 in on TSN Saturday October 2nd, at 2:30PM, RDS2 TBD. The Qwick Wick 125 on TSN airs Sunday October 3rd at 12:30PM, RDS2 is TBD, and the Pinty’s Fall Brawl airs on TSN Saturday October 9th at 1:30PM, RDS2 is TBD.

Race fans can get the latest information regarding WMI and the drivers on these social media channels:

Wight Motorsports Inc Twitter @Wightmotorsport Instagram @wightmotorsport

Donald Theetge: Twitter @DonaldTheetge

Brandon Watson: Instagram brandonwatson_9
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BrandonWatsonRacing/

Mark Dilley: Twitter @MarkDilley9 Instagram @markdilley

TJ Rinomato: Twitter TJ_Rinomato Instagram @tjrinomato

Glenn Styres: Twitter @GlennStyres Instagram @glennstyres
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/styres.racing/

DiBenedetto Finishes 12th at Las Vegas

By
Official Release
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Matt DiBenedetto’s No. 21 Suicide Prevention Lifeline Mustang was fast from start to finish of Sunday’s South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the team came home with a 12th-place finish despite a mid-race setback due to the way a pit-stop cycle played out.

DiBenedetto started 14th and drove into the top five within the first three laps. He was running fifth when the Competition Caution flag flew after 26 laps had been completed.

He continued to run in the top five and top 10 throughout the first Stage and ended that 80-lap segment in ninth place, earning two Stage points.

In the second Stage, the No. 21 team was again running in the top 10 but their pit strategy didn’t work out when the Stage ended with a 63-lap green-flag. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline team was forced to stop late in the run under the green flag, and that left them in 23rd place, one lap behind the leaders.

Taking the wave-around during the Stage break put DiBenedetto back on the lead lap but at the back of the pack to start the final Stage. That entire segment ran without a yellow flag, taking away any opportunity to use strategy to jump up in the running order.

Still, DiBenedetto was able to remain on the lead lap and drive his way to 12th place at the finish.

“Obviously we had a much better car than that,” he said. “We were able to drive away from the leaders at the end.

“We had to come from the back at the start of the final Stage, and there were no cautions to re-bunch the field and get back to where we deserved to be.

“We had a top-five car.”

Still, he said he was proud to be able to spend the weekend raising awareness about suicide and ways to try to help those contemplating taking their own lives. The team’s regular sponsors, led by Motorcraft and Quick Lane, yielded their logos on the No. 21 Mustang to the suicide prevention effort and to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number, which is 1-800-273 TALK (8255).

“The numbers of people either contemplating suicide or taking their own lives are staggering,” DiBenedetto said. “Being able to talk about suicide and mental health was much bigger than driving the race car.”

DiBenedetto and the No. 21 team remain 18th in the points standings heading into next Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

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.

NTT INDYCAR Series Champion and Indianapolis 500 Winner Simon Pagenaud Joins Meyer Shank Racing

By
Official Release
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Pagenaud set to drive the No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES starting in 2022

Pataskala, Ohio (27 September 2021) – INDYCAR SERIES Champion and winner of the 2019 Indianapolis 500 Simon Pagenaud will join Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) for the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship driving the No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda. Pagenaud will team with four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves in the No. 06 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda.

Pagenaud will be joining MSR which has grown its presence in the series continuously since it’s series debut in 2017 with a one-off entry in the 2017 Indianapolis 500. In five short years, MSR won the prestigious 2021 Indianapolis 500 with Castroneves. The 2022 season will mark the first two-car full-time campaign for MSR as it will field two Indianapolis 500 winners in the team’s hunt for the 2022 INDYCAR championship.

“Next year will be a big year for MSR and I think we have a very strong lineup of drivers between Simon and Helio,” said Mike Shank. “We have built this program every year, growing with our partners and working to have all the ingredients we need to be competitive. Our Indianapolis 500 win was a big breakthrough, and we are looking forward to having a consistently competitive program that will have the chance to fight for wins and podiums no matter where we go and I think this lineup will help us do that.”

“This is such an exciting time in my career,” said Pagenaud. “MSR has proven it is a high-quality organization when they won the Indianapolis 500 and pairing Helio and me together will help our team in 2022 and beyond. I’m really looking forward to this new challenge.”

Pagenaud claimed the 2019 Indianapolis 500 victory with a convincing run out front after starting from the pole. He was the first polesitter to win the Indianapolis 500 since Helio Castroneves in 2009. Pagenaud also scored a strong third-place podium finish in the 2021 edition of the race.

Pagenaud also won the 2016 INDYCAR Championship and has 15 wins, 14 poles and 37 podium finishes since making his series debut in 2011.

Beyond his success in INDYCAR, Pagenaud has also shown strength in sports car competition, collecting podium finishes in the most iconic IMSA SportsCar Championship races. Pagenaud finished second in the 2021 Rolex 24 at Daytona and collected a third place finish in the 2017 and 2020 Petit Le Mans. He also participated in some prestigious European endurance races, the most iconic being the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans where he missed victory by a very close margin.

Before becoming a champion in America, Pagenaud competed in Europe for several years, winning the ‘Volant Elf’, a young drivers’ competition, in 2001, which marked the start of his career. Until 2006 he moved through the ranks of some of the most renowned young drivers’ formulae in Europe before deciding to pursue his career in the United States.

Meyer Shank Racing will head into the 2022 race season equipped with two-full season INDYCAR entries with the returning support from primary sponsors AutoNation and SiriusXM as well as continued partnerships with CAP fixtures, Rocky Fork Co. and Roberts Service Group.

Exclusive: First Seasons with Andrew Hines

By
Briar Starr
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Photo Courtesy of Matt Polito/DragBike.com

In this edition of First Seasons, Speedway Media catches up with six-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Andrew Hines. During this interview, Hines discusses entering the sport in 2002, racing for his dad’s team, Vance and Hines and memories of his first start. Other topics covered were winning the championship in 2004 and whether he has a favorite trophy out of his collection.

SM: You made your debut at the young age of 19 years old in 2002 at Denver. What was it like making your debut at that age which at the time was considered young for the sport and what drew you to compete in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class? 

AH: “That race was a challenge to get to,” Hines said. “I’ve grown up around drag racing and hadn’t known much else, watching my brother and dad race throughout the early 90s and ‘00s and I got the chance to go racing. My dad (founder of Vance and Hines) told me if I wanted to go racing, I needed to learn the entire aspect of a motorcycle. He told me here’s a chassis and go ahead and build it up. I had to learn all my fabrications at that point.

“Had some struggles getting there. We went testing prior to that race and the engine expired at the 1,000-foot mark on the run and oil got all over the exhaust pipe and the bike went up in flames. We originally were shooting for Chicago that year, but we had to get the body repaired and rewire everything, just regroup and figure out what to do from there on forward. It was a lot of work, a lot of headaches, I put so much time into that motorcycle and to see it burning at the end of the racetrack was not a very easy feeling. 

“At that point, it kind of sets into your mind what can happen on these motorcycles. They’re not really safe and they can have a mind of their own. That was instilled in me early on and that was an eye-opening experience to have so many things happen early in my career. Getting to Denver, I was able to qualify at the top half of the field, which was a cool feat for the team.

“Some people think it’s a good place (Denver) to start because you’re going slower due to the altitude. The track is one of the most technical races on the tour because you’re going slower and any change you make on the motorcycle will drastically impact the motorcycle more than a sea-level track.”

SM: In 2002 you competed on a part-time schedule running seven races before going full-time from 2003 to now. As you entered the ‘02 season, was managing expectations difficult knowing you were part-time that year and eventually going full-time in ‘03?

AH: “In ‘02, the way the Rookie of the Year worked out in NHRA, once you compete in your fifth event, you’re no longer considered a rookie,” he said. “By running seven events, I was saying 2002 was my rookie season. At the end of the year, I was nominated for the Rookie of the Year, but I did not win it.

“I didn’t really know what was going to happen in 2003. We didn’t have any plans set in stone. The Harley-Davidson contract that Vince and Hines picked up and we weren’t sure where that was going to go in the future. Throughout 2002, I was just focused on getting experience, racing new people, and going to these different venues. Every track we go to is a quarter-mile track, but they’re all unique to their own.

“Going into ‘03, I didn’t know where I was going to go, but ultimately I ended up getting a second ride on the factory motorcycle through Vance and Hines. History has been written since. Though I got to race my dad (Byron Hines) twice that year, once at Reading and the other at Pomona, and we went 1-1, and after that, he was done racing. So our record still stands to this day as a tie.” 

SM: Are you encouraging him to try and come out and race with you so you can break the tie with him? 

AH: Yeah, exactly,” Hines said. “He’s always got the itch to come out and race, but he hasn’t had the opportunity to get on a motorcycle since then.” 

SM: Your debut came at Denver in 2002. Before we talk about your first qualifying run and eventually your rounds that weekend, what were the weeks like leading up to that event? Were you nervous or anxious, or were you tired of waiting and ready to get going? 

AH: “I was definitely anxious,” the six-time champion said. “My brother was racing for Eagle One (corporate sponsor) and here I was, the younger brother coming out here trying to make waves in the class. I had high expectations, but unfortunately at the time, we weren’t running my motorcycle at peak performance. I was using some old parts at the shop that were lying around. Just trying to race as a low-budget deal and not gobble up all the resources that my brother needed to go race for the championship.

“It was older engines, crankshafts, that’s why we had some failures along the way. Very anxious going into that first race at Denver. I was actually able to borrow a truck and trailer from an industry friend of ours, PR factory store, Don Plesser. I worked at his trailer that weekend, so I wasn’t getting in the way of my brother. My dad would come over and make the tuning calls and things like that. Denver was a cool experience.

“Up to that point, I hadn’t figured out how to get good reaction times. I ended up racing one of the well-knowns of the sport, Reggie Showers, in the first round. Did a very bad job on the tree and he beat me. Got my first round win at the next race in Sonoma.”

SM: What did that first round victory at Sonoma mean to you at the time? 

AH: (Winning) my first round meant a lot,” he said. “I can’t remember where I qualified at that event. Thinking about it now, I went over to Craig Treble’s trailer on Saturday night and used his practice reaction timer. I had bad lights in all rounds of qualifying and I came up with what was then called 500 on the tree in the first round against John Smith. Luckily I had the motorcycle to carry me on through the win.

“In the second round, that was my turning point knowing I can do this because I had a better reaction time. I was amped up getting that round win.”

SM: As Sunday came, unfortunately, you lost in your first round match against Showers after you moved toward the centerline at the 330 feet mark. Is there anything you wish you could have done differently in order to advance that day or do you feel it just wasn’t meant to be? 

AH: “It was just experience at the time,” he said about losing in his first round. “I hadn’t had enough seat time staring at the Christmas Tree and learning the reaction times. Twisting the throttle and hearing 10,000 rpm at the time it’s hard to get that through your head and throw your clutch away at the start line. It just comes with seasoning and you have to learn from the experience along the way.

“Ultimately, it would have been nice getting my first round win in my first round, but I’m not going to hang my head on that. There were a lot of good people racing in that class.”

SM: For the rest of 2002, you qualified for all the events you entered. Being on a part-time schedule was there still a learning curve racing on the bike or did you start to become more comfortable after making more runs as the season went on?

AH: “Definitely a learning curve,” Hines said. “It didn’t come quickly by any means. I raced my brother at Pomona in the final round and had a huge holeshot lead and then red lighted because I forgot to shift on time. Had I been a better rider and not pay attention to what’s happening in the other lane, I probably could have got him (Byron Hines) on that win.”

SM: One year later in 2004, you scored your first career victory racing against GT Tonglet. What does that victory mean to you to this day and have you ever had a chance to go back and re-watch that race? Did you ever think it was going to come after racing for only a couple of years? I’m sure it was a special win coming at the Gatornationals. 

AH: “My first race win was definitely special not only for me but the first race win for Harley-Davidson in NHRA with our Vance and Hines team,” he said. “We put both bikes in the final round and there were a lot of Harley-Davidson executives on the starting line. I think the biggest reaction came when I won my semi-final round. I was still rolling to the shut down area and I could still hear the crowd roaring because GT (Tonglet, former Pro Stock Motorcycle racer) had won, and at that point, we sealed it (victory) for Harley-Davidson. 

“You know, Gainesville being near the Daytona bike week time frame, a lot of motorcycle riders were in the area. The place just went nuts.”

SM: When you won that year in Gatornationals, it started a season of three wins and your first-ever championship. Why was that season so special and why do you think it clicked together with your team? 

AH: “I was coming into my own as a rider,” Hines said. “The team was learning clutch management going down the racetrack. We were so good when NHRA started hammering us with extra weight penalties to get parity back in line. We took a big hit between Englishtown and St. Louis that year with a 40 lb weight increase from one weekend to the next. After that, we never won another race (that year), but we accumulated enough points early in the season to win the championship.

“That was an extra special time, winning the first championship and being 21 years old at the time. You kind of take it for granted at the time wanting to win races.”

SM: After 2004, the stats speak for themselves, 56 wins and six championships. When you reflect on your early days, are there any races where you wish you had the chance to go back and re-do it? If so, what races stand out the most? 

AH: “Oh man, probably 2005 Pomona in the final round racing against Ryan Schnitz,” the Vance and Hines rider said. “I went 11 thousand fouled red and he went 10 thousand red. Not winning that race kind of plagued me forever, I was never able to win Pomona after that race. It (winning Pomona) didn’t happen until 2012. That’s one where you wish you can get it back.” 

SM: What is your fondest memory when entering the sport? 

AH: “I was the young kid at the track everyone knew,” Hines said. “It was cool being out there when my dad was racing, being only 8 or 9 years old, and people were still racing when I came back out. Racing with peers I looked up to for so long was a pretty fond memory.”

SM: Some drivers keep their own memorabilia and some don’t. Are you a driver that collects your own merchandise and if so, is there anything in your collection that reminds you of your rookie years? 

AH: “I have a few shirts from those early years that are still in bags,” he said. “That’s something I’ll let my kids look at in the future. Obviously, I still have all my trophies, leathers and helmets. I guess the helmets are probably the biggest thing. I kept all my helmets from the start. I can look at each helmet and remember what happened during that exact race.” 

SM: Out of 56 victories, I know it’s kind of hard to pinpoint as all of those wins have special meaning, but what would you say is the favorite trophy out of your collection? 

AH: “The next one,” Hines jokingly said about his favorite victory. “To pinpoint one, there are so many. Probably my 50th win that came at Charlotte in 2019. That was big for me, breaking the 50th milestone. Everything lined up that weekend, I think that race was a four-wide race too.”

SM It’s hard to believe your debut came 19 years ago. However, if time travel was available, what would a 38-year-old Andrew Hines tell a 19-year-old Andrew Hines? Is there anything you would do differently? 

AH: “When I was younger, you get caught up in what other people think of your performance on the racetrack,” the six-time champ said. “It’s tough at times, you can have those red lights, holeshots, you can make a bad run riding. I would always dwell on what people thought of that last round. As I got older, I realized the performance would come as long as I don’t dwell on the negatives. I have to be positive for the future. I think that’s where my mindset changed probably in 2014.

“The best thing I told myself is that it doesn’t matter what other people are thinking, it only matters what you’re thinking. If you think about what the outcome should be, you’ll get there. That’s probably my biggest takeaway is I was too worried about what other people were thinking.” 

Many thanks to Natalie Torrence for setting up this interview and special thanks to Andrew Hines for taking the time out of his busy schedule to conduct the interview.

Fans of Andrew Hines can follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Additionally, you can check out the team’s website here. 

Bridget Gets Wrecked Early at The Bull Ring in Vegas

By
Official Release
-

TOOELE, UT, September 27, 2021 – A big weekend of motorsport rolled into Las Vegas this past weekend with the ARCA Menards West Series kicking off on Thursday at the Las Vegas Bull Ring located at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

True to form with September weather in Las Vegas it was hot! Bridget and the BMI Racing crew headed out for the combined practice/qualifying session in the late afternoon. The team spent time working with Bridget to continue to improve the setup on the HMH Construction Chevrolet SS during the session.

At the 15 minute to go mark, Bridget was sent out for a qualifying lap; she put in her best lap and at the end of the session qualified 13th out of a stacked field of 24 cars.

The green flag waived for the start of the Star Nursery 150 and Bridget got a clean start – as her spotter had said “You can’t win the race on the first lap”. It wasn’t long before the first caution came with a car spinning at turn 2; the field racked up again and the green flag waived again for the restart of the race.

Bridget continued to work her lines in the HMH Construction Chevrolet SS, being patient and not using up her equipment. Another caution flag waived, and the field lined up again for another restart. The cars accelerated past the start/finish line; Bridget became the victim of an over-aggressive driver and was turned mid corner, although Bridget did her best to stay out of trouble a back marker car hit her, ultimately damaging the front of her car ending her race early.

A replay of Thursday’s Star Nursery 150 at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will broadcast on NBCSN on Thursday, Sept. 30, starting at 5 p.m. ET.

Bridget’s next race will be the NAPA Auto Care Center 150 presented by Berco Redwood at All American Speedway, Roseville, CA

Bridget is powered by these great companies: HMH Construction, GEARWRENCH, Rugged Radios, Cometic Gasket, Circle Track Warehouse, Ferrea Racing Components, FK Rod Ends, Fragola Performance Systems, GC Cooling Fan, GT Radial, Hawk Performance, Impact Race Products, K&N Filters, Kellerstrass, Konig, Lucas Oil, Miller Electric, ProAm, PSC Motorsports, Rare Parts, Streamline Custom Designs, Sunoco Race Fuel, Tilton, XS Power

Facebook page: BridgetBurgess8 | Instagram: BridgetBurgess8 | Twitter: 8BridgetBurgess

THIRD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE #47 WEATHERTECH CANADA | GROUPE BELLEMARE TEAM

By
Official Release
-
Photo Credit: Matthew Manor CSCG
EventSeptember 24: Canadian Tire 125 September 26: Quick Wick Firestarter 125 & Pinty’s Fall Brawl 150
TrackDelaware Speedway (Delaware, Ontario) – Oval
Starts / Finishes·   September 24: Canadian Tire 125 – 9th | 8th  ·   September 26: Quick Wick Firestarter 125 – 9th | 6th  ·   September 26: Pinty’s Fall Brawl 150 – 10th | 6th
Dates / Network (ET)·   Canadian Tire 125: TSN – Saturday, October 2, 2:30 PM | RDS2 (TBD)·   Quick Wick 125: TSN – Sunday, October 3, 12:30 PM | RDS2 (TBD)·   Pinty’s Fall Brawl: TSN – Saturday, October 9, 1:30 PM | RDS2 (TBD)
ResultsRaces results

Delaware (Ontario, Canada), September 26, 2021 – It was an action-packed weekend for the last three races of the season at the Delaware Speedway oval. Louis-Philippe Dumoulin and the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare team showed up with confidence, both mechanically and in terms of driving talent, but nothing was won. Ninth on the grid for the first two races and tenth for the last race, the veteran fought hard to accumulate as many points as possible. This strategy paid off as the team won its third championship (2014 – 2018 – 2021). What a great way to mark the tenth year of partnership with WeatherTech Canada and more than twenty with Groupe Bellemare!

Emotions were running high at the podium as the team celebrated their achievement. Of note, all three of Louis-Philippe Dumoulin’s championships have been won with all-Quebec race-preparation teams (2014 with King Autosport – Martin Roy | 2018 and 2021 with Dumoulin Competition).

“Unique, epic, I can’t believe we did it again! Thanks to my partners WeatherTech Canada and Groupe Bellemare, so grateful; the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, everyone involved at Dumoulin Competition, the fans. I know it’s been a tough couple of years, but here we are, 2021 champions. Our team has done an amazing job, everyone at home, it’s unbelievable. I would also like to thank all those who could not be here with us and my brother, Jean-François, because this championship belongs to you too. You are all in our thoughts. We’re going to celebrate tonight and we’re all going to celebrate together,” explained Louis-Philippe Dumoulin.

Race Action Summary

Friday, September 24 – Canadian Tire 125 – 8th place

Practice and Qualifying

“We could have set a better time in practice, but we’re happy with the race set-up as it’s good for speed at the end of the race. Turn 3 was a bit problematic on my second lap in qualifying, which cost me one or two tenths of a second,” explained the driver who qualified in ninth position for the start of the first race of the weekend.

Race

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin started on the inside of the grid from ninth position and fluctuated between tenth and sixth place in the race, which was punctuated by four caution periods (covering 30 laps). The agility of his driving in traffic on each restart enabled him to maintain the pace and his position.

“The car was well set up for the colder evening weather and I was patient in the early stages of the race, keeping myself in position, close to the leaders. However, on my last restart, from the outside lane, with less than ten laps to go in the race, I lost two positions and we finished eighth.” 

“We have collected important points for the championship, and we will all work on the car all day tomorrow to come back even stronger for the two races on Sunday. With a full house in the stands, the atmosphere was great it’s good to get back to normal short track racing,” said the driver now just five points behind the championship leader.

Sunday, September 26

Race 2 – Quick Wick Firestarter 125 – 6th place

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin and the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare team started from ninth on the quicker inside lane and worked their way up to fourth. The veteran driver then played the perfect race strategy, taking advantage of all the incidents and caution periods (nine caution periods including one red flag). The race ended in overtime. Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, who restarted for the last run to the finish from 4th place in the outside lane, crossed the finish line in 6th place, giving him a seven-point lead in the drivers’ standings. However, it’s not all over yet, there is still a 150-lap race to go!

Race 3 – Pinty’s Fall Brawl 150 – 6th place and 2021 NASCAR Pinty’s Series CHAMPION

After setting the 10th fastest time in the first race of the day, Louis-Philippe Dumoulin and his #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare car started in the outside lane, a dangerous position in a tight group of drivers that jostle for position and often cause incidents. Louis-Philippe Dumoulin’s mission was to turn his 7-point lead into a 2021 NASCAR Pinty’s Series championship.

Mission accomplished!

“It was very difficult to start the weekend 11 points behind. We came to Delaware second in the driver standings. Alex Tagliani was very fast and did a great job all season long. D.J. Kennington was also close in terms of points in the standings. We focused all weekend to achieve our goal. The team got together and thought about the right adjustments to make to the car to win. The WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare team was great. We improved the car throughout the weekend until we had what we needed today to win the title. I’m very proud because we worked as a team like never before during these three days,” concluded Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, so grateful to his team at Dumoulin Competition.

“Passion – Performance – Partnerships”

2021 RESULTS

EventDateRoadOvalLP Dumoulin
 Start FinishPos.Points
Sunset Speedway (2 races) sunsetspeedway.ca01-08O311632/79
Grand Prix de Trois-Rivièresgp3r.ca15-08R153/119
Circuit ICARicarexperience.ca28-08R532/160
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park canadiantiremotorsportpark.com04-09R211/207
05-093112/240
Flamboro Speedway flamborospeedway.com12-09O972/277
Delaware Speedway delawarespeedway.com24-09O962/313
Delaware Speedway (2 races) delawarespeedway.com26-09O961
1061

ABOUT PARTNERS

WeatherTech is committed to designing, engineering and manufacturing the finest products possible for your vehicle, home and your pet. From the industry leading FloorLiner to the 100% non-toxic Pet Feeding System, WeatherTech has dedicated itself to exceed customer expectations of quality, craftsmanship and environmental sustainability for over 30 years. To see the full line of automotive, home and pet products that are guaranteed for life, visit weathertech.ca.

Groupe Bellemare is a 3rd generation family business that has been serving clients since 1959. Today, the company has more than 500 employees and provides them with an innovative work environment facilitating work-family balance and a healthy and safe quality of life. With over a half century of experience and its sustained R&D efforts, the Company offers high-quality products and services in areas as diverse as concrete, abrasives and minerals, dimensional load transportation, and recycling. Groupe Bellemare is also very involved in its industry and attaches great importance to its social and environmental role as a member of the business community. Groupe Bellemare makes a positive contribution to the quality of life of citizens in the communities it serves by supporting numerous social causes and promoting local purchasing through its responsible procurement practices. groupebellemare.com

Dumoulin Competition. Jean-François and Louis-Philippe Dumoulin founded the Dumoulin Competition Race Team in 2009. Working with financial, marketing, logistics and sports management experts, they built up a solid business structure. Dumoulin Competition prepares its on race cars in-house since 2016. Their motto: “Passion – Performance – Partnerships” expresses their will to perform on the track and offer their partners maximum visibility and profitability in return for their commitment. Their vision: To become Canada’s leader in motorsports through track performance, entrepreneurial and human values dumoulincompetition.com

SUMMARY – HIGHLIGHTS IN LOUIS-PHILIPPE DUMOULIN’S CAREER

NASCAR Pinty’s Series

·         Inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame (2020) for his outstanding contribution.

·         In 2020, the sanitary situation forced the NASCAR Pinty’s Series to present only 6 races in the “Pinty’s FanCave Challenge”. Louis-Philippe Dumoulin scored 1 win and 3 top-5 finishes.

·         2019: Third in driver and owner championships (2 wins, 4 podium, and eight top-5 finishes from 13 events).

·         2018: Champion (3 victories, 7 podiums, 2 poles, eight top-5 in 13 events). Saw his name added for the second time to the NASCAR Hall of Fame (Charlotte, NC) / Wins“Driver of the Year” and “Best Performing Driver” awards.

·         2017: Fourth in the driver championship (3 podiums, nine top-5 and eleven top-10 finishes from 13 events).

·         2016: Joint fourthin the driver championship (4 podiums, six top-5 and seven top-10 finishes from 12 events).

·         2015: Fourth in the driver championship (2 podiums, six top-5 and nine top-10 finishes from 11 events).

·         2014: Champion (2 victories, 5 podiums and nine top-5 finish from 11 events). Saw his name added to the NASCAR Hall of Fame (Charlotte, NC) / Awarded the “Driver Of the Year”, “Best Performing Driver” and “Gilles-Villeneuve” awards.

·         2013: Fifth in the driver championship (2 victories, 3 podiums, four top-5s, six top-10s and five-time top-3 grid positions from 12 events).

·         2012: Sixth in the driver championship (1 pole, three top-5 and seven top-10 finishes from 12 events).

·         2011: Rookie of the year.

Rallying and Road Racing

·         2015: Participated in FIA World Rallycross Championship round in Canada (Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres).

·         2012: Second in class in the 12 Hours of Sebring (American Le Mans Series – GT3 Cup). The only Canadian driver on the podium.

·         2004 to today: Front runner in the Grand-Am and Rolex Sports Car series, in Porsche, Ferrari and Daytona Prototype cars – Races in the 12 Hours of Sebring / and the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA events.

·         2002: Champion in the Canadian Formula Ford Championship.

·         2001: Awarded the ‘’Gilles-Villeneuve’’ and ‘’Quartz’’ trophies.

·         Records: Holder since 2002 of Formula Ford Series records for most victories (6) and most pole positions (7) in a single season.

WEBSITES / ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

WeatherTech Canada: weathertech.ca/behindtech

Groupe Bellemare: groupebellemare.com

Delaware Speedway: delawarespeedway.com/

Fondation québécoise du cancer: fqc.qc.ca

Musée Gilles-Villeneuve: museegillesvilleneuve.com

Festidrag développement: festidrag.com

Série Mini Sportsman Québec: seriesportsman.ca/mini-sportsman-calendrier

Dumoulin Compétition: dumoulincompetition.com

Série NASCAR Pinty’s: nascar.ca

Facebook: facebook.com/dumoulincompetition

Twitter: @DumoulinDC / @DumoulinLP / @jf_dumoulin

Youtube: youtube.com/user/dumoulincompetition

Instagram: @dumoulincompetition

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