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Merriman and Dalziel Team Up Again at Laguna Seca Following Road America Race Win

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Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., (September 8, 2021) – Following their race win in the LMP2 class at Road America last month, Dwight Merriman and Ryan Dalziel will race as co-drivers again at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, on Sunday, September 12 in the No. 17 Era Motorsport Oreca. Despite missing one race this year, the two-time IMSA race winners are fourth in the championship standings. The sixth event in the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, this weekend’s race at Laguna Seca will act as the penultimate race for the LMP2 class.

“I’m very much looking forward to racing at Laguna Seca,” said Merriman. “It’s such an iconic track and in such a beautiful area. It’s a circuit any racer wants to celebrate a victory at, and with the momentum of our win at Road America, I’m looking forward to giving it our best shot this weekend.”

The No. 18 Era Motorsport Oreca showed a strong pace the entire Road America weekend, with the drivers and team producing a near-flawless execution with every session. A result of private testing and further development overseas in the team’s European Le Mans Series efforts, the team’s success provides strong momentum heading into the California event.

“I’m super excited to be going to Laguna Seca with Era Motorsport, especially after our last outing at Road America,” said Dalziel. “Dwight and the team did a great job getting us that victory. We know Laguna will be a big challenge for us, but we are up for the task. Big thank you to Kyle and Sarah Tilley for letting me drive alongside Dwight and try to get us another victory.”

On-track activities for this weekend’s race, the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship, begin with one practice session on Friday evening, September 10, followed by a final practice and qualifying session on Saturday. Four of the live IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship classes will compete in the race, with the LMP3 class sitting out this round. The field of 26 entries will take the green flag on Sunday, September 12 at 1:10 PM local. The race will air live on NBC Sports Network, beginning at 1:00 PM Pacific/4:00 PM Eastern. Live timing will be available on livescoring.us, and IMSA Radio will cover international audio coverage beginning with Saturday’s qualifying session. For full event information, visit imsa.com.

About Era Motorsport
Era Motorsport was formed in 2018 with the idea of providing unmatched excellence in historic racing. Just two years later, the team expanded to the world of professional sports car racing, fielding an Oreca 07 in the prolific IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2021, the team went on to win at the iconic Rolex 24 At Daytona, in what was their second attempt competing in the event. Motorsport isn’t just a hobby, it is a way of life: a passion that is in the team’s blood. Whether you find us in the IMSA WeatherTech paddock with modern prototypes or chasing down lap records in our fully restored classic sports cars, or even globetrotting to experience historic F1 at some of the world’s most iconic circuits, Era Motorsport has something for everyone. In 2021, the team will return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the full LMP2 season and also contest in the full seasons of the Asian Le Mans championship and European Le Mans Series.

Toyota Racing – Weekly Preview – 09.08.21

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: September 6-12, 2021
· NCS/NXS: Richmond Raceway – September 11
· ARCA WEST: Portland International Raceway – September 11

PLANO, Texas (September 8, 2021) – The NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series are headed back to Richmond Raceway for the Salute to American Heroes Race Weekend presented by Toyota. The ARCA Menards Series West also competes this weekend at Portland International Raceway in Oregon.

NASCAR National Series – NCS| NXS

Toyota supports Tuesday’s Children… With this weekend’s race occurring on the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Toyota is proud to honor the first responders and victims of that tragic day. Toyota will have a Wall of Remembrance which shows all of the names of those lost. In front of the Wall of Remembrance, Toyota will host Tuesday’s Children, a charity founded in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks which focuses on the children of victims of terrorist attacks. Fans can donate to this worthy cause and Toyota will match fan donations up to $10,000.

Hamlin clinched… After a successful year, Denny Hamlin drove his Camry to his first win of the season at Darlington Raceway – earning his third Southern 500 win and fourth Cup Series victory at the South Carolina-track. Hamlin heads to his home track this weekend, another place he has seen incredible success. Hamlin has three wins at Richmond Raceway, including Toyota’s first victory in the fall event at the track in 2009.

Truex, Busch look to add to recent Richmond success… Both Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. have had recent sweeps at Richmond Raceway. Busch has six victories at Richmond Raceway with the last two occurring in a sweep of the 2018 races at the track. Truex gave Joe Gibbs Racing four straight wins at the track by winning both the Toyota Owners 400 in April 2019 and following that win with another victory in the fall event later that year.

First for Hemric… Daniel Hemric scored his first Xfinity Series pole position at Richmond in 2017. He led the first 26 laps and finished third. He added another third-place finish at the Virginia-short track in 2018.

Gibbs looking at Rookie of the Year… Despite making just 12 starts this season, Ty Gibbs is currently out front of the Rookie of the Year battle in the Xfinity Series holding a slim 12-point advantage over fellow part-time driver Josh Berry with nine races remaining. He would be the second straight Rookie of the Year winner for Joe Gibbs Racing after Harrison Burton drove to the title last season. Gibbs is back behind the wheel of the No. 54 Toyota Supra this weekend.

Nemechek makes second start of the season… John Hunter Nemechek will make his second start of the season behind the wheel of the No. 26 Toyota Supra, which is owned by Virginia-native Sam Hunt. Nemechek was impressive in his team debut at Dover earlier this season, driving from his 30th starting spot to the top-10 before encountering mechanical issues.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA WEST

Love looks to add to the lead… Jesse Love holds the season points lead as the ARCA Menards Series West heads into the second half of the season. After another victory at Irwindale Speedway, the 16-year-old holds an 11-point lead over his teammate Cole Moore as he searches for his second consecutive championship.

Stay Connected

https://www.toyota.com/racing @ToyotaRacing.com @ToyotaRacing

facebook.com/ToyotaRacing Camera With Flash on Apple iOS 11.3 ToyotaRacingMedia.com

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands plus our 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 47,000 in North America. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.

Through its Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2021 Induction Slated for January 21

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Official Release
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Inductees Dale Earnhardt Jr., Red Farmer, Mike Stefanik and Landmark Award recipient Ralph Seagraves will be honored as part of a weekend full of activities and events. Tickets go on sale October 7.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 8, 2021) – The NASCAR Hall of Fame and NASCAR are pleased to announce that the Class of 2021 Induction Ceremony will take place in Charlotte on Friday, January 21, 2022. The Ceremony was originally scheduled for February 5, 2021 but was postponed due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.

“We are thrilled to celebrate these legends’ significant accomplishments and contributions to NASCAR alongside their families, friends and fans,” said Winston Kelley, Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “The decision to postpone was very difficult but the right thing to do. With the planned evolution from five to three inductees with the Class of 2021, NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame teams saw an opportunity to take a fresh look at our schedule of events for Induction Weekend and are excited about what we have created. It’s always a special time for each honoree and their families and friends and will be a truly memorable weekend for our fans and guests alike.”

To celebrate the Class of 2021, the NASCAR Hall of Fame will again have three days of special events and programming – including an exclusive insiders experience, a brunch event with NASCAR Hall of Famers and behind-the-scenes looks at pieces of racing history.

Tickets to the Class of 2021 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Weekend events, which will take place Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022 through Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, go on sale to the general public on Thursday, October 7 at 10 a.m.

KEY DATES AND TAKEAWAYS

  • Induction Dinner and Induction Ceremony (Friday, Jan. 21, 2022): Both the Induction Dinner and Induction Ceremony will take place in the Crown Ballroom at the Charlotte Convention Center adjacent to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
  • Public On-Sale (Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021): Tickets to all Class of 2021 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Weekend events go on sale to the public. NASCAR Hall of Fame members will have access to an exclusive ticket pre-sale later this month. Additional information about membership can be found here.
  • Cost: Tickets to the Induction Ceremony start at $150 per person (plus tax and applicable service fees).
  • Inductees: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Red Farmer and Mike Stefanik make up the Hall of Fame’s 12th class with Ralph Seagraves being honored as the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.
  • Additional Events: Bookending the Induction Ceremony will be a roster of fan-centric events designed to give attendees an immersive NASCAR Hall of Fame experience. More detailed information about weekend events will be available later this month.

Among the additional events scheduled for Induction Weekend are the Insider Experience, featuring a Q&A session with Class of 2021 Inductees and an Induction Stage photo op; Brunch with Hall of Famers where guests will share a table with a NASCAR legend; and Victory Lap, where the Class of 2020 will share stories and memories about the artifacts from their Hall of Honor exhibits.

ABOUT THE CLASS OF 2021

The Class of 2021 will be the 12th class inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s since its inception in 2010. The first class with three members instead of five, it is comprised of:

  • Dale Earnhardt Jr.: A third-generation NASCAR champion in a family synonymous with the sport, Earnhardt Jr. is among the most popular drivers in NASCAR history. In addition to his 26 Cup Series wins and two Xfinity Series championships, Earnhardt Jr. served as the face of NASCAR for many years with 15 consecutive Most Popular Driver awards.
  • Red Farmer: Part of the original Alabama Gang, Farmer’s exact win count is unknown – but it’s more than 700 and counting. Named one of the 50 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR’s first 50 years in 1998, Farmer’s immeasurable passion for the sport has kept him racing for decades, even as he approaches 90 years of age.
  • Mike Stefanik: Atop the list of all-time NASCAR championships with nine sit two men: NASCAR Hall of Famer Richie Evans, and Mike Stefanik. In 2003, Stefanik was named one of the Modified Tour’s 10 Greatest Drivers, and he holds the all-time series record in wins, poles, top fives and top 10s.

Induction of this class brings the Hall’s total number of racing legends to 58. Additionally, Ralph Seagraves will be honored with the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

About the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Located in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Productions-operated broadcast studio. Opened on May 11, 2010, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. For more information, visit nascarhall.com.

About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, Americrown Service and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

23XI RACING ANNOUNCES STEVE LAULETTA AS TEAM PRESIDENT

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Official Release
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Mooresville, NC (September 8, 2021) – Today 23XI Racing announced that veteran motorsports executive Steve Lauletta, who has served as its interim president since the team’s formation last year, has been named the team’s president.

“Steve has been invaluable to our team from day one,” said Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing. “When we launched the team last year, we needed someone with experience who could jump right in, and Lauletta was the perfect fit. He’s done a phenomenal job and we are thrilled to have him as our team president.”

Lauletta joined 23XI Racing after a 10-year tenure at Chip Ganassi Racing that ended in 2018. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Lauletta previously worked in sports marketing with Miller Brewing Company and continues to successfully run his own sports marketing consultancy company, Pigeon Sports Marketing, which was launched in 2018.

“The unique opportunity to continue to work alongside this ownership group to build a race team focused on making significant contributions both on and off the track is one I couldn’t pass up,” said Lauletta. “I am fortunate to be part of 23XI Racing and I look forward to enhancing existing relationships, adding new partners and growing the organization into one that contends for race wins each week and championships each year.”

About 23XI Racing

23XI Racing – pronounced twenty-three eleven – was founded by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin in 2020. Rising NASCAR star Bubba Wallace is the single car team’s driver. 23XI Racing’s No. 23 Toyota Camry made its NASCAR Cup Series debut at the Daytona 500 on February 14, 2021 at Daytona International Speedway.

The Prestige Performance with WTR Team Hungry to Continue Winning Streak at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

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Official Release
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Brownsburg, Ind. (September 8th, 2021) – Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America returns this weekend for Round Five of the 2021 season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor Racing team enters the weekend with five victories and 12 podiums this season, just one overall win shy of tying Change Racing for most overall wins in series history.

Kyle Marcelli and Daniel Formal catapulted to fourth position in the PRO Driver Championship after securing two overall wins and pole starting positions at Road America. The No. 1 Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor racing drivers will look to match their success from last month’s event and gain points in the overall championship.

Although Jordan Missig missed two rounds due to a racing conflict in the Formula Regional Americas Championship, the No. 53 Wayne Taylor Racing driver is currently fourth in the PRO|AM championship. The young driver continues to impress after garnering two class victories at Road America, his first in the North American series.

Driver of the No. 25 Harrison Contracting with Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Ashton Harrison, sits third in the AM Championship just ten points shy of first position. The American continues to showcase her skills with two class victories and podium finishes for four of the last five events.

Randy Sellari, driver of the No. 03 JG Wentworth LST, has showcased his abilities amongst adversity in the AM class. The 2020 LB Cup Champion is currently fifth in the AM class championship.

Practice for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America drivers begins this Friday at 10:35 a.m. PT. Race one of the weekend is set for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. PT with Race two scheduled for Sunday at 11:25 a.m. PT. All race coverage will be available on IMSA. TV.

Kyle Marcelli, No. 1 Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo (PRO)
“Who doesn’t love Laguna Seca! The circuit has many challenges, for one; you must fully maximize the track width and when doing so, you’re constantly balancing the fine line between the pavement and the sand. Furthermore, there is plenty of elevation and corners with blind exits that require confidence and commitment. And finally, the surface is low grip and high tire degradation which means the car and grip level is constantly changing and going away throughout the race stint, this all brings many challenges to the drivers. Our goals are simple, just win races. Unfortunately, it’s a significantly uphill battle to win the North American championship given the misfortune at Watkins Glen, however we can still win races. Beyond winning races, it’s about our sponsor partners, we want to make sure our team partners such as Prestige, Konica Minolta, and Race For RP are receiving high level value and exposure. We also want to continue to improve operationally as a team and perform like a well-oiled machine.

Daniel Formal, No. 1 Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo (PRO)
“I’m super excited of the last round of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo season in the United States. After Laguna Seca we will go to the World Finals in Italy. Laguna Seca is one of the coolest tracks in North America and I received my first pole position there last year, so it’s a track I like very much. We have the momentum going in our favor after a dominating weekend at Road America. The team worked so hard to make the car perfect and I know they have been working nonstop since Road America to get everything ready for Laguna Seca. I’m really excited for next week and then hopefully we’ll get the World Championships in October in Italy.”

Jordan Missig, No. 53 Wayne Taylor Racing (PRO|AM)
“Laguna Seca is a very interesting track with lots of elevation changes and difficult corners, not to mention the corkscrew at the top of the hill. But to me this is more of a drivers track. It’s kind of like Mid-Ohio and a street course without the walls right next to you with the way it flows from one corner to the next and the way the track changes from session-to-session lap after lap. I am in fact looking forward to getting to California and back into the Lamborghini’s after my most recent success up at Road America. It has boosted my confidence with the car up to another level and I am interested to see if that confidence level continues at a different venue such as Laguna Seca. With this being the last North America event, I think I have accomplished all I could for a first session in a closed wheel GT car. I think the most important thing now for me is to start working on how to get those couple of tenths here and there to start closing the gap to the other Pro class cars and be able to consistently run the pace that they are running and even surpass that. It has been a fantastic first year with WTR and I can’t thank everyone from this team enough for all the hard work and dedication that they have poured into this program.”

Ashton Harrison, No. 25 Harrison Contracting with Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Super Trofeo (AM)
“I love the city, weather and the grounds at Laguna Seca. It’s always so nice to be back at the fast and technical track. I feel we have always been set up for success at Laguna and this year I’m looking to finally get a win at this track. I’m sad the season is almost to an end but so excited and thankful for the year we’ve had. It hasn’t been easy, but we have grown so much and I’m proud to have accomplished what we have so far with Harrison Contracting and Wayne Taylor Racing. I’m looking to close the gap to the championship lead at Laguna. Fingers crossed!”

Randy Sellari, No. 03 JG Wentworth with Wayne Taylor Racing (AM)
“I’ve been able to work alongside some talented people who have helped me elevate behind the scenes into being a better driver. Although we’ve been optimistic for stronger results at times, I continue to improve nearly every race, which has proved to be extremely rewarding. As we head into our last round of the year on American soil at Laguna Seca, I’m still fighting to finish on the AM class podium. The circuit can be challenging with sand and subsequent tire degradation, but I believe with a strong setup and smart driving, I can be in the hunt.”

JR Motorsports — NXS Richmond Preview

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Official Release
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JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
TRACK: Richmond Raceway
RACE: Go Bowling 250 (250 laps / 187.5 miles)
DATE: Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021

Broadcast Information – TV: 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN / Radio: 2 p.m. ET on MRN and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Michael Annett
No. 1 Pilot Flying J Driver Appreciation Chevrolet
• Having cut 22 points off his deficit last week at Darlington Raceway, Michael Annett enters the weekend 46 points out of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs with two races remaining.
• Richmond Raceway is a good track of late for the Iowa driver, as Annett has earned finishes of ninth, seventh and seventh in his last three starts on the .750-mile oval.
• Annett will again carry a special paint scheme this weekend in honor of Pilot Flying J’s Driver Appreciation Month program. The scheme, which features the hashtag #ThankATrucker on the TV panel, will be on the car through the Sept. 25 event at Las Vegas.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.
No. 8 Unilever United For America Chevrolet
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. will make his first and only NXS start of the season at Richmond this weekend in the Unilever United For America Chevrolet.
• In eight NXS races at Richmond, Earnhardt, Jr. has accumulated four wins (most recently in 2016), six top fives and seven top 10s while pacing the field for 829 laps.
• The United For America Chevrolet pays tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks on its 20th anniversary this Saturday. The hood showcases the 9/11 Memorial and Museum’s Tribute in Light, which signifies the four locations targeted in the attacks (World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon and the Flight 93 site in Shanksville, Pa).

Noah Gragson
No. 9 Bass Pro Shops / TrueTimber / Black Rifle Coffee Chevrolet
• Noah Gragson, the most recent winner in the NXS after his triumph at Darlington last weekend, clinched his spot in the NXS Playoffs by way of the victory.
• Gragson is stout at Richmond, having earned a pair of top five finishes and four in the top 10 in his five starts there. His average finish at Richmond is 8.8, and he’s completed all but one lap of competition on the .750-mile oval.
• The 23-year-old from Las Vegas has been on a hot streak of late. Over his last 11 starts, Gragson has the victory at Darlington, five top-fives and 10 top-10 finishes.

Justin Allgaier
No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet
• Justin Allgaier enters Saturday afternoon looking for his third consecutive victory at Richmond. The Illinois native swept the doubleheader weekend at the Virginia short track last season.
• In addition to the two wins, Allgaier has amassed seven top fives and 10 top 10s in 20 NXS starts at Richmond.
• Allgaier’s seven top fives rank fourth best of any track he has competed on in the NXS, trailing only Bristol Motor Speedway, Dover International Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.
• With just two races remaining in the regular season, Allgaier currently sits third in the NXS Playoff Grid.

Driver Quotes

“We cut into the point deficit last week at Darlington and it could have been even more. We know we have more work to do, and with the cars that Bummy (crew chief Mike Bumgarner) and the No. 1 team have been giving me, we have that chance. Our No. 1 Pilot Flying J #ThankATrucker Chevrolet was really good last time we were here, hopefully we can unload with that same speed again this weekend.” – Michael Annett

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Richmond on Saturday with our BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet. We were really strong here in both races last year, and I feel confident we can repeat that same success this weekend and get back into Victory Lane and come away with maximum points. The playoffs are right around the corner and every point matters. Hopefully we can have a smooth day and be in the right position at the end to fight for the victory.” – Justin Allgaier

“I always have a lot of fun when I come back for my one race a year in this series. Richmond is one of my favorite tracks, and it’s one I’ve had a lot of success at in the past. I know that Taylor (Moyer, crew chief) and the entire No. 8 team will unload a fast Camaro and hopefully we’ll have a shot at it towards the end of the race.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“It felt really good to finally get the first win of the season last weekend and Richmond is another track that has been really good to this No. 9 Bass Pro Shops/TrueTimber/Black Rifle Coffee team. We’ve led some laps and have consistently raced inside of the top 10. We finished eighth and fifth here last year, so hopefully we can continue this strong run and finish a few spots better again this weekend.” – Noah Gragson

JRM Team Updates:

• JRM at Richmond: Over the course of the 81 starts at the .750-mile facility, JRM has tallied five wins, 26 top fives and 50 top 10s. JRM’s most recent win came last season with Justin Allgaier sweeping the doubleheader weekend.
• Tribute in Light: As an extension of Tribute in Light, for the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum has once again partnered with NYC & Company and buildings throughout the city to light up their facades and rooftops in sky blue. “Tribute in Light” is a unique, but simple gesture of collective remembrance that will illuminate the city on the evening of the anniversary. For more information, please visit www.911memorial.org/tributeinlight.
• Standing United: Never forget. That was the vow made by Americans following the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. JR Motorsports and long-time partner Unilever are standing united in that promise. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s 2021 return to the No. 8 Chevrolet will come in the NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Richmond Raceway on Sept. 11 – the 20th Anniversary of the terror attacks – where the NASCAR Hall of Famer will drive a special United for America paint scheme honoring the victims of 9/11.
• Pilot Flying J Driver Appreciation Month: Michael Annett’s No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet will have a signature paint scheme for the next three races as part of Pilot Flying J’s Driver Appreciation Month. The red and yellow scheme features the words “If you’ve got it, a trucker brought it” on the hood and #ThankATrucker on the TV panel at the rear of the car. The Driver Appreciation theme inspires fans to thank professional drivers for all their hard work in delivering the goods we all depend on. And to see how Pilot Flying J is thanking professional drivers, visit pilotflyingj.com.

FedEx Racing Express Facts – Richmond Raceway

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Official Release
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Denny Hamlin
11 FedEx Ground Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing

Saturday Race Info:
Race: Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders
Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 11/7:30 p.m. ET
Distance: 400 laps/300 miles
Track Length: .75 mile
Track Shape: Oval

Express Notes:

Darlington Recap: Denny Hamlin kicked off the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with a win Sunday night at Darlington Raceway – his first of the season. Hamlin battled Kyle Larson for much of the event on the historic oval, but the driver of the #11 held off a late-charging Larson on the final lap of the race to bring home his third Southern 500 trophy. The win punched Hamlin’s ticket to the Round of 12 of the Playoffs, with two more races remaining in the opening Round of 16.

Richmond Preview: Race #2 of the Round of 16 takes Hamlin to his hometown track of Richmond Raceway, a three-quarter-mile oval where the Chesterfield, Va., native owns three wins in 29 Cup starts. The FedEx Ground Toyota team performed well at the track in April, starting and finishing the race in second. Saturday night’s race falls on a somber anniversary – the 20-year mark since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In commemoration, the 300-mile race has been specially named the Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders.

Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Richmond Raceway
Races: 29
Wins: 3
Poles: 3
Top-5: 14
Top-10: 18
Laps Led: 1,911
Avg. Start: 9.7
Avg. Finish: 9.0

Hamlin Conversation – Richmond:

Does having one win already in the Round of 16 change the way you approach the rest of the round?

“We want to win these next two races, too. We’re not going to take these next two weeks off. We want to keep this momentum going. That way, when we get to the treacherous second round, we’re ready and we’re in Playoff form.”

Do you remember where you were on the day of the 9/11 attacks?

“I was putting the exhaust on my new late-model car that my parents spent every dollar they had on, and tragedy struck, and we all were glued to the TV for the next eight hours. It was certainly a defining moment in our country. We don’t take lightly everything that happened, and we have such an appreciation for all the first responders who went to the scene and especially for those who never went home again.”

FedEx Ground Along For The Ride: The SCAL district’s focus on “Safety Above All” lands them a placement on the B-post of the No. 11 FedEx Ground Toyota race car during the Sept. 11 Richmond Raceway race.

FedEx Office – Closest to Richmond Raceway: 1111 E Main St, Richmond, VA (804) 783-9880

Ryan Newman – Richmond Advance

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Official Release
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Team: No. 6 Oscar Mayer Bacon Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Twitter: @Roush6Team, @RoushFenway and @RyanJNewman
Race Format: 300 miles, 400 laps, Stages: 80-155-165

Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders – Saturday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90

ADVANCE NOTES

Newman at Richmond Raceway

  • Newman makes his 39th start at Richmond on Saturday, one of his best tracks on the circuit. He has an average finish of 13.1 with 20 top-10s in 38 starts, eight of which were inside the top five.
  • Newman won at the ¾-mile track in 2003 when he started fourth and led 124 laps in the fall event, one of his eight wins that season. Newman is coming off a 30th-place run in the spring where just two non-stage cautions flew. In 2019 he ran ninth and fifth in the No. 6.
  • Newman has six finishes inside the top three at Richmond, including runner-up results in 2002 (twice), the win in 2003, and third in 2005, 2013 and 2017. He also has one pole and holds an average starting position of 14.1.
  • Newman made five Xfinity starts at Richmond, recording two top fives with a best result of third in 2007.

Scott Graves at Richmond Raceway

  • Graves will be on the box for his 11th Cup race at Richmond where he has five top-10s, marking one of his best tracks on the circuit statistically with a 13.9 average result.
  • Graves called seven Xfinity events at Richmond earning five top-10s and one top five. He led Daniel Suarez to fourth and eighth in 2016, and finished seventh once and 10th with Chris Buescher in 2014 and 2015.

QUOTE WORTHY
Newman on racing at Richmond:
“Richmond is a tricky place to manage in terms of the setup and balance, but it’s a great short track that I’ve always enjoyed running at. Forward drive, braking and finesse is key at a place like Richmond, all things that make a race under the lights that more fun and challenging. Looking forward to a special day Saturday as we honor and remember the events of 9/11, and glad to be part of a sport and community that recognizes it the way we do.”

Last Time Out
Newman hovered around the top-15 for much of Sunday night’s long race at Darlington before going on to finish 14th in the Oscar Mayer Bologna Ford, his third top-15 in the last four races.

On the Car

Oscar Mayer returns to Newman’s Ford for its seventh race of the 2021 season, this time running a bacon-inspired car.

About the Kraft Heinz Company

For 150 years, we have produced some of the world’s most beloved products at The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC). We are one of the largest global food and beverage companies, with 2019 net sales of approximately $25 billion. Our portfolio is a diverse mix of iconic and emerging brands. As the guardians of these brands and the creators of innovative new products, we are dedicated to the sustainable health of our people and our planet. To learn more, visit www.kraftheinzcompany.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Chris Buescher – Richmond Advance

By
Official Release
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Team: No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Luke Lambert
Twitter: @17RoushTeam, @RoushFenway and @Chris_Buescher
Race Format: 300 miles, 400 laps, Stages: 80-155-165

Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders – Saturday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90

ADVANCE NOTES

Buescher at Richmond Raceway

  • Buescher makes his 11th Cup start at Richmond this weekend, where his best finish came in 2017 when he ran 17th in the spring event.
  • Buescher finished 25th in the spring race at Richmond in 2021, and overall has short track finishes of 14th (Bristol Dirt), 18th (Phoenix) and 13th (Martinsville).
  • Buescher also made five Xfinity starts at Richmond earning three top-10s, including a best run of seventh in the No. 60 entry in 2014.

Luke Lambert at Richmond Raceway

  • Lambert will call his 17th Cup event from Richmond on Saturday, where he has an average finish of 17.6 with five top fives.
  • Lambert led Jeff Burton to a fifth-place run in just his second Cup race at Richmond in 2013, and also finished third with Ryan Newman in the 2017 fall race.
  • Lambert called a pair of Xfinity races for Elliott Sadler in 2012, finishing sixth and 12th.

QUOTE WORTHY
Buescher on racing at Richmond:
“Any time you’re under the lights – and in a playoff environment – it adds an extra element of drama to the picture, and Saturday will be no different. Richmond is a place we’ve been hard at work at to try and identify how to improve at, and my hope is that we unload with a good Fastenal Ford this weekend. Racing on 9/11 will be extra special, especially on the 20th anniversary, and something I’m sure NASCAR will honor and recognize in a very special way, as it always does.”

Last Time Out
Buescher spent much of Sunday’s long race at Darlington in and around the top-15 and top-10, and surged into the top five late in the going before finishing ninth in the Roush Performance Ford Mustang, his fifth top-10 of 2021.

On the Car
Fastenal returns to the fold at Roush Fenway for its 11th season in 2021. They spent three years on the No. 99 before jumping to the No. 17 Cup Series entry, and were the primary partner on the No. 60 Xfinity team that captured the owner’s championship in 2011.

Fastenal will feature top suppliers Walter Tool, MSA, Radians and ND – Vibratite on Buescher’s Mustang as he competes this weekend. For more information on these suppliers, visit Fastenal.com, and stay up-do-date on social @FastenalRacing, @Fastenal.

About Fastenal
Fastenal [Nasdaq: FAST] is North America’s largest fastener distributor and a ‘one-stop’ source for hundreds of thousands of OEM, MRO and Construction products. With more than 2,600 stores worldwide, the company supports B2B customers with tailored local inventory and dedicated personnel, who visit regularly, quickly respond to emergency needs, and provide efficient inventory management solutions. Fastenal’s service-oriented business network includes the world’s largest industrial vending program, 14 regional distribution centers, 8 custom manufacturing facilities, thousands of delivery vehicles, and industry-leading sourcing, quality and engineering resources.

Is the Jeep Gladiator a Good Truck?

By
SM
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Photo by Philip Blank on Unsplash

When we think Jeep, most of us initially think of SUVs and crossovers. But let’s not forget this automaker unveiled an interesting addition to its lineup starting in 2020; a mid-size truck known as the Gladiator.

It’s safe to say if you lined up this truck against its competitors — say, the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier — you’d still be able to pick out Jeep’s offering at just a glance. Why? Because it still looks unmistakably like a Jeep with many of its design cues. However, it’s important to understand this truck is more than just a Wrangler with a short pickup bed attached; it has its own set of capabilities for potential owners to consider.

With a few years under its belt, many reviews have rolled in on what it’s really like to drive the Jeep Gladiator. Here’s more on whether the Gladiator is a good truck — including where it excels and where drivers have encountered challenges so far.

Get to Know the Jeep Gladiator: Features and Specifications

It helps to first get to know the 2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport with some of these key manufacturer specs and features.

Starting MSRP: $34,385
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Horsepower: 285 @ 6,400 RPM
Torque: 260 @ 4,400 RPM
Fuel economy: 16 city/23 highway/19 combined
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Drivetrain: 4WD
Gross vehicle weight rating: 5,800 pounds
Towing capacity: 4,000 lbs.
Payload capacity: 1,700 pounds
Passenger capacity: 5
Passenger volume: 103 cu. ft.

The Sport is the most basic trim level for the Gladiator, meaning some of these specifications change as you move up the levels. For instance, the Mojave and Rubicon models can tow up to 4,500 pounds while the High Altitude can tow up to 6,000 pounds — and features an eight-speed automatic transmission.

It’s also worth noting the V-6 engine remains consistent across the Jeep truck trim levels.

What Drivers Love (and Don’t) About the Jeep Gladiator

The experts at Car and Driver made the Jeep Gladiator a 2021 Editor’s Choice for mid-size pickups. What attributes of the Gladiator most impressed them? Calling the truck a “versatile tool” that’s “really cool,” the editors specifically highlighted these qualities:

  • Off-road readiness
  • Ability to configure it without doors and roof
  • Better hauling and towing capabilities than the Wrangler

One expert for Edmunds rated the 2021 Gladiator a 7.9 out of 10 overall, with high marks for the infotainment technology and storage in particular — along with the fact the truck “oozes outdoor fun” and exudes a lot of personality. To be sure, some of this personality is related to the Gladiator’s off-roading capabilities. Just like the Jeep Wrangler is world-famous for going beyond the pavement to tackle tough terrain, the Gladiator was also designed with off-road excursions in mind. This is particularly true for the trail-rated Rubicon trim level. It makes sense off-road adventurers would be interested in a Jeep with a truck bed too in case they wanted to bring their gear — like towing a camper or hauling dirt bikes, for example.

The lowest-scoring category for this expert was economy. Although its fuel economy is comparable to other mid-size trucks with V-6 engines, some drivers find it lacking inefficiency. However, Jeep unveiled a 2021 Gladiator EcoDiesel model capable of achieving 24 miles per gallon combined. As Motor Trend notes, this is an improvement exceeding 25 percent compared to the gasoline V-6. 

So, is the Jeep Gladiator a good truck? Many positive reviews from consumers and experts alike point to yes — for those drivers looking for a rugged truck with payload and towing capacity and who enjoy Jeep design cues throughout the interior and exterior. Although the diesel engine does offer drivers an eco-friendlier option than the standard gas engine, people seeking fuel efficiency above all else will likely want to keep looking.

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