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XFINITY to become presenting partner of NASCAR Cup Series Playoff elimination races

By
SM Staff
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Elimination Race Platform Highlights Xfinity’s Fast, Safe and Secure Internet as Drivers Advance

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 27, 2021) – NASCAR announced today that Xfinity, a NASCAR Premier Partner and title sponsor of NASCAR Xfinity Series, will be the exclusive partner of NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Elimination Races. The NASCAR Playoffs signal the most competitive time of the season and Xfinity will help amplify the drama and unpredictability of the NASCAR Playoffs as drivers look to avoid elimination and safely secure their spot in the next round.

“There is no better time in the NASCAR season to highlight the importance of providing a fast, safe and secure Internet to customers during their most important moments,” said Matt Lederer, Vice President, Brand Partnerships and Amplification at Comcast. “When everything is on the line, the best drivers in NASCAR know it requires peak performance to advance to the next round and we look forward to celebrating those moments of excellence with NASCAR fans.”

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Elimination Race schedule will begin under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway, navigate The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and culminate with the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway. The platform will feature additional branding to signify the Elimination race at all three tracks and will feature additional interactive elements across the race broadcast. NASCAR’s social and digital platforms will give fans even greater access to the excitement and drama of the NASCAR Playoffs.

“Xfinity continues to find creative ways to elevate their brand during key moments of the season and our elimination races are among the highest anticipated events on the schedule,” said Jeff Wohlschlaeger, Chief Sales Officer, NASCAR. “Xfinity is the gold standard in delivering integrated activation and we are excited to introduce a customized platform that ties Xfinity’s reliable performance to the reliable performances that the best drivers in the world will need competing at their highest level in the most critical of moments.”

Xfinity entered the sport as the title sponsor of the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2015 and was announced as part of the inaugural grouping of NASCAR Premier partners in 2019. Xfinity has engaged and rewarded fans and industry members with unique platforms such as the Comcast Community Champion of the Year, and multiple team and track sponsorships. To learn more about Xfinity’s NASCAR partnership, visit Xfinity.com/NASCAR.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (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’).

GMS Racing – Daniel Dye – ARCA Milwaukee Preview

By
Official Release
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Daniel Dye, No. 21 GMS Racing, Race to Stop Suicide Chevrolet
Milwaukee Mile Stats

- Daniel Dye has no prior starts at the flat one-mile oval.

2021 ARCA Menards Series Stats

  • Starts: 4, Best start: 1, Best finish: 1, Avg finish: 5.8

Career ARCA Stats

Notes:

  • Daniel Dye will make his fifth career ARCA Menards Series national tour start on Sunday at the Milwaukee Mile, on the Wisconsin State Fair Park property.
  • Sunday’s Sprecher 150 will be Dye’s first career start at the flat one-mile oval and his sixth event in the GMS Racing No. 21 Race to Stop Suicide Chevrolet. Daniel will finish 2021 with races at Milwaukee, Bristol, and Phoenix for GMS Racing.
  • The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest continuously operating speedway in the world. With the exception of the years the U.S. was involved in World War II, the Milwaukee Mile has hosted at least one auto race every year since 1903.
  • Dye attends Father Lopez Catholic High School in Daytona Beach, Florida, maintaining a 3.9 GPA in his senior year.
  • Solar-Fit will be the entitlement sponsor of the No. 21 GMS Chevrolet at Milwaukee, along with Heise LED, ClementeCar.com, and Race to Stop Suicide.
  • The 150-lap, 150-mile ARCA Menards Series race will air live on MAVTV and NBC Sports Gold TrackPass, beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Quote:

“It will be fun getting back in the GMS Racing Chevrolet Sunday in Milwaukee after a few weeks off. I know it’s been a while since Chad Bryant (crew chief) has been there, but he and the GMS guys always bring great equipment to the track, and I’m confident we’ll be dialed in. I haven’t raced at a track like Milwaukee in an ARCA car, so there will definitely be a learning curve, but hopefully, we’ll get it figured out quickly like some of our other races this season and be in contention up front when it counts on Sunday afternoon.”

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 Racing Series championship as well as the 2019 & 2020 ARCA East championship and 2020 Sioux Chief Showdown 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 https://www.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.

Pros And Cons Of Car Leasing

By
SM
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dealer salesman giving car key to new owner. client signing insurance document or rental car lease form

Unlike buying a new or secondhand car, leasing entails renting the vehicle for a specified duration. Therefore, you aren’t expected to pay a considerable sum of money, as is the case when purchasing a car. With that said, car leasing isn’t ideal for everyone, as leasing, like other forms of paying for a vehicle, has its pros and cons. Therefore, you should always think objectively to ensure you’re making the right decision.

If you’re uncertain whether leasing a car is a good idea, you’ve come to the right place. This post will walk you through a short guide outlining the pros and cons of car leasing you should consider.

Pros Of Car Leasing 

There are a couple of reasons that make leasing a great decision, which is why many people take this opportunity. With that in mind, here are some pros of car leasing:

  • Lower Monthly Payments 

One reason to consider leasing a car from dealerships like audipembrokepines.com is due to the lower monthly repayments, which is usually 30%–60% less than buying a brand-new vehicle. The lower monthly payments allow you to get a car that would have otherwise been beyond your budget.

Monthly payments are lower when leasing a vehicle, as you’ll only be paying for the difference between the car’s buying price and its residual value, plus the taxes and rent. The car’s residual value is its value once the lease elapses. Therefore, leasing a car is undoubtedly one great option if you’re looking to get a vehicle.

  • Reduced Tax Payments 

The tax paid on leased cars is calculated per usage. Therefore, how much car tax you pay depends on the amount of time you’re leasing the vehicle, which can contribute to long-term savings. These tax payments are a lot lower if you’re a business owner because registering a car for commercial use means the tax is deductible. Therefore, you can write off these lease payments as tax deductions, which is why many businesses go for leasing instead of buying cars. Additionally, taking advantage of competitive car lease deals can further maximize savings while providing flexibility in vehicle choice.

  • Lower Maintenance And Repair Costs 

Cars leased from dealers or manufacturers usually come with a warranty covering the whole lease period. The manufacturer or dealer is responsible for maintaining and repairing your leased vehicle free of charge, excluding if you get involved in an accident. Therefore, you can have peace of mind the entire time you’ll be using the leased car.

Not paying for routine or maintenance costs will, in the long run, save you a substantial sum of money every year. Nonetheless, not all lease companies cover the maintenance and repairs expenses. Therefore, make sure to confirm this before signing a lease agreement, as this is your opportunity to negotiate for an improved deal.

  • Pay Less To Get A Car 

When buying a car, you’ll be expected to make a down payment of at least 20%. However, this isn’t necessary when leasing a vehicle as you only need to pay for a couple of fees, such as:

  • acquisition fee,
  • first month’s payment,
  • titles and registration fees, and
  • taxes.

All these costs are usually a lot lower than what you’re required to pay when placing the first down payment when buying a car.

Cons Of Car Leasing 

While there are pros of leasing, there are also downsides. Here are some cons of leasing a car:

  • You Don’t Own The Car

When leasing, the car doesn’t belong to you, so you can’t modify or personalize it. Adding any modification might result in a violation of the manufacturer’s warranty. Therefore, you’ll be expected to pay extra fees once the lease expires. Manufacturers and dealers usually have these strict measures because the leased vehicle will later be sold as a pre-owned car, meaning it needs to be in excellent condition and have all the original equipment.

Leasing a car also means you should always ensure the car is in excellent condition and consider its mileage. If you often go for off-road driving or drive longer distances, leasing might not be a great option to avoid constantly worrying about the vehicle’s condition. Which brings us to the next point.

  • Limited Mileage

Many leased vehicles come with driving limits ranging between 10,000 and 15,000 miles annually. Exceeding this limit means you’ll need to pay USD$0.10 to USD$0.50 for each additional mile. This means you’ll pay between USD$20 to USD$100 if you exceed the set limit by 200 miles. You shouldn’t worry about these penalties if you buy a car, even though a higher mileage lowers your vehicle’s value.

  • Penalties For Excess Wear And Tear 

The leased vehicle is expected to have standard wear and tear when the lease term expires. However, any wear and tear that the manufacturer or dealer considers excessive means you’ll be required to pay penalties. This is done because excessive wear and tear reduce the car’s market value. If you’re told to pay an extra fee, you might as well consider buying the vehicle.

Takeaway 

Deciding whether to lease a car is a decision many people struggle to make. If you’re also experiencing a similar problem, this guide should have shown you the pros and cons of leasing. With this in mind, you should be able to make a prudent decision on whether leasing is worth your time.

Weekend schedule for Daytona

By
Angie Campbell
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William Byron leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2020. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images.

The NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series head to Daytona International Speedway. It’s the last regular-season race for the Cup Series before the Playoffs begin. There are 15 drivers locked in with only one available spot.

The regular-season champion will also be crowned after the race, with Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin as the top contenders vying for the title.

This weekend the Camping World Truck Series enjoys a week off from competition.

All times are Eastern.

Friday, August 27

7:10 p.m.: Xfinity Series Driver Intros
*7:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Wawa 250
Stages 30/60/100 Lap = 250 Miles
Pole: AJ Allmendinger
NBCSN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio/MRN

*The Xfinity race was postponed after completing only 19 laps Friday night due to rain and lightning in the area. It is scheduled to resume Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast on NBCSN with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Saturday, August 28

6:50 p.m.: Cup Series Driver Intros
7 p.m.: Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400
Stages 50/100/160 Laps = 400 Miles
Pole: Kyle Larson
NBC/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio/MRN

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Clinch Scenarios for Daytona:

Already Clinched:

The following 15 drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason field – Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Kurt Busch, Christopher Bell, Michael McDowell, Aric Almirola.

Can Clinch Via Points:

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the Playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 4th winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from Denny Hamlin or Kevin Harvick.

Tyler Reddick would clinch with 31 points.
Austin Dillon could only clinch with help.

Can Clinch Via Win:

The following drivers can clinch on their win alone – Tyler Reddick, Austin Dillon, Matt DiBenedetto, Chris Buescher, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ross Chastain, Darrell Wallace Jr., Chase Briscoe, Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Newman, Ryan Preece, Cole Custer, Anthony Alfredo and Corey LaJoie.

Can Clinch Regular Season Championship:

Additionally, the Regular Season Championship can be clinched by Kyle Larson with 32 points. Denny Hamlin could only clinch with help.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff Clinch Scenarios for Daytona:

Already Clinched:

Five drivers have clinched a spot in the Playoffs including Austin Cindric, AJ Allmendinger, Justin Allgaier, Jeb Burton and Myatt Snider, leaving five available positions.

Can Clinch via Points:

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the Playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being 166 points above the fifth winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from Daniel Hemric, Harrison Burton, Justin Haley or Noah Gragson.

Daniel Hemric: would clinch with 44 points
Harrison Burton: could only clinch with help
Justin Haley: could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win:

The following drivers can clinch with a win – Daniel Hemric, Harrison Burton, Justin Haley, Noah Gragson, Brandon Jones, Jeremy Clements, Riley Herbst, Brandon Brown, Ryan Sieg, Tommy Joe Martins, Alex Labbe, Landon Cassill, Josh Williams.

Statistical info provided by NASCAR

Daytona International Speedway
Season Race #: 26 of 36 (08-28-21)
Track Size: 2.5-mile
Banking/Turns: 31 degrees
Banking/Straights: 3 degrees
Banking/Tri-Oval: 18 degrees
Frontstretch Length:  3,800 feet
Backstretch Length:  3,000 feet
Race Length: 160 laps / 400 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 50 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 60 laps

Daytona International Speedway Qualifying Data

Track qualifying record (July race): Cale Yarborough, Ford (203.519 mph, 44.222 secs) on 07-02-86.
2020 pole winner: Metric qualifying, Kevin Harvick started from the pole.

  • Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch lead all active series drivers in Daytona starts with 40 each.
  • Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch lead all active series drivers in July Daytona starts with 20 each.
  • William Byron leads all active drivers in the series in average starting position at Daytona with a 10.857 in seven total starts.
  • Ryan Blaney also leads the series in average starting position in the Summer races at Daytona with a 10.400 in six starts.
  • Eight of the 62 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona pole winners are active this weekend.  Chase Elliott (3), Alex Bowman (2), Ricky Stenhouse Jr (1), William Byron (1), Austin Dillon (1), Kyle Busch (1), Martin Truex Jr (1), and Kevin Harvick (1).
  • Chase Elliott leads all active series drivers in poles at Daytona with three (Feb. 2016, Feb. 2017, and July 2018).
  • The youngest series Daytona pole winner is Chase Elliott (February 21, 2016 – 20 years, 2 months, 24 days).
  • Hendrick Motorsports leads all organizations in Summer race poles at Daytona in the NASCAR Cup Series with seven: Darrell Waltrip (7/2/88), Greg sacks (7/7/90), Jeff Gordon (7/6/96 and 7/3/04), Mark Martin (7/2/11), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (7/1/17), Chase Elliott (7/7/2018).
  • Eight different manufacturers have won the pole for the Summer race at Daytona, led by Chevrolet (22), and followed by Ford (13), Pontiac (six), Dodge (five), Mercury (five), Oldsmobile (three), Toyota (one) and Buick (one).

Daytona International Speedway Race Data

Track race record (July race): Bobby Allison, Mercury (173.473 mph, 02:18:21) on 07-04-80.
2020 race winner: William Byron, Chevrolet (153.766 mph, 02:39:59) on 08-29-20.

  • 14 of the 67 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona winners are active this weekend; seven of the 14 have won during the Summer event.  Denny Hamlin (3), Kevin Harvick (2), Michael McDowell (1), William Byron (1), Justin Haley (1), Erik Jones (1), Austin Dillon (1), Ricky Stenhouse Jr (1), Kurt Busch (1), Brad Keselowski (1), Joey Logano (1), Aric Almirola (1), Kyle Busch (1) and Ryan Newman (1).
  • Denny Hamlin (Feb. 2016, Feb. 2019, Feb. 2020) leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in Daytona wins with three.
  • The youngest Daytona Summer race winner: Justin Haley (07/07/2019 – 20 years, 2 months, 9 days); all-time track record – Trevor Bayne (02/20/2011 – 20 years, 0 months, 1 day).
  • Nine of the 62 summer Daytona International Speedway races (14.5%) in the NASCAR Cup Series have been won from the pole or first starting position.
  • The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (nine) than any other starting position in the July race at Daytona International Speedway.
  • Martin Truex Jr. leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Daytona without visiting Victory Lane at 32; followed by Landon Cassill with 15 and Kyle Larson with 14.
  • The Wood Brothers and Hendrick Motorsports are toed for the most wins at Daytona in the NASCAR Cup Series with 15 victories each; both have done it with seven different winning drivers.
  • Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in runner-up finishes in the summer race at Daytona with three (2006, ’07, ’16).

From OddsChecker:

Denny Hamlin is the early favorite to walk away with a victory from the Coke Zero Sugar 400. In fact, he’s the only driver given odds better than +1100 odds.  Hamlin is given +750 odds, or an implied 11.8% chance to win the race. He’s followed by Kyle Larson at +1100, or an implied 8.3% chance to win. Last year’s winner William Byron is tied for third at +1200, with a 7.7% implied chance of victory. 

Bettors’ favorite to win the NASCAR Spring Cup series, with 50% of the bet over the last month, Chase Elliot is also tied for 3rd at +1200. 

Coke Zero Sugar 400 Winner Odds by OddsChecker

Driver Odds Implied chance 
Denny Hamlin +750 11.8% 
Kyle Larson +1100 8.3% 
William Byron +1200 7.7% 
Joey Logano +1200 7.7% 
Chase Elliot +1200 7.7% 
Ryan Blaney +1300 7.1% 
Austin Dillon +1500 6.3% 
Brad Keselowski +1600 5.9% 
Kyle Busch +1600 5.9% 
Alex Bowman +1800 5.3% 

Michigan apparently a not-so-friendly reminder to NASCAR teams that the regular season is about to end

By
SM Staff
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Ryan Blaney takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway on August 22, 2021. Michigan. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

Did anyone else find it fascinating concerning what all can happen in the space of a month?

Here are a few examples:

A. I personally went from “productive citizen” to “hooray, I’m stuck in my home because I get to wear an oxygen line leash!” thanks to Covid.

B. The Allies went from storming the beaches at Normandy on June 6 to controlling a significant portion of France four weeks later.

C. And finally, Harry Gant won all four September races in 1991. He didn’t equate this to a championship, but hey, I thought it would be neat to bring up Mr. September.

What’s happened so far in August?

1. Well, in case we have all forgotten, we had something of a snoozer of an event at Watkins Glen, where, on top of us being quietly reminded that the outgoing NASCAR machinery really doesn’t have much of any place on a flat-ish road course (hooray for the incoming Next-Gen cars!). Practically every driver on the track burst a rotator cuff in their attempts at being “gentlemen drivers” in how furiously and happily they waved Kyle Larson to the front.

2. Do I dare bring up the Indy road course debacle from last week/Scene 24? On top of being reminded…again…concerning how poorly the old, paltry downforce Model T NASCAR machinery does on flat road courses or even flat tracks for that matter. We also had the completely unfamiliar specter to process that with a handful of laps to go. There was a mildly alarming realization that the Turn 6 curbing was now actively wrecking the drivers.

Concerning the “amateur hour” that unfolded afterward, it definitely appeared that something had gone horribly awry with the Turn 6 curbing, but shouting at our TV’s only works 50% of the time in making people onscreen listen to what we’re telling them to do or not to do. In this case, it was readily apparent that something had gone “Exxon Valdez”-level of wrong with that curbing. This reminds me of another D-Day invasion story, where a Tiger tank got past an Allied artillery station because whoever was manning it was busily relieving himself, and the Tiger knocked out several American tanks.

At any rate, we all saw the show that unfolded afterward, including the truly genius decision to leave the perpendicular secondary curbing/Robby Gordon Super Stadium Truck Series jump ramp in place for the remaining few laps. After the lethal primary curbing had been unceremoniously removed, a wee bit of vehicular carnage presented itself as entertainment.

Side notes for Indy:

  • Chase Briscoe gets punted off of turn one by Denny Hamlin (who was previously punted into Briscoe by someone else), and Hamlin is then somewhat shocked to discover that Briscoe just might retaliate only against the person who was punting the No. 14? Uh, okay.
  • Concerning the No. 14 “non-retaliation,” and “Briscoe has never done anything like this ever before!” No, he’s probably done it, it’s just that he’s never been this blatant and caught. Kudos to his explanation concerning what happened afterward, almost as if someone else (space aliens?) took control of his car and forced him to run into the back of Hamlin.
  • Yes, Indy happened almost two weeks ago, but I thought it would be better if I took an extra week to write about that. As my inner misanthrope was dominating any conversation I had immediately after that event, especially taking into account that the race probably should have ended after the first big curbing wreck that took out many competitors. But then again, it was nice to see Allmendinger in victory lane, so my thoughts are mixed.

3. Michigan, however, that was the turnaround. Oh, hey, NASCAR teams finally remembered that the end of this season was two weekends away, and then proceeded to try to make up for 20-something weekends of coasting through the 2021 regular season all in one race. As everyone was racing for the lead, to the point where it looked like even the pace car was beating and banging to try to stay ahead of everyone else.

Okay, I might be exaggerating slightly.

Michigan notes: Um, can someone remind me as to why Austin Dillon has a full-time ride in NASCAR? And why is he parked in a car that has the legendary No. 3 on the side?

Asking for a friend.

4. The regular-season finale is Saturday night, in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. This is NASCAR’s original crash fest track and what a way to close out the regular season, practically the rest of the entire field (you know, pretty every team out there not already locked into the NASCAR Championship). This event has a distinct flavor…hint…feeling of October 2011, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, another season-ending event with a huge potential payoff for the winner, a track that was hosting cars that were probably too fast for the venue. A monster crash occurred with that year’s Indy 500 winner taken from us far too early in one of Indycar’s most horrible incidents.

Not that I’m suggesting that there are too many elements of potential panic being pushed into one five-pound bag, but judging by the race full of Hail Marys being thrown last weekend at Michigan, this weekend doesn’t suggest, in the slightest, that this won’t be toned down for this night time Daytona bookend to the 2021 regular season, which promises to be one for the highlight reels for all the wrong reasons.

CHEVY NCS AT DAYTONA: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Teleconference Transcript

By
Official Release
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NASCAR CUP SERIES
COKE ZERO SUGAR 400
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
AUGUST 26, 2021

RICKY STENHOUSE JR., NO. 47 FUNFETTI CAMARO ZL1 1LE, Teleconference Transcript:

WITH A FEW CHANGES IN THE RULES PACKAGE FOR THE DAYTONA RACE, AND WITH NO PRACTICE, HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE AND WHAT ARE THE THINGS YOU WILL HAVE TO DO TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT CAR IS GOING TO DO NOW?
“That’s a great question. I think overall, obviously the speeds will be slower. The runs will probably be not as big, not as quick. So, on one hand, that’s nice. It’s a little safer and a little easier for us to race hard and maybe not make as many mistakes trying to block runs at the last minute. With that being said, I think it kind of goes back to some of the races that we’ve had where I feel like you are able to, once you get out front, you can kind of control the race a little bit better and you don’t have those big runs coming. So, we’ll just have to see it play out and use the first two Stages to figure it out. For us and our No. 47 team, the only Stage the matters is the last one. We got caught in a wreck before we ever made it to the end in the race last year. I was bummed that we were sitting there watching and not having a shot to make the Playoffs. We’re going to try and learn as much as we can, but do it safely, and have a shot there at the end. But everybody is going to be learning, too.”

LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS RACE WAS THE REGULAR SEASON FINALE. THERE IS ALWAYS A LOT OF INTENSITY AT A SPEEDWAY RACE. IS THERE A SENSE THAT LAST YEAR’S RACE WAS MORE INTENSE BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS AT STAKE? DO YOU SEE THAT BEING THE SAME THIS TIME? OR DO YOU FEEL LIKE IT WILL BE A NORMAL SPEEDWAY RACE?
“I feel like it’s going to be normal and then sometimes I would say it could be less crazy knowing that a lot of us that want to win or need to win to make the Playoffs; Stage points do us no good. And obviously there’s a handful of people that are going to be trying to get Stage points. I would say the No. 11 (Denny Hamlin) the No. 5 (Kyle Larson), the No. 3 (Austin Dillon) and the No. 8 (Ty Dillon) are probably the cars that need Stage points; trying to win the regular season championship or between the No. 8 and the No. 3 trying to make it in on points. So, I feel like there are a lot of us that are going to stay pretty calm and try and make it to the end and obviously then, things get crazy at the end. But I can see the race being pretty calm up until ten (laps) to go.”

IS A WIN ALL THAT YOUR TEAM REALLY MISSING TO REALLY BREAK OUT AND TAKE THAT NEXT STEP? AND HOW LIKELY IS IT FOR YOU TO HAPPEN AT DAYTONA?
“I think our chances are really good. At Daytona, Brian Pattie (crew chief) and the boys have definitely been kind of massaging and working on our Funfetti Camaro, so I know the car is going to be good and I know it’s going to be capable of getting the job done. But we have had a good season. We’ve been consistent. It’s something that probably more consistent than I’ve ever been in my career. And yeah, we haven’t been knocking down top 10’s week in and week out, but we’ve been close. We’ve been all over it. We’ve had so many 11th and 12th and top 15’s, which we were looking for going into this season, but obviously we still had a handful of races that kind of killed us and took us out of the points battle for the Playoffs. But we feel like we’ve accomplished our goal of being a lot more consistent on all different race tracks. So, I’m happy about that. Definitely winning could push us over that next hump, that next level that we’re looking for. We’ll try and get that done Saturday night.”

YOU SEEM TO BATTLE WITH RYAN BLANEY AT SUPERSPEEDWAYS. IS HE SOMEONE YOU TALK TO AND WOULD HE SORT OF EASE UP ON YOU, KNOWING YOU NEED TO MAKE IT INTO THE PLAYOFFS?
“I don’t think any of us ease up on anyone, no matter what race track it’s at. All of us want to win. These races are hard to come by. I think definitely Blaney is going to be a tough competitor out there. We’ve finished second to him a couple of times and just narrowly missed a couple of them. I think it’ll be a fun battle. He and his spotter do a great job working the draft and keeping his track position. That’s what we’re going to have to try and do as well to go toe-to-toe with him. But I’m still confident in what we can do.”

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

For Friday’s Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, Kaulig Racing Has the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Latest Winner, the Defending Race Champion, and the Most Recent Superspeedway Victor

By
Official Release
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Allmendinger, Haley and Burton Strong Favorites to win at Daytona International Speedway Traditional Summer 250-Miler

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 26, 2021) – Red hot AJ Allmendinger, coming off a win one week ago after a pair of runnerup finishes, will lead the charge of a Kaulig Racing assault in Friday’s Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway.

Allmendinger will start from the Busch Pole in hopes of capturing his fourth win of the year in the highly anticipated race, which is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET start (NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90). Flanking him will be a former Daytona Champion in Noah Gragson, who is hungry for his first win of 2021. Brandon Jones will start third, Justin Allgaier fourth and Harrison Burton will round out the top-five starters. For ticket information, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

“I look forward to Daytona,” said Allmendinger, who has gone to the winner’s circle before in the 2012 ROLEX 24 At DAYTONA. “I enjoy the momentum we have going from the last couple of weeks as a team. We are back in a position to have the opportunity to go for the regular-season championship, so Daytona is super important for us to try and run up front all day to get some points. We always have fast Kaulig Racing Chevys there, so hopefully Jeb (Burton), Justin (Haley) and I can get together and dictate the front of the pack. This is always an important race to Matt (Kaulig), so we want to go out there and try to do everything we can to at least get one of cars in victory lane and keep the team momentum going.”

Haley is the defending champion of the Wawa 250 while Burton was victorious at Talladega Superspeedway in April, his first career triumph in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

“Daytona is one of my favorite tracks,” said Haley. I’ve always done well there and have had some success at the superspeedways. The key to having a good run at Daytona is understanding draft, having fast cars, and having teammates you can rely on.”

Burton, son of 2002 DAYTONA 500 Champion Ward Burton, hopes to join his dad as a Daytona Champion. “I finished fourth in my last two starts at Daytona on the superspeedway, so I think we have a good chance this weekend, especially with my teammates,” said the younger Burton.

Others have high hopes of a victory, including Austin Cindric who won the Xfinity Series opener at Daytona in February.

Here are some other interesting facts about Friday’s Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola and the NASCAR Xfinity Series at the iconic Daytona International Speedway:

  • The inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona was on February 13, 1982 and was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt.
  • The 59 Xfinity Series races at Daytona have produced 42 different pole winner and 34 different race winners. William Byron was the youngest winner in 2017 at 19 years, six months and one day. Bobby Allison holds the record for the oldest winner in 1988 at 50 years, two months and 10 days.
  • Only five races in history have been won from the pole or first starting position (2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2021) including Cindric’s win earlier this season. Geoff Bodine still holds onto the race record from 1985 at 157.137 mph.
  • Joe Nemechek has the most starts at Daytona in the Xfinity Series with 37 as well as the most poles with five. Earnhardt and Tony Stewart are tied with the most wins at seven each and Kevin Harvick has the most top fives at 12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Harvick are tied with 14 top 10s and Earnhardt Jr. holds the record for the most lead lap finishes at 19. Nemechek has completed the most laps at 3,526 and Earnhardt Jr. has led the most laps at 560. Daniel Hemric is the only full-time active Xfinity Series driver that holds a record at Daytona. Hemric has the best average start at 5.500.
  • Michael Annett, Noah Gragson and Ryan Reed all captured their first wins at Daytona, most recently Gragson in 2020.
  • Aside from the first Daytona race in 2020, the last five races have had a Margin of Victory less than 0.253-second, in the first 2020 race, the race was won under caution.
  • This weekend’s race will be 250 miles and 100 laps with Stage 1 ending on Lap 30 and Stage 2 ending on Lap 60.

Tickets to the Xfinity Series Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola begins at $35 for adults and FREE for kids 12 and under. Access to the UNOH Fanzone will be available before this race as well! A Two-Day Pass is available which includes access to the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, and the Wawa 250 on Friday. These passes start at $69 for adults. Fan Q&A is also scheduled for Friday and will include Cindric, Gragson, Haley, Allmendinger and Justin Allgaier.

Fans can purchase tickets for Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 starting at $49 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Those fans can also purchase access to the UNOH Fanzone for $60. Here, fans can participate in events before the race. This includes, but is not limited to, the return of the traditional Coke Zero Sugar 400 Pre-Race Concert featuring Chris Lane, pre-race ceremonies, driver introductions, access to the large grass ballfield, signing the start/finish line through the middle of the 18-degree, banked trioval. Also scheduled is LIVE entertainment on the main UNOH Fanzone Stage, including Fan Q&A, which includes (scheduled) McDowell, Aric Almirola, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suarez and two-time DAYTONA winning crew chief Drew Blickensderfer. Fans can also get photos with the winning trophies of the weekend in Ruoff Mortgage Victory Lane.

As part of the “Welcome Back” weekend for fans, the track’s outside Midway (In Front of Sunoco, Toyota, Axalta, Chevrolet and AdventHealth Injectors) and UNOH Fanzone will be the site of a host of exciting interactive activities, featuring eNASCAR Racing, along with other speedway partner exhibits like Pit Boss, Coca-Cola, GEICO, Chevrolet, Toyota, Wawa, Air Force (featuring a fighter jet), Door Dash, Busch Beer, General Tire and a NASCAR Kids Zone.

The first 10,000 fans through the gates on Saturday will receive complimentary Coke Zero Sugar 400 drawstring bags.

For ticket information, and a full listing of activities in the Midway and UNOH Fanzone, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway and see the latest speedway news on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.

The Original Larry’s Hard Lemonade Rejoins Brandon Brown and Brandonbilt Motorsports as Primary Partner at Daytona

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Official Release
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Haymaker Coffee Joins as Major Associate Partner

Track: Daytona International Speedway | 2.5 Mile SuperSpeedway
Race: 23 of 33
Event: Wawa 250
Race: Friday, August 27 | 7:30 p.m. ET | NBCSN & MRN
Stages: 30 / 60 / 100 = 250 Miles

Brandon Brown | Xfinity Series Stats | Daytona International Speedway
Starts: 7
Best Start: 11
Best Finish: 6
Brown on Daytona:

“This weekend at Daytona, it’s win and you’re in. With only a few races left before the end of the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular season, this is by far our best opportunity to find Victory Lane and lock ourselves into the playoffs.
“It’s been a crazy year, full of highs and lows and unfortunately we’ve been in a bit of a slump the last few races as we’ve found ourselves in the right places, but at the wrong times, so I’m definitely ready to turn our luck around this weekend.

“This weekend, we’ll have The Original Larry’s Hard Lemonade rejoining our No. 68 Chevrolet Camaro as the primary partner as well as Haymaker Coffee as the major associate partner.

“This Larry’s (Hard) Lemonade scheme led us to a 6th-place finish in the season opener at Daytona, so hopefully we can back it up with another strong performance on Friday night.”

About Larry’s Hard Lemonade
One day at one of Larry’s famous backyard parties, he busted out a concoction that he dubbed “Larry’s Lemonade” and served it up to family and friends. Larry’s Lemonade was an instant hit and after receiving high marks from everyone, Larry knew he was onto something. Larry’s creation first found its way throughout Hampton Roads, VA to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and now to you. Larry insists to this day that had it not been for the support of his inner circle of Lemons the world would never get to know The Original Larry’s Hard Lemonade®. To learn more, visit thelarryslemonade.com.

Facebook: @larryshardlemonade
Instagram: @thelarryslemonade
Twitter: @Larrys_Lemonade

About Brandonbilt Motorsports
Brandonbilt Motorsports is a family-owned, professional stock car team competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS). Owned and operated by Woodbridge, Virginia native, Jerry Brown, Brandonbilt Motorsports has quickly become a household name in the NASCAR Xfinity Series through hard work and determination. As a smaller team in the NXS, Brandonbilt Motorsports’ goal has always been to do the most with less, while also becoming a contending organization in every race that it enters. Brandonbilt Motorsports shocked the racing world in 2020 as driver, Brandon Brown, secured the team’s first playoff berth in only its second, full-time season in the NXS, before going on to finish the year 11th in the overall points standings. On the horizon in 2021, Brandonbilt Motorsports looks to pick up where it left off as a playoff-caliber team at each event it enters. To learn more, visit bmsraceteam.com.

SS GreenLight Racing | Joe Graf Jr. Daytona International Speedway August Event Preview

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SS GreenLight Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Daytona International Speedway | Wawa 250

Fast Facts
No. 07 SS GreenLight Racing Team:
Driver: Joe Graf Jr. (@JoeGrafJr)
Primary Partner(s): G-Coin
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro
Crew Chief: Joe Williams
Wawa 250 Starting Position: 39th (Event Formula)
Driver Points Position: 31st | Owner Points Position: 38th
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines (ECR)

Notes of Interest:

Welcome Back: This weekend at Daytona International Speedway, SS GreenLight Racing and Joe Graf Jr. welcome back G-Coin as the primary partner of the team’s No. 07 Chevrolet Camaro for Friday night’s Wawa 250 powered by Coca-Cola.

Daytona marks the eighth race of a multi-race deal where G-Coin, a product that brings gold into the digital age, making it accessible and giving it true utility will be the primary partner.

Learn More About G-Coin This Weekend On The Tube: An upcoming episode of the award-winning series, Advancements with Ted Danson, will focus on innovations in blockchain-enabled digital assets featuring Joe Graf Jr. marketing partner G-Coin.

The episode is scheduled to broadcast this Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 2:30 PM ET on CNBC.

Viewers will learn how the G-CoinTM token, powered by blockchain technology, solves the compliance and price volatility problems that hamper wholesale digital asset adoption, and is opening channels to make gold a more accessible, liquid, everyday medium of exchange.

The show will also explore how the underlying Responsible GoldTM is digitally tracked from mine to refinery to vault, to ensure G-Coin represents the highest level of integrity, transparency, and sustainability in the gold sector.

About G-Coin: Unlike cryptocurrencies, G-Coin is a digital title to a real asset: 1 G-Coin token equals 1 gram of Responsible GoldTM.

G-Coin combines the best qualities of traditional gold – stability, security, value, confidence, and social status – with the benefits of digital innovation, allowing users to easily save, send, and spend gold.

Tech-savvy investors keen to avoid cryptocurrency volatility, or physical storage burden and costs, are now able to purchase G-Coin digital gold tokens. G-Coin tokens can be purchased in increments of 0.01gram, giving individual investors better access to the gold market and the ability to use gold for day-to-day purchases.

G-Coin Wallets give users the freedom to send and receive value instantly, securely, and at no cost from the convenience of your mobile phone.

G-Coin Tip of the Week: A G-Coin token is a digital title of ownership to one gram of a Responsible Gold kilobar stored in a licensed vault.

Holders can redeem the tokens for physical gold on demand*. G-Coin tokens can be sent, spent, gifted or purchased as an investment through the G-Coin wallet.

Seal Covered: Earlier this week, Joe Graf Jr. welcomed new partner CoverSeal® to the SS GreenLight Racing team.

CoverSeal® —the standout cover option keeping vehicles and other outdoor investments safe from rodents and the weather will serve as associate marketing on the No. 07 Chevrolet Camaro for this weekend’s race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and the upcoming events at Richmond (Va.) Raceway in September and at Kansas Speedway in October.

At Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, however, on Sat., Oct. 30, 2021 — CoverSeal® will increase their commitment and serve as the primary marketing partner for the penultimate NASCAR Xfinity Series race of the season.

Winning Welder: Thanks to the new support from new team partner PowerWeld, fans have an opportunity to win a brand-new welder autographed by Joe Graf Jr. and team owner Bobby Dotter.

To enter, follow or like Joe Graf Jr. on Twitter or Facebook, tag two friends and retweet or share the contest to your social media platform.

PowerWeld served as the team’s primary partner in the most recent NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 21.

A winner will be chosen at the end of the month.

Saving You Some Money: As summer slowly starts to transition into fall, Joe Graf Jr.’s other marketing partner Z Grills wants to help the NASCAR community save money – but also enjoy the perfect barbecue.

In support of their recent partnership at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway last month, Z Grills Racing (ZGrillsRacing.com) is offering a 10 percent discount off your TOTAL purchase, using the code NASCAR at checkout.

Races for Faces: Joe Graf Jr. announced last week that for the second consecutive year, Graf will be virtually participating in myFace’s Races for Faces, an event to raise awareness for myFace, an organization that helps kids and families living with craniofacial differences.

Graf is encouraging in the industry along with race fans to join “Team Graf” and show your support of his mission.

Over the coming weeks, stay tuned for ways you can show your support of “Team Graf” and see how your name can appear on the No. 07 Chevrolet Camaro at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway next month.

While the virtual event will be held on Sept. 19., donations to “Team Graf” will be accepted through Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021.

Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Daytona International Speedway Starts: Joe Graf Jr. will make his fifth career start at the “World Center of Racing” in Friday night’s race.

In July 2019, Graf Jr. made his Xfinity Series debut at Daytona driving for Richard Childress Racing, qualifying a then career-best sixth. He was collected in a late-race crash and finished 23rd.

Graf Jr. made his SS GreenLight Racing debut at the 2.5-mile superspeedway in February 2020 qualifying a career-best fifth but was swept into a mid-race accident, finishing 36th.

In February, Graf Jr. started 18th and drafted to an 11th-place finish, a career-best finish in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and with SS GreenLight Racing aboard the No. 07 BuckedUp Energy Chevrolet Camaro.

He holds a career-best 12.8 average starting position at Daytona.

Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Career Superspeedway Nuggets: In seven career NASCAR Xfinity Series Superspeedway races, has completed 518 of the 758 laps available. He holds an average starting position of 19.1 and an average result of 29.5 with a best finish of 11th at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in February 2021.

Joe Graf Jr. ARCA Menards Series Career Superspeedway Nuggets: In three career ARCA superspeedway track races, Graf Jr. has two top-10 finishes. He has been running at the finish of all three races. He holds an average starting position of 15.3 and an average result of 11th with three (3) laps led.

In 2018, Graf Jr. was involved in the closest finish in ARCA Menards Series history at Talladega Superspeedway in a photo finish.

The margin was so narrow in the 69-year history of the series, it was a statistical dead heat, the margin of victory on the computerized scoring monitors showing 0.000 seconds. Only a video replay and the photo finish camera were able to determine Graf finished second by a matter of millimeters.

Put Me In Coach: To strengthen his physique, Joe Graf Jr. began working with new trainer and former NASCAR Cup Series Josh Wise during the 2020 offseason.
In addition to Wise, Graf has also been working with former NASCAR driver and open wheel driver Scott Speed on being more discipline behind the wheel of his No. 07 G-Coin Chevrolet Camaro.

Sneaker Mania: Along with the adrenaline of the Motorsports competition, Joe Graf Jr. also has a vogue for hype sneakers. In his current collection, he owns and wears at least 85 limited edition sneakers – and his collection continues to grow every month.

The current estimated value of his collection tops $90,000.

New Leadership: SS GreenLight Racing announced last month that Joe Williams has taken over crew chief duties for Joe Graf Jr. for the remainder of the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

Williams joins SS GreenLight Racing after a tenure at Our Motorsports. Additionally, Danny Johnson joins the Mooresville, N.C.-based team as car chief.

From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Joe Williams is Joe Graf Jr.’s crew chief.

He will crew chief his 55th NASCAR Xfinity Series race as crew chief on Friday night and his first at the 2.5-mile oval.

In his previous 54 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.

Hello From The Other Side: Graf Jr. has a teammate at SS GreenLight Racing. Veteran JJ Yeley will drive the No. 17 Figgers Wireless Chevrolet on Friday night.

Yeley is poised to make his 344th career Xfinity Series start and ninth of the 2021 season. In 15 Xfinity Series starts at the “World Center of Racing,” his best Xfinity track finish occurred in the 2006 Winn-Dixie 250 presented by PepsiCo, where he finished fourth after starting first (on the pole) driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Follow on Social Media: For more on Joe Graf Jr. visit JoeGrafJr.com, like him on Facebook (Joe Graf Jr.), follow him on Twitter (@JoeGrafJr) and Instagram (@joegrafjr).

For more on SS GreenLight Racing, please like them on Facebook (SS GreenLight Racing) and follow them on Twitter (@SSGLR0708) and visit their website at SSGreenLight.com.

Joe Graf Jr. Pre-Race Quotes:

On Daytona: “I’m looking forward to getting back to Daytona this weekend. SS GreenLight Racing has such fast cars on the superspeedways, and I look forward to showcasing that with our No. 07 G Coin Chevrolet on Friday night.

“The February race was incredibly kind to us with an 11th place finish, but we are looking for a top-10 finish or better this weekend to revive us from a couple of tough weeks.”

On New Partner CoverSeal: “I am extremely excited to welcome CoverSeal to the family. I am thrilled that they will be a part of our NASCAR Xfinity Series program. CoverSeal has so much to offer anyone, whether you are a racer, car enthusiast, or just an everyday street driver.

“Their products and services are influential whether you are using it for protecting a race car that goes 200 miles per hour or a street car, that you want to keep in pristine condition ahead of the upcoming weather seasons.

“Best of all, they are the only functional cover on the market that was made to keep rodents out! As someone who isn’t crazy about little varmints, that is a huge win for me and I’m proud to not only represent CoverSeal but personally endorse their products!”

On New Leadership: “I have a positive outlook and approach for the final two and a half months of the season.

“I will continue to work hard and give everything both on and off the track to enhance the overall presence and performance of our team and partners for the rest of the 2021 season.”

Race Information:

The Wawa 250 powered by Coca-Cola (100 laps | 250 miles) is the 23rd of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2021 schedule. The race will take the green flag on Fri., Aug. 27, 2021, shortly after 7:30 p.m. ET with live coverage on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

About SS Green Light Racing:

As one of the most tenured teams in all of NASCAR, SS GreenLight Racing led by team owner and former driver Bobby Dotter has been a mainstay in the sport fielding entries in either the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series or the Xfinity Series competition since 2001.

SS GreenLight Racing will continue with a two-car program in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2021.

CHEVY NCS AT DAYTONA: Team Chevy Advance

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Official Release
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TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
COKE ZERO SUGAR 400
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA
AUGUST 28, 2021

RACE #26 – DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
With plenty at stake, intensity ramps up for Chevrolet drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) regular-season finale under the lights Saturday, August 28, at Daytona International Speedway. Five Chevrolet drivers have secured a Playoff berth and will aim to cement momentum, while eight other Team Chevy drivers remain in the running to fill the final spot in the 16-driver Playoff field. Kyle Larson, driving the No. 5 Valvoline Instant Oil Change Camaro ZL1 1LE, seeks to clinch the regular-season title. He’ll start from the pole in the 160-lap race.

Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 48 victories, including 20 in the summer race, in the 148 races on the high-banked, 2.5-mile tri-oval dating to 1959. Career Chevrolet driver, Jimmie Johnson, is among five drivers to win both the Daytona 500 and summer race in the same year. Johnson accomplished the feat in 2013 in an Impala SS among his three NCS wins at the track.

Team Chevy has finished 1-2 in the summer race the past two years. On July 7, 2019, Justin Haley prevailed from the improbable 34th starting spot with William Byron the runner-up. On August 29, 2020, Byron earned his first NCS win and clinched a spot in the 2020 Playoffs, with Chase Elliott finishing second. Byron, who earned a 2021 Playoff spot with an early-season victory, will start on the outside of front row in the No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1 1LE in the 26th NCS race of the season.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) will race Friday, August 27, at Daytona International Speedway as four races remain before the Series’ Playoffs begin. Chevrolet has won seven of the past eight NXS races at the track, and Chevrolet or fellow GM brands have won 49 of the 59 races. AJ Allmendinger will start from the pole in the No. 16 Hyperice Camaro SS for Kaulig Racing.

Allmendinger led three drivers of the Camaro SS in the top-five at Michigan International Raceway to capture his third NXS victory of the season. He is second in the standings and JR Motorsports driver, Justin Allgaier, is third. Chevrolet returned to the top of the Manufacturer Standings.

CHEVROLET CONTINUES TO PACE MANUFACTURERS…
Chevrolet remains the leader in the NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Standings in pursuit of its 40th title. Team Chevy has recorded field highs of 13 victories and 112 top-10 finishes through 25 races, surpassing its win total (9) from the 36-race 2020 season.

… WHILE LARSON LOOKS TO CLINCH TITLE
Kyle Larson remains atop the Driver Standings. Hendrick Motorsports teammates William Byron is fourth and Chase Elliott is fifth.

Larson can clinch the regular-season championship and its 15-point Playoff bonus by accumulating 32 points at Daytona, where he has posted five top-10 finishes in 14 starts. Larson, a five-time winner this season, collected 51 points after a third-place finish at Michigan International Speedway.

WHO’S IN AND PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Chevrolet will be represented by at least five drivers when the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs begin at Darlington: Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman and Kurt Busch. Eight Chevrolet drivers – Tyler Reddick, Austin Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ross Chastain, Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Preece and Corey LaJoie – have a shot to fill the final spot in the 16-car field with a win at Daytona. Also, Richard Childress Racing teammates Reddick and Dillon can clinch the spot based on points.

Dillon has one win (2018 Daytona 500) among eight top-10 finishes in 16 NCS races at the track. Reddick has a best finish of 27th in four NCS starts. He won the NXS race in February 2017 and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race in February 2015.

BACK AT THE START
Bob Welborn, driving a ’59 Chevrolet Impala, won the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 1959 – the 40-lap Daytona 500 qualifier – from the seventh starting position. Grand National qualifying races were counted as points-paying races. It began a 17-race winning streak at the track for Chevrolet and fellow GM brands Pontiac and Oldsmobile. Junior Johnson delivered the first Daytona 500 win for Chevrolet in 1960.

ON THE WAY TO THE GREEN
With no practice or qualifying for the 160-lap race, the starting lineup is determined by NASCAR’s metrics system that was introduced to the series last year and incorporates results from both individual races and season-long results.

Team Chevy’s Top-20 starters:
1st Kyle Larson, No. 5 Valvoline Instant Oil Change Camaro ZL1 1LE
2nd William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1 1LE
5th Chase Elliott, No. 9 Unifirst Camaro ZL1 1LE
8th Kurt Busch, No. 1 Monster Energy Camaro ZL1 1LE
12th Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Funfetti Camaro ZL1 1LE
15th Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1 1LE
17th Tyler Reddick, No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Camaro ZL1 1LE

BOWTIE BULLETS
· Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 112 top-10 finishes and 2,683 laps led of 5,861 total this season.
· In addition to its 48 NCS wins, Chevrolet has amassed 220 top-five and 444 top-10 finishes at Daytona International Raceway.
· Kyle Larson paces all drivers with 1,566 laps led.
· Larson has started from the pole six times this season.
· Tyler Reddick is second among drivers with 99.42% of laps completed (5,827 of 5,861).
· Kurt Busch is tied for most starts at Daytona International Speedway among active drivers with 40, which includes 20 in the summer races. He is also the leader among current drivers with 13 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes and 6,595 laps completed.
· Hendrick Motorsports is tied for the most wins at Daytona with 15.
· Career Chevrolet driver, Jeff Gordon, leads Chevrolet with six career wins at Daytona.
· Twenty years ago, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway in No. 8 Chevrolet Impala months after his father’s fatal crash at the track.
· Five Team Chevy drivers have combined for 23 stage wins: Chase Elliott (Daytona RC, Michigan); William Byron (Homestead, Pocono2, Road America); Tyler Reddick (Road America, Indianapolis Road Course x2); Kurt Busch (Nashville Superspeedway, Pocono1, Atlanta2); Kyle Larson (Las Vegas, Atlanta x2, Kansas, Dover x2, Charlotte x3, Sonoma x2, Nashville).

FOR THE FANS:
Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Daytona International Speedway.
Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles including: Silverado 1500 Trailboss, Silverado 2500 HD Custom, Traverse Premier, Tahoe LTZ, Blazer RS AWD, Corvette 3LT Convertible and Camaro Convertible 3LT.
At the Chevrolet Display, fans can also view Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Camaro ZL1 1LE show car.

TEAM CHEVY QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSIONS AT THE DISPLAY:
Friday, August 27
· Noah Gragson: 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
· Sam Mayer: 3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
· Justin Allgaier: 4:35 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.

Saturday, August 28
· Daniel Suarez: 3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
· Kurt Busch: 4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
· Erik Jones: 4:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
· Kaz Grala: 4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:
Friday, August 27: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 28: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

TUNE IN
NBC will telecast the 160-lap NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at 7 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 28. Live coverage is also on the MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NBCSN will telecast the 100-lap NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday, Aug. 27.

QUOTABLE QUOTES
KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 VALVOLINE INSTANT OIL CHANGE CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 1st IN STANDINGS
LARSON ON RACING AT DAYTONA THIS WEEKEND:
“With a playoff spot still available, I’m sure it’s going to be intense. (Second place in standings) Denny (Hamlin) runs well at Daytona, so I am glad we have a bit of a cushion in the points. But that lead can be gone in an instant, so I hope to avoid all the craziness and have a good solid finish.”

CLIFF DANIELS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 VALVOLINE INSTANT OIL CHANGE CAMARO ZL1 1LE
DANIELS ON CALLING A RACE AT DAYTONA:
“Track position is important at Daytona, which is odd to say. We’ve seen over the last handful of years that cars that are able to get out front and be in the top five if single-file or in the top 10 if mixing it up can control the race inside that top group. What I mean is if you play your strategy wrong and are stuck back in 20th with a handful of laps left, it could be difficult to get back up to the front. We need to do our part right to hopefully have our car up front when it needs to be there. There are things we can control, but a lot is out of our hands.”

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 4th IN STANDINGS
BYRON ON THE STRESS OF LOCKING INTO THE PLAYOFFS LAST YEAR VERSUS THIS YEAR:
“Last year was stressful for most of the race. It was one of those Game 7-type moments that you go into knowing it’s do or die. I actually really like that sensation. You know exactly what you need to do to get the job done instead of trying to count points. It was interesting how that race played out, though. With things that happened on track with other guys, I was in a position that I could make it in on points as long as I finished. So, during that red flag, it was really a mindset change for me of, ‘Okay we don’t need to win, but if we can, we will to seal the deal.’ It’s nice to not be in that bubble situation this year. Now I can watch and see how it plays out. We’re still in a similar situation of going into this race with a clear objective – secure playoff points and a win to set us up better moving forward.”

BYRON ON HOW HIS DRIVING STYLE HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS ON SUPERSPEEDWAYS:
“I think I’ve learned a lot behind the wheel on these types of tracks. My driving style is really more dynamic now. With the stages, you have time to go really hard and then have times to relax and let the car find its way through traffic. Stage points are critical, though, in superspeedway racing. If you can get stage points you need to, but you don’t want to push it to get to that point and wreck right before the stage ends and wind up with 40th-place points. It’s a really tricky balance. I feel like for us, we’re going to try race for at least one of the stage wins to get the extra playoff point but also keeping strategy in mind to put us in position up front in the end. It’s up to me, though, on knowing when to push it, and I think I have a good idea of when those moments are.”

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 UNIFIRST CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 5th IN STANDINGS
“Yes, Daytona is the cutoff race, but it has always been on the schedule before the playoffs. Whether it is at the beginning of the year or last race before the playoffs, you are either in it or you’re not. You have 25 other races to solidify your spot before then. It’s nice to go into the weekend and be locked in because anything can happen at Daytona.”

TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 11th IN STANDINGS
HOW CRAZY AND WILD DO YOU THINK DAYTONA WILL BE WITH DRIVERS HAVING THEIR LAST SHOT TO MAKE THE NASCAR PLAYOFFS?
“I played a big part in that excitement in the last Daytona cutoff race. I think you’ll expect to see drivers that were as desperate as I was in that race to try and get up front and get control of the race and win for their team and all their partners. It’s just going to be a matter of trying to have an understanding in the back of your head or have a point that you kind of have within yourself. Like okay, this is my fun meter. If we can stay within, we’re good. If we go over here, etc. We’re trying to make the Playoffs, right? But we’re also trying to get tenth and get that extra point if we can, too. So, there are a lot of things around. We’re going to try and control what we can. Someone going in and winning that race in Daytona is something that we can’t really control unless we win that race. But it’s a tough spot to be in.”

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 12th IN STANDINGS
“I think going to Daytona for the cutoff race to start the playoffs is interesting. You have guys kind of throwing everything they got at one race if they aren’t locked in. At a place like Daytona, that can cause a lot of things to happen. Hopefully we can stay out of the mess because I am sure that there will be one and be there at the end. Going into this race with a spot already in the playoffs, there probably isn’t as much pressure as there could be, but we are definitely going there with the goal of capitalizing on stage points, stage wins and the overall race win. It would be really cool to win at Daytona, so much history there. Regardless of what race it is, they’re all really special and it would be great to get a win.”

GREG IVES, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 1LE
“Ultimately we need to go into Saturday’s race thinking about getting as many stage points and stage wins as we can. We need to try to get more playoff points with the overall win, which kind of our goal. Obviously, we want to learn as much as we can since Talladega is going to be a key factor in order to move to the next round. We are trying to learn as much as we can and put Alex (Bowman) in situations where we have to learn what the new package is. There is a lot of learning that we have to continue to do and run as many competitive laps as we can. Hoping to come out of Daytona with a strong finish for the Ally 48 and get us a win before we head to Darlington.”

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BASS PRO SHOPS/TRACKER OFF ROAD CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 13th IN STANDINGS
WHAT IS YOUR CONFIDENCE LEVEL KNOWING THAT DAYTONA IS THE FINAL RACE IN THE REGULAR SEASON AND YOUR LAST CHANCE TO GET INTO THE NASCAR PLAYOFFS?
“Yeah, that gives the confidence to you as being the last race of the year. And the situation I am in right now, I think I’ve been in other situations down the road, it would probably be more stressful. But for me, we’re in a little bit of a nothing to lose attitude right now because we’ve got to gain on our teammate, and if not, we’ve got to win somehow. So, Daytona is that place and it gives us an opportunity with our ECR horsepower. I don’t know. We’ve just had the ability to keep that No. 3 at the front when we go to Daytona. I like it. It’s a magical place and I’ve had some great runs there. I’m pumped that it’s the last race of our regular season.”

RICKY STENHOUSE JR., NO. 47 FUNFETTI CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 18th IN STANDINGS
“Daytona levels the playing field in a lot of ways. It gives drivers the opportunity to get their first win or get a win and make the playoffs. For us, we feel really confident going into Daytona that we are going to have a shot at it. Brian Pattie (crew chief) and the boys have been working on our No. 47 Funfetti Camaro for a long time to make sure we have the fastest race car that we can unload with on Saturday to see if we can get the job done. It’s been a good track for us before. Hopefully, we can find that magic again and get to victory lane.”

ERIK JONES, NO. 43 COLUMBIA PFG CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 24th IN STANDINGS
HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE COKE ZERO SUGAR 400 AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY WITH THE EVENT BEING THE FINAL RACE OF THE REGULAR SEASON?
“I think you just go for it. If you are not locked into the NASCAR Playoffs and you need to win, that is your last shot, for sure. It’s a crazy race. Last year being the first year that it was the cut-off race before the Playoffs, everyone was making big moves and trying to do things to get themselves locked in and win the race. You just want to be upfront and have a shot for it.”
“I like it. I think it is fun to do that kind of thing and have a little bit of that chaos. Hopefully, Richard Petty Motorsports is upfront, in contention to get a win and get ourselves into the Playoffs.”

DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 COMMSCOPE CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 25th IN STANDINGS
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON DAYTONA?
“Daytona is going to be fun. Superspeedways are a lot of fun. Actually, I enjoy that type of racing now. I didn’t always like it, but now I do. Hopefully we can have a good, strong weekend.”

IS THERE MORE PRESSURE SATURDAY NIGHT?
“No more pressure than any other race. We want to win every weekend. Our team knows what it has to do. We have been working to be more consistent and put ourselves in the right position. We know we can win this race. Even after Saturday night we still have three months of racing left and we are going to keep working and improving.”

HAS YOUR SEASON BEEN A SUCCESS EVEN IF YOU DON’T MAKE THE PLAYOFFS? “We are proud of what we have done this year. It has been a little bit of a struggle of late, but we are in a good position for the future. We keep growing and getting better and we are looking forward to continuing on that path. As you know (team owner) Justin (Marks) has a lot of exciting plans for 2022 by getting us bigger and stronger and I see good things for us. I believe that we will win.”

WHAT DO YOU HOPE FANS LEARN ABOUT RACING SATURDAY NIGHT WHEN YOU CARRY THE WHOOP STRAP?
“I think they will find it very interesting. I have worn a Whoop strap in the car in a lot of races this season and was surprised at how high my heart rate was. I think people will find it fascinating to see our calorie burn and strain plus things like that. I think it will show people who aren’t familiar with our sport the physical exertions it takes to race.”

WHAT DOES OWNER JUSTIN MARKS DO FOR TRACKHOUSE?
“He does so much for us. He knows exactly what he wants to do with Trackhouse Racing and where he wants to go. He is very hungry and wants us so badly to be successful. I feel like I am in a very good spot. Because he is a race car driver himself, he understands what I want and need plus he is very good with our sponsors and employees. He has us really looking forward to the future. I think bringing Ross Chastain in next year in a second car will make us better. He is a great driver and will make me better.”

COREY LAJOIE, NO. 7 BUILT BAR CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 29th IN STANDINGS
“Really excited to get back down to Daytona this Saturday night with our Built Bar Camaro. I’ve got some fresh legs after a week off, so we’re back, ready to rock and 100% healthy. My guys at Spire Motorsports have a really good Chevy hot rod prepared, so we’ll try to punch our ticket for the playoffs with a Hail Mary. Anybody has a shot at Daytona, so why not us this time? We have just as good of a chance as anyone else to get the job done. Hopefully we can get a little lucky, be in the right spot at the right time, miss the wrecks & get our Built Bar Chevy in Victory Lane after 400 miles.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:
Total (1949-2020): 39
First title for Chevrolet: 1958
Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Drivers Championships:
Total (1949-2020): 32
First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)
Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)
Most Recent: Chase Elliott (2020)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020

Event Victories:
Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2021 STATISTICS:
Wins: 13
Poles: 5
Laps Led: 2,683
Top-five finishes: 52
Top-10 finishes: 112

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:
Total Chevrolet race wins: 808 (1949 to date)
Poles won to date: 722
Laps led to date: 239,388
Top-five finishes to date: 4,117
Top-10 finishes to date: 8,514
Stage wins: 23 – Chase Elliott (Daytona RC, Michigan), William Byron (Homestead, Pocono 2, Road America), Kyle Larson (Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Atlanta x2, Kansas, Dover x2, Charlotte x3, Sonoma x2, Nashville), Kurt Busch (Nashville, Pocono 1, Atlanta 2), Tyler Reddick (Road America, Indy RC x2)

Total NASCAR Cup wins by corporation, 1949 to date

General Motors: 1,142
Chevrolet: 808
Pontiac: 154
Oldsmobile: 115
Buick: 65

Ford: 810
Ford: 710
Mercury: 96
Lincoln: 4

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467
Dodge: 217
Plymouth: 191
Chrysler: 59

Toyota: 158

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

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