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Team Penske NASCAR Xfinity Race Report – Michigan

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Official Release
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Team Penske NASCAR Xfinity Race Report
Track: Michigan International Speedway
Race: New Holland 250
Date: August 21, 2021

No. 22 Menards/NIBCO Ford Mustang – Austin Cindric
Start: 1st
Stage 1: 1st (ninth stage win of 2021)
Stage 2: 37th
Finish: 37th
Status: Accident
Laps Completed: 41/139
Laps Led: 12
Driver Point Standings (ahead of second): 1st (+35)

Notes:

  • Austin Cindric was collected in a multi-car accident during Stage 2 Saturday afternoon at Michigan International Speedway. The incident left Cindric with a 37th-place finish in the final rundown. The driver of the Menards/NBICO Ford leads the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver standings by 35 points over second-place AJ Allmendinger. during started from the pole, won the opening stage but was collected in a multi-vehicle incident to start the second stage, ending the day prematurely for the No. 22 Menards/NIBCO Ford team. As a result of the accident, Cindric was scored in the 37th position.
  • Cindric started from the pole but got loose in Turn 1 during the opening laps of the race. He dropped to the back of the top-10, but solid speed in the Menards/NIBCO Mustang allowed the defending series champion to drive back to the top-three before the competition caution waved on lap 15. On the restart, Cindric grabbed the lead from Allmendinger on lap 21, using a big run from the outside of the third row to claim the top spot. Cindric stayed out front for the remainder of the segment, collecting his ninth stage win when Stage 1 ended on lap 30.
  • At the end of the stage, the No. 22 Menards/NIBCO team pitted as other competitors remained on track that had pitted previously. After winning the race off pit road, Cindric was collected in a multi-vehicle incident on the restart at the exit of turn 2, effectively ending the day after showing tremendous speed early. Cindric maintains the regular season point lead by 35 points.

Quote: “I thought we had the fastest car out there today. In some ways, I feel like that is a bold statement coming from me but our guys did an amazing job on this Ford Mustang and I wish we could have contended for the rest of the race because I think we would have had a shot. Never give up. Just being able to get points. Every little bit matters. From the outside, it probably doesn’t mean a whole lot and we don’t want to affect the outcome of the race or get fluid on the racetrack. That definitely wasn’t the goal. That never give up attitude though is what wins championships.”

Toyota Racing NXS Post-Race — Michigan 8.21.21

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Official Release
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JONES SURVIVES THREE NASCAR OVERTIMES FOR SECOND-PLACE FINISH
Three Supras Claim Top-10 Finishes at Michigan

BROOKLYN, Mich. (August 21, 2021) – Brandon Jones (second), Harrison Burton (fifth) and Bubba Wallace (10th) claimed top-10 finishes in Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR Xfinity Series

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Michigan International Speedway
Race 22 of 33 – 250 miles, 125 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, AJ Allmendinger*
2nd, BRANDON JONES
3rd, Noah Gragson*
4th, Josh Berry*
5th, HARRISON BURTON
10th, BUBBA WALLACE
13th, TY GIBBS
20th, COLIN GARRETT
39th, DANIEL HEMRIC
*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

BRANDON JONES, No. 19 Young Supply Company Toyota Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 2nd

Are you pleased with the second-place finish?

“You have to be with that. Every restart was really, really solid. Nothing was too crazy and the last one was really timed perfectly. I pushed the 16 (AJ Allmendinger) all the way into the corner where I thought that was going to be enough to make him pucker up a little bit and maybe miss the corner. We ended up getting pretty tight there at the end. That’s where he got the best of us was off the corner. We made zero mistakes today and we got the results that we needed to. We’ve never been gone this year, but it’s great to see things finally cleaned up this year with a top-three.”

HARRISON BURTON, No. 20 DEX Imaging Toyota Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 5th

Are you pleased with the result after coming back from the late-race pit stop?

“Two weeks in a row where we’ve had things go a rye and we’ve had to claw our way back. This time it was a little less dramatic – we had a loose wheel there. That’s racing. We had a bad-fast race car. Our Toyota Supra was good all day. Frustrating to come up short when we were that fast, but overall a good result.”

DANIEL HEMRIC, No. 18 Poppy Bank Toyota Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 39th

What happened in the accident that ended your race today?

“I saw a couple guys slide and started to come back across the race track. I thought I was going to clear it or be fortunate to take minimum impact and then hung back to the right side and hit the outside wall. Then it was just carnage after that. Definitely not the weekend we had hoped for with this Poppy Bank Supra, but still thankful to be a part of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, thankful for all they do for us. We have four more shots in the regular season to go win and we’re still sitting in a good spot with good cars. Everybody knows that once we get hot, they’re going to have to beat us week-in and week-out and I look forward to that.”

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.

Ford Performance NASCAR: NXS Post-Race (Herbst Finishes Seventh to Pace Ford at Michigan)

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Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Xfinity Series — New Holland 250
Michigan International Speedway | Saturday, August 21, 2021

FORD FINISHING RESULTS
7th – Riley Herbst
12th – Ryan Sieg
37th – Austin Cindric

RILEY HERBST, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang — Finished 7th

“I really struggle here. My whole racing career kind of. I just was trying to bide my time and race smart today with our points scenario. I think we expanded on that a little bit and gained into the guy in front of us. All in all, it was a good day. I wish we could have ran just a little bit better though and finish in the top-five.”

AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 22 Menards/NIBCO Ford Mustang — (Retired Early Due to Damage)

“We just got collected in a wreck by the cars that decided to stay out. Unfortunately, that is something you see often in this series. It is enough that I am not going to complain about it, you just have to understand it is possible. We had some guys get loose and spin out and I couldn’t miss them. I thought we had the fastest car out there today. In some ways I feel like that is a bold statement coming from me but our guys did an amazing job on this Ford Mustang and I wish we could have contended for the rest of the race because I think we would have had a shot.”

WHAT WAS THE STRATEGY THERE TRYING TO RUN THE LAPS WITH THE HOOD OFF AND IT SMOKING? “Never give up. Just being able to get points. Every little bit matters. From the outside, it probably doesn’t mean a whole lot and we don’t want to affect the outcome of the race or get fluid on the racetrack. That definitely wasn’t the goal. That never give up attitude though is what wins championships.”

CHEVY NTT INDYCAR SERIES – WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY: WILL POWER WINS 63RD CAREER NTT P1 AWARD

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Official Release
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CHEVROLET RACING IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
BOMMARITO AUTOMOTIVE GROUP 500
WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY, MADISON, ILLINOIS
TEAM CHEVY – WILL POWERS WINS NTT P1 AWARD
AUGUST 21, 2021

MADISON, ILL (August 21,2021) – For the 63rd time in his NTT INDYCAR Series career, Will Power will lead the field to the green flag.

With a scorching two-lap average of 180.618 MPH, Power grabbed his first NTT P1 Award of the season behind the wheel of his No. 12 Verizon 5G Team Penske Chevrolet. Today’s pole puts Power within four of the all-time record held by Mario Andretti – 67 career total.

Chevrolet drivers captured four of the top five starting positions and five of the top-10 for tonight’s race. Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Sonsio Team Penske Chevrolet will start second with teammate Simon Pagenaud, No. 22 Menards Chevrolet alongside in third.

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet will roll of fifth and his teammate, Felix Rosenqvist, No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet will start in 10th position.

OTHER CHEVROLET QUALIFIERS:
11th Scott McLaughlin
19th Sebastien Bourdais
21st Conor Daly
22nd Ed Carpenter
23rd Rinus Veekay
24th Dalton Kellett

NBCSN will telecast the 260-lap Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at 8 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 21. The race will also be broadcast live on INDYCAR Radio Network affiliates, Sirius 211, XM 205, Indycar.com, and on the INDYCAR Mobile app powered by NTT DATA.

WILL POWER QUOTE:

YOU WON THE POLE WITH MISSING A SHIFT. IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE IF YOU’D HAD A CLEAN LAP. I’M KIDDING. CONGRATULATIONS
“Well yeah, that one would have been just a little bit quicker. But I’m certainly stoked, man. Anything I get these days I’m so happy because the field is so fierce and so tough. Another number that’s closer to the goal. I thought if I didn’t get one this year it was going to be very tough to ever beat that record. But we could get it, we could get it.”

YOU’RE WITHIN SNIFFING DISTANCE, RIGHT?
“Yeah, if I get another pole this year I’d be like, there’s a chance I could get it.”

WHAT ABOUT FINISHING SEASONS STRONG, IS THAT HAPPENING AGAIN THIS YEAR?
“Yeah, I don’t know but I hope so. It gives a lot of confidence to the team after last week then this. In myself as well as I’ve struggled a little bit this year. So yeah, I hope so.”

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.

Toyota Racing – NCWTS St. Louis Post-Race Report – 08.20.21

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Official Release
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CRAFTON LEADS TOYOTA AT ST. LOUIS
Crafton, Rhodes and Friesen start Playoff push with top-five finishes

ST. LOUIS (August 20, 2021) – Matt Crafton (second), Ben Rhodes (third), Stewart Friesen (fourth) and Johnny Sauter (fifth) led Toyota with top-five finishes in the Toyota 200 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway on Friday evening.

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway
Race 16 of 23 – 160 Laps, 200 Miles

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, Sheldon Creed*
2nd, MATT CRAFTON
3rd, BEN RHODES
4th, STEWART FRIESEN
5th, JOHNNY SAUTER
20th, DEREK KRAUS
21st, ARMANI WILLIAMS
22nd, JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
23rd, AUSTIN HILL
26th, DEREK GRIFFITH
27th, CHRIS HACKER
28th, CHANDLER SMITH
31st, CHRISTIAN ECKES
33rd, TY MAJESKI
36th, DANNY BOHN

*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

MATT CRAFTON, No. 88 Ideal Door/Menards Toyota Tundra, ThorSport Racing

Finishing Position: 2nd

Wasn’t the win you wanted, but it was still a good finish. How was your race?

“Yeah, it was a great points night, all-in-all. They knew we were here. We drove from 10th to get to second. We just needed a little bit more to catch the 2 (Sheldon Creed). The 2 was really, really good, but can’t thank these guys for working as hard as they did lately. They’ve been working their butts off. We went through and threw all the notebooks away from ’20, ’19, ’18. We went back to the old school stuff. I guess it still works here.”

BEN RHODES, No. 99 Bombardier Toyota Toyota Tundra, ThorSport Racing

Finishing Position: 3rd

Solid top-five finish. How was your finish?

“We have a few issues going on with our truck in the front end, but we know what we were fighting. We will go back home and make it better, but overall, I’m happy with my Bombardier Tundra. It was fast from the get-go. They made good improvements on it, so that I could hang with them at the end of the race. I have to say Matt Crafton was driving me hard. That was the hardest I’ve driven in a while. I had my tongue hanging out for like the last 100 laps.”

STEWART FRIESEN, No. 52 Halmar International Toyota Tundra, Halmar Friesen Racing

Finishing Position: 4th

Are you happy with this finish overall?

“Yeah, absolutely. Good start for us in the Playoffs. I knew we would be good but I just got a little tight there in the last run. We got up there quick in the first stage and then kind of just leveled out in third or fourth. I wish I would have gotten a better restart at the start of that last stage. I’m proud of my guys. Thanks to everyone at Halmar, Chris Larsen. Great owner and great friend. Proud of everything we’ve done here over the last two years, and we are going to keep it rolling and try to get a win here.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold nearly 2.8 million cars and trucks (nearly 2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.

Through the 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.

DGR NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race Recap: WWT Raceway

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Official Release
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Friday, August 20
Track: World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, 1.25-mile oval
Race: 16 of 22
Event: Toyota 200 presented by CK Power (160 laps, 200 miles)

Hailie Deegan, No. 1 Monster Energy Ford F-150

Start: 19th

Finish: 7th

  • The first caution of the race was displayed on lap 25 and Deegan was in the 15th spot with a tight-center condition.
  • Deegan remained in the top-15 throughout two more quick cautions and completed Stage 1 in the 17th position.
  • Deegan started the second stage in 17th and was in the 15th position when the race went under a red flag on lap 61 for a power outage. After almost an hour break, the race returned to green with around 40 laps to go in the stage.
  • The rest of the stage remained green and Deegan ended it in 14th with a pretty neutral Monster Energy Ford.
  • During the final stage, Deegan worked her way up to the ninth position on lap 114 when the caution was displayed for accident on the track which she narrowly avoided.
  • The race returned to green on lap 121 and the California native was in 11th on lap 130. With under 10 laps to go in the race, another caution was displayed with Deegan in ninth and ultimately sent the event into overtime.
  • The first and only attempt at overtime resulted in a seventh-place finish for Deegan, her best career Truck Series finish.

Tanner Gray, No. 15 Ford Performance F-150

Start: 16th

Finish: 19th

  • Tanner Gray was in the 16th spot when the first caution of the race came out on lap 25. The Ford driver did not visit pit road.
  • Two more quick cautions occurred and Gray reported his F-150 was a little free on entry while in the 14th spot.
  • The No. 15 machine ended the first stage in the 16th position.
  • A power outage in Stage 2 at the track resulted in a red flag lasting almost an hour. The second stage resumed under green with a little over 40 laps to go and Gray was 18th.
  • From the 17th position during the Stage 2 break, Gray reported his F-150 was free in and tight in the center. He received service from the No. 15 crew during the break and returned to the track.
  • Gray reached the top-10 when another caution was displayed on lap 114. The New Mexico native remained in the top-12 for the majority of the remainder of the race.
  • Unfortunately, with less than 10 laps to go Gray got loose and spun on the track to bring out the final caution. He made it to pit road for service and returned to the track on the lead lap in 19th.
  • Gray finished 19th at the midwest track in the first and only overtime attempt.

Taylor Gray, No. 17 Ford Performance F-150

Start: 26th

Finish: 12th

  • Taylor Gray started his second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race from the 26th position. He was in the 25th spot when the first caution was displayed on lap 25.
  • Gray stayed out and on the second quick caution, he came down pit road for damage to the left rear of his Ford Performance F-150.
  • The younger Gray returned to the track on the lead lap with 10 laps to go and finished the stage in 25th.
  • On lap 61, the caution was displayed and ultimately the red flag was displayed for almost an hour due lights going out at the track. Gray was in the 23rd position. At the end of Stage 2, Gray was 22nd and looking for more turn. He pitted and returned to the track in the same position.
  • In the final stage, the caution came out on lap 114 with Gray 17th. After returning to green, the No. 17 driver was in the 10th position on lap 130.
  • The final caution of the race came out with less than 10 laps to go and Gray remained in the 10th position.
  • The caution sent the race into overtime and the Ford driver slipped back to 12th in the closing laps.
  • The 12th-place finish comes in Gray’s second career Truck Series start.

Next event: In It To Win It 200 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina on September 5 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

2021 GMS Racing Camping World Truck Series WWT Raceway Recap

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Official Release
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Sheldon Creed, No. 2 LiftKits4Less Chevrolet Silverado

START: 4th 

FINISH: 1st 

POINTS: 2nd

Notes & Quotes:—

  • Sheldon Creed started his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs bid in the best way possible by winning the first race of the Round of 10 at World Wide Technology Raceway. Creed, who entered the race as the defending winner, started 4th on the evening. It did not take him long to surge to the front, taking the lead on lap 4 of 160. From there on, the champ never looked back despite losing the lead to teammate Zane Smith for a brief period.
  • Creed capitalized on points, securing wins in Stage 1 and Stage 2, in addition to leading the most laps, with 142. The No. 2 crew gained maximum points, boosting Sheldon up to second in the championship standings.

Back2Back: Defending NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Sheldon Creed has locked himself into the Round of 8, underlining his fight for the 2021 NCWTS championship. Driver No. 2 has one goal for the remaining two races of this round: Win.

Quote: “I am super happy with how my truck drove all night, I have been looking forward to coming back to Gateway for quite sometime now. To dominate how we did tonight, man it feels surreal. This was the first time I have ever won Stage 1 and 2 and have gone on to win, and I owe it all to my crew. It feels so great to be back in victory lane, I’m looking forward to continuing this momentum moving forward.”

Zane Smith, No. 21 Chevy Accessories Chevrolet Silverado

START: 5th

FINISH: 35th

POINTS: 9th

Notes & Quotes:—

  • Zane Smith entered the first race of the Playoffs needing a solid run to build his gap to the cutline. Early on, it appeared that the No. 21 Silverado had the speed to contend for the win. Smith took the lead from teammate Sheldon Creed on lap 30 for a brief time before eventually getting passed for the win of Stage 1. The sophomore driver scored a fourth place finish in Stage 1, gaining valuable points.
  • Stage 2 started off strong for Smith, who quickly passed his way up to second in the running order. Unfortunately for Zane, as fate would have it, he would suffer a transmission/rear gear failure on lap 99, ultimately bringing his race to an end. The No. 21 Chevrolet earned a disappointing 35th place finish.

21in21: Zane Smith finds himself below the cutline heading into the series’ next race at Darlington Raceway, ten points from eighth position. Smith and crew will need two solid finishes in the remaining races of the Round of 10 to advance to the Round of 8.

Quote: “Man, this one stings. Our truck showed good speed early on, and I felt confident that we made the right call on changes at the end of Stage 1. Ultimately, we just weren’t as fast as our teammate Sheldon, but I was sure that we would have a good points night. I hate that we were not able to capitalize on the first race, as it is going to put us in a difficult situation heading into Darlington. Luckily, my crew has my back and I am confident that we will be able to overcome tonight’s bad finish.”

Chase Purdy, No. 23 Bama Buggies Chevrolet Silverado

START: 28th

FINISH: 6th

POINTS: 19th

Notes & Quotes:—

  • After missing the last NCWTS race at Watkins Glen due to COVID-19 protocol, Chase Purdy returned to the No. 23 Bama Buggies Silverado eyeing an impressive comeback in his first NCWTS start at Gateway.
  • Impress Purdy did, as he sliced his way through the pack in the beginning portion of the race. Despite starting all the way back in 28th position, the rookie passed much of his competition, finishing 17th in Stage 1. Crew Chief Jeff Hensley made adjustments to help the balance in Stage 2, elevating him even further through the pack. Great heads-up driving and wreck avoidance skills placed the No. 23 Chevy up inside the Top 10, where it stayed for the remainder of the race.
  • Career-Best Run: Purdy earned his best-career finish of sixth place under the lights in St. Louis, overhauling his season-best finish of 15th by far. The race marked Purdy’s second ever Top 10 finish in NCWTS competition.

Quote: “Really solid finish tonight at Gateway! This team deserves these types of finishes so much! It’s been a crazy and unfortunate year, but tonight was fun! I am really proud of everyone on this No. 23 team that never gives up every weekend. What a race!”

Jack Wood, No. 24 Chevy Accessories Chevrolet Silverado

START: 21st

FINISH: 10th

POINTS: 30th

Notes & Quotes:—

  • Jack Wood made his first ever start at World Wide Technology Raceway on Friday night in just his seventh-career NCWTS race.
  • The rookie, who had never competed. on a flat track in a truck before, adapted early on to the unique-shaped speedway. Wood finished 24th in Stage 1, but began to advance his position as Stage 2 came around. Similar to teammate Chase Purdy, Jack Wood avoided calamity on the front stretch on lap 112, placing him near the Top 10 on the running order.
  • Career-Best Run: Much like his teammate, Jack Wood earned his best-career finish on Friday night at World Wide Technology Raceway with an impressive tenth place effort. This is Wood’s first Top 10, elevating his previous best finish of 11th from earlier in the season.

Quote: “Awesome effort by everybody on this No. 24 team tonight, I am so proud to work with this group! I learned a lot about this place throughout the race, and was so happy to earn my first ever Top 10 finish. I am excited for the remaining tracks left on the schedule, because I feel that we might be able to continue this momentum for the rest of the season.”

Tyler Ankrum, No. 26 LiUNA! Chevrolet Silverado

START: 13th

FINISH: 32nd

POINTS: 13th

Notes & Quotes:—

  • Tyler Ankrum looked to contend at World Wide Technology Raceway after being eliminated from Playoffs contention at Watkins Glen.
  • Ankrum’s No. 26 LiUNA! Silverado started from the 13th position, and it hovered around the Top 10 in the running order early on. Tyler finished Stage 1 with a 12th place finish, and moved up four spots to finish 8th in Stage 2.
  • As some GMS Racing teammates were fortunate to miss the big wreck on the front stretch, Ankrum’s misfortune continued as he was hooked into the inside wall on lap 112, effectively ending his race. The young Californian was credited with a disappointing 32nd place finish.

Quote: “Tough night here in St. Louis, which is a shame because I think that we had a really strong Chevy. I love racing at Gateway, it’s so much fun, and my Crew Chief Charles made some great changes to help my balance. I hate that we got collected in a wreck that put us out, but I am proud of the speed that we showed throughout the night. Onto Darlington.”

ABOUT GMS RACING:

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

ARCA Menards Series Race Recap: Michigan International Speedway

By
Official Release
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Friday, August 20
Track: Michigan International Speedway, 2.-mile oval
Race: 14 of 20
Event: Henry Ford Health System 200 (100 laps, 200 miles)

Thad Moffitt, No. 46 Clean Harbors Ford Fusion
Start: 4th
Finish: 8th

  • Moffitt started the 100-lap event from the 4th position by way of his position in the owner’s point standings.
  • On lap one of the race, Moffitt was forced into the wall by a fellow competitor and had to pit for four fresh tires and damage repair. He went three laps down to the leaders, but rejoined in 15th.
  • The team decided to pit at the lap 35 competition break. On the first time down pit road, they added fuel and worked on damage and then came back down a second time to change all four tires.
  • The Clean Harbors Fusion was in 12th, 2 laps down when the caution flag waved for the second competition break on lap 70. The team changed tires and fueled up to make it to the end of the race.
  • After restarting 12th, Moffitt was able to log laps and advance up to the eighth position where he ultimately finished.

Next event: Allen Crowe 100 at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois on August 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Sheldon Creed dominates wild playoff-opener at Gateway

By
Briar Starr
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MADISON, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 20: Sheldon Creed, driver of the #2 Liftkits4less.com Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota 200 presented by CK Power at Gateway Motorsports Park on August 20, 2021 in Madison, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images)

Despite a late-race overtime restart and a 48-minute red flag due to a power outage at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, the 2020 Truck Series champion Sheldon Creed held onto the lead and navigated to his second win of the 2021 Truck Series season.

“My guys put together such a great truck,” Creed told Fox Sports 1 in victory lane. “My guys have been working hard all year. Obviously, we haven’t had the speed at times and I’ve made mistakes. We just built this brand new truck and I felt like we’ve taken everything we learned this year and applied it. My teammate showed me a couple of things when he got to the lead. The bottom was good on restarts, but the top started coming in there at the end. I love late-race restarts,” he joked. “I didn’t want it but thought to myself, just focus and execute.”

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway served as the first race of the 2021 Truck Series Playoffs Friday evening. Austin Hill received the pole via the qualifying metric system.

Throughout the first stage, there were three cautions that occurred on Lap 26, 33 and 42. Most notably, the caution on Lap 26 flew for playoff contender Chandler Smith. The Kyle Busch Motorsports driver brought the No. 18 to pit road as he had a right-rear hub issue.

Creed showed his dominance early and won Stage 1, his second stage win of the season. Stewart Friesen, Ben Rhodes, Zane Smith, Ty Majeski, Todd Gilliland, Matt Crafton, Austin Hill, John Hunter Nemechek and Derek Kraus were the Top 10.

During Stage 2, on Lap 60, a power outage occurred at the track knocking out the power, including the electronic timing and scoring and brought out the red flag. This caused a delay that lasted 48 minutes and 38 seconds before the race could resume with backup power and temporary lighting.

Following the lengthy delay, the race went back green on Lap 67. Playoff drivers experienced more trouble as the race continued. Zane Smith was on pit road inside 10 laps to go in the second stage. Eventually, Smith drove the No. 21 truck behind the wall and was done for the night.

Creed once again went on to win the second stage and was followed by Rhodes, Crafton, Nemechek, Friesen, Majeski, Kraus, Ankrum Eckes and Austin Hill.

Stage 3 went green on Lap 111, but shortly thereafter, there was a huge wreck on the frontstretch. Playoff contender and regular-season champion, John Hunter Nemechek, had an issue as his truck shut off coming off Turn 4, which caused a huge stack up behind him. Multiple drivers were involved including Austin Hill, Todd Gilliland, Tyler Ankrum, Carson Hocevar, Chandler Smith and others.

Unfortunately, more problems arose for Nemechek with 32 laps to go, as the North Carolina driver had a brake rotor that broke in half. He was able to resume the race but in the 34th position.

The final stage was relatively calm in nature compared to the first two stages. However, a caution with four laps to go for the No. 15 of Tanner Gray who crashed in Turn(s) 3 and 4 brought out an overtime finish.

Creed, Rhodes, Crafton, Friesen and Sauter were in the top five for the restart.

Even with the late-race restart, there was no stopping Creed as he took the checkered flag for the seventh time of his career, and his first since Darlington earlier this year.

2019 Truck Series champion Matt Crafton finished second and earned his third top-five finish of the season and the first since Darlington as well.

“Definitely, a good points night, all in all, they knew we were here,” Crafton said about his runner-up finish to Fox Sports 1. “We drove from 10th to get to second, we just needed a little bit more since the 2 (Creed) was a little better. These guys (ThorSport) have worked hard lately. They’ve worked their butts off. Went back and threw all the notebooks away from 2019 and 2018. We went back to the old school stuff and I guess it still worked.”

There were eight cautions for 37 laps and one red flag that lasted 48 minutes and 38 seconds. There were five lead changes among three different leaders.

Race winner Creed led three times for 142 laps and gained seven playoff points and locked himself into the next round of the Playoffs.

Playoff Standings following Round 1 at Gateway:

  1. Sheldon Creed, 1 win, Advanced
  2. John Hunter Nemechek, +55
  3. Ben Rhodes, +52
  4. Matt Crafton, +33
  5. Stewart Friesen, +31
  6. Austin Hill, +21
  7. Carson Hocevar, +13
  8. Todd Gilliland, +10
    Below the cut line
  9. Zane Smith, -10
  10. Chandler Smith, -18

Official Results for the Toyota 200 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway:

  1. Sheldon Creed, won both stages, led 142 laps
  2. Matt Crafton
  3. Ben Rhodes
  4. Stewart Friesen
  5. Johnny Sauter
  6. Chase Purdy
  7. Hailie Deegan
  8. Carson Hocevar
  9. Austin Wayne Self
  10. Jack Wood
  11. Tyler Hill
  12. Taylor Gray
  13. Ryan Truex, 1 lap down
  14. Tate Fogleman, 1 lap down
  15. Josh Berry, 1 lap down
  16. Spencer Boyd, 2 laps down
  17. Cory Roper, 2 laps down
  18. Kris Wright, 2 laps down
  19. Tanner Gray, 2 laps down
  20. Derek Kraus, 3 laps down
  21. Armani Williams, 4 laps down
  22. John Hunter Nemechek, 5 laps down
  23. Austin Hill, led two laps, 6 laps down
  24. Roger Reuse, 6 laps down
  25. Grant Enfinger, 9 laps down
  26. Derek Griffith, 9 laps down
  27. Chris Hacker, 23 laps down
  28. Chandler Smith, 40 laps down
  29. Todd Gilliland, OUT, Damage Vehicle Policy
  30. Dawson Cram, OUT, Accident
  31. Christian Eckes, OUT, Accident
  32. Tyler Ankrum, OUT, Accident
  33. Ty Majeski, OUT, Accident
  34. Jake Griffin, OUT, Accident
  35. Zane Smith, led 19 laps, OUT, Rear Gear
  36. Danny Bohn, OUT, Engine
  37. Jordan Anderson, OUT, Engine
  38. Jennifer Jo Cobb, OUT, Engine

Up Next: The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will head to Darlington Raceway Sunday, September 5, to continue their Round of 10 playoffs run, live on Fox Sports 1 and MRN Radio.

Tasca and Salinas set current No. 1 provisional at Brainerd

By
Briar Starr
-
Photo Courtesy of NHRA

For the first time in two years, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) returned to Brainerd International Raceway located in Brainerd, Minnesota after last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19. In this year’s event, there are only two professional classes of racing that include Funny Car and Top Fuel. There are no Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycles.

Funny Car

After holding the top of the points standings for eight straight weeks, Bob Tasca III has dipped to fourth in the championship points standings following a quarterfinal loss to Ron Capps in Pomona and a first-round loss to John Force Racing’s Robert Hight. Looking to bounce back from a few weeks of disappointment, Tasca III returned on Friday hoping to set the pace in qualifying.

The Motorcraft/Quicken Lane Ford did just that in the first round of qualifying when Tasca III posted a time of 3.941 seconds and 326.63 mph to set the provisional No. 1 qualifier. In addition, Tasca III gained three additional bonus points for his effort. Should he hang on to the No. 1 qualifier spot, it will be Tasca’s seventh No. 1 qualifier of his career and the second of the season.

“We came in here trying to run low 3.90s and the speed is good, and we knew we had to really step on it to make the power you need to go out here and run these numbers,” Tasca said. “Tomorrow is a whole different ballgame. The temperatures are going to drop and this Motorcraft car is going to have to go out there and run even harder tomorrow. But this is a good way to start the weekend.”

However, he’ll have his work cut out for him as a cold front will sweep across the area tonight and bring cooler temperatures for the rest of the qualifying rounds.

Last week’s winner and current Funny Car Championship Points leader John Force laid down a time of 3.968 seconds and 322.42 mph. This weekend’s race will mark Force’s 801st career start in Funny Car. If Force goes all four rounds, the final round will be the 2,000th round elimination of his illustrious career.

“Good day today,” Force, the Topeka, Kansas winner, said. “Avoided the rain, got the car down clean. It’s a great car. Danny Hood and Tim Fabrisi have this PEAK Chevy under control. Now I just have to do my job. Loved seeing all the fans in the sands. It was a good session, pretty much everyone made it down, so we put on a show. We’ve got two more runs tomorrow to set us up for race day, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Funny Car Qualifying Rd. 1 Results

  1. Bob Tasca III, 3.941 and 326.63 mph
  2. Alexis DeJoria, 3.963 and 297.22 mph
  3. John Force, 3.968 and 322.42 mph
  4. J.R. Todd, 3.970 and 321.73 mph
  5. Robert Hight, 3.971 and 307.22 mph
  6. Cruz Pedregon, 3.995 and 318.47 mph
  7. Blake Alexander, 3.995 and 315.78 mph
  8. Paul Lee, 4.004 and 320.43 mph
  9. Tim Wilkerson, 4.031 and 318.24 mph
  10. Matt Hagan, 4.173 and 237.63 mph
  11. Jim Campbell, 4.230 and 238.38 mph
  12. Dale Creasy Jr, 4.241 seconds and 251.2 mph
  13. Ron Capps, 4.385 seconds and 202.15 mph
  14. Gary Densham, 10.234 seconds and 89.22 mph

Top Fuel

Top Fuel qualifying certainly had some interesting results following their initial qualifying run Friday afternoon, which featured the return of T.J. Zizzo.

Zizzo was making his first Top Fuel start in 10 months and had a solo run in qualifying. Zizzo put a time of 3.861 seconds and 317.87 mph.

“It feels great,” Zizzo said about making his Top Fuel return at Brainerd. “You gotta remember, I haven’t done this (driven a Top Fuel car) for 10 months. We have a crosswind here and we’re trying new things, so they just made it easy for me. We went straight down the groove, no issues once so ever. The car went a little right when I went past the grandstands, but I think that worked out well as I went down the racetrack. It feels great to stand on the gas in one of these things (Top Fuel dragster).”

With Zizzo having a good solid run in his first race back, the current No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel is Team Scrappers Mike Salinas. Salinas and the Scrappers Racing team set a time of 3.752 seconds and 326.08 mph that put the San Jose, California native at the top of the board.

“It was windy but our guys know what they’re doing,” said Salinas, who has two career victories. “It was a nice, smooth, clean (run) and a good start to the weekend. I think we’ll be just fine. I think it has a lot more left in it, too. I think there’s a 3.72, 3.73 out there.”

Should Salinas’ time stand following two more rounds of qualifying Saturday, the No. 1 qualifier will be his seventh of his Top Fuel career and the first of the season.

Topeka winner Brittany Force had her eyes set for the top spot, but unfortunately, her Monster Energy dragster slowed right before the finish line and set a time of 3.813 and 286.98 mph that put the California native fourth on the leaderboard. Fortunately for Force, she’ll have two more rounds to improve on her time.

“First qualifying pass here in Brainerd and our Monster Energy Flav-R-Pac team ran a 3.81. We had holes out and I lifted before the 1,000-foot but it secured us the No. 4 spot for the evening,” Force said. “The track conditions should be good tomorrow with temps cooling down. Looking forward to improving and stepping it up tomorrow.”

Top Fuel Qualifying Rd. 1 Results

  1. Mike Salinas, 3.752 and 326.08 mph
  2. Leah Pruett, 3.789 and 319.9 mph
  3. Justin Ashley, 3.807 and 323.74 mph
  4. Brittany Force, 3.813 and 286.98 mph
  5. Shawn Langdon, 3.851 and 298.01 mph
  6. T.J. Zizzo, 3.861 and 317.87 mph
  7. Antron Brown, 3.912 and 283.61 mph
  8. Doug Kalitta, 4.258 and 199.14 mph
  9. Steve Torrence, 4.751 and 149.91 mph

Qualifying continues Saturday afternoon with two more rounds before setting the field for Sunday’s eliminations. The second round takes place at 2 p.m. and the final round at 5:15 p.m. Central Time and can be seen live on NHRA.TV with a subscription.

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