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No. 10 Mobil 1 Ford Racing: Aric Almirola Indianapolis Road Course Race Report

Almirola 19th at Indianapolis Road Course
Mobil 1 Ford Driver Overcomes Midrace Accident

Date: Aug. 15, 2021
Event: Inaugural Verizon 200 at the Brickyard (Round 24 of 36)
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2.439-mile, 14-turn road course)
Format: 82 laps, broken into three stages (15 laps/20 laps/47 laps)
Start/Finish: 18th / 19th (Running, completed 95 of 95 laps)
Point Standing: 23rd (416 points, 537 out of first)
Note: Race extended 13 laps past its scheduled 82-lap distance due to a green-white-checkered finish.
Race Winner: AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing (Chevrolet)
Stage 1 Winner: Tyler Reddick of Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)
Stage 2 Winner: Tyler Reddick of Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)

Stage 1 Recap (Laps 1-15):

● Aric Almirola started 18th and finished 39th.
● The No. 10 Mobil 1 Ford was nearly forced off the track during the first lap, resulting in Almirola falling to 23rd.
● On lap eight, the No. 7 car made contact with Almirola’s right-front fender.
● Almirola radioed he had a tire rub. He was forced to pit under green-flag conditions for slight repairs and for fresh tires.
● The No. 10 team was in the Lucky Dog position to rejoin the lead lap. Almirola opted to pit twice under the caution period to repair damage and restarted at the rear of the field.

Stage 2 Recap (Laps 16-35):

● Almirola started 39th and finished 35th.
● The Mobil 1 driver raced his way to 29th by lap 26.
● Almirola was called to the pits from 26th place on lap 32 for four fresh tires, fuel and handling adjustments.
● He came off pit road in 35th and did not pit at the end of the stage, gaining 15 positions.

Final Stage Recap (Laps 36-95):

● Almirola started 20th and finished 19th.
● On the restart, the field stacked up into the first few turns and left Almirola with nowhere to go.
● The Mobil 1 driver was forced to the inside. There, his No. 10 made contact with other cars and the elevated rumble strip, causing a spin.
● The caution was called for debris. Almirola pitted to assess the damage to his racecar and take fresh tires.
● When racing resumed, the No. 10 team pitted again under green to repair another tire rub, forcing Almirola a lap down.
● The caution was called for debris on lap 72.
● The No. 10 team opted to pit during the caution period for four fresh tires and fuel. Almirola was still scored one lap down.
● The red flag was called on lap 78 for a multicar incident, pausing the race for 19 minutes.
● Almirola rejoined the lead lap and restarted 29th before another caution was called on lap 89 for a multicar accident. He restarted just outside the top-20 and crossed the finish line 19th.

Notes:

● AJ Allmendinger won the inaugural Verizon 200 at the Brickyard to score his second career NASCAR Cup Series victory and his first of the season. His margin over second-place Ryan Blaney was .929 of a second.

● Only 24 of the 40 drivers in the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard finished on the lead lap.

● There were six caution periods for a total of 25 laps.

● Twenty-four of the 40 drivers in the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard finished on the lead lap.

● Kyle Larson remains the championship leader after Indianapolis with a 22-point advantage over second-place Denny Hamlin.

Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

“Not the day we wanted for our Mobil 1 Ford team, but we certainly made the most of it. We got caught up there with nowhere to go and took on a lot of damage. The guys worked hard all day to keep us on the lead lap. We never gave up all day with a torn-up racecar to get ourselves a top-20. On to Michigan.”

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the FireKeepers Casino 400 on Sunday, Aug. 22, at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. The race starts at 3 p.m. EDT with live coverage on NBCSN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Autodesk Fusion 360/HaasTooling.com Racing: Cole Custer Indianapolis Road Course Race Report

Custer Finishes 25th at Indianapolis
Overtime Accident Ruins Autodesk Fusion 360/HaasTooling.com Team’s Top-10 Run

Date: Aug. 15, 2021
Event: Verizon 200 at the Brickyard (Round 24 of 36)
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2.439-mile, 14-turn road course)
Format: 82 laps, broken into three stages (15 laps/20 laps/47 laps)
Start/Finish: 10th /25th (Running, completed 94 of 95 laps)
Point Standing: 28th (368 points, 585 out of first)
Note: Race extended 13 laps past its scheduled 82-lap distance due to a green-white-checkered finish.
Race Winner: AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing (Chevrolet)
Stage 1 Winner: Tyler Reddick of Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)
Stage 2 Winner: Tyler Reddick of Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)

Stage 1 Recap (Laps 1-15):

● Cole Custer started ninth and finished 20th.
● The Autodesk Fusion 360/HaasTooling.com driver maintained his starting spot in the opening laps of the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard.
● On lap 10, Custer passed Michael McDowell for ninth after reporting that he felt like his drive off the corners was better than the cars around him.
● Crew chief Mike Shiplett made a strategy call on lap 13 and called his driver down pit road for four tires and fuel before the end of the stage.
● Custer reentered the field 22nd and passed two cars to finish 20th in Stage 1.
● The No. 41 Autodesk Fusion 360/HaasTooling.com team stayed out during the stage break to restart Stage 2 in 10th.

Stage 2 Recap (Laps 16-35):

● Custer started 10th and finished 14th.
● In the opening lap on Stage 2, Custer passed three cars to put his Ford Mustang in the seventh position, right behind his teammate Chase Briscoe.
● On lap 21, the Autodesk Fusion 360/HaasTooling.com driver passed three cars in one turn, putting him into the top-five for the first time in the race.
● The Ladera Ranch, California, native reported on lap 25 that he needed more brake on the next pit stop. He gained another position to put his Ford Mustang in fourth.
● With just two laps to go in the stage, the No. 41 team came down pit road for four tires and fuel to put him in a good position when the field went green for the final stage.
● Custer finished the stage 14th. The team stayed out on the track once again during the stage break to restart the final segment in fifth.

Final Stage Recap (Laps 36-95):

● Custer started fifth and finished 25th.
● The Autodesk Fusion 360/HaasTooling.com driver reported during the lap-40 caution that his car was good, but if anything he was a little tight in the corners.
● After an intense battle with the No. 11 on the lap-43 restart, Custer settled into eighth place.
● The No. 41 Autodesk Fusion 360/HaasTooling.com team came down pit road on lap 54 for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Custer was 20th when he came back on the track.
● When the field cycled through pit stops, Custer was running eighth until the caution came out on lap 72.
● Custer avoided an accident that brought out the red flag with only four to go. But when racing resumed, he was caught up in another incident during overtime. The No. 41 Autodesk Fusion 360/HaasTooling.com Ford received heavy damage to the rear. The team pitted to attempt to repair the damage.
● Due to the damage sustained, Custer had to settle for 25th.

Notes:

● AJ Allmendinger won the inaugural Verizon 200 at the Brickyard to score his second career NASCAR Cup Series victory and his first of the season. His margin over second-place Ryan Blaney was .929 of a second.

● Only 24 of the 40 drivers in the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard finished on the lead lap.

● There were six caution periods for a total of 25 laps.

● Twenty-four of the 40 drivers in the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard finished on the lead lap.

● Kyle Larson remains the championship leader after Indianapolis with a 22-point advantage over second-place Denny Hamlin.

Cole Custer, driver of the No. 41 Autodesk Fusion 360/HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

“We had a really good day in terms of execution and sticking to our plan. Unfortunately, that changed toward the end and we were involved in a wreck during overtime. Our Autodesk Fusion 360/HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang was a top-five car but luck wasn’t on our side, so we’ll head to Michigan and give it another shot.”

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the FireKeepers Casino 400 on Sunday, Aug. 22, at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. The race starts at 3 p.m. EDT with live coverage on NBCSN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Allmendinger Makes History with Wild Win in Verizon 200 at the Brickyard

8/15/2021

INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021) – AJ Allmendinger fulfilled a lifelong dream of his versatile racing career by standing on Victory Podium as a race winner at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, prevailing in a wild finish to the inaugural Verizon 200 at the Brickyard on Sunday.

Allmendinger, from Los Gatos, California, earned his second career NASCAR Cup Series victory – and first since 2014 – by driving the No. 16 Hyperice Chevrolet for lower-budget Kaulig Racing to victory by .929 of a second over Ryan Blaney in the No. 12 Menards/Knauf Ford. Kyle Larson finished third in the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet.

Reigning Cup Series champion Chase Elliott finished fourth in the No. 9 Hooters Chevrolet, with Matt DiBenedetto fifth in the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford.

The race went to a second overtime, running 95 laps – 13 more than the scheduled distance – due to a wild scramble for victory in the first Cup Series race on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course at IMS after the Brickyard 400 took place from 1994-2020 on the 2.5-mile oval.

Allmendinger, 39, rose through the racing ranks in open-wheel competition before shifting to NASCAR in 2007, also competing in sports cars. His best finish in 10 Brickyard 400 starts was 10th, in 2008 and 2017. He also finished seventh in the 2013 Indianapolis 500 in his only start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” driving for Penske Racing.

“That was an insane race,” Allmendinger said. “This is unbelievable. In my wildest dreams, I could never imagine how this played out. The Hyperice Chevy was so good. We had to fight hard. I just won at Indy!”

Allmendinger’s unexpected win was the culmination of a wild finish after it appeared Cup Series points leader Larson would waltz to victory.

Larson led Elliott by 4.302 seconds on Lap 74 of the 82 scheduled laps when a caution period started due to debris in Turn 6. Larson, Elliott, pole sitter William Byron, Kyle Busch and many other leading drivers decided to pit for fresh tires for the dash to the checkered.

Meanwhile, Hamlin led a group of drivers who decided to stay on track and gain position, as they had pitted later than the cars that opted for service. Hamlin took the lead, followed by Kurt Busch, DiBenedetto and Chase Briscoe. Larson was the first of the drivers who pitted in the restart order, running fifth.

On the restart on Lap 77, Hamlin and Briscoe then started a spirited battle for the lead that continued until nearly the checkered flag. They were side-by-side at the Yard of Bricks start-finish line at the end of the first lap after the restart and also in Turn 1 on the next lap, with Hamlin inching ahead in Turn 1.

Then the complexion of the race changed on Lap 78, when 10 drivers were involved in an incident after hitting the curb exiting Turn 6, with Joey Logano in the No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford and Ryan Preece in the No. 37 Kroger Chevrolet making heavy contact with the tire barrier. Both drivers were unhurt.

The red flag flew for repairs to the track and tire barrier, followed by an extended caution period due to track cleanup after James Davison’s No. 15 Tilson Chevrolet car dumped fluid between Turns 1 through 4.

When the race resumed in overtime on Lap 90, Hamlin led Larson and Briscoe to the green flag. Larson took an outside line into Turn 1 but was nudged from behind by Kurt Busch, dropping him to seventh.

Later on that lap, Michael McDowell launched over the curb that prevents short-cutting of Turn 6, and his No. 34 CarPartsFord.com spun upon landing, hit by the No. 3 Dow MobilityScience Chevrolet of Austin Dillon and triggering another chain-reaction crash involving seven cars, triggering another caution and a second overtime.

The second overtime started on Lap 94, with Hamlin on the inside lane in the lead and Briscoe on the outside lane in second. Hamlin took the lead into Turn 1, and Briscoe was forced to miss Turn 2 and drive through the grass in his No. 14 HighPoint.com/Ford Performance Racing School Food after contact from DiBenedetto.

Briscoe rejoined the track and was side by side with leader Hamlin, who then pulled ahead while expecting Briscoe to be penalized for cutting the track. Briscoe then bumped the rear of Hamlin’s No. 11 FedEx Ground Toyota in Turn 10, sending Hamlin into the grass and out of the lead.

“They told me he had a penalty right away, and to me it’s obvious if you cut the racetrack and you end up in the lead, you’re going to have a penalty,” Hamlin said. “Lack of awareness (by Briscoe) and to race me for a lap. He went right into the back of me. You can’t race that way. I don’t think he did it malicious, but it was just bad judgement.”

Said Indiana native Briscoe: “He’s upset. I would have been, too. I don’t think he realized I didn’t even know I had a penalty until we got to Turn 10. Denny’s been in my situation, when you’re trying to go for your first win.

“I felt like that was my best opportunity to win the race if I could get under him there. I knew AJ was going to be quick, either way, and I had older tires, so I had to try to get going when I could. I’m sorry I ruined his day – that was never my intention.”

Briscoe’s lead only lasted two turns, as he overshot Turn 12, running wide. That opened the door for Allmendinger, who powered to the lead and never wavered over the final lap of the two-lap overtime for the biggest win of his career. It was the first time Allmendinger led all race, with the 13th lead change of the day.

“It was survival of the fittest,” Allmendinger said. “We probably had like an eighth- to 10th-place car. I sped on pit road. I thought we were going to finish 12th to 15th, and then those restarts were just insane.

“It’s great when you have a car owner who just says, ‘Go get me trophies.’ He doesn’t care if that thing’s torn up. We just won at Indy – what’s up? Let’s go!”

DiBenedetto Finishes Fifth in Inaugural Verizon 200

Matt DiBenedetto drove a battered No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang to a fifth-place finish in a chaotic Verizon 200 on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was his third top-five finish of the season, his sixth top-10 and his fifth-straight finish of 11th or better.

DiBenedetto started Sunday’s inaugural Cup Series run on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 15th place. His Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang sustained body damage on the start, and he and the team battled to overcome that throughout the race.

Crew chief Jonathan Hassler, who had a stellar day as a race strategist, brought his driver to pit road with three laps remaining in the opening Stage. That set DiBenedetto up to start the second Stage from 14th place.

Just after that restart, DiBenedetto was involved in a fender-banger with Christopher Bell, briefly drove off the track but recovered to rejoin the race in 21st place.

Hassler adopted a different strategy for the end of the second Stage. By staying on track throughout that run, DiBenedetto finished Stage Two in fifth place and earned six Stage points.

As the third and final segment of the race got underway, DiBenedetto, after a pit stop, began working his way forward.

As others ahead of them pitted under the green flag, Hassler left DiBenedetto on the track as long as possible. He took the lead on Lap 63 but yielded to drivers on fresher tires. He was still running seventh when he finally headed to pit road with 11 laps remaining.

As luck would have it – good luck that is – the yellow flag flew with DiBenedetto on pit road. When most of the rest of the field made pit stops under the ensuing caution period, DiBenedetto and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang cycled up to third place for a restart with six scheduled laps remaining.

Despite the damage to his Mustang, DiBenedetto was running fourth when the caution flag – and eventually the red flag – was displayed for a multi-car crash in Turn Six. The Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang received more damage, including to the front suspension, but DiBenedetto stayed on track in fourth place for the first attempt at a green-white-checkered-flag run to the finish.

Then came another multi-car crash in Turn Six.

In the second and final attempt at an overtime finish, DiBenedetto held on to finish fifth.

In his post-race comments, DiBenedetto credited Hassler with putting the team in position to capitalize on the late-race chaos.

“All the credit goes to crew chief Jonathan Hassler for knowing the strategy and the spot we were in and throwing a Hail Mary and running all the way until we were about out of fuel and knowing that if any caution came out we could stay out and get all the track position,”

DiBenedetto said. “This is all him. All I had to do was kind of hang on until the end, hang onto the position.

“Obviously, our car was missing some pieces on it, so I just had to hang on for whatever we could get.

“We actually had a shot at [a win] there at the end. I couldn’t believe it. It’s just a testament to this team.”

DiBenedetto added that he hasn’t given up on putting the No. 21 Mustang in Victory Lane before the season ends.

“We need to keep digging,” he said. “We need to win one of these races.”

Next up for DiBenedetto and the Wood Brothers team is the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday Aug. 22.

About Motorcraft:

Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford and Lincoln Dealers, independent distributors and automotive parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.

About Omnicraft:

Omnicraft is part of the Ford lineup of parts brands: Ford Parts, Motorcraft and Omnicraft. Omnicraft is the exclusive non-Ford/Lincoln parts brand of premium aftermarket parts. With over a century of parts heritage to build upon, Omnicraft provides excellent quality and fit and is a preferred choice of professional automotive technicians. To find out more about Omnicraft, visit www.omnicraftautoparts.com or contact your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership.

About Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center

Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine vehicle maintenance including tire repair and replacement with a Low Tire Price Guarantee and a full menu of automotive services including oil and filter, brakes, alignments, batteries, and shocks and struts on all vehicle makes and models. Service is performed by certified technicians at more than 1,000 locations worldwide while you wait, and no appointment is necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Wood Brothers Racing

Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glen Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glen’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Matt DiBenedetto in the famous No. 21 racer.

What To Expect When You Get A First DUI In Illinois

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Unfortunately, we all make mistakes. Nobody is perfect after all. However, one mistake that can be quite costly is to drink and drive. If you are out with a few friends, it can be very easy to lose track of how much you’ve had to drink and end up behind the wheel when you shouldn’t.

Hopefully, if this happens to you then the only thing that happens is that you get caught and get a DUI and nobody gets hurt, or worse. What happens when you get a DUI? Well, it all depends on the state in which it happens. You can expect certain things to be universal like losing your license but each state has its own laws. 

To give you an idea of what to expect, we will use Illinois as an example and go over the DUI laws there. 

What happens to first time offenders?

Just like in any state, you may be pulled over while driving simply by giving an officer the impression that you may be impaired. Once pulled over you will be asked to do a sobriety test. In Illinois, if you refuse to do the breathalyzer test, then you will likely be arrested and brought in to the local police station. 

You can refuse the breathalyzer on the road without consequence as they are very unreliable and the results can’t be used in court as a result. However, back at the station, the breathalyzer is more reliable and you have to submit to that, or refuse and get a court date set for a DUI. 

At this point, you will need to have an Illinois DUI attorney on your side because it will get very complicated from here. 

Your court date is set

Now that you’re charged with a DUI you will get a court date for up to 46 days in the future. During this period, you can still drive your car if your license was valid at the time you were stopped. 

If your date is set for more than 46 days later, then you will have your license automatically revoked at midnight on the 46th day. 

During this time a lawyer can petition the court to not suspend your license but it will require a court date before the one that is already set. This isn’t likely to happen unless there are some extraneous circumstances. 

What happens at court?

You will probably have multiple court dates, but the first one is where discovery happens and your lawyer will get all of the evidence. It is also during this time that your lawyer can ask that your license be reinstated while you await your next court date. Some judges may agree when this is your first time offense. 

You may be given the offer of supervision for a specified period of time at this point. This is similar to a continuance without a finding which means you won’t have a conviction and may be able to keep your license. It does go on your record, however and if you reoffend in the time frame then you will end up with it becoming a conviction. 

Living in Colorado Springs and want to purchase a Volkswagen car?

Photo by Obi Onyeador on Unsplash

Read this blog to know why you should use an auto broker to purchase your dream car.

Why you should use an auto broker?

Not everyone has a pleasant and exciting feeling about purchasing new cars. Not only has it required prior knowledge about automobiles but also extensive researching skills, which is why you should use an auto broker. An auto broker also known as a car broker, will not only help you to find a great car in your budget but will also see to it that you are not falling prey to fraudulent schemes and offers. He or she will not only help you in the vast world of automobiles but will also ensure you get to purchase your dream car within your budget. In this blog, we are going to talk about why you should use an auto broker when to avail services of one and where to find the best auto broker in Colorado Springs.

Who is a car broker?

An auto broker is a professional car buyer who happens to be aware of the tactics and strategies required for an individual in getting their dream card at the lowest possible price. There are auto brokers who work as freelancers while some auto brokers work for companies such as the one called Auto Search in Colorado Springs.

How do Auto brokers make money?

There are two ways by which car brokers make money every time their client purchases a vehicle. Either by a flat rate or by a percentage, a flat rate is charged by the auto broker every time a vehicle is purchased by his or her clients. The rate is the same for every client regardless of the vehicle they are purchasing. Other auto brokers who do not charge a flat rate, charge a percentage of the amount he or she helped a client in saving. You will be asked to pay a retainer after you have made a deal with an auto broker.

Why you should use an auto broker?

There are two main reasons why you should opt for an auto broker. You save both time and money. Since you are availing services of a professional who will connect you with the car which has all the features that you require and is within your decided budget, you get to save a significant amount of time. Now instead of surfing the internet to check out different cars, note their features, and look for their prices all you have to do is convey your budget and requirement to your auto broker and he will see to your needs.

If you are yet to connect with an auto broker who will help you to purchase your dream car, then you might want to consider hiring one now. Autosearch offers some of the most experienced and competent auto brokers who will help you to connect with some of the best Volkswagen vehicles within your budget.

For more information on auto brokers, you can visit their website. make car buying a pleasant experience and avoid pushy and inconsiderate salesmen by hiring a reliable and genuine auto broker.

What Do F1 Drivers Do to Relax?

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Being an F1 driver is awesome, you might say. Indeed, driving fast cars and traveling to exotic locations can be the life that many people want. But F1 needs a break from fame. So, what exactly do they do to relax? 

Gaming

Playing online games is a great way for F1 drivers to relax. Slots and other car racing games are beneficial to them to unwind, although it is basically the same activity they always do. But it’s a good way to stay mentally focused on the task, while still getting the chance to relax and take some time out of their daily lives. 

Visit a barbershop

F1 racing takes a lot out of drivers mentally and physically. Not only do they need to focus on being mentally healthy, but they also need to be good-looking. All that adrenaline from the rides causes a lot of stress, so they need some” me-time”. Thus, visiting a barbershop might be a good solution to relax. A new haircut is actually a good way to boost self-confidence. A barber is that therapist who can listen to all your thoughts and give nice and good life advice. 

P.S. If you are a barber and you own a barbershop, then you should consider getting barbershop insurance. You might be wondering how much is the hair salon insurance cost? The insurance cost can range from $700-$900 per year. These costs may vary, depending on what coverage limit you choose, and the extent of your barbershop. 

Hang out with friends

Any profession requires time to take a break. Forget about racing for a bit and enjoy yourself. As an F1 racer, your life requires more attention in terms of what you eat and drink, than any other profession. F1 racers need to follow a strict and healthy diet, so they can stay fit enough to race. This also means that they should avoid alcohol as well, but this doesn’t mean that they cannot catch up with their friends. They can chat about racings, cars, or talk about any other subject that they’re interested in. They can also enjoy going to the movies or playing sports with their friends. 

Yoga

Is yoga beneficial for F1 drivers? Yoga is beneficial for anyone, but especially for those who work under pressure. It helps them relax and clear their minds while focusing better on race. Yoga helps you to stretch your muscles and release oxygen into your body. It helps you remain fit, which is something that F1 racers need. 

Reading 

You might believe that F1 drivers don’t have much free time to enjoy their hobbies. Did you know that F1 drivers like to read? It’s one of the most common activities that F1 racers prefer. It helps them keep their minds sharp and active. F1 drivers have different hobbies, but reading is one of those activities that will help them improve their ability to race better, while also helping them to relax. 

What Would You Give Up to Have Your Dream Car?

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this applies to both people and cars. Everyone has their idea of a perfect vehicle – a ride with a perfect balance of aesthetics, performance, and status symbol.

So what do most Americans consider as the ideal car? And what are they willing to give up to get these rides?

America’s Dream Cars

The top dream cars vary from state to state, but research shows that most vie for a chance to own the Tesla Model S.

Autowise, an online automotive and motorcycle magazine, used geotagged Twitter data to gain insight into America’s dream cars. For three months, researchers monitored mentions of dream car along with the make and model mentioned with those terms.

Tesla Model S

The Tesla Model S ranked first in most states. According to the Autowise study, it’s the top dream car for 20 states, including New York, Rhode Island, California, Florida, and Arizona.

The result, however, comes as no surprise. Supreme performance, a high-tech minimalist cabin, and sleek looks easily propel the model to the top spot. In fact, in 2019, the Model S was named the “Ultimate Car of the Year” by Motor Trend, beating popular contenders from Cadillac and Toyota. Motor Trend hails it as the best car ever produced in 70 years.

Other Popular Dream Cars

The Autowise list includes:

  • Ford Mustang. This is the favorite vehicle in 13 states, including Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
  • Range Rover. The best car in 6 states, including Alaska, Maine, and Wyoming.
  • Jeep Wrangler. The ideal car in 4 states, including Alabama and Tennesee.
  • Chevrolet Corvette. Tied with Jeep Wrangler as the ideal car in 4 states, including Indiana and Ohio.
  • Chevrolet Camaro. The favorite in 3 states, including North Carolina and Texas.

The Cost of Owning a Dream Car

Dream cars come with a steep price, with price tags that get steeper by the day.

Tesla price increases are an outlier, even among luxury carmakers. Business Insider observes a sharp upward trend in Tesla prices, unlike the consistent and predictable price increase of its peers. This is because Tesla changes its prices whenever it sees fit.

For instance, the coveted Model S costs $15,000 more in 2021 compared to its 2020 prices. Tesla also raised the prices of some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles by $1,000.

Customization and Maintenance

Aspiring dream car owners also need to think about the maintenance costs of owning a luxury vehicle. In most cases, these cars require specialized tools and services. The prices of paint jobs, check engine services, or window tinting, for instance, are higher than the same services for non-luxury cars.

The coveted Tesla Model S is no exception. According to Business Insider:

  • Installing a white or off-white interior will set you back about $2,500
  • A paint color other than white will cost you anywhere between $1,500 and $2,500
  • The 21-inch wheels will run you $4,500

What Are People Willing to Forego to Own It?

Owning and keeping a dream car will require some financial compromises. The Zebra, a leading independent insurance comparison site, studied the money habits of 2,000 Americans and what they would give up to have their dream cars.

Because of the steep prices, 44% of people believe they won’t be able to purchase their dream car. But there is a lucky 32% who already own their dream car, while 24% believe they’ll get theirs in the future.

So what are the hopefuls willing to give up to attain the car of their dreams?

  • About 41% of Americans are willing to give up alcohol just to get a luxury vehicle. It’s a hypothetical bargain, but it makes practical sense. The average household spends $565 a year on alcoholic beverages. This amount could go to car payments.

You can also add drunk shopping to the equation because, admittedly, people make better money decisions when they are sober. The average shopper spent $423.73 on drunk purchases in 2021.

  • Social Media. Surveys consistently show the benefits of quitting social media altogether. Those who are outside the digital space report better mood, better sleep, and greater productivity. There’s a money factor, too. In 2019, about 49% of people ages 23 to 38 report that social media influence them to overspend – money that could go to dream car payments.
  • The Motley Fool reports that a third of Americans spend more on coffee than investing, but this isn’t a surprise. Coffee is a staple, used by employees to power through the day. But for 30% of the population, they can power through life without coffee if it means they can drive their dream car.

Hypothetical bargains aside, there are many ways to save up for a dream car. But owners have to be savvy about the purchase and acknowledge that the expenses and responsibilities of owning a luxury vehicle go beyond the price tag.

6 Hidden Factors that can affect your Car Loan Interest Rate

Photo by Joey Banks on Unsplash

Getting a car loan and fulfilling your ambition of owning your dream car is easy in today’s world. There are many options available like banks, car dealerships, or other lending institutes which are willing to give you a loan as long as you fulfill their criteria. Mainly they check your credit score, employment history, income sources, etc., and based upon this they approve your loan at an interest rate. There are various factors that determine the interest rate on your loan. 

In this blog, we will share six hidden factors that can affect your car loan interest rates.

Let’s jump in!

  1. Debt to Income Ratio 

Debt to income ratio is the ratio of monthly debt (mortgage payments, loan payments, etc.) to your monthly income (salary, pension, rental income, etc.). Lenders see this ratio and figure out that you are a valid candidate to qualify for a loan. Debt is the main thing that affects your credit card score directly. That’s why you need to cover your debt first. You can get a loan until your next payday to cover everything before getting your car loan.

Example – If you have credit card debt of $150,000 and your monthly income is 30,000$, then lenders are unlikely to give you approval for the loan. Even if you qualify for the loan, then the interest rate of that loan will be high and eventually, you will suffer. 

On the other hand, if you never had a mortgage loan history or credit card payment history then the lender will be unwilling to give you a loan. The reason for this is that they are not able to figure out how reliable you are for the monthly payments. Managing your debt will be helpful in the foundation of good financial health and saves you from future money problems. 

Maintaining a good debt to income ratio will be helpful in getting approval for loans from banks, used car dealerships, etc. A good debt to income ratio varies from 28 percent to 36 percent. 

Here are some steps that you can take to lower debt to income ratio:

  • Increase the monthly payment because this will help you in lowering your overall debt. 
  • Avoid taking more debt in future. 
  • Postpone the large purchases from your credit card. Instead, save money and then try to make as much downpayment as possible during purchase of the product. 
  • A decreasing DTI ratio will be a motivating factor and you are able to manage your debt more effectively. 
  • Maintaining a good credit score by paying your installments on time. 
  1. Age of the Vehicle 

The age of the car you are looking to buy directly affects your auto loan interest rates. However, the variation of interest rates with age is different for different vehicles. 

To understand this concept let’s see how the car loan works. First, you contact a lending company and apply for a car loan. If the lender agrees to give you a loan and the car you bought acts as collateral. If you failed the monthly payments then the lender will seize your car and get back the debt money. 

As we know, the value of the car depreciates with time. So, the lenders also take into account the depreciation risk and due to this, they may charge slightly higher interest rates. 

New cars are more prone to depreciation as compared to used cars. The value of a new car depreciates by 25% at the end of one year. So, to compensate for this risk they charge more interest rates on new cars as compared to old cars. The best rates are available on models which depreciate slowly and have high resale value. 

Approved Auto Loans provides hassle-free approval of car loans at affordable interest rates. So, if you are looking to finance your car then visit our website. 

  1. Employment History and Profession

The employment history plays a vital role in determining your interest rates on a loan. The lending institution wants to know whether you have a fixed source of income like pension, salary, or other sources to repay the debt.

 The lenders even ask for your bank statement as proof of your income or employment. 

If your employment history is not good or you are being fired many times then the lender may hike the interest rates as compared to normal rates. 

The profession you are in determines a lot about the interest rate. The doctors, lawyers, Chartered Accountants, etc. with stable jobs have higher chances of loan approval as compared to a person working in a place like a restaurant, cafe, bar, or in other words, have low-paying jobs. This may sound like discrimination but lenders usually take a closer look at your profession and financial background before giving debt. 

  1. Relationship Status 

Here I am not talking about your Facebook relationship status but your actual relationship status whether you are married or unmarried. The lenders usually charge a low-interest rate to couples having stable employment history because if the borrower fails, he/she has someone to support financially. The job profile of your better half also matters here. 

If you are single then the lenders may charge you a slightly higher interest rate. To avoid this you can take out a loan on your parent’s credit score but that doesn’t mean they are paying for your car or you mess up their credit score by irregular payments. You have to be responsible and plan your finances in such a way that the monthly installments will not be a burden. 

  1. Home Ownership

Homeownership also plays an Imperial role in the approval of your auto loans. If you have recently taken out a mortgage on your home then lenders may not be willing to give you a car loan. Having said that, if you are an owner and have paid all your installments at the proper time then your chances of loan approval are high. Owning a home provides more stability than renting. 

  1. Economy 

Unlike other financial products, car loans are also influenced by the economy. If the economy is strong, which means people are earning well and spending money in the market. In this case, the Bank of Canada hikes the interest rates and lenders also increase their interest rate accordingly. 

When the economy is in a downturn,  then people are spending less, so the Bank of Canada decreases their interest rates. In addition, lenders also lower their interest rates. 

If these six factors are in your favor then your chances of getting a loan are 100 percent. Not being able to qualify for these factors causes a hike in interest rates as it is more riskier for the lender to provide you a loan. 

CHEVY NCS AT THE BRICKYARD: AJ Allmendinger Press Conf. Transcript

NASCAR CUP SERIES
VERIZON 200 AT THE BRICKYARD
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
AUGUST 15, 2021

AJ ALLMENDINGER TAKES CHEVROLET TO VICTORY LANE AT INDY

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug.15, 2021) – AJ Allmendinger is no stranger to road course racing. But heading into this weekend’s Verizon 200 at the Brickyard for the NASCAR Cup Series, Allmendinger and his No. 16 Hyperice Camaro ZL1 1LE team were not sure how the cars and the competitors were going to adapt to tackling the Road Course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Allmendinger qualified well, starting eighth, but suffered a speeding on pit road penalty and had to come back up through the field. After surviving six cautions for 25 laps involving multiple cars in each incident, the veteran driver found a way to weave his way through one melee after another to lead one lap, the final one, and capture his second career NASCAR Cup Series victory.

The win is the13th of the season for the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE in 24 races, and the 808th for the Bowtie Brand in NASCAR’s premier series.

Team Chevy drivers claimed six of the top-eight finishers. Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1 1LE, finished third and was credited for leading twice for 26 of the 95-lap race. He continues to lead the point standings for the regular season championship.

Chase Elliot, No. 9 Hooters Camaro ZL1 1LE finished fourth. Kurt Busch, No. 1 Monster Energy Camaro ZL1 1LE, Erik Jones, No. 43 Petty’s Garage Camaro ZL1 1LE and Justin Haley, No. 77 Fraternal Order of the Eagles Camaro ZL1 1LE finished sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

Next on the schedule on August 22, 2021 at Michigan International Speedway.

POST RACE PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT: AJ Allmendinger, Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice

THE MODERATOR: We’re going to start with our post-race presser here this afternoon for today’s Verizon 200 at the Brickyard for the NASCAR Cup Series. We’ve now been joined by our race winning team, including driver AJ Allmendinger, team owner Matt Kaulig and president of Kaulig Racing, Chris Rice.
First of all, AJ, you’ve made several comments in your interviews before that you’re only going to keep doing this as long as it’s fun, so my question is, was that fun?
AJ ALLMENDINGER: That was fun. Yeah, I mean, it was — that was chaotic. Honestly we didn’t really have a race-winning car on outright speed, probably about seventh to tenth. I sped on pit road, so I just kind of carried on for how I felt yesterday, so put us in the back there, and we were just fighting hard.
I thought we probably maybe would get in the edge of the top 10 and have a solid day. For a makeshift really pit crew — I shouldn’t say makeshift, but a crew that we don’t work with all the time, they did a fantastic job, great pit stops.
But yeah, once that chaos started happening and we started getting close to the front, I had a really good restart on the front. I think we were restarting 17th with eight to go and was able to get to seventh through all that mess and thought, all right, now we’re at least in shouting distance of it.
Knew a couple of the cars had older tires, and that second restart, got to third, and it’s like, okay, now we’ve got a shot at this.
The best part is when you’ve got Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice on the radio just going, Hey, we’re not here for friends, we’re not here for points, we’re here to win this race, so win it or basically bring it back on the hook. That kind of frees up a race car driver to go after it.
I just can’t believe the way it played out. I had a great restart. I thought I might take the lead off Turn 2, and Denny kind of leaned on me, which he should; I would have done the same thing.
I saw Chase come back on the racetrack. Well, at that point they were just telling me that he had a penalty, so I thought, all right, maybe I can kind of make a run for the last lap and a half here with Denny, and then had contact, and all of a sudden the seas parted and then from there it was just run like hell because I knew Kyle and Chase and Ryan were back there and they were pretty good all day. I put in about as good of a lap and a half as I could.

THE MODERATOR: Matt, congratulations on this NASCAR Cup Series victory. You guys had so much fun kissing the bricks and enjoying the celebration. Just give us a quick recap of what it feels like.
MATT KAULIG: Well, it’s a really surreal situation. I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid. I lived in Cincinnati, grew up in Cincinnati and then lived in Chicagoland, so we’d come down to the Indy 500 every year, and just to be — and I was at the very first — the Brickyard 400, that inaugural race, I think, back in ’94. So I’ve been to several of those.
To actually be the team that gets to do that is just — it’s actually surreal. Even just sitting in front of you guys right now and looking at the empty track and knowing that we were just out there and have this trophy now is just — I’m really excited for these guys that have been doing this.
These guys have been doing this their whole life. I’ve been doing it for six years. Just really proud of you guys and all of our teammates that have made racing their life and NASCAR their life.
So the fact that we were able to deliver this is really cool.

THE MODERATOR: Chris, give us your thoughts. I was afraid there for a minute you might fall off the pit box when AJ crossed the finish line. Tell us what it means to bring home today’s victory.
CHRIS RICE: It’s unbelievable. I thought I was going to throw up walking down pit road.
The day AJ walked in I didn’t know who he was. I knew I liked AJ and I liked his fire, and I knew we needed somebody to help us grow our program with Justin Haley, Jeb Burton and all those guys, and I knew AJ if he came and had fun would win races for us. He made us so much better at these right-hand turns and left-hand turns and he’s made us great.
To win a Cup race and to sit in an amazing venue like this and think about it, I don’t even know what to say.
I told somebody down there just a minute ago, they said, just soak it all in, and I said, I can’t; I don’t even know what to do. I still have cold chills.
I love these guys. AJ knows how much I love him. He was at my house the other day. And yeah, to win a race here, I still want to cry, but I can’t — everybody at Kaulig racing, my wife that’s here and put up with me when we didn’t even have nothing. When Matt Kaulig said, Hey, you want to start a race team? I’m like, You’re crazy; it’s October 31st. He said, No, let’s do it. To win it at Indy five and a half years later, I love it. Thank you.

Q. Dinger, how special is it to get your first win here the same year that your good friend Mike Shank won his first INDYCAR race, the Indy 500?
AJ ALLMENDINGER: Yeah, Memorial Day weekend there I sat in my house bawling, like watching — when Helio won, just knowing everything that Mike had been through, I like literally just couldn’t stop crying during the day because I was so happy for him. I just remember thinking, God, I wish I could just share that with him.
Like to show who Mike Shank is, he came to our race at Mid-Ohio the next week. He had better things to do, but came and supported us, and we won there.
I mean, it’s just unbelievable to be able to like now have this rich history and be able to share that with him and do it in the same year, it’s like both of these — I drive for Mike and it’s the same thing with Matt and Chris. Like I drive for them, but I’m not the driver and they’re my bosses. Like they’re — we’re all brothers and close friends, and you want success for that, and you want to be able to share that.
Like to be able to do this now on the same year, it’s like — I’m sure me and him are going to — we actually have his golf tournament tomorrow so that’s going to be fun. Like I don’t know what to do. Like it’s going to be insane. We’re going to be sitting there like, really? Like the same year we just did this?
It’s so — special is not even — like the biggest understatement in the world.

Q. Also you drove for Roger Penske in NASCAR. You led laps here in the 2013 Indy 500 and now you were able to basically get the trophy from him in Victory Lane. How cool is that?
AJ ALLMENDINGER: Well, I saw him right before the race. As I was getting in the car, he hugged me, and I said, Roger, I love you because everything that Roger has always done for me. At that time I was like, I’m not a big fan of yours right now because you beat me yesterday in the Xfinity race, so I wasn’t a big fan of that.
But no, I mean, it’s — what Roger has always done for my life and my career and what he’s done for this place, it’s always been so beautiful, but now you look at it with all of his staff and the IMS staff that have really upgraded this place, it’s so cool looking.
CHRIS RICE: The bathrooms are really nice. I’m going to give him that.
AJ ALLMENDINGER: It’s quite amazing. 2013 happened and it’s always in the back of your mind, was that my real chance to win at Indy. I was so disappointed yesterday because I thought, man, maybe that was my closest chance to win at Indy and we didn’t make it happen.
Even after at Watkins Glen, all the ups and downs through the next couple years, kind of like, I’d like to win another Cup race but it’s freaking hard. It’s hard to win a Cup race, and we did here at Indy.

Q. AJ, the emotions you’re feeling right now, how do they compare to what you experienced in Watkins Glen seven years ago now?
AJ ALLMENDINGER: Well, I think Watkins Glen was something that — I mean, it was amazing to go through all the ups and downs and win that race and for Tad and Jodi and Brad. But in a way it was kind of almost like a relief, as well, like I don’t ever have to be asked about will you ever win a Cup race.
So you enjoy it, but at the same point you’re kind of like, okay, thank goodness now, the relief is gone, I don’t have that hanging over me anymore. So it kind of takes a little bit of the enjoyment away.
This is, I’m like, I don’t even know — we know showing up at the road course races we have fast race cars, but like at Indy, the way that played out, I mean, this is just pure enjoyment that I don’t — I’m going to tell them I’m retiring now. Sorry, guys. I’m done, I’m out. I’m not going to Michigan next week.
I’m kidding, by the way. I’m going to Michigan. We’ve got a championship to win.
Q. Matt, this team is basically eight months away, whatever, from starting its first full-time campaign in the series. Does this feel like you announcing your arrival moment? Is this like a shot across everyone’s bow? What does this mean in that sense?
MATT KAULIG: No, I’m really proud of the team. We went into this season knowing that we were going to run a handful of Cup races, maybe eight or ten. We’re running the road courses, we’re running the superspeedways.
One of the reasons that Chris and I talked about doing that is just to get — just almost to get familiar with the Cup Series. It’s a little bit different than the Xfinity Series, and the garage is different and people — we wanted people to know who we were and what we’re all about.
We knew putting AJ in the car every week at these road courses would actually give us a chance to run really well, and so I don’t think it’s — it’s not an announcement to the sport or to other teams that we’re here. I mean, we’ve been here — we feel like we’ve been here and growing towards winning this championship in the Xfinity Series and then being able to compete in the Cup Series.
But you know, what it does allow us to do is it more legitimizes us as a successful race team so that you get — it’s better for your employees, it’s better for your drivers, it’s better for your crew chiefs and engineers. It allows you to get more and better people. It allows sponsors to trust that you’re going to show up and be great.
So for me, it shows that more than anything, and that’s what I’m really happy about. All the success that we’re having on the track, I get happy for all of our teammates, but I’m really — it’s growing our business as Kaulig Racing. So that’s really exciting.

Q. AJ, you kind of had a front row seat for a lot of that late race chaos that went down. I was kind of curious to hear your opinion on this. You won at Watkins Glen and throughout all of NASCAR they tend to allow drivers to use as much and as all of the track as they possibly can. After what you saw today, do you think that NASCAR should continue to allow for you to use any part of the track, or would you like to see them maybe police track limits a little bit more?
AJ ALLMENDINGER: No, I mean, I think it’s tough with these cars. I get it in the sense that we’ve all got to race within the limits of the racetrack, too, but these cars are so big, and it’s not — and haven’t driven an INDYCAR. When these things get out of control, like you’re along for the ride at times. In INDYCAR you can kind of correct and save sometimes and it’s a little easier. These things, when you get side by side, they’re wide, you’re beating on each other. Like you need room to be able to maneuver, to make a mistake and get away with it.
I mean, I thought today with the curbing out like from the Xfinity race yesterday, that was a good call, and I thought the track limits were fine. The biggest problem obviously was the curbing that was coming up.
I was shocked where they were having to fix it because you get shoved over there sometimes or you start using more of it, and that’s when it becomes a problem because I felt like I was hitting the curbing, like I never had an issue with it. Where they were having to fix it was almost like way before where cars were kind of jumping over the top of it.
But the thing is with those curbs you pay a price anyway, and we saw it. When you hit them wrong, you pay the price.
Now, unfortunately today it was a huge price for a lot of cars, and we don’t need that. We don’t need to be tearing up race cars that much. I mean, that’s a lot of money that these team owners have to go through. I was sitting under red like watching it, like holy moley, we’re going through a lot of money right now.
But at the same point, it’s our own job to not run over it that way. So there’s a fine line. Like you can’t just drive wherever you want to.
But this racetrack doesn’t allow that because it has grass. You get off in the grass, it tears stuff up.
I thought the racetrack has the right limitations. It’s just unfortunately the curbing was starting to come up in the wrong spot when he hit it.

Q. AJ, your progress through the field after the caution for the second stage break, how were you able to manage your way through the field like that the way you did before everything went crazy?
AJ ALLMENDINGER: Chris going, Hey, don’t tear off the front of this car. Still need the front of it.
That was actually a pretty good impression right there. Feel good about that one.
You know, like it’s — at the end of the day it’s still important to get the best finish possible. Even if you don’t — like at that point I didn’t really feel like we had a shot to win. It’s still big for the team to run inside the top 10 so that’s always my goal is to try to get the most out of the race car and get the highest finish possible, whether that’s 20th that day, 10th or whatever.
So it was just trying to be smart, get up through the field. I thought we were going to get to maybe 12th, 11th and thought, okay, I cost us some track position. I thought we were like a seventh- to tenth-place car. So I’m like, all right.
And then once the restarts happened, when you’re restarting 17th, winning was not even in my mind, but after that first restart with all the chaos that happened, getting up to seventh at that point, there was only about three cars that were ahead of us that were on good tires, and at that point it was game on.
But that’s always the way I feel. Like for these guys and for all the men and women at Kaulig Racing, no matter how it’s going, I still want to get the best finish possible. That’s how I look at it, no matter what’s going on, whether it’s a chance to win or you’re running 15th and you have a chance to finish 13th. That’s the goal is finish as high as you can.

Q. You have a long relationship with Michael Shank. You’ve seen him build up his INDYCAR program from a part-time program to a one-car full-time, now two cars next year. Do you believe that this is the right way that your team owner is doing it now? How well do you think he’s doing it the right way?
MATT KAULIG: How am I doing?
AJ ALLMENDINGER: It’s going all right. I think it’s okay.
No, like all joking aside, I didn’t know Matt, I didn’t know Chris. When they called me at the beginning of 2019 and said, Hey, will you run some races for us, I said, Sure.
Now, I had watched the program for three years. They were a single-car team, and I liked that because I thought, okay, they’re at least building it the right way because you can start trying to just add cars to it and make it better, and that becomes worse.
In 2019 we ran one full-time car, as a part two cars, and obviously at Daytona it was three cars when Ross won, and then the next year it was kind of starting to add more and then this year the right people in place, and you have the right resources to run three full-time Xfinity cars, and then you start the Cup program.
So I’ve always thought the way Matt and Chris go about it are the right ways because you’re not trying to get too big too early because that can really kill a program, and that’s part of the attraction to the team, as well.

Q. AJ, you talked about when Shank won that you cried. Why didn’t you cry for yourself today?
CHRIS RICE: He will. Just give him a minute and a couple more beers.
AJ ALLMENDINGER: Because Matt would make fun of me if I started crying is the biggest thing. Yeah, that’s true.
MATT KAULIG: You’re a race car driver.
AJ ALLMENDINGER: Because it means — like I’m going to really enjoy this; don’t get me wrong when I say this. But it means more to me to watch my close friends, my brothers have success than it does for me because I’m okay in life. Like life is good. I’ve got a great wife. My parents have been fantastic. I love driving for them. Like life is good.
Seeing especially like Mike and me and him having our ups and downs together where there was times he had to pull me up, like Dude, come drive for me, and there was times where he was like, I can’t pay you, and I’m like, I don’t care, I’ll drive for you, like whatever you need.
That means more to me than anything is to see my friends and my close brothers have success, especially at the Indianapolis 500, you can argue the biggest race in the world so that’s what meant so much to me, and that’s why I was just lost for emotion there because it’s huge for him.
I love what we’re sitting here being able to do right now, but for me I’m like, this is awesome for me, but for them, I’m like, they deserve it because he puts so much of his own money into it. He puts every — you can ask Tammy — every dying moment into this race team and all the men and women.
I love it for myself, but I always say I drive really for a couple of people. I drive for myself because it’s pure enjoyment, challenging myself, and it’s really pushing myself for all the men and women at that race team because they’re the ones putting their heart and soul and really my life in their hands.
That’s why I enjoy it so much really.

Q. AJ and Matt, you’ve talked about for next year AJ would be in a partial Cup ride at this point. Obviously things can change. Does this give you consideration to change, and AJ, would you even want to —
AJ ALLMENDINGER: I’ve retired. I’m done.
MATT KAULIG: He’s done.
AJ ALLMENDINGER: Before Matt answers, I will do whatever they want me to do. I’ve told them that from day one. Whatever they feel like I can help raise the organization and help push it, I’ll do that, whatever that may be. Whatever program we’re on, like I’m enjoying it.
MATT KAULIG: Yeah, and we’re working on it, and he does say that, and he has said that, and he truly will. We’d have to make sure whatever the situation is — we would like to run two full-time Cup cars next year, and we’re working out the details as far as drivers and sponsors and just how all of that looks.
CHRIS RICE: You opened up a can of worms, by the way.
MATT KAULIG: You think?
CHRIS RICE: He’s done talking right now.
MATT KAULIG: All right, I’m done talking. (Laughter.)
AJ ALLMENDINGER: Hey, good luck tomorrow.
Q. You had a great view of the 14 getting into the 11 —
CHRIS RICE: Did they fight, by the way?

Q. No, they didn’t. We were trying to egg them on but it didn’t happen. You had a great view of that; what went through your mind when you saw that?
AJ ALLMENDINGER: I honestly didn’t — I saw that as it happened.
I was kind of more worried about — I think Blaney at that point was right behind me because they were telling me that the 14 had a penalty, and I knew Denny was on old tires, so in my mind I was like, I made a run at Denny on the restart and he used me up, and I’m like, okay, that’s fair, I would do the same thing.
I was trying to hold Ryan back, and I thought, okay, if I can just get through these couple of corners, maybe I can make a run, like a last-lap run at this and go for it. Well, when I saw the 14 hook the 11, I was like, well, okay, that’s easier.
At that point I knew the 14 they were still saying had a penalty. In my mind I figured he wasn’t going to stop, he was going to run it out, and if I caught him that was going to cause a problem with Ryan behind me or whoever was going to be behind me.
I didn’t really see how it happened. I just saw the aftermath of it. And then thank goodness Chase went down in the next corner and overshot it, so at that point it was just trying to put in like the best last lap of my life and try to get away, because here at the Brickyard I think all bets are off. Anybody behind you is going to come send it and move you out of the way, so I was just trying to make sure I got out of that area of that happening.

Q. And when they dropped the green flag to restart, was there a lot of blocking and tackling between you and Chase and —
AJ ALLMENDINGER: Actually, no, not really. Denny had a good restart. I had a good launch with him, and I kind of went low and he defended it, and Ryan kind of stuck to my bumper. I think we were all trying to get the inside row to go, and I shot the middle and got in there, and Denny got in wide and I got to the outside of him, and that’s when he kind of used me up, which, like I said, I’d have drove myself straight into the field if I had to. But it was fair.
You know on the restarts anything goes, especially here because it’s a long straightaway into a hairpin corner. I was just happy to get through the first couple of corners clean and then from there see what was really going to happen.

Q. Matt, you have three cars probably in the Xfinity playoffs. I assume you came into the season looking for an Xfinity championship, but does this win no matter what else happens this year does this win make this a successful season math?
MATT KAULIG: Yeah, it’s been a very successful season. We’ve got three wins. AJ has got two in the Xfinity Series and now this. This is like — we wouldn’t have dreamed this — literally wouldn’t have dreamt that even this could happen this year. It wasn’t even part of the plans. You’re trying to run well.
But no, so it’s — again, a surreal experience to be — we’ve got a bunch of races left. We feel like we’re, what, halfway — we’re more than halfway through the season, but no, we’re completely focused on the Xfinity Series. We’re completely focused on winning a championship in the Xfinity Series.
We’ll run a couple more Cup races. Obviously we’ll go out there and try to win those, but believe me, the focus is 100 percent on getting these guys, whoever it is, if it’s AJ or Jeb or Justin, an Xfinity championship, and that’s what we’re doing. That’s what we want. That’s what we want for us.

Q. Chris, was there any thought, did you think that NASCAR might just stop the race with the issues with the curbs, and if they did would you have been okay with it?
CHRIS RICE: I would have been fine with it, but I didn’t think they would. It was the first race here on the road course, the inaugural race. I felt like they wanted to finish it.
You don’t know what the challenges are that they’re going to have with these cars that are low. We ran here for two races and had no issues with that. Our cars don’t have — well, the Xfinity cars are not low-ride cars.
They did a great job. I mean, I applaud NASCAR for even coming here to try something different, so I would have been fine with it, but I applaud them for letting us race it out obviously because we won, but I was happy sitting there seventh to be honest with you. No, I never had a thought in my mind that they would quit it.
Q. Matt, you mentioned you’ve been coming here since you were a kid. Could you share what is your absolute earliest memory attached to this facility or the first time you ever stepped foot on the property?
MATT KAULIG: Let’s see. The race that I remember most was when Danny Sullivan won. What was that, ’85? So I think that’s my earliest recollection of actually — we’d come to the track. It’s huge and fun. But I don’t think I was a giant fan of all the racers.
But I remember — and I actually got to have dinner with Danny a couple of years ago and met him. We were sitting at a reception in New York City, and he and I just started talking about racing, and it was just really cool because I didn’t know it was Danny Sullivan. He looks different than he looked in 1985.
So I’m talking to him, and I said, Hey, what’s your name? He said, Danny. I said, Well, what kind of work do you do? And he said, Well, I was a race car driver. I’m like, Well, that’s cool, like what kind. He’s like, like INDYCAR. I’m like, what’s your name? He said, Danny Sullivan. I’m like, What? Why didn’t you say you were Danny Sullivan?
I still talk back and forth. I’m sure he’ll text me tonight congratulating us on the win. But that’s my earliest memory.

AJ ALLMENDINGER: Yeah, for me, I grew up watching the Indy 500, and I think the one that always stood out to me as a kid was little Al and Emo going through Turn 3 there and having the contact and just the battle.
And I was always such a huge Jeff Gordon fan growing up. That was my guy was Jeff Gordon. Through sprint cars, I just loved watching him in sprint car racing and then when he got in NASCAR and obviously the inaugural race here watching him win that on TV as a kid I was really excited.
First time here honestly for me was like walking into the place was 2007, my rookie year in Cup, and I remember I smashed the wall off of Turn 4 trying to hold it wide open to try to make the show. By the way, that didn’t work out very well; I didn’t make the race.
I remember people always telling me like you walk into it but on race day it’s different. I got to experience that in 2008 here, but really what stood out to me was 2013, like walking through Gasoline Alley for the Indy 500 and I had Roger Penske next to me; he was going to call my race.
Good or bad, I don’t mean it when I say this, but it was like, I’m like, I’m walking with God right now. Like this is what God feels like. I’m walking with Roger Penske, Indy 500, and he’s calling my race, and I’m driving for Roger Penske.
Like that moment will always stand out to me as like I felt like I was an out-of-body — I was watching myself walk with Roger, and it was so special to me.
The way the race played out was crazy, and I remember leading, taking the lead, and in the car I kind of lost my mind, and almost like, Oh, my God, I’m leading the Indy 500. There was still 130 to go. I had to calm down. But all of a sudden, I go, Okay, now I get it; this is what it means here with the packed house and running the Indy 500 for Roger Penske.
That memory will always be special in my mind.
Part of the reason why people ask me if I’ll ever run the Indy 500 again, part of the reason is I don’t ever want to mess that memory up. It’s true because it was so special to me.

CHRIS RICE: Mine is probably more NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt, I think it was ’95 he won his first one. Is that right? And deep down inside I’m a huge Darrell Waltrip fan. Y’all know if you watch my social media how mouthy I am, how wide open I am. That’s the way Darrell Waltrip was.
But Dale Earnhardt winning here probably meant more to me as a little kid than I can remember. Elliott Sadler and myself won a bunch of races that year and won championships, and I always said, hey, we were the Dale Earnhardts of late model stock car racing then.
I remember that race and I remember those cars, and I remember how cool it was to watch all the fans.
The first time I came here I think I was working with the Pettys, and I walked in and I think we tested, I told my wife this story this weekend, and I walked in and I go, holy moley, this place is amazing. It was just how — we would go to St. Elmo’s and you do things like that. I had raced at ORP a bunch of times, but walk in here and see all this and think about thousands and thousands of people packing in here.
I still sit here and cannot believe we kissed the bricks, and just something, that fame. That’s something that is unbelievable.
So probably the Dale Earnhardt win.
Richard Childress Racing being a very, very crucial partner of ours, helping us get to the level we’re at and being part of us is probably something that we failed to talk about today. But they’ve been very crucial. Richard is a good friend of ours. Matt now owns about 14 acres down there and owns a couple buildings.
But Dale Earnhardt probably, the late Dale Earnhardt is probably my favorite memory. I think he won three races here, and every time he won I kind of got cold chills.

THE MODERATOR: Gentlemen, congratulations. We hope you guys enjoy this one, and we appreciate you spending some time with us.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

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