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GMS Racing – Jack Wood – ARCA Watkins Glen Recap

By
Official Release
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Jack Wood, No. 21 Chevy Accessories Chevrolet

START: 13th
FINISH: 10th

Race Notes:

  • GMS Racing driver Jack Wood made his seventh career ARCA Menards Series start at Watkins Glen International, his first road course start in the series.
  • Wood qualified his No. 21 Chevrolet in 13th position and gained valuable experience as he made his way through the field.
  • The rookie continued to improve his running order throughout the night, eventually driving into the Top 10 in the latter stages of the 41-lap race.
  • As the race came to a close, Wood crossed the line with a respectable 10th place run, notching his fourth career Top 10 finish in ARCA competition.
  • Jack Wood returns to Watkins Glen for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, looking to complete his double duty weekend with another solid run.

Quote:

“Racing in the ARCA Menards Series at Watkins Glen was a great experience and I gained extremely valuable seat time for tomorrow’s truck race. I am excited to see what I can translate over to my No. 24 Silverado as I continue to grow as a driver. Thank you to Chad Bryant and the entire team for making today’s race an enjoyable one. I couldn’t do it without the support of GMS Racing and Chevrolet Accessories, so I appreciate their belief in me as I continue to chase my dream.”

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 and 2020 Sioux Chief Showdown Championship. GMS has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. The campus also includes operations for GMS Fabrication. More information can be found at https://gmsracing.net/.

DGR ARCA Menards Series Race Recap: Watkins Glen

By
Official Release
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Friday, August 6
Track: Watkins Glen International, 2.45-mile road course
Race: 13 of 20
Event: Clean Harbors 100 (41 laps, 100 miles)

Taylor Gray, No. 17 Ripper Coffee Ford Fusion

Start: 12th

Finish: 7th

  • Gray qualified 12th for his debut at Watkins Glen International. He moved into ninth on the opening lap and and was seventh by lap 11.
  • Yellow flag waved on lap 17 and ARCA officials deemed it the competition caution for pit stops. The 17 crew changed four tires, added fuel and made a trackbar adjustment.
  • The 16 year old ran in sixth until lap 26 when he swapped positions with teammate Riley Herbst and settled into seventh.
  • Gray battled a super tight handling Fusion for the remaining fifteen laps, but held on and ultimately finished seventh. He will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut tomorrow afternoon.

Thad Moffitt, No. 46 Clean Harbors Ford Fusion

Start: 15th

Finish: 11th

  • Moffitt qualified 15th in the Clean Harbors Fusion for the Clean Harbors 100.
  • He was up to 13th after the opening lap, but after the grill got packed full of grass he was forced to pit and fell to 22nd. He lost a lap to the leaders on lap 14 when he was running in the 18th position.
  • The caution flag waved on lap 17 and Moffitt received the free pass to get back on the lead lap. The caution served as the halfway break and the No. 46 team pitted for tires, fuel and adjustments to help free up the car in the right-hand turns.
  • Moffitt restarted in the 16th position and advanced five spots up to the 11th position when the checkered flag flew on his first race at the 2.45-mile road course.

Riley Herbst, No. 54 Dixie Vodka Tony’s Tea Ford Fusion

Start: 11th

Finish: 6th

  • Herbst qualified 11th in the Dixie Vodka Tony’s Tea Fusion, but suffered an engine failure late in the practice session and was forced to start at the rear of the field.
  • The Las Vegas native had the No. 54 into the top-12 on lap six and into the top-10 by lap 11. He was in ninth when the caution flag waved on lap 17.
  • The caution was declared the competition caution for pit stops and the team changed four tires, fueled up and made adjustments for the second half of the race.
  • Herbst moved into eighth on the restart and was up to fifth with seven laps to go, but fell back one position with four to go and finished the Clean Harbors 100 in sixth.

Next event: Henry Ford Health System 200 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan on August 20 at 6 p.m. ET.

Rollan Hangs on For Mazda MX-5 Cup Road America Win

By
Official Release
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#87, Hixon Motorsports, Mazda MX-5,, Selin Rollan

ELKHART LAKE (August, 6, 2021) – Though he may have started and finished at the front of the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® field, Selin Rollan’s (No. 87 Hixon Motor Sports) path to victory on Friday at Road America was anything but easy. Rollan scored his fourth win of the season ahead of Gresham Wagner (No. 5 Spark Performance) and Sam Paley (No. 28 McCumbee McAleer Racing) whose intense late-race battle for the final podium spots gave Rollan the room he needed to claim victory in the first half of the Alana Long 100 weekend.

Rollan started from the pole position and held the lead in the opening laps, but very nearly ended his race early courtesy of some errant rain drops that fell on the first two laps, making the track surface extra slippery.

A car stopped on course brought out the race’s first and only full-course caution. On the restart Hernan Palermo (No. 20 Slipstream Performance) made his move and led his first laps of the season.

Rollan had to claw his way back to the front amongst a train of six cars circulating the 4.048-mile course nose-to-tail. Five laps later, Rollan was back to the lead, but defending it at every other corner.

Coming to the white flag, Rollan managed to pull a gap on the rest of the field. It was just what he needed to take the win by 0.575-second over Wagner.

“I knew it was going to get dicey at some point, but thankfully it was dicey from second on back,” Rollan said. “A big thank you to Hixon Motorsports and my teammate Andrew Carbonell for being great to race with. It was a great race even when the fat raindrops started to get scary. I almost wrecked the car going into Turn 1 on the opening lap, which was very eye opening! I saw Gresham (Wagner) coming from behind and if there was one more lap then I would have been a sitting duck, but I am so happy to get the win. Around turns 12, 13, and 14, I thought I had it—and I did—but coming onto the front straight getting the white flag I thought to myself that he is coming. I couldn’t make a mistake.”

Paley could find no such luck in his race; after briefly leading and then winning a lengthy door-to-door battle with Andrew Carbonell (No. 11 Hixon Motor Sports) for second, he had Wagner to contend with.

“It felt good to lead the race especially at a track like this,” Paley said. “It is important to keep the brake and engine temperatures down, but it’s even more important to be leading on the last lap. My goal during the second half of the race was to break up Selin (Rollan) and Andrew (Carbonell) and work with Gresham (Wagner) and Michael (Carter) to get up to the front. I made a couple good moves but, in the Carousel, I made the move of my life on (Andrew) Carbonell, but it was a little too late.”

In the final three laps of the 45-minute race, Wagner was able to climb from fifth to second. Paley, in his first season of MX-5 Cup competition, made every effort to take back the runner-up spot, but ran out of time as Wagner finished second.

“I don’t know what would have happened if I had caught Selin,” Wagner said. “I would have gone for a move of course but who knows if one of the guys behind me could have taken advantage and got by me as well. So, second place, is not too bad. I will try to do one better tomorrow but all in all pretty happy.

“There was a lot of racing in the beginning. In the middle everyone was kind of just managing temps, and then with seven minutes left I figured it was time to go so things got ramped up. There were a lot of moves being made, but we all kept it together and I’m just happy to come out with this result after a hard-fought race.”

Paley finished third but has shown he has all the capabilities to win.

“We will go after it and get them tomorrow,” Paley said. “A big thank you to Bind App, my parents and McCumbee McAleer Racing.”

Defending MX-5 Cup Champion Michael Carter (No. 08 Carter Racing Enterprises) finished fourth and took home the Hard Charger Award for advancing the most positions (four) of any other driver in the field.

Mid-Ohio race winner Chris Nunes (No. 32 JTR Motorsports Engineering) completed the top five to continue his strong rookie season form.

Saturday’s Round 10 race is set for 10:30am CT / 11:30am ET and will be live on imsa.com/tvlive.

About: The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. Mazda-powered grassroots champions earn a Mazda scholarship to advance their career. The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup champion earns a $250,000 scholarship.

Find out more at http://www.mx-5cup.com.

CHEVROLET NTT INDYCAR SERIES-STREETS OF NASHVILLE: TEAM CHEVY PRACTICE ONE RECAP FOR BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX ON NEW NASHVILLE STREET COURSE

By
Official Release
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CHEVROLET RACING IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX
STREETS OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
TEAM CHEVY PRACTICE ONE RECAP
AUGUST 6, 2021

FELIX ROSENQVIST LEADS CHEVROLET CONTINGENT IN PRACTICE ONE

NASHVILLE (Aug. 6, 2021) – In what could easily be earmarked as one of the most important practice sessions for Team Chevy in the NTT INDYCAR Series-the first laps around the new course on the streets of Nashville-is in the books. It was not without moments of excitement and gave the fans a glimpse at what is sure to be a very strategic and competitive race on Sunday.

For the Chevrolet powered teams and drivers, even though the session was shortened as a result of contact incidents, all used their time as wisely as possible to prepare for Saturday’s practice prior to Firestone Fast Six qualifying.

Felix Rosenqvist, No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet, led the way for Chevrolet with the seventh quickest time in a very tight field, maximizing his street experience in Europe earlier in his career.

Will Power, No. 12 Verizon 5G Team Penske Chevrolet, Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet, Simon Pagenaud, No. 22 Menards Team Penske Chevrolet and Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet finished the session in the top-12. Colton Herta set fast lap in the session.

Contact with track walls damaged the Chevrolets driven by Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP and Conor Daly, No. 20 US Air Force Ed Carpenter Racing. Both cars will be repaired and ready for Practice No. 2 at noon on Saturday in preparation for qualifying set for 3:30 p.m. Both live on Peacock Premium.

NBCSN will telecast the 80-lap/173.6-mile Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at 5:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 8. The race, qualifications and practice 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.

Spectators will have the opportunity to view some of Chevrolet’s newest production vehicles, including a Corvette C8, Camaro ZL1 and Silverado 1500 Trailboss, and participate in a Q&A with NTT INDYCAR SERIES history making Chevrolet team owner Beth Paretta at the Chevrolet display in the Fan Zone located in the Nissan Stadium lot.

The display will be open from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6; 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7; and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8. Paretta will chat with fans at 1:15 p.m. Aug. 8. All times are local.

Team Chevy will be represented by:
A.J. Foyt Enterprises
Dalton Kellett, No. 4 K-Line Insulators AJ Foyt Racing
Sebastien Bourdais, No. 14 ROKiT AJ Foyt Racing
Arrow McLaren SP
Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP
Felix Rosenqvist, No. 7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP
Carlin
Max Chilton, No. 59 Gallagher Carlin
Ed Carpenter Racing
Conor Daly, No. 20 U.S. Air Force
Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Sonax/Autogeek
Team Penske
Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske
Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske
Will Power, No. 12 Verizon 5G Team Penske
Simon Pagenaud, No. 22 Menards Team Penske

DRIVER QUOTES:
FELIX ROSENQVIST, NO. 7 ARROW MCLAREN SP CHEVROLET: ON PREVIOUS STREET COURSE EXPERIENCE: “”I think my street course experience definitely helps with this course. It is a fun track and really tricky. The straight after the bridge, where you are bottoming out, is just nuts. I had a really big moment there at the end of the session. Apart from that, it is really smooth and straight forward. Those high-speed kinks really upset the car, but it is a fantastic track. It’s going to be a good challenge and take the best out of us. The best driver will win.”

PATO O’WARD, NO. 5 ARROW MCLAREN SP CHEVROLET: AFTER CONTACT WITH WALL: “What a cool track. It is very physical and unlike any other place we go to, specifically the braking zones. Our car felt fine until I made a mistake going into Turn 3 and hit the inside wall, sending me into the outside wall in Turn 3. We didn’t get much running in today but tomorrow we will. We will be ready for qualifying, I’m not worried.”

WILL POWER, NO. 12 VERIZON 5G TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET: ON FIRST LAPS ON TRACK- “Yeah, couple of big bumps. Worst one is probably going into turn four. If they could grind that down a little bit, it would be really nice. The track is cool, man. I really enjoyed it. Really typical street course, bumps and cambers of the road you got to deal with.

“Yeah, it was fun. Fun, apart from the coming off the bridge heading into the city. That’s a bit sketchy with the bumps. That one big bump, that’s it, the rest are pretty good.

“It is so rare to break-in a new track-especially a street course. It’s always cool. I used to love any time we went to a new street course. A lot of fun. Once you’ve been there a few years, it gets really, really tough, tiny little details. Every one is good. Here you find big chunks, big chunks of time. I’m sure by the time we get to qualifying, it will be really, really tight, as it is already tight.

“But, yeah, enjoying it. I love the amount of fans that are here for a Friday. See a lot of people in the stands already, a lot of action in the paddock, a lot of stuff to do. So really cool. I think the promoters have done a great job”

SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN, NO. 3 DEX IMAGING TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET:
“Awesome to get on track here for the first Music City Grand Prix. The DEX Imaging Chevy was amazing. I felt really strong. It’s nice to go to a track that other people haven’t been to before and you can really hustle it and find your way slowly. I felt like I had a really solid run, a solid start to the session. We just slowly chipped at it and found ourselves right around 10th by the end of the session. There’s still plenty left in me and the car and I’m sure everyone up and down pit lane is the same. Overall pretty strong session. I love the track, love the atmosphere here in Nashville and I’m pretty excited for a strong weekend.”

SIMON PAGENAUD, NO. 22 MENARDS TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET:
“Beautiful day in Nashville. It’s an amazing design that they came up with for the track – I really enjoyed it. The Menards Chevy was very competitive so I look forward to tomorrow. We’ve got some work to do still to get to P1 but we definitely have a lot of lap time still in it. I’m very excited for the weekend. There is a lot of hype, a lot of people and I can’t wait to see what a good show we can bring to them.”

Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Year-By-Year Results since 2012
2021 ­– 4 wins, 5 poles in 10 races
Wins – Pato O’Ward (Texas2, Detroit2); Rinus VeeKay (Indy RC1); Josef Newgarden (Mid-Ohio). Pole – Pato O’Ward (Barber Motorsports Park, Detroit1); Josef Newgarden (Detroit2, Road America, Mid-Ohio).
2020 – 7 wins, 11 poles in 14 races
Wins – Simon Pagenaud (Iowa1); Josef Newgarden (Iowa2, St. Louis2, Indy RC2, St. Petersburg); Will Power (Mid-Ohio1, Indy RC3, St. Petersburg). Poles – Josef Newgarden (Texas, Road America1, Iowa2), Will Power (Indianapolis road course, St. Louis1, Mid-Ohio1, Indy RC3; St. Petersburg), Pato O’Ward (Road America2), Conor Daly (Iowa1), Rinus VeeKay (Indy road course October)
2019 – 9 wins, 9 poles in 17 races
Driver/owner championship (Josef Newgarden/Roger Penske); Indianapolis 500 win (Simon Pagenaud)
2018 – 6 wins, 9 poles in 17 races
Indianapolis 500 win (Will Power)
2017 – 10 wins, 11 poles in 17 races
Engine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Josef Newgarden/Roger Penske)
2016 – 14 wins, 13 poles in 16 races
Engine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Simon Pagenaud/Roger Penske)
2015 – 10 wins, 16 poles in 16 races
Engine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Scott Dixon/Chip Ganassi);
Indianapolis 500 win (Juan Pablo Montoya). First manufacturer to capture all titles since Chevrolet returned to INDYCAR in 2012
2014 – 12 wins, 14 poles in 18 races
Engine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Will Power/Roger Penske)
2013 – 10 wins, 11 poles in 19 races
Engine Manufacturer Championship; Indianapolis 500 win (Tony Kanaan)
2012 – 11 wins, 10 poles in 15 races
Engine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Ryan Hunter-Reay/Michael Andretti)
Total – 93 wins, 104 earned poles in 159 races

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.

Herta Tames New Circuit Best To Lead Opening Practice in Nashville

By
Official Release
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Friday, Aug. 6, 2021) – Colton Herta led the opening practice Friday for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on the streets of Nashville, taming the varied corners and considerable bumps of the challenging street circuit for this new NTT INDYCAR SERIES event.

Herta’s best lap was one minute, 16.5875 seconds in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda around the 11-turn, 2.17-mile temporary street circuit that includes two trips over the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge per lap.

“We’re just getting to grips with the track,” Herta said. “Obviously, we came here with a really good package. We were fast right away, and I felt very comfortable getting up to speed.

“It’s a little nerve-wracking, the first time you have to go flat over the bridge with the bumps because the last thing you want to do is for the car to bottom and you send it into the wall on a straight; you kind of look stupid with that. The simulations we did beforehand were on point for what we expected, and it made my job a lot easier.”

Six-time series champion Scott Dixon was second at 1:16.9653 in the No. 9 PNC Bank Grow Up Great Honda. Rookie Romain Grosjean was third at 1:17.1305 in the No. 51 Nurtec ODT Honda.

2016 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Alexander Rossi was fourth at 1:17.1742 in the No. 27 AutoNation/NAPA AUTO PARTS Honda, and Marcus Ericsson rounded out the top five at 1:17.2168 in the No. 8 Bryant Honda.

Honda-powered drivers took the top six spots on the time sheet during the 75-minute session. Series points leader Alex Palou was sixth at 1:17.2264 in the No. 10 NTT DATA Honda.

Track action resumes at 1 p.m. (ET) Saturday with a 45-minute practice, with NTT P1 Award qualifying following at 4:30 p.m. Both sessions will be live on Peacock Premium, NBC’s streaming service. The 80-lap race starts at 5:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday, live on NBCSN.

The 27-car field – the biggest outside of the Indianapolis 500 in the series since 2013 – took its time getting up to speed on the fascinating new circuit, which includes sweeping corners around the paddock complex, two long straights over the Cumberland River and a tight section in downtown Nashville. But two drivers still had unplanned meetings with concrete retaining walls or tire barriers.

Championship contender Pato O’Ward opened his weekend with a small setback when he crashed in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet 22 minutes into the session. O’Ward’s right front wheel clipped the barrier in Turn 3, which leads to the bridge, which then pitched the car into the barrier on the other side of the circuit.

O’Ward climbed from the car without injury, and the left front wheel/suspension assembly and left front wing suffered moderate damage. O’Ward is second in the series standings, 39 points behind leader Alex Palou.

“I got caught out by the inside wall in Turn 3,” O’Ward said. “I’ll be fine, man. I love this place. What a cool track. The damage doesn’t seem to be too bad. We’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”

The retaining wall also collected Conor Daly with four minutes to go. The rear wheels of Daly’s No. 20 U.S. Air Force Chevrolet locked up as he braked for Turn 9 exiting the bridge, and the right side of car slid into the tire barrier. Daly climbed without assistance from the car, which suffered moderate damage.

4 Features To Look For In A Crossover SUV

By
SM
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Two rows of passenger seats in a modern luxury car. Selective focus.

A crossover sports utility vehicle (SUV) is the new workhorse for the family, replacing the family-oriented vehicles of the past such as the station wagons.

These multipurpose vehicles work great for every family need—whether taking your kids along for the weekend or sending them to school or the mall—a crossover SUV is a versatile crowd-pleaser that’s sure to win the hearts of all family members.     

Whether you prefer the rugged look and off-road features of trucks and traditional SUVs or go for the posh feel of a sedan, a crossover SUV combines all the main features you wouldn’t want to miss in any vehicle. One of the best crossover SUV vehicles is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, it has spacious seating, thrilling performance, and a luxurious exterior. Also, there are a lot of Alfa Romeo Accessories available to install on it.

But first, let’s find out more about this popular utility vehicle.    

What’s A Crossover SUV Anyway?

Based on looks and form, a crossover SUV is basically a beefed-up and taller sedan but equipped with better functionalities and have more power. A crossover SUV is a five-door hatchback that possesses high ground clearance typical to an SUV. It comes in either two or three-row seats that can rival the seating capacity of pickup trucks. Such models as the new Lexus NX even have the rugged good looks of a traditional SUV while keeping the sleek lines of its sedan siblings.

The crossover gets its name from its versatility—they’re highly functional like SUVs but feel like a sedan, down to the fuel consumption. Being taller than sedans and most cars, crossovers have fewer blind spots, making them safer and generally more comfortable to drive.

What To Look For In Crossover SUVs

Now that you know what a crossover is, let’s start listing down must-haves for your next crossover SUV. 

  1. Advanced Safety Systems And Technologies

Crossover SUVs are famous for a good reason. They’re an all-around family vehicle suitable for any imaginable purpose. And since you’re tagging your kids along in this vehicle, safety should come as a primordial consideration.

Choose a vehicle that possesses high safety ratings based on crash tests conducted by reputable insurance organizations and the government vehicle safety agencies.

For safety, an automatic braking system is mandatory in all vehicles as a minimum, and having a more advanced automatic emergency braking (AEB) system with pedestrian detection is even better. Advanced safety technologies such as forward collision and blind spot warning systems should be a rule rather than the exception in choosing the main safety features of your new crossover.

  1. Flexible Seating

No matter how you plan to use your crossover, always leave room for flexibility, especially along the second and third row seats. You should choose a vehicle that allows you to adjust the seats forward or backward, helping expand your cargo space or accommodate your little kids and larger-sized teens to position themselves safely and with more legroom, as needed.

A reclining seat that you can fold flat is also useful for carrying more cargo; proof that when it comes to crossovers, versatility is the name of the game. In fact, there’s an SUV launched recently to honor health care workers’ dedication and resiliency in these trying times.

  1. Reliability

Multiple factors can contribute to a car’s reliability, but most people will look at the brand. 

Drivers typically stick to one or two car manufacturers, and you won’t go wrong sticking to these popular vehicles, if you’re a neophyte driver. Top-selling cars are made by reputable carmakers who know that the best vehicles take time and resources, as well as strict quality control, in order to stay functional through the years.                

As a vehicle is a major purchase, it’s only right for consumers to search for makes or models that offers great value for money. And lengthy warranties tell you that the car manufacturer stands by its products, giving consumers peace of mind, especially while on the road with their families.

  1. Ease And Comfort In Driving 

Most drivers prefer an SUV’s high seating position, which allows you to see traffic on the road more clearly. However, it’s not the only consideration for your new purchase. For instance, drivers often have specific preference in terms of handling and response. This is highly subjective, but you should choose a vehicle that gives you a comfortable and enjoyable drive. This brings us to one of the cardinal rules in buying a car—never purchase one unless you’ve actually tried to use it on the road.

Final Reminders Before Choosing Your Ideal Crossover SUV

While known for its high ground clearance, some crossovers do come with low step-in height and greater accessibility to the trunk or boot. This is important for families with kids who are too small to climb up the vehicle. This way, you won’t have to carry your child in and out of the vehicle at every point.

If you can’t find one, look for a vehicle that comes with running boards or other features that make embarking and disembarking less of a hassle for your little ones. This applies to the cargo area too, where a low load height can make it easier to lift heavier loads on the back of your crossover.    

ArmorGuard Coatings Joins BMS for First NASCAR Xfinity Series Race as Primary Partner for Watkins Glen

By
Official Release
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Lauzon Aviation, Larry’s Lemonade, Jabs Construction and GreenTech Energy Join as Associate Partners

Track: Watkins Glen International | 2.45 Mile Road Course
Race: 20 of 33
Event: Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey 200
Race: Saturday, August 7 | 4:00 p.m. ET | CNBC & MRN
Stages: 20 / 40 / 82 = 200.9 Miles

Brandon Brown | Watkins Glen International | Xfinity Stats
Starts: 1
Best Start: 27
Best Finish: 18
Brown on Watkins Glen:

“It’s exciting to get back to racing after a few weeks off for the Olympic break; especially at Watkins Glen since we weren’t able to race there last year due to COVID.

“This weekend, we have a few different partners on board our No. 68 Chevrolet Camaro, beginning with ArmorGuard Coatings who will be joining the team for their first NASCAR Xfinity Series race as the primary partner of our car.

“ArmorGuard specializes in residential and commercial floor coatings for home, garage and shop floors and is a natural fit for race shops. I feel like they fit our NASCAR market so well as most NASCAR fans are auto enthusiasts that have garage space. They actually did one of my father’s floors, which turned out great.

“Lauzon Aviation will be taking over the decklid position for their first NASCAR race as well. They’re a commercial air service and tourist establishment located in Northern Ontario, Canada, and decided to come on board as the Canadian border is set to reopen on August 9th, which makes it the perfect time for Americans to take advantage of the great fishing and hunting that Ontario has to offer. It’s a really cool partnership and hopefully they can fly us to a win this weekend.

“On the lower quarter panels, we have Larry’s Hard Lemonade coming back on board. What started out as a race partnership has really turned into a great friendship and I’m very thankful for all of their support. They’re a veteran-owned company and one thing that I love about working with them is that when you see their car, you know it’s their car; they have great paint schemes that really catch your eye.

“Jabs Construction will be filling the TV panel for us this weekend. Tim and the entire Jabs family have been longtime family friends and Jabs Construction has been a great partner of our program since the beginning. They’ve really invested in our team this year and I think a lot of BMS (Brandonbilt Motorsports) fans have taken notice as this weekend will be their 3rd time on the car this season in either a primary or associate level position, which I’m extremely grateful for.

“Closing out the list of partners for this weekend is GreenTech Energy, who will be riding along on the C-Post of our No. 68. Working with companies like GreenTech (Energy) makes you feel good, knowing that you’re offsetting some of your carbon footprint, which is really their biggest goal. Also, by going solar, you’re not only saving money, but earning it as well. GreenTech Energy’s solar panels store energy, which you can then sell back to your local power company if it is not being used.

“It’s really special to have so much partner support this weekend and I’m ready to give them a strong run on Saturday.”

To learn more about ArmorGuard Coatings, visit www.armorguardcoating.com.
To learn more about Lauzon Aviation, visit www.lauzonaviation.com.
To learn more about Larry’s Hard Lemonade, visit www.thelarryslemonade.com.
To learn more about Jabs Construction, visit www.jabsinc.com.
To learn more about GreenTech Energy, visit www.greentechenergy.net.

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

RCR Event Preview – Watkins Glen International

By
Official Release
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Richard Childress Racing at Watkins Glen International… After restrictions and schedule changes prohibited a national series race at Watkins Glen International in 2020, the NASCAR Cup Series now returns to the high-speed, seven-turn, upstate New York facility. In 75 Cup Series starts at the 2.45-mile road course, RCR boasts two wins (Robby Gordon in 2003 and Kevin Harvick in 2006), eight top-five and 21 top-10 finishes. Dale Earnhardt also won three poles (1990, ’92, ’96). In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the Welcome, N.C. organization has captured one victory with Harvick in 2007 and accumulated nine top-five and 22 top-10 results.

Catch the Action… The NASCAR Xfinity Series’ The Glen 200 at Watkins Glen International will be televised live Saturday, August 7, beginning at 4 p.m. ET on CNBC and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

The NASCAR Cup Series’ Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International will be televised live Sunday, August 8, beginning at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
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Austin Dillon and the No. 3 The Cowboy Channel Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE at Watkins Glen International… In six previous NASCAR Cup Series starts at Watkins Glen, Dillon’s best finish is 16th in 2014. He has two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts to his credit at the road course, posting a best finish of 12th in 2013. He also finished 12th in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Division race at Watkins Glen in 2008.

About The Cowboy Channel… The Cowboy Channel is the official network of ProRodeo and the first 24-hour television network totally dedicated to western sports and the western lifestyle. Headquartered in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, The Cowboy Channel features content focused on ProRodeo, bull riding, roping, reining, barrel racing, and other western sports genres, along with western fashion and music. The programming lineup also features a wide variety of “live” coverage from major western events showcasing the world’s toughest and most talented cowboys and cowgirls and is home of the National Finals Rodeo in December. The network enjoys distribution into 42 million homes on cable/satellite systems on Altice, Charter Spectrum, DISH, DIRECTV®, AT&T U-Verse, Cox, Comcast, Mediacom, Verizon FIOS TV, and many other rural cable systems. In addition, The Cowboy Channel can be streamed online via The Cowboy Channel Plus at cowboychannelplus.com, DIRECTV NOW, Roku, iOS, Android, Firestick, Apple TV, and Sling TV’s Heartland Extra package. For more information, please visit thecowboychannel.com.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
Another road course race this weekend. Another wild card?
“Yeah, for sure. The road courses have turned into wildcard races. Taking care of your stuff, trying to make it to the end of these things becomes a demo-derby out there. This is going to be one of those ones that if you stay on track, you’re going to have a pretty good run. I’ve had decent runs at Watkins Glen International, but it’s been challenging to string together good finishes. I have a lot of optimism going into Watkins Glen this year, though, because our road course program has been solid this year compared to the past. We’ve put a lot of work in during the off season, and we’ve had a lot of highlights on the road courses this year, including earning stage points and decent finishes.”

How do you prepare for a racetrack like Watkins Glen International?
“A lot of time in the simulator, going over notes and watching old races. We try to make sure we are putting in the work beforehand. We’ve been working really hard on our road course program this year. Watkins Glen is a really fast, aggressive track. You can gain a lot by getting after it on the braking zones and its just a high-speed place with all of the grip in the pavement.”

How do you feel about the season so far?
“I think we’re all on edge with our position in the points, but these next four weeks will be really telling. There’s a lot of fight in this team and we’re not giving up. I’m pleased with the consistency this No. 3 team has had this year. We show up each and every weekend and have strong, consistent cars that withstand the races. I think the next part of that evolution is just getting a little bit more speed. We would like to be where some of our other Chevy teammates are. We’re doing everything we can to lock ourselves into the NASCAR Playoffs.”

Tyler Reddick and the No. 8 Chevy Accessories Camaro ZL1 1LE at Watkins Glen International… Reddick will be making his first start at Watkins Glen International in the NASCAR Cup Series, as the series did not travel to the road course in 2020. Reddick has two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at The Glen, with a best finish of fifth coming in 2019.

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 chevrolet.com.

TYLER REDDICK QUOTE:
While you’ll be making your first Cup start at Watkins Glen International this weekend, you do have some Xfinity starts under your belt. What are your thoughts on the road course and what makes it unique?
“Watkins Glen International is just a really fast road course. We’ve seen how fast the recent winners like Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Elliot have been there lately. They really thread the needle and run as close to perfect as possible every single lap, so we need to be ready to step up and perform at that level. My No. 8 Chevy Accessories team has been working hard to give us the best chance we can with the cars we have underneath us. I’ve been working hard as well to be as prepared as I can be entering a race weekend and understanding everything about each track so we can start the race as close to prepared as we can. The esses are really tricky at Watkins Glen. It’s important to your lap time, as well as the bus stop which comes up shortly after them. That whole back-half of the track is so incredibly important to your lap time. There is just so much momentum in this track that you can’t afford to give anything up at any point on the course.”

Myatt Snider and the No. 2 Louisiana Hot Sauce Chevrolet Camaro at Watkins Glen International… Snider will make his first career start at Watkins Glen International this Saturday. The 26-year-old driver has never competed on the seven-turn road course in any series, but has prepared for his track debut by talking with Austin Dillon, watching film and logging laps on the simulator.

About Summit Hill Foods… Summit Hill Foods is a fourth-generation, family-owned food company headquartered in Rome, Georgia. Founded in 1941, the company’s core strength is the development and manufacture of ingredient systems used to deliver texture and superior flavor. Summit Hill Foods is an ingredient supplier to food service manufacturers and restaurants. The company also markets nationally distributed brands including Better Than Bouillon®, Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce™, Southeastern Mills®, Shore Lunch® and Better Than Gravy®. Southeastern Mills operates six manufacturing facilities located in Rome, Georgia; New Iberia, Louisiana; and Salt Lake City, Utah. To learn more, visit www.SHFoods.com.

MYATT SNIDER QUOTE:
You have never raced previously raced at Watkins Glen International. What have your preparations looked like leading into this race?
“I have spent a lot of time on the simulator at RCR, as well as watching a ton of film with my crew chief Andy Street. I’ve been doing all the research that I can, because I’m a believer in that if I’m prepared that will translate during the race. I have turned so many laps at Watkins Glen on iRacing throughout the years, that I feel like I have been there before when I actually haven’t. Saturday’s race is going to be exciting and I know my guys will bring a fast and spicy Louisiana Hot Sauce Chevrolet Camaro.”

Introducing The ‘Open Wheeled Legends’ Class at the 2021 Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance

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Official Release
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Newport, Rhode Island, Aug. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — This year, Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week is highlighting a new automotive class in the Concours d’Elegance: Open Wheeled Legends – a non-judged class event that will feature a type of racecar, the “Open Wheel,” that can be identified by its single seat design and wheel placement, alongside its significant standing as a pinnacle of historic motorsport racing throughout the past century, particularly speaking to that of Grand Prix racing.

Coming this fall, the Open Wheeled Legends class will showcase the seamless union of design with utility, as it progressed over the course of several decades of racing. Included will be racecars from dates as early as the dawn of the 20th century, spanning all the way to that of the 21st century.

Guests will have the pleasure of viewing a multitude of Open Wheel cars, like the phenomenal Aston Martin from the first ever British Grand Prix held at Brookland’s in 1921, while the modernists of the group can enjoy the beautiful 1988 McLaren MP4/4 from the ever-impressive Audrain Collection, piloted by Alain Prost to three first place finishes and three second place finishes during the 1988 Formula One season. Looking back to the 1950’s – an incredibly important decade for the history of Open Wheeled cars with the introduction of disc brakes and ever more powerful engines – the Concours will have on display the 1951 Marchese Special Indianapolis race car which competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times; the 1954 Lancia D50, Lancia’s first Formula One car powered by an innovative dual overhead camshaft V8; and the 1956 Italian Grand Prix winning Maserati 250F. From grand prix Aston Martins to McLarens, legendary Ferraris to Dan Gurney’s race winning Eagles, and everything in between, there will be a wide variety of appropriately named “Legends” hitting the lawn of the Breakers this October – surely something for everyone.

The annual Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance celebrates the diversity, elegance, and timelessness of classic and modern vehicles. With a week’s worth of incredible car showcases, alongside a plethora of fun gatherings, seminars, and other luxurious events, the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week is sure to entertain, with all events leading up to the finale of the week, the Concours d’Elegance. The Concours features multiple classes of meticulously cared for cars that have had a significant impact on automotive history.

Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week will be taking place this fall, beginning on September 30th, and concluding on October 3rd, 2021. The Concours d’Elegance, which will feature the dazzling Open Wheeled Legends class, will be held on the final day of the Motor Week, Sunday, October 3rd. Tickets can be purchased at www.audrainconcours.com for the Concours d’Elegance, and all other Motor Week events.

Olympian Olivia Coffey to Serve As Honorary Official For Go Bowling at The Glen NASCAR Cup Series Race

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Official Release
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Photo courtesy of https://www.theglen.com/

Watkins Glen native returned home earlier this week
Following fourth-place finish at Tokyo

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (August 6, 2021) – Fresh off her trip to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, women’s eight rower and Watkins Glen native Olivia Coffey will serve as an Honorary Official for Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen NASCAR Cup Series race.

“We are honored to have our local hero Olivia Coffey join us this weekend so we can recognize her accomplishments on the biggest stage in her hometown,” said WGI President Michael Printup. “She has put a lifetime of work into making the United States Olympic team and we are very proud of how she has represented Watkins Glen and our country.”

Coffey raced in the Team USA women’s eight that won their heat to advance directly to the finals before finishing fourth in Tokyo on Friday, July 30.

“Competing for Team USA in the Olympics has been a lifetime goal. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family, friends, and community” said Coffey. “It has been an honor to represent Watkins Glen, Schuyler County, and the entire United States on the world stage.”

Coffey, a ten-time National team member and eight-time world medalist, was an alternate for the 2016 Olympic team that competed in Rio. Coffey is the only athlete to have won world championship gold in the women’s four, the women’s quad, and the women’s eight. And she isn’t the only Coffey to have gone for gold on the Olympic stage. Her father, Calvin, won a silver medal in rowing in the 1976 Olympics.

The NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET caps off a full weekend of racing at Watkins Glen. The ARCA Menards Series returns for just the second time at the track, and the first since 2001, with Friday’s Clean Harbors 100 at 6 p.m. ET. In a first for Watkins Glen, Saturday will feature a double-header of NASCAR racing, starting off with the United Rentals 167 at The Glen at 12:30 p.m. ET in the return of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to The Glen for the first time since 2000. That will be followed up by the Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey 200 at 4 p.m. ET

To purchase NASCAR race tickets, camping and additional information, call 1-866-461-RACE or visit TheGlen.com. Fans can view the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedules and purchase tickets at nascar.com/tickets.

About Watkins Glen International

Located within five hours and 300 miles of 25 percent of the U.S. population, Watkins Glen International is the premier road racing facility in North America, four-times voted “Best NASCAR Track” by readers of USA Today. Keep up with The Glen on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For tickets, camping, and additional information, call 1-866-461-RACE or visit www.TheGlen.com.

2021 Watkins Glen International Schedule
May 21-23 – Ferrari Challenge North America
June 18-20 – SCCA Majors Super Tour
June 24-27 – IMSA Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen
July 1-2 – IMSA WeatherTech 240 at The Glen
July 9-11 – Masters & HSR Race Weekend
August 4-8 – NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen
September 9-12 – Hilliard U.S. Vintage Grand Prix
September 16-19 – GT World Challenge America
October 29-30 – Finger Lakes Beer Festival Presented by Chemung Canal Trust Co.

2021 Watkins Glen International NASCAR Weekend Schedule
August 6 – Clean Harbors 100 at The Glen – ARCA Menards Series Race
August 7 – United Rentals 167 at The Glen – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race
August 7 – Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey 200 – NASCAR Xfinity Series Race
August 8 – Go Bowling at The Glen – NASCAR Cup Series Race

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