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4 Things to Do Before Opting for An Auto Insurance

By
SM
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Photo by john vicente on Unsplash

For any vehicle owner, protecting their cars or trucks from possible damage is imperative. Even the use of car insurance for sorn car is an essential part of being a car owner as well, just in case their vehicle has an accident when off the road. Since the damage might incur repair costs and third-party compensation in some cases, you need to opt for an auto insurance plan that covers the damage costs when in use. The right way to do this is to look at multiple factors before choosing the best car insurance. You can prepare a car checklist and see whether the insurance policy helps you tick off the boxes or not.

Here are some of the things you should do when you are opting for auto insurance:

1. Check the age of your car

To begin with, you first need to consider the age of your car when opting for an insurance policy. This is because the older car you have, the more you might end up paying. While most insurance policies offer coverage of physical damage, you might not need this if your car is old. Based on its age, you can consider removing physical damage from your auto insurance plan after you ask a professional.

2. Examine the coverage options

An important thing you need to take into consideration when choosing your insurance policy is coverage. You need to know whether the policy offers coverage for structural damage or does it include the costs of damage to the driver. You need to choose the policy that caters best to your needs. In case you are using your vehicle for business, you might need to opt for a comprehensive auto insurance plan that offers coverage for different purposes.

3. Look for discounted premiums

As a thumb rule, the more coverage you seek, the higher your premiums would be. However, depending on the state and the agency, there are various provisions for discounts or premiums. For instance, some policies would have lower premiums if you are non-alcoholic, drive only for pleasure, or have security essentials installed. Besides, if you are a student with good grades or a homeowner for more than three years, you are eligible for a discount and affordable rates on car insurance.

4. Consider your driving record

Finally, you need to consider your driving record when opting for an auto insurance policy. This means that if you have not had any speeding tickets or driving issues in the recent past, you are likely to get a good plan. On the other hand, if you have a few tickets that would disappear soon, you might as well wait for some time before you opt for insurance. This would help you shop for your auto insurance at a lower price.

If you wish to get the best cheap car insurance plan, you should get in touch with an independent insurance agency. Try finding different insurance providers online using referrals or testimonials. You can also ask your friends or colleagues to refer you to a good insurance provider.  The best thing to do is look for different policies and providers and compare their benefits, rates, and other details to pick the most suitable one for your car.

Jordan Anderson Racing NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Overview- New Hampshire Motor Speedway

By
Official Release
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Jordan Anderson Racing NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Overview-
New Hampshire Motor Speedway; July 17, 2021

Track: New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Oval (1.058-Mile)
Race: Ambetter Get Vaccinated 200; 200 Laps –45/45/110; 211.06 Miles
Date/Broadcast: July 17, 2021 3:00 PM ET
TV: NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), and the NBC Sports App
Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) – Check Local Listings for affiliate, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
Social Media: Jordan Anderson Racing: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Jordan Anderson – No. 31 Bommarito Automotive Group
Chevrolet Camaro SS Preview- New Hampshire Motor Speedway

News and Notes:

– Starting Position; Anderson will start the Ambetter Get Vaccinated 200 from the 33rd position on Saturday afternoon. Due to no practice or qualifying the starting lineup was calculated by the competition-based performance metrics system; fastest lap in the previous race 15 percent, driver finish from previous race 25 percent, owner points 25 percent, and driver points 35 percent.

– New Hampshire Motor Speedway Stats; The Ambetter Get Vaccinated 200 will mark Anderson’s first start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and his second start of the 2021 season. In Anderson’s lone start at Texas Motor Speedway the driver from Forest Acres, S.C. would start 32nd and would encounter clutch issues at the start of the race and would return to the track to finish 34th. Anderson has three previous NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at NHMS with an average finishing position of 22.66 with a best of 21st coming in 2017.

  • Bommarito Automotive Group; Bommarito Automotive Group is celebrating its 50th year in the St. Louis marketplace, the Bommarito Automotive Group currently operates 20 automotive franchises throughout every St. Louis neighborhood led by president John Bommarito and the over 900 dedicated team members. Bommarito is recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as Missouri’s No. 1 selling automotive group and is currently ranked 52nd in the nation. What once started as a vision to have one Bommarito vehicle in every driveway, is today a reality thanks to the family’s ‘Where Price Sells Cars” mission.

For more information on the Bommarito Automotive Group or to see the vehicles they currently have in stock, visit them online at Bommarito.com, and follow their social channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

– Chassis; Jordan Anderson Racing (JAR) will bring Chassis No. 103 for Anderson to compete with in Saturday afternoon’s Ambetter Get Vaccinated 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Since being acquired from RCR in the off-season this will be the first race for No. 103 for JAR.

About Jordan Anderson Racing

Jordan Anderson Racing (JAR) is a NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) team, owned by owner/driver Jordan Anderson. Established in 2018, JAR has competed full-time in the last three NCWTS seasons claiming back-to-back runner-up finishes in the 2020 & 2021 season opening NextEra 250 at Daytona International Speedway. JAR fields a full-time entry in the NXS Series; the No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro SS driven by Jordan Anderson, Tyler Reddick, Josh Berry, & Kaz Grala. JAR also fields the No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado for select drivers in the NCWTS.

SS GreenLight Racing | Joe Graf Jr. Atlanta Motor Speedway Event Preview

By
Official Release
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SS GreenLight Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
New Hampshire Motor Speedway | Ambetter Get Vaccinated 200

Fast Facts
No. 07 SS GreenLight Racing Team:
Driver: Joe Graf Jr. (@JoeGrafJr)
Primary Partner(s): Bucked Up Energy
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro
Crew Chief: Joe Williams
Ambetter Get Vaccinated 200 Starting Position: 30th (Event Formula)
Driver Points Position: 30st | Owner Points Position: 37th
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines (ECR)

Notes of Interest:

Full of Energy: Bucked Up Energy and its sister products will continue their role as the primary partner of Graf’s No. 07 Chevrolet Camaro this weekend. New Hampshire is the sixth race of 2021 but is the 28th race overall in a multi-year, multi-race deal with the former ARCA Menards Series winner.

Bucked Up is the everyman (or woman) energy drink. We don’t care about the color of your collar; whether blue or white, we all require energy to power our days.

We want something that tastes like success, enhances mood and focus, and most of all delivers long-lasting energy.

Bucked Up Energy New Flavors: Bucked Up Energy is now available in 10 different flavors including four recently released new flavors.

Gym n’ Juice pays homage to those classic west coast vibes with a citrusy, smooth flavor that is sure to drive you back to the early-coastal ‘90s.

Bucked Up Energy Strawberry-Kiwi features two delicious flavors fused to form one. The result — a zero sugar, solar-sweet source of energy so abundant the world might actually start revolving around you.

Pink lemonade prodigies innovate, fusing an otherwise basic beverage with refreshing cranberry, and thinly sliced lemons, for garnish — earning its sweet, refreshing, and jubilant. And yet, miraculously sugar-free taste.

Mango Tango tastes like a well-placed double entendre — two meanings, up to your interpretation. Perhaps, it’s a melodic, upbeat fiesta of juicy goodness pulling sultry-sweet dance moves on your tongue. Or we could be using Tango as code, letting you decide the most fitting “T” descriptive word.

Saving You Some Money: As summer has officially shifted into high gear, Joe Graf Jr.’s other marketing partner Z Grills wants to help the NASCAR community save money – but also enjoy the perfect barbecue.

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

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

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

In their debut together last weekend, Graf charged his No. 07 Z Grills Chevrolet Camaro inside the top-20, before being shoved out on a late-race restart and settling for a 25th place finish.

Still, the finish was the team’s best effort since Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway in March.

A Pair of Birthdays: It’s been a celebratory week for the Graf family.

On Monday, July 12, Graf celebrated his 23rd birthday, while the following day, July 13, Graf’s younger teenage brother Ryan celebrated his 16th birthday.

To no one’s surprise, both exchanged sneakers as presents.

VIP Exclusive: Thanks to partner G-Coin, a product that brings gold into the digital age – race fans have an opportunity to win a VIP passes for a NASCAR Xfinity Series race of their choice.

To enter, follow @JoeGrafJr and @The_GCoin on Twitter, tag two friends and simply download the G Coin app to your mobile device. A winner will be chosen at the end of the month.

Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series New Hampshire Motor Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Ambetter Get Vaccinated 200 will mark Graf’s first career start at the “Magic Mile.”

The NASCAR Xfinity Series had planned to compete at New Hampshire last year, but the event was realigned to another race track due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Career Intermediate Nuggets: At tracks greater than 1.0-mile in size, Graf has competed in 26 NASCAR Xfinity Series races. He holds an average starting position of 25.0 and an average result of 24.2.

Put Me In Coach: To strengthen his physique, Joe Graf Jr. began working with new trainer and former NASCAR Cup Series Josh Wise during the 2020 offseason.

In addition to Wise, Graf has also been working with former NASCAR driver and open-wheel driver Scott Speed on being more discipline behind the wheel of his No. 07 G-Coin Chevrolet Camaro.

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

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

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

He will crew chief his 51st NASCAR Xfinity Series race as crew chief on Saturday afternoon and his first at the 1.058-mile speedway.

In his previous 50 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.

Hello From The Other Side: Graf Jr. has a teammate at SS GreenLight Racing. Veteran JJ Yeley will drive the No. 17 Nurtec ODT Chevrolet Camaro on Saturday afternoon.

Yeley is set to make his 342nd career NASCAR Xfinity Series start and 10th at the Loudon, N.H. facility. His best Xfinity track finish occurred in the 2005 New England 200, where he finished sixth after starting 10th driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.

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

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

Joe Graf Jr. Pre-Race Quotes:

On Atlanta Motor Speedway: “Atlanta is a very unique race track, especially since the pavement is the oldest of any track that we race on throughout the year. It is going to be hot this weekend in Atlanta, which means the track will be slick, hopefully, we can use that to our advantage.

“I’m glad to have Z Grills back on the car this weekend and hopefully we can give them their best finish of the season on Saturday afternoon.”

On New Leadership: “I have a positive outlook on the second half of the season even though the results were not what we were hoping for to start the year.

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

On Recent Performances: “Most of the first half of the season has been tough, however, it is during times like this that all your mental discipline and training really come to the forefront.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of mental toughness in overcoming obstacles you don’t control.

“When I look at the speed and balance of our cars this year, they are much better than last year. That isn’t from luck. That is from the hard work and grind it out mental toughness of this team.

“It’s such a shame that we have had such a rough stretch, but this is no different than life. We all experience highs and lows in life. Like anyone at a low point, we are going to remain mentally tough and keep moving forward. We embrace the suck. We know it can’t last.

“Going forward we are going to focus on what we can control and continue to execute at our highest level during the second half of the year. There are a ton of races left in the season and hopefully, we have shaken the bad luck. I would be worried if our cars lacked competitiveness, but they don’t. We have a lot of racing left and we are due for some good luck.”

Race Information:

The Credit Karma Money 250 (163 laps | 251.02 miles) is the 18th of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2021 schedule. The race will take the green flag on Sat., Jul. 10, 2021, shortly after 3:30 p.m. ET with live coverage on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), the Performance Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

About SS Green Light Racing:

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

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

When do I need to hire a car accident lawyer?

By
SM
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Photo by Clark Van Der Beken on Unsplash

Car accidents can happen to the best of us and often through no fault of our own. It can sometimes be a bit confusing as to what steps we should take next.

We have more questions than answers. Who should I call first? Can I handle this myself or do I need to call an attorney? It can overwhelm anyone, especially if severe injuries require extensive medical treatment.

After seeking medical care, contact your agent or automobile insurance company. They can help you with the first steps, such as filing a claim and obtaining a rental car.

However, even though your insurance company should represent you, they will often prioritize their own interests over what is best for you. If your insurance company cannot answer all your questions or address your concerns, consult an attorney.

One excellent option to consider is NicoletLaw.com. Based in Wisconsin with additional offices in Minnesota, they focus on car accident cases that involve injuries and offer free consultations with personalized service. After the claim is filed, they can help you negotiate a financial settlement to compensate you for injuries when your policy does not provide sufficient coverage.  

Legal professionals are best suited to handle the lengthy and time-consuming process. They’ll give you all the details on what to do in a hit and run case so you can get the right compensation. These traumatic events can have a significant impact on your life, and it’s essential to have someone who understands the legal system by your side.

If serious injuries or a wrongful death took place, legal representation is crucial, as a lawyer can ascertain the facts, review your automobile policy, conduct a separate investigation, interview witnesses, and collect evidence.

Another question to consider is what to do if driver negligence caused the accident? This may include, among other things, driving too fast, distracted driving, or operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

A lawyer can also help you fill out all the necessary paperwork when filing a claim, deal with the automobile insurance company, and often increase the compensation that you receive.

Other issues can influence your compensation amount, such as pain and suffering, both physical and emotional, that you may experience from the accident.

If you cannot work due to your injuries, a lawyer can help you recover lost wages.

Remember that a lawyer should handle even minor accidents when significant vehicle damage or any injuries take place, or the police report contains errors. This will protect you from claims that have no merit.

Since most attorneys offer free consultations, if you are in a car accident, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by exploring all of your options with a car accident lawyer.

Weekend schedule for New Hampshire

By
Angie Campbell
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During the NASCAR Cup Series Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 02, 2020 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

NASCAR heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for a weekend of competition with the Cup and Xfinity Series. The Camping World Truck Series is off but is set to return Saturday, August 7 at Watkins Glen International.

Kaulig Racing driver Jeb Burton will start on the Xfinity Series pole which was determined by the driver’s finishing position in the previous race. Burton finished second to Kyle Busch last week at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Kyle Bush will start on the Cup Series pole in his Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 after being awarded the pole using the following NASCAR metrics formula.

• 25 percent: Driver’s finishing position from the previous race
• 25 percent: Car owner’s finishing position from the previous race
• 35 percent: Team owner points ranking
• 15 percent: Fastest lap from the previous race

There are only five races remaining in the Cup Series regular season. Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson and Martin Truex Jr. have already clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason Playoffs.

The Xfinity Series regular-season has eight races left before the Playoffs begin. Justin Allgaier, AJ Allmendinger and Austin Cindric have already clinched a spot in the 12-driver field.

All times are Eastern

Saturday, July 17

12:45 p.m.: Whelen Modified Tour – Whelen 100 – NBC Sports Gold Trackpass

3 p.m.: Xfinity Series – Ambetter Get Vaccinated 200
Distance: 211.6 miles (200 Laps)
Stage 1 ends on Lap 45, Stage 2 ends on Lap 90, Final Stage ends on Lap 200
NBCSN/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Pole: Jeb Burton

Note: The ARCA Menards Series will also compete Saturday, July 17, at Berlin Raceway. The Zinsser SmartCoat 200 (200 laps/88 miles) will air live at 8 p.m. ET on MAVTV with a live stream available on NBC Sports Gold’s TrackPass.

Sunday, July 18

3 p.m.: Cup Series – Foxwoods Resort Casino 301
Distance: 318.46 miles (301 Laps)
Stage 1 ends on Lap 75, Stage 2 ends on Lap 185, Final Stage ends on Lap 301
NBCSN/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Pole: Kyle Busch

New Hampshire Motor Speedway Data
Season Race #: 22 of 36 (07-18-21)
Track Size: 1.058-mile
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 2 to 7 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 2 to 7 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 1 degree
Banking/Backstretch: 1 degree
Frontstretch Length: 1,500 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,500 feet
Race Length: 301 laps / 318.46 miles
Stages 1 Length: 75 laps
Stages 2 Length: 110 laps
Final Stage Length: 116 laps

New Hampshire Qualifying Data
Track qualifying record: Brad Keselowski, Ford (140.598 mph, 27.090 secs.) on 09-21-14.
2019 pole winner: Brad Keselowski, Ford (136.384 mph, 27.927 secs.) on 07-19-19.
2020 pole winner: None due to pandemic restrictions.
• Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch lead all active drivers in NCS starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with 37 each.
• Erik Jones leads the NCS in an average starting position at New Hampshire with an 8.4 in five starts; followed by Kyle Busch with a 9.3 in 30 starts.
• Ryan Newman leads the NCS in poles at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with seven poles (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2011 sweep, 2013).
• Eight of the 22 NCS pole winners at New Hampshire are active this weekend. Ryan Newman (7), Brad Keselowski (3), Kyle Busch (3), Kevin Harvick (2), Jimmie Johnson (1), Clint Bowyer (1), Kurt Busch (1), and Martin Truex Jr. (1).
• Five different manufacturers have won a pole in the NCS at New Hampshire; led by Chevrolet (18), Ford (10), Toyota (eight), Dodge (six), and Pontiac (one).

New Hampshire Race Data
Track race record: Jeff Burton, Ford (117.134 mph, 02:42:35) on 07-13-97.
2019 race winner: Kevin Harvick, Ford (104.062 mph, 03:03:37) on 07-21-19.
2020 race winner: Brad Keselowski, Ford (100.372 mph, 03:10:22) on 08-02-20
• Seven of the 24 NCS New Hampshire Motor Speedway winners are active this weekend. Kevin Harvick (4), Denny Hamlin (3), Kurt Busch (3), Kyle Busch (3), Ryan Newman (3), Joey Logano (2), and Brad Keselowski (2).
• Kevin Harvick (2006, 2016, 2018, 2019) leads active drivers in wins at New Hampshire with four victories.
• Four drivers have posted consecutive wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (2003 sweep), Kurt Busch (2004 sweep), Matt Kenseth (2015 fall, 2016 spring), and Kevin Harvick (2018, 2019).
• The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field in the NCS at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, producing more winners (six) than any other starting position (12.2%).
• The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at New Hampshire is 32nd, by Kurt Busch in the summer of 2003.
• Joe Gibbs Racing leads the series in wins at New Hampshire in the NCS with 11 victories.
• Denny Hamlin leads NCS in average finishing position at New Hampshire with a 9.6 in 27 starts.
• Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in laps led at New Hampshire with 1,128 laps led in 30 starts.

Top 10 Driver Ratings at New Hampshire
Denny Hamlin……………………… 104.5
Brad Keselowski…………………… 100.9
Kyle Busch…………………………. 100.0
Kevin Harvick………………………… 98.8
Martin Truex Jr……………………… 95.5
Chase Elliott…………………………. 91.1
Kurt Busch……………………………. 89.3
Kyle Larson………………………….. 87.9
Ryan Newman………………………. 87.3
Ryan Blaney…………………………. 86.8
Cole Custer………………………….. 85.5
Joey Logano…………………………. 83.2
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2020 races (29 total) among active drivers at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Toyota Racing – NCS New Hampshire Quotes – Christopher Bell – 07.16.21

By
Official Release
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Toyota Racing – Christopher Bell
NASCAR Cup Series Quotes

LOUDON, NH (July 16, 2021) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell was made available to media prior to the New Hampshire race weekend today:

CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 20 Rheem – Watts Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

What can you learn from the Xfinity race since the traction compound will be added after the race?

“It’s going to be a lot more difficult than what I was anticipating and not really ideal situation for sure. You would like to get a Xfinity race on the same track that you are going to run the Cup car, but on the same hand it’s still Loudon. The track is going to be a little bit different, maybe the racing line will be a little bit different, but still, you will be in that Loudon rhythm so to speak of. I definitely had to dig a little bit to find the last race without PJ1, and it affects the racing quite a bit. It will be interesting to see what race turns out better between the Xfinity Series race and the Cup race.”

Is there anything that you will need to remind yourself heading into the Cup race with the traction compound being applied?

“Probably, especially starting the race it’s going to be really difficult to just not over-drive and make sure you don’t get in the PJ1 too early. We know that it is super slick whenever they apply it, so the first couple of laps on Sunday are probably going to be pretty sketchy, so you just have to be really mindful of that. Once it does come in, you are just able to drive so much harder, because the track has a lot more grip. It will be the same for everybody and you just have to mind your p’s and q’s and don’t make a mistake early when the traction compound is still slick.”

Were you going to always be running the Xfinity race or did this just come up?

“It actually just came up a few weeks ago. I didn’t have any Xfinity races on my calendar. I’m not really sure what happened. I think Ty Gibbs maybe was supposed to run it and ended up doing the ARCA deal. So, I’m not really sure what happened, but I was very thankful for the opportunity and really glad that we have DEWALT onboard for Saturday’s race. It would be really, really cool to be able to get DEWALT into victory lane.”

Do you have any plans to race during this two-week break?

“Yeah, I will be going with Swindell Speed Lab, going Sprint Car racing. We are going to run Lernerville, Pennsylvania Tuesday after Loudon and then Friday, Saturday, we are going to Missouri to do a couple of all-star races. The week after that, I’m not really sure. It’s up in the air, but I will definitely be doing something somewhere.”

Why are you so good at New Hampshire?

“Whenever I first started pavement racing, I was fortunate enough to go and do a late model race at Loudon, so that was my first time there and I had a test with Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) before my first there in the Truck Series. It’s just been a place where I’ve had a lot of laps at. That test I think helped out a lot, and aside from that, I think I just have really good racecars. Going there with Kyle Busch Motorsports after that test, we had a really good package, and our trucks were really fast, and then Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has always had a really good handle on Loudon. I would love to sit here and tell you that I have secrets for it, but the main ingredient is having really fast racecars.”

How do you feel about the lobster on Sunday if you win?

“I’m not crazy about touching the lobster. My wife (Morgan) is excited about it. I will probably let her hold it.”

About Toyota

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

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

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

Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Head to New Hampshire

By
Official Release
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With their mid-season slump starting to look like a thing of the past, Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are headed to New Hampshire Motor Speedway hoping to post their third top-10 finish this month, and DiBenedetto will be seeking his third-straight finish of sixth or better on the Magic Mile in Loudon.

DiBenedetto finished fifth at New Hampshire in 2019 driving for his previous team then was sixth last year in the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang. He said he feels good about his prospects in Sunday’s Foxwoods Resort Casino 301.

“New Hampshire is a place I always have circled off as being excited to go to,” he said. “I love the low downforce/high horsepower races the most. It fits my driving style for sure.”

“Our cars have been strong there so I’m excited to see if we can go contend for the win.”

Sunday’s 301-lap race is relatively short compared to others on the Cup schedule, and that offers some opportunities for strategy calls that might not work in a longer event.

“It’s a pretty short race, and sometimes strategy is big if cautions fall at odd times,” DiBenedetto said.

DiBenedetto added that he believes the No. 21 team, which is coming off top-10 finishes at Atlanta and Road America, has developed good chemistry between driver, crew chief and crew and is poised to lead laps and compete for race wins.

“We are in the best position we have ever been to go out there and feel like we can absolutely win.”

With no practice or qualifying this weekend, DiBenedetto is set to start 14th on Sunday, as starting positions were determined based on the teams’ performances in the most recent race, at Atlanta Motor Speedway where DiBenedetto finished ninth.

The Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 is set to start just after 3 p.m. Eastern Time with TV coverage on NBCSN. Stage breaks are scheduled for Laps 75 and 185.

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.

NEWS from SRX: Notes Package for Camping World SRX Series Season Finale at Nashville

By
Official Release
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Camping World SRX Series Season Finale
Round 6 of 6 – Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway – July 17 LIVE on CBS

WHAT: Camping World SRX Series (Round 6 of 6)
WHERE: Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee
WHEN: 8 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 17
DISTANCE: Feature consists of 77 laps (preceded by two 12-minute heat races, which sets starting lineup)
CARS: Purpose-built SRX racecars
TV: LIVE on the CBS Television Network with streaming on Paramount+ Premium at 8 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 17

● Host: Lindsay Czarniak

● Booth: Allen Bestwick (play-by-play) and James Hinchcliffe (driver analyst)

● Pit Reporter: Matt Yocum

● Roaming Analyst: Brad Daugherty

● Producer: Pam Miller

● Director: Jim Cornell

THE TRACK: Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway (.596-mile, paved oval)

● Banking: 18 degrees in the turns; 3 degrees on the straightaways

● Width: 60 feet on frontstretch, 50 feet on backstretch and in corners

● Frontstretch Length: 720 feet

● Backstretch Length: 680 feet

SPOTTER GUIDE: Car color, car number, driver and series they represent

● Black: No. 98 of Marco Andretti (INDYCAR)

● Teal: No. 18 of Bobby Labonte (NASCAR)

● Yellow: No. 2 of Ernie Francis Jr.(TRANS AM)

● Red: No. 3 of Helio Castroneves (INDYCAR and IMSA)

● Lime Green: No. 13 of Paul Tracy (INDYCAR)

● Purple: No. 9 of Bill Elliott (NASCAR)

● Magenta: No. 48 of Tony Kanaan (INDYCAR)

● White: No. 94 of Chase Elliott (NASCAR)

● Indigo: No. 17 of Willy T. Ribbs (TRANS AM, IMSA and INDYCAR)

● Patriotic: No. 1 of Hailie Deegan (NASCAR)

● Orange: No. 14 of Tony Stewart (NASCAR, INDYCAR and USAC)

● Blue: No. 15 of Michael Waltrip (NASCAR)

ROUND 1: June 12 at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut (half-mile, paved oval)

● Feature Winner: Doug Coby (Local All-Star)

● Heat Race No. 1 Winner: Greg Biffle (Ringer)

● Heat Race No. 2 Winner: Doug Coby

ROUND 2: June 19 at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa (half-mile, dirt oval)

● Feature Winner: Tony Stewart

● Heat Race No. 1 Winner: Tony Stewart

● Heat Race No. 2 Winner: Scott Bloomquist (Ringer)

ROUND 3: June 26 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio (half-mile, high-banked, clay oval)

● Feature Winner: Tony Stewart

● Heat Race No. 1 Winner: Tony Stewart

● Heat Race No. 2 Winner: Marco Andretti

ROUND 4: July 3 at Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg, Indiana (.686-mile, paved oval)

● Feature Winner: Ernie Francis Jr.

● Heat Race No. 1 Winner: Scott Speed (Ringer)

● Heat Race No. 2 Winner: Helio Castroneves

ROUND 5: July 10 at Slinger Speedway in Slinger, Wisconsin (quarter-mile, high-banked asphalt oval)

● Feature Winner: Marco Andretti

● Heat Race No. 1 Winner: Marco Andretti

● Heat Race No. 2 Winner: Greg Biffle (Ringer)

DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: After Round 5 of 6

  1. Tony Stewart (199 points)
  2. Ernie Francis Jr. (161 points, -38)
  3. Marco Andretti (155 points, -44)
  4. Bobby Labonte (145 points, -54)
  5. Helio Castroneves (140 points, -59)
  6. Tony Kanaan (139 points, -60)
  7. Michael Waltrip (93 points, -106)
  8. Paul Tracy (90 points, -109)
  9. Bill Elliott (66 points, -133)
  10. Willy T. Ribbs (63 points, -136)

Note: Points are awarded in both heats and the feature. In each heat, the winner receives a maximum of 12 points. Second place earns 11 points with every position in descending order receiving one fewer point, with the 12th-place finisher earning one point. Points increase in the feature, with the winner receiving 25 points, second place 22 points, third place 20 points, fourth place 18 points, fifth place 16 points, sixth place 14 points, seventh place 12 points, eighth place 10 points, ninth place eight points, 10th place six points, 11th place four points and 12th place two points.

CREW CHIEF CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: After Round 5 of 6

  1. Todd Parrott (399 points)
  2. Local Legends (391 points, -8)
  3. Jeff Hammond (319 points, -80)
  4. Mike Beam (297 points, -102)
  5. Tony Eury Jr. (171 points, -228)

Note: Ricky Turner is the local legend crew chief at Nashville. The Dawsonville, Georgia-native is a former driver who went from winning races in Late Model stock cars to serving as the winning crew chief for Late Model drivers, most notably with Chase Elliott. Turner was a part of Elliott’s grand slam in 2013 when he became the first driver to win all four majors on the Super Late Model circuit – the All-American 400 at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, the Winchester 400 at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway, the World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Georgia, and the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

NASHVILLE GUEST STAR: CHASE ELLIOTT

Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia, United States

Social: IG: @chaseelliott9 / Twitter: @chaseelliott / Facebook: @ChaseElliott

● Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.

● Winner of 13 NASCAR Cup Series races, seven on road courses, and also a five-time winner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and a three-time winner in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

● Qualified on the pole nine times in the NASCAR Cup Series, including the 2016 and 2017 Daytona 500.

● Earned NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2016.

● Won 2014 Xfinity Series championship, the first rookie to win a NASCAR national series title and the youngest driver (at 18 years of age) to win that series title.

● Voted NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver by fans in 2018, 2019 and 2020, a distinction his father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, won a record 16 times.

● Bill Elliott, the 1988 NASCAR Cup Series champion, and Chase, the 2020 champion, are the third father-son duo to win NASCAR championships, joining Lee and Richard Petty, and Ned and Dale Jarrett.

● Before his NASCAR career, became the first driver to win the largest short-track races in the United States – the All-American 400, the Winchester 400, the Snowball Derby and the World Crown 300.

NASHVILLE GUEST STAR: HAILIE DEEGAN

Hometown: Temecula, California, United States

Social: IG: @HailieDeegan / Twitter: @HailieDeegan / Facebook: @ HailieDeegan4 / TikTok: @HailieDeegan

● Substituted for Tony Kannan June 19 at Knoxville and July 10 at Slinger. In SRX debut at Knoxville, finished third in the first heat, fifth in the second heat, and second in the feature to winner Tony Stewart. At Slinger, Deegan finished eighth in the first heat, second in the second heat and fourth in the feature.

● Three-time winner in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, and was the first female to win a race in the series.

● Currently competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

● At just 19 years old, leads all NASCAR drivers – male and female – in fan engagement on social media.

● Daughter of Brian Deegan, a championship-winning motocross rider, off-road racer and Gold medal-winning X-Games athlete.

THE REGULARS:

MARCO ANDRETTI

Hometown: Nazareth, Pennsylvania, United States

Social: IG: @marcoandretti / Twitter: @marcoandretti

● Won the fifth round of the Camping World SRX Series race July 10 at Slinger. It was Andretti’s first victory in a racecar featuring a roof and fenders.

● Third-generation racer, son of INDYCAR champion Michael Andretti and grandson of the legendary Mario Andretti.

● Racing select NTT INDYCAR Series races in 2021 (which included the Indianapolis 500).

● Winner of the 2006 INDYCAR Series Rookie of the Year.

● Tested for Honda Racing’s Formula One program in 2006 and 2007.

● Purchased childhood home in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and runs a successful real-estate business.

● Prepared to run the 2020 New York Marathon before the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellation of the event.

HELIO CASTRONEVES

Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil

Social: IG: @heliocastroneves / Twitter: @h3lio / Facebook: @h3lio

● Four-time and reigning Indianapolis 500 winner (2001, 2002, 2009 and 2021).

● Winner of the 2021 Rolex 24 at Daytona with co-drivers Filipe Albuquerque, Ricky Taylor and Alexander Rossi.

● Credited with beginning the tradition of climbing the fence after a race win, which he did after scoring his first career INDYCAR victory at the 2000 Detroit Grand Prix.

● Mirror Ball Trophy winner on Season 5 of Dancing With The Stars in 2007, alongside partner Julianne Hough.

BILL ELLIOTT

Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia, United States

Social: Twitter: @billelliott9 / Facebook: @billelliott

● Affectionately known as “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville”.

● Won the 1988 NASCAR Cup Series championship and is a two-time Daytona 500 winner (1985 and 1987).

● Still holds the track qualifying records at Daytona International Speedway (210.364 mph) and Talladega Superspeedway (212.809 mph), both set in 1987.

● Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015.

● Voted NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver by fans a record 16 times.

● Father of reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott. They are the third father-son duo to win NASCAR championships, joining Lee and Richard Petty, and Ned and Dale Jarrett.

ERNIE FRANCIS JR.

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

Social: IG: @erniefrancisjr / Twitter: @erniefrancisjr

● Won the fourth round of the Camping World SRX Series race July 3 at Lucas Oil Raceway. It was Francis’ first career win on an oval.

● Winningest driver in the 55-year history of the SCCA Trans Am Series, all while being just 23 years old.

● At 16, became the youngest champion in Trans Am history and is the youngest professional driver to win seven consecutive championships.

● One of his most impressive performances came in the 2018 Trans Am race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. He had to miss qualifying because of a NASCAR commitment, but still won the race from the back of the grid.

● Has made select starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR K&N Series.

● Grandfather immigrated to New York City from Haiti five decades ago.

● Counts Willy T. Ribbs as a mentor and, like Ribbs, making a name for himself in Trans Am.

TONY KANAAN

Hometown: Salvador, Brazil

Social: IG: @tkanaan / Twitter: @tonykanaan / Facebook: @tonykanaan

● Won the 2004 INDYCAR championship.

● Winner of the 2013 Indianapolis 500.

● Splitting 2021 NTT INDYCAR Series season with seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson in Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 48 entry, competing in all of the series’ oval races.

● Lebanese ancestry but grew up in Brazil; member of racing “Brat Pack” with Dario Franchitti, Max Papis and the late Greg Moore.

● Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and English.

● Avid triathlete and has completed Ironman event in Hawaii.

BOBBY LABONTE

Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas, United States

Social: IG: @bobby_labonte44 / Twitter: @bobby_labonte

● Won the 2000 NASCAR Cup Series championship and 1991 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship.

● Won 2001 International Race of Champions (IROC) title, which was the precursor to SRX.

● Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020.

● Is a television analyst for FOX, specifically FS1’s RaceDay.

● Competes in the Southern Modified Auto Racing Tour (SMART).

● Founded Longhorn Chassis in 2010 with his brother, Terry, building dirt late model racecars. (Terry is a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, earning titles in 1984 and 1996.)

● Owns a Red Mango yogurt shop on the campus of Duke University.

WILLY T. RIBBS

Hometown: San Jose, California, United States

Social: Twitter: @willyribbs

● First African-American to compete in the Indianapolis 500 (1991 and 1993) and the first African-American to test a Formula One car (1986 with Brabham in Estoril, Portugal).

● Winner of the 1977 Dunlop/Autosport Star of Tomorrow Formula Ford 1600 championship.

● A 17-race winner in the SCCA Trans Am Series. Was the 1983 Trans Am Rookie of the Year on the strength of five wins and finished second in the series championship to teammate David Hobbs.

● Won 10 IMSA GTO races driving for the legendary Dan Gurney.

● Showed versatility by competing in Trans Am, IMSA, INDYCAR and various NASCAR divisions, including the Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series.

● Made 46 INDYCAR starts between 1990-1994.

● After retiring from racing, became a professional shooter in the National Sporting Clays Association. Ribbs’ son, Theodore, is also a professional shooter.

● In the Disney Channel cartoon The Proud Family, character Penny proud and her friends attend Willy T. Ribbs Middle School, where the mascot is “Racer.”

● Ribbs was the subject of the 2020 Netflix documentary, Uppity: The Willy T. Ribbs Story.

TONY STEWART

Hometown: Columbus, Indiana, United States

Social: IG: @tsrsmoke / Twitter: @tonystewart / Facebook: @tonystewart / YouTube: @tonystewart14

● Swept the two Camping World SRX Series dirt-track races June 19 at Knoxville and June 26 at Eldora.

● Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (2002, 2005 and 2011), 1997 INDYCAR Series champion and four-time USAC champion.

● Stewart is the first and only driver to win championships in stock cars, Indy cars and open-wheel Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown cars.

● Co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, winner of two NASCAR Cup Series championships (2011 and 2014).

● Owner of Tony Stewart Racing, winner of 26 championships – 14 in USAC, nine in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and three in the All Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets.

● Inducted into numerous halls of fame, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame (2020), the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame (2020), the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (2019), the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame (2019), the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame (2019), the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame (2018), the USAC Hall of Fame (2016) and the National Midget Racing Hall of Fame (2001).

● Formed the Tony Stewart Foundation in 2003.The 501(c)(3) organization’s goal is to raise funds primarily distributed to serving three specific groups – chronically ill and physically disabled children, animals that are endangered or at-risk, and drivers injured in the sport of motor racing. To date, the Foundation has awarded nearly $7 million to assist charitable initiatives for more than 150 well-qualified organizations throughout the United States.

PAUL TRACY

Hometown: Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

Social: IG: @paultracyofficial

● Current NBC TV commentator for its INDYCAR broadcasts.

● Won the 2003 INDYCAR championship.

● Finished second to Helio Castroneves in the 2002 Indianapolis 500.

● Has competed in NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, and dabbled in professional downhill mountain bike racing.

MICHAEL WALTRIP

Hometown: Owensboro, Kentucky, United States

Social: IG: @mwr55 / Twitter: @mw55 / Facebook: @michaelcwaltrip

● Two-time Daytona 500 winner (2001 and 2003).

● Younger brother of three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip.

● Color commentator for FOX’s broadcasts of NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, as well as pre-race commentator for FOX’s broadcast of NASCAR Cup Series races.

● Author of a New York Times best-seller in 2011, In the Blink of an Eye: Dale, Daytona, and the Day that Changed Everything. A documentary film adaptation was released in 2019.

● An avid runner, competed in the 2000 Boston Marathon.

● Participated in season 19 of Dancing With The Stars in 2014.

About Camping World SRX Series:

The Camping World SRX Series was created by a team consisting of Sandy Montag and The Montag Group, George Pyne, NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief and team owner Ray Evernham, and legendary driver Tony Stewart. The Montag Group leads business operations and Evernham oversees all racing operations. Pyne is a member of the Board and serves as an advisor. For more information, please visit us online at www.SRXracing.com, on Facebook, on Twitter and on Instagram.

Trans Am Returns to Brainerd to Honor the Life of Jed Copham

By
Official Release
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Trans Am Championship in full swing heading into the Ryan Companies US presents the Jed Copham Tribute Weekend at Brainerd International Raceway

BRAINERD, MINN. (15 July 2021)- The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli will celebrate the life of Jed Copham at Brainerd International Raceway for the second-annual Ryan Companies US Jed Copham Tribute Weekend July 16-18.

The three-day event honoring the track’s late owner and part-time Trans Am driver Jed Copham will highlight racing throughout history from SpeedTour, featuring historic racing from Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, open wheel competition from the youthful Formula 4 United States Championship and Formula Regional Americas Championship presented by Honda drivers and wheel-to-wheel muscle car action from Trans Am. The weekend will also feature Bracket Drag Racing on the dragstrip. (Tickets)

The Ryan Companies, US presents the Jed Copham Tribute Weekend at Brainerd International Raceway marks the fifth year of Ryan Companies US, Inc. playing a pivotal role in bringing the iconic Trans Am Series to a legendary race circuit.

Ryan Companies, US designs, develops, finances, manages and constructs buildings that tell the stories of its employees, its customers and its legacy. Ryan Companies will assist in building Trans Am’s story and legacy this weekend by also supporting the live stream on the Trans Am by Pirelli App and the race replay premiers following the weekend. (Download Trans Am by Pirelli Racing App.)

“Ryan Companies is honored to sponsor the Jed Copham Weekend Tribute at Brainerd International Raceway again this year to honor the life of Jed Copham,” Ryan Companies US Chairman Emeritus of the Board and TA2® driver Tim Gray. “Every Trans Am event brings excellent competition, and this one in particular means a lot to me, as this raceway is where I did my SCCA drivers school and competed in my first-ever Trans Am race. I look forward to another fun event this week here in Brainerd.”

The chase for the TA championship is now at its mid-way point after six rounds with Chris Dyson leading the standings by 22 points following his third consecutive victory at Road America. However, last season at BIR was a huge upset for Dyson’s championship points. During the opening legs of the 100-mile sprint, Dyson experienced a drive train failure, putting him out of points contention. This year, Dyson expects a better outcome for his No. 20 ALTWELL Ford Mustang after a strong, consistent first half of the season.

“Throughout this year, we have had excellent reliability and the points standings reflect our consistency,” said Dyson. “Improving our finishing record was the biggest priority of the off-season, and I’m really encouraged so far.

“Of course every single Trans Am Series race is a fight, and we never underestimate our competition,” Dyson continued. “Tomy (Drissi) has put up a strong challenge all year and you can never count out Ernie (Francis Jr) as a factor in any race. The fans at Brainerd are real enthusiasts and the track loves Trans Am, so we are looking forward to competing there next week.”

Last season, BIR was a crucial points race for Tomy Drissi. Following a race-long battle with Amy Ruman, Drissi took the lead and the win at Brainerd, his first victory since 2018. The win edged Drissi back into the championship chase in 2020.

Entering this weekend the Weathertech Raceway winner hopes to capture the same success in the No. 8 Lucas Oil SlickMist Chevrolet Camaro as he did last season as he trails Dyson in the season-long points battle by 22 points.

“Our Lucas Oil SlickMist car was fast at Brainerd last year but we’re going to have to be faster to beat (Chris) Dyson, Ernie (Francis Jr.), Amy (Ruman) or any of the ringers that have been showing up. I’m proud to be representing the Lucas oil SlickMist family and I can’t wait to get to Brainerd to see the true-blue fans in Minnesota.”

Two-time TA champ Amy Ruman ran her best race of the season last year at BIR, battling Drissi for second place and eventually the lead. Despite losing power steering half way through the race, Ruman wheeled her No. 23 McNichols/Cornertech Chevrolet Corvette to a second-place finish.

Ruman has won at Brainerd twice with Trans Am and expects to make up serious ground in the points with a podium finish. Ruman sits sixth in points (105) behind rookie Ken Thwaits (106), Simon Gregg (119), Ernie Francis Jr. (128), Drissi (155) and Dyson (177).

“It was a quick turnaround from the Road America race and the guys have been working diligently to repair the No. 23 McNichols/Cornertech Chevrolet Corvette after a front suspension part failed and sent us into the wall,” said Ruman. “We had a great race at BIR last year capturing a second-place finish and as always, our strategy is to land a podium spot on Sunday!”

Splitting his time again this weekend with SRX, Francis Jr. will test on Friday morning and skip practice and qualifying on Saturday to make his SRX commitment in Nashville. The seven-time champion will then hop on a red eye to make it back in time to race on Sunday.

Last season Francis Jr. went flatout around the two-mile road course, building more than a 20-second lead within 18 laps before his day was cut short by a mechanical failure. Though, Francis Jr. will start at the back of the field for the 100-mile sprint on Sunday, his No. 98 Future Star/Breathless Racing Ford Mustang will be one to watch make a bid for the podium.

Trans Am drivers will compete in a full test day on Friday (July 16) with practices filling Saturday (July 17) morning before TA2 qualifying block at 1:15 p.m. Central followed by TA qualifying at 3:35. Sunday (July 18) closes the three-day event with a combined 100-mile sprint from Trans Am TA and TA2® drivers at 11:25 a.m. Central.

The weekend will be live streamed on the Trans Am by Pirelli Racing App starting on Saturday.

EMERLING PRIMED FOR RUN TO CHECKERED IN INAUGURAL MOD TOUR EVENT AT LANCASTER

By
Official Release
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Patrick Emerling, seen here in a 2011 photo from Thompson Speedway, scored his first career victory in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in the Bush's Beans 150 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Photo: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR

Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 Set for July 31

Lancaster, NY (June 16, 2021): Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, NY, heads into an action-packed race weekend fresh off a strong finish at his home track. This past Saturday, June 10, Emerling posted a runner-up finish in the Ol’ Boy Cup 60 at Lancaster Speedway at New York International Raceway Park. On Saturday, July 31, he hopes to improve his finishing position by one to take down a victory in the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150; the track’s inaugural Whelen Modified Tour event.

“I’ve been wanting the Modified Tour to come out to Western New York for a long time,” said Emerling, whose travel time to compete on the Modified Tour is normally six plus hours, “not only because it’s a short commute but because I’m hoping it does a lot for Modified racing here in the Western part of the state.”

Before the Modified Tour rolls into town, Emerling will have his hands full with a busy schedule at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend. Looking to pad his point lead in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, he is also driving the No. 23 Chevrolet for Our Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The 30 year old driver currently sits atop the NASCAR Whelen Modified points standings; a scant three points ahead of defending series champion Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, NY. Heading into Loudon, Emerling has amassed an impressive five top-five and six top-ten finishes in the six series races thus far this season; including a win in the prestigious Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway.

Riding consistency to the top of the standings, Emerling feels no pressure in pursuit of the championship.

“We want to be leading the points,” said Emerling, almost matter-of-factly. “It’s what you work toward. But, we are really just a bunch of guys that enjoy racing. We are having fun doing what we do and trying to run the best that we can.”

That bunch of guys also includes crew chief Jan Leaty, a successful modified driver in his own right.

“We are good at the same tracks,” said Emerling of his crew chief. “New Hampshire was one of Jan’s best tracks and it’s one of my better tracks as well. I think that definitely provides a connection between us.”

That could spell trouble for the competition at Lancaster. Ironically, Emerling and Leaty are tied on the all-time Modified win list at Lancaster Speedway with seven wins apiece.

Emerling has an impressive stat in the Sportsman Modified division at the Speedway as well. He is tied with Don Staubitz, Jr. for thirteenth on Lancaster Speedway’s all-time Sportsman feature winners list with eight victories. Admittedly, his most memorable experience at the Speedway came while running the sportsman division.

“Years ago, while running the Sportsman division, we won a handful of races in a row and people started complaining that we were cheating,” said Emerling. “One night we finished second. Well, first and third place got disqualified. We were they only legal car in tech.”

With the parity of the front-runners on the Modified Tour this year – Emerling’s average finish is 3.5, Bonsignore’s is 4.5 and Doug Coby’s is 4.4 – the familiarity could be the advantage at the D-shaped half-mile.

“The track is quite different from anywhere else that the Tour runs,” said Emerling. “We’ve won a good amount here in the past and finished second last week even missing on the setup a bit. I have a really good handle of the way you have to drive this place and I know what to expect as the race goes on. I think that gives me at least a slight advantage over the competitors running the track for the first time.”

And, Emerling has been especially good in his home state of NY this season. He has a pair of runner-up finishes at Riverhead and a third-place finish at Oswego.

While there is a long way yet to go in the season, Lancaster Speedway could be the catalyst for a run to the championship for the local favorite, which is the “ultimate goal” for Emerling.

Fans won’t want to miss when locals with experience and accolades like Emerling, Tommy Catalano, Tyler Rypkema and Chuck Hossfeld take on perennial favorites like Bonsignore, Coby and others.

General admission tickets are now on sale for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at New York International Raceway Park (NYIRP) in Lancaster, NY. Grandstand tickets for the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150, scheduled for Saturday, July 31, are available at SeetheEvents.com for $35 for adults and $15 for children ages 12 and under.

Grandstands will open at Noon with practice beginning at 2pm. Racing begins at 5pm. In addition to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the race card also includes Sportsman, 4-Cylinders and Street Stocks.

The event website is hosted by event promoter and Lancaster Speedway/NYIRP partner, Speed Enterprises Entertainment.

Located just 30 miles from Niagara Falls in Lancaster, New York International Raceway Park is home to the half-mile Lancaster Speedway asphalt oval as well as a 1/8-mile drag strip featuring IHRA sanctioned drag racing.

Racing since 1959, the speedway has a rich history that has seen winners that include some of the all-time greats of NASCAR Modified racing like Maynard Troyer, Richie Evans, Jerry Cook, Geoff Bodine, Tony Hirschman, Rick Fuller, Mike McLaughlin and Reggie Ruggiero.

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