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No. 10 Smithfield Ford Racing: Aric Almirola Atlanta Advance

Aric Almirola
Atlanta Advance
Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview
● Event: Atlanta 400 (Round 21 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 11
● Location: Atlanta Motor Speedway
● Layout: 1.5-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 260 laps/400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stages 1: 80 laps / Stage 2: 80 laps / Final Stage: 100 laps
● TV/Radio: NBCSN / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● History at Atlanta Motor Speedway: This will mark Almirola’s 12th NASCAR Cup Series start at the 1.5-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway oval. Almirola has two top-10 finishes, four top-15s in his previous 11 Atlanta starts, and he qualified on the pole and led 36 laps in 2019. He also has three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts there with a best finish of eighth, and three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts with a best finish of third.

● Almirola’s best finish this year is fourth at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway. His second-best finish was sixth at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, and his next-best was 11th at Phoenix Raceway.

● Last weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, Almirola led a lap and finished 14th to earn his best road-course result of the season.

● Crew chief Mike Bugarewicz has two top-five finishes at Atlanta in six outings as a Cup Series crew chief.

● Almirola’s 2020 season proved successful when he earned a career-high 18 top-10 finishes, six top-fives and led 305 laps. During the season, Almirola went on a five-race streak of top-five finishes and earned nine consecutive top-10s.

● Career Stats: Almirola has career totals of two wins, two poles, 25 top-five finishes, 81 top-10s and 860 laps led in 372 NASCAR Cup Series starts.

● Smithfield Foods celebrates 10 years of partnership with Almirola this season with a special campaign called Taste Victory.As one of the most active partners in NASCAR, Smithfield plans to engage fans all year long by hosting a microsite that provides the opportunity to win when Almirola wins or finishes inside the top-10. When Almirola wins, one fan wins $10,000, and 10 fans win a gift card for each top-10 finish. The microsite also doubles as an Aric Almirola fan page and entertainment source where fans can get behind the wheel of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford with a custom racing game, and learn more about Almirola with fast facts, favorite recipes and custom content about his life on and off the track. Visit www.tastevictory.com to learn more. Thanks to Almirola’s Feb. 11 win in his Duel qualifying race for the Daytona 500, one lucky fan has already won $10,000.

Beyond the 10 YouTube Series: In 2021, Almirola continues to share his life beyond the No. 10 Smithfield Ford with season three of his award-winning YouTube series. Fans and media can subscribe on YouTube to see Almirola’s personality on and off the track. Episodes have already featured life as a dad, a husband and an athlete, and it gives fans a unique perspective on what goes on in the life of a professional NASCAR driver. Fans can also follow Almirola’s social media channels: @Aric_Almirola on Twitter and Instagram, and @AricAlmirola on Facebook.

● After the season’s first 20 points-paying events, Almirola and the Smithfield Ford team sit 27th in the championship with 317 points, 481 behind leader Denny Hamlin and 154 behind the playoff cutoff line.

Aric Almirola, Driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

What’s it like racing at Atlanta?

“Drivers love to race at tracks that are old and worn out because it gives us options. It seems like the times we go to repaves, it gets very narrow and we can only run right in a single groove. When we go to Atlanta, it’s got a lot of character. It’s rough. It’s bouncy. It’s worn out and you slip and slide. We like having that control of cars sliding around and driving it. We really enjoy tracks like Atlanta.”

We saw improvement in the 1.5-mile program when you won the All-Star Open at Texas. Do you think that will translate to Atlanta?

“We did find some solid speed at Texas and it was great to see improvement there after the year we have had. I hope a few things transfer over to Atlanta, but it’s such a worn-out track that you’re mostly managing tire fall-off. We had a lot of bad luck at the beginning of the season at tracks like Homestead and Vegas, so we didn’t get a chance to build a lot of notes there. I think we’re back on the right track and head to Atlanta with the most confidence we’ve had all year.”

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Team Roster

Primary Team Members
Driver: Aric Almirola
Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Crew Chief: Mike Bugarewicz
Hometown: Lehighton, Pennsylvania

Car Chief: Jerry Cook
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Engineer: Lee Deese
Hometown: Rockingham, North Carolina

Engineer: James Kimbrough
Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

Spotter: Joel Edmonds
Hometown: Dobson, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members
Front Tire Changer: Ryan Mulder
Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa

Rear Tire Changer: Michael Johnson
Hometown: Andover, New York

Tire Carrier: Tyler Bullard
Hometown: King, North Carolina

Jack Man: Sean Cotton
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Fuel Man: James “Ace” Keener
Hometown: Fortuna, California

Road Crew Members
Mechanic: Tony Silvestri
Hometown: Sylvania, Ohio

Mechanic: Robbie Fairweather
Hometown: Westbrookville, New York

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller
Hometown: Monroe, New York

Tire Specialist: Russel Simpson
Hometown: Medford, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Dale Lackey
Hometown: Taylorsville, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Wayne Smith
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

GMS Racing Camping World Trucks Knoxville Preview

Sheldon Creed, No. 2 LiftKits4Less Chevrolet Silverado
Knoxville Raceway Camping World Trucks Stats

  • First start at Knoxville Raceway

2021 Camping World Trucks Stats

  • Starts: 13, Wins: 1, Best start: 2, Best finish: 1, Top 5s: 6, Top 10s: 6, Stage wins: 1, Laps led: 161

Notes:

  • Chassis history/info: Creed and the No. 2 team will utilize chassis no. 021 on Friday in Knoxville. This chassis finished 16th at Bristol Dirt in the spring. leading once for 38 laps. Kyle Larson won in this chassis back in 2016 at Eldora Speedway. Backup chassis No. 104.
  • Playoff outlook: Creed is currently sixth in the championship points standings, 169 points behind the leader. Creed is locked into the playoffs by virtue of his win at Darlington.

Quote:

”I am pumped to get back on dirt this weekend at Knoxville Raceway. We had a solid run on dirt at Bristol but didn’t have the best end result. Being this is my first time at Knoxville, I am not really sure what to expect. I’ve been watching a lot of past sprint car races and working with Josh Wise trying to prepare. We have a pretty good dirt package, so I think it will be mostly on me to find the right groove and keep the Lift Kits 4 Less Chevrolet out of trouble.”

Zane Smith, No. 21 TenderBison Chevrolet Silverado
Knoxville Raceway Camping World Trucks Stats

  • First start at Knoxville Raceway

2021 Camping World Truck Stats

  • Starts: 12, Best start: 2, Best finish: 4, Top 5s: 1, Top 10s: 9, Stage wins: 3, Laps led: 43

Notes:

  • Sponsor spotlight: TenderBison will sponsor Zane Smith’s No. 21 Chevrolet Silverado this week at Knoxville. North American Bison, proud suppliers of Tender Bison make it their goal to partner with respected independent ranchers who raise bison naturally and humanely to help us bring the very best to your plate. Now over 28 years later, they are continuing to build on that mission and growing their brand in the process. Their all-natural and family farm-sourced bison can be found in grocery stores and restaurants worldwide.
  • Chassis history/info: Smith and the No. 21 team will compete with chassis no. 136. This chassis was a brand-new addition to the GMS stable when they competed at Bristol Dirt in April where the team rallied to a seventh-place finish. Backup chassis no. 130
  • Playoff outlook: Smith is currently fourth in the championship standings, 147 points behind the leader and 145 points above the playoff cutoff line with two races remaining until the Playoffs begin.

Quote:

“I’m excited to get back on the dirt. Bristol went really well for us and probably would have had an awesome race with the No. 51 for the win if we didn’t get our penalty before it became single groove. Though, I think driving through the field when we were stuck on the bottom will be great practice for Knoxville since I think it’ll be mostly one lane and having to move off the bottom. It should be a fun and exciting race. We hope to lock ourselves into the playoffs and get TenderBison parked in Victory Lane in their first race.”

Chase Purdy, No. 23 Bama Buggies Chevrolet Silverado
Knoxville Raceway Camping World Truck Stats:

  • First start at Knoxville Raceway

2021 Camping World Trucks Stats

  • Starts: 13, Best start: 4, Best finish: 15, Laps led: 4

Notes:

  • Chassis history/info: Purdy and the No. 21 team will utilize chassis no. 009 at the Knoxville Raceway on Friday night. This chassis ran at Bristol Dirt in the spring and came home with an 18th place finish. Backup chassis no. 106. - Playoff Outlook: Purdy is currently 19th in the championship points standings, 141 points behind the playoff cut line. Quote:

“I am looking forward to getting back on a dirt track in my Chevrolet Silverado. Fortunately, we have practice and qualifying, so I will have a chance to learn the track and figure out the groove to run in.”

Jack Wood, No. 24 Chevy Accessories Chevrolet Silverado
Knoxville Raceway Camping World Trucks Stats

  • First start at Knoxville Raceway

2021 Camping World Truck Stats

  • Starts: 4, Best start: 2, Best finish: 11

Notes:

  • Chassis history/info: Wood and his No. 24 team will utilize chassis no. 315 this week at Knoxville Raceway. This chassis finished third at Bristol Dirt in April with driver Raphael Lessard behind the wheel. Backup chassis no. 106

Quote:

“It’s going be a great opportunity to go to such a historic and famous racetrack. This will be my first time ever racing on dirt so we will take every lap to learn and get better. I’m excited to get back to work with the No. 24 GMS Racing team.”

Tyler Ankrum, No. 26 LiUNA! Chevrolet Silverado
Knoxville Raceway Camping World Trucks Stats

  • First start at Knoxville Raceway

2021 Camping World Truck Stats

  • Starts: 13, Best start: 1, Best finish: 3, Top 5s: 3, Top 10s: 4, Laps led: 12

Notes:

  • Sponsor spotlight: LiUNA! returns this week to feature on Tyler Ankrum’s No. 26 Silverado.
  • Chassis history: Ankrum and his no. 26 crew will compete in chassis no. 228 this week. This chassis ran back in April on the Bristol dirt finishing 40th after being collected in an accident. Backup chassis no. 104.
  • Playoff outlook: Ankrum sits 12th in the playoff standings, just 33 points behind the cutoff line entering Knoxville.

Quote:

“I’m excited for Knoxville. I love dirt and everything it brings, and I feel like one of the dirt races in the schedule owes the 26 team one. I’m pumped up and ready to charge for the playoffs.”

ABOUT GMS RACING

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

SOCIAL MEDIA

To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Baby Doge Coin Makes NASCAR Xfinity Series Debut with Brandon Brown at Atlanta

Track: Atlanta Motor Speedway | 1.5 Mile Quad-Oval
Race: 18 of 33
Event: Credit Karma Money 250
Race: Saturday, July 10 | 3:30 p.m. ET | NBCSN & PRN
Stages: 40 / 80 / 163 = 251.02

Brandon Brown | Atlanta Motor Speedway | Xfinity Stats
Starts: 4
Best Start: 4
Best Finish: 12

Brown on Atlanta:

“I’m looking forward to heading back to “Hotlanta” this weekend where it looks like the track is going to live up to its nickname. The forecast looks warm, which means the race track will be hot and slick, so having good forward drive is going to be a big key to success.

“When we were here in the spring, we got taken out late in the race after running in and around the Top-10, so there’s definitely some redemption that our team is looking for in regards to finishing where we ran all race long back in March.

“This weekend, we’re proud to welcome Baby Doge Coin aboard our No. 68 Chevrolet Camaro as the newest partner of Brandonbilt Motorsports. Baby Doge Coin is a brand new cryptocurrency with a unique goal; to save as many dogs as possible. Since their beginning in June of 2021, they have almost donated $100,000 to help save dogs and are considered the world’s first dog-charity cryptocurrency.

“Being a dog owner and animal lover myself, I’m very excited about this partnership and the meaning behind Baby Doge Coin’s initiatives. The car looks awesome and I can’t wait for everybody to see it on track this weekend.”

About Baby Doge Coin
Baby Doge Coin was born June 1st , 2021. The mission was simple: save dogs. Birthed by fans & members of the Doge Coin online community, Baby Doge is being labeled as the world’s 1st dog-charity cryptocurrency. Having quickly ammased over 368,000 holders & 100,000 followers on Twitter, even Elon Musk recently tweeted about Baby Doge. Baby Doge has already donated over $75,000 to help save dogs & has plans to donate much more.

To learn more about Baby Doge Coin, visit www.babydogecoin.com.

Facebook: @BabyDogeCoin
Instagram: @thebabydogecoin
Twitter: @BabyDogeCoin

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

Morgan Alexander – Knoxville Race Advance

Knoxville Raceway Race Advance
Corn Belt 150 Presented by Premier Chevy Dealers

Team: No. 44 Geneva Farms Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Morgan Alexander
Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport

Alexander on Racing at Knoxville: “I’m really looking forward to making my Truck Series debut this week at Knoxville,” said Alexander. “I’m thankful to Al Niece and everyone at Niece Motorsports for the opportunity, and to Geneva Farms, and all of our great partners for their support to make this happen. I know this team builds solid trucks, so I’m hopeful that we will be able to keep our nose clean and put together a strong run.”

Alexander at Knoxville: Friday night’s Corn Belt 150 marks the first time that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series visits Knoxville Raceway.

Friday night’s race also marks Alexander’s debut in the Series.

On the Truck: Alexander’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado will race with support from Geneva Farms, Senoia Raceway, Sugar Creek Raceway, Alexander Produce, Booger Brooks Racing, and Performance Lift.

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2021, Niece Motorsports enters its sixth season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Carson Hocevar – Knoxville Race Advance

Knoxville Raceway Race Advance
Corn Belt 150 Presented by Premier Chevy Dealers

Team: No. 42 Niece Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Carson Hocevar
Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @CarsonHocevar

Hocevar on Racing at Knoxville: “I’ve had this race circled on the calendar for a long time,” said Hocevar. “I’m excited to take our Niece Motorsports Chevrolet to Knoxville. It’s going to be a new challenge for all of us, but I enjoy racing on dirt and think it will be a lot of fun.”

Hocevar at Knoxville: Friday night’s Corn Belt 150 marks the first time that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series visits Knoxville Raceway.

In two prior Truck Series starts on dirt, Hocevar has a best finish of 21st, coming earlier this year at Bristol.

In the Points: Hocevar remains 10th in the driver point standings after the most recent race at Pocono Raceway. In addition, Hocevar retained the lead in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Standings.

On the Truck: The No. 42 Chevrolet will race with support from Niece Equipment.

For over 40 years, Niece Equipment has provided clients with water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity, and dependability.

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2021, Niece Motorsports enters its sixth season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Jett Noland – Knoxville Race Advance

Knoxville Raceway Race Advance
Corn Belt 150 Presented by Premier Chevy Dealers

Team: No. 45 Hype Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Jett Noland
Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @jettnoland50

Noland on Racing at Knoxville: “I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the Hype Motorsports – Noland’s Roofing No. 45 this weekend at Knoxville Raceway,” said Noland. “This will be my debut race on dirt, so I’m excited to test the limits of myself and my truck and put on a good show for Niece Motorsports, our partners and fans.”

Noland at Knoxville: Friday night’s Corn Belt 150 marks the first time that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series visits Knoxville Raceway.

This week’s race also marks Noland’s first ever start on dirt.

On the Truck: The No. 45 Chevrolet will race with support from Hype Motorsports and Noland’s Roofing.

Hype Motorsports aims to help drivers create and promote their own unique brands through tried-and-true brand development techniques and new-age marketing.

Noland’s Roofing is a family-owned, Florida licensed general contractor and roofing contractor. Noland’s roofing offers free, no obligation estimates and 14 different financing vendor options for roofing, siding, windows, insulation, gutters, painting, cabinetry and much more. Noland’s Roofing prides itself on repairing roofs right the first time, with no hidden costs.

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2021, Niece Motorsports enters its sixth season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Ryan Truex – Knoxville Race Advance

Knoxville Raceway Race Advance
Corn Belt 150 Presented by Premier Chevy Dealers

Team: No. 40 Niece/Marquis Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Ryan Truex
Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @Ryan_Truex

Truex on Racing at Knoxville: “This week is going to be a new challenge for everyone in the series,” said Truex. “Racing on dirt is definitely tough, but I think it’s going to be a lot of fun too. Knoxville is known for great racing, and I think the Truck Series will deliver more of the same. I’m looking forward to getting on track in our Niece/Marquis Chevrolet.”

Truex at Knoxville: Friday night’s Corn Belt 150 marks the first time that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series visits Knoxville Raceway.

In two prior starts on dirt tracks in the Series, Truex earned two 20th-place finishes at Eldora (2017) and Bristol (2021).

On the Truck: Truex will race with support from Niece Equipment and Marquis this week at Knoxville Raceway.

For over 40 years, Niece Equipment has provided clients with water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity, and dependability.

Marquis, an employee-owned company founded in 1980, builds world-class hot tubs in the USA. Designed with cutting-edge features, Marquis hot tubs deliver the ultimate hydromassage experience, costing less to operate, and requiring the least amount of maintenance. Marquis is proud to craft spas designed to enhance health and well-being. For more information, visit: www.marquisspas.com.

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2021, Niece Motorsports enters its sixth season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Brian Brown – No. 51 Casey’s/Rowdy Energy Tundra Camping World Trucks Knoxville Preview

Brian Brown Camping World Trucks Knoxville Preview (printable)
Brian Brown: Driver, No. 51 Casey’s/Rowdy Energy Toyota

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Overview:
Event: Corn Belt 150, Race 14 of 22, 150 Laps – 40/50/60; 75 Miles
Location: Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway (half-mile dirt oval)
Date/Broadcast: July 9, 2021 at 9 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

What Brown Can Do for You:

  • Accomplished sprint car driver ‘Blackjack’ Brian Brown will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut behind the wheel of the No. 51 Tundra as the series heads to Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway for the inaugural event at the half-mile dirt track. Brown’s Toyota will carry primary sponsorship from Casey’s General Stores, the fourth largest convenience store retailer in the United States, and Rowdy Energy, the better-for-you energy drink created by KBM owner Kyle Busch for Friday night’s 150-lap event.
  • Brown boasts an impressive resume racing sprint cars, currently totaling 185 career victories at the numerous tracks he has competed at across the country. The 42-year-old Missouri native has recorded 53 career wins and four track championships at Knoxville in the 410 Sprint Car division, (2010, 2017, 2019, 2020) and another championship (2002) and 17 victories in the 360 division. ‘Blackjack’ finished second three consecutive years (2012-2014) in the prestigious Knoxville Nationals, a yearly event held at the half-mile dirt oval.
  • Brown bested the 15-year-old track record (14.407 seconds) at Knoxville earlier this year with a qualifying time of 14.351 seconds for the Knoxville Raceway Championship Cup Series event May 22 and went on to win both feature events that night. He also picked up a pair of top-10 finishes in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series when they visited Knoxville June 11 and June 12. Most recently, he finished second at Knoxville on July 3 in the Budweiser Salutes American Night 410 feature. Across the 37 races he has competed in at various tracks around the country this season, ‘Blackjack’ has totaled three feature wins, eight top-five and 17 top-10 finishes.
  • The dirt-track standout was selected to drive the “Local Champion’s Car” at Knoxville when the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) raced there June 19. Brown finished seventh in Heat Race No. 1, eighth in Heat Race No. 2 and eighth in the 50-lap feature.
  • KBM has earned four of its Camping World Truck series-leading 88 career wins on dirt tracks. Most recently, 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. drove the same No. 51 Toyota that Brown will drive this weekend to a victory March 29 in the Truck Series inaugural dirt race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Darrell Wallace Jr. won at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, a half-mile dirt oval, in 2014 and Christopher Bell made it back-to-back victories for the organization at the famed track in 2015.
  • Mardy Lindley is in his first season as a crew chief at KBM. Before arriving at KBM, Lindley guided his drivers to 32 wins and four ARCA Menards Series East championships since 2013, including back-to-back titles with Sam Mayer the last two seasons. Additionally, he earned the ARCA Menards Series Sioux Chief Showdown championship with Mayer in 2020. Behind the wheel, the second-generation driver won 11 races on the Pro Cup Series from 2000 to 2006 and was crowned the series champion in 2001. Lindley was atop the pit box for Truex Jr’s victory at the Bristol Motor Speedway dirt race earlier this season. The South Carolina native has also crew chiefed two ARCA Menards Series races on dirt tracks, earning a best result of fifth with Zane Smith at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds in 2018.
  • Casey’s General Stores is a Fortune 500 company (NASDAQ: CASY) operating over 2,200 convenience stores in 16 states. Founded more than 50 years ago, the company has grown to become the fourth-largest convenience store retailer and the fifth-largest pizza chain in the United States. Casey’s provides freshly prepared foods, quality fuel and friendly service at every location. Guests can enjoy pizza, donuts, other assorted bakery items, and a wide selection of beverages and snacks. Learn more and order online at www.caseys.com, or in the mobile app. Rowdy Energy is currently available at Casey’s locations throughout Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Brian Brown, Driver Q&A:

You’ve had a lot of success in sprint cars at Knoxville in your career. What does it mean to you to be getting this a chance to race in the Camping World Truck Series there?
“I’m excited for it, obviously we’ve had some success with the winged sprint car there, but until recently I’ve never run there with fenders. What a great opportunity with Casey’s and Rowdy on what I feel like is the best truck in the pits, the 51. It’s going to be a learning experience, but I’m looking forward to running all the laps and putting ourselves in a position to have a good finish at the end.”

How do you feel what you experienced running the SRX series at Knoxville will relate to running in the Truck Series there?
“I feel like running anything at Knoxville besides a sprint car is definitely going to help me. Something that heavy, that doesn’t really want to turn, and when it does want to turn it wants to spin out, all that is just different. Being able to run around 100 laps there with an SRX car, learning where to lift, where to pick up the throttle, they are similar, but they aren’t similar. The best way I can explain it is just doing something a little bit different. Everybody at KBM has welcomed me with open arms. Mardy (Lindley), the crew chief, has been phenomenal. From point A to point B where we’ve been so far has been just an awesome experience. Hopefully, we can get Casey’s and Rowdy and the Toyota Tundra 51 up in the front where it belongs.”

Have you set any goals going into the race?
“I talked to Mardy about it and mainly you have to finish all the laps, that’s the number one goal. If you’re three laps down, you’re not going to win the race. Try to finish all the laps and keep our nose clean. Obviously, Martin (Truex Jr.) had the fastest truck and won at Bristol in the same truck that I’m going to be driving, so I know the truck is going to be good enough. Hopefully, I can get in there during practice and adapt as best as I can, run all the laps and don’t damage the truck and then as the race progresses and I get more confident in the truck with what’s going on and adapting to the whole thing I feel like the sky is the limit to what we can do. I feel like we can very easily go in there and have a solid top-10 finish and if things go well compete for a top five and if things go really well compete for a win. There’s no, hey if we don’t do this, I’m going to be disappointed, I just want to run all the laps. That’s the key, don’t go in there and tear the truck up on lap 2 trying to be a hero. Run all the laps and have a good night. Just an awesome event for Knoxville and it’s going to be cool being a part of the inaugural event and having what will probably be a sellout crowd. It’s going to be awesome for not only the Camping World Truck Series, but also for Knoxville Raceway to maybe introduce some new fans to the dirt track community.”

Brian Brown’s No. 51 Casey’s/Rowdy Energy Tundra:

KBM-012: The No. 51 Casey’s/Rowdy Energy team will race KBM-012 for Friday’s Corn Belt 150. Martin Truex Jr. led a race-high 150 laps en route to his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory with this Tundra in March at the Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway Dirt Track. Before being converted to a dirt truck, KBM-12 scored a victory with Erik Jones in 2014 at Iowa Speedway in Newton.

KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM drivers have earned three wins, one pole, 407 laps led, seven top-five and 13 top-10 finishes, with an average finish of 13.5 across 24 starts on dirt tracks. Martin Truex Jr. won the inaugural dirt race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in March while Darrell Wallace Jr. (2014) and Christopher Bell (2015) both claimed victories at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.
  • KBM holds the Camping World Truck Series records for most career wins (88) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). With his victory at the Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Track, Truex Jr. became the 16th different driver to win a Truck Series event for KBM. In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
  • With 37 victories, the No. 51 is the winningest number in KBM’s Truck Series fleet.

Motorcycle Visibility Tips to Follow in the Dark

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of riding a motorcycle. Alongside being fun, it’s therapeutic and can be an exciting way to get to and from your destination. However, like all automobiles, they are dangerous. You need to make sure you are safe before you even think about getting on the road.

Below, we are going to take a look at some different motorcycle visibility tips that you should follow at night.

Let’s get started.

Use reflective tape

One of the most affordable and easy ways to make yourself (and your motorcycle) more visible in the dark is to use reflective tape. It’s cheap and can be applied almost anywhere to help you stand out on the road. Put in around your wheel rims, the edges of your panniers, and on the front of your forks. The more, the merrier.

Wear the right clothing and gear

Wearing the right clothing and gear is one of the most important things to remember when riding. If you are involved in a motorcycle crash, you want to be as protected as possible. From your helmet to gloves, boots, jackets, and pants, make sure everything is of high quality. To make yourself more visible at night, look for bright colors, or consider wearing a reflective jacket over everything. All-black might look cool but save it for the daytime.

Clean your headlights

Just like all the other aspects of your motorcycle, your headlights need attention. If they are dirty, they aren’t going to work as well during the night. Regularly cleaning should do the trick, but if they are cloudy, there is a quick remedy. Mix some toothpaste with baking soda and clean with a soft cloth. It’s that easy. You can find more motorcycle cleaning tips here.

Tap your brakes

Yes, the main function of brakes is to help you slow down, but at night they also come with another purpose. By tapping your brakes, you active your brake lights, which will (hopefully) alert the driver behind you of your position. You can also use it to inform others of any dangerous road conditions.

Avoid blind spots

When riding your motorcycle, you want to make sure that you avoid the blind spots of other vehicles as much as possible. At night it’s even more essential, as they become larger. If you’re passing another car, do it quickly, and whenever your riding, make sure you can be seen in their mirrors. It’s all part of defensive riding to keep yourself safe.

Use your horn

While your horn should only be used for emergencies, at night, if something happens, it’s important to remember to use it. If you follow all of the advice above and still end up not being seen, your horn acts as a reminder to back off and alters your presence to other drivers. Trust us when we say it’s there for a reason.

And that’s it. These were six tips to improve your visibility. What do you think? Is there any other advice that you would recommend? 

Top Tips to Stay Safe in Public

Most people feel completely safe whilst they’re out in public. You head out to the store and arrive back home safely. You go out to socialize with your friends, and before you know it, you’re tucked up back in bed. Although it’s rare for something bad to happen while you’re out and about, it’s always good to take the necessary precautions in order to stay as safe as possible.

Here are some top tips on how to stay safe in public.

  1. Drive Responsibly

Road traffic accidents cause thousands of accidents and deaths every year. Driving is something that many of us do every single day without a second thought, but it is actually a high-risk activity. There are plenty of things that you can do to stay safe on the roads, such as the following.

  • Always wearing a seatbelt
  • Give the roads your full attention
  • Avoid texting whilst driving
  • Do not when you’re tired or fatigued
  • Always use your indicators when required
  • Do not drive under the influence

Sticking to the rules of the road ensures that not only you, but everybody around you, stays safe on and around public roads.

  1. Keep Your Belongings Close

It’s always a good idea to keep your belongings close and within sight at all times when you’re out in public. Unfortunately, there are many people who take every opportunity to steal from others. Never leave your bag unattended and never leave your car doors unlocked to avoid potentially harmful situations.

  1. Never Walk Alone at Night

Even if you only have a short walk to get back home, never walk on your own if it is dark. There are hundreds of incidents every year where people are harmed due to being on their own late at night. Many of these situations can be avoided by either using an alternative form of transport or walking in a small group when you’re going home in the evenings and night time.

  1. Plan Your Route

Planning out your route ahead of time makes you less likely to get lost. If you don’t know where you’re going, you could end up in an unfamiliar place which puts you at risk of harm. Even apps like Google Maps are sometimes unreliable, so always be sure to check the route you need to take before you set off.

  1. Never Get into a Suspicious Car

If you’re using a taxi or ridesharing service, always make sure you are getting into the right car. Most legitimate drivers will say your name as they pull up so that you know who they are. If somebody pulls up next to you in a car that looks unfamiliar or suspicious, never get into the vehicle before checking who they are. You can ask for a form of ID, or ask them who they are there to pick up without taking them your name.

Similarly, if you are walking down the street and a car pulled up next to you offering you a lift, always politely refuse and quickly move away from the vehicle.