Hocevar on Racing at Pocono: “We’re heading to another track that I’m going to be seeing for the first time when we take the green flag,” said Hocevar. “I know Pocono definitely has a well-earned reputation as a tough track, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. Phil and Ross were able to bring home a win there in 2019, and I’m hoping that Phil and I can try and do the same thing on Saturday.”
Hocevar at Pocono: Hocevar will make his first Pocono Raceway start this weekend.
In the Points: Hocevar remains 10th in the driver point standings after last week’s race at Nashville Superspeedway. 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 Sparco.
Since 1977 Sparco S.p.A. has developed and produced equipment for the racing environment. Sparco has more than 300 partner teams throughout the world in various motorsport competitions including, F1, Indy, WRC, NASCAR, Dakar and many others.
Since 2000, The Sparco Group has diversified its activities, entering the carbon fiber automotive components’ industry for super sports car and luxury car manufacturers. In addition, Sparco has expanded its business to the gaming-simulation racing industry as well as the safety clothing industry (safety footwear and workwear).
Sparco is headquartered in Volpiano, Italy, and has more than 1,000 employees that operate in eight production plants (four in Italy, three in Tunisia and one in the USA).
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.
Having a fast Mustang in Music City, Matt DiBenedetto and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are headed to the Tricky Triangle feeling a little optimistic.
Pocono Raceway, the three-turn, 2.5-mile track, is hosting a double-header for the Cup Series with the Pocono Organics CBD 325 on Saturday and the Explore The Pocono Mountains 350 on Sunday.
DiBenedetto, who finished 13th and sixth in the two Pocono races last year, said he believes he and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are capable of backing up – or even bettering – their performances of a year ago.
“We had a fast car at Pocono last year, so hopefully that same speed carries over,” he said, adding that speed isn’t the only factor to be considered this weekend. “Track position is everything with the high-downforce package.”
Track position could be a challenge, at least initially for the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team. DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Mustang are set to start Saturday’s opener from 21st place. The line-up was set based on recent results, and DiBenedetto wound up 24th in the most recent race, at Nashville Superspeedway.
DiBenedetto also said the chemistry between him and his new crew chief is beginning to build.
“I’ve really enjoying working with Jonathan Hassler,” he said. “Although we had electrical issues last weekend, we had a good car and great communication, so we are looking forward to these upcoming races.”
Saturday’s 130-lap, 325-mile race is set to start just after 3 p.m. and will have Stage breaks at Laps 25 and 77. Sunday’s 350-mile finale will see the green flag just after 3:30 with Stage breaks at Laps 30 and 85.
NBCSN will carry the telecast of both races.
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.
Irvine, Calif. (2021) –Have you ever wanted to master cleaning your own car, but didn’t know where to start? With summer approaching, now is the perfect time to learn how to properly wash and detail your car right from home, just like a professional would. Investing in the right car care products will quickly turn your driveway into a personal at-home car detailing center, which could save you time and money over the course of the year. Meguiar’s, a global leader in car care, has put together a list of key steps and product recommendations to ensure washing your car at home is as easy as ever, even for novices.
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3. Apply a Coat of Wax:Once the clay has been applied and the exterior is clean, it’s time for that wax layer. In the summer, it is often a good idea to apply two thin coats of Meguiar’s® Ultimate Liquid Waxto the horizontal surfaces to make sure you have maximum coverage, protection, and reflectivity. And remember, always use a microfiber towel for quick and easy removal of wax. This product is formulated with Meguiar’s ThinFilm technology to deliver the easiest application and removal, even if you have to wax in full sun!
3. Deep Clean Interior:Your interior is subject to various debris throughout the year, whether a drink was spilled, or dirt was tracked in from shoes. Cleaning and rejuvenating your interior is one of the easiest ways to spruce up your vehicle and make it feel new again. In order to revive the look, begin by thoroughly vacuuming all cloth and carpeted areas, including mats, and then utilize a premium carpet and upholstery cleaner.Meguiar’sCarpet & Upholstery Cleaner features a deep cleaning formula that removes stains and odors, and even comes with a carpet scrubber top that helps make cleaning even easier. Lastly, the easy-to-useMeguiar’s® Quik Interior Detailer Wipessafely clean all interior surfaces and contain UV protection to help preserve your vehicle’s interior from sunlight. These wipes will clean everything from interior plastic, vinyl, leather, rubber, metal, and even stubborn fingerprints on LCD and navigation screens.
5. Don’t Forget the Wheels and Tires:Before choosing a wheel cleaner, make sure you are aware of the type of surface you are working on (i.e., whether your wheels are steel, chrome, painted, polished aluminum, etc.) and be sure to choose the right type of wheel cleaner that matches that surface. When in doubt, go with a wheel cleaner that is safe for every type of wheel finish out there like theMeguiar’s® Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner, which provides a fantastic, yet safe one-step solution to use on any type of wheel. Additionally, the brand-newMeguiar’sUltimate Insane Shine Foam has the ability to power through tough road grime and leaves behind a glossy finish on tires. This convenient and easy-to-use foam allows you to simply spray and walk away.
AboutMeguiar’s
For more than 120 years, Meguiar’s has provided Car Crazy®people with specialized state-of-the-art formulations for making every car’s appearance show perfect. Meguiar’s provides high performance car care products for every automotive surface. To learn more visit www.meguiars.com.
COLE CUSTER Pocono Doubleheader Advance No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing Event Overview
● Event: NASCAR Cup Series Doubleheader at Pocono (Rounds 18 and 19 of 36) ● Time/Date: 3 p.m. EDT on Saturday, June 26, and 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 27 ● Location: Pocono (Pa.) Raceway ● Layout: 2.5-mile triangle ● Race 1 Laps/Miles: (130 laps/325 miles) ● Race 1 Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 25 laps / Stage 2: 52 laps / Final Stage: 53 laps ● Race 2 Laps/Miles: (140 laps/350 miles) ● Race 2 Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 30 laps / Stage 2: 55 laps / Final Stage: 55 laps ● TV/Radio: NBCSN / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Notes of Interest
● Cole Custer has not one, but two shots at continuing the success he’s enjoyed during his career at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway when he and his No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang team for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) head to the Pocono Mountains for a Saturday-Sunday NASCAR Cup Series doubleheader.
● The 23-year-old from Ladera Ranch, California, will make career Cup Series starts 57 and 58 at the 2.5-mile triangular racetrack where he’s scored a victory and two pole positions in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and another victory in the ARCA Menards Series. In last year’s inaugural Pocono doubleheader weekend, Custer brought home finishes of 16th on Saturday and 17th on Sunday, in what were his second and third career Pocono outings in the Cup Series.
● Custer made three Xfinity Series starts in the No. 00 SHR Ford from 2017 through 2019, never starting worse than third, never finishing worse than seventh, and leading a total of 95 laps in the three events. He qualified third and finished seventh in 2017, then qualified on the pole in both the 2018 and 2019 races, finishing fifth in 2018 and scoring the victory by .228 of a second over Tyler Reddick in 2019 after leading a race-high 58 laps.
● In his lone NASCAR Camping World Truck Series outing at Pocono, Custer drove the No. 00 JR Motorsports entry to a fifth-place finish in the 2016 race.
● Custer piloted the No. 00 JR Motorsports entry in both ARCA Menards Series events in 2015, leaving the June race after just 18 laps with a broken axle, but then returning with a vengeance in the August race, which he started fifth and won by a 4.991-second margin over Grant Enfinger after leading 18 laps.
● After soldiering to a 31st-place finish last Sunday in the inaugural Cup Series race at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, where his crew spent more than 40 laps repairing a broken right-rear brake rotor, Custer is 27th in the Cup Series standings, 116 points behind the 16th and final playoff position.
● Returning to Custer’s No. 41 Ford Mustang for SHR is team co-owner Gene Haas’ newest holding, Haas Tooling, which was launched as a way for CNC machinists to purchase high-quality cutting tools at great prices. Haas cutting tools are sold exclusively online at HaasTooling.com and shipped directly to end users. HaasTooling.com products became available nationally last July, and the cutting tools available for purchase at HaasTooling.com have proven to be even more important during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as CNC machines have become vital to producing personal protective equipment. Haas Automation, founded by Haas in 1983, is America’s leading builder of CNC machine tools. The company manufactures a complete line of vertical and horizontal machining centers, turning centers and rotary tables and indexers. All Haas products are constructed in the company’s 1.1-million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Oxnard, California, and distributed through a worldwide network of Haas Factory Outlets.
● As announced during the annual Coca-Cola 600 weekend Memorial Day weekend, Custer and the team encourage fans to join Wow Wow Classic Waffles in support of Feeding America®, the largest hunger relief organization in the United States with a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. Fans are encouraged to text HUNGER to 50555 to make a $5 donation to Feeding America®, by visiting the Feeding America® donation page on Facebook, or the donation page via the Feeding America® website. Each $1 donated helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks.
Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing
Last year’s Pocono doubleheader weekend was a groundbreaker for the Cup Series, and there were two more added to the schedule at Michigan and Dover. How does a doubleheader change the complexion of the weekend?
“It’s definitely different because you’re trying to make two plans for the same race weekend with how the track’s going to change from one day to the next, what you’re going to change with the car, and then you’re trying to adapt as much as you can right after the first race. It’s a lot of just trying to make sure you’re sticking with your notes and making good decisions from one day to the next.”
Does it make the weekend any more or less stressful?
“I think it’s made it a little more relaxed going into this kind of weekend where, before, it was going to be a lot of unknowns where we’d never raced two days in a row like this without much practice and everything like that. But raced multiple times a week last year and it’s not a huge curveball for us, anymore. It just feels like another week. It’s definitely going to be a little bit tough, a little bit different, preparing the cars for two days in a row, and getting yourself ready for that. At the same time, we’ve gotten used to doing races without any practice and I think we all know how to get into a good rhythm for it.”
How does the top-20 inversion for Sunday’s race affect strategy during the Saturday race?
“That’s going to be a nice position to be in if you’re fighting over that. You’re not going to try and finish 20th, but I think if you’re in that position where you’re 21st, you’re going to fight pretty hard to get that spot, so we might see some drama.”
What were your first impressions of Pocono, being one of the most unique layouts on the schedule?
“It was tough. It was tricky. The straightaways are so long, it gives you a lot of time to think about how you’re going to mess up the next corner (laughs). It’s a tough place to get around because all the corners are different. I think everybody loves it because it’s a challenge. With three different, really difficult corners, it’s one of those styles of tracks you haven’t seen a bunch before. It’s a triangle and you don’t ever race at other tracks shaped like that. There’s nothing like it.”
No. 41 HaasTooling.com Team Roster
Primary Team Members Driver: Cole Custer Hometown: Ladera Ranch, California Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett Hometown: Amherst, Ohio Car Chief: Tony Cardamone Hometown: Bristol, Virginia Engineer: Davin Restivo Hometown: Ashboro, North Carolina Engineer: Scott Bingham Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia Spotter: Andy Houston Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina Over-The-Wall Members Front Tire Changer: John RoselliHometown: Terre Haute, Indiana Rear Tire Changer: Coleman Dollarhide Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina Tire Carrier: Dwayne Moore Hometown: Griffin, Georgia Jack Man: Matthew SchlytterHometown: Ponte Vedra, Florida Fuel Man: Corey Coppola Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia Road Crew Members Mechanic: Joe Zanolini Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania Mechanic: Nick McIntosh Hometown: Havre, Montana Shock Specialist: Aaron Kuehn Hometown: Kensington, Connecticut Tire Specialist: Thomas Gagliano Hometown: East Hampton, Connecticut Engine Specialist: Evan Cupples Hometown: Hudson, Illinois Transporter Co-Driver: Eddie DeGrootHometown: Baldwinsville, New York Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues Hometown: Santa Clarita, California
LONG POND, Pa: On the heels of his career-best NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) finish two races ago at Texas Motor Speedway, rookie Howie DiSavino III returns to Jordan Anderson Racing (JAR) for Saturday afternoon’s CRC Brakleen 150 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.
Receiving an 11th-hour call from team owner Jordan Anderson days before his second career Truck Series start at Texas, DiSavino made most of the opportunity – finishing 23rd – a respectable finish for his intermediate track debut.
With confidence on his side, the 20-year-old treks to Pocono looking to dance with the track dubbed the “Tricky Triangle” and eager to deliver another solid result.
“Texas was an unbelievable opportunity and I’m thankful to have another chance to run for Jordan Anderson Racing this weekend at Pocono,” said DiSavino. “I learned a lot at Texas, especially when it comes to the handling of a truck at higher speeds – including side drafting.
“I honestly feel that should all be helpful for me at Pocono this weekend too. We’ve been planning to run this race since Texas and I’ve been focusing really hard, studying film, doing a lot of iRacing, and just talking to the team and some others close to me about what to expect and anticipate this weekend.
“It is a very short race, but I have the mindset to be methodical and do my best to have another clean, strong race together.”
To help DiSavino grasp Pocono’s monstrous layout, he will attend Thursday’s ARCA Menards Series open test session as a guest of Rette Jones Racing.
“I won’t be competing in the ARCA test at Pocono, but being able to be at Pocono with my manager Austin (Theriault) and be a guest of Rette Jones Racing will extremely be beneficial to me,” added DiSavino.
“I’ll be able to get on a radio and digest the feedback between the team, experience the test from different locations of the track and just put my head into the game even more by watching other cars compete on Thursday.
“You can truly learn a lot just by watching and I plan to do a lot of that on Thursday afternoon. Hopefully, it helps for Saturday too.”
Longtime DiSavino partner Bud’s Heating & Air Conditioning will serve as the primary marketing partner on the No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado, while KEES Vacations will hold an associate partnership role in the quadruple weekend with two races for the NASCAR Cup Series, as well as Truck and Xfinity Series competition.
“I cannot thank my primary partners Bud’s Heating & Air Conditioning and KEES Vacations enough for this opportunity and I hope it continues to open the door to do some more Truck Series racing throughout the remainder of the 2021 season.”
In addition to KEES Vacations and Bud’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Azalea D Realty, Bommarito Automotive Group, Lucas Oil, MassMutual Greater Richmond, and Q Barbeque Richmond will serve as associate marketing partners on DiSavino’s No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado.
In addition to Texas, DiSavino made his NCWTS debut in April at Richmond (Va.) Raceway. He is also a six-time participant in the ARCA Menards Series where he earned two top-10 finishes for AM Racing. Former winning NASCAR driver Reed Sorenson will continue to guide DiSavino from above this weekend as his spotter.
Based on the metrics set by NASCAR without practice or qualifying, DiSavino will start his Pocono Raceway debut from the 33rd position.
For more on Howie DiSavino III, please visit howiedisavino.com, like him on Facebook (Howie DiSavino III Racing), follow him on Twitter (@hdisavino) and Instagram (HowieDiSavino).
The CRC Brakleen 150 (60 laps | 150 miles) is the 13th of 22 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races on the 2021 schedule. The 40-truck field will take the green flag on Sat., Jun. 26, 2021, shortly after 12:00 p.m. ET with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET). About Bud’s Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric:
Bud’s Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric is the recognized leader in residential and light commercial mechanical contractors in the Hampton Roads market. From simple, honest beginnings in 1969, Bud’s quickly rose to prominence, establishing a legendary reputation for quality, service and professionalism while always maintaining the same home-town personalized connections with clients throughout its 51-year history.
In 2000, Bud’s expanded under the current leadership of CEO Robert W. Nelson Jr. adding plumbing and electrical departments and introducing a science-based whole home approach that has now become the industry benchmark, while national influencing the market through innovative business and customer relations practices.
About KEES Vacations:
Your Vacation, Your Way with KEES FLEXSTAY™.
KEES Vacations on the Outer Banks, a division of KEES Travel™, is your source for quality vacation rentals from hotels to oceanfront homes. KEES FlexStay™ gives you the freedom to plan your ideal vacation with flexible check-in and check-out dates. We believe everyone deserves a vacation no matter the length and strive to provide the best experience possible.
Enter promo code HOWIE2021 at checkout and receive a discount at KEESVacations.com and KEESOuterBanks.com.
Front Row Motorsports Comes to Pocono for Doubleheader Weekend
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) travels to the Pocono (Pa.) Raceway this weekend for a NASCAR Cup Series doubleheader weekend and for the next round of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series race begins at 12:00 p.m ET on FS1.
Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series race begins at 3:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN and Sunday’s Cup race starts at 3:30 p.m. ET, also on NBCSN.
Todd Gilliland and his No. 38 Frontline Enterprises Ford F-150 will start from the pole for Saturday’s 60-lap race at the Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. Gilliland comes into the event sitting fifth in points and coming off his fifth top-five finish of the season last weekend in Nashville.
“I felt at the beginning of the season, with some of the changes we made around our team, that we were going to be capable of winning and racing up front,” said Gilliland. “Right now, it’s coming together and we’ve had fast trucks and good races. We just want to keep that momentum up this weekend at Pocono.”
Gilliland has finished seventh, seventh and fourth in his three previous NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Pocono.
“I like the track,” continued Gilliland. “It’s unique, fun to drive and fast. It fits my driving style and I’ve always had fun racing there. Starting up front will help us for sure and hopefully we can have another good run.”
Anthony Alfredo will be making his first NASCAR Cup Series starts at the Pocono (Pa.) Raceway this weekend with Death Wish Coffee on the No. 38 Ford Mustang for both Saturday and Sunday. Alfredo has one previous start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at the track.
“Well, I was wrecked on the first lap during that Truck race,” said Alfredo. “So, I’ve seen the track and have practice laps, but I didn’t get a chance to really race. That’s why I’m looking forward to this weekend. I can really learn a lot on Saturday, and instead of waiting months to come back, we race the next day. That’s great for me. I can finally get a bunch of race experience and apply it quickly.”
Alfredo will start 24th on Saturday. NASCAR will invert the top-20 finishers from Saturday to determine the starting lineup for Sunday.
Michael McDowell will race the Horizon Hobby/ARRMA Ford Mustang on Saturday and Sunday to begin the newest partnership at FRM. Horizon Hobby is the global leader in RC products and accessories while the ARRMA brand features the biggest, fastest, and most durable radio controlled cars and trucks in the industry. McDowell and his family had fun with the cars this week.
“It was cool this week,” said McDowell. “We took my family to the shop and ARRMA hooked us up with some Kraton’s for my kids and they let me have a Felony. They were fast and my kids had a great time. That’s what cool about this partnership. We’re having fun as a family and anyone can do it. I loved seeing my children smiling, laughing and have a good time. That’s pretty special.”
McDowell finished eighth last year in the first race at Pocono.
“We had a great car at Pocono last year,” concluded McDowell. “We feel that our car this weekend will be just as fast and we really want to get into the top-10 again.” ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Camping World Truck Series and the 2021 Daytona 500 champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team– from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.
NASCAR makes its annual visit to the Pocono Mountains this weekend as the Cup Series takes part in a doubleheader (Saturday-Sunday), a new format that ‘The Tricky Triangle’ unveiled a season ago. Overall Jack Roush has four wins and 73 top-10s at Pocono, with both RFR drivers (Ryan Newman – 2003, Chris Buescher – 2016) with a win to their credit at the 2.5-mile track.
Pocono Organics CBD 325 Saturday, June 26 | 3 p.m. ET NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 · Ryan Newman, No. 6 Wyndham Rewards Ford Mustang · Chris Buescher, No. 17 Acronis Ford Mustang
Explore the Pocono Mountains 350 Sunday, June 26 | 3:30 p.m. ET NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 · Ryan Newman, No. 6 Guaranteed Rate Ford Mustang · Chris Buescher, No. 17 Acronis Ford Mustang
Nashville Recap, Pocono Preview
· Buescher had a solid run going in the early moments of last Sunday’s Cup race from Nashville Superspeedway before a part failure on a car just in front of his machine resulted in a cut tire on the No. 17, ending his day early.
· Newman was on the good side of the attrition battle throughout the day, fighting back from an early deficit to finish 13th in the Planters Ford.
· Acronis, now in its third season with Roush Fenway, will be on Buescher’s machine for both events at Pocono this weekend; their first primary scheme of 2021.
· Wyndham Rewards will ride along with Newman for Saturday’s race and highlight the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card with a new-look scheme. The team will then switch the scheme to Guaranteed Rate colors for Sunday’s race.
Pocono Format
For the second year in a row, NASCAR will feature a doubleheader format for the Cup Series events at Pocono. The series mirrored the same format a season ago, which served as the first doubleheader in the modern era (1972-present). This weekend’s races feature 325 miles of action on Saturday, followed by 350 miles on Sunday. To add to the drama of the doubleheader itself, teams are slated to use the same car for both days, unless forced to a backup car from an incident during Saturday’s action. The starting lineup for Saturday will be determined by NASCAR’s formula, with Sunday’s lineup set by an inversion of the top-20 cars at the end of race one.
It’s Tricky, it’s Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky) Roush Fenway Racing has run 214 Cup races at ‘The Tricky Triangle’ dating back to 1988. A Roush Fenway Ford has visited victory lane on four occasions in the Cup series, with the first coming in 2005 with Carl Edwards. Kurt Busch followed with a win in the July race of that same year, one of his three victories for Jack Roush in 2005. Three years later, Edwards found winners circle again in 2008, and Greg Biffle carded the organization’s most recent win at the 2.5-mile track back in 2010.
Runner-Up
Roush Fenway has finished in the second position 13 times at Pocono with six different drivers. All in all, Roush Fenway has finished first or second 17 times at the triangular track.
Tale of the Tape
Overall RFR has 73 top-10 and 45 top-five results at Pocono along with three poles and the four wins. Mark Martin earned back-to-back poles in 1990 and 1991, before capturing his third in 1996.
Roush Fenway Pocono Wins 2005-1 Edwards Cup 2005-2 Busch Cup 2008-2 Edwards Cup 2010-2 Biffle Cup
PLANO, Texas (June 23, 2021) – It’s a big NASCAR weekend at Pocono Raceway as fans will get the opportunity to see five races in three days, including the lone NASCAR Cup Series doubleheader of the season.
NASCAR National Series – NCS| NXS| NCWTS
Hamlin driven for another Triangle victory… Cup Series points leader Denny Hamlin is back at a special place for him – Pocono Raceway. Hamlin scored his first two career wins at the track in 2006 and has since added additional wins in a Camry in 2009, 2010, 2019 and last season. Last year, Hamlin took the lead from teammate Martin Truex Jr. with 15 laps to go and drove to victory.
Busch preparing for three strong runs… After scoring his milestone 100th Xfinity Series win in Nashville, Kyle Busch will compete in three races this weekend – the Cup Series doubleheader and Saturday’s Truck Series event. Busch has two Truck Series victories at Pocono, and his No. 51 Tundra drove to victory last season with Brandon Jones behind the wheel. On the Cup Series side, Busch has three wins – one each in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Burton desires a victory… After a third-place finish in Nashville, Harrison Burton is getting even closer to a return to victory lane. Burton – who won four times in his Rookie of the Year season – scored a third-place finish at Pocono in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2019.
Ferrucci returns… Santino Ferrucci makes his return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in the Sam Hunt Racing No. 26 Supra this weekend after a top-10 run in the Indianapolis 500 last month. Ferrucci scored top-15 finishes in three of his four starts this season, and the team is coming off another top-15 run with Will Rodgers in Nashville.
Nemechek looking to clinch top seed early… With just three races remaining in the Truck Series regular season, John Hunter Nemechek is looking to clinch the regular season title and 15 Playoff points. Nemechek goes into Pocono with a 70-point advantage over fellow Toyota driver Ben Rhodes.
Hill ready for another successful weekend… Austin Hill battled to top-10 finishes in both the NASCAR Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series events at Nashville and is looking for a repeat this weekend. The Georgia-native is scheduled to run Saturday’s Truck Series event and Sunday’s Xfinity Series race at Pocono this weekend.
NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA
Gibbs and Heim battling for top spot… Toyota drivers Ty Gibbs and Corey Heim continue to battle for the top spot in the point standings. Heim had led the standings since the start of the season, but Gibbs took the top spot by just one point after his fifth victory of the year at Mid-Ohio.
Toyota drivers off to another strong start… With seven consecutive victories to start the season, Toyota drivers continue their recent early season success. Toyota drivers have won at least the first six events on the schedule each year since the start of the 2018 season, including a 12-race win streak in 2018.
facebook.com/ToyotaRacing Camera With Flash on Apple iOS 11.3 ToyotaRacingMedia.com
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.
HUNTERSVILLE, North Carolina (June 23, 2021) – As the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Pocono (Pa.) Raceway this weekend, NASCAR’s top series will be seeing double as it heads to the 2.5-mile triangle in the Pocono Mountains.
For many years, the two annual NASCAR Cup Series races at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway had been runs five to six weeks apart. The tight window in which they’d traditionally been run didn’t give much time between trips to the Pocono Mountains for teams to make drastic changes to their cars.
But when the Cup Series makes this year’s trek to the Poconos, the window of time between Saturday’s Pocono 325 and Sunday’s Explore the Pocono Mountains 350 is less than 24 hours for the second year in a row after last year’s successful doubleheader weekend debut.
The rules require NASCAR Cup Series teams to use the same car in both events, but they’ll be allowed to work on them between races. Following the finish of Saturday’s 130-lap race, the starting lineup for Sunday’s 140-lap event will be set by inverting Saturday’s top-20 finishers, and those finishing 21st through 38th on Saturday starting from those same positions Sunday.
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’S Minis Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), knows he’s fortunate enough to be able to race, and win, for 17 seasons and counting in NASCAR’s top series. Not only has he won 58 races and two Cup Series championships, he’s had his fair share of recent success at the track nicknamed the “Tricky Triangle.” The Las Vegas native won the June 2019 Pocono race and has three wins in his last seven Cup Series starts there.
For the first time ever, a timeless M&M’S favorite – M&M’S Minis – with adorn Busch’s No, 18 Toyota this weekend. M&M’S Minis are a great way to share the delicious, colorful fun of M&M’S with friends and family. M&M’S Minis are perfect to include in baked treats for the same M&M’S taste, mini style.
Busch’s recent fortunes at Pocono began after he narrowly missed a victory in June 2017. He returned for that year’s July race looking for his first Pocono Cup Series win, and he was able to deliver behind some clever strategy as well as his own smart driving. While the top competitors headed to pit road for their final scheduled fuel-and-tire stops late in the race, Busch stayed out longer than the rest. The others were clearly faster on newer tires, but Busch took advantage of a clean track to make up time and, when he was finally called to pit road, he had much fresher tires than his fellow competitors for the closing stages of the race. He eventually drove by Kevin Harvick for his impressive maiden Pocono victory. Since then, Busch has been able to grab Pocono wins in 2018 and 2019 to add to his growing resume at the Tricky Triangle.
So, as the series heads back to the Pocono Mountains, Busch, crew chief Ben Beshore and the entire team will focus on not one but two races with their M&M’S Minis Toyota, hoping to take it a giant step further with a chance to win twice during this weekend’s doubleheader.
KYLE BUSCH, Driver of the No. 18 M&M’S Minis Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing:
What is it about you and your team that make you so good at Pocono Raceway?
“There are certainly a lot of things over the years that we’ve worked on and there are definitely things we’ve fine-tuned on and gotten a lot better at, I think starting in 2013 or 2014, and then we’ve still kept that speed ever since for the most part. We’ve run really well there. It’s a good track for us. I’ve learned a lot from my teammate Denny Hamlin who’s won there, and certainly working with Martin (Truex Jr.) and his guys has also brought on some new, fresh ideas, which help. It’s been a good track for us and hopefully we can carry our M&M’s Minis colors to victory lane there this weekend. Looking forward to having them on board with us and our No. 18 Toyota.”
How do you learn to get better at a track, like you have at Pocono?
“There are so many different ways you can do it. You can look at data, you can look at the driving technique. Talking is kind of the best resource, just being able to ask the guy, ‘Hey, when you do this, why do you do this, or what do you expect when you get into a run and you’re going this far, and tire wear, and how do you get around turn two,’ whatever it might be. Lots of different things there, being teammates with Denny (Hamlin) for this long, it’s lended itself to myself improving at Pocono and Martinsville, places like that, and him improving at places like Bristol and Charlotte from myself. It’s a good take there. And then having Martin (Truex Jr.) now, having him on board, who is really good everywhere, as well, has definitely brought a good basis to our team, as well as having our past teammates like Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards – so it’s been good.”
You make Pocono look easy, but what is still tough about Pocono even for you?
“Every time you go there, it’s a bit different. The bumps change, the characteristics change. Where the bumps are. Are they getting bigger? Are they getting worse? Is there more? That turn-two tunnel turn is always a culprit for the bumps, and the harsh winters up there really change the racetrack. Then, what happens in turn three, where the wind is blowing and stuff like that, is always kind of a convoluted piece to Pocono, and how you get through turn three versus turn one versus two. There are three distinctly different corners, there’s definitely going to be compromise.”
Do you see race two as the same as race one since they are on the same weekend, or will they be different?
“I think you will have to make some changes to your stuff. The first race, there’s only going to be the Truck Series rubber, it’s only 60 laps, so there’s just going to be a little rubber down. Then, we’re going to put a lot of rubber down with our race. Then you’ll have the Xfinity race the next day, and then you’ll have our race. Over the course of all those miles, I think the main similarities between the two days is going to be just that – they’re a day apart rather than a month apart. There’s a difference between the Pocono racetrack when it’s a month apart, but when it’s day one to day two, there are going to be big differences in day one to day two, so you have to take a lot of different things into account.”
What are the most critical adjustments you can make between each race at Pocono?
“Obviously springs, shocks, bars, whatever you can change, all that sort of stuff. Making some adjustments. Knowing how much that track changes in that first race will give you a basis to how much you expect it to change in the second race, barring any weather or other factors. If it’s 68 degrees one day and a 90 degrees on the other, there are going to be some big differences you’re going to want to adjust for and compensate for. Having a good notebook, I think, will certainly help us and our team. I think we could have a good idea of what to do with our M&M’S Minis Toyota.”
Event Overview:
Race #1
● Event: Pocono 325
● Time/Date: 3 p.m. EDT on Saturday, June 26
● Location: Pocono (Pa.) Raceway
● Layout: 2.5-mile triangle
● Laps/Miles: 130 laps/325 miles
●Format: 130 laps, broken into three stages (25 laps/52 laps/53 laps)
● TV/Radio: NBCSN / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Race #2
● Event: Explore the Pocono Mountains 350
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 27
● Location: Pocono (Pa.) Raceway
● Layout: 2.5-mile triangle
● Laps/Miles: 140 laps/350 miles
● Format: 140 laps, broken into three stages (30 laps/55 laps/55 laps)
● TV/Radio: NBCSN / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Meet the No. 18 M&M’S Minis / Joe Gibbs Racing Team
Primary Team Members: Driver: Kyle BuschHometown: Las Vegas Crew Chief: Ben BeshoreHometown: York, Pennsylvania Car Chief: Nate BellowsHometown: Fairfax, Vermont Spotter: Tony Hirschman Hometown: Northampton, Pennsylvania Over-The-Wall Crew Members: Gas Man: Matt TyrrellHometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida Front Tire Changer: Blake HoustonHometown: Enochville, North Carolina Jackman: T.J. FordHometown: Charlotte, North Carolina Tire Carrier: Joe CrossenHometown: Salisbury, North Carolina Rear Tire Changer: Jeff CorderoHometown: Salem, Connecticut Road Crew Members: Race Engineer: Seth ChavkaHometown: Soldotna, Alaska Truck Driver: Chris MikoHometown: Bronx, New York Truck Driver: Tom McCrimmonHometown: Spicer, Minnesota Mechanic/Tire Specialist: Justin Peiffer Hometown: Lebanon, Pennsylvania Mechanic: Scott EldridgeHometown: Warsaw, Indiana
Notes of Interest:
● Pocono Stats: Busch has three wins, nine top-five finishes and 16 top-10s and has led a total of 462 laps in 32 career Cup Series starts at Pocono. Busch’s average Pocono finish is 16.0.
● 218 and Counting: Busch will be aiming to add to his record 219 overall wins among NASCAR’s top three series this weekend at Pocono. Busch has 58 Cup Series wins, 100 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and 61 wins in the Camping World Truck Series.
● 100: Busch won the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Nashville last weekend to score his milestone 100th overall series victory. Busch extended his hold on the overall series win record as the next-closest driver – Mark Martin – won 49 Xfinity Series races during his NASCAR Hall of Fame career.
● Triple Double: Busch is set to compete in Saturday’s Camping World Truck Series race in addition to the doubleheader Cup Series races this weekend.
Companies collaborate to continue to provide best-in-class cyber protection for sport
CONCORD, North Carolina, June 23, 2021 – Today, Acronis, a global leader in cyber protection, announced the extension of its Official Cyber Protection Partnership with Roush Fenway Racing. In addition, Acronis announced it will now be supported by a provider of security technology solutions, Visual Edge IT. To celebrate the occasion, Acronis and Visual Edge IT branding will be featured on Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 17 Ford Mustang at the back-to-back NASCAR Cup Series Races at Pocono on June 26th and 27th, 2021.
Acronis joined the Roush Fenway Racing family in 2019, using the partnership as a powerful marketing platform while providing fast, efficient, and secure cyber protection, and supporting the team through the challenging periods of pandemic lockdowns. Acronis helped Roush Fenway Racing enhance cyber protection capabilities, ensuring the Safety, Accessibility, Privacy, Authenticity, and Security (SAPAS) for workloads, data, applications, and systems.
Acronis continues to expand Roush Fenway’s technological capabilities with advanced cyber backup and disaster recovery services, cutting-edge file sharing, and robust computer power simulations.
“The Acronis partnership with Roush Fenway Racing has been extremely valuable,” said Steve Newmark, President of Roush Fenway Racing. “Not only does Acronis activate their partnership across social, digital, and at-track, but they have been key in helping our company work to avoid cyber security threats, protecting us from data breaches, and helping us be prepared in the event of a disaster recovery situation.”
As part of the renewed partnership, Acronis will provide the team with the award-winning Acronis Cyber Protect. This unique machine intelligence (MI) powered solution integrates data protection with cybersecurity, which helps prevent cyberattacks. Acronis Cyber Protect uniquely combines automation and integration, ensuring the prevention, detection, response, recovery, and analytics needed to safeguard all workloads while streamlining protection efforts.
“Acronis has a long-standing partnership with Roush Fenway Racing, and over the past three years, we’ve proven that we are better together in our efforts to keep motorsport teams and their data protected,” said Acronis Vice President and General Manager, Americas, Pat Hurley. “On the same note, we are very pleased to feature Visual Edge IT on Roush Fenway’s No. 17 Ford as a #CyberFit Delivery Partner this weekend at Pocono.”
Visual Edge offers services and equipment for business technology solutions from managed IT services and security to managed print and print supplies through our local providers across the country. With Visual Edge, customers benefit from day-to-day technology management, cloud-based security solutions, 24/7 network monitoring and threat protection, and end-user support – securing the customer environment and managing the infrastructure so customers can focus on their business.
“Visual Edge IT (VEIT) has partnered with Acronis as our go-to-market choice for protecting customers’ data from cybersecurity, disasters and human error,” shared Jason Bowra, General Manager, Managed IT Services for Visual Edge IT. “The Acronis integrations with other solution partners allow Visual Edge to have ‘one pane of glass’ from which we efficiently support all customers. Acronis is simply a great partner to help with our marketing and presale efforts through their delivery and protection of our customers.”
Acronis #TeamUp Program for managed service providers
Acronis #CyberFit Sports Program is open to managed service providers (MSPs) as part of the #TeamUp initiative. Service providers are invited to deliver Acronis Cyber Protection solutions to world-class sports properties on behalf of Acronis and enjoy a rich world of sports benefits and brand exposure. To find out more, please visit https://www.acronis.com/en-us/lp/msp-sports/.
If you would like to learn more about Acronis’ #CyberFit Sports Program, please explore the company’s registration page to attend its #CyberFit World Tour 2021, beginning in Miami, Florida on October 25, 2021.
Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing is one of the most successful teams in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in NASCAR Cup Series. In its 34th season of competition in 2021, Roush Fenway is a leader in driver development, having launched the careers for many of the top drivers in the sport. Off-track, Roush Fenway is a leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning Social Media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Roush Fenway is co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Jack Roush and Fenway Sports Group, parent company of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C. Visit RoushFenway.com, become a fan on Facebook and Instagram, and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.
About Acronis
Acronis unifies data protection and cybersecurity to deliver integrated, automated cyber protection that solves the safety, accessibility, privacy, authenticity, and security (SAPAS) challenges of the modern digital world. With flexible deployment models that fit the demands of service providers and IT professionals, Acronis provides superior cyber protection for data, applications, and systems with innovative next-generation antivirus, backup, disaster recovery, and endpoint protection management solutions. With advanced anti-malware powered by cutting-edge machine intelligence and blockchain-based data authentication technologies, Acronis protects any environment – from cloud to hybrid to on-premises – at a low and predictable cost.
Founded in Singapore in 2003 and incorporated in Switzerland in 2008, Acronis now has more than 1,600 employees in 33 locations in 18 countries. Its solutions are trusted by more than 5.5 million home users and 500,000 companies, including 100% of the Fortune 1000, and top-tier professional sports teams. Acronis products are available through 50,000 partners and service providers in over 150 countries in more than 40 languages.
About Visual Edge
Visual Edge, Inc. specializes in managed IT services and security, cloud computing, and print/copy solutions for businesses across the U.S. including remote office locations. We offer a full line of office technology and services including 24/7 remote monitoring and administration of networks, service desk, and data backup and restore to improve business processes across a variety of industries. Plus, Visual Edge represents the industry’s leading manufacturers of office technology allowing businesses to get equipment, supplies and service from a single source. Backed by more than 20-years of technology service and a national network of expert engineers, Visual Edge is uniquely positioned to support business technology needs. The company is headquartered in North Canton, OH, USA. For more information, visit www.visualedgeit.com.
