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BARNES TACKLES TOUGH OCCUPATION IN FARMING, TOUGH HOBBY IN RACING

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Official Release
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Jason Barnes (left) confers with a team member about adjustments to be made to the car during one of this season’s NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car Division events at South Boston Speedway. Photo Courtesy Joe Chandler/South Boston Speedway

By Joe Chandler
Director, Public Relations
South Boston Speedway

South Boston, VA…..Jason Barnes is immersed in one of the toughest, labor-intensive occupations there is – farming. For fun, Barnes tackles one of the toughest sports there is – auto racing.

When asked which is tougher, Barnes said they are about equal.

“Neither one is easy,” Barnes remarked with a smile.

“But I would say I get more pleasure out of racing. I love farming, but it’s a hard, hard profession this day and time.”

Farming has been a way of life for Barnes for many years.

“I’ve been farming on a family farm in Dinwiddie (Virginia) since I graduated from college,” Barnes explained.

“We farm around 2,500 to 2,800 acres on a diversified farm. Our biggest crop is tobacco, the second-biggest is cotton, peanuts, soybeans and corn. We’re pretty stretched out.”

Farming takes up most of Barnes’ time and attention. He manages to squeeze out time to race in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car Division.

“I do this (race) on a part-time basis,” Barnes pointed out.

“We work on the car out of a farm shop. It feels pretty good to run with these guys on a week-in-week-out basis.”

Due to time constraints or other circumstances Barnes, at times, has to cut some corners with his racing. When those times occur, they are an uncomfortable prospect.

“It’s disturbing because guys don’t cut any corners,” Barnes said.

“We try to cut corners just to get here. We don’t always put the best tires on in practice and we don’t always have the best-of-the-best, but we try to make do with what we’ve got and be happy with what we have.”

Barnes has had success at South Boston Speedway in the past. In 2018 Barnes finished sixth in the South Boston Speedway NASCAR Late Model Stock Car Division point standings. He was one of 15 drivers that led laps in the division that season.

“In 2018 I finished in the top six in points and almost won a couple of races,” Barnes noted.
“I feel like if we could pull off a win, maybe two, or run Top-Five week-in and week-out and get back like we were, I would really be happy.”

Barnes has two Top-10 finishes in his four starts this season at “America’s Hometown Track.”

He had hoped for better results at this point but notes he is still working to dial in his new car.

“With the new chassis we’ve got and a new motor, if we hit our marks and get our (chassis) setup pretty decent we will be pretty good compared to everybody else,” Barnes remarked.

“We’re running a brand-new car this year, and to come out here with limited practice I feel we’re pretty decent for what we’ve got and the technology we’re running against.”

Barnes has been racing at South Boston Speedway on-and-off for the past five or six years. He says he keeps returning to South Boston Speedway because “America’s Hometown Track” is a great place to race.

“The racing atmosphere here at South Boston Speedway is better than anywhere in the country,” Barnes said.

“This is where my mom and dad grew up coming to races, where I grew up coming to races. I feel like this is home to us. There is a lot of racing history and atmosphere here.”

Barnes likes the various cost-cutting measures the speedway has implemented to help competitors.

“The two-tire deal is hateful at times when you’re trying to figure out the (chassis) setup, but then it’s good because you only have to buy half the tires,” Barnes pointed out.

“The purse is better here at South Boston Speedway than anywhere else. Basically, you cover your tire bill if you finish pretty decent. It’s very respectful of the track to do that for the local guys, small guys like me who have no sponsors. We sponsor ourselves. We have a couple of small silent partners, but it’s like everything else, you’ve got to run well, get some eyes on you, and find somebody that is willing to help you.”

South Boston Speedway’s Celebrate America Campaign continues Saturday night, June 12 with the Halifax Insurance NASCAR Late Model Twin 75s racing program. Twin 75-lap races for the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car Division will headline Saturday night’s event. A 50-lap race for the Limited Sportsman Division, a 30-lap race for the Budweiser Pure Stock Division and a 15-lap race for the Budweiser Hornets Division are also included on the night’s five-race card.

Saturday’s race day schedule has registration and pit gates opening at 2 p.m. Practice starts p.m. and grandstand gates will open at 5:30 p.m. Qualifying will begin at 6 p.m. and the first race will get the green flag at 7 p.m.

Advance adult general admission tickets are priced at $10 each and may be purchased online on South Boston Speedway’s website, www.southbostonspeedway.com, through Friday night, June 11. Adult general admission tickets at the gate on race day are priced at $15 each. Kids ages 12 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

The latest news and updates about South Boston Speedway and its racing events can be found on the South Boston Speedway website and through the speedway’s social media channels.

WORLD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODELS RETURN TO OCFS IN 2021!

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Official Release
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MIDDLETOWN NY – The 2021 season at Orange County Fair Speedway is a return to form for the over 100-year-old racetrack, but it’s also the introduction, or reintroduction of many new events. Perhaps the most exciting reintroduction in 2021, will be the return of the World of Outlaws Late Models! Thursday August 19th, the Late Models, the fastest wingless cars to race on dirt, will roll into the pits at OCFS, to put on a show that race fans haven’t seen in over a decade in Middletown, NY.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is the nation’s premier traveling tour for dirt Late Model stock cars. A cousin of the longer-running World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series that was founded by the late Ted Johnson in 1978, the Late Model Series first ran in 1988-89 under the direction of Johnson. The series sat dormant until being rekindled in 2004 by World Racing Group and has grown each season since then to take its place as the most competitive and lucrative tour for dirt Late Model racers.

A Dirt Late Model is a full-bodied, purpose-built race car that headlines arguably the most popular dirt track division in the U.S. and Canada. There is no cubic inch limit for the aluminum-head engines they use, but most teams have power plants of 400-430 cubic inches that produce over 800 horsepower. Dozens of builders construct dirt Late Model chassis, and unlike OCFS’s regular Dirt Modified racecars, the bodies of Late Models are designed to resemble popular street-car makes from manufacturers such as Chevrolet, Ford, Pontiac, etc.

While the World of Outlaws race will bring touring drivers from that series, local talent will also be on display with a new surprise. Joining them on August 19 is another returning division to OCFS, the Pro Stocks. Like Late Models, the Pro Stocks are also full-bodied race cars. They used to race regularly at OCFS in the early 2000’s. To the disappointment of Pro Stock fans, the series dissipated at OCFS over the years, but a revival has been long talked about. This new one-off race for 2021 hopes to attract enough Pro Stock drivers to put on a great show and provide fans with at least one night of the great Pro Stock racing that they remember!

Race fans, mark those calendars for Thursday, August 19th. The school year will be way over so bring the kids as they will love the sight of full-bodied race cars! And for the adults, OCFS’s on-site bar, the 31st Lap Tavern is open for business and serving ice-cold brews and cocktails!

Bridget Shines in First Road Course Race at Sonoma

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Official Release
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TOOELE, UT, June 8, 2021 – Bridget Burgess and the BMI Racing team had a plan for success at her first career ARCA Menards West road course race at Sonoma Raceway this past weekend. Utilizing the tools available to her included seat time in her HMH Construction Chevrolet ARCA car at Utah Motorsports Campus, as well as competing in the NASA Northern California event the week prior.

The single day format gave the competitors only an hour for a combined practice and qualifying session. Bridget headed out on track for a few laps at the start of the session to ensure the setup of the car felt right, and that she was comfortable and focused in the HMH Construction Chevrolet. The team put on a fresh set of tires and sent her out for a qualifying run. Bridget put in a great effort during the session and for a long time was sitting in 6th, by the end of the session she had slipped back to 9th.

The short break between qualifying and the race gave Bridget an opportunity to catch up with fans as Sonoma Raceway opened its doors to spectators for the weekend – the first time in over a year.

The green flag dropped and Bridget accelerated across the start finish line in the HMH Construction Chevrolet. Driving smart and being patient Bridget had moved up to 5th position, and then at lap 16 was turned by overly aggressive driver putting her back to 16th.

It was time for the halfway break, and the team went to work changing the tires and making adjustments to the car for the last 25 laps of the race. The green flag dropped once again, and Bridget focused again on being patient and working with the equipment she had. The second half of the race was a battle, but Bridget wheeled the HMH Construction Chevrolet to an 8th place finish out of a 22 car field. A career best finish for Bridget.

A replay of Saturday’s race at Sonoma will broadcast on NBCSN on Wednesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. ET.
Bridget’s next race will be the ARCA Menards West Series at Irwindale Speedway on July 3rd

Bridget is powered by these great companies: HMH Construction, GEARWRENCH, Rugged Radios, Cometic Gasket, Ferrea Racing Components, FK Rod Ends, Fragola Performance Systems, GC Cooling Fan, GT Radial, Hawk Performance, Impact Race Products, K&N Filters, Konig, Lucas Oil, Miller Electric, ProAm, PSC Motorsports, Sunoco Race Fuel, Tilton, XS Power

Facebook page: BridgetBurgess8
Instagram: BridgetBurgess8
Twitter: 8BridgetBurgess

Speedway Motorsports welcomes Credit Karma Money™ as new Partner in NASCAR

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Official Release
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Partnership includes Xfinity Series race entitlement at Atlanta Motor Speedway and All-Star assets at Texas Motor Speedway

HAMPTON, Ga. (Sept. 20, 2018) – Speedway Motorsports today announced a new sponsorship and advertising package partnership with Credit Karma Money™, a single destination within Credit Karma for spending and saving.

As part of this new partnership, Credit Karma Money will become the title sponsor of the July 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series race in Atlanta, as well as receive signage and other marketing and advertising assets at the NASCAR All-Star Race on June 13 at Texas Motor Speedway.

“Anytime you can introduce a new company or organization to NASCAR, it confirms the power of the NASCAR brand to companies all around the world,” said Speedway Motorsports Chief Sales Officer Kevin Camper. “We’re looking forward to establishing a mutually beneficial long-term relationship with both Speedway Motorsports and NASCAR.”

Credit Karma Money is the latest product from Credit Karma, the platform already helping more than 100 million Americans make financial progress. Credit Karma Money is built for the everyday consumer to organize finances, create better financial habits and get access to money faster.

“Just as NASCAR is a sport for every American, we built Credit Karma Money to help every American make progress no matter where they are on their financial journey, so our partnership feels like a natural fit,” said Poulomi Damany, General Manager, Credit Karma Money and Tax. “We know how excited fans are for the races this summer and look forward to introducing them to Credit Karma Money.”

About Speedway Motorsports
Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer, promoter and sponsor of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. Speedway Motorsports provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its U.S. Legend Cars International subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary.

About Credit Karma
Founded in 2007 by Ken Lin, Credit Karma is a consumer technology company with more than 110 million members in the United States, U.K. and Canada, including almost half of all U.S. millennials. While best known for pioneering free credit scores, the company’s members turn to Credit Karma for everything related to their financial goals, including identity monitoring, applying for credit cards, shopping for loans (car, home and personal), high-yield savings accounts and now checking accounts through our bank partner, MVB Bank, Inc., Member FDIC — all for free. Learn more about how Credit Karma members are making financial progress on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Alsco Uniforms partners with Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen for naming rights of the June NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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  • Alsco, the global leader in uniform and linen rental services, to convey presenting sponsor naming rights to Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen for Texas Motor Speedway’s June NASCAR Xfinity Series race held the day before the NASCAR All-Star Race.
  • Alsco’s support in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) is unrivaled: the company features four NXS entitlements at Speedway Motorsports facilities, including the recent Xfinity Series race held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May and Las Vegas Motor Speedway in both March and September.
  • The green flag drops for the Alsco Uniforms 250 Powered by Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 12, at 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, with television coverage provided by FS1.

SALT LAKE CITY — June 8, 2021 — Alsco Uniforms, the official uniform provider of race fans and proud partner of Texas Motor Speedway (TMS), has brought longtime customer Darden Restaurants and its Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen brand aboard for naming rights of the June NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race.

The Alsco Uniforms 250, Powered by Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen on All-Star weekend, will bring out the stars of the NASCAR Xfinity Series as they battle it out in No Limits, Texas, on Saturday, June 12. With the excitement surrounding the fan-favorite All-Star Race coming to Texas as the iconic speedway celebrates 25 Years of Speed in 2021, race fans will be coming out in full force.

“Texas Motor Speedway has created a unique Texas flavor to the NASCAR All-Star Race weekend that fits perfectly with our new partnership with Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, which has a long history in the Lone Star State,” said Texas Motor Speedway president and general manager, Eddie Gossage. “The Alsco Uniforms 250 Powered by Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen will undoubtedly be yet another memorable NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Great American Speedway.”

Alsco Uniforms has enjoyed a tremendous relationship with Speedway Motorsports through the years and is excited to head to Texas with Cheddar’s for the first time as an entitlement partner.

“Texas Motor Speedway is such a great venue to highlight the partnership between Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Alsco Uniforms,” said Ben Fox, director of sales and marketing for Alsco. “Alsco Uniforms provides service to hundreds of Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchens around the country with uniforms, linen and floor mats, so having them partner with us on this race was a no-brainer. It’s a perfect opportunity to provide our partners some brand visibility as more guests begin to dine out again.”

“The first Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen restaurant opened in Arlington, Texas, in 1979, and we are proud to maintain our strong tie in the state,” said John Wilkerson, president of Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. “We’re looking forward to joining Alsco on June 12 and giving Cheddar’s guests and race fans another great race at Texas Motor Speedway.”

The Alsco Uniforms 250 Powered by Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is just one of four NXS entitlements for Alsco in 2021, all at Speedway Motorsports facilities. In addition to the June race, Alsco Uniforms sponsors events at affiliate tracks Charlotte Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Alsco Uniforms and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen likes to keep pace with one another on all NASCAR partnerships, with both brands providing sponsorship at the NASCAR team level along with Richard Childress Racing with drivers Myatt Snider and Tyler Reddick and Kaulig Racing with driver Jeb Burton.

The Alsco Uniforms 250 Powered by Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is part of a NASCAR weekend that also includes the Camping World Truck Series Race, SpeedyCash.com 200 and the NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday, June 13. The Alsco Uniforms 250 Powered by Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen will be broadcast live on FS1, PRN and 95.9 The Ranch.

About Alsco

Alsco is a fifth-generation family-owned and -operated uniform company founded in 1889 and recognized by the prestigious Hohenstein Institute for having invented the uniform rental industry. Celebrating over 130 years of business, Alsco provides uniform laundry services and other products that keep businesses clean and safe for all kinds of customers in the healthcare, automotive, industrial and hospitality industries. With more than 180 locations and 20,000 employees, Alsco provides laundry rental services to over 355,000 customers in 14 countries, which makes Alsco Uniforms the largest uniform company in the world. Visit https://www.alsco.com to learn more about how Alsco Uniforms is the industry’s best-kept secret.

About Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is the homestyle casual dining restaurant where guests always Get a lot. For not a lot™. The restaurant offers a variety of scratch-made meals and generous portions served up in a warm, welcoming atmosphere – all at an unbelievable price. After being welcomed with a signature Honey Butter Croissant on the house, guests can enjoy signature entrées like hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, Homemade Chicken Pot Pie and Fall-off-the-Plate Baby Back Ribs. Cheddar’s operates more than 170 restaurants in 28 states and employs more than 15,000 friendly and passionate team members. For more information or to locate the nearest restaurant, visit Cheddars.com. Fans can like or follow Cheddar’s on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway is among the largest sports stadiums in the United States and features an array of amenities such as the world’s largest TV that make it one of the premier venues in the world of sports. The 1.5-mile superspeedway located in Fort Worth hosts all three NASCAR national series as well as the NTT IndyCar Series among its various races and specialty events throughout the year. Since opening in 1997, Texas Motor Speedway has generated an annual economic impact of approximately $300 million to the North Texas region. Texas Motor Speedway is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports LLC, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information, please visit texasmotorspeedway.com.

Tips For Arranging A Race Track Day

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SM
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For the majority of petrolheads, the idea of taking their car or bike around a race track where their revered heroes have raced is just about as close to nirvana as it gets. While it’s great watching racing, nothing quite compares to grabbing your own slice of the action and racing around one of the world’s best circuits – but what’s involved in booking a day at a race venue, and just how do you organize a successful track day? If you – like so many others – yearn for your chance to drive a famous race track but aren’t quite sure where to start, read on for some top tips. 

Researching and booking your track day

Once you’ve decided you want to book a day at a race track, the first thing you’ll need to do is find a supplier that offers the type of experience you’re looking for. These days, it’s easier than ever to find operators using the internet, but you should be aware they tend to provide different experiences based mostly on the following criteria:

  • Number of vehicles – the number of cars allowed on the track at once
  • Vehicle type – whether your car is race-standard or road-standard
  • Limits on noise – the amount of noise your vehicle creates
  • Permitted type of overtaking – either on one side or both sides
  • Session type – either making laps at any time or in sessions
  • Price – the cost of the booking

When you go to book, if this information isn’t openly available, you should ask the supplier for confirmation on each to avoid disappointment.

Choosing which track is right for you

This largely comes down to your experience level and geographical limitations. For example, your favored race track might be located miles from your home, meaning you’ll need to think about how to get your vehicle to the track (particularly if it’s not deemed to be road-standard). It’s worth noting, companies like Shiply can arrange for car or motorcycle shipping which could save a long journey prior to racing, allowing you to fly rather than drive your car/bike, and pick it up at your destination.

Perhaps more important than location, though, is your driving level and experience. All tracks are different, and some are more technical than others. As a rule, if you’re just starting out, you should look for tracks that have a long run-off area on bends and other technical sections. Run-off areas are safety zones (normally gravel, grass, or asphalt) where you can regain control, reducing the chances of damaging your vehicle (or yourself) should you not find the right racing line. 

The different types of session

It’s important to realize the differences between open tracks days and sessions:

Open sessions: On an open track day, the racecourse is open all day – which typically means racing with drivers of mixed ability and different powered cars/bikes. This will normally result in you overtaking/being overtaken regularly. 

Fixed sessions: In fixed session racing, you’ll be racing against drivers of a similar standard and experience in vehicles of a similar power rating to your own. Racers start at the same time (just as you’d see in professional racing) over a fixed number of laps. Note – these groupings are made on the drivers’ opinion of their skill, so it’s important you’re honest when grading your driving level. 

The Role of Freight Brokerage Companies in Shipper Carrier Relationships

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SM
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Freight brokerages have existed for years and have become even more critical now than they were in the past due to the increased global trade. A freight broker plays an essential role in this industry by bringing buyers and sellers together to negotiate the best price for the shipping services they need. In many cases, a freight broker may not act as an agent on behalf of one individual buyer or seller but may act as an intermediary. They usually charge a commission for their work. Still, they provide a valuable service in helping to make sure that there is a market for a given service, allowing people to get the products or services they need on time.

Types of freight brokers

There are many types of freight brokers. The most common are those who work through the significant freight brokerage firms in the United States and Canada. However, there are also independent freight brokers that have formed partnerships with these larger firms. Some independent brokers are called “third-party motor carriers,” while others are considered brokers that provide a list of available carriers.

Responsibilities that freight brokerage firms must fulfill

There are many different responsibilities that freight brokerage firms must fulfill to be legal. They are responsible for providing a list of carriers that are available to do business with. They have to perform a thorough evaluation of each carrier to determine whether they will provide the needed services. In addition, freight brokerage firms must evaluate the proposals of each shipping services company and evaluate the tenders that companies submit to secure funding for shipment. Finally, they have to keep up with all applicable documentation and reporting requirements that various transportation agencies require to operate lawfully.

The most important part of the supply chain is the shipping agency. Suppose the transportation agency does not correctly assess the needs of the shippers. In that case, the transportation providers may choose to bypass this critical step and let the shippers work with companies that do not provide the needed services. For example, if there is a deficit between the amount of available product and the demand for that product, the shippers will be able to ship goods where they are wanted but without the ability to pay for the goods. This means that the transportation agency may choose to work with shippers that cannot pay for the goods that they need. By allowing shipments to go to companies that can pay, the freight brokerage firm is helping ensure that there is a demand for the product and that the companies who receive the shipment are capable of fulfilling their part in the supply chain.

While some people are happy to know that the freight brokerage firm is doing all of the paperwork and checking to ensure no problems are associated with shippers, some shippers want more control. Freight brokers usually have direct access to motor carriers and therefore can influence the use of those carriers. For example, if a freight brokerage firm has a large client base, the service may use one carrier to make a profit. The shippers who have control over the transportation of their goods prefer this scenario because they can ensure that they get the best services possible.

Is being a freight broker stressful?

Freight brokers do not always make good business relationships with the carriers that they work with. If a freight brokerage firm does not have enough of a relationship with a specific carrier, it can pressure the carrier to undersell. This can be bad news for shippers because the lower prices they can for shipments will generate a higher bottom line. Having a bad relationship with a carrier could also have an indirect effect on the cost of the cargo. For example, if the carrier sends the shippers an invoice for services they did not provide, they may consider hiring a new carrier to avoid being assessed late fees.

A freight brokerage firm can also put a strain on the transportation management system that is in place. Suppose a shipper contacts a brokerage firm regularly for estimates or quotes. In that case, the transportation management system may not accurately calculate how much money the carrier should charge based on the type and location of the shipment. The result could be an undercharge for the shipper, leading to the shipper not getting paid at the end of the day.

Freight brokers often choose to work with shippers that are not highly liquid. Many logistics brokerage companies only work with larger carriers and are often unable to meet the needs of smaller carriers. Because of this, the shippers that work with these types of firms are often charged with more than they should be. Working with a geographically limited company can create logistical problems for shippers who need to get shipments to their customers on time. The transportation management system of a company that works with logistics brokerage companies should include provisions that allow for flexibility when choosing the best carrier according to the size of the shipment.

What You Should Know about Road tripping in an EV

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SM
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Photo by Rathaphon Nanthapreecha from Pexels

Road trips are fun until you get stranded in the middle of the wilderness without gas or the proper equipment. With a conventional vehicle, this will rarely happen since there are gas stations within short distances on most highways. In most situations, you have most likely planned your journey to accommodate fueling accordingly, but there are those off situations when you may not add fuel as you cruise throughout the countryside as you look at the beauty that surrounds you. With an electric vehicle, this might not be the case. Since electric vehicles are still not as common as a conventional car, few owners are still not able to gauge with precision how far their vehicle can go before running out of charge. You should not despair though if you are planning to take your Tesla on a long drive since you can charge an electric car with a portable generator in case of an emergency. Charging EV/Tesla batteries with a portable generator is the last resort option when running out of battery power. However, that is not always recommended. Here are a few things you should know if you want to go on a long road trip using an EV.

Try to Minimize Energy Consumption

Older Tesla models can cover up to 250 miles on one full charge. Some have a bigger range of more than 400 miles on a single charge. You should keep in mind that these distances are estimates that could be affected by various factors including your driving style. You can try and consume as little energy as possible to extend the range of your EV. For instance, you can minimize using the heater or the air conditioner, and going light on the accelerator. The less energy you consume while on your journey, the longer the distance you will manage to cover.

Plan Your Charging Sessions around Your Trip’s Activities

Unlike petrol or gas-powered cars that you can simply drive into a gas station, fuel, and be on your way, EVs will require you to spend a considerable amount of time to get it recharged. Even if you find a direct current or DC fast charger, you may need to wait for more than 40 minutes just to get your car charged to 80%. You can drive as far as possible, and then choose an ideal spot to stop, and have the car charged as you enjoy a meal and have some rest. Since the charging stations are not as many as gas stations, map out the available charging stations and plan your journey with those that give you maximum convenience in mind.

Take Advantage of Technology

As these vehicles become more popular, technologies are emerging to make your driving experience as smooth and easy as possible. For instance, there are apps that you can use to identify ideal charging stations. Ensure that you download one or two of these apps before you commence your journey to identify the best charging spots.  Ensure that you plan according to the stations you identify lest you get stranded before reaching your next destination. Avoid waiting till you have a very low charge before getting to your next charging station.

Keep Your Engine One When Charging in the Morning

If you happen to have your road trip during the cold season or happen to go through cold areas while on your cruise, you should ensure that you keep your engine on while your engine is running when you charge it in the morning after staying overnight. Also, you should ensure that you have extra charge since EVs consume more energy in cold weather as you will have to use your air conditioner often when in such conditions. During cold weather, your stopping intervals should also be shorter.

Have a Back-up Plan

It is always good to be on the safe side when going on a long trip, whether you are using an EV or a conventional gas vehicle. In the case of an EV, you may want to take extra precautions since charging stations are not as many. Furthermore, you may have planned to use a particular charging station only to find it under maintenance. You can try to find contacts of individuals with charging outlets along your travel path if you are not able to find a working station on time. You can also consider carrying a generator with you if you have enough space in your car. The best method though is to ensure you recharge full and to avoid going below 40% before getting to your next destination.

Keep in Mind the Different Types of EV Charging Stations

Charging stations are of three different tiers. The first tier charges the slowest and can take more than 24 hours to fully charge your vehicle. Level three is the best and the fastest, but also the most expensive. Keep this in mind when mapping out your journey.

Possible replacements for Kurt Busch

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Official Release
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Photo by Tim Jarrold for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Kurt Busch is no stranger to making headlines in NASCAR, with a number of them having already been produced surrounding the driver’s future and his career in the sport.

However, the latest news that appears to have emerged regarding the veteran driver is that he could be set to leave Chip Ganassi Racing this season, with Busch failing to commit his future to the team despite being in a contract year, whilst rumors are already flying around suggesting that he could fill the second seat that 23XI Racing alongside Bubba Wallace as the NASCAR team looks to continue to expand and give their chances of winning the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series.

The former world champion has revealed he would love the opportunity to drive the Next-Gen car and could be perfect for Wallace to learn from as he aims to continue to grow his own presence within the sport. Of course, Busch wants to be able to win the current 2021 NASCAR Series Cup but the current online odds available for him to do that does not quite sit as favorable as he would have hoped at the start of the season, which is perhaps why a move away is being sought.

With that news, Chip Ganassi Racing could be looking for alternative options ahead of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series, but there are a number of replacements that they could look towards if Busch does decide to leave and switch teams.

Matt DiBenedetto

Matt DiBenedetto might not be the right fit for Chip Ganassi when looking at him on paper, however, the driver could be a cheap acquisition and one that offers the team plenty of experience.

There will be plenty who will be concerned by the fact that he has not won a race since 2011, although the NASCAR driver has had numerous second-place finishes since. Furthermore, he is currently in a contract year with Wood Brothers Racing, which could make him available, especially given that he was considered releasable last season.

Noah Gragson

For many, there will only be one name that Chip Ganassi Racing should be looking at and one that fits what the team as all about. Noah Gragson is that driver, as the 22-year-old Las Vegas native is one of the most talented, young drivers currently on the circuit and has shown he can dominate as he is a proven winner; something that Chip Ganassi Racing like and tend to look for in a driver.

Gragson is an enigma that many may look to avoid, but if Chip Ganassi Racing want to replace Busch adequately, then they will be pushed to find someone better than the Las Vegas native.

Ryan Newman

As mentioned, Chip Ganassi Racing continues to bring in winners, which is why Ryan Newman might be one of the best options available to the NASCAR team. He has been able to achieve a total of 18 wins so far in his NASCAR Cup Series career, including a Daytona 500 win back in 2008.

The Roush Fenway Racing team driver is also in a contract year with his current team, although it would seem that he is on his way out as the team appears to have already found themselves a replacement for him in Brad Keselowski.

The 43-year-old has no plans to retire, which means Chip Ganassi Racing could look to take him on, with the driver also suggesting that he still has plenty that he wants to achieve, such as winning a championship. That ambition could be a great thing for the team and that could prove to be the perfect ingredients for both driver and NASCAR team.

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Sonoma

By
Jeffrey Boswell
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Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, leads the field during the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 06, 2021 Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images.

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Kyle Larson: Larson started on the pole at Sonoma and held off Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott on an overtime restart to secure the win in the Toyota/SaveMart 350.

“It’s awesome to win in my home state,” Larson said. “And there’s nothing like drinking wine out of the winner’s trophy here in Wine Country. And you can equate the grapes used to make this wine with the competition—stomped.”

2. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin finished eighth at Sonoma.

“Michael Jordan was at the race,” Bowman said. “He was in the 23XI Racing garage. Luckily, Bubba Wallace has given him no reason to smoke a cigar.”

3. Chase Elliott: Elliott finished second to Kyle Larson at Sonoma as Hendrick Motorsports scored its fourth consecutive 1-2 finish.

“Kyle is in the zone,” Elliott said. “I don’t think there’s anyone who can stop him, except himself. Not only has he put his past behind him, he’s put everyone else behind him.”

4. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex finished third in the Toyota/SaveMart 350, rebounding from an uncharacteristic subpar finish in Charlotte.

“I’d won the last two races at Sonoma,” Truex said. “So, I was looking to make it three in a row. It wasn’t to be. Anyway, it seems that the term ‘three in a row’ is used to describe Hendrick Motorsports’ race wins, or Hendrick Motorsports’ race finishes, or Tim Richmond’s sex life.”

5. William Byron: Byron was caught in a late accident and finished 16 laps down in 35th.

“Some drivers just aren’t good at road course racing,” Byron said. “I don’t want to name names, but I’ll name numbers. Those numbers are 42 and 7. And fittingly, after a road course race, that is the ‘circuitous’ way to place blame.”

6. Alex Bowman: Bowman finished ninth at Sonoma as Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott finished 1-2.

“Celebrity chef Guy Fieri drove the ceremonial pace car,” Bowman said. “One thing you can count on a celebrity chef ceremonial pace car driver not to do is ‘overcook’ the tires.”

7. Joey Logano: Logano took fourth at Sonoma, posting his seventh top five and third in the last four races.

“I’m not sure Hendrick Motorsports can be beat,” Logano said. “They’ve won six races this year, and four straight. Apparently, while the rest of us think we’re playing chess, HMS is playing ‘checkers.'”

8. Kyle Busch: Busch finished fifth at Sonoma, posting his fifth top five of the year.

“Attendance at Sonoma Raceway was at 33%,” Busch said. “That’s roughly the percentage of people that can tolerate me. And I’m talking about my family, not fans.”

9. Kevin Harvick: Harvick was victimized late in an accident triggered by Corey LaJoie and Ross Chastain and finished a disappointing 22nd.

“Those guys don’t know any better,” Harvick said. “Also, they can’t get any better.”

10. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski finished 15th at Sonoma, and has now gone five races without a top-10 finish.

“I guess my heart just isn’t in it,” Keselowski said. “I’m probably leaving Penske Racing at season’s end. That explains why I didn’t ‘fare well.'”

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