Home Blog Page 2602

Team Hardpoint EBM Earns Three Porsche Carrera Cup Podiums at COTA With Efrin Castro, Riley Dickinson

By
Official Release
-

Castro Scored a Pair of Runner-Up Finishes in Pro-Am, Dickinson Earns Pro Class Podium at His Home Track

AUSTIN, Texas (May 3, 2021) – Team Hardpoint EBM scored three Porsche Carrera Cup North America podiums on Sunday, with Efrin Castro earning a pair of second-place finishes in the Pro-Am class and Riley Dickinson scoring a third-place finish overall and in the Pro Class.

Rounds Three and Four of the 16-race championship both took place on Sunday at the 3.4-mile Circuit of the Americas, opening the day on a very slick, wet track and finishing in the heat of the Texas afternoon. The grid for the morning race was set based on championship points after qualifying was washed out on Saturday.

Electing to start the morning race on slicks, both Dickinson and Castro skated through the early stages as the track continued to dry throughout the 45-minute race.

Castro was running second in the Pro-Am class in the No. 65 Fine Fare Supermarkets /GoDominicanRepublic.com Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, but couldn’t hold onto the position in the final lap. He crossed the line in third, but was elevated to second-place by race officials following the race when the unofficial winner was moved to the rear of the field for a technical infraction.

Dickinson started the No. 53 Porsche Austin/Team Hardpoint EBM Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in fourth position overall and in the Pro class, then held serve for the duration at his home race to finish fourth. Perhaps more importantly, Dickinson ran the second-quickest lap of the race in 2:15.901 (90.065 mph) to start the afternoon race on the outside of row one.

The starting position allowed Dickinson, with the track dry in the afternoon and the hot Texas sun beating down, to hold steady in third place on the opening lap and get clear of any challengers from behind. Dickinson made a strong run at the runner-up position in the closing laps, but ended the day with his second podium position of the young season.

“Overall, we are pretty pleased with this weekend even though we were aiming for better results,” Dickinson said. “Sunday morning’s race might have been the most difficult conditions I’ve ever raced in due to the combination of dry tires on a wet track. Sunday afternoon was the opposite with regards to the track conditions. The circuit was completely dry and in true Texas fashion, extremely hot. This made the second race all about tire management. I had a great car at the end of the race, but it was too little too late on my end. While we are striving to earn better results, a positive from the weekend is that we continued learn even more about the all new 992 Porsche GT3 Cup Car. Essentially building from where we left off at Sebring, and steadily improving. In that sense, I’m very much looking forward to what the rest of the season has in store. I also had the opportunity to spend time with my partners at Porsche Austin, both at the their facility and at the track, which was great and I can’t thank them enough for coming out this weekend and all of their support. Huge thank you as well to everyone at Team Hardpoint EBM for all their hard work and effort behind the scenes this week, it was a mammoth effort day in and day out.”

Castro gave chase to the Pro-Am leader throughout the race, holding steady second in class for the race distance after starting in the same position.

The double podium weekend elevated Castro to second early in the season-long championship. Dickinson holds at fourth in the point championship but has elevated Team Hardpoint EBM to third in the Entrant Championship standings.

The Porsche Carrera Cup North America returns to action June 24-27 at Watkins Glen International for another doubleheader in conjunction with the IMSA Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen weekend. The next challenge for Team Hardpoint EBM is with the IMSA WeatherTech Championship GT Daytona Porsche 911 GT3 R program at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, May 14-16.

About Team Hardpoint EBM:
Hardpoint Motorsports was founded by Rob Ferriol in 2018 with the vision of combining his experience as a successful entrepreneur with his passion for racing. Team Hardpoint EBM is a joint venture between Team Hardpoint and Earl Bamber Motorsport formed in late 2020 to combine the resources of EBM and co-owners Earl Bamber and Will Bamber and the early success of Team Hardpoint. Headquartered at VIRginia International Raceway, the team’s 2021 plans include a full-season effort in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship in a Porsche 911 GT3 R and a multi-car effort in the IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup North America. More information on Team Hardpoint EBM can be found at www.hardpoint.com or through its strong social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Tanner Berryhill to drive the No. 23 in Darlington

By
Official Release
-

STATESVILLE, N.C. (May 3, 2021) – Our Motorsports announced today the addition of Tanner Berryhill to its driver roster for the No. 23 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Berryhill will pilot the entry for three races, starting with this weekend’s Steakhouse Elite 200 at Darlington Raceway.

The Bixby, Oklahoma native will have sponsorship from Realty Connect. “I’m genuinely excited to join Our Motorsports,” Berryhill said. “I can’t wait to work with the team and I’m confident that the car will deliver great results. I’m proud to represent my sponsors at one of my favorite racetracks! Thanks to Realty Connect, Eclipse Claims, and everyone who has supported my career.”

Realty Connect, an exclusive real estate brokerage company for ‘referral only’ agents will be on the hood of the No. 23 Chevrolet for the race at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.

Berryhill made his NXS debut in 2012. The 27-year-old driver has amassed 40 starts in the NXS. Berryhill also has two starts in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Berryhill will also pilot the Our Motorsports entry at Texas Motor Speedway in June and the fall Texas Motor Speedway in October.

“We are looking forward to having Tanner pilot the Realty Connect number 23 at Darlington this week. Our Motorsports is looking to continue building the 23,” said Our Motorsports GM Joe Williams. “Tanner brings a lot of experience in all forms of racing and I believe that will help us at the track too tough to tame. We are also excited to be partnered with Realty Connect.”

The Steakhouse Elite 200 at Darlington Raceway will take the green flag on Saturday, May 8 at 1 p.m. ET. The 147- lap event will be broadcast on FS1.

About Our Motorsports

Our Motorsports competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, fielding the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro for Brett Moffitt, and the No. 23 Chevrolet Camaro for multiple drivers. To find out more information about our team, please visit ourmotorsportsgroup.com.

Dramatic Finish in Trans Am Gives Tomy Drissi the Win at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

By
Official Release
-

Joiner, Oakes, Goldman and Crocker finish first in class at Laguna Seca

MONTEREY, CA (2 May 2021) – Tomy Drissi won his sixth race in two decades in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday.

Trans Am driver Humaid Masaood in Dyson Racing’s No. 21 Amamos LaVida Tequila Mustang placed second with Erich Joiner from the XGT class posting third overall in the provisional Trans Am SpeedFest results.

Boris Said crossed the line in first after making an aggressive move to get by Chris Dyson in Turn 1 on a restart with 10 laps remaining. The contact tore off the left-rear valve stem on Dyson’s dominant No. 20 ALTWELL CBD Ford Mustang, sending him to the pits for a new tire.

The pass went to Stewards’ review post-race, and the penalty issued for that move and additional contact with Drissi early left Said with a 40-second penalty, shuffling him back to a fifth-overall, fourth in class. Said intends to protest, leaving the results provisional.

“I didn’t want to win the race like this, but I’ve had my times where the same thing has happened to me, so I will take it,” said Drissi. “It was such a battle out there today, we recovered from a mid-race spin, and I am just so happy for the whole Burtin Racing team and Lucas Oil Slick Mist to get our first victory of the season. Thank you for the support from the series, from all my friends and family who made the trip from L.A. to watch the race, to my team and my sponsors for making this possible.”

Drissi pulled double duty this weekend, competing earlier in the day in the Historic Trans Am race with SVRA. Drissi won in the same original factory Jim Hall Chaparral 1970 Trans Am Chevy Camaro that was raced by both Jim Hall and Vic Elford in the early 70s. Elford took home a win at Watkins Glen that season driving the Camaro.

“The win in Trans Am today was a bonus,” Drissi continued. “We won the Historic Trans Am race earlier today. We are raising awareness for Vic’s ongoing health issues and I know he was riding along with me in both cars today. Fans can donated to the cause by visiting the GoFundMe page set up by Brian Redman.”

TA newcomer and 2020 XGT champion Ken Thwaits completed a double-duty weekend by placing third in class, and fourth overall in TA driving the No. 5 Franklin Road Apparel Chevrolet Camaro, and also winning the Masters class. Thwaits was also the Masters winner in Saturday’s TA2® event – his debut in the series.

Dyson came back from his pit-lane restart to cross the line in seventh after leading the opening 35 laps. He was later promoted to sixth overall, and fifth in class.

“I am not going to comment on the restart, but I can tell you we were thrilled to have ALTWELL car up front all weekend,” said Dyson following the race. “We were dominating today and I had the race in my hand. I am just really proud of our guys. I think we put on two spectacular weekends out here on the West Coast. I’m sure we had the measure of everyone out there today.”

After chasing Dyson for 14 laps, Francis’ No. 98 Future Star Racing Ford Mustang suddenly slowed and the defending seven-time champion limped to the pits.

“We were having a good run and the car was really quick,” Francis said. “We were just keeping the pressure on Chris. Waiting for an opportunity to get by. Coming out of the last turn, something broke in the rear end. I’m not sure what, but I can’t fix it right now, so we’re out of the race.”

Simon Gregg finished the race in third, driving No. 59 The Peter Gregg Foundation Chevrolet Camaro, but was issued a 40-second penalty after making race-ending contact with Amy Ruman.

Masaood crossed the line fourth overall but was promoted to second following the series of penalties issued to Said, Gregg and Marks. The result marks Masaood’s second runner-up finish in two weekends. The CD Racing driver finished second behind his teammate Dyson at Sonoma the weekend before in the West Coast race.

The first caution – including a brief red flag – came after Lou Gigliotti’s No. 28 G2 Motorsports Corvette went up in smoke on lap 19, sending Gigliotti into the Turn 4 gravel trap. Gigliotti, who was running second in SGT, was unhurt in the incident. Dyson pulled away on the restart, while Said had slight contact with Drissi while fighting for second.

A major turning point came on lap 33 of 45, when David Pintaric was tapped by Justin Marks at the top of the Corkscrew, sending both cars spinning to a stop. Pintaric, looking for his second-straight fourth-place finish in the No. 57 Kryderacing Ford Mustang, was done for the day. Marks lost two laps in the No. 99 Ave Motorsports Corvette and was issued a 40-second penalty for the incident to slot him into a 10th overall finish, seventh in class. The incident brought out the second caution and bunched the field for the climactic final restart.

Joiner became the first XGT winner in National competition in 2021, placing third overall in the No. 10 Good Boy Bob Coffee Roaster Porsche 991 GT3 R. It was his fourth victory in six National races over the past two seasons. Joiner came out a double winner, also scoring the West Coast Championship victory.

“I have to say it was a really fun race,” said Joiner. “It’s fun to bring a GT car with 400hp out here and play on a tight track with TA cars. I got to test my skills in another way. It was a big weekend for us and Good Boy Bob Coffee.”

In his Trans Am debut, Mike Weathers finished second in the West Coast XGT class in the No. 48 GSpeed Chevrolet Corvette. Weathers GSpeed team built the car in two weeks so Weathers could make his first race competition at Laguna Seca.

SGT saw Justin Oakes win for the third time in four races since the 2020 finale doubleheader at Road Atlanta, driving the No. 11 Droneworks Corvette. The class battle went all the way to the checkered flag, with Oakes holding off West Coast SGT rookie Rob Crocker by 2.065-seconds.

Oakes keeping cool under considerable pressure earned him the ChillOut Moment of the Race.

“I feel so fortunate to be able to come out with my team who built this incredible car, we just keep dominating, and I love it,” said Oakes. “I love this track. It’s our first time here. I can’t wait to come back. I am going to race here every chance I get. I’m really bummed about Lou [Gigliotti], wish we could have battled it out a bit more, but I am sure he’s going to come knocking soon.”

Crocker was the West Coast Championship SGT winner, despite having to make a pit stop in the No. 77 KRYPTAURI Cybersecurity Porsche Cayman. He needed a rare pit for fuel during the opening caution, due to not having a large enough fuel cell for a 100-mile race. Also during the caution, the No. 00 Superior Builders Holden Commodor stopped and needed a tow. With Rudy Revak’s No. 60 Racecars Chevrolet Monte Carlo also on the sidelines, opened the door for Crocker’s victory.

“We are running the stock sized fuel pump in this Cayman,” explained Crocker on his untraditional Trans Am pit stop. “It’s only 16.5 gallons, and this thing devours fuel, not like a six cylinder but more like an eight cylinder. We got lucky at Sonoma with the weather, we didn’t really have to be on throttle a lot and we could take a higher gear. But, unfortunately here, there was just no way around it if I wanted to keep competitive pace. We pulled in, got the fuel into the car during the first yellow we took the opportunity, got all squared back out and tried to push as hard as we could, but the grip was just not there for us at the end.”

Steve Goldman celebrated his first Trans Am finish by winning West Coast Championship honors with a 12th-place overall finish in the No. 13 LIG Racing Corvette. Goldman is an experienced SVRA driver and decided to make the transition into Trans Am last year in Portland.

Next up for the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is Lime Rock Park’s traditional Memorial Day weekend. The TA/XGT/SGT/GT divisions will practice and qualify on Friday, May 28, and will race at 1:20 p.m. on Saturday. The next TA2 ® race will be on Monday at 1:15 p.m. ET.

The West Coast Championship will have one weekend off before returning to action at Thunderhill Raceway Park May 14-16.

*Report based on Revised Provisional Results

Erik Darnell Makes his Return to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Darlington

By
Official Release
-

Darnell will race in the No. 45 Northern Tool + Equipment Chevrolet Silverado

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 3, 2021) – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series winner Erik Darnell will make his return to the Series at Darlington Raceway. Darnell will race the No. 45 Northern Tool + Equipment Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports.

Darnell, a two-time winner in the Truck Series at Kansas Speedway and Michigan International Speedway, is set to make his first start in the Series since 2008.

“I’m excited to get back behind the wheel in the Truck Series, especially with an organization of this caliber,” said Darnell. “The support from Northern Tool + Equipment means so much to me. Darlington is a tough, but fun track, so Friday night should be a good time. Thank you to Al Niece for the opportunity.”

Darnell has 76 starts in the Truck Series, between 2004-2008 with two wins, three poles, 16 top-five and 32 top-10 finishes. In addition to his Truck Series experience, Darnell has 52 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series from 2008-2012, with one pole, two top-five and five top-10 finishes.

“I’m so excited to have Erik behind the wheel of one of these Niece Motorsports Chevrolets,” said Niece Motorsports General Manager Cody Efaw. “We’ve been trying to get him in a truck for the past few years, so I’m thrilled that we were finally able to do it.”

Both of Darnell’s wins in the Truck Series came with Northern Tool + Equipment on board. The No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado will carry a Northern Tool + Equipment throwback scheme to commemorate those wins.

Family owned and operated Northern Tool + Equipment is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021 — the company started in the garage of its founder Don Kotula, who had a vision from the beginning of building lasting relationships by providing the right solution for every customer.

Today, Northern Tool continues its legacy of offering high quality tools and equipment for serious work across 120-plus stores and online at northerntool.com to support hardworking pros and DIYers. In addition to offering its exclusive brands such as Klutch, NorthStar and Powerhorse, Northern Tool offers STIHL, Milwaukee, Lincoln and Honda.

“We are proud to have our colors riding along with Erik, especially as Northern Tool marks our 40th anniversary this year,” said Wade Kotula, owner of Northern Tool + Equipment. “We appreciate the team at Niece Motorsports for all their work, and we are excited to have Erik at the wheel with us in Darlington.”

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will take the green flag at Darlington Raceway on Friday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET, airing live on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

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.

Kaulig Racing Surprises AJ Allmendinger with Darlington Throwback Scheme

By
Official Release
-

LEXINGTON, N.C. (May 3, 2021) – Kaulig Racing surprised AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 16 Hyperice Chevrolet, on Monday morning with a special throwback scheme commemorating his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) win.

Allmendinger, who had a 12-year NCS tenure, won the Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International in 2014, while driving for JTG Daugherty Racing. Throughout his NCS career, Allmendinger recorded one win, 11 top five and 57 top-10 finishes before retiring from full-time competition in 2018.

“This was unexpected for sure,” said Allmendinger. “It’s definitely something that means a lot to me. That Cup win was really special at that point in my life for so many reasons. I spent a long time in the sport, and had many ups and downs. Looking at this car brings back great memories to think about what that day meant for me and everything that came along with it. Hopefully we can do the same thing and go out there, win the race, and burn it down.”

Following his retirement from full-time competition, Allmendinger joined Kaulig Racing to drive part-time in the 2019 and 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) seasons where he earned three wins, eight top five, and 10 top-10 finishes. He then inked a deal with the team to drive full-time for the 2021 NXS season, including a limited NCS schedule.

“AJ is very special to us at Kaulig Racing,” said team president, Chris Rice. “He has done so much for all of us, both on and off the track, so we wanted to do something special in return to show our appreciation.”

The Steakhouse Elite 200 at Darlington Raceway will take place on Saturday, May 8 at 1PM ET with coverage on FS1.

About Kaulig Racing™

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time multi-car NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started and made the Championship 4 round for the first time in 2020. Kaulig Racing fields three full-time entries; the No. 10 Chevrolet driven by Jeb Burton, the No. 11 Chevrolet driven by Justin Haley, and the No. 16 Chevrolet driven by AJ Allmendinger. Kaulig Racing™ earned five wins in 2020 and have come to be one of the top competitors on track each weekend. The team also made its second NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) start in the 2021 Daytona 500 with Kaz Grala, as well as a limited NCS schedule this season. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

About Hyperice

Hyperice is an Inc. 500 global recovery and movement enhancement technology company specializing in vibration, percussion and thermal technology. Hyperice’s technology is used by the world’s most elite athletes in professional and collegiate training rooms, as well as rehabilitation facilities and fitness facilities globally. Hyperice has applied its technology and know-how to industries such as fitness, esports, healthcare, massage, and workplace wellness. In March 2020, Hyperice acquired Normatec, innovators of cutting-edge dynamic compression systems, and in December 2020 acquired RecoverX, pioneers of intelligent thermal technologies, to deliver world-class performance and wellness solutions. For more information, visit www.hyperice.com.

Dirteeze Partners with Moffitt for Mid-Ohio

By
Official Release
-

Best Trade Wipe Available Joins Moffitt for Race Partnership

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 3, 2021) – David Gilliland Racing (DGR) announced today that Dirteeze will serve as the primary partner of Thad Moffitt’s No. 46 Ford Fusion for the Mid-Ohio 150 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, when the ARCA Menards Series tackles the 13-turn, 2.258-mile road course on June 4.

“We are thrilled to partner with Thad and the lineage he represents of a solid and proven winning tradition,” Roy Scharrer, Dirteeze director, said. “Thad and David Gilliland Racing embody the same drive and winning principles of the Dirteeze brand and products: toughness and tenacity. Equally, we feel this opportunity serves as a great platform to leverage awareness of our brand to a broader consumer base. We look forward to evolving and sustaining this partnership with Thad as a representative of the Dirteeze brand.”

Dirteeze, the originator of agitation technology built into a wet wipe, was launched in the UK market in 2007. Now, Dirteeze-US is bringing their most popular line of wipes to the US market, led by a team with over 30 years of experience providing wipe solutions to the retail, industrial, safety and janitorial markets. With products ranging from industrial wet wipes to non-woven industrial wipes, Dirteeze develops their products to service a unique range of needs. From engineering and production environments, to construction and automotive markets, for contractors and mobile workers, the Dirteeze range of products has the answer.

“I am super excited to bring Dirteeze into the sport. They have an awesome product, and they are a growing brand like myself,” Moffitt said. “I believe they are a great fit for not only me, but for the sport of auto racing as a whole. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent their company and I look forward to building our partnership.”

Moffitt is aiming to compete in the full 20-race ARCA Menards Series schedule for DGR in 2021. In four starts this season, the North Carolina-native has one top-five and three top-10 finishes with a career best third-place result at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway in March.

The Mid-Ohio 150 will be televised live on FS1 at 6:00 p.m. ET on June 4.

About Dirteeze

Launched in the UK in 2007, Dirteeze is the originator of agitation technology built into a wet wipe. The Dirteeze product range covers everything from industrial wet wipes to non-woven industrial wipes. Dirteeze products combine high quality, with affordable cost that will impress your customers, differentiate your company from the others and grow your business within these market segments. Dirteeze products have been developed by focusing on finding the best solution for the wiping task at hand, not by following what others have already done. For more information, email info@dirteezeus.com or visit www.dirteezeus.com.

About David Gilliland Racing

David Gilliland Racing (DGR) is a race team owned by NASCAR veteran David Gilliland and businessman Johnny Gray. The team specializes in driver development, competing full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, multiple ARCA Menards Series divisions and CARS Tour with factory support from Ford Performance. In its first four years of operation, DGR has achieved success in each series tallying up multiple wins and championships. The team operates out of three buildings totaling 60,000 square feet in Mooresville, N.C.

May Means Motorsports as Charlotte Motor Speedway Welcomes Fans Back for Action-Packed Month of Fun

By
Official Release
-
  • With the long-awaited return of Cars & Coffee Concord, a 44,000-horsepower assault on the senses at zMAX Dragway and the biggest Memorial Day Weekend celebration in the country at the Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte Motor Speedway is poised for an action-packed month
  • Ticket information, event details and more available at charlottemotorspeedway.com

CONCORD, N.C. (May 3, 2021) – As the calendar turns to May, the eyes of the entertainment world turn to Charlotte Motor Speedway, where May means motorsports. With a bevy of entertainment options celebrating all things automotive, America’s Home for Racing is set for an action-packed month with fans returning to the iconic superspeedway for a cornucopia of events from Cars & Coffee and four-wide drag racing to NASCAR’s historic 62nd running of the Coca-Cola 600.

“For all of us at Charlotte Motor Speedway, May is typically the culmination of a year’s worth of work to put on the world-class entertainment events that our fans have come to expect,” said Greg Walter, executive vice president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “While this past year has been anything but typical, we are overjoyed to help restore some of that sense of normalcy as fans return to America’s Home for Racing to take in all of the fun and excitement we have in the works.”

May’s schedule includes:

NGK NTK NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

For the first time in 579 days, the fastest accelerating machines on the planet return to the Bellagio of drag strips for a nitro-fueled showcase of speed, May 14-16. A break from traditional side-by-side drag racing, the NGK NTK NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway brings 44,000 horsepower roaring to life in a four-wide battle at more than 330mph. And every ticket is a pit pass, giving fans the ultimate access to the stars of the sport – including John Force, Steve Torrence, Antron Brown, Leah Pruett and more.

Single-day tickets start at just $20 for adults, while kids 13 and under get in free.

Cars & Coffee

Fill up the tank with fuel and a mug with coffee and head out to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 15 for Cars & Coffee Concord. The free monthly cruise-in returns from hiatus the third Saturday of each month to celebrate all things automotive from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Located at the speedway’s main entrance, the Fan Zone transforms into a car-lovers paradise as car owners and enthusiasts gather to celebrate their shared passion and showcase their prized classics, customs and hot rods.

The event is free.

North Carolina Education Lottery 200

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history will be made on Friday, May 28 when the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 kicks off the first of three consecutive nights of white-knuckled action at America’s Home for Racing. For the first time in the 61-year history of the iconic 1.5-mile superspeedway, all three of NASCAR’s top series will battle for the checkers on the same weekend. Can any of the truck series regulars slow the momentum of John Hunter Nemechek or Ben Rhodes, who each have two wins already the season? Can Zane Smith or Sheldon Creed slow down the dominant Toyota Tundras? Who will hit the jackpot and win the North Carolina Education Lottery 200?

Single-day tickets start at just $30 for adults, while kids 13 and under get in free.

Alsco Uniforms 300 and Spectrum Qualifying

Saturday, May 29 will feature a full slate of on-track action, including NASCAR Cup Series drivers setting the starting order for Sunday’s historic Coca-Cola 600 during Spectrum Qualifying. The penultimate night of racing will also showcase the rising stars of the NASCAR Xfinity Series in the Alsco Uniforms 300. In a season that has seen seven different winners through the first eight races, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top. The night will wrap up with the ARCA Menards Series General Tire 150.

All that action and tickets start at just $32 for adults. Kids 13 and under get in free.

Coca-Cola 600

Rounding out the weekend and the greatest day in racing is the 62nd running of the toughest test of man and machine, the iconic Coca-Cola 600, on Sunday, May 30. Before the green flag falls, fans will be treated to the country’s biggest Memorial Day Weekend salute to the troops, complete with at-track and virtual military engagements with representation from all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. As the day turns to night, NASCAR’s best will battle changing track conditions and a hard-charging field of hungry competition to mark their name in the history books as a Coca-Cola 600 winner. Can Brad Keselowski go back-to-back? Can Kevin Harvick or Martin Truex Jr. win their third Bruton Smith Trophy? Will Denny Hamlin or Joey Logano finally nab their first win at the crown-jewel event?

Tickets to the Coca-Cola 600 start at just $59 for adults, while kids 13 and under get in for just $10.

MORE INFORMATION:

Charlotte Motor Speedway continues to follow state and local guidance with respect to social distancing and safety precautions in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Tickets for these upcoming events will be limited based on current restrictions. Precautions include digital tickets, cashless souvenir and concession stands, socially distanced seating and more. For all the latest, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

FOLLOW US:

Keep track of all of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s events during its 60th anniversary season by following on Twitter and Instagram or become a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

Three-Time Indianapolis 500 Winner Bobby Unser Dies at 87

By
Official Release
-

INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, May 3, 2021) – Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser, one of the most colorful, outspoken and popular drivers in the history of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” died Sunday, May 2 at his New Mexico home. He was 87.

Unser won the Indianapolis 500 in 1968, 1975 and 1981. He is one of just 10 drivers to win the “500” at least three times and is a member of numerous motorsports Halls of Fame, including induction into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 1990. Unser and Rick Mears are the only drivers to win the “500” in three different decades.

He was one of six members of the Unser family to race in the Indianapolis 500. Bobby and his brother Al, a four-time winner, are the only brothers to win the race.

Bobby Unser also was renowned and admired for his work in and out of the cockpit before his Indianapolis 500 and INDYCAR driving career started and after it ended. He dominated the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb before he ever turned a lap at Indianapolis, and he was a popular INDYCAR color analyst on national telecasts in the 1980s and 1990s after retiring as a driver.

Unser was born Feb. 20, 1934 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the third of four brothers. When he was 1, his family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico – the city forever associated with the Unser family racing dynasty.

In 1949, Unser started racing at Roswell (New Mexico) Speedway. In 1950, he raced at Speedway Park in Albuquerque and won his first championship in Southwestern Modified Stock Cars. After serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1953-55, Unser and his brothers Jerry and Al decided to pursue racing careers in United States Auto Club (USAC) competition.

Bobby Unser raced successfully in USAC Sprint Car, Midget and Stock Car competition. He earned seven career USAC Sprint Car feature victories and placed third in the standings in 1965 and 1966. He also won six USAC Stock Car races and three USAC Midget features.

Unser’s career in Indy cars started in the end of the 1962 season. He spent three years driving Novi-engined cars for Andy Granatelli, including the No. 6 Hotel Tropicana, Las Vegas Kurtis/Novi roadster in which he qualified 16th and finished 33rd and last as an Indianapolis 500 rookie in 1963. Unser’s day ended after completing just two laps due to an accident.

In fact, Unser’s first two career Indy starts gave no indication of his future success. After completing two laps and finishing last as a rookie in 1963, he completed just one lap in 1964 and was credited with 32nd place in the four-wheel-drive No. 9 Studebaker-STP Ferguson/Novi fielded by Granatelli, getting caught in the multi-car accident that claimed the lives of Dave MacDonald and Eddie Sachs.

Unser earned his first career top-10 finish at Indy by placing eighth after starting 28th in 1966 for Gordon van Liew’s team. In 1967, he moved to Bob Wilke’s Leader Card team for a four-year stint, which resulted in even greater fortune at Indianapolis and on the USAC Championship Trail.

Unser earned his first Indianapolis 500 victory in 1968 in the No. 3 Rislone Eagle/Offy, one of the most iconic and beautiful rear-engine cars in Indianapolis 500 history. His first spot on the Borg-Warner Trophy came after a spirited duel with Joe Leonard in one of Granatelli’s famous STP Lotus cars powered by a Pratt & Whitney helicopter turbine engine. Unser led 118 of the first 191 laps but was running second to Leonard when Leonard’s fuel shaft broke on Lap 192, with Unser powering past for his first “500” victory.

Later that year, Unser won the first of his two USAC National Championships, ending the season with five victories and edging Mario Andretti by a scant 11 points.

In 1972, Unser earned the first of his two Indianapolis 500 poles during his successful five-year partnership with Dan Gurney’s All American Racers. Speeds skyrocketed that year with the legalization of bolt-on wings to chassis, and no one took better advantage than Unser. His four-lap record qualifying average speed of 195.940 mph in the No. 6 Olsonite Eagle was more than 17 mph faster than Peter Revson’s pole speed from the previous year – the largest year-to-year increase in “500” history.

Unser won his second and final USAC National Championship in 1974 after finishing runner-up to Johnny Rutherford in the Indy 500.

In 1975, Unser won the Indianapolis 500 for the second time, driving the No. 48 Jorgensen Eagle fielded by Gurney’s team. Unser led only 11 laps, taking the top spot from Rutherford on Lap 165 and holding it until the race was ended by a downpour on Lap 174 of the 200 schedule laps.

He drove for Fletcher Racing in 1976 and 1977, returning to Gurney’s All American Racers for one season in 1978.

Unser joined Team Penske in 1979 for the start of a three-year stint in which he won 11 races and finished second in the CART standings in 1979 and 1980.

But perhaps his most famous race during his Penske tenure was the 1981 Indianapolis 500, which he won from the pole in one of the most controversial and contentious outcomes in the event’s storied history.

Unser beat Mario Andretti to the finish by 5.18 seconds in the No. 3 Norton Spirit, but USAC officials ruled Unser passed cars illegally while exiting the pit lane during a caution on Lap 149. Unser was penalized one position, with Andretti elevated to the winner.

But after a lengthy protest and appeals process, Unser’s penalty was rescinded, and he was declared the winner of the race Oct. 9, 1981. That victory became the last of Unser’s storied INDYCAR career, as he skipped the 1982 CART season to serve as driver coach for Josele Garza and decided against a planned comeback in 1983 with Patrick Racing.

He finished his career with 35 career INDYCAR victories and two championships among his eight top-three finishes in the season points.

Unser ended his driving career as one of the greatest performers in the history of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

He produced 10 top-10 finishes in 19 career “500” starts. Unser led in 10 races for a total of 440 laps, still 10th on the all-time list.

Unser’s nine front-row starts included poles in 1972 and 1981. His speed in qualifying at the Speedway was exceptional, as he was one of the 12 fastest drivers in 18 of his 19 starts. Fourteen of his 19 starts came from the first three rows.

While those statistics are among the greatest in Indy history, Unser produced even more eye-popping numbers at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, nicknamed “Unser Mountain” due to his family’s success in the longtime race in Colorado Springs. Unser won 13 class titles at Pikes Peak and earned “King of the Mountain” honors 10 times during his career as the fastest driver overall up the famed mountain, tops among the racing Unser family that dominated this event.

Unser also had a keen engineering mind that always searched for a technical advantage over his rivals. He sometimes would call his crew chief well after midnight with an idea for chassis setup or another technical issue, and his prowess as a test driver was highly regarded because he turned every lap at the car’s limit.

Every angle was pursued by Unser when it came to trying to find the edge against his foes. Team owner Jim Hall’s famous Chaparral chassis – the first Indy car with ground-effects aerodynamics underneath the car – got upside-down when Rutherford crashed in 1980 in the CART season finale at Phoenix. Unser learned of a photographer who took pictures of the closely guarded aero channels and tunnels beneath the car, and he obtained the photos, which were used in the development of Team Penske’s 1981 ground-effects chassis.

After his driving career ended, Unser combined his vast racing experience and considerable skills as an outspoken raconteur to become a popular broadcaster on ABC, NBC and ESPN INDYCAR telecasts and on IMS Radio Network race broadcasts. The booth trio of play-by-play announcer Paul Page and the opinionated Unser and the erudite Sam Posey – with Unser and Posey’s styles and comments almost always contrasting and often clashing — was one of the most entertaining and popular in INDYCAR television history.

Two of Unser’s proudest moments in the TV booth came when he called the finish in 1987 with play-by-play announcer Jim Lampley as his younger brother, Al Unser, earned his record-tying fourth “500” victory and again in 1992 when he and Paul Page called the race when his nephew, Al Unser Jr., won Indy for the first time in the closest “500” finish ever.

Unser also was part of the ABC Sports broadcast team that won an Emmy Award for “Outstanding Live Sports Special” for its coverage of the 1989 Indianapolis 500.

After his TV career ended, Unser continued to visit IMS every Month of May. In 1998 and 1999, he served as driver coach and assisted with race strategy on the radio for his son Robby Unser during his two starts in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Robby finished fifth and eighth, respectively, in those two starts with his father’s help.

Fans always flocked to “Uncle Bobby” to get a picture or autograph, to share their memories or to hear one of Unser’s countless colorful stories about his career and fellow racers. He also savored spending time in the Media Center swapping tales with many veteran journalists every May, as Unser was a tireless ambassador for IMS and the Indianapolis 500 until the end of his life.

Unser is survived by his wife, Lisa; sons Bobby Jr. and Robby; and daughters Cindy and Jeri.

Cody Webb finishes second at Iowan Hard Enduro. Louise Forsley Wins Women’s

By
Official Release
-

Spragueville, IA – The Iowan Hard Enduro made its debut on the Kenda AMA Extreme Off-Road series calendar. The event saw the first setback for FactoryONE Sherco’s Cody Webb as he had to settle for a P2 behind Trystan Hart of FMF KTM. Colton Haaker of Rockstar Husqvarna would round out the men’s podium. FactoryONE Sherco women’s pilot Louise Forsley would take the top step over Shelby Turner and Kristina Smuda, both backed by KTM, and extend her points lead in the championship. 

“I Really wasn’t too happy with how the day went.” Said Cody Webb. “It was a pretty simple course for a hard enduro and the conditions weren’t on our side. In moto one, I got a bad start and just couldn’t get around those guys. I tried a few times, but just couldn’t make it happen and settled for fourth. In the final moto, I rode angry and charged hard. I rode a little tight with the other guys right on my tail for the first half before opening up a nice lead. I then suffered some issues and lost all the time I gained and fell back. I charged hard and was aggressive which allowed me to take back the lead right before the finish and get the win in moto two. I was happy with how I rode overall, just not how I executed that first moto, which ended up costing me.”

The hot lap that set moto one rows saw Sherco pilots Webb, Pat Smage and Nick Fahringer seeded fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. Louise Forsley would edge out Shelby Turner by 3 seconds to land as the top female.

Moto one would feature a rather timid course comparably speaking. The one loop course would see the top riders finishing in under 30 minutes. (Most hard enduros have motos of 60 minutes or more) This didn’t suit the riding styles of Cody Webb or 11-time AMA mototrials champion Pat Smage. With that, Webb would finish 4th, Smage 7th, and Fahringer 8th. Louise Forsley would win moto one and finish a very respectful 21st overall out of more than 100 riders. 

For moto two, race directors added more technical sections to challenge the final 32 riders. With that, Cody Webb was able to charge to a lead early in the race, only to suffer some issues mid race, which allowed for the chasers to close the gap and make it a race. Cody put his head down and charged hard once again, throwing down a blistering pace during the latter half of lap two to take the moto win by 6 seconds over Tyrstan Hart.  Pat Smage would finish sixth in the moto, one place better than Nick Fahringer. Louise Forsley would be the only female to make it into the final 32 finishing 27th overall in the moto.

Women’s Champ Louise Forsley: “Yesterday’s races went really well for me. I stayed patient and was able to make passes when the opportunity was there. Then I just focused on riding a smooth race and making minimal mistakes. Luckily it all came together! “ 

Pat Smage: “I am happy to have gained some valuable experience in Iowa. While I couldn’t run the pace of the top 5, I did get a good feel for it early in moto 1 and even had the lead for a very short time until a course marking caught me of guard. It was fun and impressive to ride behind those guys for a few minutes as they pulled away. There were a few short hard sections in the final race that I really liked but I was not comfortable or willing to risk it on the faster parts of the course. Once again I just tried to find a pace I could manage without pumping up too bad or letting my heart rate get too high. That put me in 6th which I am happy with but I know what I need to work on to be better. “

Nick Fahringer: “My ride was relatively clean on the hot lap Sunday morning. Starting on the front row there was no traffic to contend with but navigating an unestablished track was the challenge. 

I finished 6th, one spot off the front row for moto one. Moto one was a slightly longer and more technical version of the hot lap while moto two was a much more challenging modification, racing for 3 laps.  Moto 1 I scored a 7th place keeping the competition within sight. Off the line in moto 2, I ended up getting squeezed out and had to make some passes. The course was very rideable due to the fair traction, which led to everyone carrying a pace that elevated the intensity. I would finish 7th for my final position on the day. Not the most challenging track on the schedule but an enjoyable race. 

My bike worked flawlessly and I am beginning to find my stride for the year.” 

Men Overall Results:

Trystan Hart – FMF KTM – P1

Cody Webb – FactoryONE Sherco – P2

Colton Haaker – Rockstar Husqvarna – P3

Taylor Robert – FMF KTM – P4

Ryder Leblond – DRT Husqvarna – P5

Pat Smage – FactoryONe Sherco – P6

Nick Fahringer – FactoryONE Sherco – P7

Ezra Prine would win the A class on his Enduro31 Sherco.

Women Pro Podium:

Louise Forsley – FactoryONE Sherco – P1

Shelby Turner – KTM – P2

Kristina Smuda – KTM – P3

Fr8 Auctions Leads Front Row Motorsports Back to 1985

By
Official Release
-

McDowell to Honor Bill Elliott
Alfredo to Celebrate Alan Kulwicki

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 3, 2021) – Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and Fr8 Auctions will honor two NASCAR Hall of Fame legends during NASCAR’s Throwback Weekend at the Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. The 2021 Daytona 500 Champion, Michael McDowell, will race the No. 34 Fr8 Auctions Ford Mustang in the famous livery that led Bill Elliott to his first Daytona 500 win. Anthony Alfredo, a Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate, will race the 1985 No. 38 scheme that Alan Kulwicki raced during his first NASCAR Cup Series starts.

Fr8 Auctions will adorn the hoods and sides in the style and colors of the nostalgic 1985 scheme on McDowell’s No. 34. Elliott became a NASCAR superstar in this popular scheme. During the 1985 season, the Georgia-native earned 11 wins, 11 poles, the Winston Million and the Daytona 500 en route to a runner-up position in the championship and one of NASCAR’s most successful seasons.

The scheme was commissioned to SMD Designs to honor the Georgia Hall of Famer. Fr8 Auctions, headquartered in Georgia, is ready to bring the colors back to the track.

“It’s an honor to celebrate the Elliott family,” said Marcus Barela, Owner, Fr8 Auctions. “As a Georgia-based company, we know first-hand the excitement and joy that Bill Elliott brought everyone in the state during his historical run in 1985. The scheme, today, is still one of the most iconic in the sport and the entire Elliott family continues to be great ambassadors for the sport. Bill won his first Daytona 500 in 1985, and with Michael winning his first Daytona 500 this year, it was a ‘gr8’ opportunity to celebrate this scheme. We can’t wait to see the car on the track and we hope the fans enjoy it with us.”

“This is an unbelievable car and a great honor to race the scheme that Bill Elliott made so famous and won his first Daytona 500 in,” said McDowell. “I can only hope to get another Daytona 500 victory and also win at Darlington Raceway like Bill did. But, I have to thank Fr8 Auctions for even allowing us this opportunity. We all want to make them proud this Sunday.”
The No. 38 Ford Mustang will carry the FRM “We Care” campaign on the hood with the support by Fr8 Auctions. The lettering, design and colors will match the No. 38 Ford Thunderbird raced by Alan Kulwicki during three races in 1985. The starts helped launch Kulwicki’s championship career. Now, Alfredo, in his rookie season, will take to the track in a scheme replicating Kulwicki’s No. 38.

The “We Care” campaign was introduced by FRM in 2020 as a marketing initiative aimed at driving awareness for social responsibility for various causes. The “We Care” campaign began with a safe driving campaign in partnership with the National Road and Safety Foundation and continued with support of other organizations such as the Autism Society of America and others.

One organization that the We Care campaign continues to support is the Be Your Hero Foundation #BraveLikeWyatt. The Foundation is to honor Wyatt who was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and had a heart transplant right before his second birthday. His heart transplant allowed him to live for nine more years. He fought cancer and won in 2019, but shortly after he was declared cancer free, it was found that the chemotherapy medication damaged his donor heart. Wyatt passed away in January of 2020 and is loved and missed every single day.

Since that time, #BraveLikeWyatt was born and the Be Your Own Hero Foundation coordinates donation drives to benefit families who are inpatient at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Past donations have included toys, pantry items and laundry detergent so families can have free snacks and can take care of basic needs like washing their clothes.

The Foundation does even more, and earlier this year FRM, Alfredo and the Georgia Peanut Commission partnered with them to donate over 1,400 jars of peanut butter to Canine Assistants, a non-profit organization, dedicated to educating people and dogs so they may enhance the lives of one another.

“It’s so cool to race an Alan Kulwicki scheme in my first NASCAR Throwback Weekend event,” said Alfredo. “And it’s even more cool that we’re doing it with our ‘We Care’ campaign. I really enjoyed working with Be Your Own Hero #BraveLikeWyatt Foundation earlier this year when we made the peanut butter donation to Canine Assistants. I have ideas, too, how we can further enhance our campaign to other organizations. So, it’s cool to see Fr8 Auctions help us get the campaign going again.”

For more information about Fr8Auctions, visit Fr8Auctions.com and follow Fr8Auctions on social media: Twitter at @fr8auctions and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Fr8Auctions-165690083576986/

For more information about the Be Your Own Hero Foundation #BraveLikeWyatt, visit www.bravelikewyatt.com.

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.

1...2,6012,6022,603...6,775Page 2,602 of 6,775