Ford Looks to Continue Hot Streak at Talladega with 10th Win in Last Dozen Races; Mustang Mach-E All-Electric SUV to Serve as Pace Vehicle for GEICO 500
Three-Time Indianapolis 500 Champion, Helio Castroneves Joins Meyer Shank Racing AutoNation and SiriusXM for 105th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Meyer Shank Racing, one of the fastest growing INDYCAR teams, announces primary sponsors for the 500, Long Beach, IMS Road Course and Portland
Pataskala, Ohio (22 April 2021) – Having built its NTT INDYCAR Series program in lockstep with team sponsors since debuting in the 2017 Indianapolis 500, Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) is looking forward to its first two-car attack at the great race in 2021.
The Ohio-based team is pleased to announce that AutoNation and SiriusXM have signed on as co-title sponsors on the No. 06 Honda-powered Dallara set to be piloted by three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves for the 105th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
AutoNation will also serve as primary sponsor on Castroneves’ No. 06 Indy Car for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in September. SiriusXM will be the sole sponsor of Castroneves’ No. 06 Indy Car for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course race on August 14 and the Grand Prix of Portland on September 12.
The growth of the program reflects the continued commitment that AutoNation and SiriusXM have demonstrated with MSR since first joining the effort to support the team’s debut outing with driver Jack Harvey.
For three years, the two companies have combined for an unforgettable livery for Harvey that showcases the SiriusXM and AutoNation brands for race fans and also highlights AutoNation’s effort to support cancer research via the DRV PNK campaign.
Castroneves’ No. 06 Indy Car will carry AutoNation’s DRV PNK branding and signature pink color to raise awareness for AutoNation’s commitment to finding a cure for cancer, with the program having raised over $26 million to drive out cancer to date.
“We’re very excited to have AutoNation and SiriusXM join us on our second entry for the 500,” said Mike Shank. “Both AutoNation and SiriusXM have been an integral part in helping this team grow and we are so thankful that year-after-year, they continue to show their support. There is a lot of excitement about the Acura Grand Prix at Long Beach being the finale this year, and AutoNation is a great fit for that event as well, so we could not be more pleased to make this announcement.”
“MSR and SiriusXM have been great teammates, and continue to grow together,” said Marc Cannon, AutoNation Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience Officer. “We can’t wait to take our partnership to the next level with Helio and have him serve as a brand ambassador for our DRV PNK campaign.”
”We’re excited to be expanding on our relationship with the Meyer Shank Racing team in 2021,” said Richard Beatty, SiriusXM’s Chief Subscription Revenue Officer. “For the biggest race on the IndyCar calendar, SiriusXM will be showcased on two cars in the field – the No. 60 of Jack Harvey and the No. 06 of Helio Castroneves, a three-time Indy 500 winner. Our subscribers know the value of having SiriusXM along for the ride, and that’s true whether you’re going over 200 mph at Indianapolis Motor Speedway or on your everyday drives around town.”
SiriusXM’s sponsorship of the No. 06 Indy Car at the Indianapolis 500 will correspond with the company’s next free listening period. From May 26 through June 8, any non-subscriber in the United States can tune in to sample SiriusXM seamlessly, with no credit card required, on all inactive SiriusXM radios and on the SiriusXM app.
FRM Talladega Preview: McDowell and Alfredo Head to Front Row Motorsports Best Track
FRM Feels Right at Home in Alabama
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is very at home in Talladega, Alabama. It’s the track where the organization has had most of it’s success. A record of one win, four top-five and 13 top-10 finishes, it’s statistically the best track for the team. It’s also the site for this Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race.
Michael McDowell returns to the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang on Sunday.
Anthony Alfredo will pilot the No. 38 Speedy Cash Ford Mustang.
Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race begins at 2:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
McDowell and Alfredo talk about the upcoming race and their expectations.
“We have one expectation for this weekend,” said McDowell. “It’s to put our Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang in position to win the race. FRM has always been strong at the superspeedway races and, obviously, we had a great start to our speedway program at the Daytona 500.
“Talladega gives us another chance to win with Love’s Travel Stops and the rest of our partners. I don’t know if FRM has any better trick than anyone else at these races, but we have found something that gets us in the right position at the end. We work on Daytona and Talladega, knowing that we’re on equal footing with the other teams. We’re disappointed when we don’t leave with a top-five or top-10 from Talladega.
“We know the calendar. We know when Talladega is coming up. We just make sure that we do everything we can at the shop. Then, it’s about being smart during the race and taking the risks when you need to. We’re all looking forward to Sunday’s race.”
“Anything can happen at Talladega,” says Alfredo. “We’ve seen it time and time again. You just never know how things are going to turn out. That makes me excited to get to Talladega in my Speedy Cash Ford Mustang. I know that we can have a great race and have a great finish.
“I’ve felt like I’ve run well at the track in the Xfinity and Truck Series, so I’m hopeful in our Cup car, too. I do look at the record that FRM has at Talladega, that gives me confidence that we have a fast car and are capable of a great finish.
“We’ll just be smart on Sunday. You can’t win the race early, but you can get wrecked out early. That happened to a lot of us in the Daytona 500. I just want to there at the end and have a chance.”
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.
FedEx Racing Express Facts – Talladega Superspeedway
Denny Hamlin
11 FedEx Ground Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Race Info:
Race: Geico 500
Date/Time: Sunday, April 25/2 p.m. ET
Distance: 188 laps/500 miles
Track Shape: Tri-Oval
Track Length: 2.66 Miles
Banking: 33 degrees
2020 Winner: Ryan Blaney
Express Notes:
Press Kit: Download the 2021 FedEx Racing press materials at www.fedexracing.com/presskit, including bios for Denny Hamlin, Chris Gabehart and Joe Gibbs Racing leadership, program highlights and statistics.
Richmond Recap: A solid-handling car and fast pit stops kept Hamlin up front for most of the 300-mile event. An 11.6-second pit stop even put the #11 in the lead for the final restart with 12 laps to go. But the FedEx Toyota did not take off well when the green flag waved, and Alex Bowman made the pass around Hamlin for the eventual win. The second-place finish for Hamlin was his eighth top-five in the season’s nine races and sixth straight. The result increased Hamlin’s championship lead to 81 points, and the stage wins earned him two playoff points. The FedEx Racing team raced with heavy hearts at Richmond, with the #11 Toyota paying tribute to the FedEx team members killed last Thursday in a mass shooting at a FedEx Ground facility in Indianapolis. The car featured a black ribbon “Indy” decal and the hashtag #fedexstrong on the TV panel.
Talladega Preview: The NASCAR Cup Series makes its way to Talladega, the biggest and fastest track on the circuit. Coming off a strong performance in Richmond, Hamlin and the FedEx #11 team look to carry that momentum with them as they bring their FedEx Ground Toyota Camry to Talladega. Hamlin has two wins at the superspeedway but is focused on changing it to three come this weekend. The #11 Toyota will again honor the memories of the FedEx Ground Indianapolis shooting victims with black-ribbon and #fedexstrong decals and will promote a fundraising site for those affected by this tragedy: gofundme.com/FedExSurvivors.
Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Talladega Superspeedway
Races: 30
Wins: 2
Poles: 0
Top-5: 9
Top-10: 13
Laps Led: 346
Avg. Start: 16.9
Avg. Finish: 16.7
Hamlin Conversation – Talladega:
What is your FedEx Racing team’s focus as you get ready for Talladega?
“First and foremost, we want to continue to think of the families and team members in Indianapolis affected by last week’s tragedy. Our FedEx Camry will continue to reflect that with a black-ribbon decal and also information about the support fund for those affected. We’ll bring our A game to the track as we always do and see if we can get a win for our FedEx family.”
Are you frustrated that the first win hasn’t come yet?
“Yeah, there’s frustration, for sure. But it doesn’t change my attitude or work ethic. I’m going to work just as hard to win next week and the week after that. You’re a competitor, you want to win. Especially when you have a great opportunity to win.”
Mustang Mach-E Ready to Electrify NASCAR Fans at Talladega Superspeedway in Pace Car Debut
- The all-electric Mustang Mach-E will make it’s NASCAR debut this weekend as pace vehicle for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
- This is the second time Ford has had an all-electric vehicle pace a NASCAR event.
- Mustang Mach-E was named North American Utility of the Year by an independent group of 50 journalists from the United States and Canada.
DEARBORN, Mich., April 22, 2021 – The Mustang Mach-E, Ford’s dynamic all-electric SUV, will be making its NASCAR debut this weekend when it serves as pace vehicle for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
This will mark the second time Ford has had an all-electric vehicle pace a NASCAR event. The first time came in 2012 when the manufacturer made NASCAR history by having its Focus electric perform all pace car duties for the Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.
“We have always tried to use our presence in NASCAR to show off our dynamic and innovative vehicle lineup, and that continues this weekend with our all-electric Mustang Mach-E,” said Jeannee Kirkaldy, motorsports marketing manager, Ford Performance. “We feel this car not only stays true to Mustang’s great heritage but carries on its legacy in a modern way that we think fans and our loyal enthusiasts will embrace.”
The Mustang Mach-E has already made a strong impression in the marketplace, being named the North American Utility of the Year in January by an independent group of 50 print and broadcast automotive journalists from the United States and Canada as a first-time entrant.
“When I drove the Mustang Mach-E it was instant power and way better than I thought or expected,” said Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series for Wood Brothers Racing. “It was something that I100 percent wanted to own for myself or my wife because when you hop in the car it’s nice and quiet, and the throttle response is so instant. It was a blast. It will make a great pace car.”
Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney has won two of the last three Cup Series events at Talladega and is the defending champion of this weekend’s 500-mile event. Overall, Ford has dominated in recent years at NASCAR’s biggest track, having won nine of the last 11 races, which includes a stretch of seven straight from 2015-18.
The Geico 500 is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Eastern time and will be televised live on Fox.
To learn more about Mustang Mach-E, please visit Ford.com/suvs/mach-e.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford trucks, utility vehicles, and cars – increasingly including electrified versions – and Lincoln luxury vehicles; provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company; and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected vehicle services. Ford employs approximately 186,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.
Sabré Cook Joins TPC Racing For Porsche Sprint Challenge at COTA
Cook Joins Pedro Torres and Rob Lorndale Under TPC Banner For Weekend Doubleheader In Texas
AUSTIN, Texas (April 22, 2021) – Sabré Cook will join TPC Racing for the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama doubleheader next weekend, April 30 – May 2, at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
Cook will be part of a three-car effort for TPC Racing, joining season-long drivers Pedro Torres and Rob Lorndale in the TPC Racing paddock. Cook will race the 991.2-generation No. 37 TPC Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in the championship’s Platinum Cup class.
“We’re really excited to have a young driver of Sabré’s quality with us at TPC Racing for this event,” Harris Levitas, Director of Race Operations, said. “Sabré brings a lot of talent behind the wheel, but also a lot of experience in multiple championships around the world and a strong engineering background. It should be a really great weekend for the entire TPC Racing team.”
The 26-year-old driver and engineer joins TPC Racing in the Porsche, but is also scheduled to visit COTA in October as a W Series driver during the Formula One weekend. Cook drove the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup at the SCCA Super Tour at Virginia International Raceway just two weeks ago to a pair of third place finishes, despite being underpowered relative to the rest of the GT-1 class.
“I’m thoroughly excited to compete in my first Porsche Sprint Challenge race,” Cook said. “The fact it’s at the beautiful COTA track makes it even better. I know the competition is high and I’ll have a lot to learn still with running these cars but I’m going to give it my absolute best and enjoy the opportunity. Massive thanks to Apple Motorsports and Apple Automotive for making the race happen for me. I’m very much looking forward to running with TPC Racing and pushing for a good performance.”
Cook, Torres and Lorndale return to action with two 25-minute practices on Friday, April 30, qualifying on Saturday morning, May 1, and the first 40-minute race of the weekend on Saturday afternoon at 5:40 p.m. CDT. Sunday features a second 40-minute race at 10 a.m. CDT.
About TPC Racing:
TPC Racing is the Mid-Atlantic’s premier maintenance, service, tuning and modification center dedicated solely to Porsche sportscars. TPC Racing specializes in R&D and sales of high-performance modifications for Porsche sports cars and race cars, offering a wide range of vehicle upgrades. Best known for a line of forced induction solutions for the Porsche 911, Cayman and Boxster, a long-time focus on only one make, Porsche, has enabled TPC Racing to become experts in Porsche service, tuning, and racing. In 2000, TPC Racing began entering races under its own banner, scoring an SGS-class Championship in 2004 in the Grand-American Rolex Series and was a class winner in the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona, and captured the 2013 and 2016 IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA Gold Cup Championships. More information can be found at www.TPCRacing.com.
CORVETTE RACING AT SPA: First Step Toward Le Mans
CORVETTE RACING AT SPA: First Step Toward Le Mans
· Garcia, Gavin set to team together for first time in No. 63 Corvette C8.R
· FIA World Endurance Championship return for Corvette Racing
· First race outside U.S. for mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette race car
· Six Hours outing ahead of two-car effort at 24 Hours of Le Mans in August
DETROIT (April 22, 2021) – Corvette Racing takes its first steps toward a return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans next week with the opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship at historic Spa-Francorchamps. Antonio Garcia and Oliver Gavin are set to team in a unique opportunity for sports car racing’s dominant GT program at the Six Hours of Spa on Saturday, May 1.
For the first time, Garcia and Gavin will team together for Corvette Racing with the pair sharing the No. 63 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R. This will mark the first appearance for the mid-engine racing Corvette outside the United States and the team’s first appearance at Spa.
The Garcia/Gavin pairing and the rest of the Corvette Racing contingent will take part in two days of FIA WEC preseason testing Monday and Tuesday before official practices get under way Thursday at the 20-turn, 4.35-mile circuit in the heart of the eastern Belgium.
Between them, Gavin and Garcia have 318 starts, 73 wins and nine championships with Corvette Racing, but they’ve never shared the same racecar within the program. Each, however, has previous experience in GT programs at Spa.
Garcia was part of a class-winning effort at the 2001 Spa 24 Hours and won there in European Touring Car competition as well. Gavin has raced both open-wheel and sports cars including a podium finish in the 2016 Spa 24 Hours.
The run by the No. 63 Corvette in the GTE Pro category will help lay the groundwork as the program makes its comeback to Le Mans in August after missing last year’s event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has won eight times at the event since 2001 and will enter two Corvette C8.Rs in this year’s race.
Competing at Spa will provide the Corvette Racing team a bit of a refresher on specific rules and strategy methods that are unique to FIA WEC races. Pit stop operations and safety car procedures are among the biggest differences in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA WEC competitions.
Live race television and online coverage will be available via MotorTrend Network and MotorTrend On-Demand. Radio coverage for all practice sessions plus Friday qualifying and the race will air on Radio Le Mans. Live timing and scoring will be available on the FIA WEC website.
ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 63 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “It’s a nice idea to run this race at Spa to prepare for Le Mans. It’s not just as drivers but the engineers and the crew… everyone will be up to speed on the WEC philosophy of racing. With all the rules and differences from IMSA, it’s a good warmup for Le Mans. It helps everyone clear their minds and be focused on being prepared. That’s the main thing.
“I’ve been in the Spa 24 Hours twice, and I just missed the podium my last time. I’m really looking forward to racing the Corvette at Spa. A proper racetrack deserves a proper car like the C8.R! I’m looking forward to going around there in a GTE car. I really enjoyed my time racing in a GT1 car several years ago, and I’m sure the Corvette will be even more pleasant this time around.”
OLIVER GAVIN, NO. 63 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “When I was first spoken to about this opportunity to race at Spa, I had gone back to Antonio and he had asked if there was any chance that we could drive together. I’m really thrilled. We’ve become really great friends over the years. I’d been teammates with nearly everyone else but had never been teammates with Antonio! It’s just a really great thing to share the C8.R with him. It’s going to be special. We’ll want to push as hard as we can for as strong a result as possible.
“Spa is one of the greatest tracks where anyone could go race. It has a very good cadence to it. It certainly has some of the most challenging corners anywhere in the world – whether you’re talking about Eau Rouge, Blanchimont or any of the stuff coming back down the hill. It’s all challenging and a great track to race on. It’s a track that I think will suit the C8.R. You also think about the weather at Spa and what could happen. Late April into the beginning of May can throw up any sort of condition at you. It’ll be phenomenal to go there with the team and with such a great racecar. It’ll certainly make all the hair stand up on the back of my neck as I’m driving down the pitlane for the first time and taking it all in. It’s going to be a very special weekend. I’ve had some great success there over the years but also some frustrating and disappointing moments. But you always go away feeling exhilarated. You never ever leave Spa thinking it was just OK or that you didn’t get much of an experience. It’s a thrill to drive around, and the challenge is immense.”
Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 75 countries with nearly 4 million cars and trucks sold in 2019. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found www.chevrolet.com.
AFTER WINS LAST WEEKEND, BRODY ROA PREPARES FOR RETURN TO PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY FOR THE SOKOLA SHOOTOUT THIS SATURDAY
(Cypress, CA, April 21, 2021) Brody Roa warmed up for his return to Perris Auto Speedway for the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series Sokola Shootout this Saturday night, April 24, with two wins in Central California last weekend. Saturday’s race will be on the same half-mile oval where he scored the biggest win of his career in 2017.
Both of last week’s victories came in the May Motorsports #8M sprint car. On Friday, the winning effort came in an open 360 show at the Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield. The following night he made it two wins in 24-hours when he outdistanced the field at the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare.
The Garden Grove, California resident not only won the main event, but he also triumphed in the heat race at KCRP. Twenty-four hours later, the #91R team made the short 64-mile trek to the Thunderbowl Raceway. The 2016 series champion started off the night when he won his heat race, placed fourth in the qualifier, and started sixth in the 25-lap main event. The field was small, but talented, and that meant Roa had his work cut out for him.
For the first three laps, Roa wrestled his way between fourth and fifth. A lap four restart saw him advance one spot to third and another restart on lap five, saw him put the competition away. He dove to the bottom to take the lead in turn one in the race that stayed green the remainder of the way. He proceeded to run off from the competition to win by over a full straight.
“To come out and win two in a row this weekend is pretty good,” the 30-year-old winner told announcer Bobby Gerould and the crowd. “If you would have told me I would have won a race at Tulare I would have told you that you were crazy. On an average night, a shopping cart could beat me around here. It is just a place I am not very good at, but it was fun tonight. It made you have to hit your marks every time with the holes around the top. I can’t thank these guys at May Motorsports who put this car under me. Jayson (May), his dad, all of his family. They are incredible people, and they build a nice car that never has any issues. It leaves it up to me to get the job done. It is awesome to see fans again in the stands at a race. Thank you all for coming out.”
The victory in Tulare was the seventh lifetime win for Roa in USAC West Coast Series competition. And it was the initial win in the series for May Motorsports. After two USAC West Coast races in 2021, the friendly driver has a win and a third-place finish. That puts him in the lead in the driver standings and May Motorsports is the leader in the owner standings. The next race in the series is scheduled for May 15 in Petaluma.
Saturday’s Sokola Shootout will be the first time Roa has raced on the USAC/CRA Series home track, Perris Auto Speedway, since November 2019. In nine appearances at the Riverside County track that season, he had one win and five top five finishes. The biggest win of his career came on the same half mile clay oval in 2017 when he won the second night of the prestigious Oval Nationals.
For fans who would like to attend Saturday’s race, spectator gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with racing at 7:00. Advance tickets are available at the following link tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7. Due to COVID mandates, that is the only way to purchase tickets for this race. There will be no walk-up ticket sales.
Perris Auto Speedway is located at 18700 Lake Perris Drive (92571). The office phone number is (951) 940-0134 and the website is http://www.perrisautospeedway.com/.
Roa and the team would like to thank the following for being part of the #91R’s 2021 campaign. HD Industries, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, Sander Engineering, Biker Bruce Fisher, Inland Rigging, The Golden Vibe Boutique, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Baldwin Filters and Jambo BBQ Pits. In addition, the veteran driver offers thanks to Fastenal, Coopers Propane, Total Lubricants, Marina Pools, TJM Oilfield Distribution, Certex, and Biker Bruce for sponsoring the #8M.
If you or your company would like to jump on board and receive recognition throughout the year, please give the two-time USAC champion racer a phone call or drop him a note at the contact information at the top of this release. You can also contact him if you would like to put him in your car in a USAC National Series race when his west coast schedule permits.
To view Roa’s online portfolio and learn more about the team, please click on the following link https://www.teamwithbrody.com/. Fans can also check out the team website at https://www.brodyroa.com/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/br91r/.
To keep up with May Motorsports, please check out and “like” its Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/MayMotorsports8M
2021 Results
3-12 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 7th A Main
3-13 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main
3-26 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main
4-10 Keller Auto Speedway USAC West Coast Sprint Cars 3rd A Main
4-10 Keller Auto Speedway King Of The Wing Sprint Cars 22nd A Main
4-16 Kern County Raceway Park Open 360 1st A Main
4-17 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC West Coast Sprint Cars 1st A Main
CHEVROLET NTT INDYCAR SERIES: ADVANCE – RACE 2 – STREETS OF ST. PETERSBURG
CHEVROLET RACING IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
NTT INDYCAR SERIES
FIRESTNE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
APRIL 24-25
RACE 2 OF 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES:
DETROIT (April 21, 2021) – Chevrolet drivers this weekend turn their attention from a flowing and fast road course to a tight and technical temporary street course for the 17th annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Competing on the divergent venues a week apart poses challenges for Chevrolet teams and distinct tests for the 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V6 engine.
“The start of the 2021 NTT IndyCar Season is very unique mix of a permanent road course, a technical street course and a very fast mile-and-a-half banked oval,” Chevrolet INDYCAR program manager Rob Buckner said. “This diversity challenges Chevy engineers with our technical partners working with each of our Chevy powered teams to find the best combination to maximize handling and power. This weekend our Chevrolet teams and drivers head to the challenging Streets of St. Petersburg for the second race of the season.
“While Chevrolet didn’t leave Barber with the W, we had four different Chevy-powered organizations bring home a top-six finish. That result speaks highly to the level of hard-work that occurred during the off season. We take all the learnings from each race and continue to build toward accomplishing the goals we have set for the season.”
Eleven cars powered by Chevrolet’s efficient powerplant will seek to take the checkered flag in the 100-lap/180-mile race April 25.
Since returning to NTT INDYCAR SERIES engine manufacturer competition in 2012, Team Chevy drivers have won seven of the nine races on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary circuit that includes downtown streets and a runway of Albert Whitted Airport. Chevrolet drivers have also corralled 17 of the 27 podium finishes.
In that time covering 150 races, Chevrolet has amassed 89 victories and earned 100 poles.
Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet, has won the past two races at St. Petersburg. Teammate Will Power, runner-up in the season opener last week at Barber Motorsports Park in the No. 12 Verizon 5G Team Penske Chevrolet, has scored two wins and earned nine pole starts including the past two years.
“I said to the guys, if we do this week in and week out – just solid races with no mistakes – I promise you we will absolutely have a great chance at winning the championship this year,” said Power, whose 62 career poles are second Mario Andretti’s 67 on the all-time list. “I’m determined to have a good day at St. Petersburg.”
Sebastien Bourdais, who gained 11 positions relative to his starting spot to finish fifth at Barber in the No. 14 ROKiT AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet, is also a two-time winner of the event. Last October, in the event that was rescheduled because of COVID-19 to be the season finale, the St. Petersburg resident scored a fourth-place finish in the AJ Foyt Racing Chevy.
“I’m really excited for Round 2 of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES at St. Petersburg at home. It’s a great track and I have some really good memories, so hopefully we can make some more,” Bourdais said.
NBC will telecast the race live at noon ET April 25. The race will also be broadcast live on INDYCAR Radio Network affiliates, Sirius 211, XM 205, Indycar.com, and on the INDYCAR Mobile app powered by NTT DATA. Practice, live qualifications and the race day warm-up will stream on Peacock Premium.
Team Chevy will be represented by:
A.J. Foyt Enterprises
Dalton Kellett, No. 4 K-Line Insulators/AJ Foyt Racing
Sebastien Bourdais, No. 14 ROKiT/AJ Foyt Racing
Arrow McLaren SP
Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP
Felix Rosenqvist, No. 7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP
Carlin
Max Chilton, No. 59 Gallagher Carlin
Ed Carpenter Racing
Conor Daly, No. 20 U.S. Air Force
Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Sonax/Autogeek
Team Penske
Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske
Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske
Will Power, No. 12 Verizon 5G Team Penske
Simon Pagenaud, No. 22 Menards/Australian Gold Team Penske
Chevrolet V6 Year-By-Year Results since 2012
2021 – 1 pole in 1 race
Pole – Pato O’Ward (Barber Motorsports Park)
2020 – 7 wins, 11 poles in 14 races
Wins – Simon Pagenaud (Iowa1); Josef Newgarden (Iowa2, St. Louis2, Indy RC2, St. Petersburg); Will Power (Mid-Ohio1, Indy RC3, St. Petersburg). Poles – Josef Newgarden (Texas, Road America1, Iowa2), Will Power (Indianapolis road course, St. Louis1, Mid-Ohio1, Indy RC3; St. Petersburg), Pato O’Ward (Road America2), Conor Daly (Iowa1), Rinus VeeKay (Indy road course October)
2019 – 9 wins, 9 poles in 17 races
Driver/owner championship (Josef Newgarden/Roger Penske); Indianapolis 500 win (Simon Pagenaud)
2018 – 6 wins, 9 poles in 17 races
Indianapolis 500 win (Will Power)
2017 – 10 wins, 11 poles in 17 races
Engine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Josef Newgarden/Roger Penske)
2016 – 14 wins, 13 poles in 16 races
Engine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Simon Pagenaud/Roger Penske)
2015 – 10 wins, 16 poles in 16 races
Engine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Scott Dixon/Chip Ganassi);
Indianapolis 500 win (Juan Pablo Montoya). First manufacturer to capture all titles since Chevrolet returned to INDYCAR in 2012
2014 – 12 wins, 14 poles in 18 races
Engine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Will Power/Roger Penske)
2013 – 10 wins, 11 poles in 19 races
Engine Manufacturer Championship; Indianapolis 500 win (Tony Kanaan)
2012 – 11 wins, 10 poles in 15 races
Engine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Ryan Hunter-Reay/Michael Andretti)
Total – 89 wins, 100 earned poles (104 poles total – earned and based on entrant points) in 150 races
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 75 countries with nearly 4 million cars and trucks sold in 2019. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found www.chevrolet.com.
Caregility using NASCAR Program with Chip Ganassi Racing to Give Back to Healthcare Workers via the Caregility Cares Essential Worker Scholarship
EATONTOWN, N.J. (April 22, 2021) – Caregility, a company dedicated to delivering care to wherever the patient is located through the use of its Caregility Virtual Care Platform, is using its NASCAR program and relationship with Chip Ganassi Racing to make an even bigger impact on the healthcare industry. The Caregility Cares program—which started last year as a simple way to recognize healthcare heroes by placing their name on race cars has now grown to provide financial support for aspiring healthcare workers.
In February 2021, Caregility launched the Caregility Cares Essential Worker Scholarship. The program was designed to grant five aspiring healthcare workers with a $5,000 scholarship to aid in their pursuit of higher education degrees in the field of medicine. The program targets high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students who are either healthcare workers or dependents of healthcare workers. With applications steadily rolling in ahead of the May 31st deadline, Caregility realized the demand for assistance greatly exceeded their funds. Looking for a way to raise more funds to grant a sixth scholarship, Caregility turned to its NASCAR program with Chip Ganassi Racing.
“As we continue to face the Covid-19 pandemic, the entire world can agree on the importance of our healthcare professionals,” said Ron Gaboury, CEO of Caregility. “These individuals bravely work on the front lines to keep their communities safe, while potentially putting themselves at risk. It takes a special individual to devote their life to helping others through a career in nursing or any of the medical fields. At Caregility, we have the distinct honor to work with these individuals every day, and we can’t do enough to repay them for their service. With the Caregility Cares Essential Worker Scholarship, we look to make an impact on these individuals by relieving some of the burden and financial stress of working toward a degree.”
Caregility will serve as the co-primary sponsor of the No. 42 Chevrolet with their sister company, Yorktel, during this weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Race fans who would like to support the sixth scholarship for an aspiring healthcare worker can watch Caregility’s social channels for additional ways to support the fund, including participating in an online auction in early May. Additional details will be available at Facebook.com/CaregilityCares and at Twitter.com/Caregility.
Applications remain open for the initial round of Caregility Cares Essential Worker Scholarships. Applications are due by May 31, 2021. Current healthcare workers and their dependents who are interested in the program can learn more and apply here. Scholarship recipients will be announced in June 2021.
About Caregility:
Caregility (caregility.com) is dedicated to delivering care to wherever the patient is located through the use of the Caregility Virtual Care Platform. Designated as the #1 2021 Best in KLAS Virtual Care Platform (Non-EMR), our core telehealth offering is a purpose-built ecosystem for the entire healthcare continuum. The Caregility Virtual Care Platform provides secure, reliable two-way audio and video communication designed for any device and clinical workflow, in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Today, Caregility supports more than 4 million video sessions annually and has deployed over 9,000 access points of care systems across the US. From critical and acute, to urgent and emergent, to post-acute and ambulatory, and to the home, Caregility is helping transform the delivery of patient care everywhere.
