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CHEVY NCS AT ATLANTA: Chase Elliott Teleconference Transcript

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Official Release
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NASCAR CUP SERIES
ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
FOLDS OF HONOR QUICKTRIP 500
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 18, 2021

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE, Press Conference Transcript:

NOW THAT YOU’VE GOT A CUP CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER YOUR BELT AND SOME WINS AT BIG TRACKS, IS A WIN AT ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY KIND OF ONE OF THOSE THAT YOU SAVE A SPOT ON YOUR MANTEL FOR, LIKE YOU WOULD FOR THE DAYTONA 500? WHERE DOES THIS ONE RANK FOR YOU?
“I would love to have a win at Atlanta (Motor Speedway). I feel like anybody’s home track, you want to have a win at, for sure, if you can get it. But like I’ve said in the past, I’m not super picky when it comes to wins; I’m good with wherever. They’re too hard to win. Atlanta would be great. I would love to get it done one day and be able to have one there, for sure.”

YOU’RE DOING THE BRISTOL DIRT NATIONALS HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. SOME DRIVERS ARE DOING THE TRUCKS NEXT WEEK. DID YOU TRY TO GET A TRUCK AND/OR IS THERE SOMETHING BETTER ABOUT DOING THE BRISTOL DIRT THIS WEEK THAN TRYING TO GET A LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN THE TRUCKS ON SATURDAY FOR THE CUP ON SUNDAY.
“Yeah, I put some effort in trying to get into a truck next week. I would have liked to; it just didn’t pan out. So, this was a great opportunity I thought. I don’t necessarily think the cars are going to drive very similar to the Cup cars next week, but just to see the race track and be able to just get some hands-on experience with it before we show up next week I think will be helpful. I do think the trucks will drive way more like the Cup cars next week, when it comes to the actual driving capability of them.”

“Yeah, I would have loved to have gotten in a truck. It didn’t work out, but I think going and doing this will help me just be able to visualize things, understand the racetrack a little more and just kind of get a little bit of a feel for what dirt is like there at Bristol before we just show up. I’m excited about it; I haven’t been in a late model in a long time. I’m not really sure what to expect, but looking forward to trying.”

WE TALKED ABOUT AT ALANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY AND HOW YOU’D LIKE TO GET YOUR FIRST WIN HERE. WHAT MAKES THIS TRACK SO CHALLENGING AND WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE FOR YOUR TEAM TO KIND OF LOCK UP YOUR FIRST WIN HERE?
“Atlanta (Motor Speedway) is tough. It’s an old surface, for sure, which I think makes it fun for the drivers. I feel like a lot of people enjoy going there because of that. But, overall for us, it’s been super hit or miss and I really don’t know why. We’ve gone there and we’ve had some really good runs; a couple of days that I thought we were capable of winning. And then we’ve been there and just been way out to lunch. So, I’m not exactly sure what that is all the time. Obviously, car configuration, rules, different packages and all that stuff plays a role in it. Hopefully this week we can be more on the hit side and execute a good race. Obviously, you have to have things going well for you to have a shot to win anywhere, but definitely have to execute a good race to put yourself in position to win. So, hopefully we can check both of those boxes.”

THERE’S SO MUCH TALK ABOUT THE DIRT RACE THAT SOME PEOPLE EVEN SAID YESTERDAY THAT IT WAS OVERSHADOWING ATLANTA. I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU’D LIKE TO WIN ANYWHERE. IS THERE SOMETHING SPECIAL STILL ABOUT THAT FOR YOU TO GO THERE AND GET IT DONE?
“Yeah, I would love to go have a good run at Atlanta. It’s always going to be a special place for me. I spent a lot of time racing Legend cars and things like that down there. So, for sure, I would love to go and have a good run.”
“But, yeah, a lot of people are talking about Bristol, for sure. I hate that for Atlanta that people feel that way, but I anticipate the same people who are saying that it’s overshadowing the race will likely tune in on Sunday at the same time. Hopefully it’s a good race for everybody and we can have a good run.”

CAN YOU ALSO TALK ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO RACE ON A TRACK LIKE ATLANTA, WHERE YOU NEED TIRES EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU GO IN, THE TIRES FALL OFF AND IT’S SO DIFFICULT. AS A DRIVER, WHAT DOES THAT FEEL LIKE, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT AND HOW MUCH CAN THAT EFFECT IT?
“ust the pace fall-off is massive. Every lap you run, you’re pretty much losing time. If you can run two laps the same in the first 10-15 laps of a run, you’ve really done well, at least in the past. This package, you might be able to run a couple the same; maybe a little longer than you could before. But, still, the fall-off is definitely there. That’s what makes the race track so challenging; just trying to find some consistency, trying to get in a rhythm and not beat up your tires. That’s a hard thing to do when you’re trying to go really fast and trying to set a good pace at the same time. It’s always been a challenge and I’d say always will be, as long as the surface is like it is.”

WHAT HAVE YOU NOTICED ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS THIS YEAR, WHERE ALL FOUR TEAMS SEEM TO HAVE SPEED CONSISTENTLY WEEK-TO-WEEK, AS OPPOSED TO MAYBE THE LAST TWO YEARS, WHERE ONE OR TWO OF YOU GUYS WERE REALLY GOOD?
“I think it’s really a testament to everybody at the shop putting in a lot of effort; each individual team putting in a lot of effort to go and be the best we can and that’s really what it comes down to. I don’t think any of the drivers are trying any harder than we have in the past. I think it’s just a really nice effort from the top to the bottom of trying to take four fast racecars to the track every weekend. I do feel like everybody is, I don’t want to say sharing information because we’ve always done that, but just working together a little more from all aspects. You might have some people who work really good together sometimes and other people don’t. Where I feel like, right now, it’s super fluid and everybody’s open about anything and everything, and I feel like it’s showing on track. But beyond that, I really feel it’s fundamental upgrades, things that are important on track, being improved upon in the shop and I think each car is benefitting from it.”

YOU MENTIONED EVERYONE SHARING INFORMATION AND KIND OF BEING ON THE SAME PAGE. IS THAT PART OF THE RE-ORGANIZATION, PUTTING CHAD (KNAUS) IN A POSITION WHERE HE’S KIND OF OVERSEEING COMPETITION TO SOME DEGREE OR ARE THERE OTHER FACTORS?
“I don’t think Chad’s (Knaus) position hurts anything, for sure. I think he’s a nice addition to that. Obviously, he’s been taking cars at a high level to the racetrack for a long time. So, to have him at the shop and to be able to oversee everyone’s car. And really, more than anything, I feel like where his position has been helpful is when a crew chief sees his car for the first time a week before the race or something, I feel like that crew chief has less work to do on his car to get it ready to go to the track to his standards and I think Chad has had a big impact in having that car show up in a manner that particular crew chief wants it to be in before he sees it for the first time. That makes a big difference.”

WE’VE HAD KIND OF AN UNPREDICTABLE YEAR WHEN IT COMES TO WINNERS. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT AND IS IT GOOD FOR THE SPORT?
“Well, it’s certainly not bad. Having different people win I think is good, right. Why would it be bad, I guess is what I’m thinking in my head. I feel like it’s a good thing from a fan’s perspective. I think it’s exciting when you have different people winning and it’s been that way kind of every week I guess since we started the season. Yeah, I don’t see anything bad about that at all. I think it adds excitement and predicting these first four or five weeks, for sure, would have been tough. But none of them have been fluke wins. Michael (McDowell) was fast at Daytona; Christopher (Bell) was good at the (Daytona) Road Course; William (Byron) was really fast; Kyle (Larson) was really fast at Vegas; and obviously (Martin) Truex (Jr.) got his car in a position to be super good at Phoenix. I don’t see where it’s a bad thing for the sport at all.”

YOU STARTED DIRT RACING AND YOU GOT HIGH PRAISE FROM PEOPLE, LIKE KYLE LARSON, THAT WATCHED YOU. DID YOU SEEM TO TAKE TO IT NATURALLY AND HAVE YOU ENJOYED THE DIRT RACING?
“Yeah, I’ve had a lot of fun with it. I’m not very good at it, I don’t think, but I’m looking forward to trying to get better. I think, more than anything, I enjoy the challenge of it and it’s just a discipline that I haven’t spent much time trying to work on my craft in and try to get better at. I think that the fact that it is something new intrigues me, has my attention and I want to get better at it. I think I can get better at it and I think that’s where I have some motivation and drive to want to do more of it, is that I don’t feel like I have learned all the things I need to learn to be the best I can at it and I think I can do better. So, that’s why I want to keep going and trying.”

THE IDEA OF HOME TRACK ADVANTAGE IS SUCH A PART OF SPORT’S CULTURE AND, OBVIOUSLY, NASCAR IS A BIT DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS. FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS A DRIVER, IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A TRADITIONAL HOME TRACK ADVANTAGE IN NASCAR AND, IF SO, HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN IT SOMEBODY THAT’S NEW TO THE SPORT?
“Yeah, it’s super tough. NASCAR is definitely unique in that way and I don’t really have a good way of describing that for you. But, it’s definitely not like having home field; it’s not like the Brave’s having home field advantage for their Playoff run or whatever. So, very different. I wish Atlanta was like that for me, but there’s a lot of people there that want to see other drivers do well, too. Granted, I think a lot of them are from around here and will want to see us do well. But I guess the reason is there are 39 other people in the event, not just the two teams. Logically thinking, I guess that would be why it’s different.”

WHAT HAS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND KYLE LARSON BEEN LIKE THUS FAR AND HOW GREAT HAS IT BEEN TO SEE HIM HAVE THE SPEED SO EARLY IN HIS HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS’ CAREER?
“Our relationship has been good. I’ve always respected Kyle (Larson); I feel like we’ve mutually respected each other since we both kind of came on the scene. He came in a little earlier than me, but we were Chevy teammates through those years that he was at Ganassi and then obviously now being teammates at Hendrick Motorsports. Like I said, we’ve always gotten along fine and I’m not surprised at all by his performance. He’s done very well for himself; I feel like he’s earned is spot back in NASCAR and then some. And obviously his on-track performance speaks for itself. I’m just happy to see him back where he belongs. I feel like he belongs in the Cup Series and I think he’ll do very well at it.”

THE RACING YOU DID OVER THE OFF SEASON, IT GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION. WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF AS A RACER IN THOSE ENDEAVORS AND HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO APPLY ANY LESSONS THAT YOU’VE LEARNED FROM THOSE EXPERIENCES INTO THE FIRST FIVE RACES OF 2021?
“Yeah, I have, for sure. Number one, I didn’t do very well at all in any of it. So, you go and when you challenge yourself in different ways, it’s good for you. It’s good for you to go and push yourself to new levels. Coming off a great season, it’s great to go and kind of find new limits. Understand more about yourself in different ways, ways that you haven’t experienced before. And all those new experiences – if you take one thing from all of them combined, you’ve spent your time in a good place and it was worth doing it.”

“I think the bottom line is just a new challenge, a new set of circumstances, a new discipline – all of those things just are pushing yourself in ways that I haven’t done in the past and I think it’s a good thing. I hope I can do some more of it.”

AFTER FIVE RACES THIS SEASON ON A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES OF TRACKS, WHERE DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR CAR’S SPEED IS NOW COMPARED TO MAYBE THE END OF THE SEASON LAST YEAR? IS THERE ANYWHERE YOU FEEL LIKE MAYBE YOU GUYS CAN IMPROVE UPON STILL?
“Yeah, I mean I think we could have improved last year too. We were really bad at Homestead there this year, which last year Homestead was one, I guess it’s kind of interesting, we had our best run we’ve ever had at Homestead last year earlier on in the season, after the break and what not. So, I was really excited to get there and that one was a struggle; I’m not really sure about that. But it’s just so hard to predict, with just how close everybody is nowadays in the garage and how good these teams are, bringing that next upgrade the next week and trying to get better. I don’t really know what to call it, other than just racing. That’s just what it is; it’s close, it’s tight, a little bit goes a long way when you’re fighting for literal tenths of a second. A half of a tenth can go a long way; that’s just the world we live in.”

BUBBA WALLACE TESTED THE NEXT GEN CAR YESTERDAY AT RICHMOND RACEWAY. I’M NOT SURE THAT YOU’VE HAD A CHANCE TO TEST IT OR NOT, BUT IF NOT, WHEN DO YOU ANTICIPATE YOU MIGHT HAVE A SHOT OF TESTING THE NEXT GEN CAR AND WHAT YOUR EARLY IMPRESSIONS OF IT ARE, IF ANY?
“Yeah, I mean it seems fine. To be honest with you, I don’t really know much about it. If I had a choice, I would love for them to have everything done – I want them to have that car complete, these are the rules for 2022, this is what the car has to be and I want to go drive that car because I think that’s going to help myself and my team be better prepared for the season and what we’re actually going to see on-track. I still think they have question marks on what is going to be on the car, what’s not going to be on the car, and I would rather go test with my guys that I’m going to go fight the battle with every week and the car that we’re going to be racing on-track within the rules of what the rule book will be for 2022.”

WITH ALL THE NEW TRACKS ON THE SCHEDULE, ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT GOING TO TRUCKS OR XFINITY TO TRY TO GET EXPERIENCE THERE?
“Yeah, I’ve thought about it, for sure. The Bristol dirt race comes to mind; that was a big one for me. I feel like the Truck event would have been a good one to do there. So, places like that, for sure I’ve concerned. I don’t think it would hurt anything to go and do some of that stuff. But obviously the circumstances have to be right; you have to find the right team, a sponsor and the whole deal. So, it’s not just as easy as me wanting to do it, unfortunately.”

WE SAW HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS SCORE TWO OF THE FIRST FIVE RACES IN WINS. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS’ PROGRAM RIGHT NOW, IN RELATION TO YOUR COMPETITION?
“I feel like HMS is an exciting place to be. There’s a lot of talented people, there’s been a lot of talented people there for as long as I’ve been there. But I feel like everybody is just pushing really hard, working well together. Chad’s (Knaus) new role at HMS I think is rolling these cars to the crew chiefs in a better place than they’ve been in the past. I think he’s a guy who pays the attention to detail that it takes to be successful at the Cup level and he’s fought the battle for however many years, a long time. I mean how long has he been around NASCAR, working at all different types of jobs within race teams. Absolutely, I think there are some good things going on and we just need to keep pushing. The whole season is important, but having your stuff right at the right time is also important, as well. So, we’ve got to keep our heads down and keep going.”

WHERE DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU GUYS NEED TO WORK ON TO IMPROVE THE PROGRAM?
“Every area – everything has to be perfect. There’s not a place where you can be slacking, I feel like, and expect to do well. Boring answer, but if everything’s not right, you’re probably not going to run good.”

GIVEN THAT YOU DON’T HAVE A TON OF DIRT EXPERIENCE, HOW DOES A DRIVER LIKE YOURSELF PREPARE TO RUN A STOCK CAR ON DIRT NEXT WEEK?
“I’m going to show up and get in the car for hot laps. That is my plan; I don’t really know what else to do from that front. Just go up there and give it a shot. Lean on some help from friends who have been around those cars for a long time and hope I can get going and pick up on it quick. That’s about all I can do.”

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

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9 Tips for Riding Your Motorcycle on the Highway for the First Time

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SM
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Source: Lukas Gojda/Shutterstock.com

Riding a motorcycle on a freeway can seem terrifying, with traffic rushing all around you at sometimes-dizzying speeds. You should know that in some ways, highway riding can actually be safer because you don’t have to deal with cross-traffic, but at the same time, the consequences of a mistake are obviously much higher. 

Thus, before you get on the highway for the first time, it’s important to know the rules to follow as you learn the ropes. These nine tips are some of the most critical keys to a safe ride on the highway, and they’ll help you build the skills you need to become a conscientious and confident highway rider. In some countries such as Bangladesh, one of the most loved vehicles is the motorcycle. So knowing the Bike Price in Bangladesh is very important if you plan to purchase a bike.

This isn’t a complete list of all of the many safety concerns you’ll need to think about when riding on the highway, but it’s a good start on the never-ending road to safety and awareness.

  1. Wear a helmet with face protection. 

A helmet without a face shield can be adequate for neighborhood and rural riding. But when you get on the highway and start getting a faceful of bugs, sand, rocks thrown by vehicle tires and cigarette butts flicked out of car windows, you’ll understand why most riders wear a helmet with face protection on the highway. Full-face helmets are typically the best option because they offer superior protection for your face, but at the very least, get a face shield visor.  Make sure you get the right size– knowing how to measure for a motorcycle helmet is the necessary first step to getting a safe helmet.

  1. Beware of (other people’s) blind spots.

Motorcycles, by definition, don’t really have blind spots—but that doesn’t mean that you can stop paying attention to the blind spots of other vehicles. Never, ever ride continuously in another vehicle’s blind spot, particularly large vehicles like tractor-trailers. The minute you find yourself in a blind spot, start thinking of a safe way to get out–whether that’s speeding up, slowing down, or moving to another lane. 

  1. Always have an escape plan. 

Part of riding a motorcycle safely on the highway is always knowing where the escape routes are. You have the advantage of piloting a much more maneuverable vehicle, but you’re also much more vulnerable, so plan accordingly. 

One key part of your escape plan should be riding on the driver or passenger wheel track of the lane you’re in, rather than in the center. This technique will help you escape more quickly if someone suddenly slams on the brakes or you spot an obstacle in the road. 

  1. Recognize that moving faster than traffic is usually the safest option. 

Your first few times on the highway, you may feel safer riding at a slower pace and sticking to the right lanes. That’s understandable and OK, but it’s important to realize that most motorcyclists ride faster than the traffic around them because it’s safer. Moving more quickly than other traffic gives motorcyclists more control over how they encounter other vehicles, rather than putting them at the mercy of drivers who may not see them.

  1. Look out for obstacles in the road. 

An obstacle in the road that most vehicles can pass over with nothing more than a bump can be deadly to a motorcyclist. Simple physics My Homework Done experts can tell about, says that you lose traction with the road, which leads to dangerous instability. From tires to pieces of furniture to potholes, anything bigger than a small rock can cause serious damage. Large vehicles like trucks can also often run over and spit out smaller objects directly into a motorcyclist’s face—another reason why it’s never a good idea to follow big rigs on the highway. Obstacles in the road are also easier to avoid if you’re riding to the side of your lane, rather than in the center.

  1. Learn about lane filtering, lane sharing and lane splitting. 

Lane filtering, lane sharing, and lane splitting are techniques that many motorcyclists use to navigate heavy traffic. Put simply, here’s the difference between the three:

  • Lane filtering is switching between lanes to slide through stopped or very slow traffic.
  • Lane sharing is riding in a staggered formation in the same lane as another motorcyclist to increase safety and visibility.
  • Lane splitting is riding on the dividing line between two lanes to navigate slow traffic. 

These techniques are controversial among motorcyclists, and not all of them may be legal, depending on what state you’re in. Those who choose to use them should be aware of the safety risks and potential legal liabilities of each technique. If you’re lane sharing with another rider, make sure that you have a Bluetooth helmet intercom system (or some kind of motorcycle headset) to maintain safe and efficient communication. 

  1. Keep your following distance long. 

Tailgating is never a smart move, but it’s an even worse idea for motorcycles. A sudden stop can be catastrophic for you, and it will be even worse if the vehicle behind you can’t stop in time. If someone starts tailgating you, brake-checking or rude hand gestures aren’t worth the risk. Just move over to the right and let the aggressive driver pass. In general, try to avoid situations where you’re sandwiched in between two drivers–the fewer vehicles around you, the safer you usually are. 

  1. Save night riding for when you’re more experienced. 

Riding at night on the highway is a whole different ball game, and it’s one that’s best left to experienced riders. The number one key for night riding is to never ride faster than your eyes can process what you’re seeing in your headlights and, in general, riders should maintain lower speeds at night than in the daytime. Many motorcycles also come with weak stock headlights, so consider upgrading yours if you plan to do a lot of night riding, as well as investing in some high-visibility reflective clothing. 

  1. Ride your ride. 

At the end of the day, riding your motorcycle is a personal journey, and it’s important not to feel pressured to ride in ways that can put your life at unnecessary risk. Keep your safety knowledge in mind and don’t ride faster or more aggressively on the highway than you feel prepared for. And remember to never assume that any driver can see you. Motorcycle awareness still isn’t nearly as common or as widespread as it should be. 

Coronavirus Safety Tips for Motorcycle Riders

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SM
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Source: Andrey Armyagov/Shutterstock.com

With everything in limbo and the world seemingly on hold due to the ever-present coronavirus pandemic, there’s never been a better time to take a long, meandering ride through the country or mountains. By definition, riding a motorcycle is a relatively autonomous activity. Even when you’re riding as a group, you tend to maintain the recommended six feet of distance, making it the perfect hobby for times like these. But, just as the pandemic has changed the way we think about virtually everything in our lives, it too should affect how we ride. 

Be sure to implement these key measures into the protocol the next time you head out for a good cruise.

  • Maintain Your Distance — Though a growing body of evidence suggests that the coronavirus is spread via microscopic respiratory droplets dispersed through the air, there is a low likelihood that you will get it from sharing the road with others while you are on your bike. However, it’s important that you maintain a reasonable distance from fellow riders or motorists in front of you. If you like to ride in a crew, you can keep your distance but stay in touch with a motorcycle Bluetooth intercom that lets you talk to multiple people in your pack.
  • Wear a Helmet with a Face Shield — Again, while you’re not likely to get smacked with any airborne viral droplets while on the road, wearing a face mask of some sort will all but guarantee it. The easiest solution for keeping yourself clear of any rogue viruses while on the back of your bike is to keep your mouth and nose covered at all times with a fully shielded helmet, as a hard shield is much more sturdy and reliable than a cloth one that could blow in the wind. As always, when you dismount for a coffee or brew, wear a cloth face covering.
  • Skip the Big Gatherings — Sturgis may have throttled on against all odds this year, but that doesn’t mean you should attend big biker rallies yourself. The fact is that it’s virtually impossible to maintain the recommended six feet of distance when you find yourself in a throng of bikers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “the more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and COVID-19 spreading.” 
  • Ride Alone or with a Single Partner — Crank up the tunes on your Bluetooth motorcycle speakers and enjoy the ride with a single partner or a small group. As a general rule, you should stick to sharing a bike only with the people you share a household with in order to prevent the spread of the virus. If you have a couple of friends who have their own bikes and you decide to go for a group ride, just make sure you’re maintaining at least six feet of distance while riding and socializing off-bike. You may also want to practice the staggered group riding formation so you’re not directly behind another rider within close proximity.
  • Use Your Hand Sanitizer — If you’re a destination rider — that is, you ride until you get to your desired location rather than stay on the road for hours at a time — then you’ve got to make sure you’re using hand sanitizer throughout your outing. Sanitize with a product containing at least 60 percent alcohol before and after refueling or entering a store, restaurant, or another public place. Side note: Despite claims that say otherwise, it’s highly unlikely that hand sanitizer will spontaneously combust in your car, trunk, or top box unless it was exposed to heat over 700 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Know How to Refuel Safely — Be sure you know how to safely handle the gas pump handle before filling up. In addition to sanitizing before and after you handle the pump, you may want to consider wearing a pair of disposable gloves while you do it. Since the virus is thought to stay on surfaces for between a few hours and several days, you want to be as careful as possible. Be sure to remove your riding gloves when touching surfaces, as failing to do so could contaminate your gloves and in turn spread the virus to you should you touch your face.   
  • Wipe Down Your Gear and Bike —When you get done with a ride, try to get into the habit of wiping down your bike, helmet, gloves and other gear with sanitizing wipes or spray. This is especially important if you do decide to meet up with other riders or stop in at someplace for a beverage or a bite to eat. It also helps to get into this habit simply to keep your bike clean and rid it of the bugs, dirt and grime that build up over a long, hard ride.
  • Wash Your Hands — While sanitizer is good for situations where you don’t have immediate access to soap and water, such as at the gas station or on the road, you still want to make sure you’re thoroughly washing your hands before and after your ride or at each stop along your journey. Follow the CDC’s hand-washing guidelines and be sure to use soap and water, washing thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.

As always, make sure to stay home if you don’t feel good and seek out medical care immediately if you experience any symptoms of COVID-19. The fact is, while you may not come into contact with others, you may have to stop to refuel or be tempted to drop by a restaurant or bar. While hitting the open road alone or with a partner is definitely one of the safest activities you can enjoy right now, you still need to be cautious with every ride!

Team Hardpoint EBM Set For Porsche Carrera Cup North America Opener at Sebring International Raceway

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Official Release
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Riley Dickinson, Efrin Castro Take First Steps Toward Pro, Pro-Am Class Championship Efforts on a Track Where Both Have Seen Past Success

SEBRING, Florida (March 18, 2021) – Team Hardpoint EBM steps into Porsche Carrera Cup North America for the first time this week at Sebring International Raceway, with drivers Riley Dickinson and Efrin Castro competing for the season-long championship in the newest generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.

The doubleheader weekend is the championship debut in North America, with 45-minute sprint races on Thursday, March 18 (5:30 p.m. ET) and Friday, March 19 (10:10 a.m. ET). Both races can be seen live at IMSA.tv.

Sebring International Raceway is a track where both drivers hold race wins in Porsche’s previous generation single mark series, and have experience in the 992-generation cars following a series-wide test at the track less than two weeks ago.

Dickinson, who will drive the No. 53 Porsche Austin/Team Hardpoint Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in the Pro class, won overall a season ago at Sebring on his way to a second-place finish in the season-long IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA Platinum Cup championship.

“This weekend all eyes will be on the North American market since we are the first series to race with the all-new 992 GT3 Cup Car,” Dickinson said. “I’m very excited to get the season underway with Team Hardpoint EBM, and also extremely proud to fly the Porsche Austin colors this weekend and throughout the year. Porsche has produced an unbelievable car for us to compete with.”

Castro was also the runner-up in his class of the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA a season ago, but ended the season with a win at Sebring in Gold Cup. He’ll climb behind the wheel of the No. 65 Fine Fare Supermarkets/GoDominicanRepublic.com Porsche 911 GT3 Cup this weekend and throughout the 2021 season.

“This new Porsche Carrera Cup cars are amazing and a lot of fun to drive,” Castro said. “I’m most looking forward to working closely with a teammate like Riley and everyone at Team Hardpoint EBM so that I can get faster and hopefully compete for a championship. But I really like how challenging and fast Sebring is, and I’m looking forward to racing once again.”

Practice got underway on Wednesday afternoon with a short 30-minute session. Dickinson was fourth in the Pro Class and overall, with Castro second in Pro-Am.

The full week-long schedule, which includes Team Hardpoint EBM’s two-car effort featuring the No. 99 GridRival/Team Hardpoint EBM Porsche 911 GT3 R and No. 88 Richard Mille/Champion Porsche 911 GT3 R, begins at with Carrera Cup practice on Wednesday, March 17 and carries through the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday. The No. 99 Porsche 911 GT3 R will be driven by team co-owners and full-season competitors Rob Ferriol and Earl Bamber, joined by Trenton Estep, while full-time drivers in the No. 88 Porsche Katherine Legge and Christina Nielsen will be joined at Sebring by Bia Figueiredo. In addition to watchmaker Richard Mille, the program recently picked up the support of Champion Porsche based in Pompano Beach, Florida.

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.

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Special Mobil 1 Livery for 12 Hours

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Official Release
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Commemorating 25 years of technical partnership between Corvette,the Mobil 1 brand

SEBRING, Fla. (March 18, 2021) – The Corvette Racing team’s history traces back to 1996 with the birth of what is North America’s longest-running sports car program. Now a quarter-century later, Chevrolet and the Mobil 1 brand are celebrating 25 years of their technical partnership with a special livery on the Corvette C8.Rs for this weekend’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Advance Auto Parts.

For the first time since 1999, both Corvette Racing entries will feature a primary silver color scheme which matches that of Mobil 1 motor oil. It’s a fitting tribute for an event that Corvette Racing and the Mobil 1 brand have won together 11 times since 2002. The partnership has combined for 114 wins around the world, including a 1-2 GT Le Mans (GTLM) finish in the Rolex 24 At Daytona to open the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

Mobil 1 motor oil is the factory fill and recommended refill for Corvette production vehicles, including the 2021 mid-engine Corvette Stingray.

“Mobil 1 has been a key technology partner since the beginning of the Corvette Racing program,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President, Performance and Motorsports. “Together, we have competed, learned and won in the most challenging and extreme track conditions around the world to deliver performance, durability and efficiency. We are proud to run Mobil 1 in Corvettes on the track and on the road.”

Plans for the Corvette Racing program began in 1996 with engine and track testing starting the following year, and each lap and every dyno session since has been with Mobil 1 oil and gearbox lubricant. Engineers from ExxonMobil receive and analyze samples taken from each Corvette Racing entry following every event. Both groups take data from the analysis and use that to improve both their racing and consumer products.

“Mobil 1 has an outstanding 25-year collaboration with the Corvette Racing team,” said Russ Green, VP Finished Lubricants, ExxonMobil Fuels and Lubricants Company. “As a trusted technology partner, together we have delivered superior performance on and off the track for the last four generations of Corvettes and other high-performance GM vehicles. We are truly honored to be part of this special 25th anniversary tribute livery and look forward to our continued success.”

Corvette Racing will continue its 2021 season with this weekend’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Advance Auto Parts. The race begins at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday with coverage across NBCSN, TrackPass and the NBC Sports App. IMSA Radio will air full qualifying and race coverage at IMSA.com.

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 at www.chevrolet.com.

About Mobil 1
The world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand, Mobil 1™ features anti-wear technology that provides performance beyond our conventional motor oils. This technology allows Mobil 1 motor oil to meet or exceed some of the toughest standards of car builders and to provide exceptional protection against engine wear, under normal or even some of the most extreme conditions. Mobil 1 motor oil flows quickly in extreme temperatures to protect critical engine parts and is designed to maximize engine performance and help extend engine life. For more information, visit Mobil 1 online or on Facebook. Mobil™ and Mobil 1™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of ExxonMobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries.

ERIC GRECOS CORES FIRST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR SERIES WIN IN THE SEASON OPENER ATTHE BAKERSFIELD SPEEDWAY

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Official Release
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Winner Eric Greco surrounded by second place finisher James Turnbull on the right and Dakota Albright. CLS Photo.

(Upland, CA, March 16, 2021) Eric Greco kicked off the California Lightning Sprint Car Series 27th season of action when he scored the win in the 25-lap main event last Saturday night at the Bakersfield Speedway.  The victory was the first for the Palmdale, California resident in the CLS.

A total of 20 cars showed up to battle at the first race of the season on the bullring known as “The West’s Fastest 1/3 Mile High Banked Clay Oval.”  The Citrus Heights duo of Scott and Hunter Kinney turned in the two fastest laps in qualifying with Scott sitting on top of the charts with a time of 12.563.  Hunter was a tick behind at 12.697 and was followed by Greco with a lap of 12.721. 

In heat race action, Chino’s Jeremy Queener, who was the PASSCAR Street Stock champion at Perris Auto Speedway in 2005, won the opening eight-lapper over ageless Bruce Douglass of Ventura.  Indio’s James Turnbull copped the second heat from the second spot when he bested Hunter Kinney.  The third and final heat went to perennial BCRA star Dakota Albright of Waterford with Greco second. 

For the season opening 25-lap main event, Greco was on the pole in his beautiful Janssen’s Floor and Fabric Care/Sidewaze Designs/Greco Family/Competition Suspension Inc/Henchcraft/ZX10R #8.  Ventura’s Robb Pelmear was next to Greco.  Douglass and Yucca Valley’s Jeff Dyer manned row two.  Row three was made up of Hunter Kinney and Turnbull with Albright and Queener in the fourth row.  Greco jumped into the lead on the start and built a full straightaway advantage.  He maintained the top spot and led the first 11-laps.  Corona’s Trevor Ballou blew his engine on the 12th lap bringing out the yellow flag.  When the yellow flew, Scott Kinney checked up and Turnbull got into him bending his front axle.

Bent axle and all, Turnbull flew into the lead on the restart, and continued in the top spot for the next nine laps.  However, Greco took the lead back with a slide job on the 22nd circuit.  Once he commandeered the point position, Greco pulled away and won by nearly a full straight over Turnbull.  Albright, Queener, and youngster David Gasper of Santa Barbara finished third through fifth.  Gasper, who is a lawn maintenance expert and student when he is not racing,  was also the race “Hard Charger” when he moved from his 13th place starting spot to finish fifth.

The CLS race scheduled for this Saturday (March 20th) at the Ventura Raceway has been postponed.  The CLS will now return to the track on Saturday, April 10th at the Bakersfield Speedway.  When it does, Greco will have a five-point lead over Turnbull in the 2021 championship standings.  Albright is third, a dozen points behind the leader.  Queener and Scott Kinney round out the first five.

The CLS would like to thank 2021 series sponsors Hoosier Tires, T Shirts By Timeless and TJ Forged Racing Wheels.  If you or your company would like to become part of the series, please call Alex Grigoreas at (909) 437-3170.

To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints/

Bakersfield Speedway March 13 Main Event Results (with starting positions)

1. Eric Greco – Palmdale – 1st

2. James Turnbull – Indio – 6th

3. Dakota Albright – Waterford – 7th

4. Jeremy Queener – Chino – 8th

5. David Gasper – Santa Barbara – 13th

6. Scott Kinney – Citrus Heights – 10th

7. Bruce Douglass – Ventura – 3rd

8. Jon Robertson – Torrance – 9th

9. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 11th

10. Bronson Algie – O’Neals – 15th

11. Wyatt Boczanowski – San Diego – 14th

12. Hunter Kinney – Citrus Heights – 5th

13. Trevor Ballou – Corona – 12th

14. Leland Day – Bakersfield – 16th

15. Jeff Dyer – Yucca Valley – 4th

16. Robb Pelmear – Ventura – 2nd

2021 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings

1. Eric Greco – Palmdale – 137

2. James Turnbull – Indio – 132

3. Dakota Albright – Waterford – 123

4, Jeremy Queener – Chino – 117

5. Scott Kinney – Citrus Heights – 112

6. Dave Gasper ® – Santa Barbara – 107

7. Bruce Douglass – Ventura – 106

8. Jon Robertson – Torrance – 93

9. Hunter Kinney – Citrus Heights – 85

9. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 85

2021 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule

March 13                Bakersfield Speedway – Eric Greco

April 20                   Bakersfield Speedway

April 24                   Merced Speedway (Wayne Albright Memorial – Round #1 of the Civil War Series with BCRA – Wingless)

May 1                     Ventura Raceway

May 15                   Bakersfield Speedway

June 5                    Ventura Raceway

June 19                  Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford)

July 3                     Santa Maria Speedway

July 24                    Santa Maria Speedway (Wing Madness #1)

August 7                 Merced Speedway (Civil War Series #2 with BCRA – Winged)

August 14               Bakersfield Speedway

August 28               Santa Maria Speedway

September 4           Ventura Raceway

September 18         Bakersfield Speedway (Civil War #3 with BCRA – Winged)

September 19         The Dirt Track At Kern County Raceway Park

September 25         Santa Maria Speedway (Wing Madness #2)

October 2               Ventura Raceway

November 16          Bakersfield Speedway (Civil War #4 with BCRA – Winged and Western States Lightning Sprint Car Championship)

November 18          Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with BCRA and in companion with the USAC National Midgets)

November 19           Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with BCRA and in companion with the USAC National Midgets)

November 20          Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with BCRA and in companion with the USAC National Midgets)

The schedule is subject to change due to Covid restrictions.

PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS

1994 Tony Everhart

1995 Gary Sexton

1996 Rob Sczymczak

1997 Jon Rahe

1998 Chris Rahe

1999 Brent Sexton

2000 Greg Bragg

2001 Greg Bragg

2002 Greg Bragg

2003 David Cardey

2004 Keith Janca

2005 Johnny Bates

2006 Donny Gansen

2007 Shane Rossen

2008 Brent Sexton

2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr.

2010 Jarrett Kramer

2011 Tim Brown

2012 Bobby Michnowicz

2013 Stephen Limon                                          

2014 Bobby Michnowicz

2015 Bobby Michnowicz

2016 Bobby Michnowicz

2017 Bobby Michnowicz

2018 Jarrett Kramer

2019 Jarrett Kramer

Most Common Motorcycles In Singapore

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SM
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Photo by Julián Nielfa Gracia on Unsplash

Can’t decide which motorcycle to buy in Singapore? Let us assist you!

Buying a motorcycle is not as easy as it sounds. It becomes even more difficult looking at a wide range of options available in the market. Not just that, you have to keep certain other things in mind like the fuel prices, traffic scenarios, etc while purchasing a motorcycle. If you’re new to Singapore, you might be looking for the bikes that work the best in the fast-moving traffic of the city. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of bikes that are most popular in Singapore. Here, we will discuss the most common features of these motorcycles along with their pros and cons, to help you make an informed decision.

Beginning with the most stylish yet affordable bike, Singaporeans love riding on the Yamaha MT-09. It’s a super stylish bike with a powerful 890cc engine. The design of MT-09 is breathtaking, it’s a beast that will keep you ahead on the road. The main highlights of this bike include an efficient shift system, a multitasking control system, and a few others. Not one or two but there are many ways in which this bike offers a great value of money. Even if you’re not planning to get a new motorcycle, you can buy this used model, you’ll not regret it.

Honda CB190R

Most beginners in Singapore prefer using Honda CB190R. According to a Budget Direct study, Hondas make up the greatest number of motorcycles on Singapore roads. This model is one of the most popular motorcycles in Singapore and why not! It is affordable, easy to learn, offers great mileage, and looks great as well. Another great thing about this bike is, it’s very low-maintenance, which means you don’t have to take a lot of care of your bike. On top of everything, it is a fuel-saver so you don’t have to worry about the rising fuel prices while riding it. A full tank will serve you for miles. The only deal with this Honda bike is, it is slightly underpowered, so don’t try to race with sportbikes using it. But if you’re looking for a bike that offers great value for money and is fuel-efficient, look no further than this!

Vespa GTS 300 Super

Looking for a motorcycle that is comfortable to ride and also looks stylish? Have a look at Vespa GTS 300 Super!

Vespa GTS 300 Super is another bike that’s very common in Singapore. Men, women, teens, seniors, this bike is great for everyone. The 50s scooter-style motorbike with advanced features is among the top choices of beginners looking for a comfortable bike. It sports a powerful engine that will deal with the moving traffic of the city. Further, it is available in three stunning bright colors that will make you stand out on the road.

However there are some downsides to this bike, it features only a single seat, so you can’t offer a ride to anyone else. Also, the storage capacity is low, so if you’re a rider who likes to carry a lot of stuff, this might disappoint you. But apart from it, this is a great bike to have. Go for Vespa, if you want to have a laid-back riding experience on the traffic-loaded roads of the island nation.

KTM Duke 200

If you’re more into classic sport motorcycles, this bike might be a great option for you. Although it is not a very common bike in Singapore, people adore this completely. If you get on the road on your KTM Duke 200, people will definitely stare at you, for good of course. It is an ultra-stylish bike that is preferred by the motorcycle enthusiast.

Its main highlights include the power engine it comes with, advanced features, comfortable seating, and of course the looks. Although this bike is not as easy to learn as other bikes, you will surely learn it after a few sessions. It’s a great bike to get in Singapore if you’re into sportbikes.

So, these were the most common bikes in Singapore. Although there are plenty of other bikes available, these are by far the most used bikes. No matter which motorcycle you decide to buy, make sure to get your motorbike insurance in advance and visit https://www.directasia.com/motorcycle-insurance/ for more info. It is even more important than buying a bike itself.

AI in Logistics in 2030

By
SM
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In any supply chain, keeping track of logistics is a big deal. In order to generate bigger numbers, businesses tend to lower the costs of their supply chain. Back in the day, supply chain companies would try to lower costs by minimizing the cost of raw materials. Now, these companies have started to use software and artificial intelligence (AI) to better run their logistics systems and processes, in order to lower costs further and to more importantly improve profit. 

AI In the Supply Chain

Introducing Artificial technology to the supply chain has made firms more efficient than ever. Logistics software has a great demand in today’s time. Business analysts and researchers have predicted a long way for AI in logistics. According to a study, the market growth of logistics will be worth up to $75 billion. 

As you can see that the numbers will be going up big time by then. The main reason behind the drastic increase is the power of AI in logistics. Using AI technology in the supply chain keeps the whole process transparent. Analyzing data and crunching numbers became very easy as AI can take care of the most tedious work. 

In addition to that, artificial intelligence can apply methodologies that humans can not do all by themselves. Adding this value to the supply chain through logistics has opened new dimensions in the business world. The logistics software can fast forward the whole process with the help of artificial intelligence singlehandedly. This requires less human labor which drives toward a greater reduction in the cost. 

Having AI in logistics, firms now can plan their overall business with more accuracy. The numbers are more reliable and easy to analyze. In addition, the biggest problem in predicting future demand can be solved with the help of artificial intelligence. 

The Future Of AI In Logistics

By the year 2030, a majority of the firms will deploy artificial intelligence solutions in their logistics that will lead to production, power, human labor, cost, and quality optimization. This will result in the production of higher quality services at a lower cost. Meaning, a greater revenue in the end. 

Most of the warehouses will be entirely automated. In addition, the transportation system in the supply chain will get even better than the current situation. Artificial intelligence will replace all the repetitive tasks and spare firms more time to work on bigger projects. 

Conclusion

There is a high chance of self-driving vehicles taking part in the logistics sector to optimize the supply chain. Firms are already developing such technologies. 2030 is going to be a great time and will bring dramatic changes in the world of AI in logistics. 

Author Bio: I’m Jaylin: Guest post service planner of Leelija and full-time blogger. My favorite things include my camera, traveling, fitness, food, and my fashion. Email id: editor@leelija.com

Toyota Racing – NCS Atlanta Quotes – Martin Truex Jr. – 03.17.21

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Official Release
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Toyota Racing – Martin Truex Jr.
NASCAR Cup Series Quotes

ATLANTA (March 17, 2021) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. was made available to media via videoconference prior to the Atlanta event today:

MARTIN TRUEX JR., No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

Did NASCAR allow you to have a team photo in Victory Lane as long as you were masked?

“I don’t know. It sort of happened that way. The guys were coming to get the car and they snapped a photo. I’m not really sure what’s happening with that.”

Was that any different than what you experience in Martinsville?

“I think Martinsville, I took a picture and they basically made me leave right away, so it was a little strange. I’m not sure if anything has really changed there, just the way it panned out.”

How excited were you to be able to go to Atlanta twice this year?

“Atlanta has always been a track that I’ve enjoyed. I feel like – we haven’t won there yet – but we’ve been very successful there and led a lot of laps and always seem to be around the front. Very, very fun racetrack, being able to run all over the track, the tire wear and all of those things are things that I enjoy behind the wheel and been fortunate to have some really good cars there as well. Going there with some momentum this time, and hopefully we can take advantage of that. I’m looking forward to racing twice there this year.”

How has the chemistry changed between you and James Small from last year to this year?

“Honestly, I don’t know that it’s changed a whole lot. James (Small) and I have had a lot of experience together in the past even before last year, but I would say overall, just having a notebook on everything we’ve been working on, we’ve been doing and really just getting better at not having practice and qualifying. I think that’s been the biggest change. Between us, we just continue to work on all of the small details together. I don’t know if a lot has changed besides having more experience together.”

How have you prepared for your Xfinity start?

“There’s not a whole lot you can do to prepare. I went and set in the car on Monday. Really, I feel like it’s going to be similar to what we race there with the Cup cars with low downforce. Talking to Chris Gayle, who is the crew chief on the 54, he’s going to get me up to speed on some things leading up to the race, but honestly, there’s not a whole lot you can do to get prepared. Just get in there and wing it and have some fun. The car will be fast, and I’m looking forward to racing with STANLEY on board, and hopefully do a good job for them. It would be nice to win that race on Saturday.”

What kinds of things are you doing to get ready to run on Bristol dirt?

“I talked to C. Bell (Christopher Bell) on Monday a little bit and kind of got his thoughts on what it might be like and I asked if there was anything that I really needed to pay attention to or to think about. I got a little insight from him, but honestly, it’s like anything else, until you actually do it, it’s hard to really know. It’s another instance where it’s really hard to prepare. That’s why I wanted to race the truck race – to help with the Cup car, and also, I haven’t been in a truck since 2005, so I look forward to that opportunity. Auto Owners came on board and we put that together, so really excited about that. Thanks to Kyle (Busch) and everyone at KBM (Kyle Busch Motorsports) for putting it all together. I’m just really using it for a learning experience, and hopefully, have some success at the same time. I’ll do some iRacing, I guess, this week, and hopefully that helps a little, but I doubt it will.”

How do you prepare to run a stock car on the dirt?

“I really don’t know to be honest with you; that is why I’m racing in the trucks. James (Small, crew chief) and I talked about trying to get into a modified or something at Bristol, but at the end of the day, we felt like it was going to be so different to running a truck or a Cup car. I feel like all of the other vehicles that race on dirt are so different. We felt like this was the best way to go. Honestly, I think if you look at the field, there’s a small handful of guys that have a lot of dirt experience and are very talented on dirt, but I think for the most part, most of the field is going to be trying to figure it out. It’s going to be interesting for sure. I look forward to trying it out and doing something different. It’s always fun to learn new things.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands plus our 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 47,000 in North America. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.

Through its Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Atlanta

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Official Release
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Atlanta Motor Speedway
Sunday, March 21, 2021
1.5-Mile Oval
3:00 PM ET
Location: Hampton. Georgia
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (6 of 36)
Radio: SiriusXM logo PRN logo

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 28 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 5th

No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

STRONG START: Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, rallied from two pit road speeding penalties to finish seventh at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday. The 2014 NASCAR rookie of the year is one of only three drivers to post four top-10 finishes in the first five events of 2021. Larson is also one of only three drivers to complete all 1,116 laps this season.

HOT ‘LANTA: Larson has nine top-10 finishes in 12 NASCAR national series appearances at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In six previous Cup Series starts there, the Hendrick Motorsports driver has three top-10s including a second-place finish in 2017. Larson has also scored top-10 results in each of his NASCAR Xfinity Series starts (five) and his only NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at the Georgia venue.

FIRST IN LAST: In his most recent start at a 1.5-mile track, Larson led a race-high 103 laps to capture the victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 7. Prior to the win, he had scored nine runner-up finishes – the most all-time without a Cup Series victory – in 71 career starts on 1.5-mile tracks.

PLAYOFF POINTS: Courtesy of a stage win (one playoff point) and victory (five playoff points) at Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier this month, Larson has amassed six playoff points in 2021. He is currently tied with Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron for most NASCAR Cup Series playoff points accumulated through five races.

BRISTOL DIRT NATIONALS: Ahead of the March 28 Cup Series dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Larson will compete in the Bristol Dirt Nationals this Saturday in the Super Late Model class. Practice is Thursday with a preliminary event Friday and the main event scheduled for Saturday. The Elk Grove, California, native will pilot the No. 6 entry for K&L Rumley Enterprises.

CLIFF’S NOTES: No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet crew chief Cliff Daniels was atop the pit box for Jimmie Johnson during the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion’s final full-time season in 2020. In Johnson’s final Cup Series start at Atlanta Motor Speedway in June, Daniels helped guide him to a seventh-place finish.

YOUR CAR NEEDS: This weekend, Larson will again drive the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE. From the convenience of home, customers can select the category, make, model and vehicle packages that are important to them from the nearly 30,000 new, high-quality pre-owned and certified cars, trucks and SUVs available at HendrickCars.com. The website also makes it easy for customers to find one of Hendrick Automotive Group’s 93 dealership locations nationwide.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 25 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 6th

No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion and Georgia native Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, will be available to members of the media via video conference on Thursday, March 18, at 9:30 a.m. ET. Visit NASCARmedia.com for details.

FIRST FIVE: In the first five events of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, Chase Elliott has garnered two top-five finishes – tied for the third-most among all drivers – and led a total of 73 laps. He holds the seventh-best average running position (11.1) and has spent 262 laps inside the top five and 576 laps running in the top 10.

PEACH STATE PERFORMANCE: Elliott has made nine total starts at Atlanta Motor Speedway across NASCAR’s top-three levels – five in the Cup Series, two in the Xfinity Series and two in the Camping World Truck Series – and only finished outside the top 10 twice. The driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE currently holds a 10th-place average finish at Atlanta in the Cup Series, the best among active drivers at the 1.5-mile venue.

1.5-MILE TRACK STATS: Elliott will make his 59th NASCAR Cup Series start on a 1.5-mile track this Sunday in the Peach State. In his previous 58 races, Elliott has led 764 laps. Last season, he scored his second career 1.5-mile track win at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28. Along with two victories, Elliott has collected 18 top-five finishes – five of which are runner-up results – and 29 top-10s on 1.5-milers.

FIRE UP THE SI-REEN: On Sunday, Elliott could become just the second Georgia-born driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, joining his father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, who won five times at the track.

ENGINE, ENGINE NO. 9: This weekend, Elliott has the chance to become the third driver to win at AMS with the No. 9 car number. The five victories for the No. 9 have come with two drivers: Elliott’s father, Bill Elliott (three), and Kasey Kahne (two). Kahne collected the most recent Atlanta win for the No. 9 in June 2008.

GEORGIA ON MY MIND: In addition to Elliott hailing from Dawsonville, Georgia, which is just 83 miles north of AMS, No. 9 team partners NAPA AUTO PARTS, Hooters and Kelley Blue Book all have major presences in Atlanta. NAPA is Elliott’s primary sponsor this weekend, and Hooters will make its season debut in May at Darlington Raceway. Cox Automotive, the parent company of team partner Kelley Blue Book, will have its first appearance as the No. 9’s primary sponsor later this year at Richmond Raceway in September.

CHECK OUT THOSE HATS: During the month of March, the No. 9 team will wear special limited-edition NAPA hats at the track. The hats are part of NAPA AUTO PARTS’ March in-store promotion. Throughout the month when customers spend $25 in store, they will receive the No. 9 NAPA Racing/Chase Elliott hat while supplies last.

HITTIN’ THE DIRT: Last week, Elliott announced that he will participate in the Bristol Dirt Nationals this week prior to returning to compete at his home track in Georgia. Adrenaline Shoc, which is also a sponsor of the No. 9 team, will serve as the primary sponsor on his car.

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 23 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 9th

No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

FRONT RUNNER: Five races into his fourth NASCAR Cup Series season, William Byron is off to the best start of his career. So far, the 23-year-old driver has spent 759 laps running inside the top 10 – the fifth-highest amount in the Cup field. Of those 759 laps, 317 were inside the top-five running order, which is the seventh-most by a driver at NASCAR’s highest level this season. Currently, Byron has led laps in two races and ranks third for most laps led by a driver this year with 127. Only Joey Logano (198) and Denny Hamlin (183) have led more laps. Byron has the eighth-best average running position of the 2021 season at 11.16.

TOP-10 TAKES: Having to overcome issues in the first two races of the season, Byron has turned things around and is now on a streak of three consecutive top-10 finishes. His run of top-10 results ranks the driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet fourth for the most top-10s in 2021. In fact, the streak of three consecutive top-10s is tied for the longest of the Charlotte, North Carolina, native’s Cup career. It’s something he has done only two other times, both in 2020.

1.5-MILE MOMENTUM: With the Cup Series racing at two 1.5-mile tracks so far this year, Byron is one of four drivers who have finished inside the top 10 for both events, including Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson.

THE ATL ARCHIVE: With three previous Cup Series starts at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Byron has a track-best finish of 17th from the 2019 spring race. Other than his three Cup Series appearances, Byron has two other NASCAR starts at the 1.5-mile track: One in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he finished seventh, and one in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where he was running second before losing an engine, leaving him with a 32nd-place finish.

RUDY RUNS THE ATL: While Sunday marks another track where crew chief Rudy Fugle will call the shots for the first time in the NASCAR Cup Series, the Livonia, New York, native is no stranger to success at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts as a crew chief, Fugle has two pole awards and two wins at the 1.5-mile track. In six events, his drivers have collected four top-three finishes and five top-10s. Fugle only has one finish worse than seventh, coming with Byron in 2016 when the duo was running second before suffering an engine failure.

LIBERTY U IS BACK: This Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Byron will sport the new Liberty University paint scheme for the second time this season. Now featuring a white base with navy flames and red accents, the No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet will be sure to stand out on track. Liberty University has a long history with Byron starting back in 2014 in the late model ranks. Liberty University has been Training Champions for Christ since it was founded in 1971. Located in the mountains of Central Virginia, Liberty is a liberal arts institution with 17 colleges and schools that offers more than 600 degree programs from the certificate to the doctoral level, on campus and online. Working on an undergraduate degree in communications, Byron is now in his junior year at Liberty University through its online program. For a better look at Byron’s new Liberty University paint scheme, click here.

48 Alex Bowman
Age: 27 (April 15, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Resides: Concord, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Greg Ives
Standings: 18th

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

ATLANTA STATS: Alex Bowman has five previous starts in the NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway with his personal-best finish of 12th coming in last year’s event at the 1.5-mile facility. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has one start there in the NASCAR Xfinity Series where he qualified 18th in 2013. In 2017, Bowman ran in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event and finished sixth after qualifying fifth.

1.5-MILE ROLL: Bowman’s last six outings at 1.5-mile tracks resulted in three top-five finishes, five top-10s and 54 laps led. The 27-year-old driver has 62 Cup starts at intermediate tracks, which include one win, six top-five finishes and 16 top-10s. Bowman’s first Cup win came in 2019 at the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway after leading 88 laps. He captured three stage wins at 1.5-mile tracks in 2020, the third-most behind Denny Hamlin and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott.

SAVING THEM ALL IN PHX: Last weekend, Bowman piloted the No. 48 Ally/Best Friends Animal Society Chevrolet at Phoenix Raceway to a 13th-place finish. Early into the 312-lap event, he made contact with another competitor and sustained damage to the left side. After two trips down pit road for repairs and adjustments, Bowman was back on track with his eyes set out front. Coming up one spot shy of receiving stage points in stage two, the Tucson, Arizona, native ran inside the top 15 through the remainder of the event. When the checkered flag waved, Bowman was scored 13th and captured his fourth top-15 finish at the 1-mile venue. Bowman and sponsor Ally donated $2,000 to Halo Animal Rescue in Avondale, Arizona, to help #SaveThemAll and end kill shelters by 2025.

IVES IN ATL: No. 48 crew chief Greg Ives will call the shots at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the seventh time on Sunday. The Bark River, Michigan, native has two top-five finishes at the track, which include a runner-up result with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2016. At the 1.5-mile facility, Ives has two career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts as a crew chief. Back in 2014, his driver sat on the pole for the 195-lap event and led 36 laps en route to a fifth-place finish. From 2006-2012, Ives was a race engineer for the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team. During that time, he was a part of two wins and one pole award at Atlanta Motor Speedway with driver Jimmie Johnson.

SPEEDY ON PIT ROAD: The No. 48 Ally pit crew ranks first among all teams in the NASCAR Cup Series with an average four-tire pit stop of 13.62 seconds. Bowman’s crew has turned in three of the 10 fastest four-tire stops of 2021 thus far, all coming at Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier this month. On lap 163 of the Vegas event, the team had a 12.51-second stop, on lap 48 it was 12.58 seconds and on lap 223 it was 12.61 seconds. The team includes fueler Jacob Conley, tire carrier Allen Stallings, jackman Dustin Lineback and tire changers Scott Brzozowski and Devin DelRicco.
PEACHY PERFORMANCE: Hendrick Motorsports will roll into Atlanta Motor Speedway for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race as the track’s all-time leader in wins (14), top-five finishes (59) and top-10s (92). The team has won with drivers Jeff Gordon (five victories), Jimmie Johnson (five), Kasey Kahne, Jerry Nadeau, Ken Schrader and Darrell Waltrip.

THREE IN A ROW: Hendrick Motorsports has won both races held at 1.5-mile tracks in 2021 – Homestead and Las Vegas – and will seek a third this weekend at Atlanta. The organization holds the NASCAR Cup Series record with 62 points victories on 1.5-mile tracks. Thirteen different drivers have won at least one event at a 1.5-mile venue for Hendrick Motorsports, including all four of its current drivers.

ATL RECORD: If Hendrick Motorsports locks in a win Sunday, the team will break a tie with Wood Brothers Racing for the most different drivers to win a Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Both organizations have sent six drivers to victory lane there, one more than Junior Johnson and Associates and two more than Bud Moore Engineering and Joe Gibbs Racing. All four current Hendrick Motorsports drivers are seeking their first career Atlanta win.

NUMBERS GAME: The four championship-winning car numbers fielded by Hendrick Motorsports have combined for 17 NASCAR Cup Series wins at Atlanta. The Nos. 24 and 48 Chevrolets have five wins apiece at the venue, all with Hendrick Motorsports. The No. 5 has two all-time Atlanta victories: one via Hendrick Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne in 2014 and another courtesy of Bobby Johns, who won for car owner Cotton Owens in 1960. The No. 9 car has earned five Atlanta Motor Speedway trophies, but none to date with Hendrick Motorsports. Three of those wins were delivered by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, father of current No. 9 driver and defending Cup Series champion Chase Elliott.
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Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on racing at Atlanta: “Atlanta is a fun place to race that many of us enjoy. The surface is so worn out that you have to manage your tires. The preferred line is the ‘Harvick’ line – on the bottom – and I’ve worked hard in the past to really get that line working in turns three and four. In turns one and two, you can run the top but it’s really hard on the tires. I’m looking forward to it because I think we’ll have a really fast car there.”

Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on the challenges at Atlanta: “Our focus is on setting up the car so that Kyle can run the line he wants to run – whether that is low or high or wherever in the turns. Another challenge there is tire wear and fall off. If you go one lap under green and then the caution comes out, everybody is probably putting on new tires. Hopefully, we don’t have so many cautions that you run out of tires. I don’t believe that will happen.”

Daniels on preparing for late-race pit stops: “Calling a race is a little bit difficult under green, especially if the run goes long at the end of the race. Do you try to short pit which will guarantee you gain track position? Late in the run with 10 to go or less, newer tires with fewer laps, even if just a couple, can show speed. While you may leapfrog some early in the run, they can get you back at the end of that run. The challenge is defending against the opposite decision you made.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on the challenging Atlanta track: “Atlanta is definitely a tough place. The racetrack has a lot of wear to it – the surface is one of the oldest that we go to – so finding grip is a challenge. The track has a lot of character and is very line sensitive to where you can and can’t run to find that. You really have to hit your marks well in Atlanta to have success. I think the track conditions this weekend will be pretty similar to last year in a lot of ways. The No. 9 team and I have talked a lot about last year’s event. That’s how we are going about the set up for Sunday is from last year and taking things away from how we did, what we did good and what we can improve on.”

Elliott on returning to Atlanta: “It’s always nice to race in Atlanta. I’ve been racing here for a long time, raced a lot of legend cars and bandolero races here, so it’s a special place to me. Atlanta is just a fun track to come to. I think anywhere that you run three or four laps and the lap times have fallen off significantly like they are here all the time, I think that makes it fun. It makes it fun from a strategy standpoint.”

Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on what the team has learned at intermediate tracks in 2021: “As we head to another 1.5-mile track, we learned some deficiencies we had at Homestead and are certainly going to improve on that. At Las Vegas our NAPA Chevy was really fast, but we just had some execution issues so we need to clean those up. I really like Atlanta, it has always been a fun track and super difficult to get a hold of. I think we can take some things from those first two intermediate tracks and some of our past experience at Atlanta and try to put our best foot forward on Sunday.”

Gustafson on racing at Atlanta: “We were at Atlanta in June last year and it was fairly sunny, it wasn’t a terribly hot day so I think that the hotter it is the less grip the track is going to have. I still think it will be a place that is difficult even though it is projected to be in the 60s when we are there. I think the truth is that it’s never the same no matter what you do. We could go race there a week later and it’s just never the same. You just have to piece together all the little experiences you have and ultimately try to hit on it.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on how difficult it is to race at Atlanta: “Atlanta is just a tough track. It’s a little bit easier at this time of the year because it’s a bit cooler, but it’s not easy to run there ever by any means. You’re going to need to have a car that can do all the right things throughout the entire race. Luckily, I feel like this Sunday’s race will be similar to Homestead, and it gives us a good idea of what we need in our car. We can use past Atlanta notes and pair them with our Homestead notes from this year to, hopefully, continue this stretch of good runs we have going.”

Byron on the tire fall-off at Atlanta: “You notice the tire fall-off really every corner at Atlanta. You may have a couple laps that the tires feel good, but after that with every corner you can feel the tires fall off and lose grip. It’s a challenge to keep the car straight at times. Add to that that you’re racing against other guys and if they take your lane away it becomes really hard to find another lane to be as fast in. It’s all really difficult to manage for that long of a period of time consistently.”

Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on the No. 24 team’s start to 2021: “I’m proud of what this team has accomplished so far this year. While we started off with a couple of hard races, we still had small victories along the way. This group never got down and worked on righting the ship to put together good solid races. Phoenix last week was a good example of that. It was just a solid mistake-free day all the way around. We need to continue to have more of those races and keep our foot on the gas.”

Fugle on racing Atlanta: “Atlanta is a track that I have a lot of laps at. It’s a track that we use to test at with rookie drivers in the truck series, which has been the majority of my career. I feel like I have a really good idea of what we can expect the track to do, not only at this time of year, but also throughout the entirety of the race. With Atlanta having such an old, worn out surface, consistency will be key Sunday. We need to make sure not to abuse the tires early on and maintain track position at the same time. If you can manage the track and your tires throughout the run, you’ll pick up positions when other cars begin to struggle. We were able to do that at Homestead, so hopefully that carries over to this weekend’s race as well.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on racing at Atlanta: “Atlanta is a fun track. We haven’t had the results there that we should have, but it is a track where I think we can be really strong. The track is one that you can move around a lot and tire management is going to be key on Sunday. Our intermediate program at Hendrick Motorsports is definitely a strong one and I think we have a good notebook going into this weekend’s race.”

Greg Ives, crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, on bouncing back after a difficult race: “You always wish there was something that would invert the field or something like that following a tough week. Ultimately, it is up to us to perform and to get those finishes and move up in the points. It is a gift that you definitely don’t want to open every week if it is on the bad side. You look at Daytona and getting wrecked while running second, having a flat left-rear at Vegas and then getting wrecked on whatever lap last week (at Phoenix). Some of those things are in our control and some of them aren’t. We have to stay focused on the positives, work on the negatives and move forward.”

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