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Garrett Smith Ready To Tackle Busy Weekend

By
Official Release
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Garrett Smith is set for a busy weekend of racing at two Southeastern dirt tracks. (Jennifer Graham / Jennifer’s Dirt Life Live Photo)

Eatonton, Ga. – (Feb. 23, 2021) – Young dirt late model racer Garrett Smith is set to embark upon a busy weekend of racing as he prepares to compete at two different tracks in two different race cars.

The Georgia native will start his weekend on Feb. 27 by competing at South Carolina’s Modoc Raceway, where he’ll battle some of dirt super late model racing’s top stars during the Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series finale.

“We’ve been competitive every time we’ve gone super late model racing so far,” said Smith, who made his super late model debut with the series late last year. “There is going to be a lot of competition at Modoc and I can’t think of a better way to learn and get better than to go up against the best in the business.

“If we can go out there and be competitive, then we’ll have a shot to win at the end of the race. You can’t ask for anything more than that.”

Following the Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series event at Modoc, Smith will shift gears and head south to Georgia’s Lavonia Speedway on Feb. 28 to compete during the Southeastern Late Model portion of the Georgia Spring Natty at the three-eighths-mile clay oval.

“You can never turn enough laps in these cars, so when we realized that Lavonia was running the night after the race at Modoc we decided to do two races in one weekend,” Smith said. “It’ll make for a long weekend and I probably won’t get a lot of sleep, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Learn more about Garrett Smith and follow his racing activities by liking his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Garrettsmithperformance or by following him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/garrett_smith10.

About McCallister Precision Marketing

McCallister Precision Marketing (MPM) focuses on assisting up-and-coming race car drivers with career advancement and promotion. McCallister Precision Marketing helps drivers build confidence in front of and behind the camera, giving them the tools they need to advance to the next level. The company also provides companies with a strategic plan for their sales, marketing and promotional needs. We believe in building positive relationships with our clients so that we may provide them with the most professional, yet personal guidance they need, in order to achieve their racing goals. Our clients include race car drivers, race team owners, companies and racing series’. We also work closely with charities and charity events. For more information on McCallister Precision Marketing, visit www.MarketWithMPM.com, email TonyaMac44@MarketWithMPM.com or call 803-361-6199.

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Daytona Road Course

By
Jeffrey Boswell
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Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin led five laps and finished third at Daytona’s road course.

“What a weekend for Joe Gibbs,” Hamlin said. “In addition to Christopher Bell’s win in the Cup race, Joe’s 18-year-old grandson Ty won the Xfinity race on Saturday. Now, Joe’s got it all. In Kyle Busch, he’s got the ‘baby.’ In Ty Gibbs, he’s got the ‘baby face.'”

2. Christopher Bell: Bell muscled past Joey Logano with two laps to go to seize the win at the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 at Daytona’s Road Course. It was Bell’s first Cup win and the second week in a row a first-time winner reached Victory Lane.

“I knew I needed to get past Logano when I did,” Bell said. “Take it from me and Brad Keselowski; if you want to get to Victory Circle, you don’t want to be behind Joey with one lap to go.

“I’m thankful to be a part of this Joe Gibbs Racing team. I’ve worked hard to get to where I’m at. To win in just my second start with JGR really puts it all into perspective, including the 57 races it took Erik Jones to get his first win.”

3. Kevin Harvick: Harvick finished sixth at Daytona’s road course and is now third in the points standings.

“That may have been the quietest sixth-place finish in history,” Harvick said. “I may not have been involved in any of it, but that race had a lot of action. If you thought that race lacked action, then you must have been comparing it to Jeff Gordon’s and Clint Bowyer’s rental car race. That looked like fun, at least to the drivers. If you asked the cars about it, however, they would have said, ‘This ‘Hertz.””

4. Chase Elliott: Elliott dominated early at Daytona, winning Stage 1 easily, but spun battling for position late and finished a disappointing 21st.

“I made the save of the day,” Elliott said, “after I was forced into the grass on a late restart. That’s when the race really went ‘green.’

“And speaking of ‘green,’ Roush Fenway Racing became the first carbon neutral NASCAR team. That’s no surprise, because Roush Fenway has been stuck in ‘neutral’ for years now.”

5. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski survived an early spin and recovered to place fifth in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253.

“Joey Logano and I had a healthy discussion about the incident in the Daytona 500,” Keselowski said. “It’s not like either one of us wanted to talk, but Roger Penske demanded we do it. Honestly, I would have rather tried to ‘clear the air’ in a Martinsville bathroom with Jimmy Spencer and Tony Stewart after a hot-dog-eating contest.”

6. Michael McDowell: Daytona 500 winner McDowell finished eighth at Daytona’s road course and is sixth in the points standings.

“Christopher Bell and I are locked into the playoffs,” McDowell said. “Along with Chase Elliott’s championship run last year, this is the breath of fresh air that NASCAR’s needed for years now. And that’s mostly because this sport is overwhelmingly comprised of a bunch of old farts.”

7. Joey Logano: Logano took the lead on Lap 63 when other cars pitted for fresh tires, but couldn’t hold off Christopher Bell down the stretch.

“Brad and I had a brief interaction before the race,” Logano said. “I guess we should speak at greater length. Brad suggested I set aside some time on the calendar to talk. His exact words were, ‘You should ‘block’ some time for us to meet.'”

8. Ryan Preece: Preece followed up his sixth in the Daytona 500 with a ninth in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253.

“It’s a great start to the season for JTG-Daugherty Racing,” Preece said. “Brad Daugherty is probably one of the proudest owners in the NASCAR garage. You can tell because he’s got his head held higher than usual, which is already pretty high.”

9. Kurt Busch: Busch finished fourth in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 and moved to eighth place in the points standings.

“It was a good day for Ganassi Racing,” Busch said. “Not so much for my car owner Chip Ganassi, who was fined $30,000 and suspended for one race for bringing a nonessential individual into the restricted competition area. I myself have been considered a ‘nonessential individual,’ most often by my girlfriends or wives.”

10. Cole Custer: Custer finished 13th at Daytona.

“I’m part of NASCAR’s youth movement,” Custer said. “Now, ‘twenty-something’ is also the answer to the question, ‘How old was the race winner?’, and not just the answer to the question, ‘How many beers did Clint Bowyer drink?'”

How to Safely Transport Classic, Luxury and Exotic Cars

By
SM
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Do you have a classic, luxury, or exotic car you need to be transported safely and you are looking for the best ways to do it? This is the right place to get all the answers, so follow our expert advice and be calm because your vehicle will be in safe hands. We will provide you with all the information you need to get the best classic, luxury, and exotic car shipping possible across the USA. Read this text and leave all your worries behind. This should not be one of the most stressful and worrisome tasks for any owner of an expensive car anymore.

Fully-Enclosed Trailers for Total Safety

Luxury, exotic and classic car transport servicing requires special care and attention. That is why you should start the process by looking for a moving company that is securing your vehicle inside of a fully-enclosed car trailer. This type of trailer is specially designed to transport expensive vehicles with absolutely no damage. That means no scratches, no dents, etc. You can rest assured your car won’t be exposed to the elements as well, which is quite comforting.

Something important you should know is that transportation in a fully-enclosed car trailer might not be an option with all companies. For that reason, you must ask them beforehand to verify that they provide this opportunity.

Insurance is an Absolute Must

When the time comes to choose the right classic, exotic, and especially luxury car transport cross-country, ask the company what insurance does it provide. You need to be calm during this stressful shipping situation and it will come if you know upfront what the compensation would be in case of an accident en route. This is such crucial information and you should never hesitate to ask all the questions you might have on this subject. The insurance must cover fully the cost of any possible damages on such a valuable asset as is your luxury car.

Make sure you also know how much of a deductible is involved, so you are prepared. Avoiding all types of misunderstandings about coverage will make you feel way safer about the shipping process.

Look Out for a Company with Vast Experience and Pedigree

The company that you hire must have the experience and all the licenses needed for moving these prized vehicles. The experience may be the difference between your valuable car getting at its destination safely or arriving with problems. Find a company with at least a year of practice in exotic, classic, and luxury car transport, so you can be relaxed knowing they will take good care of your vehicle.

You also have to make sure that the moving company is licensed. Engaging with one that isn’t can lead to a lot of problems and headaches that you can avoid. If you don’t find anything that says the company is licensed, don’t stop there. Keep asking about it until someone can show you that they are.

A very reliable indicator of a company’s performance is the quality of customer reviews it has received. Look at car shipping reviews in diverse sources to determine whether the experience you read about is the one you are seeking. Another excellent resource for finding the reputation of auto shipping companies is the Better Business Bureau.

Preparatory Steps for the Shipping

Once you have hired transportation services to handle your vehicle, there are some steps you can take to lower the risks of damage.

  • Check your luxury car for any fluid leaks
  • Make sure the battery is secured in mounting brackets
  • Have the gas tank a quarter full
  • Disconnect the alarm system
  • Take out all radios, CD players, and car phones that are mobile
  • Remove or retract the antenna (if there is one)
  • Remove the personal items too (but leave the spare tires)

You can also give the crew of the exotic, luxury, and classic car transport company a set of your spare keys. That’s in case that there is nothing in the vehicle that can shift during the relocation and make a mess out of the interior.

Go for Door-to-Door Transportation

Do you really want to have your precious car shipped to a terminal and then go pick it up? Why do that when you can let an experienced and highly-trained crew deliver it straight to your house or garage! You should pick this great option whenever possible. And the best one is door-to-door transportation in an enclosed carrier. Yes, it costs a little bit more, but it is totally worth it when you consider the value of the cargo.

Now that you know all about the safest ways for classic, luxury, and exotic car shipping, you can relax. Your prized asset will be home soon damage-free and classy as always so you can enjoy it for a long long time.

Interview – Q&A with Truck Series driver Ryan Truex

By
Briar Starr
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Photo Credit: Niece Motorsports

In this week’s interview, Speedway Media catches up with Niece Motorsports newcomer, Ryan Truex. Truex recently joined the team for a full-season and will contend for the 2021 Truck Series championship. During the interview, the Mayetta, New Jersey native discusses what he considers his best season, if he has any superstitions about racing and his “Welcome to NASCAR” moment, among other topics.

SM: You’ve run 52 races in your Truck Series career over the past seven years and have come close to winning multiple times. In your opinion, what’s the best you’ve ever run? 

RT: “I’d say my best season was 2017 with HRE (Hattori Racing Enterprises),” Truex said. “We were starting to build new trucks during that year and really started performing well and coming close to winning races. I knew the team was on the verge of winning races at the end of the year. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to put something together for the following season and the rest is history.”

SM: Following up on that question, you finished second twice in the series, once in 2016 at Daytona and then three years ago in 2017 at Loudon. Both times you had strong trucks. What do you think you could have done differently to score the victory or were those races just not meant to be? Is Daytona still a heartbreaker as you reflect back or is there a different race that you wish you had back?

RT: “Daytona was a tough one because I felt like we were in the right position to race back to the checkered flag and have a great shot at the win. The caution just came out at the worst time when I was trying to build a run to take the lead back,” he said. “2017 Loudon was another tough one. We took the lead on a late restart and I did everything I could to hold (Christopher) Bell off, he just had a stronger truck than me at the end of the day. I believe things happen for a reason and that my time will come. I just have to keep working at it.”

SM: Has there ever been a moment where you’ve gotten lost at a racetrack? If so, where did you get lost, and how did you get back to the right spot?

RT: Road America 2018, it took me quite a while to find the garage area,” Truex said. “I ended up in a random corner like two miles from where I was supposed to be and had to open up maps on my phone and turn on satellite view to figure out where I was and where I needed to be.”

SM: Most drivers have their ‘Welcome to NASCAR moment that’s happened during a race. When did you have that moment and how did you take that learning lesson moving forward? 

RT: “One that sticks out to me is Talladega, 2012,” Truex said. “I was running an Xfinity car for JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) in a limited schedule. Back then we were still allowed to tandem draft at the superspeedways. I was running mid-pack, just riding, and none other than Dale Jr. latched to my bumper and pushed me all the way to the front. As soon as we got there, he left me out by myself and took the lead and I got pushed right to the back again. I like to imagine he was smirking behind that visor when he did that.”

SM: In racing, many drivers are skeptical of myths or urban legends, things like the No. 13, no peanut vendors at the racetracks, etc. In your mind, what’s the craziest superstition you’ve ever heard as a racecar driver and do you believe in that superstition? 

RT: “I don’t believe in superstitions but I’ve heard them all,” he said. “MTJ (Martin Truex Jr., Ryan’s brother) with the rabbit’s foot for Homestead in 2017 that Darrell Gwynn (former NHRA Driver) gave him is probably the craziest one that I’ve heard, but it obviously worked out pretty well.”

SM: The Truck Series has really evolved from its beginnings in 1995 and has had a lot of storied drivers and unique races. If you could go back in time to race in a certain event, which event would you choose and why?

RT: “I think the first year of the series would be cool to be a part of,” Truex said. “Lots of unique tracks and drivers and the atmosphere around the new series seemed like a really exciting thing to be involved with.”

SM: Who is one race car driver that you believe will always have your back no matter what happens on the racetrack?

RT: “I think the obvious answer is my brother (Martin Truex Jr.), but there are a few others out there that I have a lot of respect for and feel like that feeling is mutual,” he said. “Brett (Moffitt) and I have known each other for a long time and we’re teammates which makes it a great combo for us. I feel like (Matt) Crafton and (Johnny) Sauter have always been two drivers that I’ve always had a great relationship with on and off the track as well.” 

SM: Sometimes people get mistaken for different people in real life and being on the grid. Has there been an instance where you were mistaken for somebody else?

RT: “If I had a nickel for every time someone thought I was Kyle Larson, I could start my own truck team.”

SM: As in most cases in racing, there are more bad days than good. Whenever you have a bad day at the tack, how do you pick yourself up and not let it ruin the rest of the day or the weekend?  

RT: “I just have to remind myself that quitters never win and the bad days will always pass,” Truex said. “You can’t let yourself dwell too much on them.”

SM: Rain delays are never fun during racing. How do you pass the time during a rain delay?

RT: “Eat all the food.”

SM: There are several new tracks on the Truck Series schedule, such as Bristol Dirt, Circuit of the Americus, Nashville returning to the schedule, Knoxville and Watkins Glen. Which of these tracks are you looking forward to the most and why?

RT: “I have Watkins Glen circled on my calendar,” he said. “I’ve always run well there, and its a track I’ve been going to for a long time – since Martin was racing there in the Busch North Series. I feel like we will have a good shot at a win there.”

SM: Wrapping this up, what’s one goal or expectation that you would like to achieve before the end of the year? 

RT: “I’ve been around the national series level for a long time,” Truex said. “I’ve been very close to winning races multiple times and feel like I’ve proven I can get the job done, but I know I need to win. Bottom line. I think I have a team capable of doing it and my plan is to finally get some trophies this year.”

Truex has made 53 Truck Series starts to date over a span of seven years, with 11 top-fives and 20 top-10 finishes with two poles along with 151 laps led. Additionally, the New Jersey native has made various starts in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series and won back-to-back NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Series Championships in 2009 and 2010.

Fans of Ryan Truex can follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Additionally, you can check out his website here.

Fans of Niece Motorsports can like them on Facebook, “follow” them on Twitter and Instagram. You can also visit their website here.

Special thanks to Michelle Brachowski for coordinating this interview and many thanks to Ryan Truex for taking the time out of his busy schedule for the interview.

Mexico City’s Max Gutierrez Looks for Two-in-a-Row to Start 2021 at Five Flags Speedway

By
Official Release
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Max Gutierrez, driver of the #30 Tough Built Ford, looks on before the Jeep Beach 175 for the ARCA Menards Series East at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna, Florida on February 8, 2021. Photo by Adam Glanzman/NASCAR

It was a finish everyone anticipated, but no one expected.

Headed into turn three on the final lap of the season-opening ARCA Menards Series East race at New Smyrna Speedway, everyone anticipated contact between the leaders. Taylor Gray had led three times on the night, including the previous five laps as he took the lead on a late-race restart. That restart involved a lot of contact into turn one, sending Mason Diaz around and out of contention.

The next restart, the final one of the race, put Sammy Smith next to Gray coming to the green. Smith had led 78 laps, leading through lap 171 when officials realigned him fourth in the field after a pit road violation. Smith had to be aggressive to get back to the lead because the race was now in overtime. He had two laps to make it happen.

Gray opened a slight lead at the drop of the green and held it for the first of the two overtime circuits. Smith closed the gap coming to the white flag. Everyone anticipated what came next.

Headed into turn three, Smith got to Gray’s bumper and made contact. That’s almost standard operating procedure in full-fendered stock car racing these days. The leader expects a shove from behind on the final lap if the driver in second place is close enough to make it happen. Smith was definitely close enough and carried a lot of speed going into the final two turns of the race. The contact didn’t just send Gray up the track, it sent Gray and Smith up the track and left the bottom groove at the high-banked half-mile wide open.

Enter NASCAR Mexico Challenge Series champion Max Gutierrez.

Driving for 2009 ARCA Menards Series championship-winning crew chief Mark Rette, Gutierrez pounced. He dove to the bottom of the track and filled the gap. When Smith and Gray came down the track, they bounced off Gutierrez, with all three making contact coming to the start finish line. But that contact couldn’t stop Gutierrez’s momentum and he nipped Smith at the finish by 0.03 seconds, about the distance from the tip of the nose to the center of his front wheel.

Gutierrez, who still lives in Mexico and commutes to the United States to race, scored the first win of his career in the most surprising fashion.

“I can’t believe it,” Gutierrez said in victory lane. “I thought we were in a good place (third) on the last lap for the season championship. Then they started bumping for first and I decided to take it. I am very happy and proud of my team. That is a great way to start off this championship.”

The next step for Gutierrez will be in Saturday’s Pensacola 200 presented by Inspectra Thermal Solutions at Five Flags Speedway. It will be the fourth time the ARCA Menards Series East has raced at the half-mile oval that is the host of the prestigious Snowball Derby every December. Current series team owner Ben Kennedy, who owns the No. 43 car driven by Daniel Dye, won in 2013 while Ben Rhodes, who recently won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway, won in 2014. Two-time champion Sam Mayer put an exclamation point on his 2020 championship season with his fifth win of the season in last year’s race.

For ticket information, visit FiveFlagsSpeedway.com or TrackEnterprises.com.

Practice for the Pensacola 200 presented by Inspectra Thermal Solutions is scheduled for 1:15 pm ET/12:15 pm local, with General Tire Pole Qualifying to follow at 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm local. Saturday’s race will be streamed live on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold starting at 6 pm ET/5 pm local. It will be rebroadcast on a tape-delayed basis on NBCSN on Thursday, March 4 at 4 pm ET.

CarParts.com to Donate One Percent of Revenue Through February to Texas Recovery Efforts, Advancing $100,000 for Immediate Relief

By
Official Release
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Initial Donation to Feeding Texas Will Provide Immediate Assistance

February 22, GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – With the people of Texas facing mass power outages, freezing temperatures, and life-threatening conditions, CarParts.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTS) (“CarParts.com“) announced today that it would donate one percent of revenue generated through the CarParts.com website today, through the end of February to relief and recovery efforts in the state. Understanding the urgent need, CarParts.com has already advanced $100,000 to Feeding Texas for immediate relief and will provide the balance of the one percent of its website revenue through February in early March as Texas begins to recover.

“Being part of the Texas community means doing our small part to help our friends and neighbors when they most desperately need relief,” said Todd Percival, Director of Distribution Center Operations at CarParts.com’s Grand Prairie, Texas distribution center. “We could not sit by while members of our community suffer without heat, without power, and without food. We know there is immense need throughout the state, and no one company or organization can address all of it. Still, I am grateful that we can aid in what will be an enormous team effort to get the state back on its feet.”

Understanding that charity starts at home, CarParts.com’s local relief efforts began when Percival personally delivered blankets, food, and water to CarParts.com employees’ homes after they had lost power. When CarParts.com Chief Executive Officer Lev Peker heard about Percival’s efforts, he knew that the company could do more.

“CarParts.com is proud to have made a home in Texas in 2020, and it’s important to us to make an impact in our local communities. Todd is an example of our how our team members go the extra mile to help those in need,” said Peker. “In crises like this, we understand the need for immediate and long-term relief, and we’re committed to providing both through this initiative.”

“The pandemic already pushed more Texans than ever to access food assistance from food banks, public nutrition programs, and other sources. But the need is even higher as we strive to help Texas families recover from the impact of the recent winter storms,” said Celia Cole, Chief Executive Officer at Feeding Texas. “We need all the help we can get to keep our communities nourished through this crisis. We are grateful to have CarParts.com’s support to help make up for the loss of food and procure the additional food needed to meet the increased demand.”

Feeding Texas is working tirelessly to ensure food banks across the entire state have the resources they need to provide for their communities in the aftermath of the recent winter storms. CarParts.com’s donation will be shared across 21 food banks statewide to increase inventory after the experienced significant loss of perishable food resulting from power outages, disruptions in the supply chain due to the icy weather conditions, and increased demand resulting from the ongoing pandemic, winter storm impacts, and statewide disruptions impacting grocery stores.

About CarParts.com

With over 25 years of experience, and more than 50 million parts delivered, we’ve streamlined our website and sourcing network to better serve the way drivers get the parts they need. Utilizing the latest technologies and design principles, we’ve created an easy-to-use, mobile-friendly shopping experience that, alongside our own nationwide distribution network, cuts out the brick-and-mortar supply chain costs and provides quality parts at a budget-friendly price.

CarParts.com is headquartered in Torrance, California.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210208005475/en/

Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Daytona Road Course

By
Official Release
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Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report

Track: Daytona Road Course
Race: O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 at Daytona
Date: February 21, 2021

____________________________________

No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang – Brad Keselowski

Start: 15th
Stage 1: 4th
Stage 2: 28th
Finish: 5th
Status: Running
Laps Completed: 70/70
Laps Led: 0
Point Standings (behind first): 10th (-40)

Notes:

Brad Keselowski grabbed his first top-five finish of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season with a fifth-place effort Sunday evening on the Daytona Road Course. The driver of the Discount Tire Ford claimed his best finish in two starts at the 3.61-mile layout and gained six positions in the Cup Series driver standings, moving up to 10th-place, 40 points behind leader Denny Hamlin.

A fortunate turn of events in the closing laps of Stage 1 put him in position to score stage points. Keselowski was running just outside the top-10 when he locked up his front tires while racing Ross Chastain on lap 11 and he missed the frontstretch chicane. Keselowski pitted immediately for four tires and moments later the second caution waved, which allowed Keselowski to make up the lost distance. He restarted second when the race went green on lap 13 and finished fourth when the Stage 1 ended three laps later. Crew chief Jeremy Bullins made the call to pit for four tires during the stage caution and Keselowski restarted 15th on lap 19.

Any chance for a good finish looked dim in Stage 2. Keselowski was up to 11th-place when he missed the bus stop chicane on lap 26, which cost him three positions. He stayed out during the fourth caution and restarted in fourth position on lap 29, a strategic move by Bullins to save a set of tires for the second half of the race. Keselowski struggled on the restart with his older tires and was credited with a 28th-place finish when the stage ended on lap 34. Bullins made the call to pit for four tires during the stage caution and Keselowski restated 26th when the race went green on lap 37.

The third and final stage saw Keselowski rally from a spin on lap 41 to fight his way into contention late in the event. From there the driver of the No. 2 Ford Mustang steadily worked his way from 38th position through the field. Keselowski was up to 12th when he made his final stop under green on lap 55. Two laps later the sixth caution was displayed, and this time Bullins kept his driver on the track. Keselowski restarted sixth on lap 58 and survived two more cautions and each chaotic restart that followed to score a fifth-place finish.

Quotes: “It was a front, back, front, back kind of race, but the Discount Tire team, we just didn’t give up and kept working on it. Eventually, the race came to us. We caught some breaks for sure and made the most of it. It was just one of those never-give-up kind of races. We just fought and fought and fought. But, in the end, just a lot of perseverance, a lot of heart, a lot of will from the entire team and that put us in a good spot there at the end, so I tried to make the most of it.”

________________________________________________

No. 12 Menards/Libman Ford Mustang – Ryan Blaney

Start: 27th
Stage 1: 14th
Stage 2: 15th
Finish: 15th
Status: Running
Laps Completed: 70/70
Laps Led: 0
Final Point Standings (behind first): 19th (-70)

Notes:

Ryan Blaney started 27th and finished 15th in Sunday’s race on the Daytona Road Course. The driver of the Menards/Libman Ford Mustang battled an ill-handling Ford Mustang and lack of track position to bring home a top-15 finish. Blaney now sits 19th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, 70 points behind leader Denny Hamlin.

Blaney started 27th and made his way up to 17th by his first pit stop on lap 12. He would report to crew chief Todd Gordon that he was struggling with braking, center turn, and drive off the corners. Once racing resumed with two laps remaining in Stage 1, Blaney would make his way up to 14th. He would pit again on lap 17, taking four tires and an air pressure adjustment.

Blaney would begin Stage 2 from the 23rd position. He would work his way up to 19th by the fourth caution of the day on lap 28. Blaney pitted for new tires and an air pressure adjustment during the yellow and used those new tires to make his way to up 15th at the conclusion of Stage 2 on lap 34.

The driver of the No. 12 Ford Mustang began the final stage of the race from the 16th position on lap 37. Eight laps later a tire rub forced Blaney to make an unscheduled pit stop. Still battling the same handling issues much of the day, the Todd Gordon led crew opted for a longer pit stop on lap 57 to make significant changes to the Menards/Libman Ford. Restarting 31st on lap 60 Blaney would avoid late race carnage to bring home a 15th-place finish.

Quote: “It was a tough day for our Menards/Libman Ford Mustang team. We struggled with the balance and having to start 27th was a heck of a hole to begin with. Todd Gordon and this No. 12 team never gave up working on this Mustang and we brought home a top-15 finish. I’m looking forward to racing at Homestead next week.”

_______________________________________________

No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang – Joey Logano

Start: 11th
Stage 1: 2nd
Stage 2: 3rd
Finish: 2nd
Status: Running
Laps Completed: 70/70
Laps Led: 10
Point Standings (behind first): 2nd (-12)

Notes:

Joey Logano started 11th and finished second in Sunday’s race on the Daytona Road Course. Logano led 10 of the final 11 laps before being passed by the No. 20 of Christopher Bell, who had six-lap fresher tires, on the last lap. The Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang team scored 17 stage points on the afternoon with finishes of second and third respectively in the opening two segments.

Logano moved the Shell-Pennzoil Mustang into the top-five in the opening laps, riding in third reporting that he was losing a little bit of rear grip through the run. A caution would set up pit stops prior to the end of the first stage, with Logano receiving four tires and an air pressure adjustment. He finished second when Stage 1 ended on lap 16.

In the second stage, Logano pitted once for four tires and an air pressure change, working his way back into the top-five. He ultimately finished Stage 2 in third position. At the stage ending stop, Logano reported he needed the rear grip to maintain longer through the run, which prompted crew chief Paul Wolfe to make air pressure and trackbar adjustments.

Logano ran inside the top-five until slipping to the seventh position with 20 laps remaining, just before the potential final stop of the race.

On lap 51, the driver of the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford pitted for four tires, fuel, tape on the nose and a trackbar adjustment. A caution on lap 57 packed the field up following the green flag pit stops when a small pop-up shower moved over the speedway. Logano cycled into the lead as many of the race leaders hit pit road for tires.

The driver of the Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang was able to hold the lead through two late-race restarts but ultimately finished second after being passed by eventual race winner Christopher Bell on the final lap.

Quotes: “I was trying to keep him (Bell) behind me. We gambled by staying out and I’d say it paid off overall, but you just hate being so close. He started catching me a second a lap and it wasn’t like I blew any corners or anything. We just got beat, plain and simple. We’ve got to get our long run speed faster. We made some gains and have gotten better with our Shell-Pennzoil Mustang. We’ve just got to be able to find a way to keep our rear tires on these things on the road courses. We’ve identified the issue, now we can go to work.”

DiBenedetto Finishes 37th on Daytona Road Course

By
Official Release
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A cut tire early and a brake-line failure late added up to a disappointing afternoon at Daytona International Speedway for Matt DiBenedetto and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team.

DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Mustang lined up 32nd for the start of Sunday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 on Daytona’s road course.

After one lap, DiBenedetto had jumped up to 21st place and was inside the top 20 after five laps. Six laps later, his right-rear tire punctured and, in the process, wiped out all of the sheet metal on the right rear of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang.

DiBenedetto drove to pit road, and the Motorcraft crew patched up the damage as best they could. He rejoined the race in 37th place but still on the lead lap.

Despite the damage, he was able to run decent lap times and was running 25th at the end of the second stage.

He stayed on the track during the ensuing caution flag and restarted the race from second place. Even with seven laps of wear on his tires coupled with the aerodynamic disadvantage from the earlier body damage, he was able to remain in the top 15 for four laps.

His team, led by crew chief Greg Erwin, was executing a pit strategy that would have left the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team with an extra set of fresh tires for the finish, but that was all for naught after a right-rear brake line failure – likely due to the earlier incident – sent the No. 21 Mustang to the garage for repairs with 15 laps remaining.

The No. 21 Mustang returned to the race five laps behind the leaders and wound up 37th at the finish.

DiBenedetto said the team’s misfortunes on Sunday were strictly due to bad luck.

“At the start of the race, we were just trying to cruise up through the field,” he said. “Everything was fine. The car was OK. The Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang was probably not a race winner, but it was going to be fun to get up there and run competitively.

“Then out of nowhere, I ran over something and blew the right-rear tire to pieces. It took the whole right side off the car.”

He said he was surprised at his car’s performance considering the damage.

“Speed-wise, we could still hang in there,” he said. “I thought we could have made something out it, and then we had the problem with the brake-line.

“Everything that happened was out of our control. It was just bad luck.”

The No. 21 team will return to the state of Florida for a third-straight weekend, and will run the Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Feb. 28.

About Motorcraft:

Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford and Lincoln Dealers, independent distributors and automotive parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.

About Omnicraft:

Omnicraft is part of the Ford lineup of parts brands: Ford Parts, Motorcraft and Omnicraft. Omnicraft is the exclusive non-Ford/Lincoln parts brand of premium aftermarket parts. With over a century of parts heritage to build upon, Omnicraft provides excellent quality and fit and is a preferred choice of professional automotive technicians. To find out more about Omnicraft, visitwww.omnicraftautoparts.com or contact your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership.

About Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center

Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine vehicle maintenance including tire repair and replacement with a Low Tire Price Guarantee and a full menu of automotive services including oil and filter, brakes, alignments, batteries, and shocks and struts on all vehicle makes and models. Service is performed by certified technicians at more than 1,000 locations worldwide while you wait, and no appointment is necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Wood Brothers Racing

Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glen Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glen’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Matt DiBenedetto in the famous No. 21 racer.

Christopher Bell gets First NASCAR Cup Triumph at the DAYTONA Road Course

By
Official Release
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NASCAR Wire Service

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 21, 2021) – For the second consecutive week, Daytona International Speedway crowned a first time NASCAR Cup Series race winner. Joe Gibbs Racing driver, Christopher Bell, earned the honor Sunday on the track’s road course, taking the lead from Joey Logano with two laps to go and pulling away to a comfortable 2.119-second victory over the former series champion in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253.

Bell, 26, is the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion and this is his second season at the premier level – his first driving for the championship Gibbs organization. His work Sunday, however, was more reminiscent of a veteran. There were eight caution flags, eight race leaders and a whole lot of action in the waning laps to contend with.

He pulled around Logano in the chicane just yards before the white flag and easily stretched the lead to earn his first career NASCAR Cup Series trophy. Bell’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin finished third, followed by Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski.

Kevin Harvick, A.J. Allmendinger, last week’s Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell – also a first-time winner – Ryan Preece and Alex Bowman rounded out the top 10. This is just third season in NASCAR Cup Series history to start the season with two first-time winners; joining 1949 and 1950.

“This is definitely one of the highlights of my life so far,” a smiling Bell said after climbing off the roof of his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, where he flashed the No. 1 sign to the grandstands.

“Just so incredibly thankful to be here with Joe Gibbs Racing and all our partners. This feels like I prepared my whole life for this moment to race in the Cup Series. Last year was a huge learning curve for me and I’m very grateful I got the opportunity to run in Cup and it definitely prepared me to move to Joe Gibbs Racing.”

Bell’s pass for the win capped an exciting and suspenseful final dozen laps. Defending race winner and reigning series champion Chase Elliott led a race best 45 laps but was caught up in heavy traffic after his final pit stop with 15 laps remaining. He won Stage 1 and was running fifth – rallying back to the front with six laps to go when he spun out in the infield – a victim of a chain reaction collision in the fender-to-fender racing at the time. He ultimately came home 21st – snapping a five-race road racing victory streak.

“Man, we had those late race cautions like that and a mixed bag of who stays and who goes,” said Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

“It’s a bit of a gamble either way I felt like. I think [pitting for] tires was the right move. Tires won the race. So it was the right move. You get back in traffic and gets to be so chaotic.

“Who gets through and who doesn’t just kinda determines how it’s going to shake out.”

For much of the 70-lap race Elliott paced the field, making up ground when needed and often putting on a road course tutorial. Hamlin stayed close and kept him honest, ultimately coming home third. Logano ran among the top five for much of the race and took the lead on Lap 63 when other cars pitted for fresh tires.

“He’s the one that got through with tires,” Logano said of Bell. “One more caution lap would have been enough to have a door-to-door finish across the line maybe.

With his maiden win, Bell is now ranked fourth in the NASCAR Cup Series standings. Hamlin, who won Stage 2, leads the championship by 12-points over Logano heading to the Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway next Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

“I just kept doing what I was doing all day long,” Bell said of the career milestone.

“Whenever we took the green flag, I felt like I was really patient. Kyle (Busch) tried to go three-wide around me at the start. I knew that I was okay. Adam (Stevens, crew chief) kept asking what I needed in the car and I didn’t really need anything. Just took my time to get going, get up to speed and really proud to be here.”

After two weekends at Daytona International Speedway for Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth that culminated with the DAYTONA 500, and this weekend’s DAYTONA Road Course action, NASCAR shifts to south Florida next week with events at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Next Saturday, Feb. 27, it’s the Contender Boats 250 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series followed by the Dixie Vodka 400 on Sunday, Feb. 28, for the NASCAR Cup Series.

Racing continues at Daytona International Speedway in less than two weeks with the annual DAYTONA Supercross, Saturday, March 6. Marquee names from one of the most physically demanding sports are prepared to bang bars at the gate drop.

From the world-class pyrotechnics and dazzling lights show of ride introductions to the post-race champion celebration, the atmosphere is different. Fans can experience all of the high-flying excitement and side-by-side intensity of Supercross on the most demanding track of the circuit, designed by five-time DAYTONA Supercross champion Ricky Carmichael. In a race run under the lights at the World Center of Racing, every rider will leave the gate hungry for a coveted Daytona victory!

DAYTONA Supercross tickets start as low as $45 for this iconic event. Kids 6 to 12 are just $15 and kids 5 and under are FREE in select seating sections. To be a part of the action, fans can visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

About Daytona International Speedway

Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe, thus earning it the title of World Center of Racing. In addition to eight major weekends of racing activity, rarely a week goes by that the Speedway grounds are not used for events that include civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.

4 Tips To Avoid Accidents While Driving

By
SM
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Driving the car around town by night

With the rising cases of road accidents, not only in the US but globally, they’ve already been considered a global epidemic and a significant public health concern. More than 38,000 people die annually in the US alone due to car crashes, and an additional 4.4 million are seriously injured.  

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, road crashes are the leading cause of death for people aged between 1 and 54. Aside from that, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities continue to increase in the country.  

It’s essential to be aware of these statistics so you put an effort into driving safely. You don’t want to add to the growing cases of road accident deaths and injuries. To avoid road and car accidents while driving, here are some tips you should know:  

  1. Inspect Your Car Before Driving 

Inspecting your car before driving is critical to avoid accidents on the road. Here are some things you need to examine to ensure your vehicle is safe to use:  

  • Check under the vehicle for oil, brake fluid, or water leaks 
  • Check the tires for proper inflation 
  • Check the car lights 
  • Check windows’ visibility 
  • Check the gauges in the dashboard 
  • Check windshield wipers 
  • Check the brakes 
  • Check if your spare tire is still good 

It doesn’t take too much of your time to check all these necessary items in your car before driving. It’s critical to check the brakes and any leaks because these are essential aspects of the vehicle that can cause accidents on the road. When your brakes aren’t working, there’s a huge chance you’re going to crash and sustain fatal injuries. If you want to learn more about car crash injuries, read this article.  

  1. Always Keep A Watch On Road Signs 

Road signs or traffic signs are vital signs erected on the roadside or above normal roads to provide detailed information or give directions, including important safety indicators like the fire danger sign. Over time, the designs of traffic signs and other road-related materials have changed tremendously. Some of the most popular traffic signs being used today include speed signs, pictograms, and pavement markings.  

Modern technology and creative minds have also contributed to the development of LED road signs, which offer clear, color, and high-resolution images of road signs. These signs provide information on road congestion, such as the speed limit and prohibited items in the driving space. Road signs help avoid accidents in bad weather. They also provide crucial safety and warning sign information on avoiding potentially hazardous road conditions, such as heavy traffic, heavy fog, snow, and wind. 

  1. Always Drive Sober 

Drinking while driving has become a massive issue in recent years due to increasing car accidents. The effects of too much alcohol on the body include dizziness, disorientation, confusion, slurred speech, and nausea. Thus, consuming alcohol can significantly increase your risks of accidents while driving.

  1. Regulate Your Speed 

One of the most critical factors that drivers must keep in mind on highways and other roadways is the importance of speed limits. In a road traffic accident, or just as a regular traffic violation, the offender speeds up to a greater extent than is necessary. 

Along with road safety, speed limit signs are valuable tools for regulating traffic flow as well. When more drivers are tempted to speed up, it can cause increased traffic jams and accidents along the way. By slowing down when passing another vehicle, a driver can significantly improve their chance of avoiding these potentially deadly mistakes, and you can react quickly if another car crashes into you. There is always a chance of getting into a collision no matter how careful you may be, and if that happens to you the first thing you would need to do is to get into contact with the right lawyer. For example, if a truck crashed into you, this would cause significantly more damage than a car would, so getting in touch with a relevant attorney is crucial. In this event, hiring a Houston truck accident lawyer, or similar, would be advantageous as they will have the experience necessary to handle your case.

Summary 

Everyone must learn to avoid car accidents, which may result in injuries or even death. Accidents are always preventable, and knowing what these are will help you take precautions and avoid danger.

But it should be kept in mind that unfortunate incidents are not under our control and can sometimes occur regardless of caution. Nevertheless, if the accident took place, it is important to consider possible consequences, such as personal and material damage, and at least minimize them. Some of the immediate steps one must take right after the accident is contacting a personal injury lawyer and if advised so, filing an insurance claim.

Because of psychological shock or trauma caused by an incident, involved ones aren’t always able to make rational decisions and it is where hiring a personal injury lawyer is essential. Thanks to vast experience and knowledge of business intricacies, they will guide you through this challenging situation to the best possible outcome.

Before you drive, check critical aspects of the car, like brakes, fluids, and your windows’ visibility. Driving under the influence will also increase the chances of accidents on the road, so make sure you’re sober while behind the steering wheel. On the road, ensure you’re driving at a regulated speed and always follow road signs. When you do all of these, you don’t only make yourself safe, but other people as well. 

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