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Young’s Motorsports Watkins Glen International September Xfinity Team Preview

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Official Release
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Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International | Mission 200

Fast Facts
No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:
Driver: Leland Honeyman Jr.
Primary Partner(s): Young’s Building Systems | Randco Industries Inc.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro
Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott
2024 Driver Points Position: 18th
2024 Owner Points Position: 21st
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Stretch Drive: In January, Young’s Motorsports announced it would graduate from the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time in 2024 with rising star Leland Honeyman Jr. behind the wheel of the team’s No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro for the entire 33-race season continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Mission 200 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.

About Leland: The Phoenix, Ariz. native began honing his racing skills at the tender age of two racing Quads. By four years old, he moved into Trophy Karts and then collected three series championships in off-road racing Trophy Karts.

After an instrumental tenure in Go Karts, he moved into the Bandolero competition in 2015 and was crowned a Bandolero National Champion two years later. From there, he moved into Limited Late Models before graduating to the Carolina Pro Late Model Series division in 2021, where he earned championship-runner-up honors and picked up an astounding victory in the annual Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway Fall Brawl.

Honeyman, 19, returns to the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization, where he ran an impressive ARCA Menards Series East Series campaign, finishing third in the 2022 championship standings.

During the 2023 season, he made eight NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, highlighted by a 21st-place finish at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course.

All-Aboard!: For the 25th of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes back Texas-based Young’s Building Systems and Randco will partner with the Mooresville, N.C.-based team as the primary partners on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 82-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

Since 1981, Young’s Building Systems has been providing West Texas with all their metal building needs.

This family-owned and operated business has become an industry favorite due to the experience gained and the professional results completed. Young’s Building System is a division of Randco Industries, Inc. We have expanded into a company that has the ability to erect any type of building, from a small single story to a city high-rise.

Our customers have multiple uses for our buildings, including commercial, residential, agricultural, industrial, skid-mounted buildings and compressor station buildings.

We also have a team that specializes in stairs and railings of all shapes and sizes. Young’s Building Systems is fully insured for your peace of mind, so we carry workmen’s compensation and general liability coverage that goes above and beyond State requirements.

Our company is fully equipped with moving and lifting equipment along with compressors, generators and welding equipment. We have the tools and equipment needed to support large, demanding projects.

Our work ethic is based on the principles of quality, promptness, and customer experience.

Young’s Building Systems continuously raises our standard of excellence and works hard to make sure that each and every one of your needs are met.

Leland Honeyman Jr. NASCAR Xfinity Series Watkins Glen International Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Mission 200 at Watkins Glen International will mark Honeyman’s inaugural Xfinity Series start in the Finger Lakes of New York.

This weekend is part of a triple-header with the ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR Cup Series, which will host their second race of the Round of 16 in the Cup Series Playoffs in Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen.

The Xfinity Series rookie driver will look to improve his overall road course racing average Xfinity finish of 24.3.

Leland Honeyman Jr. NASCAR Xfinity Career Stats: Entering Watkins Glen, Honeyman has 32 career NASCAR Xfinity Series races to his credit, earning a career-best fourth-place finish at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway after starting 33rd in the Ag-Pro 300 for Young’s Motorsports in April 2024.

Since 2023, he has carried an average finish of 26.1.

Atlanta Motor Speedway | Focused Health 250 Race Recap: In the 24th race of the 2024 Xfinity Series season, Young’s Motorsports and Honeyman searched for another solid finish in the team’s inaugural Xfinity Series summer trip to the hybrid superspeedway track of Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Without the benefit of practice, Honeyman started his No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro from the 35th position and methodically began patiently working his way forward in a very chaotic and mentally draining race.

By Stage 3, Honeyman and crew chief Andrew Abbott had improved the handling of the No. 42 Young’s Building Systems | Randco Industries Inc. Chevrolet Camaro, allowing the rookie driver to cling to the main pack.

Avoiding a major melee at the front of the field late in the race, Honeyman contended for his third top-10 finish of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series but slid back to a respectable 17th-place finish at the checkered flag.

Calling the Shots: Guiding Honeyman Jr. as crew chief of the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief Andrew Abbott.

On Saturday, he will be crew chief in his 122nd NASCAR Xfinity Series race. In his previous 121 races, he has four top-five and 13 top-10 finishes.

The season’s 25th race will be his fourth tango at Watkins Glen as crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series at Watkins Glen International: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.

Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series History: Since entering the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 24 starts and maintains an average starting position of 26.9 and an average finish of 22.0.

Follow on Social Media: For more on Leland Honeyman Jr., please visit LelandHoneymanRacing.com, like him on Facebook (Leland Honeyman Racing) and follow on Instagram (@lelandhoneymanjr) and X |Twitter (@lelandhoneyman3).

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

Leland Honeyman Jr. Pre-Race Quote:

On Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International: “I am very optimistic ahead of my NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen International on Saturday. Race after race, I believe we have exceeded our expectations as a rookie team, and I believe we can continue to do that in the Finger Lakes of New York this weekend.

“I’m appreciative of the hard work of my No. 42 Young’s Motorsports team and hope for a productive race on Saturday that will propel us forward to Bristol Motor Speedway next weekend.”

Race Information:

The Mission 200 (82 laps | 200.9 miles) is the 25th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice will occur on Saturday, September 14, from 9:30 to 9:50 a.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 3:00 p.m., with live coverage on the USA Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern).

21 Freightliner Team Hoping To Score Points at the Glen

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Official Release
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After coming just a half a straightaway shy of leaving Atlanta Motor Speedway with a much-needed good points day, Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Freightliner team are headed to Watkins Glen International hoping to battle their way back into a position to advance to Round Two of the Cup Series Playoffs.

This weekend’s Go Bowling at the Glen on the road course at Watkins Glen, N.Y., is the second of three races in the Round of 16, and Burton and the Wood Brothers are 14th in the standings, 16 points behind 12th place. After the race at Bristol the following week, the bottom four drivers in the Playoff standings will be eliminated from championship contention.

“We had ourselves in a good spot to have a decent points day right up until the last corner,” crew chief Jeremy Bullins said of this past Sunday’s Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where Burton was swept up in a last-lap crash and finished 31st after running most of the rest of the race in the top 15 or better. “That’s how it goes with the speedway-style racing.

“There’s only so much you can control in those situations.”

But Atlanta is in the rear-view mirror, and the team’s focus is on the upcoming race on the 2.45-mile, seven-turn road course in upstate New York.

“We will try to rebound this week with our Freightliner Mustang at Watkins Glen,” Bullins said.

“We will do our best to score some much-needed Stage points and get back above the cutline before the cutoff race at Bristol.”

Practice for the Go Bowling at the Glen is set for Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time to be followed by qualifying at 1 p.m.

Sunday’s 90-lap, 220.5-mile race is expected to get the green flag just after 3 p.m. Stage breaks are planned for Laps 20 and 40.

USA Network will carry the TV coverage all weekend.

Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn 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. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.

NHRA AT READING: Team Chevy Race Advance | Notes & Quotes

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Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2024 PEP BOYS NHRA NATIONALS
MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY
READING, PENNSYLVANIA
TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE | NOTES & STATS
SEPT. 13-15, 2024

CHEVROLET AND JOHN FORCE RACING KICK OFF THE COUNTDOWN READY TO MARCH TOWARD TITLES IN BOTH FUNNY CAR AND TOP FUEL

Notes:

  • Team Chevy kicks off the Countdown to the Championship with John Force Racing this weekend at Maple Grove Raceway Sept. 13-15, for the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in Reading, Penn.
  • Austin Prock, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, currently leads the championship points standing after a stellar season so far with five wins to date in 2024, including the U.S. Nationals. Additionally, he’s captured 10 No. 1 qualifiers this year, giving him a career total of nine victories and 13 No. 1 qualifiers.
  • Jack Beckman, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car and racing on behalf of sidelined team owner and driver John Force, joins Prock in fighting for a Funny Car World Championship and currently sits sixth, 76 points back from Prock in first.
  • Securing her spot in the Countdown to the Championship while competing at Indianapolis, Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, is looking to Reading coming off of a strong effort at U.S. Nationals that saw her capture her second No. 1 qualifier of 2024 and 48th of her career. She currently sits ninth in the championship standings 93 points behind first.
  • Additionally competing at Reading this weekend, Dallas Glenn leads Greg Anderson in the Pro Stock championship standings, 25 points separating the two.
  • Competing this weekend in addition to Pro Stock, the Chevrolet COPO Camaro drivers of the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown also race this weekend at Maple Grove Raceway. For FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown, Reading is the penultimate event of their 2024 season, as they inch closer to closing out their year and crowning a champion. Chevrolet COPO Camaros sits in first and third respectively. David Janac leads over second by 22 points, with Stephen Bell behind Janac in third with 48 points between the two.

Quotes:

AUSTIN PROCK, DRIVER OF THE CORNWELL TOOLS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

“(I’m) excited to get back to the track. We’ve been hard at it in the race shop preparing for the Countdown to the Championship. It’s been a great year so far, and we are looking to keep it up for this 6-race dash. Our Chevrolet Camaro has been hot all year long and definitely feels good rolling into the playoffs off a win. Our attention is ahead, one moment at a time.”

JACK BECKMAN, DRIVER OF THE PEAK ANTIFREEZE AND COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

“Now that I’ve ‘knocked the rust off’ with a quarter-final and then a semi-final finish at my first two races, it’s time for the Countdown to the Championship! With back-to-back-to-back events, I look forward to getting even more comfortable and climbing further up in the standings in our PEAK Chevy. We now are less than four rounds out of first place, with a car and a team that are capable of winning EVERY race. I can’t wait to get my first win for John [Force] soon!”

BRITTANY FORCE, DRIVER OF THE MONSTER ENERGY CHEVROLET TOP FUEL DRAGSTER:

“I’m thrilled to be heading into the first race of The Countdown in Reading this weekend. We enter in the number nine position and our competition is the toughest I’ve experience in my career. I’m proud of our Monster Energy team’s fight to clinch our position in Indy. We’ve made major progress throughout our season and one of our best races of the year was this past weekend at the US Nationals. The great thing about The Countdown is everyone’s points reset; so starting at Maple Grove every driver has an opportunity at chasing the championship. I feel confident coming into a racetrack where we’ve previously won and set the national ET record (3.623 seconds), but we have no room for mistakes. The plan is to continue qualifying in the top spot and go rounds on race day.”

How to Watch:

The Pep Boys NHRA Nationals from Maple Grove Raceway airs first with qualifying on Friday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Sunday sees Saturday’s qualifying air at 12:30 p.m. ET on FS1, with Finals following at 2 p.m. ET on FOX. Coverage streams live throughout the weekend on NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS:

1,463: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time). (Three round wins have been captured by Jack Beckman in Brainerd and Indianapolis while racing on behalf of Force who is currently recovering from an on-track incident).

626: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 632.

167: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time).

166: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967.

84: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time). Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) is fifth with 88.

86: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro SS body.

48: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force.

28: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. This is the seventh-consecutive award and ninth in 11 seasons. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.

26: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car.

20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA.

16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force.

7: Number of Funny Car driver championships.

2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships.

Austin Prock, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car – Countdown to the Championship Media Availability Transcript:

(Moderator) Brian Lohnes of NHRA: What does a good U.S. Nationals mean for a team entering the countdown as the number one seed?

Austin Prock: Well, I think any race weekend you go into coming off of a win gives you a little bit more, you know, a little bit of pep into your step. But yeah, winning the U.S. Nationals, that was pretty special for me and my family. And we’re excited for the countdown. Nothing matters that we’ve done to, you know, this point. Everything restarts. And we’ve got to go into these next six races and just do the same job we’ve been doing. Our lead got tightened up quite a bit. And we just got to go and execute and really perform better than we have all year long.

Moderator Lohnes: How personal was your performance on race day at Indy for you, like, to just put that thing behind you? I know good race car drivers don’t linger on things that happened in the past, but how important was it for you to really kind of drive it down to a pro on Monday at Indy?

Austin Prock: It was exactly what I wanted to do. You know, I wanted to go out there and prove to myself that, I can take a hit and bounce right back up from it.

I said during the week of the U.S. Nationals after we won, that was the best driving performance I’ve probably had in my career. You know, from doing the burnout perfectly straight, to staging, to leaving the starting line, to keeping the thing in the groove run for run; I was on the money. That felt really good. And, you know, that’s kind of the performance I expect out of myself, and that’s what I want to have these next six races. That’s what it’s going to take to win this championship.

Phil Burgess, National Dragster: So, Austin, you’ve been in the countdown before, obviously in Top Fuel, first year in Funny Car, and obviously your first year leading the points. Can you talk about the attitude you have when you come in the countdown and you’re not the top seed and you’ve got ground to make up versus being in the front and not necessarily protecting the lead, but maybe racing differently?

Austin Prock: Well, I don’t think we’ll race any different. You know, you’ve got to block that out. But I was actually talking to Chris Cunningham [former crew chief and current co-crew chief for Jack Beckman] this afternoon at the shop, and I was like, “ ..I’ve always said this countdown format, it’s the same for everyone. But I always come in at the lower end of the stick, you know, and I always believed that it was the same for everyone. Well, coming in this year, when you have a 348 point lead or whatever it was, and, you know, you get it taken away all the way down to essentially less than one round because you can’t even count 40 points as two rounds anymore because there’s points and a half in Pomona. I was like, it’s really not the same for everyone. I feel like it’s the same for everyone if you’re like fifth or sixth down, you know, then it kind of like tightens everything back up.

Joe Costello, WFO Radio: We are looking at one of the best battles that maybe we will ever see in Funny Car, or maybe not, if you’re able to dominate the playoffs the way you were the regular season. So, I’d like to hear you talk a little bit about the competition, if you would.

Austin Prock: Yeah, I think the biggest threat is my teammate, Jack Beckman in that PEAK race car, that PEAK Chevrolet, that thing, that thing’s wicked. On Sunday [in Indianapolis], we were going blow for blow for low E.T. each round and they nicked us a few times. And I don’t know if you guys saw on Sunday, Jack was mowing the tree down. I think he was 62 and 64 or 67 first and second round.

That car is going to be tough, you know, so I hope it’s a battle to the finish between the two of us. That would be really special for John Force Racing and great for John Force and great for Jack Beckman and that whole team—Danny Hood and Chris Cunningham.

They worked really hard on that race car all year and, you know, kind of got thrown for a loop and had to sit out a few races. And when they came back, they were swinging for the fence and the thing was sticking. So that’s definitely exciting to see from a team standpoint.

But there’s a lot of good race cars out there. I mean, Bob Tasca, he can rip and he can drive really well, too. So you’ve got him. You can never count out (Ron) Capps. You can never count out Hagan. You know, Hagan, I feel like a lot of people have been sleeping on him a little bit this year and you can’t count him out. I mean, he’s a four-time champion.

He’s an excellent driver and Dickie is, he’s one bad dude. So I think everybody’s in for a treat, this countdown to the championship. The conditions are going to, you know, cool off and the air is going to come to everyone and it just promotes better racing. You know, when we get in these conditions where the racetrack’s really good and the air is really good, the field just really tightens up. So it’s going to be hard to say who’s going to be your toughest opponent, but I know these two Chevrolet Camaro SS’s at John Force Racing are going to be stout.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. 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.

Understanding How Adhesion Works in Stickers: The Science Behind Custom Stickers

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SM
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Photo by Olivier26 at https://depositphotos.com/

Stickers are a simple yet powerful tool for communication, branding, and creativity. Whether it’s for decoration, marketing, or expressing personal style, stickers serve many purposes in our everyday lives. But what makes stickers so versatile and effective at sticking to different surfaces? The secret lies in the science of adhesion, and understanding how adhesion works is crucial for ensuring the success of custom stickers in any application.

In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of adhesion, how it applies to stickers, and why it is important to consider adhesive properties when designing custom stickers. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how stickers stick and how to choose the right type for your needs.

What is Adhesion?

Adhesion is the process that allows two surfaces to bond together at a molecular level. In the case of stickers, adhesion refers to the force that binds the adhesive layer of the sticker to a surface. Adhesion is influenced by several factors, including the type of adhesive used, the surface texture, and the environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.

The strength of adhesion can vary depending on the materials involved. For example, some stickers are designed for temporary use, meaning they have weaker adhesive properties that allow for easy removal. Other stickers may have stronger adhesives that create a permanent bond, making them ideal for long-term applications.

Understanding the science of adhesion helps in choosing the right custom stickers for different surfaces and ensuring they stay in place for as long as needed.

The Components of a Sticker: How Adhesion Happens

Before diving into how adhesion works, it’s important to understand the basic components of a sticker:

  1. Face Material: This is the layer on the top of the sticker that displays the design or text. The face material can be paper, vinyl, or another flexible material.
  2. Adhesive: The adhesive is the sticky part of the sticker that binds it to the surface. It’s applied to the back of the face material and is the key factor in determining how well the sticker adheres to different surfaces.
  3. Release Liner: This is the backing material that protects the adhesive before use. The release liner is peeled away when the sticker is ready to be applied.

Now that we have a basic understanding of a sticker’s structure, let’s look at how adhesion actually works.

How Adhesion Works: The Science Behind the Stick

When a sticker is applied to a surface, the adhesive comes into contact with the surface at a microscopic level. The adhesive’s molecules interact with the molecules of the surface, forming a bond through two primary mechanisms: mechanical adhesion and chemical adhesion.

1. Mechanical Adhesion

Mechanical adhesion occurs when the adhesive flows into the tiny crevices and pores on the surface of a material. This interlocking effect helps the sticker grip the surface more effectively. The rougher the surface, the more opportunity there is for mechanical adhesion to take place. This is why stickers tend to adhere more strongly to rough surfaces like textured walls or unfinished wood than smooth surfaces like glass or polished metal.

Custom stickers designed for rough or uneven surfaces often rely heavily on mechanical adhesion to ensure they stick properly. For example, stickers applied to outdoor equipment or vehicles need to have an adhesive that can grip onto the irregularities of these surfaces.

2. Chemical Adhesion

Chemical adhesion occurs when the adhesive forms molecular bonds with the surface through electrostatic forces, van der Waals forces, or hydrogen bonding. This type of adhesion is influenced by the chemical properties of both the adhesive and the surface. For instance, certain adhesives are better suited for bonding to non-porous surfaces like glass or plastic because they can create strong molecular connections.

Many custom stickers, especially those used for long-term branding or signage, are engineered to have adhesives that create a strong chemical bond with smooth surfaces. This ensures the stickers stay in place even under challenging conditions, such as exposure to moisture or temperature fluctuations.

Types of Adhesives Used in Custom Stickers

Not all adhesives are created equal, and the type of adhesive used plays a crucial role in how well a sticker performs. Here are some common adhesive types found in custom stickers:

1. Permanent Adhesive

Permanent adhesives are designed for long-term applications where the sticker is meant to stay in place for an extended period. These adhesives form strong bonds with the surface and are difficult to remove without damaging the sticker or the surface itself.

Custom stickers with permanent adhesive are ideal for things like product labels, outdoor signage, and bumper stickers. They’re built to last through tough environmental conditions, such as rain, sun exposure, and temperature changes.

2. Removable Adhesive

Removable adhesives are engineered to provide a secure bond, but they can be peeled off easily without leaving a residue or damaging the surface. These are perfect for temporary uses, such as promotional stickers, window decals, or wall art, where the user may want to remove or reposition the sticker later.

Removable adhesives are particularly popular in custom stickers for events or temporary marketing campaigns, where branding can be displayed for a set period and then removed cleanly.

3. Repositionable Adhesive

Repositionable adhesives allow the sticker to be applied and removed multiple times without losing its adhesive properties. These are often used for reusable custom stickers that need to be repositioned frequently, such as in display setups or children’s sticker books.

4. Static Cling

Static cling stickers do not use adhesive at all. Instead, they rely on static electricity to stick to surfaces like glass or plastic. These are commonly used for temporary window decals, as they can be applied and removed easily without any sticky residue. However, static cling stickers only work well on very smooth surfaces.

Factors That Influence Sticker Adhesion

While the type of adhesive is a major factor in how well a sticker adheres to a surface, several other factors can affect adhesion:

1. Surface Texture

The surface texture plays a huge role in determining how well a sticker will stick. Smooth, non-porous surfaces like glass, metal, and plastic allow for better contact between the adhesive and the surface, enhancing chemical adhesion. Rough or uneven surfaces provide more opportunities for mechanical adhesion but may require stronger adhesives.

2. Surface Cleanliness

Dirt, dust, and oils can interfere with the adhesive’s ability to bond with the surface. For the best results, surfaces should be clean and dry before applying a sticker. Custom stickers designed for outdoor use often come with stronger adhesives to account for the natural buildup of dust or debris on surfaces.

3. Temperature and Humidity

Extreme temperatures and humidity levels can weaken adhesion. High heat can cause adhesives to soften and lose their stickiness, while cold temperatures can make them brittle. Humidity can also impact how well a sticker adheres, especially if moisture gets trapped between the adhesive and the surface.

For custom stickers intended for outdoor or industrial applications, it’s important to choose an adhesive that can withstand these environmental factors.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Sticker Adhesive

When designing custom stickers, selecting the right adhesive is essential to ensure that the stickers meet your specific needs. Whether the stickers are for promotional purposes, branding, or personal use, the type of adhesive will determine how well they perform and how long they last.

For example:

  • Permanent adhesives are great for long-term applications like product labeling or vehicle decals.
  • Removable adhesives work well for temporary campaigns or event branding where the sticker will need to be removed cleanly.
  • Repositionable adhesives are ideal for situations where the sticker might need to be moved multiple times without losing stickiness.

By understanding the different types of adhesives and how they work, you can choose custom stickers that suit your specific project or application, ensuring they stick securely and effectively.

Conclusion

The science of adhesion plays a key role in how custom stickers function. From mechanical adhesion that grips rough surfaces to chemical adhesion that bonds at a molecular level, understanding how stickers adhere to different surfaces is essential when designing and choosing custom stickers. By selecting the right type of adhesive and considering environmental factors, you can ensure that your stickers perform as needed, whether for temporary use or long-term applications.

Firestone To Continue as NTT INDYCAR SERIES Exclusive Tire Supplier through Long-Term Extension

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Official Release
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  • Bridgestone announces its Firestone brand will remain the sole tire supplier for all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, including the Indianapolis 500.
  • Firestone will also continue as the entitlement partner and official tire supplier for INDY NXT by Firestone, as well as an official partner of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
  • The agreement reinforces collaboration between Bridgestone and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to help advance developments toward sustainable racing innovation.

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024) – Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) and Penske Entertainment today announced a long-term extension to Firestone’s role as the exclusive tire supplier of all INDYCAR-sanctioned racing. The agreement will keep Firestone as the sole tire supplier for all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, the INDY NXT by Firestone developmental series, and the annual Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

Firestone is currently in its 25th consecutive season as the exclusive tire supplier for the series. The extension reinforces Bridgestone’s ongoing commitment to driving innovation through motorsports. The Firestone brand continues its rich history in open-wheel racing, dating back more than a century.

“At Bridgestone, motorsports are our passion – always have been and always will be. This is particularly true for our Firestone brand, which has been part of world-class racing since winning the first Indy 500 in 1911,” said Paolo Ferrari, executive chairman and CEO, Bridgestone Americas. “We believe motorsports are the ultimate challenge for premium performance and a proving ground for advancing in our goals toward sustainable innovation. Our relationship with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES has been a critical part of these efforts, and we are proud to keep driving forward together.”

Through the Firestone brand, Bridgestone has worked closely with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and partners across the paddock to help advance developments in more sustainable racing. Bridgestone incorporated certain materials made from hard-to-recycle plastics and palm oil waste residue in Indy 500 race tires in 2023 and 2024. The company has also used guayule-derived natural rubber in the sidewall of alternate race tires the past two seasons.

Bridgestone’s motorsports initiatives are aligned with the company’s long-term sustainability goals. They also demonstrate alignment with INDYCAR’s efforts to work toward making the sport more sustainable.

“Our relationship with the team at Bridgestone continues to set an industry standard for success and innovation,” said Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Corporation. “Firestone has been a foundational partner for our sport, from the very first Indy 500 to now, playing an integral role in the development of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and its highly competitive racing. We’re extremely proud to carry this long-term partnership forward into a very exciting and productive future together.”

The long-term extension includes Firestone’s role as presenting sponsor and sole tire supplier of the top-tier development series, INDY NXT by Firestone. The brand signed as presenting sponsor of INDY NXT in 2023 to help the sport develop the next generation of racing talent and engage new audiences. The agreement also renews Firestone’s status as official partner and tire supplier of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the largest spectator sporting facility on the planet.

The announcement reinforces Bridgestone’s investment and commitment to its workforce in Northeast Ohio. All Firestone Firehawk race tires are designed and manufactured at the Bridgestone Advanced Tire Production Center (ATPC) in Akron. The facility opened in 2022 across the street from the Bridgestone Americas Technology Center (ATC). This proximity allows the Firestone Race Tire Engineering team to work side-by-side with other tire engineers to transfer insights from racing into other innovation workstreams.

In addition to providing tire technology and on-track support, Firestone will continue its role as a key partner in the marketing and promotion of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone. The brand’s comprehensive, season-long activation features fan engagement, sponsorships and signage at multiple venues. It also includes robust social and digital media programs, traditional media and hospitality.

Bridgestone motorsports activities are leveraged globally as co-creation platforms to help deliver the values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment. This corporate commitment outlines eight areas where the company is focused on contributing to a more sustainable world. The ongoing relationship with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES supports the values of emotion, energy, ecology and empowerment.

For more company news, visit BridgestoneAmericas.com.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Bridgestone Americas employs more than 50,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.

About INDYCAR:

INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and its developmental series, INDY NXT by Firestone. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers – including two-time and reigning series champion Alex Palou, two-time series champion Will Power, six-time series champion Scott Dixon and two-time series champion and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden – who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2024 season consists of 17 races in the United States and Canada and is highlighted by the historic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com. For more information on INDY NXT by Firestone, please visit www.indynxt.com.

FORD PERFORMANCE NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF NHRA NATIONALS IN LAS VEGAS

By
Official Release
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Annual race at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is the fifth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 12, 2024) – NHRA officials announced today that Ford Performance has been named the title sponsor of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series fall race in Las Vegas.

The 24th annual Ford Performance NHRA Nationals, which takes place Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, serves as the penultimate event of the 20-race 2024 season and also the fifth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, meaning plenty will be on the line in Las Vegas.

For nearly 25 years, the fall race in Las Vegas has provided spectacular action and an incredible atmosphere as the championship picture comes into view. Fans can expect more of the same at the impressive facility in 2024 as all the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will head to the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals with big goals and big performances on their minds.

“We appreciate going to Las Vegas Motor Speedway and are excited about the opportunity to partner with them and NHRA on this event,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “We know that drag racing fans from all over the country travel to Las Vegas for this weekend, and there’s no doubt they’re going to get their money’s worth. It’s going to be a great show as always.”

“Ford Performance has been a mainstay in all forms of motorsports for decades,” LVMS President Chris Powell said. “The name and the ubiquitous blue-oval Ford logo have become synonymous in drag racing, backing some of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history. We’re thrilled to welcome Ford Performance as a first-time partner in our November NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship playoff event.”

Ford Performance is also a partner for Funny Car standout Bob Tasca III, who will look to be in the championship hunt for a second consecutive year. Tasca, who won recently in in Sonoma, has three wins this season in his 11,000-horsepower Ford Mustang, including at the spring race in Las Vegas, and is currently second in points entering the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Mike Salinas (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) each won the fall race in Las Vegas last year. This season’s race will be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations on Sunday, Nov. 3.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ford Performance as the title sponsor of the NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “This is such an important race on our schedule and all eyes will certainly be on Las Vegas this fall, and it’s exciting to have a partner like Ford Performance on board for this huge event.”

Enders has dominated The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway over the years, as her 10 wins at the fan-favorite facility are the most in NHRA history. Tony Schumacher’s eight wins are the most in Top Fuel, while Ron Capps’ six victories in Funny Car is tied for the most at the track with John Force and Hight. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Hector Arana Jr. leads active riders with three victories, including a win in 2022.

The Ford Performance NHRA Nationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which includes some of the sport’s top drivers, and the Summit Racing Series ET Finals, where national champions will be crowned. The event also serves as the season-finale in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock.

To purchase tickets to the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, call 800-644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com. For more info about Ford Performance, visit https://performance.ford.com/.

About Ford Performance

Ford Performance is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, SRO British GT, FIA World Rally Championship, Supercars Championship, World of Outlaws, Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally, Thailand Super Series and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with RedBull Ford Powertrains. Ford Performance also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit Performance.Ford.com or follow @FordPerformance on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Chase Elliott says America’s Night Race is a cool, fun event, and in his opinion one of NASCAR’s crown jewels

By
Official Release
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Chase Elliott won the prestigious NASCAR All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2020, but has yet to win a Cup Series points-paying race at the iconic short track.

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Sept. 12, 2024) – Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s six-time most popular driver as voted by the fans, and as a second-generation driver who has been around the sport for his entire life, didn’t hesitate one second when asked the probing question.

Is the Bass Pro Shops Night race one of NASCAR’s crown jewels?

It’s a hot topic of late among media and fans, who say Charlotte’s Coca-Cola 600, Darlington’s Southern 500, the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 are all among the sport’s majors. America’s Night Race at Bristol, with tremendous crowds, TV ratings, amazing hype, an electric vibe and historic finishes, has been bounced around in the crown jewel conversation and for many, including most of Elliott’s peers in the Cup Series, they agree that NASCAR has five majors, and Bristol’s Night Race is one of them.

“I think it is,” Elliott said. “I’ve always thought that is one of, if not the coolest race of the year… We don’t get a lot of places that give you that type of energy, so it’s fun to do that once a year. And that’s part of the reason why it’s special.”

Elliott will return to Bristol on Saturday, Sept. 21 for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race with a huge fan-following behind him as he will be one of the 16 championship contenders battling in the cut-off race during NASCAR’s Round of 16 Playoffs. Once the checkered flag falls, there will only be 12 championship contenders remaining. Four drivers will be eliminated from the Playoffs.

Elliott has run very well at the unique .533-mile short track in his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy over the years. In 2020 he won the prestigious NASCAR All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the only time the showcase event has been contested on the storied high banked oval.

“It was cool,” Elliott said. “A great night, for sure. Everything kind of went our way, and we’ll see what happens when we go back in a few weeks.”

While that All-Star Race was special, Elliott says Bristol is also a fun venue to hold a round of the Playoffs. Even an elimination round like the one coming up.

“I think Bristol is a good fit, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Bristol [stay] in the playoffs,” Elliott said. “I think it fits being one of our tough racetracks and prestigious events that should be in the final 10.”

Elliott’s victory at Texas Motor Speedway in April punched his Playoff ticket this year. He’s had a steady year so far with seven top-fives and 12 top-10s, but like all of his competitors he wants more victories. He says his team is in a good frame of mind for the Playoffs and championship run.

“It’s about finding a feel,” Elliott said. “We’re gaining on it and getting to a position to capitalize on good opportunities. I like where we are. I would like to peak at the right time; these last 10 are fun and exciting. These last 10 are my favorite time of the year because something is on the line a little more than the rest.”

A full-feature story about Elliott’s quest to earn his first career points victory at Bristol Motor Speedway and advance in the Playoffs written by award-winning NASCAR journalist Kelly Crandall will be included in the souvenir program for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race. The program, in Playbill format, will be available to fans in both print and digital versions. The limited print edition will only be available at the track in multiple locations throughout the stadium concourses, including entry gates, ticket stands and guest service locations. The digital version can be viewed or downloaded via the BMS website or BMS social media channels.

America’s Night Race weekend kicks off Thursday, Sept. 19 with Ben Rhodes and defending winner Corey Heim battling for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory in the UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics (8 p.m., FS1, MRN Radio). The rising stars in the ARCA Menards Series, including rising stars William Sawalich and Connor Zilisch and former IndyCar racer Marco Andretti, also will take on the challenging half-mile bullring in the Bush’s Beans 200 as part of a titan Thursday night doubleheader (5 p.m., FS1, MRN Radio).

On Friday, Sparks are sure to fly in the Food City 300, as NASCAR Xfinity Series favorites Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill, Cole Custer, Sheldon Creed and Riley Herbst will be fighting hard alongside Earnhardt Jr. in the Xfinity Series regular season finale (Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m., The CW, PRN Radio).

Finally, the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will join Elliott as they take to the track on Saturday for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race (Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m., USA Network, PRN Radio), you’ll get to see all of your favorite drivers like Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick to name a few, racing hard in the Round of 16 to advance in the first elimination race of the Playoffs.

To purchase tickets, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com or call the BMS Ticket Sales Center at (866) 415-4158. Fans can also purchase tickets at any Food City location through Sept. 13.

About Bristol Motor Speedway
Forged amid the scenic mountains of Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia state line, Bristol Motor Speedway is The Last Great Colosseum, a versatile multi-use venue that hosts major auto races, football games, concerts and many other captivating events, including an upcoming Major League Baseball game. The facility features a 0.533-mile concrete oval race track with 28-degree corner banking and 650-feet straightaways that offers racing in several NASCAR touring series, highlighted by two major Cup Series weekends each year. In 2025, the venue will transform into a baseball stadium to host the MLB Speedway Classic featuring the Atlanta Braves vs. the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 2nd. In 2020, the track also served as host of the prestigious NASCAR All-Star Race, and from 2021-2023 the track converted to a temporary dirt track each spring to take the Cup Series back to its racing roots. While at the track, fans are offered a unique viewing experience courtesy of Colossus TV, the world’s largest outdoor center-hung four-sided video screen with a 540,000-watt audio system. The adjacent quarter-mile dragstrip, Bristol Dragway, offers more than 50 events annually, including the marquee NHRA Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals. The Thunder Valley Amphitheatre presented by Ballad Health transforms Bristol Dragway into a premier outdoor concert venue for the world’s greatest music performers. Three football games have kicked-off inside the oval, most notably the 2016 Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol, where border rivals the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech met before an NCAA-record crowd of 156,990. In existence since 1961, Bristol Motor Speedway was purchased in 1996 by Speedway Motorsports, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.

CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT NASHVILLE: Team Chevy Race Advance

By
Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX
NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY
LEBANON, TENNESSEE
TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE
SEPT. 13-15, 2024

CHEVROLET READY FOR THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES SEASON FINALE AT THE RETURN OF NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY

Team Chevy Enters the Weekend with Ninth Series’ Manufacturer Title Secured; Team Penske’s Will Power Looks to Fight for Career Third NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship

  • Racing into Nashville Superspeedway this weekend for the final race of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, Chevrolet has clinched their ninth manufacturers’ title since 2012 in the 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 era, the third consecutive title for the Bowtie brand.
  • Team Penske and Chevrolet-powered driver Will Power enters the season finale second in the standings, by 33 points, and has the potential to capture a third championship adding to his 2014 and 2022 top honors.
  • Chevrolet heads into the season finale looking to add to 11 wins so far this year, including the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500, as well as eight NTT P1 Pole Awards, 28 podium finishes, and three swept podiums.
  • Returning to the 1.33-mile D-shaped oval at Nashville Superspeedway for the first time since 2008, the 14-degree banked Middle Tennessee track will provide ample challenge to competitors for the 206-lap, 267.8-mile Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.
  • Overall, Team Chevy has amassed 122 wins and 135 earned NTT P1 Pole Awards in the V6 era since 2012, in addition to seven wins and five earned poles in eight races with hybrid technology.

DETROIT (September 12, 2024) – Closing out the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, Chevrolet races to Nashville Superspeedway this weekend already securing their ninth Series’ Manufacturers title in the 2.2-liter twin turbo V6 era since 2012. Over that time, Team Chevy has captured 122 win and 135 earned NTT P1 Pole Awards, 11 of those victories and eight poles coming this year, including the prestigious 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500.

The 1.33-mile D-shaped oval will provide a challenge for competitors in the season-finale event, featuring a high-intensity 14 degrees of banking and many in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field seeing the track for the first time in their careers. While a few are returning since the last event in 2008, including championship contender Will Power, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet, a new challenge awaits the drivers that includes a softer, alternate Firestone Firehawk tire in addition to the harder, black primary option.

“Looking forward to returning to Nashville, and hoping we’ll have a good shot at the championship,” said Power. “I really liked the test, really liked the track. It has a consistent banking, so the car is quite predictable through the corner. I just hope we can open a second lane, and we’re fighting for a championship. Nashville, we’ve had a taste of it. Have some ideas on what will do for car changes and to improve. The No. 2 Team Penske Chevy was pretty good (in the test). The car was reasonable. I felt like (Scott) Dixon was very strong which means the Ganassi cars will be very good there. It put more emphasis on Milwaukee, and ultimately seeing how this plays out.”

Over the season, Chevrolet has captured 11 victories including the prestigious 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 with one race remaining, totaling 122 wins so far in the V6 era since 2012, in addition to eight earned NTT P1 Pole Awards in 2024 that totals 135 earned top starting positions in the V6 era. Chevrolet additionally raced to three podium sweeps in 2024 at Road America, Iowa 1, and Milwaukee 1.

“Heading to Nashville this weekend, we’ve achieved our goal of capturing the manufacturers championship, winning the Indianapolis 500 and we’re prepared to give Will and Team Penske all the support we can to give him a solid opportunity to capture the driver’s title,” said Chevrolet INDYCAR Program Manager Rob Buckner. “We’re looking forward to the event and working with our teams to cap the season with another successful weekend. It’s sure to be an exciting race. I am very proud of the hard work and dedication by our Chevrolet engineers, drivers, and teams this year.”

The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix race weekend kicks off the two-day show with a stacked Saturday, including the first practice at 11 a.m. ET, followed by qualifications at 2:15 p.m. ET. High-line practice and final practice wrap on Saturday from 5:15 p.m. ET to 7 p.m. ET. Sunday’s season-finale 206-lap, 267.8-mile Music City Grand Prix from Nashville Superspeedway takes the green flag live on NBC at 3 p.m. ET. All practice and qualifying sessions are broadcast with Peacock, INDYCAR Radio, and SiriusXM Channel 218.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (Quotes):

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

“I feel like turn one of Phoenix is very similar to Nashville, but it’s gonna be weird being on a concrete track for us, as well as a series. So, I am excited about that. It can be more abrasive on the tires. Should have less grip. We’re also going with the kind of like a road course package instead of the speedway wings which I found quite interesting. It’s the same package as Iowa. A little different from Gateway and Milwaukee where we ran the full road course package. At Nashville we won’t run the upper element on the rear wing so it’s a little less downforce than what we had at Milwaukee or Gateway. Obviously, having as many top 10s as we’ve had, plus now a pair of top five has been huge. You know, the car has been really, really good this year to drive and so has the team as a whole. We really just stepped it up, everything from engineering to mechanics, even myself. You know, we’ve all kind of taken a massive step forward.”

Sting Ray Robb, No. 41 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

“I did a little bit of at home simulator using iRacing (in preparing for Nashville). Other than that, the experience is very limited. There are some trends and nuances that you can learn from this but it only gets you to about 90%. The last 10% (always the hardest to find) has to be done at the track; we are trying our best ahead of time to shorten the learning curve once we arrive in person. The closest experience I have is running at Texas Motor Speedway in 2023. The pressure is the same as it has been every other race. Our goal remains the same, and the preparation does not change. Our job is the same as it has been, it just so happens that it is the last one on the schedule. Trusting my instincts. It’s easy to overthink details sometimes but keeping it simple and trusting my experience and the team around me has gotten us a lot further at times than digging too deep in search for answers that sometimes reveal themselves.”

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

It’ll be my first time racing at Nashville Superspeedway at this weekend’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. I’m looking forward to closing out the season the right way. It’s been a rollercoaster, but we’ve had some great moments, so hopefully, we can create another one in Nashville.”

Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“I’m excited to get going this weekend at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. We had a lot of speed and potential in Milwaukee, and I think we’ll be in a similar spot at the Nashville Superspeedway. I’m looking forward to putting it all together and producing a strong result in the season finale.”

Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“It’s pretty crazy to think that this is the final race of the year. I feel like the season just started, but here we are. This will be the end of my journey in papaya, but I can’t wait to end the season on a high note here in Nashville. It’s going to be a new venue for all of us, but I think we have an opportunity to have a great weekend.”

Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

“The finale is here as we head down to Nashville for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. We’re excited for what we expect to be some great racing on this short oval, but also for all of the partner activation we’ll have this weekend, both on Broadway and at Nashville Superspeedway. Not wanting to blow our own trumpet, but our oval cars have been fast this year, so we’re looking to close the season out on a high note.”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“I am looking forward to racing at Nashville Superspeedway! It will be an interesting weekend with the majority of the grid having never been there. We’re going in with a tight points battle for Leaders Circle positions, so we’re fully focused on finishing the season off strong.”

Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“I am very excited for one more NTT INDYCAR SERIES race this year! It has been a crazy season and will end with a crazy last race with neither Christian (Rasmussen) or I ever having turned a lap at Nashville Superspeedway. It will be interesting, we have a bit of practice but we’ll be figuring it out on the fly! We’ve progressed so much through the season and earned a lot of Top 10s in the second half. I am looking forward to adding to that, getting some good points and hopefully moving up a few positions in the standings!”

Will Power, No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“Looking forward to returning to Nashville, and hoping we’ll have a good shot at the championship. I really liked the test, really liked the track. It has a consistent banking, so the car is quite predictable through the corner. I just hope we can open a second lane, and we’re fighting for a championship. Nashville, we’ve had a taste of it. Have some ideas on what will do for car changes and to improve. The No. 2 Team Penske Chevy was pretty good (in the test). The car was reasonable. I felt like (Scott) Dixon was very strong which means the Ganassi cars will be very good there. It put more emphasis on Milwaukee, and ultimately seeing how this plays out.”

Chevrolet at Nashville (V6 era since 2012, pre-hybrid):

Wins at Nashville: 0

Earned Pole Awards at Nashville: 0

Number of Team Chevy Podiums at Nashville: 0

Number of laps led by Team Chevy at Nashville (V6 era since 2018, pre-hybrid): 0

Of note: The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is returning to the 1.33-mile D-shaped Nashville Superspeedway for the first time since 2008, and this is the first race with the 2.2-liter twin turbo V6 engine, along with hybrid technology.

2024 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS:

8: NTT INDYCAR SERIES race as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration.

7: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration since mid-2024.

215: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR.

122: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012.

135: Earned poles since 2012. Chevrolet holds 140 pole awards in total, with five recorded based on points for weather.

5: Earned pole in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration.

9: Manufacturer Championships since 2012.

7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012.

13: Indianapolis 500 victories by Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

6: Indianapolis 500 wins by Chevrolet since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era.

35: Number of times Chevrolet has swept the podium in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era. In total, a manufacturer has swept the podium 56 times since 2012.

29: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with the same manufacturer.

9: Wins from the pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver.

46: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.

*Will Power’s career total of 70 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in INDYCAR.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. 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.

Mohawk Northeast Racing: Ryan Preece Watkins Glen Advance

By
Official Release
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RYAN PREECE
Watkins Glen Advance
No. 41 Mohawk Northeast Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: Go Bowling at The Glen (Round 28 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 15
● Location: Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International
● Layout: 2.45-mile, seven-turn road course
● Laps/Miles: 90 laps / 220.5 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 20 laps / Stage 2: 20 laps / Final Stage: 50 laps
● TV/Radio: USA / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● The Go Bowling at The Glen Sunday at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International is the fourth of five road-course races on the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule. Ryan Preece, driver of the No. 41 Mohawk Northeast Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing, finished 23rd in the series’ first road-course race of the year March 24 at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. He then placed 18th in the series’ second road-course stop June 9 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway. In his most recent road-course start on the streets of downtown Chicago for the July 7 Grant Park 165, Preece finished 34th. After Watkins Glen, the final road-course race of the year takes place Oct. 12 on the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval.

● Sunday’s race will mark Preece’s fourth NASCAR Cup Series start at Watkins Glen. Best among his three previous starts was his most recent, a 17th-place drive from the 30th starting position in August 2023. Preece’s first two Cup Series starts at 2.45-mile, seven-turn road course came with JTG Daugherty Racing in 2019 and 2021, which resulted in finishes of 36th and 28th, respectively.

● Preece has made three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Watkins Glen with a best result of fourth from the eighth starting position in August 2018, when he led eight laps driving the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing entry. He followed that up with a 10th-place finish from the eighth starting position in August 2019, driving for JR Motorsports. Preece’s first Xfinity Series outing at The Glen came with JD Motorsports in August 2016, when he started 21st but was relegated to a 27th-place finish by a suspension issue.

● Sunday’s race will mark Preece’s 22nd career Cup Series road-course start. Best among his previous 21 outings was his ninth-place finish from the sixth starting position in the February 2021 race on the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway road course behind the wheel of a JTG Daugherty Racing entry. In addition to his three Xfinity Series starts at The Glen, Preece has three other road-course outings in the series, best of those coming on the Charlotte Roval in September 2018 when he started 10th and finished fourth. Preece’s best career road-course outing was a dominating one in the June 2023 ARCA Menards Series West race at Sonoma, where he drove the No. 9 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford to victory from the pole, leading 50 of 64 laps along the way to crossing the finish line more than 9 seconds ahead of runner-up Sammy Smith. The native of Berlin, Connecticut, made his professional road-course debut in the July 2010 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race on his home track, Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, where he started seventh and finished fourth. It was his only road-course outing in 174 career starts on the Tour, where he won the 2013 championship and finished runner-up in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2015.

● Mohawk Northeast adorns Preece’s No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend at The Glen. A longtime supporter of Preece, Mohawk is one of the premier heavy-civil contractors in the Northeast. The corporation has been providing the highest-quality construction services to a wide variety of clients. Specializing in heavy highway, railroad, movable and fixed bridges and marine construction, Mohawk has completed countless projects within industry safely, on time and within budget. Mohawk can self-perform all phases of construction, including electrical, mechanical, structural steel repair and erection, deep foundations, pier and bulkheads, fabrication and coating (AISC & SSPC Certified) and a wide range of marine services. With an extensive fleet of cranes, barges, offshore tugboats and many other pieces of heavy equipment, Mohawk is a well-established leader in heavy civil construction. Clients include the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, USACE, General Dynamics – Electric Boat, Connecticut DOT, Massachusetts DOT, New York DOT, Metro North Railroad, Amtrak, and various private sector clients.

Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 41 Mohawk Northeast Ford Mustang Dark Horse

How would you describe your evolution as a road-course racer since you began driving stock cars?

“From a road-racing perspective, I’ve always enjoyed it. It’s always been something I like to do and I’ve always had kind of a knack for it when we get to the races. So when I show up to Watkins Glen, or some of these other places like Sonoma where I feel like we have an opportunity to have a good day, I feel pretty optimistic and I think we could be really good. I didn’t run Formula 1, IndyCar or V8 Supercars, but it’s always something I’ve enjoyed because of my short-track background – heavy braking and the downshifting, all those little things you do as a racecar driver. The road-course races are ones I look forward to being aggressive and having good days. I’m ready to have a good day at Watkins Glen. I’ve had some good runs there in the past in the Xfinity Series and would love to pull one off this weekend.”

Watkins Glen is part of the 10-race playoffs for the first time this year. Does that have any bearing on how you approach this weekend’s race compared to previous years there?

“I think you’ve got to be respectful, for sure, but at the same time our team has a job to do. We have nine more races and more opportunities to have respectable and great days, so obviously that’s our focus and what we want to do, and hopefully we can have really, good, quiet days.”

Tire wear seems to be an area of concern among competitors heading into this next series of races on the schedule. What are your expectations on that front this weekend?

“Tire wear is the topic, and in many aspects of racing, that could be a good thing or a bad thing for you. It just depends on how you target and choose to go about the weekend. Obviously, most know, going to Watkins Glen or going to Bristol, your speed has to be relatively respectable, but I think your long run is what’s going to give you a good race. And how you choose to go about that, whether it’s us as a driver trying to take care of what we’ve got, or the setup in the racecar that allows you to not beat on the tire and really help longevity in the long run, I think there is definitely going to be a lot of strategy when it comes to these next few weeks.”

What are the challenges of racing at Watkins Glen, and what is the importance of practice and qualifying there?
“Practice is really key for us. I didn’t necessarily grow up road racing, so it’s really important. Track position is always a topic, right? There are some things that we worked on in the Ford Performance sim to be able to prepare. But for a driver, it’s getting out there and doing it – the visuals and a lot of the braking marks that you tend to get. I mean, when you think about it, how many laps are we really going to get in practice? I think nine, 10 laps, maybe. So, it’s going to be extremely important to get everything we have out of the racecar and qualify really well.”

No. 41 Mohawk Northeast Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Ryan Preece

Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Crew Chief: Chad Johnston

Hometown: Cayuga, Indiana

Car Chief: Jeremy West

Hometown: Gardena, California

Engineer: Marc Hendricksen

Hometown: Clinton, New Jersey

Spotter: Tony Raines

Hometown: LaPorte, Indiana

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Devin Lester

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Rear Tire Changer: Austin Chrismon

Hometown: China Grove, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons

Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Sherman Timbs

Hometown: Indianola, Mississippi

Fuel Man: Dwayne Moore

Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Front End Mechanic: Joe Zanolini

Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Interior Mechanic: Robert Dalby

Hometown: Anaheim, California

Tire Specialist: Matt Ridgeway

Hometown: Carrollton, Georgia

Engine Tuner: Jimmy Fife

Hometown: Orange County, California

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues

Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer

Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

GAIGE HERRERA STRIVES TO MAKE HISTORY AT MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY, DALLAS GLENN LOOKS TO KEEP PRO STOCK POINTS LEAD

By
Official Release
-

READING, Pa. (Sept. 12, 2024) – In only his third season in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Gaige Herrera is just one win away from winning at all the tracks on the Pro Stock Motorcycle circuit. If he would win this weekend at the 39th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway to open the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, he would have race wins at all Pro Stock Motorcycle facilities.

Herrera, the reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion and rider of the RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, has won seven of the nine motorcycle races this season, including most recently at the prestigious Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals.

He currently leads the points heading into the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs and is on a hunt for his second consecutive world title.

“Going up to Reading, that’s the one place I haven’t won yet, so I’m really determined to try to win this weekend,” said Herrera. “We just have to not take anything for granted. Last year, we obviously had the faster motorcycle out there and I think we relaxed a little bit maybe and it bit us in Reading. This year we’re going to go in focused on the main prize and that’s to be consistent each lap and do the best we can to have the best machine possible.”

Last season, Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all claimed wins in their respective categories and this year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1 and FOX, including elimination coverage on FOX on Sunday, Sept. 12 beginning at 2 or 4:30 p.m. ET (based on local listings). It is the first of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Herrera earned 11 wins in 2023, only missing Bristol, Norwalk, Indianapolis and Reading. This year, only Reading remains on his list. The only other two riders to win this season are 2023 Rookie of the Year Chase Van Sant, who won over Herrera in Seattle, and six-time champion Matt Smith, who won in Sonoma and opens the playoffs second in points.

“I feel like the whole class has tightened up,” said Herrera. “Last year was kind of unexpected to the whole class. Not only unexpected from myself, but to the whole class. What Vance & Hines and I were able to accomplish last year made everyone step up as a whole. This year the Countdown is going to be very interesting. (Matt Smith Racing) has a good group of bikes and my teammate Richard Gadson is solid, and Chase Van Sant is in there, too. All the riders and teams have really stepped up their game. The Countdown is going to be fun and I’m really looking forward to it.”

In the Pro Stock ranks, leader Dallas Glenn heads to Maple Grove Raceway with a 25-point lead over Aaron Stanfield in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro. Glenn has picked up three wins this season and is on the hunt for his first NHRA world championship. Stanfield has been hot the second half of the year, picking up four wins this summer, including Indianapolis.

Glenn enters the Countdown as the No. 1 seed for the second year and is determined to do everything he can to stay atop a talent-heavy category.

“It feels good to be No. 1 going into the Countdown for the second year in a row,” said Glenn. “We just want to leave the Countdown the way we entered it. We all know what we need to do. There are technical things we need to improve on, there’s also horsepower but moving forward, any time you are static in this class, you’re going backward. It’s constantly evolving, constantly moving forward.

“So, we know what we need to do. I know there were some mistakes on my part in the Countdown last year. In Reading, I was .001 red first round, which is something you cannot do the first race of the Countdown. I did a good job of driving to get to the final in Charlotte and then in St. Louis, the car was just not really there. We had a couple other races where we just had some small parts failures but that’s racing. We know what needs to be done so we’re going to try to go up there and be as aggressive as possible. Drag racing is a very humbling sport. You can go from hero to zero in a heartbeat.”

Also in the Pro Stock mix is Greg Anderson, with two wins this season, and reigning champion Erica Enders who picked up a win in Gainesville. Defending Pep Boys NHRA Nationals winner Matt Hartford hopes returning to Maple Grove can rejuvenate his season. Others to watch include five-time champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., Epping winner Troy Coughlin Jr., Jerry Tucker and Cristian Cuadra.

In Top Fuel, Kalitta’s Reading win a year ago spurred his run to a world championship. He’ll look to make it two in a row, taking on the likes of Justin Ashley, who opens the playoffs second in points, Shawn Langdon, Steve Torrence, Antron Brown, Brittany Force, Clay Millican and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart.

Funny Car’s Austin Prock has taken over driving duties for Hight and will look to keep rolling in Reading. He has five wins this season, entering the playoffs in the points lead while taking on the likes of Bob Tasca III, reigning champion Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, J.R. Todd and Funny Car veteran Jack Beckman, who is racing for John Force.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock.

Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Maple Grove Raceway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Reading. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 13 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 15. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, as well as at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday and eliminations on FOX at 2 or 4:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) on Sunday.

To purchase tickets to the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, fans can visit www.maplegroveraceway.com. All children 12 and under are admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information on the NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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