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Jett Noland to Compete in Partial Truck Series Schedule in 2021

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Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 16, 2021) – Jett Noland will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut with Niece Motorsports in the second race of the 2021 season at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course.

Noland was slated to race six events with Niece Motorsports in 2020 but opted to wait until 2021, after scheduling changes due to COVID-19.

“I’m very excited to finally get behind the wheel of one of these Niece Motorsports Chevrolets,” said Noland. “I feel like I’ve been training my whole life for this moment and to make my debut at the World Center of Racing is unreal. I’m both honored and humbled by the chance to go out there and compete against some of the best-up-and-coming racers in the world.”

The Florida-native’s schedule will also include races at Richmond Raceway, Circuit of the Americas, Bristol Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, and the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.

“We are looking forward to having Jett join us this season,” said Niece Motorsports General Manager Cody Efaw. “Jett has a lot of road course experience and really cut his teeth short track racing, so the races he’s running will really suit his experience. He will be a great addition to the team.”

Last season, Noland participated in the Trans-Am Series, capturing TA-2 Rookie of the Year honors. In addition, Noland participated in Southern Super Series and Super Late Model events.

Noland, who ran full-time in Super Late Models in 2019, won rookie of the year honors at his home track of New Smyrna Speedway, while finishing in the top-10 in the Southern Super Series season points.

Noland joins a driver lineup including Carson Hocevar, Ryan Truex and Truck Series Champion Brett Moffitt.

The Truck Series will take the green flag at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course on Friday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET, airing live on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Niece Motorsports:

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2021, Niece Motorsports enters its sixth season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Ford Performance NASCAR: Hailie Deegan NASCAR Zoom Media Availability (Full Transcipts)

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Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Media Availability | Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Hailie Deegan, driver of the No. 1 Monster Ford F-150 in the Camping World Truck Series, made her full-season series debut last Friday at Daytona. The 19-year-old Ford Developmental Driver, is back in action this Friday night, again at Daytona, but this time on the road course. Deegan participated in a NASCAR Media Zoom call Tuesday afternoon.

HAILIE DEEGAN, No. 1 Monster Ford F-150: IS THERE SOMEONE THAT HAS REALLY HELPED YOU OUT AS YOU TRANSITION INTO THE TRUCK SERIES?

“One person that I am super thankful for that has been helping me a lot with going over footage with me, coming to every sim session, is David Ragan. He has been crucial for my development. Just the level of experience he has and all the knowledge he has that he has been able to feed to me has been so great.”

HOW WOULD YOU EVALUATE YOUR OPENER ON SUNDAY?

“I think that going out there I kind of had a lot of goals as in just being smooth, not being the driver that is a little out of control and bouncing on and off the line. I think with my spotter, TJ, in my ear the whole time and coaching me through it. I feel like we ran a pretty good race until our little incident.”

WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO SOCIAL MEDIA GOING FORWARD?

“I love social media and I love showing people the behind the scenes of my life. Everything that goes into my career — I just started a YouTube channel and am doing a lot of videos on there both racing and personal life — I enjoy it so much and I think that is something a lot of drivers lack, showing everything that goes into it. I am trying to be that driver that shows everything that it takes to be a race car driver.”

IS THE PLAN FOR TJ TO BE YOUR SPOTTER ALL YEAR?

“Yes, all year.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCRETE THINGS YOU ARE TRYING TO LEARN FOR THIS YEAR? GOALS OVERALL?

“That is something that I had a long conversation with my crew chief, Mike, about. Making our goals for the whole year and making them not goals like going out there and getting a top-five, not goals like that. Actual, real goals like learning stuff about the trucks. Learning how the mechanics work. Building a relationship with my crew guys, earning the respect of the other drivers, things like that.”

WHO MANAGES THE BUSINESS SIDE OF YOUR RACING?

“When it comes to the business side, I am heavily involved in it and also my manager Bob (Walker). We have grown up together ever since I was little. He is friends with my dad from Nebraska and he managed my dad his whole career. Ever since I was little he managed my small deals and as they got bigger and bigger I noticed that he was really the person that I trusted with my career in his hands. Me and Bob have worked together a long time.”

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE BUSINESS SIDE? HOW TOUGH IS THAT?

“I think you always have challenges there. That is the thing about NASCAR racing, it is a very expensive sport to be involved in. Getting sponsors right now is a little tough with COVID and everything and the limited people at the track makes it a little more difficult. I think that is why social media is so crucial. You have to sell the sponsor that they are going to get something out of it when they sponsor you. Having that social media power makes it a little easier on my side.”

HOW DID YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH DAVID RAGAN COME ABOUT?

“He is actually at the Ford Performance Technical Center a lot down in Concord (NC) and we aligned paths through Ford. Ford saw how much he was helping me and the information he was giving me. I think going into the Truck Series this year, Ford stuck him with me with the mindset of working together and doing the best we can together.”

WHAT SPECIFICALLY CAN HE HELP YOU WITH?

“His experience and knowledge. Everything he knows about every single track. I think going to all these tracks, I am very new to them. A lot of them I haven’t raced at before. Him having experience there and a lot of notes that he can give me is crucial.”

YOU MADE A COMMENT ON YOUR IN-CAR RADIO ABOUT HOW SMART YOU HAVE TO BE IN THESE RACES. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE SUCH AN EXPERIENCED GROUP OF PEOPLE AROUND YOU GUIDING YOU?

“It is tough, it is really tough. I think every race I go to I try to be like a sponge and absorb all the information I can. Having someone like TJ (Majors) on my team is amazing. I like people on the radio that talk alot and he does exactly that. I told him at the beginning of the year when we first started going footage for Daytona, ‘Hey, I need you to practically drive this car for me because I have no clue how these trucks handle on superspeedways.’”

HOW MUCH DOES YOUR EXPERIENCE IN OTHER SERIES ON THE DAYTONA ROAD COURSE HELP YOU FOR THIS WEEKEND IN THE TRUCK?

“I think what ARCA has helped me with is learning the track at the Daytona Road Course. I think where I need to learn is how the truck actually handles. I think once you get out there, we have no practice and no qualifying and go straight into the race. The first couple laps will be about being smart, staying out of the chaos and not overdriving and just hitting our marks and learning how the truck feels and what I need out of it.”

HOW ARE YOU PREPARING FOR THIS WEEKEND WITH NO PRACTICE?

“Man, I have put so much time into the Daytona Road Course on the Fod simulator. I am so thankful that Ford has given me access to that. Without that, I would not be anywhere near as ready as I am now to go to new tracks without practice. Having access to the simulator and go there every week and having David Ragan there on top of it has helped me so much.”

YOU FINISHED 6TH ON THE ROAD COURSE IN THE ARCA RACE LAST SEASON, WHAT CAN YOU TAKE FROM THAT RACE THO THIS ONE?

“I think something that a lot of people are talking about, or even my teammates are talking about the Daytona Road Course is that it lacks grip. It lacked grip in the ARCA race because it rained before and the track was still wet and so I think that is what I am going into that race, expecting it to lack a lot of grip.”

LOOKING AHEAD, WHAT RACES ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST THIS SEASON?

“I think when it comes to racing I am looking forward to, you obviously look forward to the ones that you think you will do the best and be the most comfortable at and I think going to the dirt tracks will be really fun. Bristol, I am really excited for the Bristol dirt race.”

HAVE YOU BEEN TO KNOXVILLE BEFORE? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HAVING TWO DIRT RACES? DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE AN ADVANTAGE?

“I have never raced at Knoxville and have never raced at Bristol on the dirt, I don’t think anyone has. Going into these dirt races isn’t about having an advantage. I think I am very disadvantaged when it comes to all these race tracks because I haven’t been there before and I don’t have a lot of experience in these trucks. They handle a lot different than ARCA cars. That is something I am having to learn every single race. I think going there I will be a little more comfortable than a lot of the pavement tracks but I don’t think as comfortable as a lot of people will be.”

O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 At DAYTONA Set for NASCAR Cup Series Race on Iconic 3.61-Mile Road Course Weekend, Feb. 19-21

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Official Release
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BrakeBest Select 159 At DAYTONA presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts Kicks off Weekend for NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on Friday, Feb. 19; SuperStart Batteries 188 At DAYTONA presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts for NASCAR Xfinity Series Set for Saturday, Feb. 20

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 16, 2021) – Daytona International Speedway announced today its three entitlement sponsors for NASCAR’s second visit to the DAYTONA Road Course, set for this weekend, Feb. 19-21.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 NASCAR Cup Series race is set for Sunday, Feb. 21, at 3 p.m. ET. The event on the 3.61-mile, 14-turn layout will consist of 70 laps. The weekend kicks off Friday, Feb. 19, with the BrakeBest Select  159 At DAYTONA presented by O’Reilly AutoParts (44 laps) for the NASCAR Camping World Series (7:30 p.m. start) while Saturday’s SuperStart 188 At DAYTONA presented by O’Reilly AutoParts (52 laps) gets the green flag at 5 p.m. ET.

“The professional parts people at O’Reilly Auto Parts are proud to serve as essential workers, providing expert support to both DIY and professional customers with their automotive repair and maintenance needs,” said Hugo Sanchez, Vice President of Marketing Advertising for O’Reilly Auto Parts. “We are excited to partner with Daytona International Speedway, and look forward to an action-packed weekend of road-course racing at this historic venue.”

It will mark the second time that NASCAR’s three top-tier Series have competed on the road course tri-oval. In August, NASCAR hit the twists and turns on the same course as the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, North America’s premier race for sports cars. The winners included Chase Elliott (NASCAR Cup Series), Austin Cindric (NASCAR Xfinity) and Sheldon Creed. The trio also went on to win their respective championship at season’s end.

“We are thrilled to welcome O’Reilly Auto Parts and their brands to the anticipated DAYTONA Road Course weekend,” said Speedway President Chip Wile. “Last year’s historical, first NASCAR road course races were incredibly exciting and added to the legacy of the World Center of Racing.  “It was also great to see our trio of winners go on and hoist Championship trophies at Phoenix. We’re excited to showcase road course racing – NASCAR style – to our fans yet again.”

Tickets for adults start at just $59 with kids starting at only $10. Kids 12 and under are FREE on Friday and Saturday in select sections.

To be a part of the action, fans can visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

All events will be conducted in accordance with enhanced safety protocols and procedures to provide a safe environment for guests, NASCAR competitors, employees and the local community. All guests will be screened before entering the facility and will be required to wear face coverings while maintaining six feet social distancing throughout their visit.

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest speedway news.

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.

About O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. was founded in 1957 by the O’Reilly family and is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional service provider markets. Visit the Company’s website at www.OReillyAuto.com for additional information about O’Reilly, including access to online shopping and current promotions, store locations, hours and services, employment opportunities and other programs. As of December 31, 2020, the Company operated 5,594 stores in 47 U.S. states and 22 stores in Mexico.

Getting The Most Out Of Nascar 2021

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SM
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What Exactly Is The Daytona 500

The Daytona 500 is a 500-mile NASCAR Cup Series season opener held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. 

Considered the most prestigious and important race on the NASCAR calendar, the Daytona 500 is famous across the world of sports. The winner of the 2021 Daytona 500 was Michael McDowell, he was tracking the leaders throughout the entire race, but on the final lap  McDowell burst ahead and ended up winning the race win. He secured his first Cup Series. 

Making A Day Of Daytona

If you missed watching Daytona live, then you missed out on a good race that was full of ups and downs and a win that felt like it came out of nowhere. Next time the Daytona 500 is on, take time out and organize something that allows you to enjoy the race from the comfort of your own home. Why not get friends and family together and really make a day of it? It is, after all, 200 laps of high-speed racing. You can really have some fun even as a spectator.

For example, you can place wagers on who will win the race, and also who will be in the lead after say 10 laps, or 20 laps, or even 50 laps. As anything can change at any point during a race, you really cannot afford to miss any of the live footage the next time it is on. You could even think about holding a Daytona Party next year, even if Daytona ranks 110 out of 193 for the best city to throw a party.

Watching Daytona is exciting from the get-go, and if you get to experience it for real, then go for it, don’t turn the opportunity down. If you don’t get to attend, then watching it live is definitely the next best thing. You could even think about holding a Daytona Party next year

What Services Can I Watch Daytona 500 On

If you missed live footage, don’t worry; there is always next year. Here are five services that tend to broadcast the Daytona 500: 

  1. YouTubeTV 
  2. fuboTV 
  3. Sling
  4. Hulu + Live TV 
  5. AT&T Now

Some of these services are free to sign up to and may be free for a limited amount of time, however, they will start charging after the free trial period has ended, so it is super important that you pay attention to when you started the subscription and when it is ending.

Before subscribing to any service, it is always wise to read the terms, conditions, and small print to ensure you are not getting locked into anything which you may want to leave at some point in the future. Never spend more than you can afford to on subscriptions as costs soon add up when all the free trials end.

NASCAR Main Series – What Is it?

There are many racing series that include drivers from all over the place to race against each other in a set number of events. All racers must adhere to and follow the rules of the sanctioning body.

In total, there are three national Nascar series:

  • NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. This was created in 1995, and it is great if you love watching trucks race. On certain tracks, trucks can reach speeds in excess of 150+ miles per hour. There are some truck drivers who hope to go further and on into the NASCAR Sprint Cup. 
  • NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: The Sprint Cup Series is where you can find NASCAR’s stars, including Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. In this series, cars weigh 3,450 pounds, they can reach speeds of over 150+ miles per hour. This is a favorite of various muscle car enthusiasts, including michael savage new canaan, who has various American classics. 
  • NASCAR Nationwide Series: Drivers tend to move on from here once they have improved their driving skills. This attracts drivers’ from all over, and as a result, it is hugely competitive.  

What Is With the Nascar Flags?

The flagman who is a NASCAR official always starts a race. The flagman is highly noticeable and is waving different colored flags at the drivers as they race past in their cars. For fans to funny get into Nascar, they need to know what these flags mean.  

Green flag- The flagman waves a green flag to go, which means drivers need to put their foot down to get in the lead.                    

Yellow flag-A yellow flag means a caution has been noted or called. There may be potential hazards or hidden dangers on the track. All drivers must slow down and line up behind the last car and drive around the track carefully until the track has been cleared. When a driver sees a yellow flag, they know they have to proceed with caution as they don’t know what is ahead.

A Blue flag with a diagonal yellow stripe – This flag tells the driver that a faster car is about to pass him, and he must give way to that car.

Checkered flag – When this flag is waved, the race has been won as a driver has crossed the finish line.

Red flag- Drivers must stop on the track — in a designated area — when they see the flagman wave a red flag. It means it isn’t safe for drivers to circle the track because of inclement weather or poor track conditions.

Green, white checkered flag sequence –  If there is a caution during the last laps, this flag sequence lets racers and fans alike know that there will be a green-flag restart to a couple of laps. A green flag signs the first lap of the restart, and the white flag signs the final lap that leads to the all-important checkered flag. 

Black flag: When the black flag is waved, the driver it’s waved to needs to get off the track and go to the pits straight away. This could be for two reasons. Either the driver has done something wrong, or their car isn’t fit for purpose.

White flag – This means that the race leader has one lap to go until they finish the race.

8 Car Maintenance Tips to Get You Through the Sydney Summer

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SM
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Car photo created by standret - www.freepik.com

The Sydney summers can damage your car. Find out how to best protect your car from the heat this year. 

While summer is a great time to be out and about, it’s pretty hot in Australia this time of the year. If you are in or around Sydney, you may already have faced the harsh summer temperatures this year. Apart from the hardships that come with the heat, there’s one more concern on the streets of Sydney – your car. 

That’s right – regardless of whether you’re driving a new or a used car on Sydney roads, the heat can damage your car. So, it is essential to take care of your vehicle to make sure it doesn’t cost you a fortune later. Let’s discuss some helpful maintenance tips to make sure your car survives the summer. 

1. Take Care of the Cooling System 

The cooling system of your car’s engine needs to be fully functional and in top-notch condition during summer to prevent the engine from overheating. Flushing the cooling mechanism is important and should be done from time to time. Don’t forget to check the coolant level to make sure it is at the right level. You can fill it up with the coolant as needed. 

The rubber and plastic components of the cooling system may get damaged from the overheated engine, So it’s better to check those as well, and get it fixed if needed. 

2. Is the AC Working Fine?

It’s next to impossible to travel with a broken air conditioning system in your car in the Sydney heat. It can lead to health issues on days with high temperatures and humidity. 

Therefore, you should proactively schedule maintenance for your car’s air conditioning system. If that isn’t feasible, the least you should do is conduct a self-inspection of the air conditioning system and consult an expert if something appears to be wrong that can’t be fixed by you. Be sure to check out Natrad if you would like more information on car air-conditioning.

3. Prevent External Heat from Getting In

Not only is it important to have a cooling system inside the car, but it’s also necessary to reduce the amount of heat entering your car from outside. A great way to do that is by applying a layer of ceramic car coating. This type of coating bonds with the paint, providing lasting protection to both the exterior and interior of your car.

Ceramic car coating protects your car from absorbing the heat and the associated radiations like harmful ultraviolet rays. It also helps you ensure that overheating is not causing cracks in the paint of your car. 

Besides, ceramic car coating can prevent stains from bird droppings settling on your car’s surface, as well as from minor scratches. 

And if all these reasons aren’t good enough, here’s the jackpot – it can help your car look as good as new!

4. Pay Attention to the Battery Health

Many people don’t realize that your battery’s health is not only affected by winter, but by summer too. Heat can cause malfunction of the battery or its failure to operate properly. 

So watch out for telltale signs of your battery’s declining health over the summer months. This may include : 

  • Slower cranking of the engine than usual while starting the car;
  • Dimmed headlights or internal lights;
  • The “check battery” light on the dashboard is lit up.

You should make sure the battery is in tip-top condition so as not to be surprised by a sudden and unwanted breakdown. 

5. Check the Tyre Condition

Checking the tires before hitting the road is always a good practice. And this practice can prove to be helpful during the summer months too. 

Visually inspect if your tire threads are showing signs of wear or not. It is dangerous to drive with worn tires as those can lead to uneven handling of your car both during driving and while using the brake. And they may also blow out if not replaced timely. 

Next, it’s time to examine tire pressure. Depending on the build and type of your tire, the pressure should be between 30 and 35 PSI. Make sure that the tires are not over or under-inflated, as those may lead to a flat tire on hot days. Don’t forget to do the same with the spare tire as well. Do check out these top tips on how to inspect your tires before getting started. 

6. Get a Windshield Cover

The reality is that regardless of whether you like it or not, you may have to park your car outdoors for prolonged periods underneath the scorching sun. Consider getting windshield covers that can minimize the amount of heat entering the car, so that later when you get in the car, you don’t feel like a pizza in the oven. You might want to do the same for the rear side and windows too. 

7. Inspect Your Car’s Brakes

Everybody who drives knows how important brakes are for the safety not only of your vehicle but also your life. Brakes are important regardless of the season, and summers are no different. 

Check if your brake pads or shoes are worn beyond the acceptable thickness specifications for your car. If so, you should replace the brakes without further delay. 

8. Maximize Visibility through the Windshield

During the summer months, dust and debris settle on your windshield, restricting your visibility. This is indeed dangerous as it makes you more prone to making mistakes and getting into accidents. Therefore, you should ensure that your windshield is clean. 

If your windshield wipers are leaving marks or not effectively keeping the windshield clean, you should get them replaced. 

Final Thoughts

Nobody wants to be in a situation when the temperatures are high and your car breaks down. The tips discussed today are all preventive measures you can and should take so that you don’t have to get stuck in such an unpleasant situation.

Kevin James, Star of “The Crew” on NETFLIX, to Serve as Grand Marshal of NASCAR Cup Series Race on DAYTONA Road Course Race

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Official Release
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CeCe Winans to Perform National Anthem

Event Part of a Tripleheader Weekend Featuring NASCAR’s Top-Tier Series; Tickets Are Available; NASCAR Cup Series Race Set for this Sunday

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2021) – Daytona International Speedway announced today that Kevin James, the star and executive producer of the sitcom “The Crew” for Netflix, now streaming on NETFLIX, will serve as the Grand Marshal for this Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race on the DAYTONA Road Course (FOX, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

In addition, CeCe Winans, the best-selling and most-awarded female gospel artist of all-time, will perform the pre-race National Anthem. The event, set for a 3:00 p.m. ET start, will mark the second time that that the NASCAR Cup Series has competed on the storied 14-turn, 3.61-mile tri-oval road course at Daytona International Speedway. To be a part of the action, fans can visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

Both the command for drivers to “Start Your Engines” by James, and Winans’ rendition of the Star Spangled

Banner, will be conducted virtually.

James is widely known as the start of “The King of Queens,” which premiered in 1998, ran for nine seasons on CBS with James starring and executive producing, the show garnered him an Emmy nomination in 2006 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. The sitcom concluded its run in 2007 but continues to air daily in syndication across the country and around the world. He also starred in hit films including Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Zookeeper, Grownups, and most recently Hubie Halloween.

Winans has long since cemented her status as one of the most accomplished and celebrated women in modern music history. Her mantel holds a staggering 12 GRAMMY Awards, 20 Dove Awards, and 7 Stellar Awards. She’s been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Nashville Music City Walk of Fame. In addition, she was named a Trailblazer of Soul by BMI and has garnered multiple NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train Awards, Essence Awards, and more. She has over 17 million album sales worldwide, topping the Gospel charts repeatedly while crossing over with smashes like “Count On Me,” her stunning duet with Whitney Houston from the multi-platinum ‘Waiting To Exhale’ soundtrack, which sold 2 million copies and cracked the Top 10 on the Pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary charts. She touched millions more with inspirational performances everywhere from Oprah to The White House, and even showed off her acting chops on television series like ‘7th Heaven’ and ‘Doc.’

The DAYTONA Road Course Weekend kicks off this Friday (Feb. 19), with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series while Saturday’s (Feb. 20) action will feature the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

All events at Daytona International Speedway will be conducted in accordance with enhanced safety protocols and procedures to provide a safe environment for guests, NASCAR competitors, employees and the local community. All guests will be screened before entering the facility and will be required to wear face coverings while maintaining six feet social distancing throughout their visit.

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest speedway news.

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.

Michael McDowell Reaps Traditional Rewards After Memorable DAYTONA 500 Triumph

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Official Release
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Customary 2021 Champion Rolex, Rings, Leather Jackets, Coveted Trophies and Concrete Squish Awarded; Race-Winning Car Now on Display at Motorsports Hall of Fame of America until the 2022 DAYTONA 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2021) – A day after one of the biggest upsets in the history of the DAYTONA 500, Michael McDowell and his team were honored Monday at Daytona International Speedway during a “Champion’s Celebration” inside the track’s Victory Lane, being awarded traditional gifts only awarded to DAYTONA 500 Champions!

McDowell, the Front Row Motorsports driver who picked up his first career victory, in the 63rd Annual event, along with veteran crew chief Drew Blickensderfer, were joined by Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, and Speedway President Chip Wile just hours after the checkered flag. Front Row team owner Bob Jenkins was not able to attend the ceremonies.

The trio of McDowell, Blickensderfer and Jenkins received customary 2021 DAYTONA 500 Champion rings and 2021 black leather jackets while a special Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona was presented to McDowell as the Champion driver.

Blickensderfer was awarded the Cannonball Baker (long-time NASCAR Commissioner) Trophy as the Champion crew chief, and the unique Harley J. Earl Trophy for the Champion car owner, was on display.

“It’s just a monumental accomplish to be a DAYTONA 500 Champion, and all the things that come with it for our race team and our partners,” said McDowell. “It’s hard to really fathom…It hasn’t completely sunk in yet. When I came out this morning and the sun was up, the No. 34 was still on top of the scoreboard. It’s real I think…pretty sure it’s still real.”

A highlight of the day was when McDowell created his concrete “squish” that will feature his handprints, footprint and signature that will have a permanent place on the Champion’s Sidewalk in front of the track’s Ticket and Tours building, which is also home of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. McDowell’s race-winning Ford – just as it came from Victory Lane – was placed inside the Hall and will be on display until the 2022 DAYTONA 500.

“These items presented today mean a lot to our sport, and goes back generations and decades,” added Kennedy, whose great grandfather Bill France, Sr., founded NASCAR. “These are things that are synonymous with the Great American Race, a part of that tradition. We’re glad to celebrate with the team.”

The action at Daytona International Speedway continues this weekend on the track’s iconic road course that will host NASCAR’s three top-tier series, Feb. 19-21. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series hits the 14-turn, 3.61-mile layout on Friday, Feb. 19, with the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Saturday (Feb. 20) and the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday (Feb. 21). Tickets start at $59 for adults for the Cup race with kids starting at only $10. Kids 12 and under are FREE on Friday and Saturday in select sections.

For more information, log onto www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest speedway news.

International Porsche Outfit MRS GT-Racing Set for US Breakthrough

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Official Release
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February 15, 2021 – Miami, FLORIDA – Genuine opportunities are hard to come by in the professional world of motorsport, but with the 2021 season now just a few weeks away, German sportscar team Molitor Racing (MRS GT-Racing) have made a seat available in an outstanding championship caliber program in the new North American Porsche Carrera-Cup Series. The team’s track record in Europe speaks volumes for their competitiveness and professionalism.

Molitor Racing Systems Gmbh

Founded in 1993 and with 18 years of competition experience in Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and Carrera Cup, MRS GT-Racing are the hugely successful international GT racing team based at Lonsee-Luizhausen in Germany. Expertly managed by founder and team principal Karsten Molitor, MRS GT-Racing have won multiple Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup races as well as the Porsche Carrera Cup Title since 2003. Naturally, they have built up a tremendous working relationship with the Porsche factory and North American sportscar division, something that US and Canada based drivers can now take advantage of for the first time. Fresh from competing in the Hankook Dubai 24 Hour, we spoke to team supremo Karsten Molitor recently about preparations for the team’s US testing debut at Sebring next month. In addition to the Carrera Cup, the team is also eyeing the Porsche Sprint Challenge and a first ever GTD appearance in IMSA.

USA Launch for MRS GT-Racing

“We´re working hard on everything; we decide to take the harder way as we want to install MRS here in the US and we are not doing any kind of collaboration,” said Karsten, who is known for his thoroughness and efficiency. “We need to take care of all the details by ourselves. That includes truck and trailer transport for the racecars, the workshop, finding local employees, building up the MRS administration and most importantly, finding the right drivers! It’s not at all easy but then if it was easy anyone could do it!”

Reflecting on the current schedule and workload Karsten added, “The cars are going to be delivered in less than ten days, with the first official test March 8 and 9 at Sebring. At the same time, we´re working on a program at the Porsche Sprint Challenge. Meanwhile in Europe, the team is also busy with the season preparations as we’re competing with the 992 on both continents.”

Regarding the driver’s seat available Karsten went on, “On a last-minute call we decided to take a second Porsche Cup car, so we´re still open for one more driver which we´re looking for at the moment,” true to the form of the team’s achievements in Europe he added, “Our aim is to win the Championship.”

Setting up the US branch of an already successful motorsport team is no small feat, but MRS are an ambitious, go-ahead outfit. Karsten continued, “It was an ambitious plan from the very beginning. We’ve done so many things in our team’s history, but the step into US motorsport opens an entirely new chapter for MRS going forward. To establish the original MRS team here in the US, we’re ready to go the extra mile, ready to work a lot for it. We´re coming to stay and we´re coming to have the most possible success. I’m personally looking very much forward to our very first competition here, we are putting in the effort to make this debut as successful as possible. I hope we´ll see lots of good racing this year.”

Joining a team as focused and successful as MRS GT-Racing is an extremely rare opportunity and we wish the team and new drivers every success with their North American venture.

Porsche Carrera Cup 2021

2021 sees an entirely new landscape in North America with the introduction of the Porsche Carrera Cup, a sister competition to international formats ran for many years. An open GT competition, it represents the highest level of motorsports within the single make Porsche pyramid. Using the latest 911 GT3 Cup car, the series is expected to feature both established talent and up-and-coming drivers, with maximum field sizes of 25 cars competing over 16 rounds at tracks across the USA and Canada. The first race weekend is on the schedule for March 17 to 20 at Sebring International Raceway and the series takes in Watkins Glen, Toronto Indy and Road America en route to the finale at Road Atlanta, October 6 to 9. The Series will offer up $120,000 in prize money allocations for the 2021 season.

The New Porsche 911 GT3 Car – Type 992

The 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup will also see the introduction of the new 911 GT3 Cup car. Designed for racing in its purest form, this latest evolution of the iconic 911 features the newest 4 liter, normally aspirated iteration of the legendary 6-cylinder engine producing over 500HP. With a front axle specifically designed for road racing, a new shift actuator, more downforce and ergonomic interior – it’s a state-of-the-art machine that’s one hundred percent track ready.

Motul Named the “Official Motor Oil” of the Trans Am Series

By
Official Release
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MIAMI, FLA. (15 February 2021)- Motul, a company known around the world for producing high-quality performance motor oils and industrial lubricants, joined the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli in a long-term partnership as the “Official Motor Oil” of the series.

“Like Trans Am, Motul is a brand with such a rich history in motorsports,” said Trans Am Race Company President John Clagett. “Its premium motor oil is an ideal match for the Trans Am competitors.”

The French lubricant company has been a dedicated technical partner in motorsport since the 1950s, representing some of the finest teams and drivers in racing history. The partnership with Trans Am will grow Motul’s global programs that focus on sportscars and road racing.

“Motul is excited to grow its global connection to motorsports with the support of Trans Am,” said Nolan Browning, Brand Manager Motul USA. “With our focus expanding Motul’s product offerings for the classic and Domestic market in North America, this opportunity was a perfect fit.”

Throughout the years, Motul has continued to push new technological development in motorsports, currently supporting teams in international competitions such as: 24 Hours of Le Mans, Best in the Desert, FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Super GT, Formula Drift, World of Outlaws, Pikes Peak, Dakar, MotoGP, World Superbike, World MX, FIM Endurance World Championship, IOM TT, among others.

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli kicks off its 2021 season with Motul at Sebring International Raceway as part of the Sebring SpeedTour Feb. 19-21. The event will be live streamed from the Trans Am by Pirelli Racing App. (Download App)

ABOUT MOTUL
Motul is a world class French company specializing in the formulation, production and distribution of hightech engine lubricants (two-wheelers, cars and other vehicles) as well as lubricants for industry via its MotulTech activity. Unanimously recognized for more than 160 years for the quality of its products, innovation capacity and involvement in the field of competition, Motul is also recognized as a specialist in synthetic lubricants. As early as 1971, Motul was the first lubricant manufacturer to pioneer the formulation of a 100% synthetic lubricant for automotive engines, the 300V lubricant, making use of Esters technology and issued from the aeronautical industry. Throughout the years, Motul has gained experience as an official supplier to many racing teams and manufacturers and contributes with them to further technological development in motorsports. Motul is currently supporting teams in international competitions such as 24 Hours of Le Mans (cars and motorcycles), Best in the Desert, FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Super GT, Formula Drift, World of Outlaws, Pikes Peak, Dakar, MotoGP, World Superbike, World MX, FIM Endurance World Championship, IOM TT, and a score of others.

Buescher Scored 31st After Early Daytona 500 Pileup

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Official Release
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2021) – Chris Buescher and the No. 17 Fastenal team were gaining momentum early in the Daytona 500 until an early race pileup forced them to settle with a 31st-place result.

“That was not the 500 we wanted,” Buescher said. “We were exercising a lot of patience and there were one or two others that definitely weren’t and ended up trashing a quarter of the field right at the start. It was very frustrating and a very tough way to start the year but I thought we were going to be good on speed. I was happy with the way cars were driving. I just never got a chance to really show any of that.”

The Prosper, Texas native rolled off the grid in 22nd and reported a semi-tight Ford Mustang when the first caution flag of the race waved at lap four. The team elected to stay out when other pitted and focused on maintaining track position. Buescher restarted 19th on the bottom lane at lap seven and began to drive his way up through the field. Only seven laps later, a massive 16-car pileup collected the No. 17 machine and caused severe damage to the vehicle. Under the damage clock, the team began repairs just as lighting struck near the track area. A red flag delay of several hours paused the team’s repair efforts.

When the all-clear for drivers to return to cars was given, Buescher’s team assessed the damage and only had a minute and 10 seconds to attend to the damage. Ultimately, the damage to his Ford Mustang was too severe to continue. Buescher drove his car back to the garage, settling for a 31st place finish.

The No. 17 team returns to the track next Sunday with a visit to the Daytona Road Course on Sunday, February 21st at 3 p.m. EST on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

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