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INDYCAR Announces Update to 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Schedule

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Official Release
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Series to return to the legendary Streets of Long Beach in September

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020) – The 2021 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has been rescheduled for Sunday, Sept. 26 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials from INDYCAR announced today. Long Beach is one of the foundational events on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule and one of the longest running.

Additionally, the move creates a thrilling three-race, three-weekend west coast swing to complete the championship. Beginning at Portland International Raceway on Sunday, Sept. 12, the homestretch continues at, what would be the finale under normal conditions, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday, Sept. 19, before finishing on the historic streets of Long Beach.

“It is important to have Long Beach rescheduled to continue the history and tradition for one of the series’ hallmark events in one of the nation’s premier media markets,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “Further, it’s a tremendous opportunity to wrap up the season with three-straight iconic venues for what we believe will be our most exciting season yet. As we did during the 2020 season, we will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and maintain flexibility across our schedule. We are committed to an action-packed and exhilarating 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES.”

The September race weekend at Long Beach becomes the first since the event’s inception in 1975. It will mark the 37th time the NTT INDYCAR SERIES has raced on Southern California’s legendary street circuit. The familiar sights and sounds make for the longest running event on the schedule outside of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

“I want to thank all of the officials at INDYCAR for their assistance in rescheduling the 2021 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach to September,” Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian said. “We believe that this move will afford us the best opportunity to provide our guests with a fun and exciting experience in a safe and unrestricted environment. It will be a welcome sight to see the NTT INDYCAR SERIES cars and stars back on the downtown streets of Long Beach in the fall.”

An updated listing of green flag times for the 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule will be announced at a later date.

Chevrolet Racing Wins 12 Championships in 2020

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Official Release
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Chevy Earns Titles in NASCAR, IMSA, NHRA and BITD

DETROIT (Dec. 17, 2020) – Chevrolet ended 2020 with a dozen manufacturer, team and driver championships across four of North America’s racing series.

“The 2020 racing season is one that no one will forget,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet vice president of Performance and Motorsports. “The pandemic changed the way we all operate. We are proud of how our Chevrolet teams and drivers persevered and focused on ways to improve performance every time they showed up at the track.”

Chevrolet, highlighted by Chase Elliott’s late-season dash to his first NASCAR Cup Driver’s Championship, won manufacturer and driver titles in NASCAR, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and NHRA.

The Cup Series and IMSA titles were noteworthy as Chevrolet debuted new racecars in each: The Camaro ZL1 1LE in the NASCAR Cup Series and the much anticipated mid-engine Corvette C8.R in the WeatherTech Championship’s GT Le Mans (GTLM) class. Additionally, Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and Silverado both won Best in the Desert (BITD) class championships.

During a season in which on-track testing was severely restricted, teams and drivers from NASCAR, IndyCar and IMSA spent increased time at Chevrolet’s Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) simulator in Huntersville, N.C., to prepare for competition.

“Winning championships is a goal we set every season, no matter the adversity,” Campbell said. “Our Chevrolet teams overcame obstacles through teamwork, preparation and execution. The technical learnings from the race track help us build better vehicles and powertrains for the showroom.

“Winning races and championships also help elevate Chevy’s brand opinion and image, which means consumers are more likely to place our vehicles on their shopping list.”

A quick look at Chevrolet’s successes:
• NASCAR Cup Series: Elliott won the last two races of the season: First at Martinsville to qualify for NASCAR’s Championship 4, and then at Phoenix to clinch the title. Elliott’s championship was his first in the series and Chevrolet’s 32nd. In addition, Elliott was named Most Popular Driver in the series.
• NASCAR Xfinity Series: Chevrolet won 10 times in 33 races to take its 22nd Manufacturer title. Justin Allgaier claimed Most Popular Driver honors.
• NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: Sheldon Creed won five of Chevrolet’s 10 races for the brand’s 14th Driver Championship and 10th Manufacturer crown. Zane Smith, part of Chevrolet’s Driver’s EDGE development program, won Most Popular Driver.
• IMSA: Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor dominated the WeatherTech Championship’s GTLM category, winning a class-high five races in the No. 3 Corvette C8.R en route to winning the Drivers and Team championships, and helping Chevrolet to its 13th Manufacturers title in GT competition. It is the third time since 2014 that Corvette Racing and Chevy swept the three full-season crowns in the same year.
• NHRA: Pro Stock driver Erica Enders, in her Chevrolet Camaro SS, made history by becoming the first female driver in series history to win four championships, Aaron Stanfield won Factory Stock Showdown in his COPO Camaro, and Chevrolet won the Manufacturer’s Cup for the 25th time, more than any other manufacturer.
• IndyCar: Rinus VeeKay won Rookie of the Year honors in Chevrolet V6-powered IndyCar. He is Chevrolet’s third ROY in open-wheel and first since 1992.
• BITD: Colorado ZR2 (mid-size production truck) and Silverado (full-size production truck) won class championships as the ZR2 completed every mile of every race in 2020. Chevrolet competes in Best in the Desert to develop and validate Chevy Performance Parts on production ZR2s for further tech transfer.

“While we’re proud of our successes and accomplishments this year, in racing there is always room for improvement,” Campbell said. “We are not resting. We are looking forward to the 2021 season. We continue to prepare to pursue wins and championships.”

Chevrolet’s first races of 2021 is BITD’s Bluewater Resort Parker 425 in Parker, Ariz., on Jan. 13-16, followed by IMSA’s Rolex 24 At Daytona (Fla.) on Jan. 30-31.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 75 countries with nearly 4 million cars and trucks sold in 2019. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found www.chevrolet.com.

Atlanta Speedwerks Announces First of Three Car IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge For 2021 With Henderson and Noaker

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Official Release
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Sixteen-Year-Old MX-5 Cup Race Winner Robert Noaker Will Team with Brian Henderson in Honda Civic TCR

GAINESVILLE, Georgia (December 17, 2020) – The Atlanta Speedwerks pairing of Brian Henderson and 16-year-old Robert Noaker will reunite for the 2021 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Series in a Honda Civic TCR, one of three Honda Civic TCR cars Atlanta Speedwerks plans to campaign in the championship.

Henderson and Noaker are no strangers to Atlanta Speedwerks, teaming together for the season finale at Sebring this past November. An overnight engine change by the team forced the duo to the rear of the field for the start but climbed as high as third and eventually finished sixth.

With a co-driver yet to be determined, team owner Todd Lamb will pilot a second Atlanta Speedwerks Honda Civic TCR entry during the 2021 season. Atlanta Speedwerks is continuing to make plans for a three-car effort during the 2021 IMSA season.

“2021 is shaping up to be a really great year for Atlanta Speedwerks,” Lamb said. “Robert and Brian are both race-winning drivers. It’s the third year of our IMSA TCR program, so we really understand the nuance of the Honda Civic TCR. We saw that throughout 2020, especially at Sebring to finish the year. With an open third car that we plan to fill in time for Daytona, we expect to see Atlanta Speedwerks contending for wins and championships this season.”

Just 23-years-old, Henderson is the veteran of the team and a long-time Atlanta Speedwerks teammate, co-driving with Lamb in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in both 2019 and 2020, and prior to that racing in the Mazda Global MX-5 Cup for Atlanta Speedwerks.

“I am so happy to be back with Atlanta Speedwerks for the 2021 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season in our Honda Civic TCR car,” Henderson said. I’m excited to be pairing with Robert for the season, especially after he had a great debut at Sebring earlier this year. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue growing my skills as a driver and team member. I know we have what it takes to be a major contender this year and can’t wait to get back on track!”

Noaker’s Sebring debut with Atlanta Speedwerks was his first IMSA race, though the young racer is no newcomer to the spotlight. Noaker finished eighth in the Global MX-5 Cup standings as a 14-year-old in 2018, winning at Mid-Ohio and earning a Guinness Book of World Records achievement as the youngest driver ever to win an Indy Car-sanctioned race. Noaker finished fifth in 2019 with a pair of wins, and as the runner-up in 2020 with a season-high four wins.

“I am looking forward to the challenge and opportunity of racing the Honda Civic TCR this year with Atlanta Speedwerks,” Noaker said. “Sebring was a different experience for me but I enjoyed it. I am happy to be driving with Brian this season. We will have a very good crew behind us this year to hopefully contend for wins. I can’t wait to get back on the track at Daytona.”

The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season begins January 22-24 at Daytona International Raceway with a four-hour race on the weekend of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Those interested in campaigning the 2021 IMSA with Atlanta Speedwerks should contact the team via email at todd@atlspeedwerks.com.

About Atlanta Speedwerks
Atlanta Speedwerks is a professional road racing team and prep shop, providing road racing services, car builds, roll cages, and parts. Headquartered near Atlanta, Georgia, the company runs winning arrive & drive programs in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, Battery Tender Global MX-5 Cup and SCCA Spec Miata, among others. Professional coaching and driver development round out the company’s offerings.

Back with the Wright Stuff: Wright Motorsports Reveals 2021 IMSA Program

By
Official Release
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BATAVIA, Ohio, (December 17, 2020) – Following a successful season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Wright Motorsports will return to the professional sports car racing series in 2021 with an almost identical program. Led by John Wright, the operation will see full-season drivers Ryan Hardwick and Patrick Long return to pilot the No. 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R, again sponsored by 1st Phorm, Mountain Motorsports, and Una Vida Tequila. Jan Heylen, will again stand in as the endurance addition, and Klaus Bachler will join the team for the season-opening Rolex 14 At Daytona in January.

“We’re thrilled to be back for another year with the same group we had for 2020,” said John Wright. “Consistency was a big part of our success last year, and we’re starting off 2021 on the right foot by continuing with our proven formula. From the drivers, to the crew and sponsors, we really created a great organization, and I’m proud to have Wright Motorsports back for another year with all these people and partners.”

Consistency was indeed the name of the game for Wright Motorsports in 2020. The team finished just two points behind the class champions, with four podiums and eight top-five finishes. Their steady season-long progression culminated with victory at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, clinching the team’s first endurance win of its 20-year history. Although the win it itself was an impressive feat, it was not until after the race that the drivers revealed that the No. 16 Porsche suffered a broken left-rear shock for much of the race, likely failing in one of the first two stints. The race-winning result was not only a testament to the team for pressing on, racing on the bumpiest circuit on the calendar, but also showcased the reliability and competitive performance of the Porsche 911 GT3 R, out-performing a class filled with other manufacturers.

The No. 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R will again sport the blue, black, and white livery, showcasing the primary sponsorship from 1st Phorm, a leader in nutrition and sports performance supplements. Mountain Motorsports, a powersports dealership owned by Ryan Hardwick, will continue its support of the team, also joined by Una Vida Tequila, who first joined early into the 2020 season.

Together, Ryan Hardwick and Patrick long became a competitive pair, scoring two sprint podiums when just the two drivers shared the car. Jan Heylen first joined the duo at Road Atlanta’s six hour endurance race, assisting in securing the team’s first podium of the 2020 championship. At the Twelve Hours of Sebring, Heylen dominated the qualifying session, earning his first career IMSA pole position. Klaus Bachler will again support the team as an addition for the Rolex 24 only, where the team kicked off the year with a solid fourth place finish.

The schedule for the GTD class includes 12 events across North America, returning to the fan-favorite courses across the country. The Michelin Endurance Cup will again feature four endurance races in the 12-race calendar: The Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Twelve Hours of Sebring, the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, and Petit Le Mans. The 2021 season will also see the series expand from four classes to five: Daytona Prototype international (DPi), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3), GT Le Mans (GTLM), and GT Daytona (GTD). The new season will also introduce a new points incentive for qualifying, awarding 35 points for pole position, 32 for second place, 30 for third, then declining by one point with each position, down to 30th in class.

The momentum from the season-finale victory will carry over to the new year, beginning with the Rolex 24 at Daytona, January 30-31. Introducing some new formats to the endurance classic, the starting grid for the Rolex 24 will now be determined by a 100-minute qualifying race the week before at the Roar Before the 24 test. The two-driver race will be mandatory for all Rolex 24 competitors, taking place Saturday, January 24. For all event information, visit imsa.com.
Driver Quotes

Ryan Hardwick | No. 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R
I’m really excited to be back with the same program that had a lot of success in the first year, and I’m looking to building on that success. For me personally, I’m really focused on continuing to improve as a driver and as a teammate. We expect to continue our 2020 success. The 2021 season will be even more competitive, with even more cars, great drivers, and strong teams to compete against. We feel we’re the best prepared team going into the new season, and we’re going to capitalize on our momentum from our Sebring victory to battle for that top step at Daytona.

Patrick Long | No. 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R
I revel in the aspect of continuity. Having the band back together helps a lot with a view of keeping the momentum of where we left off in 2020. I expect the competition to only ramp up, so the work starts now and through the green dropping for the Rolex 24 in just over a month from now. Grateful to have our sponsors and partners back on board. I am looking forward to this!

Jan Heylen | No. 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R
It’s exciting to start the new season with the good momentum from last year! A strong second half of the season, ending with a win at the 12 Hours of Sebring, puts us in a good place to kick off 2021 at Daytona. It’s really special to go into another season with a team I call family, with Patrick, my best friend of 20 years, and Ryan who has welcomed me and has given me a home in his organization. I believe we have all the components to have a successful year and fight for the championship like we did last year. Porsche and PMNA played a key role in all the success we had in 2020 and I’m excited to be working with them again and their continued support going into the new season.

Klaus Bachler | No. 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R
In 2021 I will again have the honor of competing with John Wright and his amazing team for the Rolex 24. Racing in Daytona is always a very special experience. I can‘t wait to push the car to its limits on this awesome track. I am looking forward to work together with Ryan, Pat, and Jan.

1st Phorm
1st Phorm is a sports nutrition company based in St. Louis, MO. In 2009, CEO Andy Frisella and his business partner Chris Klein started the brand, and since then, it has become the fastest growing supplement company in the world. 1st Phorm has set the standards in the industry for quality and helping people reach their goals. This new racing partnership is not their first time in the exotic car scene either. 1st Phorm has been the title sponsor for the Gold Rush Rally for six years running. With over a million followers across social media, 1st Phorm has amassed a huge cult-like following known as, “The Legion of Boom.” They stand for a movement in the fitness world. To turn it back to what it was meant to be. Helping others improve their lives, to be a good human… and to drop the excuses and do the work. 1st Phorm is a winning brand and they don’t expect anything less when it comes to their race team. For additional info: www.1stphorm.com

Mountain Motorsports
Mountain Motorsports is a group of motorcycle and powersports dealerships with multiple locations in the southeastern United States. The company was founded by lifelong friends Ryan Hardwick and Justin Price when they opened their first location as a single-line Honda dealership in Sevierville, Tennessee in 1999. The company has since grown into one of the largest retailers of motorcycle and powersports vehicles in the nation, spanning nine dealership locations representing eleven of the industry’s most well-known brands. For additional info: www.mountainmotorsports.com

Una Vida Tequila
Una Vida translates to One Life. That is how this brand started. By people who want to live their “One Life” to the absolute fullest and to their highest potential. A group of guys from the Midwest who love great quality tequila, and want their One Life to have meaning and impact others.

One Life, One Tequila is our CORE BELIEF. We’re building the only tequila brand you will ever need to drink. Una Vida is bigger than just tequila we’re also building a culture of people who want to live their life to their utmost potential.

Our story begins and continues to grow bottle by bottle. It’s a life mission for us to create a community of people who all raise a glass knowing they’re living their ONE LIFE! For more information, visit unavidatequila.com

Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series, international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013 and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. The 2020 season will see the team return to IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship. For more information, visit wrightmotorsports.com

Early 2021 Rankings: Top 20 NASCAR Drivers

By
SM
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AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 08: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, poses for a photo after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale 500 and the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 08, 2020 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The 2020 NASCAR season may have only ended a few weeks ago, but many experts and fans are already looking ahead to the 2021 season. With the likes of Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliot, and many others having had stellar seasons. 

But the question is, at this early stage, who are the favorites for the 2021 season? Who will be taking home the most wins and the crown at the end? Maybe you hedge your bets on the favorite? Or take a chance on a dark horse? 

Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick was arguably the best driver of the 2020 season. As many experts have said, the only thing that stopped him from being the best was missing out on the championship. However, if his form continues, 2021 could easily be his season. 

He finished the season with a career high 9 wins and a series-best average position of 7.33. His severely disappointing Round 8 allowed him to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, but as mentioned, if he goes into 2021 the way he finished 2020, every other driver could be fighting for second place behind Harvick. 

Chase Elliott

The youngest championship winner since Jeff Gordon back in 1995, “Chokin’ Chase” most definitely destroyed that moniker this past season. He put in incredible performances when he needed them most, and put together back to back wins for the first time in his career, sealing the title up. 

Considering he almost definitely had the best season out of everyone (he did win the title after all) he will likely go into the 2021 season as the outright, or titled favorite with Kevin Harvick. 2021 is already set up to be a blockbuster between these two drivers. 

Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin had another ‘almost’ season, something which can describe his driving career so far. He put in great performances and got great results, but they just weren’t enough.

He is definitely getting on in age, and his career is drawing to a close, but there is, like always, the strong possibility that next season will be the one. Hamlin is purely on this list because he deserves it, just like how he deserves a championship. 

Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch may have had a disappointing season in 2020, he may have won a race for the 16th season in a row, but he missed out on the playoff, and 2020 was the first time he missed out on the championship since 2014. 

However, we are still talking about Kyle Busch here, a man with talent and skill, that is clear for everyone to see. The kind of skill that is always difficult to write off, no matter what kind of season he had the year before. Expect a major comeback when 2021 rolls around. 

Aric Almirola 

Almirola’s 2020 season was definitely disappointing compared to 2019. He didn’t manage to win a race, and an overall finish of 15th in the standings is not where he wants to be. He also missed out on numerous top 5 finishes. 

However, considering he had a great 2019, and a below-par 2020, you feel like he will want to bounce back. He has the car and the skill to win races, and 2021 could be the season he finally breaks through and takes the victories he deserves. 

Tyler Reddick

A driver to keep your eye on in 2021 is Tyler Reddick. If you take Cole Custer out of the picture Reddick was easily the best rookie of the season. The 2-time Xfinity Series Championship winner put himself in the running to win multiple races, something his team hasn’t done since 2018. 

He put his name on the map, outperforming what many believed he was capable of, added to the fact that he was a rookie who had an amazing season, seemingly out of nowhere. A championship may not be on the cards just yet, but Reddick can easily pull off a few surprises next season. 

Joey Logano

Joey Logano’s season didn’t quite pan out like his 2018 championship-winning season. He may have put in some great performances, but obviously came up short. However, Logano has proven to be a driver who can win at the right time. 

What Logano does so well is just quietly put in solid results, and constantly keep himself in the fight. This consistency is what sets him apart. Once again, 2021 could be a season where this almost silent assassin can sneak into championship contention, it is clear he knows how to win it as well. 

Brad Keselowski

Someone who was sometimes ignored as a title contender, Brad Keselowski’s incredible season was overshadowed by the fact that he was constantly playing second fiddle to the Hamlin, Harvick, and Elliot show. 

He had his best standings finish since his championship-winning 2012 season, but some bad luck, and not being able to compete with Elliot might have cost him the championship. However, next season, Keselowski is more than ready to take home another title and championship. 

It may be too early to predict who will be the drivers that succeed and stand out from the crowd in 2021, but if 2020 is anything to go by, there are some major surprises in store, unlikely winners, and maybe even a surprise champion at the end of it all.

What Are The Dangers Of Being A Trucks Driver & How To Avoid Them

By
SM
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People don’t think too much about how the products they buy on a daily basis make their way to the shelves. There is a long supply chain involved with the most integral part being the truck driver who brings the freight right to the loading dock of the store.

Without these drivers, the shelves would be absolutely bare. These truck drivers put their lives on the line every day to make sure they keep that supply chain running. It should be obvious what kind of a risk these men and women put themselves under. 

If you are thinking you might want to be a truck driver, then you have to know the risks yourself. In this article, I will go over several of the dangers that you’ll be facing if you decide to get behind the wheel of a big rig. 

Other drivers

No matter how well you trained in defensive driving to avoid an accident, there are hazards thrown in front of you all day by the horrible driving habits of those you share the road with. 

The prevalence of driving under the influence of smartphones is so pervasive that it is poised to eclipse the number of accidents caused by drunk drivers. Ask any truck driver and they will tell you that they are seeing more distracted drivers than ever before. 

These drivers often drift into other lanes which are nearly impossible to predict when you are driving near them. And if they cut you off then it is very difficult to avoid a collision.

There may not be much you can do to avoid an accident in some cases, so make sure that you have a dashcam in your cab to record an accident and then go right out and speak to a truck accident specialist.

Tired driving

Truck drivers are pushed to the limits of how many miles they can drive to get the freight to the destination ahead of schedule. The more drop-offs you can make in the least amount of time the better. 

All of which means that there are some tired truck drivers on the road driving with little sleep. There are federal laws which limit how many hours a driver can be on the road in a day. Even with those limits, it can be long and tedious and many drivers can fall asleep while they’re driving. 

Make sure to know the signs when you are starting to lose your focus and pull over to take a quick nap. Even if you haven’t hit your limit for the day yet.

Suppose you are losing focus while driving; it might cause an injury to you and others. Even if your company has an experienced trucking injury lawyer and can get you out of this mess, the damage and trauma that is caused by your negligence will be there to haunt you.

Always do a circle check

Do a once around your truck to inspect it before setting out. Look for signs of leaks that could signal a potential problem. And make sure that all of your lights are working properly. 

If you don’t do this you run the risk of a dangerous problem getting overlooked until it’s too late. It only takes a few minutes and can be the difference between an accident and getting home in one piece.

Yuki Tsunoda joins AlphaTauri for 2021 F1 season

By
Andrew Kim
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Scuderia AlphaTauri announced that Yuki Tsunoda from Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan, will be joining the organization for the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship season, where he will embark on his first full-time season in F1 competition and be a teammate to Pierre Gasly.

The 20-year-old Tsunoda is a current member of the Red Bull Junior Team and the Honda Formula Dream Project. He is coming off his first full-time season in Formula 2, where he competed with Carlin and achieved two Feature Race wins, a Sprint Race victory, seven podium results and a third-place result in the Drivers’ standings with 200 points, which was enough for him to earn a Formula One Super License.

“Like most racing drivers, it has always been my goal to race in Formula 1, so I am very happy with this news,” Tsunoda said. “I want to thank Scuderia AlphaTauri, Red Bull and Dr. [Helmut] Marko for giving me this opportunity, and of course everyone from Honda, for all their support so far in my career, giving me great opportunities to race in Europe. I must also thank the teams that I have raced with to get to this point, particularly Carlin, with whom I have learned so much this year. I realise that I will be carrying the hopes of a lot of Japanese F1 fans next year and I will be doing my best for them too.”

Starting off his racing career in karting, Tsunoda made his first two career stats in the F4 Japanese Championship season with Sutekina Racing Team in 2016. A year later, he returned for a full-time season in the series with the Honda Formula Dream Project, where he won his first three races and finished in third place in the final standings. He went on to capture the 2018 F4 Japanese Championship in a season where he won seven races.

The following season, Tsunoda, who became a member of the Red Bull Junior Team along with the Honda Formula Dream Project, moved to Europe and competed in the inaugural FIA Formula 3 Championship season with Jenzer Motorsport, where he captured his first career victory at Autodromo Nazionale di Monza and finished in ninth place in the final standings. He went on to compete in the 2020 Toyota Racing Series with M2 Competition and in F2 with Carlin.

In early November, Tsunoda ran his first test session in Formula One and in a 2018-spec AlphaTauri at Imola, where he covered 352 km and earned a Friday super license. He recently participated in the Young Driver Test with AlphaTauri at Abu Dhabi following the 2020 Formula One season, where the official announcement of him joining the team was made shortly after.

“Red Bull has been following Yuki’s career for a while now and I am sure he will be a great asset to our team,” Franz Tost, Team Principal of AlphaTauri, said. “Watching him in Formula 2 this year, he has demonstrated the right mix of racing aggression and good technical understanding. During the test in Imola in November when he drove our 2018 car, his lap times were very consistent over a race simulation, he progressed throughout the day and gave our engineers useful feedback. In addition, his integration with the Honda engineers has been seamless, which certainly helps. At the test in Abu Dhabi this week, he proved to be a fast learner and that he is ready to make the step to Formula One.”

Tsunoda’s entrance to Formula One means that he is set to become the 18th competitor from Japan to compete in Formula One, first since Kamui Kobayashi in 2014, along with the first competitor born in the 2000s to do so. His move also completes AlphaTauri’s two-driver lineup for the 2021 F1 season, with Pierre Gasly, winner of the 2020 Italian Grand Prix, returning for a fourth full-time campaign.

This means that Daniil Kvyat, AlphaTauri’s second competitor, enters the 2021 season as a free agent. The 26-year-old Kvyat from Ufa, Russia, is coming off his sixth season in F1, where he earned seven top-10 results and finished in 14th place in the 2020 Drivers’ standings.

Tsunoda is set to make his Formula One debut in the 2021 Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit on March 21.

LLumar® Window Film to sponsor NASCAR champion Chase Elliott through 2023

By
Official Release
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HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS SPONSORSHIP EXTENDED THREE YEARS

CONCORD, N.C. (Dec. 16, 2020) – Eastman Performance Films LLC, a subsidiary of Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE: EMN), will become a primary sponsor of 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE team after extending its relationship with Hendrick Motorsports for three more years.

The sponsorship, which features the LLumar® brand of window film and paint protection film, will run through 2023. LLumar will be a primary sponsor of Elliott, 25, for two races each season and a major associate sponsor in all other Cup Series events.

“The relationship between Eastman and Hendrick Motorsports continues to be a win-win for both organizations,” said Darrell Reed, Eastman Performance Films’ sales and marketing director. “The opportunity to be aligned with Chase Elliott and ‘Team 9’ fresh off a championship season and another NASCAR Most Popular Driver award is exciting for our team and our LLumar dealers. Aligning with a recognizable young star like Chase will continue to grow awareness of the LLumar brand and products with consumers.”

LLumar high-performance films help improve homes, businesses and vehicles around the world by offering protection from the sun, lower energy costs, and improved driving comfort, style and privacy. The LLumar portfolio of products for automotive, residential and commercial include window tints and films for paint protection, decorative, safety and security, and more.

“We’ve enjoyed working with Eastman to promote and grow the LLumar brand,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “The opportunity to pair them with Chase and the No. 9 team will open up new ways to showcase the high-quality products they offer. We look forward to continuing our relationship, growing their NASCAR program and helping drive value to their business.”

In 2020, Elliott became the third-youngest driver in history to win a Cup Series championship. At NASCAR’s top level, the Dawsonville, Georgia, native has already won 11 points-paying races and three Most Popular Driver awards. He has earned a playoff berth in each of his five full-time seasons.

“I’m looking forward to representing LLumar and having them on board with the No. 9 team,” Elliott said. “They have a great lineup of products that are really appealing to people like me who are into their cars. The LLumar paint schemes are always unique and stand out on the racetrack, too, so I’m excited to see what we come up with together over the next three seasons.”

LLumar joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2018 and was a primary sponsor of driver Alex Bowman for the past three NASCAR Cup Series seasons.

ABOUT EASTMAN PERFORMANCE FILMS LLC:
With over 60 years of experience, Eastman Performance Films LLC is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance window tint and paint protection film for automotive applications and window film for residential and commercial applications. For more information, visit www.LLumar.com.

ABOUT EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY:
Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,500 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2019 revenues of approximately $9.3 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 263 points-paying race victories and a record 13 car owner championships in the premier NASCAR Cup Series. The organization fields four full-time Chevrolet teams on the Cup circuit with drivers Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron and Alex Bowman. Headquartered in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Motorsports employs more than 600 people. For more information, please visit HendrickMotorsports.com or interact on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Hailie’s Holiday Haul Teams with Joey Logano Foundation to Donate Hams for NC Families in Need

By
Official Release
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CONCORD, NC., Dec. 16, 2020 – One month after helping more than 250 families in need in Detroit with turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner, NASCAR driver Hailie Deegan and her Ford F-150 are back on the road again.

This time, however, Deegan has teamed up with fellow Ford driver and 2018 NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano to help families in need in North Carolina by delivering 350 hams for holiday dinner tables.

Working through the Joey Logano Foundation, “Hailie’s Holiday Haul” started in Statesville, NC, at the Children’s Hope Alliance, where an enthusiastic crowd of supporters welcomed the two drivers with cheers and handmade signs. The duo dropped off 200 hams at the organization’s headquarters before getting in a 2021 Ford F-150 and driving the remaining 150 hams to Caterpillar Ministries and the Huntington Green neighborhood in Huntersville, NC. In all, more than 3,300 pounds of ham were dropped off at the two locations.

“I think it’s so important to give back to the community, especially if you have great people like Ford behind you who are on the same path and have the same motives. I think if you can both work together, you can make some great things happen and put some smiles on people’s faces,” said Deegan, who will be running a full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2021 with DGR-Crosley.. “There are a lot of families that don’t get to experience the holidays fully with the resources they have, so to be able to give them a chance to have the fullest potential of those holidays means a lot.”

In addition to the hams, JLF also donated 5,000 Ford facemasks to Children’s Hope Alliance as part of a collaboration with the Ford Motor Company Fund, and will eventually distribute a total of 27,000 face coverings in the weeks ahead. It’s all part of Ford and the Ford Fund’s 100 million mask donation to communities and nonprofits across the United States.

“When Hailie came to us and said she wanted to know where to go to give away some holiday hams it was a no-brainer,” said Logano. “We all kind of get stuck in our own little world, especially in times like this, but Christmas is a great time to show the need that is here. Unfortunately, this need is here every day, Covid or not, and the goal is to help these kids become a contributing member of society.”

Children’s Hope Alliance provides hope, health and healing for generations. The organization transforms the lives of children, youth and families by focusing on three main areas: a safe home through foster care and adoption programs; a healthy start through educational, prevention and developmental programs; and healing the hurt for children and families who are troubled, abused or neglected through therapy and counseling.

Caterpillar Ministries was started in 2007 as a partner with the Huntington Green neighborhood in Huntersville, NC. Caterpillar strives to support the well-being of families as well as nurture and strengthen homes. Programs for the neighborhood include fun for preschoolers, small groups for teens, along with ESL classes and job training for adults.

About Ford Performance
Ford’s racing program is part of the Ford Performance organization based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for major racing operations globally, including NASCAR (Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series), IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, FIA World Rally Championship, Virgin Australia Supercars, Formula Drift, and NHRA Funny Car and sportsman drag racing. 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 www.fordperformance.com, www.facebook/FordPerformance, Ford Performance on Instagram and @FordPerformance on Twitter.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 202,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Trans Am Signs Multi-year Extension with Sunoco Race Fuels

By
Official Release
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MIAMI, FLA. (16 December 2020) – Following the completion of a successful three-year agreement, the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli and Sunoco Race Fuels have grown the partnership into a new multi-year commitment, making Sunoco the “Official Race Fuel of Trans Am” for at least five years.

“We are excited to continue our relationship with Sunoco,” said John Clagett, president of the Trans Am Race Company. “It a perfect example of what we mean when we say that we honor the rich legacy of Trans Am, there’s no better example of a partner in that effort than Sunoco.”

Sunoco Race Fuels is the largest manufacturer of racing gasoline in the world. The company’s heritage includes a long and successful association with Trans Am, going all the way back to Roger Penske’s legendary program with Mark Donohue from 1969 to 1971.

Driving a Sunoco-fueled Camaro, Donohue played a major role in establishing the Trans Am Series as the ultimate American automobile showdown. In his career, Donohue scored a record 29 victories while driving for Penske, as well as 43 top-three finishes in 55 Trans Am races, and won the championship three times (1968, 1969 and 1971), with two runner-up positions, all while supported by Sunoco Racing Fuels. Donohue also claimed championships with Sunoco and Penske in Can-Am and won the 1972 Indianapolis 500 in the Sunoco McLaren.

Today Sunoco Racing Fuels sponsors a wide range of racing series covering virtually every category of race car as well as motorcycles and powerboats.

“We at Sunoco couldn’t be more excited to extend our partnership with the Trans Am Series,” said Russ Bradford, Sunoco Performance Products National Sales Manager. “With our involvement dating back to the 1960s through Roger Penske and Mark Donohue we feel it is part of our heritage and the tremendous resurgence of the series over the past several years has been great to see and be a part of. Sunoco is excited to work with the staff and competitors for many years to come.”

To honor its deeply rooted heritage with Trans Am, Sunoco established the Sunoco Donohue Technical Excellence Award in 2019. Determined by an expert panel, the season-end honors is awarded to any series participant, or supplier, who embodies an extraordinary use of technology, or technical knowledge, to gain an advantage, better the series as a whole, help all the teams improve their operations or better the racing community.

Marc Miller, the 2019 TA2® powered by AEM Champion, received the inaugural award for his use in data and video analysis to improve his performance and that of every Stevens-Miller Racing driver.

A thrilling display of Sunoco-fueled Trans Am cars will air on the CBS Sports Network in a three-part season review, starting on Sunday, December 13 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. Visit www.GoTransAm.com for full broadcast details.

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