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E1 Motorsports Inks Extension with NASCAR Driver Spencer Boyd

By
Official Release
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Concord, NC (October 20, 2020) – E1 Motorsports, a performance parts distributor and customization shop located in Houston, TX, has signed on to be the primary sponsor of Spencer Boyd’s No. 20 truck at Texas Motor Speedway in 2020. The specialists in Audi, VW, Porsche, lifted trucks, Jeeps, and other luxury vehicles have been an associate sponsor of Boyd since August of this year.

“The work E1 does is second to none,” said Boyd. “If you’ve invested in a performance vehicle, you have to have it taken care of by professionals and that’s exactly who E1 is. I know I wouldn’t want hacks tuning my race cars so our commitment to excellence is a great match.”

Founded in 2014, E1 Motorsports initially began as a parts drop shipper for automotive enthusiasts on national auto forums and local Facebook groups. E1 Motorsports has grown into a 14,000 sq. ft. full-service automotive repair and customization facility. Offering Genuine, OE, OEM, and Aftermarket maintenance and repair parts, as well as high-performance accessories, there isn’t a need you have that E1 Motorsports can’t resolve.

Leadership at E1 Motorsports commented on the partnership with Boyd, “For us, it’s about exposure. We are expanding our shop and there is a lot of work being done on cars right now, so we want people know where to go for the real deal. We are enthusiasts taking care of other enthusiasts and want more people to be part of the E1 family.”

“Whether you’re spending the weekend at Houston Motorsports Park with your club or at some other local track for track days, E1 Motorsports will take care of you and help get those lap times better,” Boyd said. “I look forward to having this killer paint scheme debuting in E1’s home state of Texas and finishing out the season strong with a great race. It’s Young’s Motorsports home track too so we’re gonna get ol’ No. 20 tuned up for this one.”

With three races left to go in the 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series season, the No. 20 team is fighting to finish in the top 20 in driver points. The SpeedyCash.com 400 will be part of a double header with the NASCAR Cup Series and nationally televised on FS1 at 12:00pm ET on October 25, 2020. On your radio, listen to the Motor Racing Network or Sirius XM Radio Channel 90.

Shop online for your performance parts at www.e1motorsports.com.

Ford Performance Development Driver Chase Briscoe Continues Career Climb by Advancing to NASCAR Cup Series

By
Official Release
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#98: Chase Briscoe, Biagi-DenBeste Racing, Ford Mustang Nutri Chomps/Ford
  • Ford Performance development driver Chase Briscoe has been promoted to the NASCAR Cup Series and will drive the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang in the 2021 season.
  • Briscoe was signed as the program’s first driver in 2017 and since then has won 13 races in the NASCAR Truck and NASCAR XFINITY Series combined.
  • He will make his Cup Series debut on Feb. 14, 2021 in the Daytona 500.

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 20, 2020 – When Ford Performance announced on Jan. 12, 2017 that Chase Briscoe had been signed as its first development driver, the hope was he would one day end up in the NASCAR Cup Series.

That day has arrived as Briscoe was announced the new driver of the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang this morning, replacing Clint Bowyer, who is moving to the Fox broadcast booth next season.

“Even though Chase had limited experience running on pavement, we knew he had the natural talent to make the transition,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports.  “Our philosophy was to get him in as many different types of cars and trucks as we could while also exposing him to our technical tools like the simulator to get him as much experience as possible and it’s paid off.”

Briscoe, who by his own estimation had only 25 starts on pavement before being signed by Ford Performance, quickly took to his new environment that featured a variety of different disciplines.  He started by running a full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for owner Brad Keselowski and scored his first win in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The following year saw him run a hybrid schedule in which he split time in the NASCAR Xfinity and IMSA Continental Tire Challenge Series, driving GT4 Mustangs.  That experience helped hone his road racing skills and led to his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory on the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.

The last two years have seen him run full-time in Xfinity, where he’s produced 10 wins including Saturday’s race at Kansas Speedway that locked him into the Championship 4.  Briscoe’s nine victories in 2020 are not only the most among series drivers, but is also a Ford single-season record, breaking the previous high of eight set by Carl Edwards in 2011.

“We had high expectations for Chase and it’s gratifying not only to myself, but to all of our Ford Performance team members who helped get him to this position,” said Rushbrook.  “Nobody is harder on Chase than himself, but it’s that constant drive to win which has got him to this point and will continue to make him successful at the Cup level.  There’s still a lot of work to be done, including winning the Xfinity championship in a few weeks, but we couldn’t be prouder of how things have turned out so far.”

In storybook fashion, Briscoe will be driving the same car his childhood idol and now boss, Tony Stewart, drove during part of his NASCAR Hall of Fame career. 

“It’s so crazy and unbelievable how everything has worked out.  I grew up a diehard Tony Stewart fan and he’s always been my hero,” said Briscoe, who grew up in Mitchell, IN, just outside of Indianapolis.  “My family has always been a Ford family, and I’ll never forget when I first got signed by Ford.  I would always tell people that my dream was to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing and the icing on the cake would be if it was in the 14 car.  I can’t believe that’s really happening.”

He’ll make his debut on Feb. 14, 2021 in the season-opening Daytona 500.

CHASE BRISCOE DRIVER DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE

Jan. 12, 2017 – Ford Performance signs Chase Briscoe to development contract.

Feb. 24, 2017 – Makes his NASCAR debut driving the No. 29 Ford F-150 for owner Brad Keselowski at Daytona.

Nov. 17, 2017 – Wins his first NASCAR race, the Ford 200 Truck Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Dec. 9, 2019 – Named NASCAR Truck Series most popular driver and winner of the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award.

Jan. 26, 2018 – Competes in his first IMSA event driving a GT4 Mustang at Daytona.

July 18, 2018 – Wins the Eldora Dirt Derby in the NASCAR Truck Series.

Sept. 29, 2018 – Wins the inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series race on the Charlotte Roval.

Oct. 17, 2020 – Wins his ninth NASCAR Xfinity Series race of the season, setting a Ford single-season record and automatically advancing to the Championship 4.

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 Sets Expanded 2021 Schedule

By
Official Release
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More flexibility for competitors as Trans Am schedule includes 14-race weekends highlighted with NASCAR Cup Series race

Miami, Fla. (19 October 2020) – After the pandemic forced motorsport into a consolidated schedule for 2020, the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli has bounced back for the 2021 season.

One of the longest-running categories in motorsport, Trans Am is set to stage an expanded 14-race calendar that will see the National Championship featured at legendary venues across the United States and Canada as part of NASCAR and Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) events. Most of the 2021 schedule will continue to be live streamed on the Trans Am by Pirelli Racing App.

The 2021 schedule has grown to include the “Roval” circuits of Charlotte and Homestead Miami, and has been designed with the goal of cost containment for the robust paddock.

With five back-to-back weekends that will be geographically friendly to participants, as well as the option for competitors to drop two rounds from the championship, the 2021 ruleset and calendar reflects both a connection to Trans Am’s long history as well as some well-considered responses to current conditions. 

Adding flexibility and potential budget advantages for teams, drivers will be able to utilize their 12 best race finishes toward the championship standings.  Teams will have the opportunity to drop two races or drop their worst two finishes up to August 1, establishing the opportunity for teams to select the best schedule of races to fit their plans without losing any competitiveness in the championship fight. 

“After a season of unknowns, we wanted to give our participants stability with a cost-effective travel schedule that is geographically friendly and that would also allow for more racing in 2021 after having a shortened season in 2020,” explained Trans Am Race Company President John Clagett. “We also gave the teams the flexibility to choose the events they attend to help with their overall bottom line. There are some great events at the best venues in North America on this schedule.   We’ve still got a lot of racing to yet do in 2020, but the enthusiasm about next year is really strong.”

Trans Am has a history at Sebring that stretches back to the very first race in 1966. The series will continue that tradition again in 2021 on February 20-21 to kick off a back-to-back Florida run that will see Trans Am return to Homestead Miami Speedway (February 27-28) as part of the SVRA SpeedTour.

The Homestead round is the first for Trans Am since 2017, and the last time that Sebring and Homestead (2015) ran on back to back weekends, the two races generated 73 and 65 entries, respectively.

The multi-class series travels to Charlotte Motor Speedway (March 20-21), having raced at the track in a previous iteration of the Roval layout in 2000. From there, the series will move south to the always-competitive Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (March 27-28) for another single tow race weekend with SVRA.

Following a short break, the National Championship will make a West Coast swing on consecutive weekends with visits to Sonoma Raceway (April 24-25) and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (May 1-2), with the dates also slated is the opening two events of the growing Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli West Coast Championship. 

Sonoma Raceway hosted the National Trans Am Championship 24 times, consecutively from 1969 through 2004; then returned to the schedule in 2018 as host for a West Coast Championship round.  The West Coast Championship has returned to Sonoma every year since, and played host for three rounds and two events this season.  The 2021 schedule will mark the first appearance for the National Championship at Sonoma since 2004.

Due to rescheduling, Trans Am drivers will be fighting for a title in the infamous Corkscrew during the 2020 season finale. In 2021, the SVRA SpeedTour event returns to its regularly scheduled first weekend of May slot featuring the Trans Am by Pirelli Championship and West Coast Championship series.

The series then heads back to the other side of the country for a fan favorite and traditional event the Trans Am SpeedTour Classic at Lime Rock Park over Memorial Day Weekend (May 29-31) with SVRA.

Another pair of back-to-back weekends kick off Trans Am’s summer tour, starting with Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course June 26-27. Trans Am will celebrate America’s independence at one of the most iconic road courses in the country, Road America, once again staging two 100-mile races as part of the NASCAR Cup Series event on its new date (July 3-4).

After a one weekend break, Trans Am will head North to Minnesota for a very special event.   For the second consecutive season, Trans Am will honor the late track co-owner and former part-time Trans Am driver Jed Copham for the Jed Copham Tribute Weekend July 17-18.   

Keeping true to the Trans American name, the final leg of the 2021 docket starts internationally in Canada at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park September 4-5. 

The 2021 visit to Canadian Tire Motorsports Park will be its 31st visit, and its first time there since 2014.  Trans Am raced at the venue 14 consecutive years (1984-97) and then six straight seasons (2009-2014) on the traditional Victoria Day weekend (start of summer) to now the end of summer holiday (Labour Day). 

The following weekend, the teams return to the iconic Watkins Glen International (September 11- 12) after missing the date in 2020 due to the pandemic. The three-week September sprint ends in Virginia International Raceway (September 25-26) with SVRA.

The teams and drivers break for October before the season finale at Circuit of the Americas November 6-7, which will host the season finale for both the Trans Am National and West Coast championships. 

The TA2® powered by AEM class will be enjoying one additional race, to be announced in the near future.

The full official 2021 Trans Am Series West Coast presented by Pirelli Championship schedule will be released at a later date. 

For more information on Trans Am, visit www.GoTransAm.com.

2021 Trans Am by Pirelli Schedule

February 20-21           Sebring International (w SVRA)

February 27-28           Homestead (w SVRA)

March 20-21               Charlotte Motor Speedway (w SVRA)

March 27-28               Michelin Road Atlanta (w SVRA)

April 24-25                  Sonoma Raceway (w SVRA)

May 1- 2                      Weather Tech Laguna Seca (w SVRA)

May 29-31                   Lime Rock Park (w SVRA)

June 26-27                  Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (w SVRA)

July 3-4                        Road America (w NASCAR)

July 17-18                    Brainerd International Raceway (w tbd)

September 4-5            Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (w tbd)

September 11- 12       Watkins Glen International (w SVRA)

September 25-26        Virginia International Raceway (w SVRA)

November 6-7             Circuit of the Americas (w SVRA)

TBA                            TA2® standalone race TBA street circuit

NASCAR Xfinity Series Power Rankings – Kansas II

By
Briar Starr
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Chase Briscoe, Daniel Hemric and Justin Haley restart during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway on October 17, 2020. Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images.

After a wet race at the Charlote Roval the week prior, the NASCAR Xfinity Series came to play at a dry, but windy Kansas Speedway this past Saturday night.

Chase Briscoe collected his ninth win of the year and now adds his name to the Championship 4 for the Xfinity Series when they go to Phoenix International Raceway in a couple of weeks. Briscoe dominated leading 159 of the scheduled 200 laps for his 11th career Xfinity Series win.

While Briscoe grabbed the win once again, a scary accident broke out in Turn 1 on Lap 174 when the No. 21 of Anthony Alfredo went upside down after contact with the No. 7 of Justin Allgaier who was on the apron at the time. Thankfully for Alfredo, he was able to walk away unscathed from the incident.

After the incident, the other highest finishing playoff driver was Ryan Sieg who finished third by playing pit strategy and pitting for fresh tires.

Now, we’ll take a look at how some of the other Xfinity Series drivers fared after the Kansas Lottery 300.

  1. Chase Briscoe – Briscoe kept his winning streak alive, gaining his ninth of the year after sweeping both stages Saturday. He led a race-high of 159 laps and now can breathe a little bit easier for the next couple of weeks as he is now locked into the championship event. Briscoe will certainly be a favorite for the title once that time comes.

    Previous Week Ranking – First
  2. Brandon Jones – Jones had some good news prior to the event. It was announced by the Joe Gibbs Racing team that he would return to the No. 19 Toyota for the 2021 Xfinity Series season. Jones took home his 17th Top 10 of the year after placing in the ninth position. He also placed second in both stages.

    Previous Week Ranking – Not Ranked
  3. Ryan Sieg – Sieg finished third after leading 19 laps and earned his seventh top five of the 2020 season. The Georgian finished eighth in both stages in addition to his efforts on Saturday night.

    Previous Week Ranking – Not Ranked
  4. Justin Haley – Haley bounced back this week to a fourth-place finish following his forgettable Roval outing of 35th due to a crash. The Kaulig driver placed 10th in Stage 1 but is fifth in the standings, one position below the cut line. Stage victories at Texas and Martinsville can certainly help things along the way to move him into the Championship 4.

    Previous Week Ranking – Not Ranked
  5. Ross Chastain – While 12th certainly wasn’t the night Chastain had hoped for, the finish could have been much worse considering he was involved in two accidents. One occurred on Lap 16 and the other on Lap 169. On the Lap 169 accident, the Floridan received right-rear bumper damage to the No. 10 machine. Fortunately for Chastain, he was able to save the car from more damage and a potentially disastrous points day. Chastain also collected stage finishes of fifth in Stage 1 and 2.

Fell Out

  1. Austin Cindric – Cindric was involved in an accident with Noah Gragson on the backstretch just 16 laps into the race. The accident ultimately hurt the Team Penske drivers’ chances as Cindric came home in the 28th position, several laps down.

    Previous Week Ranking – Fifth
  2. Noah Gragson – Gragson’s last-place result was the outcome after the early accident. Moving forward, Gragson will have to win in order to make those points to be a part of the Championship 4.

    Previous Week Ranking – Second
  3. Alex Labbe – A 23rd place finish was all Labbe could do one week following his fourth-place finish at the ROVAL.

    Previous Week Ranking – Fourth

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Kansas

By
Jeffrey Boswell
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Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on October 18, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Joey Logano: Logano held off Kevin Harvick down the stretch to win at Kansas and punch his ticket to the championship round at Phoenix.

“Harvick was looming in my rear-view mirror for the last 40 laps,” Logano said. “But I didn’t even notice, because I was looking ahead to Phoenix. And while the heat is on the rest of the playoff field, I’ll be able to chill.”

2. Kevin Harvick: Harvick finished second at Kansas.

“I just couldn’t find my way around Joey Logano,” Harvick said. “He made passing almost impossible, as did NASCAR’s rules package. It’s almost like the ‘fix’ was in. Maybe the ‘fix’ will be this offseason, when NASCAR can hopefully change the rules to make racing at intermediate tracks more watchable.”

3. Chase Elliott: Elliott finished sixth at Kansas and now finds himself below the playoff cutoff line.

“We’re not hitting the panic button just yet,” Elliott said. “But we are familiarizing ourselves with its whereabouts.”

4. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin brushed the wall early at Kansas and eventually finished 15th.

“It’s never a good time to hit the wall,” Hamlin said, “especially in the middle of the NASCAR playoffs. In my defense, it was ‘crunch’ time.”

5. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski came home fourth at Kansas as Penske Racing teammate Joey Logano took the win.

“Joey drove a heck of a race,” Keselowski said. “Now, he’s sitting pretty. He’s also sitting in the driver’s seat, as well as the catbird seat.”

6. Alex Bowman: Bowman finished third in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas.

“Not many people expected me to make it to the Round Of 8,” Bowman said. “But I proved I belong. And unless I do something big in Texas, it won’t ‘be long’ before I’m out of the playoffs.”

7. Martin Truex, Jr.: Truex finished ninth at Kansas.

“We need a win in the worst way,” Truex said. “So we have to put it all on the line. And, fitting of the state of Texas, we’re going there with guns blazing.”

8. Aric Almirola: Almirola finished 13th at Kansas, and will need a win in either of the next two races to advance.

“Kyle Larson has filed for reinstatement,” Almirola said. “I think NASCAR will reinstate him, and a top team will sign him, to probably the most ‘carefully worded’ contract in the sport’s history.”

9. Kyle Busch: Busch finished fifth in the Hollywood Casino 400.

“Since I’m out of championship contention,” Busch said, “I’m just going through the motions. Heck, I’d rather not even run the last three races. Honestly, I don’t think anyone would notice if I wasn’t there, especially anyone standing in Victory Lane.”

10. Kurt Busch: Busch’s engine expired on Lap 193 at Kansas and he finished 38th.

“My race came to a halt real quick,” Busch said. “I went from about 750 horsepower to no horsepower. So, ‘Whoa‘ is me.”

Picking the Perfect Rims For Your Car

By
SM
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Image by THAM YUAN YUAN from Pixabay

Rims, the outermost part of the wheel, serve the functional purpose of holding the tire, enhancing car performance, and giving it a smoother ride. It’s used as an aesthetic that can also make a dull-looking ride look like a million bucks. 

If you’re new to the auto world or never gave much thought to what type of rims your car needs, here you’ll find a quick cheat sheet on what to look for when it comes to your wheels. 

Find the Right Size Rims

The first mistake that many car geeks make is prioritizing aesthetics over how it’ll affect your car and its performance. Before you go shopping for RTX rims, let’s look at functionality, what size you should look for in wheels and rims, and how it impacts your riding experience. 

Overall Diameter

The rim size, as well as the tires, is important for the braking components, suspension parts, and the body of the vehicle. It indicates the number of lug holes and the spacing between them. Increasing the diameter gives you a more street-worthy look, but decreasing it allows for more tire sidewall and better off-road performance.

Offset and Backspace

The offset is defined as the distance between the hub-bearing surface and the centerline of the rim. If the face of the mounting hub is behind the centerline, somewhat inside of the barrel, it’s considered a negative offset. The opposite applies to it sitting towards the edge of the car – making it a positive offset. 

It’s not just for appearance; while the offset can drastically change the look, it can also affect the way the suspension reacts to movements of the wheel. 

Bolt Patterns

Bolt patterns from the rims and your wheels must match to fit your vehicle properly. For instance, your car may have five lugs, but it doesn’t mean it’ll be a perfect fit. Use a template or chart indicated for your vehicle’s make, year, and class for ultimate accuracy. 

Proper Mounting

Another important factor to consider is how well it can be mounted to a vehicle. You’ll mostly find rims that are hub-centric (when they fit precisely around the hub). Settle for anything else that doesn’t fit your wheel, and you’ll experience imbalance or vibration in your seat or steering wheel while driving.  

Material and Maintenance

Rims come in common materials such as steel, aluminum, and chrome. Other types include magnesium alloy wheels. Here’s a little about each material and the advantages it brings.

Steel 

Steel is considered old school since most standard wheels used to be made from it. Most commonly found as a 17-inch wheel, it’s one of the cheapest options compared to its competitors.

Aluminum 

Aluminium is much lighter than steel, making it more fuel-efficient. It’s usually alloyed with some nickel.

Magnesium Alloy 

These rims are incredibly durable, affordable, and highly used today. They’re also the lightest rims on the market.

Chrome 

Chrome trims were popular in the 1960s up until recently. It’s not exactly a material, but a finish applied to rims to resist rust and look brand new. However, it’s not scratch proof, is easily damaged from weather, and in some cases, it contains hazardous chemicals. Chrome has since been banned in some US states.

Ask an Expert

If you still don’t feel comfortable choosing your own rims, it would be best to ask a professional. They know exactly what they’re doing and will ask you the right questions to narrow down what you’re looking for.

Final Word

When it comes to rims and wheels, there are so many makes and models to choose from it’ll make your head spin. On the bright side, it gives you a wide range of prices, materials, and appearances to choose from when it’s time to optimize your ride. 

If all else fails, one foolproof way to get the desired size, material, and look you want is meeting up with an expert. Any reputable car shop will be able to guide you through the ins and outs of car wheels, help you find the right size, and how to make them work the best for you. 

NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series Power Rankings – Kansas II

By
Briar Starr
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Brett Moffitt and Sheldon Creed lead the field during the final lap of the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Clean Harbors 200 at Kansas Speedway on October 17, 2020. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images.

In a rare event, the Truck Series competed for the second time at Kansas Speedway, after two previous races on July 24 and 25 earlier this season. Brett Moffitt won Saturday afternoon after a battle with his GMS Racing teammate Zane Smith.

Moffitt blocked Smith going into Turns 3 and 4, causing Smith to go sideways and bringing out a late-race yellow. Despite the contact between the teammates, Moffitt is now in the Championship 4 for a third consecutive year dating back to his championship year in 2018.

Smith, however, lost out on an opportunity after having the dominant truck and leading 37 laps, only to finish 11th. The Huntington Beach, CA native now sits fourth in the standings, only seven points above the cut line. The next two races at Texas and Martinsville won’t be easy for Smith but if he can manage his own race and win a couple of stages, he looks good to make the Championship 4 as long as he does not suffer any engine failures or other issues along the way.

With Moffitt winning for the 12th time in his career, we’ll take a look at how others did following Saturday’s race at Kansas Speedway.

  1. Sheldon Creed – Had there been one more lap, we could have been a different story in terms of a winner. Sheldon Creed had the best truck early on throughout the first two stages of the race, sweeping them both. Creed led a race-high of 61 laps en route to a second-place finish, earning his seventh top five of the season. Currently, Creed is 26 points above the cut line and could lock himself into the Championship 4 in the next two races.

    Previous Week Ranking – Fourth
  2. Austin Hill – Despite the contact with competitor Christian Eckes, the No. 16 Hattori Racing Enterprises team rebounded to a third-place finish after fixing damage during a long pit stop under a stage break. Aside from the contact, Hill led 13 laps and ended up with his 10th top five of the year. Though the finish was probably disappointing after winning here back in July, Hill sits somewhat comfortably, 19 points above the cut line in third.

    Previous Week Ranking – Fifth
  3. Grant Enfinger – It was somewhat a quiet Kansas outing in Enfinger’s camp after winding up fourth for his seventh top-five of the 2020 season. The Alabaman finished inside the Top 10 in both stages with finishes of seventh and 10th respectively. However, things will begin to get tight for the No. 98 team as Enfinger sits seven points below the cut line, among the first to possibly be eliminated. But, as usual, anything can and will happen in racing over the next two weeks. Still, not a bad finish by Enfinger.

    Previous Week Ranking – Second
  4. Zane Smith – Smith came close to his third victory of the year if not for the late-race contact with his teammate Moffitt and could have been fighting for his first championship. While the 11th place finish was certainly frustrating, the California native had a strong race going up to that point. Smith finished fourth in Stage 1 and second in Stage 2. Unfortunately, he could never rebound for a Top 10 finish despite putting four fresh tires on following the spin, prior to the original final lap.

    Previous Week Ranking – Not Ranked
  5. Matt Crafton – A ninth-place finish was all Crafton could do in his No. 88 Ford F-150 Saturday afternoon at Kansas. In Stage 1 and Stage 2, he finished fifth and sixth respectively. Though the ThorSport driver will more than likely have to win at either Texas or Martinsville if the defending champion wants to defend his title again as he is 15 points below the cut line.

    Previous Week Ranking – First

Fell Out

  1. Ben Rhodes – Hurting his playoff chances on Saturday was Ben Rhodes and the No. 99 ThorSport team. The Kentucky native now faces a must-win situation (33 below the cut line) after being penalized twice for too many men over the pit wall while under the damaged vehicle policy. Rhodes’ final finishing position was 20th, three laps down.

    Previous Week Ranking – Third

AirPower Foundation Joins Niece Motorsports, Trevor Bayne for Races at Texas and Phoenix

By
Official Release
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STATESVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 19, 2020) – The AirPower Foundation will join Niece Motorsports and Trevor Bayne as the primary partner at Texas Motor Speedway on October 25 and again at Phoenix Raceway in the season finale on November 6.

“Texas Motor Speedway has produced a lot of memories for me, including my first Cup start and my first XFINITY win,” said Bayne.  “I’m proud to have the AirPower Foundation on the truck for my first Gander Truck Series start at the track.  Our military and their families make such a sacrifice to defend and protect us, which is why I’m so thankful to be partnering with an organization that helps to take care of and support them.”

The AirPower Foundation was established by the nation’s oldest civilian military support organization.

“The AirPower Foundation is honored to have this opportunity to be the primary partner with Niece Motorsports and Trevor Bayne for the races in Texas and Phoenix,” said Sid Eppes, Chairman of the AirPower Foundation.  “These races will allow us to reach a very large audience to inform the public of the work we do, and the critical need for funding to further assist with the numerous requests we receive every day for assistance from the over 72 organizations we support annually across the country.  We sincerely thank Trevor Bayne for all his support, and we thank Al Niece for his service and his continued support of all who serve.”  

Since its formation in 1999, the AirPower Foundation provides funding for programs dedicated to supporting active duty military, veterans, and their families.  AirPower also supports projects to assist wounded warriors, ill or injured service members, our GoldStar families of the fallen, veterans of previous wars and educational projects to make sure the next generation understands the honor and sacrifice of serving our country. AirPower is the only organization authorized by the Vietnam POW organization NAMPOW to support them. 

“I’m thrilled for the AirPower Foundation to come on board with Trevor and our team,” said team owner Al Niece.  “Our military is near and dear to me, having served in the United States Marine Corps.  It means a lot to me to have an organization that supports our military members and their families on one of our trucks, especially at Texas and in Phoenix before Veteran’s Day.”

Niece served in the United States Marine Corps, honorably serving the United States, and deploying to Vietnam.

Bayne, a Daytona 500 Champion, made his return to NASCAR racing earlier this season, putting together several strong runs and contending for the win at Talladega Superspeedway, in just his fourth NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series (NGROTS) start.

While Bayne is relatively new to the NGROTS, he has no shortage of experience behind the wheel at Texas and Phoenix in NASCAR’s top-two series.

The Tennessee-native has 17 NASCAR Cup Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, in addition to nine NASCAR XFINITY Series starts, with a victory coming in 2011.

Bayne also has eight NASCAR Cup Series starts at Phoenix Raceway and 10 NASCAR XFINITY Series starts, where he has earned one top-five and six top-10 finishes.

The No. 45 AirPower Foundation Chevrolet will take the green flag at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, October 25 at 12 p.m. ET.  The 147-lap race will air live on FoxSports1, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Niece Motorsports: 

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece.  In 2020, Niece Motorsports enters its fifth season in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors 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.

About AirPower Foundation:

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with its roots dating back to 1958, when Air Force General Curtis LeMay and businessman/philanthropist Frank Kent created the Fort Worth AirPower Council dedicated to supporting the military community at Carswell Air Force Base.

The AirPower Foundation board of directors is a diverse group of professionals who volunteer their time and are dedicated to the proposition that freedom is not free. It is their noble mission to assist deployed military families, wounded service members, and veterans of past wars. They spend countless hours visiting military installations and families, assessing needs and grant requests. They are instrumental in providing leadership to organize and execute numerous projects every year in support of military families.  Follow the Foundation on Facebook @AirPowerFoundation Also on Instagram and Twitter @AirPowerFDN

Meyer Shank Racing Ready for a Strong INDYCAR Season Finale in St. Petersburg

By
Official Release
-
#60: Jack Harvey, Meyer Shank Racing Honda

Pataskala, Ohio (19 October 2020) – Meyer Shank Racing and Jack Harvey are aiming to make a strong finish to the 2020 IndyCar season at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday (2:30pm ET, NBC) as the team completes its first full-season NTT INDYCAR Series campaign.

Returning back to the site of the originally scheduled IndyCar Series opening round – which was canceled last minute in March due to COVID-19 – Meyer Shank Racing is looking forward to the first, and only, street course event in 2020.

Harvey will be making his third start on the Streets of St. Petersburg this weekend, having debuted at the track with MSR in 2018. A cut tire ended his race early, but he came back stronger in 2019 and he netted his best qualifying run at that point (7th) and went on to score his first-ever IndyCar top 10 finish.

“I’m really excited to get back to St. Pete, shall we say,” said Harvey. “It’s such a shame that we didn’t get to race there in March, but I’m really thrilled that we can have it as a season finale instead of a season opener. I hope it’s a really great weekend for us. We’ve had some great momentum and consistency so hopefully we can have a solid result to end the season on a high note.”

Harvey’s first full season campaign has seen him demonstrate impressive pace in qualifying with two front row starting positions in 2020. Despite racing on several tracks that were new to him this year, he has also shown speed at race time.

The Briton has had five top ten finishes in 2020 with a best finish of sixth at the Harvest Grand Prix last month. Some unfortunate racing luck has kept those promising qualifying outings from converting into a return to the IndyCar podium for Harvey so far, but he will look to close the year out on a strong note in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and move up from 13th in the IndyCar points standings.

Meyer Shank Racing’s Season at a Glance:

Genesys 300 – Texas Motor Speedway:
Start: 21
Finish: 16

After the 2020 IndyCar season was delayed three months due to COVID-19, MSR and Harvey picked the season back up and made their debut at Texas Motor Speedway in June. Having never driven the high-speed, high intensity, 1.5-mile oval, Harvey was tasked with learning as quickly as possible for the single-day event.

A track that has frequently claimed many competitors into the wall, Texas Motor Speedway treated Harvey well. After starting 21st, Harvey made up five position to finish 16th.

GMR Grand Prix – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course:
Start: 2
Finish: 17

It was a highly anticipated race weekend to return to the site where Harvey scored his first IndyCar podium in 2019. The IMS Road Course has highlighted Harvey’s growth and pace, and once again proved that he is a top contender in IndyCar.

Quick pace right out of the gate saw Harvey nearly score his first IndyCar pole position, but just two-tenths shy, Harvey made his first front row start. The race was playing out in Harvey’s favor as he ran in podium contention and led his first official laps in IndyCar. Unfortunately, just as Harvey was set to make his second stop of the race, a yellow flag was deployed which closed pit lane and forced the team to alter strategy. Harvey ultimately finished 17th.

Rev Group Grand Prix – Road America:
Race One Race Two
Start: 2 Start: 9
Finish: 23 Finish: 17

The first double header of the season brought the team to Road America. Harvey’s pace from IMS translated to the nearly 4.0-mile circuit in Wisconsin. Qualifying second for Race 1, Harvey was eager to once again make a run to the podium. With luck once again not on Harvey’s side, he was forced to retire early with a brake issue.

Starting from ninth for Race 2 of the weekend gave Harvey another opportunity to make a run to the front. It was just a few feet after the green flag that Harvey was struck from behind going into Turn 1 which prevented the Briton from moving through the field. Harvey finish 17th.

Iowa IndyCar 250s – Iowa Speedway:
Race One Race Two
Start: 9 Start: 6
Finish: 7 Finish: 7

Another double header race weekend was staged at Iowa Speedway. Aside from the IMS oval, Iowa Speedway was another oval on the IndyCar schedule that Harvey had previous experience while competing in Indy Lights competition.

The 0.875-mile ‘bull ring’ saw Harvey qualify for Race 1 in ninth and then move on to qualifying sixth for Race 2. Harvey brought home a pair of seventh place finishes in the two 90-minute races – bringing the MSR team back on track to consistently finish in the top 10.

Indianapolis 500 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
Start: 20
Finish: 9

In addition to the many changes the 2020 season presented MSR with, the Indianapolis 500 was the first 500-mile event to be held without fans and in the Month of August. Making his fourth start at the iconic event, Harvey made a qualifying run which set him 20th in the 33 car field.

Determined to make his best finish to date, Harvey and the team were able to use strategy, pace and quick pit stops to advance 11 positions to finish ninth.

Bommarito Automotive Group 500 – World Wide Technology Raceway:
Race One Race Two
Start: 7 Start: 5
Finish: 11 Finish: 13

Making another top ten race start (7th) for Race 1 at WWTR, Harvey was on the fast track to make his first top five finish of the season. The race saw Harvey run in the front of the field with the MSR crew performing one of its fastest pit stops to date. But a caution midway through the race which was called for the threat of rain – which never came to fruition – forced the team to reorganize its strategy and claw its way back to an 11th place finish.

Qualifying for Race 2 fifth was promising for Harvey as he hoped to turn his luck around for Race 2. Unfortunately, Harvey was unable to make his way through the field despite several strategy calls to do so – Harvey crossed the line 13th.

Honda Indy 200 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course:
Race One Race Two
Start: 5 Start: 19
Finish: 7 Finish: 12

Racing at his home track for the third IndyCar season in a row, MSR was determined to get a good result in front of its home crowd. A big improvement on day one saw Harvey make a run to fifth in qualifying for Race 1. A bold strategy to start on alternate tires for Race 1 benefitted Harvey as he raced to seventh – his fourth top ten finish of the season.

New track conditions presented Harvey with a wet track surface for qualifying for Race 2. Starting on the 10th row Harvey hoped to add to his top ten finish streak, but came up just short to finish 12th.

INDYCAR Harvest Grand Prix – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course:
Race One Race Two
Start: 6 Start: 7
Finish: 8 Finish: 6

Meyer Shank Racing kicked off race week with several exciting announcements. First, the team broke ground on its new 46,000 sq. ft. Shop that’s due to be completed next year.

MSR also announced a minority investment made by Liberty Media which is attributed to the Formula One Group. With 2021 looking bright for MSR, the team was ready to kick off its third race weekend at IMS.

The weekend started off with Harvey making his fifth appearance in the Firestone Fast Six for Race 1. Finishing eighth in Race 1 was a solid starting point heading into the final race on Sunday. Starting from seventh on the grid for Race 2, Harvey captured his sixth top ten finish, coming home sixth at IMS.

Justin Haley Returning to Kaulig Racing in 2021

By
Barry Albert
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Justin Haley

Justin Haley to Pilot the No. 11 Chevrolet for 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Season

(LEXINGTON, N.C.) October 19, 2020 – Kaulig Racing is thrilled to announce that Justin Haley will return to the No. 11 Chevrolet for the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) season.

Haley, who originally signed on for a two-year deal with Kaulig Racing beginning in 2019, has signed a one-year extension, and will be the first driver to return for a third season with the team.

“I’d first like to thank LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice and everyone at Kaulig Racing for an amazing partnership the past two years,” said Haley. “We’ve grown as a team, an organization, and most importantly, as a family. I feel super blessed to have gotten the call from Kaulig Racing after my second win at Talladega that they wanted me back in 2021. They have believed in me since day one, and have stuck with me through the highs and lows. I’m extremely humbled to keep this strong partnership going into 2021 and continue trophy hunting!”

Before Haley joined the team in 2019, Kaulig Racing recorded 22 top 10’s and one top-five finish from 2016-2018. So far, Haley has earned three wins, 38 top 10’s and 13 top five-finishes for Kaulig Racing in the No. 11 Chevrolet.

Haley also joined the likes of Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a driver to win three superspeedway races in-a-row following his win at Talladega Superspeedway earlier this month. The 21-year-old has since become one of 34 drivers, and the second youngest, to record a win in all three of NASCAR’s top-tier series.

“To have Justin Haley come back for a third year with us is beyond amazing for our team!” Said Matt Kaulig, owner of Kaulig Racing. “Everyone at Kaulig Racing loves Justin, and it is safe to say he has become an integral part of our family. Justin has only helped our program grow, and the proof is in the stats! I’m looking forward to many more wins and trophies with Justin in 2021.”

Haley and the team also made history together when they entered their first Daytona 500, the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race for Kaulig Racing, in February of 2020.

“Having Justin Haley return to Kaulig Racing for the 2021 season is truly special to me,” said President of Kaulig Racing, Chris Rice. “I had my eye on Justin for a while before he came to Kaulig Racing and knew there was something special about this kid. I was able to be a part of handpicking him for the No. 11 car, and there has not been one day that I have regretted that decision. I know he will do big things in 2021 for Kaulig Racing.”

Haley will pilot the No. 11 Chevrolet for the 2021 NXS season beginning at Daytona International Speedway. Partner announcements for the No. 11 Chevrolet in 2021 still to come at a later date.

About Kaulig Racing™
Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time multi-car NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016 Kaulig Racing™ has made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started. Kaulig Racing fields two full-time entries; the No. 10 Chevrolet driven by Ross Chastain and the No. 11 Chevrolet driven by Justin Haley, as well as, a part-time entry – the No. 16 driven by AJ Allmendinger. Kaulig Racing™ earned two wins in 2019 and have come to be one of the top competitors on track each weekend. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

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