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NASCAR CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND RETURNS TO PHOENIX RACEWAY IN 2021; SPRING RACE WEEKEND SET FOR MARCH 12-14

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Official Release
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Spring NASCAR Cup Series race and season tickets on sale now!

PHOENIX (September 30, 2020) – The Valley of the Sun will again play host to the NASCAR Championship Weekend in 2021. Phoenix Raceway, scheduled to host the championship for the first time this November, will host the championship event for the second consecutive year, November 5-7, 2021. The NASCAR Cup Series will also return to Phoenix for its annual spring event on Sunday, March 14.

The 2021 NASCAR Championship Weekend will again feature four championship races in three days, as champions will be crowned in the Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series as well as the ARCA Menards Series West.

“It’s an honor to once again be the host track for the most important weekend in our sport and it’s an opportunity all of us at Phoenix Raceway are extremely excited about,” said Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese. “With the return of the NASCAR Championship Weekend, coupled with an action-packed spring event weekend, the 2021 schedule at Phoenix Raceway is set to be another memorable year for our fans, our local communities and the entire state of Arizona.”

Tickets for the Cup Series race on March 14 are on sale now and available for purchase by visiting PhoenixRaceway.com, or by calling the Phoenix Raceway ticket office at 866-408-RACE (7223). Fans looking to secure their spot at the 2021 NASCAR Championship Weekend as early as possible may do so now by locking in their 2021 season tickets at Phoenix Raceway. Fans can view the full 2021 NASCAR Cup Series schedule and purchase tickets at nascar.com/tickets later today.

Schedules for the Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series 2021 seasons will be announced in the near future. Start times and television networks for Cup Series races will be also announced at a later date.

About Phoenix Raceway

Home to the 2020 NASCAR Championship Weekend, Phoenix Raceway has been the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest since 1964 and hosts two NASCAR race weekends each year. In 2020, the FanShield 500 Speed Fest Weekend, March 6-8, kicked off the race season at Phoenix Raceway, featuring the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and the new addition of the ARCA Menards Series. For the first time in the history of the sport, Phoenix Raceway will host the NASCAR Championship Weekend, November 6-8. Over the three-day event, champions will be crowned in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series West. Phoenix Raceway also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including corporate meetings and conferences, charity events, holiday events, sport and endurance competitions, driving schools and Segway tours. For more information, visit www.PhoenixRaceway.com.

Allmendinger Looks to Lead Kaulig Racing Train at Talladega

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Official Release
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AJ Allmendinger Notes
Best start at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS): 34th (2020)
Best finish at Talladega Superspeedway in the NXS: 7th (2020)

Kaulig Racing Notes
Best start Talladega Superspeedway in the NXS: 1st (2017 & 2020)
Best finish at Talladega Superspeedway in the NXS: 1st (2020)

Race Notes
Saturday, October 3 at 4:30PM ET on NBCSN
Stages: 25/50/113 Laps

AJ Allmendinger Quote
“It’s race week time. It seems like it’s been forever. I miss my Kaulig Racing team – all the men and women. Talladega! The last time we were there, we had that team hug, cuddle type of thing going on on the front straightaway with my teammates, so I miss that. I’m ready to get back in that No. 16 Chevy. We know we are going to have fast Kaulig Racing Chevys – we always do at the superspeedways. Justin Haley took it down last time there. This time, hopefully it’s my turn, Ross’ turn, or Justin’s turn. No matter what, that Kaulig Racing train is going to the front. Those cars are making it to the next round. We’re going to celebrate again, and let everyone know we are one team, one family. Domination. Let’s make this happen!”

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.

Bayley Currey – Chevrolet Silverado 250 Race Advance

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Official Release
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Chevrolet Silverado 250 | Talladega Superspeedway Race Advance

Team: No. 40 Niece Chevrolet Silverado

Driver: Bayley Currey

Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @BayleyCurrey

Bayley Currey on Racing at Talladega: “I enjoy superspeedway racing, even though so much is out of your control,” said Currey. “A lot of times you’re really at the mercy of the people you’re racing around. I know this Niece Motorsports team will have a strong truck. We’ll do our best to keep our nose clean, run a smart race and be around at the end.”

Currey at Talladega: Currey will make his 25th start in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series this weekend, and his first start at Talladega Superspeedway.

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.

Trevor Bayne – Talladega 250 Race Advance

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Official Release
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Talladega 250 | Talladega Superspeedway Race Advance

Team: No. 45 Plan B Sales Chevrolet Silverado

Driver: Trevor Bayne

Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport, @TBayne6

Bayne on Racing at Talladega: “Superspeedway racing is one of those love/hate relationships,” said Bayne. “We know that we have a good shot at winning going into it, but so do all of the other trucks in the line-up. The biggest thing I look forward to is returning to the tandem style drafting. It looks a little different now, since we can’t stay locked on to each other’s bumpers, but I still like the ability to bump someone and get momentum going. I’m hopeful for a calm day and a good result for this Niece Motorsports team.”

Bayne at Talladega: Saturday’s NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway marks Bayne’s first Truck Series start at the 2.66-mile track.

Bayne has no shortage of superspeedway experience, with 16 starts a piece at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series. In just his second Cup Series start, Bayne took home the trophy in NASCAR’s biggest race, The Daytona 500.

In his 32 Cup Series starts at restrictor-plate races, Bayne has one win, three top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

In a combined 13 NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at Daytona and Talladega, Bayne has one top-five finish and six top-10 finishes.

On the Truck: The No. 45 Chevrolet will race with support from Plan B Sales at Talladega Superspeedway.

Plan B Sales was founded in 2010 with the goal of bringing service to dealers that carry licensed motorsports product. Plan B Sales started as a Lionel diecast and Chase Authentics apparel distributor. Over the last few years Plan B Sales has grown to be the largest account for Lionel servicing the motorsports market and has expanded product offerings.

Plan B Sales has quickly become the choice of dealers for a stocking one-stop distributor. Its product offering also includes Auto World, Greenlight Collectibles, BrandArt and are the exclusive distributor for University of Racing product lines.

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.

Speedway Motorsports Brings NASCAR To Circuit of the Americas in 2021

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Official Release
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Speedway Motorsports will bring the NASCAR Cup Series to Circuit of the Americas in 2021 as part of a revamped schedule announced Wednesday. NASCAR's inaugural event is scheduled for May 23, 2021.(Photo courtesy of COTA)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 30, 2020) – Race fans will have an experience like no other when the NASCAR Cup Series visits Austin, Texas and the Circuit of the Americas for the first-time, courtesy of Speedway Motorsports. The inaugural running of the NASCAR Cup Series at COTA will take place on May 23, 2021.

“Our company is proud to have a 60-year history of fabulous firsts in motorsports entertainment, and we are honored to bring America’s premier racing series to one of the world’s most renowned entertainment venues and cities for the very first time,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith.

“I’d like to thank COTA CEO Bobby Epstein as well as NASCAR’s executive leadership for supporting us in an endeavor to do something that we believe will be spectacular for race fans, not only in Texas but around the world. We work and challenge ourselves every day at Speedway Motorsports to create amazing experiences that will last a lifetime, and we know NASCAR at COTA will deliver in 2021.”

As Speedway Motorsports celebrates its 25th season next year at Texas Motor Speedway in Dallas/Fort Worth, adding a NASCAR Cup Series point race in the state capitol of Austin will make 2021 the biggest year ever for NASCAR in the Lone Star State.

“Everything is bigger in Texas, including our passion for NASCAR, and NASCAR will be even bigger and better in Texas in 2021 with the addition of this race in Austin,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “Along with the races at Texas Motor Speedway, this will be a great experience for NASCAR fans in Texas, while also boosting the Texas economy.

“We’re thankful for Speedway Motorsports and CEO Marcus Smith for putting this new event together in Austin so NASCAR fans from across the country and around the world can come enjoy this community and all it has to offer,” added Abbott. “I join Texans across the state who are not only looking forward to next month’s race in Dallas/Fort Worth, but are also ready to drop the green flag at the Circuit of the Americas in 2021.”

Designed to challenge the world’s most talented drivers, Circuit of the Americas includes a 3.41-mile, 20-turn counterclockwise circuit and a newly reconfigured 2.2-mile, 15-turn short course. COTA is America’s only facility that annually hosts both Formula 1 and MotoGP races, and is also the only FIA-certified Grade 1 track in the United States. The 1,500-acre entertainment complex has also hosted ESPN’s X Games as well as some of the biggest names in music including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Kenny Chesney and Justin Timberlake on the COTA Super Stage.

Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner and three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart made a demonstration run in a No. 14 Haas Automation Ford Mustang last October at COTA. After driving the course in the 3,200-pound stock car, Stewart was intrigued about the possibility of NASCAR coming to Austin, and now that it’s official, he’s already looking forward to next May.

“The track was a lot of fun to drive. It’s very technical and there will be a lot of ways for the Cup Series drivers to attack it,” said Stewart, a 2020 inductee to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “The corners get tighter, tighter, tighter and it’s going to be hard on braking. There are several potential passing zones.

“This will be a challenge for the drivers, a heck of a show for the fans, and Austin will be a great place for teams to entertain sponsors. This is a big-time addition to the 2021 NASCAR schedule.”

“I’m grateful for Marcus Smith’s vision and determination to make this event possible,” said Circuit of the Americas CEO Bobby Epstein. “His teams in Charlotte and at Texas Motor Speedway have created a spirit of partnership that will make for a spectacular weekend of fun and competition.

“Speedway Motorsports, along with the leadership at NASCAR, have a ‘Fans First’ attitude and have responded to everyone who has long desired to see a Cup Series race at COTA. Fans who’ve been here before will witness stock car racing at its finest for the first time, and first-time visitors will be amazed at the views and friendly experience. It will be our pleasure to write another chapter of motorsports history alongside Speedway Motorsports and NASCAR in 2021.”

Announcements regarding race length, course selection and the full weekend schedule will be made at a later date.

Fans can reserve a weekend ticket package to the inaugural May 23 NASCAR Cup Series race at the Circuit of the Americas by visiting www.NASCARATCOTA.com, and follow @NASCARatCOTA on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for additional event updates.

About Speedway Motorsports:

Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer, promoter and sponsor of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway. Speedway Motorsports provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its U.S. Legend Cars International subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary.

Abel Motorsports, Driver Jacob Abel Reach Road To Indy Landmark

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Official Release
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Last Minute Decision to Race at Mid Ohio Yields First Career RTI Podium

Sometimes it pays to make a late move. That approach doesn’t often yield results in professional auto racing because major league motorsport generally demands significant planning before the engines fire. But in this season of COVID 19, many long-held assumptions are being turned on their head. This is one such case.

Abel Motorsports of Louisville, KY has raced a partial Indy Pro 2000 schedule in 2020 with their lead driver, 19-year-old Jacob Abel. The team’s first pair of runs in the series this year saw young Abel wage an uphill battle at both Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis and at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis last month.

With the series Abel Motorsports is focusing on this season taking a summer break, Jacob and his team made a late call to load up their Indy Pro 2000 machine and head to Mid Ohio for a doubleheader event on the rescheduled IndyCar weekend. It turned out to be a most profitable move.

“We had issues almost the entire weekend,” commented Jacob. “We had mechanical problems in practice and qualifying. But we got it figured out in time for the first race Saturday. I couldn’t qualify so I started at the back of the pack, and I was able to pass 5 cars to end up 7th. Then, we really hit it right on Sunday. I had to start 13th in the second race; about four laps in, the skies opened up and it rained so hard they had to red flag the race. Mid Ohio is our home track. Before the red, all my laps there really paid off. Some of the contenders went off, I passed many more, and was up to 4thwhen they stopped the race.”

Series officials decided to run the remainder of the event late Sunday after the IndyCar round. Conditions were much different six hours later. “It turned hot and sunny by the time we got back on track,” commented young Abel. “We were still fast. When we went green again I was able to make a pass for third, and hang there the rest of the way. What a way to earn my first Road to Indy podium. I’m just thrilled.”

Team Principal Bill Abel was equally excited. “Jacob earned both Hard Charger awards on the weekend, gaining 5 spots Saturday and then 10 on Sunday. It was his best weekend so far in the Road to Indy. It’s a very tough series, so having that success is very gratifying.”

Now, Jacob and his team turn their attentions back to bidding for wins in Formula Regional Americas action at Sebring this weekend and Homestead Miami Speedway next weekend. Their plans to run additional Indy Pro 2000 events this year are up in the air but one thing is certain: Abel’s podium finish at Mid Ohio provides plenty of positive momentum for the balance of 2020 and beyond.

ABOUT ABEL MOTORSPORTS:

Abel Motorsports has competed in multiple open-wheel developmental series since 2017, winning the inaugural F3Americas championship in 2018. Stay current with the latest Abel Motorsports news by visiting the official team website, www.abelmotorsports.com. Abel Motorsports has driving and marketing opportunities available in several different types of cars for the 2021 season.

Hamlin awarded pole position for Talladega Playoff race

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Ted Seminara for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin will start on pole position for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway, the YellaWood 500, on Sunday, October 4.

Since August, the starting lineup for an upcoming NASCAR race was based on four stats: current owner points position, the driver’s results from a previous Cup race, the owner’s results from a previous Cup race and the fastest lap recorded from a previous Cup race. By leading a race-high 121 of 268 laps and finishing in third place in the previous Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Hamlin was awarded the pole position for the upcoming Cup race at Talladega.

Hamlin, a six-time race winner of this season and who will lead the field to the start of a Cup race for the first time since June at Homestead-Miami Speedway, enters this weekend’s race at Talladega with a 58-point cushion above the top-eight cutline as he attempts to advance to the penultimate round of the 2020 Cup Playoffs.

Kurt Busch, the lone Playoff contender who has clinched a spot in the Round of 8 after winning last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will start alongside Hamlin on the front row. Martin Truex Jr. will start in third place followed by Alex Bowman and Kevin Harvick.

Kyle Busch will start in sixth place followed by Brad Keselowski, teammate Joey Logano, Clint Bowyer and Chase Elliott. Aric Almirola and Austin Dillon will start in 11th and 12th, with the current-eligible Playoff contenders occupying the top starting spots on the grid.

Matt DiBenedetto, the highest-starting non-title contender who tied his career-best result of second place last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will start in 13th place followed by Ryan Blaney and Chris Buescher.

Starting in positions 16-27 are Erik Jones, Jimmie Johnson, Cole Custer, Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth, William Byron, Christopher Bell, John Hunter Nemechek, Michael McDowell, Ryan Preece, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Bubba Wallace.

Starting in positions 28-38 are Ty Dillon, Corey LaJoie, Tyler Reddick, Daniel Suarez, Brennan Poole, Quin Houff, J.J. Yeley, Justin Haley, Joey Gase, Timmy Hill and James Davison. Veteran Brendan Gaughan, who is set to make his 503rd and final career start in NASCAR this weekend at Talladega, will round out the 39-car field.

The YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway will occur on Sunday, October 4, at 2 p.m. ET on NBC.

NASCAR, INDYCAR Teaming Up for Historic Brickyard Weekend

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Official Release
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Cup Series Turning Left and Right at IMS for First Time Aug. 15

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 – The stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will take on a new challenge at The Racing Capital of the World in 2021, competing on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for the first time Sunday, Aug. 15. The revamped Brickyard Weekend also will feature a brand-new NTT INDYCAR SERIES race Saturday, Aug. 14 on the road course, setting the stage for another history-making NASCAR-INDYCAR weekend after this year’s successful collaboration at IMS.

NASCAR Cup Series racing will shift to the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course for the very first time after 27 consecutive years on the 2.5-mile oval, writing a new chapter in the incomparable story of speed at the Racing Capital of the World.

The two premier North American motorsports series first raced at the same facility during the same event on Fourth of July weekend this year at IMS, with the Cup Series on the oval Sunday, July 5 and NTT INDYCAR SERIES on the road course Saturday, July 4. The entire weekend of racing action was televised live on NBC.

This year’s historic tripleheader arose due to the postponement of the GMR Grand Prix INDYCAR race in early May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the INDYCAR race on the 2021 August weekend will be the third NTT INDYCAR SERIES event of the season at IMS, following the GMR Grand Prix on the road course and the 105th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on the oval.

“Our first NASCAR-INDYCAR weekend was a big success last July, with positive feedback from our loyal fans who watched the races on NBC and from the drivers, teams and participants involved,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “The Xfinity Series’ debut on the IMS road course provided exactly the kind of thrilling action from the green to checkered flags that we anticipated, so we know the teams and drivers of the Cup Series will put on a great show as they turn left and right for the first time at IMS.

“We can’t wait to welcome back fans to see NASCAR and INDYCAR together during this exciting weekend as we add another memorable chapter in the long, storied history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

NASCAR fans will get their first chance during the August 2021 event weekend to see the impressive facility improvements at IMS since Roger Penske purchased the track, as no fans were admitted to the NASCAR-INDYCAR weekend in July 2020 due to state and local health directives.

Improvements include the massive IMS Media Wall in the Pagoda Plaza, more than 30 new LED video boards, refreshed concession stands and restrooms, 5G wireless connectivity throughout the facility and an elevated Victory Circle with the winning car lifted onto the Victory Podium.

Ticket information for the historic NASCAR-INDYCAR event on the IMS road course will be available soon at IMS.com and IMS social channels.

Past Race Champion, Justin Haley Looks to Defend Title at Talladega Superspeedway

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Official Release
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Justin Haley Notes
Best start at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS): 1st (2020)
Best finish at Talladega Superspeedway in the NXS: 1st (2020)
Haley secured his first-ever win in the NXS at Talladega Superspeedway in 2020

Kaulig Racing Notes
Best start Talladega Superspeedway in the NXS: 1st (2017 & 2020)
Best finish at Talladega Superspeedway in the NXS: 1st (2020)

Race Notes
Saturday, October 3 at 4:30PM ET on NBCSN
Stages: 25/50/113 Laps

Justin Haley Quote
“We are headed to Talladega Superspeedway – one of my favorites! I always love these superspeedway race tracks. I love the draft, I love going fast, and I can’t be more thankful to be with Kaulig Racing in the LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet for this weekend’s race. We won there the last time the Xfinity Series was there, and we won Daytona, so we’re going for three superspeedway wins in the No. 11 camp this weekend. We’ve got the same car and same motor, so I cannot wait to get on track this weekend. The first race of the playoffs in Las Vegas didn’t go as planned, but it wasn’t terrible. We’re slowly chipping away at it, and hopefully we have two good weeks here.”

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.

About LeafFilter Gutter Protection™
Since 2005, LeafFilter Gutter Protection™ has revolutionized the gutter protection industry. The company is proud to have grown from one small office in Hudson, Ohio to the largest direct to customer home products company in the nation and the leading choice in gutter protection systems. Once installed on a homeowner’s existing gutters, LeafFilter Gutter Protection eliminates gutter cleaning for life. With more than 70 million feet of gutter guards installed on homes across the United States and Canada, LeafFilter Gutter Protection has the knowledge and expertise to guarantee that nothing, but water, will get into your gutters. Learn more about LeafFilter Gutter Protection and request a free estimate at www.leaffilter.com.

Toyota Racing Weekly Preview – 09.30.20

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: September 28 – October 4, 2020
· NCS/NXS/NGROTS: Talladega Motor Speedway – October 3-4
· ARCA: Illinois State Fairgrounds – October 4

PLANO, Texas (September 30, 2020) – Toyota drivers are potentially hitting a couple milestones this weekend as NASCAR’s top three series take on the last superspeedway of the year at Talladega. The Toyota Tundra is set to compete in its 400th NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series (NGROTS) race on Saturday, and ARCA Menards Series drivers have the opportunity to drive to Toyota’s 100th national ARCA victory with a win on the dirt in Illinois on Sunday.

NASCAR National Series – NCS| NXS| NGROTS

Hamlin Ready to Showcase Superspeedway Strength … Denny Hamlin has an incredible record at the other superspeedway on the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) schedule – Daytona International Speedway – with victories in three of the last five Daytona 500 races. Hamlin also has a win at Talladega in 2014 and scored a top-five finish there earlier this season. After a stage win and a third-place finish at Las Vegas, Hamlin has a 58-point advantage over the Playoff cutline heading into this weekend.

E. Jones Looks to Earn First Talladega Win… Erik Jones nearly earned a win earlier this year at Talladega Superspeedway, racing for the win on the final corner before contact with the wall led to a fifth-place finish. Jones also has two wins at Daytona International Speedway, including scoring the non-points paying Busch Clash victory to start the season.

100 Camry Starts for Suárez… This weekend marks the 100th start for Daniel Suárez aboard a Toyota Camry in the NCS. The 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) champion began his Cup Series career with Toyota in 2017 and earned a career-best second-place finish at Pocono in 2018.

B. Jones Solid at Superspeedways… NXS veteran Brandon Jones has had a solid run at the superspeedways. He earned his first top-five finish with Joe Gibbs Racing at Talladega in 2018 when he drove to a runner-up finish. Jones added a top-five finish at the season opener at Daytona International Speedway earlier this season.

400 for the Tundra… Saturday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway marks the 400th race for the Toyota Tundra in NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series competition. Since joining the series at the beginning of the 2004 NGROTS season, Toyota drivers have scored 197 victories, eight driver championships and 11 manufacturer’s titles in 16 seasons. Toyota has six Tundras in the field at Talladega driven by Las Vegas winner Austin Hill, veteran Stewart Friesen and four drivers making their Talladega Truck Series debut: Christian Eckes, Derek Kraus, Raphael Lessard and Chandler Smith.

Truck Series Playoff Cutoff… With his win on Friday at Las Vegas, Hill can breathe easy as he has clinched a spot in the next round of the Playoffs. Tundra teammate Eckes is looking to clinch his spot in the Round of 8 as well with a solid result. Eckes is currently six points above the cutline. He has two previous starts at superspeedway events at Daytona with a pole in the 2019 season opener.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA

Looking for 100 in Illinois… After Ty Gibbs drove to his sixth national ARCA victory of the season, Toyota is sitting at 99 national ARCA victories. Gibbs is looking to clinch 100 victories for Toyota at Illinois State Fairgrounds on Sunday along with the Venturini Motorsports teammates Michael Self, Drew Dollar and Corey Heim.

Two Races Left… Sunday’s race is the 19th of 20 on the ARCA Menards Series schedule and Self sits two points out of the championship lead currently held by Bret Holmes. Self won at Illinois State Fairgrounds last season after leading the final 47 laps (of 102).

Stay Connected

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About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold nearly 2.8 million cars and trucks (nearly 2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

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