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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

By
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

By
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

@ToyotaRacing.com @ToyotaRacing

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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.

Chastain Looks to get Back in the Rhythm at Talladega

By
Official Release
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Ross Chastain Notes
Best start at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS): 3rd (2019)
Best finish at Talladega Superspeedway in the NXS: 2nd (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

Ross Chastain Quote
“It’s Talladega race week. We’re back in the Dyna-Gro Seed car. I’m pumped for that brand to be back on our No. 10 car at a place where our cars are super fast. Kaulig Racing and ECR engines are incredible at these superspeedways. They let AJ Allmendinger, Justin Haley and myself make the aggressive moves that we want and that we need to make to try to go win this race. We’re below the cut line behind our competition right now. It’s not where we want to be. I made some pretty big mistakes behind the wheel and got in the fence early at Las Vegas. It’s not how I need to be performing in these playoffs, so lesson learned there. We will try to go to Talladega to just do what we normally do, go control this race, and try to win.”

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 Dyna-Gro Seed
Dyna-Gro Seed, has a 30-year history of delivering quality seed with industry-leading performance and cutting-edge science. Marketing a broad selection of eight crops in 44 states, Dyna-Gro is focused on local success with regional seed solutions and retailers.

About Nutrien Ag Solutions™
Nutrien Ag Solutions™ is the retail division of Nutrien™ Ltd. It combines global innovation with local expertise to provide full-acre solutions through a network of trusted crop consultants at retail locations around the world. Nutrien Ag Solutions strives to help growers achieve the highest yields with the most sustainable solutions possible, offering a wide selection of products, including our proprietary brands: Loveland Products, Inc.®, Proven® Seed and Dyna-Gro® Seed.

JR Motorsports — NXS Talladega II Preview

By
Official Release
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JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
TRACK: Talladega Superspeedway
RACE: Ag-Pro 300 (113 laps / 300.58 miles)
DATE: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020
Broadcast Information – TV: 4:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN / Radio: 4 p.m. ET on MRN and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Michael Annett
No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet
• Michael Annett will go to Talladega Superspeedway 10th in points, just 10 markers out of the top eight following race one of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs.
• Talladega’s 2.66-mile oval is where Annett earned his first career NXS pole position, doing so in 2019.
• With six races remaining in the season, Annett has 17 top10 finishes and three in the top five.
• This season, Annett has a top 10 and two finishes in the top 12 on restrictor-plate tracks, finishing seventh at the second Daytona race. His average finish in three starts at Daytona and Talladega this year is 10.0, and he led 11 laps at Talladega earlier this year.

Daniel Hemric
No. 8 Poppy Bank Chevrolet
• Daniel Hemric and the No. 8 team currently sit ninth in the playoff grid for the owners championship, one point behind the eighth and final cutoff position with two races remaining in the Round of 12.
• In six combined starts across the NXS, NASCAR Cup Series and the Truck Series at Talladega, Hemric has recorded a best finish of fifth, earned in the April 2019 Cup event.
• In seven combined NXS starts on the superspeedways of Daytona and Talladega, Hemric has scored a best finish of eighth in the July 2018 event at Daytona.
• Through 17 NXS starts in 2020, Hemric has earned a season high finish of second at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Noah Gragson
No. 9 Bass Pro Shops / TrueTimber / Black Rifle Coffee Chevrolet
• Noah Gragson currently sits third in the playoff standings, just 34 points behind leader Chase Briscoe.
• Gragson has just one finish outside of the top 10 in three previous starts at Talladega in the NXS, with a best finish of fourth coming in 2018.
• At tracks that are 2 miles or greater in length, Gragson holds an average finish of 11.8 with one win, four top fives, six top 10s and 66 laps led. Gragson’s lone victory came in the 2020 season-opening event at Daytona.
• In his last 10 series starts, Gragson has amassed nine top10s, including a streak of five straight.

Justin Allgaier
No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet
• Justin Allgaier heads to Talladega fourth in the NXS Playoffs standings, 28 points above the cutoff line for the Round of 8.
• In 10 NXS starts at the superspeedway, Allgaier has three top fives and six top 10s, including a runner-up finish in 2016.
• The Illinois native has proven to be strong at Talladega, having led laps in each of the last four events there and a total of 78 laps across his 10 NXS starts.
• Allgaier is currently the series leader in stage wins this season, taking the green-and-white checkered flag in the top spot on 12 different occasions.

Driver Quotes
“Travis Mack and the No. 1 team prepares great restrictor plate cars for me, and we’ve had a lot of success at both Daytona and Talladega. This is a big weekend for everyone as Talladega is a wild-card in the playoffs, and we want to go there, run well and set ourselves up to advance to the Round of 8. We’ve been fast and led laps, but we’re really looking for a victory this weekend. I know we have the Pilot Flying J Chevrolet to do that, and I can’t wait to get there and get started.” – Michael Annett

“Talladega is definitely a make it or break it when it comes to advancing to the Round of 8 in these playoffs. It’s a race that you don’t necessarily have much control over the outcome. We have a strong restrictor-plate program here at JR Motorsports and I know we’ll have a BRANDT Professional Agriculture Camaro capable of winning, we just need to execute and hopefully we can avoid all the chaos, earn stage points and be there at the end of the day.” – Justin Allgaier

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do this weekend at Talladega with our Poppy Bank Chevrolet. JRM has always unloaded with a lot of speed on the superspeedways and I felt like we had a really fast Camaro at Daytona a few weeks back. If we can just keep ourselves out of trouble and execute the way I know this team is capable of, I feel extremely confident that we can be up front and fighting for the victory on Saturday.” – Daniel Hemric

“We started off the playoffs strong and I don’t expect any less going into Talladega. All four of our JRM cars have worked really well at superspeedways and we’ve proven that we are the ones to beat as long as we aren’t caught up in any wrecks. We have a solid plan going into this weekend and hopefully it plays out in our favor and get the No. 9 Bass Pro Shops/TrueTimber/Black Rifle Coffee Camaro in Victory Lane Saturday.” – Noah Gragson

JRM Team Updates
• JRM at Talladega: In 41 NXS starts at Talladega Superspeedway, JR Motorsports has scored two wins, 12 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes. Regan Smith earned the organization’s first victory at the 2.66-mile superspeedway in 2013 with Elliott Sadler following suit in 2016.
• JRM on Superspeedways: In 125 NXS starts at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, JRM has earned a combined nine wins, 36 top fives and 60 top 10s. Elliott Sadler scored the organization’s most recent victory at Talladega in 2016 while Noah Gragson visited Victory Lane at Daytona earlier this season. Overall, JRM has won seven times at Daytona, more than any other track on the NXS circuit.
• Hellmann’s Ultimate Race Fan Experience: Enter for a chance to win the ultimate race fan experience from Hellmann’s and Sam’s Club. Each valid submission will receive entry into the Hellmann’s Ultimate Race Fan Experience Sweepstakes with the chance to win the Grand Prize of a meet-and-greet with Justin Allgaier, two VIP passes to attend a race, a tour of JR Motorsports, autographed memorabilia and more. Click here to enter today.

Atlanta gets second NASCAR weekend in 2021

By
Official Release
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AMS GETS SECOND NASCAR WEEKEND IN 2021 WITH RACES IN MARCH AND JULY

HAMPTON, Ga. (Sept. 30, 2020) – For the first time in a decade Atlanta Motor Speedway will have two NASCAR weekends in 2021.

The NASCAR Cup Series will make a second trip to Georgia for the first July race held at AMS in 47 years: the Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart on Sunday, July 11, 2021. The Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 will continue to headline the spring weekend of NASCAR racing in Atlanta on Sunday, March 21.

“We’re beyond excited to deliver what our fans have been yearning for: a second weekend of NASCAR action in Atlanta once again,” said AMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Hutchison. “Folds of Honor and QuikTrip continue to be phenomenal partners for our spring weekend of racing and we’re thrilled to have Quaker State and Walmart on board this summer as we put together two weekends of entertainment and excitement for race fans.”

Atlanta Motor Speedway plans to host fans in its grandstands and camping areas in a socially distanced, limited capacity for each of its NASCAR Cup Series races. Seating and camping location availability are being determined based on health and safety guidelines.

Due to the planned limited capacity, fans who would like to attend the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 are encouraged to contact the AMS ticket office as soon as possible.

“The only thing I look forward to more than NASCAR’s best thundering down the frontstretch is seeing fans in the stands, on their feet, cheering on their favorite driver,” said Hutchison. “We’re committed to doing everything in our power to allow fans to attend our race and, following the examples set by our sister speedways in other parts of the country, our staff is working diligently to make it happen in a safe and responsible way.”

AMS sister tracks Bristol Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway have each successfully hosted fans for NASCAR events during the coronavirus pandemic using protocols developed by Speedway Motorsports in collaboration with NASCAR. These proven procedures will underpin Atlanta Motor Speedway’s plan to host fans during the 2021 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. Atlanta Motor Speedway will evaluate potential capacity on an ongoing basis and make any necessary adjustments for the Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart in July.

Over the next six months AMS will be consulting regularly with public health experts to ensure its race day plan is up to date with the latest safety guidelines. The Speedway will concurrently provide regular updates on its website – AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com – and its social platforms to allow fans to stay informed and make plans with confidence.

“Our goal is to host as many fans as possible, as safely as we can, to enjoy the excitement of NASCAR in Atlanta,” said Hutchison. “It’s going to be one heck of a show when the likes of Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch battle on these challenging high banks.”

Seating and camping accommodations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis starting with fans who originally had tickets for the 2020 NASCAR race followed by fans who make a deposit. Fans looking to secure seats or camping locations for the 2021 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 should visit AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com or call the AMS ticket office at 877-9-AMS-TIX.

About the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500:

Since 2015 the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 has been the main event in Atlanta Motor Speedway’s spring NASCAR weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The annual 500-mile race showcases some of the fastest and most thrilling action NASCAR has to offer. This storied race also brings awareness to Folds of Honor and its mission to help families of military servicemen and women who have fallen or been disabled while on active duty in the United States Armed Forces.

More information on the 2021 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 weekend and ticket availability can be found online at AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com or by calling 877-9-AMS-TIX.

About the Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart:

New for 2020 the Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart headlines the summer slate of NASCAR racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart will be the first NASCAR Cup Series race held at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the month of July since 1974. The 400-mile race is sure to be one of the most challenging races of the summer as NASCAR’s best battle the heat and a slick track during their pursuit of victory.

More information on the 2021 Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart and ticket availability can be found online at AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com or by calling 877-9-AMS-TIX.

Follow Atlanta Motor Speedway:

Keep track of all of Atlanta Motor Speedway’s events by following on Twitter and Instagram or become a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Atlanta Motor Speedway mobile app.

Why Professional Car Racers Get In Car Accidents So Often

By
SM
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Professional car racers have razor-sharp minds which enable them to react at blisteringly fast speeds. They may be the safest drivers on the road, but other factors are leading to driver deaths.

The National Association of Stock Car Auto Racers (NASCAR) has witnessed 28 driver deaths, the last one being in 2001 when Dale Earnhardt was killed in the Daytona 500 in front of his fans.

There have been no fatalities since 2001 after NASCAR harnessed technological advancements in safety measures such as:

  • Roll bars
  • Helmets
  • Driving suits
  • Seat mounts
  • Window nets
  • Air flaps
  • The HANS device

The developments in professional car racing have proven hugely successful in making the sport safer for drivers.

That said, crashes are still inevitable and continue to happen due to the following common reasons…

The Race Track

Some race tracks are notorious for wrecks and they share one common element: they’re the oldest race tracks.

Darlington Raceway in South Carolina became dubbed “Too Tough To Tame” due to its asymmetrical shape with an extra-wide corner at one end. This makes tackling corners massively dangerous. Although it claimed 13 lives of drivers and support personnel, there have been no deaths since 1965.

The list of particularly fatal racetracks also includes:

  • Riverside International Raceway, California
  • Charlotte Motor Speedway, North Carolina
  • Daytona International Speedway, Florida
  • ISM Raceway, Arizona

High Speed

Speed is the major cause of racing car accidents. The Bugatti Chiron, for instance, can reach 304 mph. Any wrong movement, however slight, can prove fatal in the blink of an eye.

When driving at such ridiculous speeds, the driver must resist g-force with his muscles. Such forces can cause serious injuries such as fractures or concussions.  So, if a driver goes unconscious at 250 mph he’s going to end up in the wall.

The intense pressure that high-speed driving has on the body is incredible. The wheel gets extremely heavy, and the pressure intensifies as they tackle corners and bends at breakneck speed.

Racing car drivers must also physically cope with high temperatures.

A concussion is a brain injury not caused by crashes but by deceleration if it is too rapid.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Racing can bring the heart rate up to 180 beats a minute, so drivers need a strong heart literally as well as metaphorically.

In 2013, Allan Simonsen, died of a heart attack at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The immense stress of heat, g-force, and competitive tension placed on his body caused his heart attack.

All racing drivers must now undergo a mandatory electrocardiogram (EKG) every two years.

Mechanical Failure

Tire blowouts and brake failure feature heavily in the reason racing car drivers veer off the track and straight into the concrete wall.

Issues such as throttle obstruction or an anti-lock braking system lock-out can also easily cause a racing car to spin out of control and hit the wall straight on.

Throttle obstruction can occur from loose bolts or screws that get wedged in the body of the car and reduce the car’s ability to brake properly.

When the anti-lock braking system fails it restricts the braking capacity so the car doesn’t decelerate efficiently enough.

Age

Young drivers can take some flak from other drivers just for being so young. This antagonism can increase the chance of accidents. Older drivers often disrespect younger drivers, and they are more likely to target them on the track.

Equally, older drivers whose reaction times and fitness begin to fade are also prone to accidents. Once former champions can start to lose their reflexes and muscle strength, they should consider retiring on safety grounds.

Personality

Some drivers get aggressive and gnarly when driving. Competitive A-type personalities routinely anger easily if competitively challenged.

Aggressive drivers take more risks and intimidate other drivers. Risky maneuvers on the track can lead to fatal consequences as other drivers can lose control of their car. 

Car racing can be as much psychological as physical and technical. Kyle Busch for instance is prone to cantankerous flares that put himself and others at risk.

Fire

Car racing is a hot sport. When we think of fire and racing, we think of Nikki Lauder. Racing car parts heat up rapidly so fire accidents are commonplace in car racing. The heat from the parts can get into the fuel tank and cause almighty explosions. This is why drivers must wear ultra-protective anti-fire gear.

Internal Organ Damage from Sudden Deceleration

When a driver ends up in a smash at high speed, the momentum at which he is hurtling is suddenly halted causing the head and body to fall back in the opposite direction. The speed at which this happens causes the internal organs to compress and cause organ damage.

The Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger died in 1994 from damage to his aorta due to deceleration causing him to crash. His death led to the reformation of the Grand Prix Drivers Association.

Unrestrained Head Movement

The HANS Device (Head and Neck Support system) was developed by Mercedes-Benz and introduced in 2003.

The device fits around the neck and clips to the driver’s helmet. Weighing only 200 grams, the neck support is made of carbon and Kevlar.

As every person’s collar bone is different, the device is custom-made for every driver. This breakthrough device is proven to reduce neck injuries as well as the force load on the driver’s neck.

In 2001, Bruno Junqueira escaped death when his car spun around and smashed into a wall at 200 mph. Thanks to the new device, he managed to walk away unscathed.

NASCAR now mandates that all racing drivers wear a HANS Device while racing.

There’s more than meets the eye with car racing, too. Professional car racers are endurance athletes of the highest caliber. They must have nerves of steel, razor-sharp reactions, invincible confidence, and world-class fitness. The racing industry continuously reviews safety measures to try to prevent more injuries and deaths on the racetrack.

The best Dallas car accident lawyers can ensure you get the right settlement if you’re involved in any accident at high speed. Always seek legal advice in the event of any serious road accident.

DiBenedetto, Menards/Tuscany Team Hoping to Capitalize on Ford’s Speed at Talladega

By
Official Release
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After a strong second-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Menards/Tuscany Faucets team head to Talladega Superspeedway hoping to improve their finish by one position. That would deliver DiBenedetto his first Cup victory and his Wood Brothers team its 100th.

Based on recent results, Talladega offers lots of opportunity for DiBenedetto and the Ford brigade.

Blue Oval drivers have won nine of the past 10 Cup races at Talladega, and Team Penske, which has an alliance with the No. 21 team, has won eight of the past 12 Cup races at the giant Alabama track.

In a recent Zoom conference, DiBenedetto’s optimism about the upcoming races on the schedule, including Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega, was evident.

“We only have great tracks coming up, and we’re strong as a team,” he said. “We can contend for wins.”

DiBenedetto, who admittedly wasn’t one of the better racers at Talladega and Daytona earlier in his career, said that in recent years he’s gotten better, and now focuses on doing his homework headed into those races.

“You’ve always got to work so hard and study so much for the plate races,” he said. “I’ll probably sit down with my spotter Doug Campbell this week and go over every bit of information… watch some previous video, all that stuff to prepare,” he said.

DiBenedetto explained that the disadvantages of racing at a plate track as a single-car outfit disappear when he has quasi-teammates like Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney from Team Penske to work with in the draft.

“They are incredible plate racers and obviously our cars, the Fords, are fast,” he said.

But, as DiBenedetto has learned in previous races at Talladega, even the best of plans can fly out the window in a matter of seconds.

“Talladega is wild, so many variables,” he said. “You can either get wiped out or you can have a solid day….

“Hopefully luck is on our side.”

There will be no qualifying or practice prior to the start of the YellaWood 500, which is set to get the green flag at 2 p.m. Eastern Time with TV coverage on NBC.

Menards

A family owned company started in 1958, Menards is headquartered in Eau Claire, WI. Menards has more than 300 retail stores located throughout the Midwest in the states of IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI and WY. Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader. It’s famous slogan “Save Big Money at Menards” is widely known and easy to remember. For more information, visit Menards.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.

Wood Brothers Racing

Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glen Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glen’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Matt DiBenedetto in the famous No. 21 racer.

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