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Ford Performance NASCAR: Eight Ford Drivers Begin Championship Run at Darlington

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Official Release
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FORD PERFORMANCE NASCAR: DARLINGTON NOTES

The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin this weekend with a manufacturer-high eight Ford drivers in contention for this year’s championship. Every team representing Stewart-Haas Racing and Team Penske are in the field, along with the famed Wood Brothers. Here’s a look at Ford’s regular season success, along with a look at past Darlington highlights.

This Week’s Schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 5 – NASCAR XFINITY Series, 12:30 p.m. (NBC)
Sunday, Sept. 6 – NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Series, 2 p.m. (FS1)
Sunday, Sept. 6 – NASCAR Cup Series, 6 p.m. (NBCSN)

FORD IN THE NASCAR CUP SERIES AT DARLINGTON
· Ford has 30 all-time series wins at Darlington.
· NASCAR Hall of Famer Curtis Turner won Ford’s first race at Darlington in 1966.
· Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick are the only active Ford drivers with Darlington Cup wins.

FORD IN THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES AT DARLINGTON
· Ford has 20 series wins at Darlington.
· Mark Martin holds the record for most series wins at Darlington with eight.
· Jack Roush leads all owners with 15 Darlington series wins.

FORD IN THE NASCAR GANDER RV & OUTDOORS SERIES AT DARLINGTON
· Ford is still seeking its first series win at Darlington.
· Matt Crafton won the inaugural series pole at Darlington in 2009.
· Johnny Sauter has one career series win at Darlington (2017).

EIGHT FORD CUP DRIVERS IN PLAYOFFS

Ford goes into this weekend’s playoff opener at Darlington Raceway with half of the 16-driver playoff field. Kevin Harvick, Cole Custer, Clint Bowyer, Aric Almirola, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney and Matt DiBenedetto all qualified for the 10-race postseason event. Custer and DiBenedetto will be making their playoff debuts while the other six made it together as a group for the third straight year.

HARVICK STARTS PLAYOFFS AS TOP SEED

Kevin Harvick’s series-best seven wins and 17 top-five finishes allowed him to clinch the NASCAR Cup Series regular season championship one race before the finale last week at Daytona. As a result, Harvick takes 57 bonus points into the post season and starts with a 10-point lead over second-place Denny Hamlin and a 28-point advantage over third-place Brad Keselowski.

FORD WINNING AT OVER 50% CLIP

Since NASCAR returned to action on May 17 at Darlington Raceway, Ford has won 12 of the 22 Cup points races (55%) and 10 of the 18 XFINITY events (56%). Kevin Harvick leads the way with seven Cup victories during that stretch while Austin Cindric has vaulted to the top of the NASCAR XFINITY Series standings with six wins. Overall, Ford leads each series in total wins (14 in Cup and 11 in XFINITY), and also tops both in the manufacturers’ standings.

FORD PLAYOFF STATISTICS

Ford comes into the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with 43 all-time post-season victories. Joey Logano leads all Blue Oval drivers with nine wins while Carl Edwards is second with eight. Ford’s best playoff performance came in 2018 when five drivers combined for six wins, including Logano, who won twice and claimed his first series championship. From a track perspective, Talladega Superspeedway has been Ford’s most successful playoff facility having won nine times, including the last six years in a row.

BRISCOE GOING FOR DARLINGTON NXS SWEEP

Chase Briscoe will be going for a Darlington season sweep this weekend after he won the NASCAR XFINITY Series opener after the sport returned to racing. Briscoe and Kyle Busch engaged in a memorable battle over the final two laps that saw Busch take the lead on the white flag lap after Briscoe brushed the wall coming out of turn four. Busch stayed on the inside in turn one while Briscoe charged along the outside wall and made the winning pass coming off turn two. The win marked Briscoe’s second win of the 2020 season and puts him in position to become the first Ford driver to win both Darlington NXS races since Jeff Burton in 2002.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES RACE WINNERS AT DARLINGTON
1956 – Curtis Turner
1960 – Joe Weatherly (1)
1961 – Fred Lorenzen and Nelson Stacy
1962 – Nelson Stacy and Larry Frank
1963 – Fireball Roberts (2)
1964 – Fred Lorenzen (1)
1965 – Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett
1968 – David Pearson (1)
1969 – Lee Roy Yarbrough (2)
1970 – David Pearson (1)
1981 – Neil Bonnett (2)
1982 – Dale Earnhardt (1)
1985 – Bill Elliott (Sweep)
1988 – Bill Elliott (2)
1992 – Bill Elliott (1)
1993 – Mark Martin (2)
1994 – Bill Elliott (2)
1997 – Dale Jarrett (1)
1998 – Dale Jarrett (1)
1999 – Jeff Burton (Sweep)
2001 – Dale Jarrett (1)
2005 – Greg Biffle
2006 – Greg Biffle
2018 – Brad Keselowski
2020 – Kevin Harvick (1)

FORD NASCAR XFINITY SERIES RACE WINNERS AT DARLINGTON
1993 – Mark Martin (2)
1994 – Mark Martin (Sweep)
1995 – Mark Martin (2)
1996 – Mark Martin (1) and Terry Labonte (2)
1997 – Jeff Burton (2)
1999 – Mark Martin (2)
2000 – Mark Martin (Sweep)
2001 – Jeff Green (1) and Jeff Burton (2)
2002 – Jeff Burton (Sweep)
2004 – Greg Biffle
2005 – Matt Kenseth
2009 – Matt Kenseth
2018 – Brad Keselowski
2019 – Cole Custer
2020 – Chase Briscoe (1)

Road Atlanta Preview: Jan Heylen Joins IMSA WeatherTech Lineup for Endurance Challenge

By
Official Release
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BATAVIA, Ohio (September 1, 2020) – The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship returns to endurance racing this Friday and Saturday for the Michelin Endurance Challenge Weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Running the first IMSA endurance event since January’s Rolex 24 At Daytona, Wright Motorsports will welcome Jan Heylen to the No. 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R’s driver lineup, joining full-time drivers Ryan Hardwick and Patrick Long.

“It’s great to have Jan back with us in GTD,” said Team Owner John Wright. “We’ve had some great races with him in years past, including a podium finish at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. He’ll be a strong addition to our full-time drivers, and with six hours of racing, we’re looking to have a well-executed run at Road Atlanta. We’ve barely put a wheel wrong all season, and this weekend, that kind of perfection can pay off in a big way during an endurance race.”

Heylen last raced in the GTD class with Wright Motorsports in the 2019 IMSA Encore at Sebring International Raceway, finishing second with Hardwick and Max Root. Heylen has had a successful run with Wright Motorsports, earning podium finishes at the Rolex 24 At Daytona and Petit Le Mans his last full-season IMSA season with the team in 2014. More recently, he raced with the team in the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge, and currently coaches in the team’s Porsche GT3 Cup USA efforts.

Wright Motorsports has contested an almost perfect performance in what has been an unusual season. The pair of Hardwick and Long have finished in the top five for four of the five races so far in a highly competitive GTD field. With almost half of the championship complete, Wright Motorsports sits fifth in the GTD team standings, just four points away from the top-three. The Ohio-based team has consistently out-performed other competitors in pit lane, a crucial key to success for the endurance races.

The TireRack.com Grand Prix At Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is replacing the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, one of the many schedule changes or cancellations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The 28-car field will take the green flag on Saturday, September 5th at 11:35AM ET, and race to the checker flag at 5:35PM ET. Each driver will need to complete no less than 90 minutes and no more than four hours in order for the team to score points.

The TireRack.com Grand Prix At Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta will air live on NBC Sports Network Saturday, September 5th from 11:30AM to 12:00PM, then continue from 2:30PM to 6:00PM. Subscribers to NBC Sports Gold TRACKPASS can stream the race live in its entirety, and also listen to IMSA Radio for comprehensive live coverage of the race and qualifying.

Porsche GT3 Cup USA by Yokohama
After a strong weekend at the VIRginia International Raceway double header, Charlie Luck and the No. 45 Porsche sit third in the Masters points championship, with four races complete and still 12 rounds remaining. Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta will host rounds five and six, each 45 minutes. Both races will air live on imsa.tv, Saturday, September 5th at 9:30AM ET and Sunday, September 6th at 8:00AM ET. The event will also air tape-delayed on September 16th at 5:00PM ET.

Driver Quotes

Ryan Hardwick
I am super excited about finally competing in an IMSA WeatherTech Championship race at my home track! I’ve lived and worked in the Atlanta area for most of my adult life, and it will feel great to finally race in a premier IMSA event here at Road Atlanta. I also think our Wright Motorsports team will continue to shine in these upcoming endurance races. These long races are more about how the entire team prepares and performs, and I don’t think there will be a more prepared team in the paddock this weekend. I’m also extremely pumped to welcome Jan Heylen on board as our third driver for the endurance races. Jan knows the Porsche inside and out, and he’s an incredibly fast and skilled driver. The addition of Jan gives us a very strong driver lineup for these long races, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.

Patrick Long
It’s been nearly two years since I have run in a race at Road Atlanta. I am hungry to get back there, as I feel it’s one of the most old school and challenging circuits in the world. My goal is to continue to build on our momentum from the last few IMSA rounds, and with six hours of racing, I feel this will help play into our strengths as an organization.

Jan Heylen
It’s really nice to be back with the Wright Motorsports in GTD. I’m looking forward to driving with Ryan Hardwick again, after finishing second together at the Sebring Encore last year. It was a really good experience working with Ryan, and hopefully we can pick up where we left off. After being best friends with Patrick Long for almost 25 years, this will be my first time sharing the car with him, which is really exciting. We go so far back, it would be really nice to have a good race with him and the team. I’ve been with Wright for maybe seven years now, and it’ll be nice to be racing with the family back in GTD. There will be a steep learning curve, as we don’t have a ton of time in the car before the race. But I’ve got all my notes from the team, and hopefully I can do my job, execute well, and come away with good points for the team to put Patrick and Ryan in place to run for the championship.

Charlie Luck
I’m super excited coming into Road Atlanta, one of my favorite racing tracks. It’s one of the first road racing tracks I ever did in the Busch NASCAR days in 1986. It reminded me so much of my days in motocross racing from ages 12 to 18. This is my fourth year coming to Road Atlanta, so I feel a lot of confidence around the track. We tested last Monday, which was a good and competitive test, and we feel like we have a god set up on the car. Coming off a good weekend at VIR, except for an accident on the restart, we had good consistent laps in second place for the entirety of both races. I feel really good about it, looking forward to it, and can’t wait.

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

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

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

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

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

Henry Repeating Arms
Henry Repeating Arms is one of the leading rifle and shotgun manufacturers in the United States and a world leader in the lever-action category. The company motto is “Made in America, or not made at all” and its firearms come with a lifetime guarantee backed by award-winning customer service. The company is also known for its charitable endeavors under its Guns For Great Causes program, which focuses on sick children, both individual cases and children’s hospitals, veteran and wounded veteran organizations, Second Amendment and wildlife conservation organizations. The company currently employs 535 people and has 250,000 square feet of manufacturing space in its Rice Lake, Wisconsin and Bayonne, New Jersey facilities. The company is named in honor of Benjamin Tyler Henry who invented and patented the Henry rifle in 1860 – the first repeating rifle, the lever-action rifle, which is America’s unique contribution to international firearms design and is one of the most legendary, respected and sought after rifles in the history of firearms. Visit Henry Repeating Arms online at www.HenryUSA.com, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HenryRepeating, and on Instagram @Henry_Rifles.

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

NGROTS Advance: Tanner Gray and David Ragan – Darlington Raceway

By
Official Release
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Track: Darlington Raceway, 1.366-mile oval
Race: 15 of 23
Event: S.C. Education Lottery 200 (200 miles, 147 laps)

Schedule:
Sunday, Sept. 6
2:00 p.m…………..Race (FS1)
(all times ET)

Tanner Gray, No. 15 Ford Performace F-150

Tanner Gray is on equal footing to most of his NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series (NGROTS) competitors this weekend since very few drivers have experience racing at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. With the exception of Truck Series veterans like Johnny Sauter and Matt Crafton, most of the field has never made a lap at the track known as “Too Tough to Tame.” This may provide a more level playing field for the 21-year-old rookie.

In 14 Truck Series races this season, Gray has two top-five, five top-10 finishes, has led four laps and sits 12th in the driver point standings. He finished 10th last weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill., after his DGR-Crosley team made improvements to the handling of his No. 15 Ford Performance F-150 throughout the race.

Gray has spent time preparing for Darlington by watching past races from the challenging track, trying to learn how to avoid the dreaded “Darlington stripe” on the right side of his truck. Gray has another advantage this weekend, a teammate with experience there. NASCAR Cup Series veteran David Ragan will be his teammate and a great person to lean on for advice and tips, as well as co-owner David Gilliland who has made 11 starts there between the Cup and Xfinity Series.

The South Carolina Education Lottery 200 from Darlington Raceway will be run on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on FS1. The 147-lap race will be broken into three segments with stage-ending cautions on laps 45 and 90.

Gray on Darlington: “I’ve heard so much about Darlington and honestly it sounds a little intimidating. I’m excited to have a chance to race there though with the track’s history in NASCAR. I’m glad I’ll have a veteran spotter like Kevin Hamlin on the roof coaching me, as well as a teammate (David Ragan) and co-owner (David Gilliland) with a lot of experience there. This is kind of a normal race for me though since I’ve been to a lot of tracks for the first time this season with no practice, or qualifying. This time I’ll just have a lot of competitors in the same boat with me.”

David Ragan, No. 17 Shriners Hospitals for Children Ford F-150

David Ragan will be making his first start in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series since 2006, but he has a distinct advantage this weekend over most of the other drivers in the field, and that is experience at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. A track known as “too tough to tame” and “the lady in black.”

Ragan has 13 starts at Darlington in the NASCAR Cup Series through 2019 and two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts. His best finish of fifth came in the Cup Series race in 2008 driving for Jack Roush. Ragan has made 4,731 laps around Darlington in his career.

Shriners Hospitals for Children will support Ragan and his No. 17 Ford F-150 in the 200-mile race. Shriners Hospitals for Children provides specialized care to children with orthopaedic conditions, spinal cord injuries, burns and cleft lip and palate regardless of the families’ ability to pay. Ragan has been a member of Shriners International since 2012 and serves as its NASCAR ambassador. In addition, Envision will be an associate partner.

The South Carolina Education Lottery 200 from Darlington Raceway will be run on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on FS1. The 147-lap race will be broken into three segments with stage-ending cautions on laps 45 and 90.

Ragan on Darlington: “Darlington is one of my favorite tracks and to be going back in the Truck Series is pretty cool. I know there is going to be anxiety for a lot of people going green for the first time at Darlington with no practice, or qualifying in a truck. Those first few laps will have a lot of intensity, but I think the trucks are made for tracks like Darlington, those one-mile tracks with a lot of character. You’ve got these young guys who are racing hard in the Truck Series, so it should be a fun race and it’s kind of like the preview right before the Southern 500.”

NGROTS Advance: Todd Gilliland – Darlington Raceway

By
Official Release
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Track: Darlington Raceway, 1.366-mile oval
Race: 15 of 23
Event: S.C. Education Lottery 200 (200 miles, 147 laps)

Schedule:
Sunday, Sept. 6
2:00 p.m………….Race (FS1)

(all times ET)

Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Black’s Tire & Auto Service Ford F-150

Coming off a heart-breaking finish at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill., last weekend, Todd Gilliland has his sights set on the “Track Too Tough to Tame,” Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Last Sunday Gilliland had a dominate Front Row Motorsports Ford F-150, winning the first two stages and leading the most laps. With 40 laps to go, he was hit by another truck attempting to pass him for the lead, which sent him into the outside wall, resulting in a 24th-place finish instead of a trip to Victory Lane.

Although Gilliland has no prior experience at Darlington, he has been watching past races there in other NASCAR Series and getting advice from as many NASCAR veterans as possible. With two races remaining before the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series playoffs begin, Gilliland remains in 10th place in the point standings, 13 points above the cut line.

Gilliland’s No. 38 Ford F-150 will be sponsored by Black’s Tire & Auto Service at Darlington Sunday. With over 50 retail locations and wholesale distribution throughout North and South Carolina and Virginia, their 800-plus employees have kept the Carolina’s rolling for the past 90 years.

The South Carolina Education Lottery 200 from Darlington Raceway will be run on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on FS1. The 147-lap race will be broken into three segments with stage-ending cautions on laps 45 and 90.

Quick Facts:
Number of Truck Series Starts at Darlington Raceway: 0
2020 Driver Point Standings: 10th (+13 above playoff cut line)

Gilliland on Darlington: “I have no experience at Darlington, but I went to one Xfinity race there last year. I had never been and wanted to check it out, so now I’m really glad I have at least seen a race there. I’m kind of nervous and I feel for the guys who have been going to all these race tracks for the first time without even seeing them. Darlington is a tough place. I’m going to be leaning on David Ragan a lot, who is going to run a second DGR-Crosley truck. Just talking to him and talking to my Dad (David Gilliland) who have experience and just watching races there. You can’t take yourself out of it by getting into the wall. I’d say most drivers will be taking it pretty easy during the first stage, but I definitely wish I had experience there.

“We’ll have Black’s Tire on board and it’s all but a home race for them with locations all over that area. It’s super cool to have them back with us.”

The No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R Team Looks to Extend Championship Lead at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

By
Official Release
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Braselton, Ga. (September 1, 2020) This weekend, the No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R team will continue the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Ryan Briscoe and Renger van der Zande will race for six hours around the 12-turn, 2.54-mile permanent road course in the TireRack.com Grand Prix at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

This weekend’s race replaces the originally scheduled Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen International, making it the first time that Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta has hosted the prestigious six-hour event for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R team has enjoyed great success in recent years at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta for the Motul Petit Le Mans, with two overall victories and five top-five finishes.

The No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R team enters the weekend at the summit of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship standings with a six point lead. Given the team’s form so far in 2020 along with its track record at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, the focus will very much be to further strengthen their championship challenge this weekend.

“It’s strange and so pleasant to have another race at Road Atlanta this year,” said team owner Wayne Taylor. “This is a special track for my family and our team has always been fairly competitive here for the long-distance races, so it will be great to see what we can do with the six-hour. I have Ryan and Renger, the same team that won Daytona, a six-point lead in the championship, and fans to cheer us on. I’m excited for the event.”

The six hour battle will also mark the second of four endurance events for the Michelin Endurance Championship where the No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R team leads the points standings with 19 points. Scott Dixon, five time and current NTT IndyCar Series Championship Leader and 2008 Indy 500 winner, will return with van der Zande and Briscoe for the final two endurance events: the 10-hour Petit Le Mans event (October 17) and the 12 Hours of Sebring Season Finale (November 14).

Practice for the TireRack.com Grand Prix at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta begins Friday, September 4th at 10:00 a.m. EST with qualifying live on IMSA.com/tvlive at 7:25 p.m. EST. Green flag for the TireRacek.com Grand Prix at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is 11:35 a.m. EST on Saturday with live coverage beginning at 11:30 a.m. EST on NBC Sports.

RENGER VAN DER ZANDE, No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R
“Road Atlanta is always an exciting track and one of the most physical ones. So, going there for six hours with two drivers is always a nice challenge and I have been training very hard for this race physically. We’re leading the championship which is great. It’s a small advantage to the competition and it’s better than having no advantage, so it’s only a positive point to take into the weekend. I’m looking forward to it, I think we are very well prepared, and we know what to do and how to execute as normally the longer races are what we like.”

RYAN BRISCOE, No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R
“Although I’m really going to miss racing at Watkins Glen, I’m really looking forward to Six Hours at Road Atlanta! The team had a strong result here to finish off the season last year and I fully expect to be in contention for the win this time around. I love the track and can’t wait to get back to racing after our short summer break.”

About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. is reshaping and revolutionizing the Workplace of the Future™ with its expansive smart office product portfolio from IT Services (All Covered), ECM, Managed Print Services and industrial and commercial print solutions. Konica Minolta has been recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for twelve consecutive years, and is proud to be ranked on the Forbes 2017 America’s Best Employers list. The World Technology Awards recently named the company a finalist in the IT Software category. Konica Minolta, Inc. has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for eight consecutive years. It partners with its clients to give shape to ideas and work to bring value to our society. For more information, please visit us online and follow Konica Minolta on Facebook, YouTube, Linked In and Twitter. Konica Minolta, as title sponsor, highlights Wayne Taylor Racing’s existing lineup of partners that also features Cadillac V-Performance Racing, AMETEK Electronic Systems Protection (ESP /SurgeX) and Powervar, and CIT.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Power Rankings – Daytona II

By
Briar Starr
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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - AUGUST 28: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #98 Ford Performance Racing School Ford, leads the field to start the NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

The NASCAR Xfinity Series visited the famed Daytona International Speedway Friday night for an unusual August outing, a race normally held in July for the last several years. 

And as always, the superspeedway race did not disappoint. The Wawa 250 was a caution filled race with 28% of the race ran under yellow and only 8% under green. Nonetheless, despite the numerous yellows, a frantic finish broke out on the last lap when Kaulig Racing teammates Ross Chastain and A.J. Allmendinger collided with each other, as Chastain went to make a move for the win. Unfortunately for the two drivers, they were left disappointed with finishes of sixth and 15th, respectively after running up front for the majority of the race. 

Even though Kaulig’s Racing plan did not work out to their liking, one of their drivers, Justin Haley was the fortunate one to break through and dodge the melee on the last lap, with the Indiana native taking home his second victory of the 2020 Xfinity Series season. The victory marked his first since Talladega back in June. 

However, there were a few more notables from Friday night’s race at Daytona International Speedway, and we’ll take a look at them in this week’s Xfinity Series Power Rankings. 

  1. Chase Briscoe – Briscoe was strong throughout the 100 laps but not strong enough for the win. He tried to make something work in the final 30 laps and hoped to get his Ford Performance teammate, Austin Cindric, to work alongside him. However, with the power and dominance of three Kaulig Racing cars in front of him, Briscoe couldn’t make anything happen. As the race neared its end, he actually ended up stuck between A.J. Allmendinger, Chastain, and Haley, leaving him helpless. Though when all was said and done, Briscoe earned a third-place finish (stage finishes of fifth in Stage 1 and eighth in Stage 2), his 13th top-five of the year.

    Previous Week Ranking – First
  2. Riley Herbst – The Las Vegas native had to start in the back and serve a pass-thru penalty for an improperly mounted ballast found during inspection. Thankfully for Herbst, luck fell in his favor as Daytona is 2.5 miles in length and he didn’t lose a lap while serving his penalty. Herbst had a solid night placing sixth in both stages, not only gaining points but dodging multiple wrecks. Ultimately, He rebounded to a fourth-place finish after starting in the back. The finish marked his third top-five of the year. Despite the rebound, Herbst will be docked 10 driver points for the ballast infraction. 

    Previous Week Ranking – Fifth
  3. Austin Cindric – An unfortunate circumstance found Cindric caught up in the last lap wreck coming out of Turn 4. The Team Penske driver was in contention to win but received damage from the Allmendinger and Chastain incident. Even though the incident might have done him in, Cindric was running strong all night through the first two stages, finishing third and ninth, respectively,  as he was up there trying to work with Briscoe for a potential Ford manufacturer win. But as it normally goes at superspeedways, plans don’t usually don’t work out for the most part. However, Cindric brought his No. 22 Odyssey Battery Ford to an eighth-place finish.

    Previous Week Ranking – Third
  4. Justin Haley – This is an obvious one, but for good reason since he won Friday night’s race. Haley hasn’t had the best finishes over the last few weeks (38th on the Daytona Road Course, 12th in Race 2 at Dover), but he got redemption at the superspeedway by leading nine laps en route to his second career win. Using Kaulig’s team strategy of working together with all three cars, Haley won the opening stage and finished third in Stage 2, right behind his other two teammates. At this point, Haley sits fifth in the point standings and if the Kaulig team can keep the momentum going through the last half of the season, Haley could be a dark horse in the championship.

    Previous Week Ranking – Not Ranked
  5. Harrison Burton – A quiet fifth-place run in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing camp of Harrison Burton. Burton stayed out of trouble and did what he needed to do in order to finish the race. In fact, the 19-year-old was among the few that brought home a clean race car when the checkered flag flew. As far as stages go for Burton, he finished 12th in Stage 1 and seventh in Stage 2.

    Previous Week Ranking – Not Ranked 

Fell Out 

  1. Justin Allgaier – After scoring the Dover win the week prior, Allgaier looked to carry that momentum to Daytona, and was seeking another victory to solidify his championship chances. Unfortunately, the Illinois native got caught up in a wreck twice, one on Lap 41 and the other caused by himself, when a tire went flat in Turns 3 and 4 at Lap 47. One positive notable in Allgaier’s race was the eighth-place finish in Stage 1.

    Previous Week Ranking – Second
  2. Noah Gragson – Just 24 hours before the Wawa 250, Noah Gragson signed a contract extension with JR Motorsports to drive the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet for the 2021 Xfinity Series season. After getting that out of the way, he had high hopes of coming to Daytona after winning here in February. Unfortunately, after placing seventh in Stage 1, Gragson was involved in the Lap 41 incident and credited with a 31st place outing. Certainly not a good night for JR Motorsports, who had all but one driver (Michael Annett who finished seventh) crash out, including Gragson, Allgaier, and Daniel Hemric.

    Previous Week Ranking – Fourth

Quick Guide To Choosing The Perfect ATV

By
SM
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The thrill of driving an ATV is unsurpassable. When the brawny ATVs hit the trail, all the heads turn and gazes shift. Owning a vehicle like this is a dream of every automobile enthusiast. If you are planning to buy this herculean vehicle, you must first gather all the information you would need to make an informed decision. 

As buying an ATV is a big investment, you need to carry out in-depth research and evaluate all your options. But don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. Here is your quick guide to choosing the perfect ATV:

Types of ATVs

The ATV market is brimming with options. Dealers like Greenville Motor Sports stock a wide range of ATV models that are versatile and super cool. The first step to decide your perfect ATV is to choose the right option.

1) Sport ATVs

Sport ATVs are beasts that promise a robust performance on even the most rugged tracks. There are four-wheel-drive models that are designed to obtain optimum trail performance.

Their prime features include premium suspension performance, automatic transmission, high speed, and acceleration. 

2) Rec/Utility ATVs

These ATVs combine utility with fun. They are primarily used for heavy-duty tasks like pulling a trailer, hauling cargo, farm execution, etc. But, their utility doesn’t outshine their recreational purpose. These versatile ATVs, due to their excellent traction and high ground clearance, can be used for adventurous activities ranging from mudding, trail riding to hunting.  

3) Youth ATVs

Youth ATVs are the smaller and lighter cousin of adult ATVs. They are mainly used for recreational trail riding, but some models have proved their prowess on racing tracks and made them a great choice for youth division racing competitions. 

They come in various sizes and engine options suiting different age groups. They are not as expensive as other versions of ATVs. 

4) Hunting ATVs

Hunting ATVs belong to the utility category, but they have a separate fan base. Equipped with unique features and accessories, these ATVs literally roar when they are out on the track making their way through dense forests.  

Their camo paint and gun scabbard make them the perfect wheel for hunting sprees. They come with rack extenders and bumpers, hand and thumb warmers, and a robust winch. 

5) Two-Up ATV

They are a relatively newer entry in the ATV family. They come with a raised seat and longer wheelbase to ensure greater stability. Grab bars attached to the seat and an additional set of foot pegs or floorboards make these quads comfortable for the pillion rider. 

Once you decide the type of ATV you want, look into these features and specifications:

1) Liquid- Cooled and Air-Cooled Engines 

While looking for an ATV, you will come across two types of engines: liquid-cooled and air-cooled. Water-cooled or liquid-cooled systems maintain the temperature of the engine effectively. The coolant (which is a mix of water and antifreeze) flows from the radiator to the channels surrounding the cylinder and cools it down in no time. Some models also feature an additional fan to further expedite cooling. 

On the other hand, ATVs air-cooled engines have cylinders with cooling fins. 

2) Single Cylinder and Two Cylinders

A little while ago, ATVs would come equipped with single cylinders, but now, two-cylinder ATVs dominate the tracks. 

Twin-cylinder ATVs are more powerful and rev rapidly. But, they are heavier and bulkier. 

3) Manual And Automatic Transmissions 

The modern ATVs feature automatic transmission. They come with clutch, belt-driven set-up and offer an easy drive. However, sundry quads come with a complicated, internal gear-driven system that gives them an edge over the regular ATVs in certain driving conditions.

Talking about the ATVs with a manual transmission, they come in five or six-speed with a manual clutch or an apparatus with an automatic clutch. 

Many racers and trail riders prefer a manual set-up as it provides better traction and engine rpm. 

4) Tires

Before choosing an ATV, you must make it a point to check its tires. Check the type of tread and the number of piles, and select the tread according to the terrain you will drive through. 

If you are going to drive on muddy terrain, it is better to go with angled tread, while scoop or paddle tread works best for sandy terrains. However, several modern ATV models come with all-terrain tires. 

Conclusion

Selecting an ATV can become an overwhelming process if you aren’t well-acquainted with your options. With the above information, you will be equipped to make an informed choice.

Benefits of international driving license

By
SM
-

Moving abroad has become a day in and day out activities across the world. Many people have decided to relocate abroad as an individual or with their loved ones with varied reasons. Some of the reasons why people move abroad are employment, relationships, studies, adventures, or seeking medication.

Therefore, when planning to move abroad, there are several things that you are supposed to put into consideration. An international driving license is one of the mandatory and necessities that you are not supposed to live behind when vacating from your native country. An international driving license is an official permit that allows a person to operate a motor vehicle while in foreign lands. The United Nations endorses this license and translates it into various languages. The translation of a driving license is essential because it helps the officials in the foreign country you intend to relocate to understand and approve your driving certificate.

However, many people have wandered and got embarrassed abroad after allegedly driving motor vehicles in foreign countries without the international driving permit. Therefore it is vital to follow the right protocol and acquire an international driving license when planning to leave overseas. Here are the benefits of international driving license:

1. It helps to eliminate the risk of allegations.

Driving into a foreign country without an international driving license is a claim. Therefore, if the transport authority officials discover that you are driving without an international driving permit, you will be taken to the court of law and alleged with charges. Mostly you will be forced to pay extreme penalties. Hence it is necessary to have an international driving license so that you can get a chance to operate a motor vehicle in foreign countries legally.

2. It helps to streamline your communication with transport officials.

An international driving license is crucial when you want to relocate to countries where English is not used as a medium of communication. The international driving permit is translated into a maximum of ten languages, and hence your driving credentials will be presented into all these languages. Therefore, you will not struggle to express yourself or communicate with the transport authorities; you will only produce your permit to the authorities.

3. It is a requirement when hiring a vehicle from a rental motor vehicle organization.

In case you want to hire a vehicle during your vacation in foreign countries, consider having an international driving license in your pocket. This is because all the rental motor vehicle organizations demand a person to present a legal international driving license before they allow you to hire a vehicle from them.

4. It helps to reduce anxiety and stress.

When you operate a vehicle in a foreign country without a legal permit, you will always have anxiety that you might be discovered by the local transport authorities and charged because of breaking the law. However, when you have a legal international driving license, you will have peace of mind and comfort since you are confident that you are on the right track of the law.

Why Car Ownership Eludes Many Millennials

By
SM
-

Most people think cars are essential must-haves in the modern world. They make traveling easier and more convenient. If you own a car, there is no need to use public transport and ride along with other passengers trying to get to their destination on time. You have a vehicle you can use no matter how late or early. You can go on a road trip any time you want and it can seat many people, depending on its capacity.

While car ownership has lots of perks, many millennials still don’t have their own car. This is not to say that they don’t love cars like most people. According to ChristopherKnittel, millennials own as many cars as the Baby Boomer counterpart. But on a side note, Generation Y is driving more miles compared to the other generation.

It is important to note that millennials have different spending habits and values. It is safe to say that most millennials have a love-hate relationship with car ownership.

Why Some Millennials Don’t Have Their Own Cars

Some millennials still don’t have their own cars because they have other priorities in mind. For one, millennials are into experiences. According to statistics, millennials prefer paying for experiences more than products. They would rather pay for their travels and spa time than invest in worldly possessions like houses and cars.

Generation Y is also financially unhealthy. Survey says 22% of millennials are considered financially vulnerable. This means most of the time, 17.8 million millennials are struggling financially.

Since many millennials have financial issues, they are postponing car purchases. For Generation Y, their massive student debts make it hard for them to be able to afford many things. When one has thousands of dollars worth of student debt, one will really think twice before investing their hard-earned cash.

Another reason why millennials have car ownership as the least of their priorities is since cars are major contributors to air pollution. We knowGen-Yersare advocates for sustainability. They have all the characteristics of people who support sustainable and ethical practices.

This is the very reason why many of them would hold on to their cars longer. When buying cares, they prefer eco-friendly vehicles. They are also avid users of ride-sharing apps. They use public transportation more and are often seen hiring private car services when traveling.

Did you know that most Gen-Yerslack automotive maintenance skills? As car owners, it is only a must that you know a thing or two about how cars work and what to do in case of minor car issues. Many millennials don’t do car maintenance like checking their car tire pressures. Many don’t even read their car owner’s manual before using their vehicles. Also, the fact that car maintenance can be costly is another expense most millennials are not ready to handle.

Lastly, some millennials don’t even need cars. Most of them are now working from home. They mostly rely on technology to get things done.

They do their shopping online. Millennials use different apps and the internet to socialize. They have their own ways to entertain themselves without leaving their homes. They can even find jobs and earn money without leaving the house. If they do find the need to go outdoors, they prefer commuting as they can save more money in the process.

Car-buying Habits of Generation Y

Even though some millennials are not car owners, there are still some who are buying cars. Their buying habits are different from other generations.

Before buying anything, millennials love to do a bit of research. Studies show they stand out in smartphone usage. They use the internet to search for virtually everything. When it comes to cars, they are not just looking for vehicles that meet their needs and budget. They are also looking for discounts.

MostGen-Yersprefer cars with safety and eco-friendly features. They are very specific when it comes to the features they want. They want to still stay connected even while they are on the road.

Aside from these, millennials are not afraid to share their feedback on review sites. They aim to share their reviews with other buyers as a way to educate them. They value reading reviews as much as they value sharing them.

In a nutshell, Gen-Yersalso love cars but many of them prefer having access to vehicles than taking on the responsibility of car ownership. They have valid reasons for delaying car purchases like their love for experiences and financial struggles. This only means we can expect more millennials to buy their own cars in the future. But for now, they are contented with ride-sharing, commuting, and private car rentals.

Colin Braun open to more Stock Car starts

By
Briar Starr
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Photo by Tim Jarrold for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Former NASCAR star and now IMSA Sports Car Series driver Colin Braun briefly returned to the Stock Car world a few weeks ago at the Daytona Road Course event, competing in the ARCA Menards Series competition.

Braun helped GMS Racing driver Sam Mayer bring home the No. 21 Chevy to a third-place finish that night. The Texas native received the opportunity to split the driving duties with Mayer (something that normally doesn’t happen in ARCA/NASCAR), as the Wisconsin had a hairline fracture on his right wrist following a TransAm accident at Road America, the week prior.

The Daytona Road Course race was the first time in nine years that Braun has competed in the NASCAR/ARCA world. However, after his third-place run, he was satisfied with the outing and is open to doing more starts in the future, should the opportunity arise.

“For me, I really enjoyed myself,” Bruan said about the ARCA experience. “It was really a last minute deal (to drive). Sam Mayer unfortunately, had an incident at Road America the weekend before. Going to a road course with a lot of shifting, they (GMS) were worried about Mayer not being able to successfully finish that race.”

“So they called me up and I took the opportunity. They wanted to me jump in at the first yellow. Well, unfortunately or fortunately, there was no yellows through the first few laps, and I had to wait until the halfway break to jump in the car. That was the challenge for me, as the race was sort of a mixed conditions race and jumping in there, and sort of having to figure it halfway through the race, of what the racetrack was going to be like. I really enjoyed my experience though. Got those guys (GMS) a good finish and kept them strong in the points.”

“As far as doing more (races), I would love to do more of that racing. I enjoyed it back years ago when I did it, and jumping back in that ARCA car got me excited about Stock Car racing in general. It’s just the timing has to be right and everything else has to be right. However, I would definitely be interested.”

Braun currently competes in the LMP2 class driving in the No. 18 Era Motorsports entry and won the 2020 24 Hours of Daytona event back in January. In addition, Braun is mostly known for competing in the Truck and Xfinity Series from 2007-2011. He only has one victory to his name in the NASCAR world, which came in the 2009 Michigan Truck Series race.

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