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Making History on the ROVAL™:Truck Drivers Share First Impressions

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Official Release
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As the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series makes its debut on the 17-turn ROVAL™, drivers agree that the Turn 7 hairpin is sure to deliver excitement for the entire field. (CMS/Michael Anderson photo)
  • The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will make history Oct. 3 with its first-ever race on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 17-turn ROVAL™, as drivers prepare for an unpredictable playoff debut
  • Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 weekend tickets can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under get in all weekend for just $10

CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 2, 2025) — For the first time in history, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will battle the twists and turns of the 17-turn ROVAL™ at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, Oct. 3. From the daunting frontstretch chicane to the hairpin at Turn 7, drivers know the playoff debut is set to test nerves, brakes and patience.

Here’s what the drivers are saying ahead of next month’s historic event:

Grant Efinger, No. 9, CR7 Motorsports

“I think it’s cool that we are going to the ROVAL™ for the first time. Looking back, I compare it a little bit to the Daytona road course, when we went there four or five years ago, so hopefully I can rely on that experience. It’s good to go to a new place. NASCAR has done a good job mixing around the schedule.”

“I would say the hairpin getting onto NASCAR Turn 1 will be the hardest part. I feel that’s going to be the most critical to get in and out of cleanly. It obviously sets up for a really big straightaway, so I feel like that’s going to be both very important and very chaotic in our race.”

Corey Heim, No. 11, TRICON Garage

“You’ve seen the Turn 1 craziness in the past couple of years at the Charlotte ROVAL™ playoff race for the Cup Series and Xfinity Series. To bring the Truck Series there, where mayhem is already sort of in question in the playoffs, combining that with the Charlotte ROVAL™, it’s definitely going to be exciting.”

“I think with the lack of experience in the field, plus the already-present challenges of the ROVAL™ itself and how slick that track is and how crazy the restarts are and whatnot, the combination of all those factors is going to make for a pretty tough time for us.”

Tyler Ankrum, No. 18, McAnally- Hilgemann Racing

“The toughest part of the whole race track would be the bus stop for sure. In Turn 1, we’ve seen a lot of historical accidents, just on restarts and overcooking the entry. Honestly, that hairpin (Turn 7), we saw it a lot last year, that hairpin is a big passing zone. It’s high-risk, high-reward. The harder you can get in there, the easier it is to get alongside a guy on the right side and set you up for the big track.”

“I’ve talked to my teammate Daniel Hemric. He’s raced there in both Xfinity (series) and Cup (series). Having a guy like him, who’s been there and done that, is a huge help. It’s not just the setups and preparations, but also knowing what to expect.”

“To leave with a win at the ROVAL™, for us, would be huge. It’d be a big step in our road course program, and it would also lock us into the Round of 4 at arguably the hardest track to do it.”

Daniel Hemric, No. 19, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing

“For me, the ROVAL™ itself is just trying to understand the rhythm; that’s the challenge. It’s not a particular set of corners — it’s getting into a rhythm. You’re always sliding. Your vehicle never feels great, so just getting that rhythm is probably the biggest challenge.”

“It’s not only a blend of something new, but also something that’s been around for a couple of years. With Cup and Xfinity already there, there’s always something new to take in. Then, with the track changes last year, that adds another element in. For me, the unknown is what draws people to anything in sports, so having the unknown of having the Truck Series there is just an unknown that everybody needs to see.”

Layne Riggs, No. 34, Front Row Motorsports

“There’s just a lot of prep work to do to try to be the best you can when you show up to the ROVAL™, especially having such little practice as we do. You just have to be on your A-game and be ready to go and make sure your brake markers are right, make sure your truck’s ready to go and be as smart as you can.”

“As a short track racer, I feel like going through the infield section with very little banking, very little grip. It’s going to be right up my alley with a lot of throttle control and just trying to get the maximum traction out of your tires that you can and grip the racetrack. I feel like that’s what I’m strong at, so I’m really excited for the infield section. I think the on-track part will be kind of odd when you have a road course set up and you go on to the big track, that feeling that and the G-forces going through there, and try to set your truck up around it to be best in all situations. It’s going to be difficult for everybody.”

Chandler Smith, No. 38, Front Row Motorsports

“The biggest challenge always at the ROVAL™ is the infield section. It’s super low-grip, especially compared to the rest of the racetrack. If you’re really good on the infield section, the rest of it kind of comes to you. That’s always the emphasis going into the ROVAL™ — making sure you’re good on the infield section.

Kaden Honeycutt, No. 52, Halmar Friesen Racing

“I think it’ll be really cool to win at a place like the ROVAL™; it’s one of its own kind if you can do that, so that’d be really sweet for the team.”

“I think the biggest thing I have to work on is, since I’m not a road course ace, is just to kind of get familiar with the braking zones and how hard you can attack, in a truck, because our downforce is different from a Cup car and Xfinity car. Honestly, I think we might be maybe even faster in an Xfinity car. I think it’ll be really unique, especially since we don’t run at a place that has turtles that jump as high as they do. So it’ll be interesting to see how we can actually attack those, especially since we run splitters.”

Ty Majeski, No. 98, ThorSport Racing

“Any time you put trucks on a racetrack like that, you’re going to have excitement. Trucks are just exciting in themselves and then you put them on a wild-card track that no one has experience on — it’ll be a great show for everyone to watch.”

“I think definitely the hairpin (Turn 7), and also the bus stop on the backstretch, I think will be interesting, just because you’re coming in at such a high rate of speed, and there’s always excitement there.”

TICKETS:

Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 tickets are available at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under get in all weekend for just $10.

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following on X and Instagram, becoming a Facebook fan or downloading the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

Spire Motorsports Enjoy Illinois 300 Race Advance

By
Official Release
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  • In seven NASCAR Cup Series starts at World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR), Spire Motorsports has logged one top-10 and two top-20 finishes. Carson Hocevar earned a team-best eighth-place result at the Madison, Ill., oval last June. Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet ZL1s in the NCS with Justin Haley, Michael McDowell and Hocevar, respectively.
  • The Enjoy Illinois 300 will be televised live on USA Sunday, Sept. 7 beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 28th of 36 points-paying events on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.

Justin Haley – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

  • Justin Haley will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Gainbridge Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.
  • Haley will make his fourth Cup Series start at WWTR. In three previous outings, the Winamac, Ind., native earned one top-10 and two top-20 finishes. Last June, the 26-year-old came from deep in the field to notch a respectable ninth-place finish in the 240-lap event. He finished 14th in 2022 and 16th in 2023. Over those three races, the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400 (Daytona) winner posted a 24.0 average start, and a solid 13.0 average finish at the 1.25-mile oval.
  • Haley captured his first career NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victory on June 23, 2018 at WWTR. In three previous CRAFTSMAN Truck starts at the track, Haley has logged one win and two top-10 finishes. He earned a 9.0 average start, a 10.7 average finish and led 10 laps.
  • Last Sunday at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, Haley qualified 13th and raced inside the top 20 for most of the evening before a late-race pit stop under green-flag conditions left him 27th in the final rundown.
  • Founded in 2018, Gainbridge® is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone, no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge® is headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.com or follow and connect with Gainbridge on X and LinkedIn.
  • Sunday’s race will mark Haley’s 171st career NASCAR Cup Series start. Over the course of the last seven seasons, he has collected one Cup Series victory, six top fives, 18 top 10s and led 123 laps. He made his first premier series start with Spire Motorsports at Talladega Superspeedway on his 20th birthday and has since made 71 Cup Series starts with the team.

Justin Haley Quotes
You qualified 13th at Darlington and ran pretty well until you had to make an unscheduled pit stop under green. What are your thoughts heading into this weekend?
“Our car was fast last weekend at Darlington and I’ve had some success at World Wide Technology Raceway so I’m definitely looking forward to this weekend. Hopefully, we’re fast when we unload and can put together a solid weekend.”

World Wide Technology Raceway has a unique layout with its tight corners and long straightaways. How does it compare to some of the other tracks on the schedule?
“The track is flat and tricky because both ends of the race track are so different. The challenge is what makes it different and interesting for me. Gateway has always been a good track for me, personally. I won my first CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race there in 2018 and finished top 10 in the Cup Race last year so this is definitely one I’ve had circled on my calendar.”

Atop the No. 7 Box – Crew Chief Ryan Sparks

  • Ryan Sparks serves in a dual role as both Spire Motorsports Competition Director and crew chief for driver Justin Haley, first pairing with Haley at Bristol Motor Speedway in September 2024.
  • The Winston-Salem, N.C., native has stood atop the pit box for 193 NASCAR Cup Series races, earning four top-five and ten top-10 finishes over the course of his career.

Michael McDowell – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

  • Michael McDowell will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Delaware Life Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway.
  • McDowell has one top-10 finish in three career Cup Series starts at the uniquely configured 1.25-mile Madison, Ill., oval. The driver of Spire Motorsports No. 71 Chevy finished ninth in the division’s 2023 visit to the suburban St. Louis venue.
  • Last June, McDowell set a track record with a speed of 138.598 mph (32.368 seconds), to earn his third career Cup Series pole position. McDowell and his Travis Peterson-led team collected a season high total of six pole awards last season.
  • The seasoned Cup Series veteran has led a total of 74 laps at World Wide Technology Raceway, including 34 in 2022 and 40 in 2024.
  • B’Laster and Go Bowling will both serve in an associate sponsor capacity for this weekend’s 240-lap contest on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River.
  • Over the course of 27 races in 2025, McDowell tallied two top-five, three top-10 and 15 top-20 finishes. To date, the veteran racer has earned an average starting position of 15.1, a 19.7 average finish, led 86 laps and been running at the finish of all but two of the season’s first 27 points-paying races.
  • The father-of-five boasts an average starting position of 13.0, at the egg-shaped oval and has only started outside the top 20 (21st) once.
  • McDowell has claimed three Xfinity Fastest Lap awards this season, clocking the fastest lap in the Daytona 500, Phoenix Raceway and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. The team is one of just three in the series to tally three or more bonus points via the program.
  • The No. 71 team secured Spire Motorsports’ first Busch Light Pole Award in the history of the organization’s Cup Series program in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 28.833-second lap marks the fastest lap recorded in NASCAR’s seventh-generation Cup Series car (2022-present) at the 1.5-mile Nevada oval. The team also earned Spire Motorsports’ first stage win during the Grant Park 165 on the streets of downtown Chicago.
  • McDowell’s team earned a handsome $100,000 payday and a trip to Victory Lane after winning the Mechanix Wear Pit Crew Challenge during May’s NASCAR All-Star Weekend at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. The crew’s blistering 12.587-second stop topped all entries for both the NASCAR All-Star Open and NASCAR All-Star Race, earning the title of the fastest team on pit road.

Michael McDowell Quote
You have shown speed at Gateway in the past. How do you build on that this weekend?
“World Wide Technology was fun last year — sitting on the pole, setting the track record and leading a bunch of laps. We weren’t great in the race, but we had a lot of speed leading up to that.

So we’ve got things to work on for sure, but I feel confident about St. Louis in general — the track and having good speed there. You always feel like when you’ve had success, you have something to build on, so I’m looking forward to getting back to St. Louis this weekend.”

Atop the No. 71 Box – Crew Chief Travis Peterson

  • Crew chief Travis Peterson joined Spire Motorsports following the 2024 season after spending 2023-2024 alongside McDowell at Front Row Motorsports.
  • Peterson called McDowell’s 2024 pole position when the potent duo set a track record of 138.598 mph (32.368 seconds).
  • The 34-year-old, West Bend, Wis., native called McDowell’s ninth-place finish in the 2023 Enjoy Illinois 300.

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

  • Carson Hocevar returns to the site of his NASCAR Cup Series debut for the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill. The 22-year-old driver owns two previous starts at the 1.25-mile track with a best finish of eighth earned in 2024.
  • On June 4, 2023, 19-year-old Hocevar was called up from the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to fill in for Spire Motorsports driver Corey LaJoie at WWTR, who coincidentally was filling in for Chase Elliott. At the time, Hocevar had earned his first CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win at Texas Motor Speedway and was riding a streak of four-straight top-five finishes. The Portage, Mich., native started 26th for the 240-lap Cup Series race and was running in the mid-teens when a brake rotor failed and ended the No. 7 team’s day. Hocevar went on to compete in eight of the last nine Cup Series events in 2023 for another team before signing full-time with Spire Motorsports prior to the 2024 season.
  • Outside of Cup Series competition, Hocevar made four CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at WWTR resulting in one top-five and two top-10 finishes.
  • Exactly one year prior to his Cup debut, during his second year of full-time competition for Niece Motorsports, Hocevar was running fifth as the field took the white flag for the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at WWTR. Hocevar was shuffled out of position after contact with a competitor and sustained hard contact to the driver side door as the field approached the checkered flag. Despite a broken tibia in his right ankle that resulted in surgery, Hocevar was back behind the wheel just one week later at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway, where he earned his only CRAFTSMAN Truck Series pole award and finished sixth.
  • Hocevar most recently earned his seventh top-10 finish of the 2025 season with a venue-best ninth-place result at Darlington Raceway in Sunday’s Southern 500. Hocevar started 26th and recovered from a spin early in Stage 2 to match Spire Motorsports’ best result at the track.
  • Zeigler Auto Group returns to the No. 77 Chevrolet ZL1 for Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300, Zeigler is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 84 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all the domestic and majority of the imported manufacturers. The family-owned and -operated organization has been a regular on the Cup Series tour since 2019.

Carson Hocevar Quotes
World Wide Technology Raceway has been the site of some very high and very low points of your career. Is there a certain feeling you get when you pull into the track on race weekend?
“I try not to think about the wreck and the injury. I think that’s what most drivers would do, you just can’t worry about that. The Cup debut and then coming back last year to kind of make up for how that first race ended, means a lot more to me. That’s where all of this started. It’s where Spire Motorsports and Jeff Dickerson first saw something in me that made them think it might be good for me to move up. Whether other people think it was good or not doesn’t really matter, but Gateway is a special place for me and I love racing there every year.”

You’ve come a long way since that first Cup Series race in 2023. If there was anything you’d tell that version of yourself, what would it be?
“Just keep being you. There will be a lot of tough days, but the good ones make up for them. You’ll piss off a lot of drivers, and that isn’t always fun, but you’ll end up with a good group of guys on the No. 77 who have your back and believe in you.”

Atop the No. 77 Box – Crew Chief Luke Lambert

  • Crew chief Luke Lambert has called two Cup Series races at WWTR, including Hocevar’s 2024 eighth-place finish.
  • Following Sunday’s ninth-place effort at Darlington, Lambert now owns 99 top-10 finishes as a crew chief in NASCAR’s premier series.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win came on May 30, 2025, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team also fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and an ARCA Menards Series Chevrolet in select events.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY RACE PREVIEW

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Official Release
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY
PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: Enjoy Illinois 300

DATE: Sept. 7, 2025
RACE: NASCAR Cup Series 28 of 36
TRACK: World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill. | 1.25-Mile Oval

CLUB MINUTES:

ST. LOUIS AND NASCAR: Prior to the NASCAR Cup Series’ inaugural race at World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) in Madison, Illinois, the track had hosted races for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the ARCA Menards Series. In July 1997, the track hosted its first NASCAR top-tier series race with the Xfinity Series. The winner of that race was Elliott Sadler. It followed that up in September 1997 with an ARCA Menards Series race. The following year in September 1998, the track added the Truck Series to its lineup, where Rick Carelli, Erik Jones’ former spotter, was the race winner. The Xfinity Series continued to hold races at the track until 2010, while the Truck Series continued to run there through present day. Prior to the 2022 season, the 1.25-mile oval was added to the NASCAR Cup Series schedule to hold its inaugural race for the series.

JJ AT WWTR: While LEGACY MC co-owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson never raced in the Cup Series at the track formerly known as Gateway, he does own three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the track. He never finished outside the top-15 in these starts. In his first start in October 1998, Johnson started 36th but found himself in the lead on Lap 85 where he led for 10 laps. He ultimately finished 15th. In July 2000, Johnson started 16th and finished 13th. In his final start in July 2001, he started ninth and finished 14th.

KENSETH WWTR STATS: LEGACY MC Competition Advisor Matt Kenseth also has three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the track formerly known as Gateway. He owns two top-10 finishes at the track with a best finish of second, earned in October 1998 where he finished 3.254 seconds behind Dale Earnhardt Jr. He followed that up with a sixth-place result in July 1999 after starting 21st.

NEVER SETTLE: Join ESPN’s Marty Smith and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s co-owner Jimmie Johnson for their weekly podcast, “Never Settle”. The podcast airs live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90 at 2 p.m. ET every Wednesday and can be downloaded wherever fans source their podcasts.

This week’s episode will be Part 2 of the Greg Olsen interview. Fans can now tune into Never Settle on YouTube and watch the behind the scenes as well as full episodes. Click HERE to watch and subscribe.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 PYE-BARKER FIRE & SAFETY TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN AT WWTR: Last year’s June race at World Wide Technology Raceway was John Hunter Nemechek’s first career NASCAR Cup Series start at the track. He started 33rd for the 240-lap race and finished 27th. Although last year was his first Cup Series race, Nemechek does have seven starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he won in June 2017. He earned a total of three top-10 finishes at WWTR with a fourth-place result in June 2015 and a sixth-place finish in June 2016.

TRUCK SERIES WINNER AT WWTR: In August 2017, Nemechek took home the checkered flag in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race after starting second at WWTR. He led 46 out of 160 laps and won with a 1.635 margin of victory over Chase Briscoe. Nemechek was running a full-time season in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2017, and this marked his first of two wins that season.

T-MACK WWTR STATS: Sunday afternoon’s race will be crew chief Travis Mack’s third NASCAR Cup Series race at WWTR. His first outing at the 1.25-mile oval came in June 2022 with Daniel Suárez where he finished 23rd. Mack’s highest finish of seventh came with Suárez in June 2023 after starting 13th. Mack returned to WWTR in the Cup Series with Derek Kraus in June 2024, where the duo finished 30th.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“World Wide Technology Raceway has been a good racetrack for me. I’ve had success there in the Truck Series, and I’ve led a bunch of laps there in addition to running up front. Last year’s Cup Series race didn’t go so hot for us, but I’m looking forward to going back there this year with the new changes and improvements we’ve made to our cars over the 2025 season. I hope to build on the momentum coming off Daytona and Darlington. Metrics are going to be really important for Bristol, so there’s even more emphasis on having a good run this weekend.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:
“I haven’t been to WWTR with John Hunter yet, but the No. 43 team tested there earlier this year, so we’ll make the most of what we learned. We’re looking to carry the momentum from Darlington and continue building on the strength of our intermediate package.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 FAMILY DOLLAR TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JONES WWTR STATS: Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 will mark Erik Jones’ fourth NASCAR Cup Series start at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill. In his prior three starts, Jones earned one top-10 and two top-20s. He earned a best finish of seventh in the Cup Series’ inaugural race at the track in June 2022. Jones started 21st and led four laps en route to his top-10 finish. He has an additional three starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at WWTR where he started in the top-three twice and earned a fifth-place finish in June 2016, his best at the track. He led a total of 88 laps at WWTR in his Truck Series in his career.

THE WIN THAT GOT AWAY: In June 2015, Jones started on the pole for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at WWTR. He was favored to win as he had been knocking on the door of the win with four top-three finishes in seven races so far that year. He led the opening 55 laps of the race before coming to pit road and handing over the lead to Matt Crafton. He took the lead back on Lap 63 and led for an additional 20 laps. After several lead changes from strategy, he took the lead for a final time on Lap 111 for nine laps. An accident on Lap 145 with the No. 1 truck of Ryan Ellis derailed his day though and problems sustained from that incident forced him to retire after leading 84 laps. Cole Custer went on to win that race. Jones went on to win the next weekend at Iowa Speedway and won two more races that season before clinching his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.

ZIGAZOO COMES TO WWTR: In partnership with Zigazoo, Jones is inviting another content creator out to the racetrack to experience the fast life of NASCAR at World Wide Technology Raceway. This weekend, Sydney Thomas, a well-known Influencer and Zigazoo content creator, will join Jones and the No. 43 team as a special guest. On Instagram alone, Thomas has over 101K followers with another 855K followers on TikTok. Fans can follow along with her weekend at the track at @Sydneytaleah on Instagram and @TheSydneySmiles on TikTok. Learn more about Zigazoo at www.Zigazoo.com.

BESHORE AT ST. LOUIS: Crew chief Ben Beshore has two NASCAR Cup Series races on top of the box at WWTR with Kyle Busch in June 2022 and John Hunter Nemechek in June 2024. His best finish of second came in 2022 when Busch started 12th, led 66 laps, and finished .655 of second behind race winner Joey Logano, who passed Busch with just two laps to go in the race. In last year’s race at WWTR, Beshore and Nemechek started 22nd and finished 26th.

ERIK JONES QUOTE
“WWTR is a unique track, but it reminds me a lot of Phoenix. I enjoy racing there. It seems like the track has gotten pretty wide the last few years, so that gives us a bunch of options to move around and do stuff. That’s always a positive when we go to these places. We’ll have to see what it does this time around. We’re bringing a different tire than what we raced there before too. It’s been a good race with a great crowd, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the track widens out and what kind of options we have.”

BEN BESHORE QUOTE
“WWTR tends to be very track-position based as it’s been hard to pass there. You see a lot of guys have success there doing fuel only and two-tire stop strategies to try and get out front at the end. It’s another track that’s asymmetric, similar to Darlington. Turns 1 and 2 are tighter than Turns 3 and 4. From a setup standpoint, you’re just trying to compromise the best you can on each end of the track.”

CLUB APPEARANCES:
No. 42 crew chief Travis Mack will be on SiriusXM Channel 90 on Tuesday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

No. 43 crew chief Ben Beshore will be on SiriusXM Channel 90 on Wednesday, September 3 at 8:30 a.m. ET, and John Hunter Nemechek will call in later that day at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Erik Jones will be on SiriusXM Channel 90 on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Nemechek will be at the NASCAR Classics trackside merchandise rig to sign for fans at 10 a.m. local time on Sunday, Sept. 7.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill. on Sunday, September 7 at 3 p.m. ET on USA, MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization co-owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

Front Row Motorsports: World Wide Technology Raceway Competition Notes- Todd Gilliland

By
Official Release
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Todd Gilliland and the No. 34 Morton Buildings Ford Team
World Wide Technology Raceway Competition Notes
Enjoy Illinois 300

Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Event: Race 30 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: World Wide Technology Raceway (1.2-miles)
#of Laps: 240
Time/TV/Radio: 3:00 PM ET on USA/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Todd Gilliland Notes

Todd Gilliland and the No. 34 team will face the World Wide Technology Raceway this weekend for the NASCAR Cup Series’ annual visit to the 1.25-mile oval. In three Cup Series starts at the track, Gilliland has two top-20 finishes, finishing 15th in 2023 and 16th in 2024.

Morton Buildings will partner with Gilliland for the 300-mile race, debuting their red and black scheme across the No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Headquartered in Morton, Illinois, Morton Buildings Inc. is the industry leader in post-frame manufacturing and construction. At Morton, the difference is in the details. From cutting-edge innovations and best-in-class warranty to their craftsmen in the field, Morton Buildings is dedicated to surpassing expectations. Their legacy of excellence in construction spans more than a century and has more than a quarter-million satisfied customers. Morton Buildings is 100% employee-owned and proud to be ranked #36 on the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) top-100 list, which includes the nation’s largest companies that are at least 50% owned by an employee stock ownership plan. For more information, please visit mortonbuildings.com.

“As a team, we’ve experienced our share of highs and lows during the season’s ‘Summer Stretch,’ but as we get closer to the end of the season, I know this group won’t quit,” said Gilliland. “There’s still plenty left to race for, with each weekend bringing another opportunity to compete for points and wins. Gateway has always been a solid track for me, so hopefully we can turn our luck around there.”

Road Crew

Driver: Todd Gilliland

Hometown: Sherrills Ford, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Chris Lawson

Hometown: Medway, Ohio

Car Chief: Joe Marra

Hometown: Somers, New York

Engineer: Marc Rullo

Hometown: Ringwood, New Jersey

Engineer: Kevyn Rebolledo

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Spotter: Brit Andersen

Hometown: Branford, Connecticut

Underneath Mechanic: Michael Brookes

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio

Interior Mechanic: Chance Burke

Hometown: Siler City, North Carolina

Tire Specialist: Billy John

Hometown: Pitman, New Jersey

Engine Tuner: Tim Meyer

Hometown: Beatrice, Nebraska

Transporter Driver: Randy Bernier

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Danny Olszowy

Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky

Rear Tire Changer: Justin Fox

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Paul Steele

Hometown: Wichita, Kansas

Jackman: Landon Honeycutt

Hometown: Mount Pleasant, North Carolina

Fueler: Zeke Nance

Hometown: Calhoun, Georgia

ABOUT MORTON BUILDINGS

Morton Buildings Inc. headquartered in Morton, Illinois, is the industry leader in post-frame manufacturing and construction. At Morton, the difference is in the details. From cutting-edge innovations and best-in-class warranty to their craftsmen in the field, Morton Buildings is dedicated to surpassing expectations. Their legacy of excellence in construction spans more than a century and has more than a quarter-million satisfied customers. Morton Buildings is 100% employee-owned and proud to be ranked #36 on the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) top 100 list, which includes the nation’s largest companies that are at least 50% owned by an employee stock ownership plan. For more information, please visit mortonbuildings.com

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @teamfrm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

“FIVE THINGS TO WATCH” AT THE ENJOY ILLINOIS 300 NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFF RACE

By
Official Release
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Ryan Blaney (left) congratulates Austin Cindric (right) in Victory Lane after his Team Penske teammate won last season’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway. Photo credit: Getty Images for NASCAR.
  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe first to clinch a berth in Round of 12 with a win at Darlington.
  • WWT Raceway visit could boost hopes of three-time and defending Cup Series champ Joey Logano along with his Team Penske teammates.

MADISON, Ill. (Sept. 2, 2025) – World Wide Technology Raceway will play host to its first-ever NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race with Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 serving as the second race in the opening Round of 16.

The Cup Series is coming off Sunday’s playoff opener at Darlington Raceway, which was won by Chase Briscoe of Joe Gibbs Racing. Up next is the Enjoy Illinois 300 (2 p.m. CT, TV: USA Network, Radio: MRN, SiriusXM) and then the first round closes out Saturday, Sept. 13, at Bristol Motor Speedway with four of the 16 playoff drivers being eliminated.

The Cup Series action at WWT Raceway begins Saturday with a 50-minute, split-group practice at 3:30 p.m. and immediately followed by one-lap pole qualifying at 4:40 p.m.

Here are “Five Things To Watch” at the Enjoy Illinois 300:

1) Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe, who opened the playoffs as the eighth seed, is the first driver to advance to the Round of 12 by virtue of Sunday’s victory at Darlington Raceway. He won the Cook Out Southern 500 for the second year in a row in dominant fashion, leading nine times for 309 of the 367 laps. He can breathe more easily now, especially coming to WWT Raceway where he had not finished better than 17thin three starts while with Stewart-Haas Racing. His WWT Raceway highlight is winning the pole for the inaugural 2022 race.

2) Three-time and defending Cup Series champion Joey Logano is currently below the cut line in 13th, but a visit to WWT Raceway could provide the Team Penske driver’s playoff chances with a major boost. Logano is the only driver to record top-five finishes in all three races at the 1.25-mile oval. He won the inaugural race in 2022 and then followed with a third in ’23 and fifth last season. Logano is not the only Team Penske driver who should benefit from a visit to WWT Raceway as all three playoff contenders are strong there. Austin Cindric is the defending Enjoy Illinois 300 winner and ranks second to Logano (3.0) for best average finishing position at 8.3. Ryan Blaney, who was leading last year’s race until running out of fuel on the final lap and tumbling to 24th, is fifth on that list at 11.3. Blaney owns a pair of top-six finishes, including a best of fourth in ’22, and ranks second among all drivers for laps led with 115. Both have been outstanding qualifiers with Blaney ranking first (3.0) and Cindric second (8.3). Blaney has started among the top five in all three races, including a best of second in 2023, while Cindric has started second on two occasions (2022, ’24).

3) Conversely, this has not been a track that has bred much success for the Hendrick Motorsports organization. In 11 combined starts from playoff contenders Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron and Alex Bowman, they have managed just three top-10 finishes. Larson has been the most successful of the foursome with two of the top-10 efforts, paced by a fourth in 2023. Byron had the other with an eighth in that same race. They also are the only two Hendrick drivers to lead laps at WWT Raceway as Byron has 30 and Larson 12. The best finish is 13th for both Elliott (2024) and Bowman (‘22). Elliott has made just two starts at WWT Raceway after missing the 2023 event due to a one-race suspension.

4) The 23XI Racing duo of Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace were among the biggest movers following Sunday’s race at Darlington. Reddick opened the playoffs as the No. 14 seed, but vaulted a playoff-best 10 positions to No. 4 following his runner-up finish. Reddick, still chasing his first win of the season, is three points behind third-place Larson and eight shy of second-place Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing. Wallace improved four positions from his opening No. 9 seeding to No. 5 after a sixth-place finish at Darlington. He is 10 points behind Reddick.

5) If someone is going to crash the playoff party this weekend, keep an eye on Kyle Busch of Richard Childress Racing. Busch, coming off an eighth-place finish at Darlington, has enjoyed plenty of success at WWT Raceway. He finished runner-up in the inaugural 2022 race with Joe Gibbs Racing and then followed with a win from the pole in 2023 for RCR. Last season, he started 10th and led 15 laps before a crash midway through the race led to a 35th-place finish. Busch has led in all three races and his 202 laps led is tops among all drivers. The next closest is Blaney at a distant 115 laps led. The victory at WWT Raceway was Busch’s last and the two-time series champion and 63-time Cup Series winner is looking to end an 84-race winless streak on Sunday.

Limited tickets remain for Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 and are available by visiting www.wwtraceway.com.

About World Wide Technology Raceway

World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is the home of NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA racing in St. Louis’ Metro East region. Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering 700 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR’s facilities include a 1.25-mile superspeedway; 1/4-mile drag strip; 2.0-mile road course; the Gateway Kartplex state-of-the-art karting facility; and the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links. WWTR and Owner & CEO Curtis Francois have been recognized with several awards, including: 2023 St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame induction; 2023 Innovation in Philanthropy Award by the St. Louis Business Journal; 2022 Explore St. Louis Hospitality Hero Recognition; 2022 Best in Show and Best Event & Festival from the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism; 2021 Comcast Community Champion of the Year; 2021 Jack Buck Award; 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award; 2018 Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission; 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference; and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Attractions Association. Our mission: We are committed to making a difference in our community, while providing first-class entertainment and memories that last a lifetime.

CORVETTE RACING AT COTA: Coming to America

By
Official Release
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TF Sport brings Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs home for critical race in championship

DETROIT (September 2, 2025) – TF Sport is bringing its pair of Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs home to the United States at Circuit of The Americas for the FIA World Endurance Championship’s lone race in North America.

The six-hour Lone Star Le Mans is the sixth of eight rounds in the FIA WEC this season and the first since mid-July. Both TF Sport entries sit in the top-five in both the LMGT3 Drivers and Teams championship standings heading to the Lone Star State.

This year’s race at COTA is the second for the TF/Corvette combo with one of the team’s Z06 GT3.Rs finishing in the points last year.

No. 33 TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R

TF Sport’s Ben Keating will be front and center as he races in his home state for the first time in a Corvette. Keating, Jonny Edgar and Corvette factory driver Daniel Juncadella enter COTA third in the LMGT3 championship and searching for their first podium since a season-opening victory at Qatar.

Juncadella was part of the TF Sport lineup last year that finished eighth in class driving the No. 82 Corvette lineup. He made up seven positions during his 2.5-hour stint to cap his debut race at Circuit of The Americas. Keating was also part of last year’s Lone Star Le Mans in LMGT3 and has four GT-class victories at the circuit to his credit in IMSA competition from 2013-2017.

Edgar is making his first career start at COTA and is coming off a strong run at Sāo Paulo in the previous WEC round. He drove the final two hours and was the fastest Corvette driver in the race as the No. 33 trio finished seventh in class.

No. 81 TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R

No entry in LMGT3 has the momentum of TF Sport’s No. 81 Corvette. The trio of factory driver Charlie Eastwood, Rui Andrade and Tom Van Rompuy arrives at COTA on the heels of a third-place finish at Le Mans and a runner-up result at Sāo Paulo to vault up into fifth place in the Drivers Championship standings.

The No. 81 Corvette was on course for a similar result in the second half of year’s Lone Star Le Mans. Running second at the time, the Corvette suffered heavy contact from another competitor which knocked it down the order and eventually into the garage for a heart-breaking retirement.

Eastwood and Andrade already have been part of a winning TF Sport effort this year with a victory in the ELMS in their No. 82 Corvette. Van Rompuy, who made his COTA debut last year along with Andrade, hopes to keep his strong season going with what would be his fifth Hyperpole appearance in six races.

The six-hour Lone Star Le Mans is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT on Sunday, September 7. Full, live television coverage is available on the MotorTrend in the United States. Live streaming coverage of Free Practice 3, qualifying and the race will be available on the FIA WEC app and the MAX app in the United States.

TF SPORT PRE-EVENT QUOTES

DANI JUNCADELLA, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Being back in the U.S. is always pretty cool. COTA is actually a track that surprised me quite positively last year. With these tracks that have a lot of asphalt runoffs, it can be misguiding sometimes when you think it’s an easy track. But COTA has a lot of technical corners; it’s a very cool Sector One with a lot of high-speed, flowing corners. This also is a challenging race with the heat. Last year was super-hot but I like the big challenges like that. It makes the racing harder and more exciting for everyone. We’re coming off a couple of difficult races with some unlucky situations that were out of our control, but we are still third in the championship. There are three rounds to go and considering the success weight that the leaders are carrying, I think we are in a good position to fight for big points. That should play in our favor to fight in the championship for the last few races. I’m hoping for a strong result in COTA, especially as a home race for Corvette and Ben. The car was good last year as well, so I expect that we will be strong.”

JONNY EDGAR, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I am looking forward to racing at COTA for the first time as this looks like a great track to drive. The last two races have been quite difficult and our results haven’t reflected the pace we have had, so hopefully we can have an issue-free race and score good points for the championship. On top of all that, it would be nice to have a good result for Corvette and Ben’s home race.”

BEN KEATING, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I love racing all around the world, but there is no place like home! I am excited to help host the WEC in Texas. This is home for Corvette and home for me. I have a lot of great results at COTA from the past years. Our No. 33 Corvette needs a great result to stay in the championship hunt for 2025. So this race is extremely important, but I believe we are up for the challenge!”

CHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “COTA was a good event for the Corvette last year. On our side, we didn’t have a good run, but the sister car was super strong, as were we; we just got caught up in a few incidents that pretty much did us in. From my side, there are a couple of question marks with the hard-compound tire. In the Corvette, we’re so good on tire deg, especially on the Goodyear, that the hard tire at COTA and Bahrain will probably bring the others a bit closer to us toward the end of the stint, but hopefully we still will have a bit of a delta to work with. So I’m looking forward to it. It’s a tough track, you know, especially in that heat. Everything’s screaming… the tires are screaming, drivers are screaming with the heat. But we’re on a good momentum swing with TF Sport and the Corvette. Even if you look back at 2024, we were really good in these last three events toward the end of our first season. We’ve been much stronger up to this point this year so hopefully then we can be stronger still in these last three.”

2025 FIA World Endurance Championship Points

LMGT3 Drivers Standings

  1. Riccardo Pera/Richard Lietz/Ryan Hardwick – 89
  2. Alessio Rovera/Francois Heriau/Simon Mann – 76
  3. Ben Keating/Daniel Juncadella/Jonny Edgar – 66
  4. Clemens Schmid/Jose Maria Lopez/Petru Umbrarescu – 57
  5. Charlie Eastwood/Rui Andrade/Tom Van Rompuy – 56

LMGT3 Teams Standings

  1. No. 92 Manthey 1ST Phorm – 89
  2. No. 21 Vista AF Corse – 76
  3. No. 33 TF Sport – 66
  4. No. 87 Akkodis ASP Team – 57
  5. No. 81 TF Sport – 56

Corvette Racing at COTA: By the Numbers

  • 3: Generations of Corvette Racing entries at COTA since 2013 – Corvette C6.R (2013), Corvette C7.R (2014-2019) and the mid-engine Corvette C8.R – which raced at COTA for the first time in WEC competition in 2020 – and Z06 GT3.R, both of which are eighth-gen Corvettes
  • 5: Class wins at COTA for Corvette Racing entries in two championships: IMSA and GT World Challenge America. The latest came this year from DXDT Racing in GT World Challenge America Pro-Am
  • 11: Wins this year for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R including two earlier this year at Circuit of The Americas
  • 14: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001
  • 32: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Chang International Circuit (Thailand), Daytona, Detroit, Fuji, Houston, Imola, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Lusail International Circuit (Qatar), Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia), Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portimão, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen
  • 39: Number of drivers to win races in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. The latest to join the list was Ross Chouest in GT America at Road America
  • 72: Number of drivers in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. The latest to join the list was Olivier Hart for Steller Motorsport at the 24 Hours of Spa
  • 72: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year
  • 148: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 117 in IMSA, nine at Le Mans, four in the FIA WEC, 13 in GT World Challenge America, three in GT World Challenge Asia and one each in the European Le Mans Series and GT America
  • 360: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999
  • 5,474: Number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing in its eight previous events at Circuit of The Americas. That represents more than 30 trips across the Texas Panhandle.
  • 447,340.24: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles. That means Corvette Racing has raced to the moon and more than halfway back!

Corvette Racing at Circuit of The Americas (wins in bold)

2013 – IMSA

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 11th in GT

2014 – IMSA

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen – 9th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 10th in GTLM

2014 – FIA WEC

No. 65 Corvette C7.R: Tommy Milner/Jordan Taylor/Ricky Taylor – 7th in GTE Pro

2015 – IMSA

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen: 6th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner: 8th in GTLM

2016 – IMSA

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen: 3rd in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner: 5th in GTLM

2017 – IMSA

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen: 1st in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner: 7th in GTLM

2020 – FIA WEC

No. 63 Corvette C8.R: Jan Magnussen/Mike Rockenfeller: 6th in GTE Pro

2024 – GT World Challenge

No. 63 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Tommy Milner/Alec Udell – 1st,1st in Pro

No. 08 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Bryan Sellers/Scott Smithson – 6th, 11th in Pro-Am

2024 – FIA World Endurance Championship

No. 81 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Charlie Eastwood/Rui Andrade/Tom Van Rompuy – 16th in LMGT3

No. 82 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Daniel Juncadella/Sebastien Baud/Hiroshi Koizumi – 8th in LMGT3

2025 – GT World Challenge

No. 11 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Matt Bell/Blake McDonald – 1st, 3rd in Pro-Am

No. 50 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Ross Chouest/Aaron Povoledo – 8th, 11th in Pro-Am

No. 50 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Ross Chouest – 4th, 3rd in GT America SRO3

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

Front Row Motorsports: World Wide Technology Raceway Competition Notes – Zane Smith

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Official Release
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Zane Smith and the No. 38 Long John Silver’s Ford Team
World Wide Technology Raceway Competition Notes
Enjoy Illinois 300

Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Event: Race 30 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: World Wide Technology Raceway (1.2-miles)
#of Laps: 240
Time/TV/Radio: 3:00 PM ET on USA/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Zane Smith Notes

Zane Smith and the No. 38 team are headed to Madison, Illinois for 240 laps at World Wide Technology Raceway. While this will be just Smith’s third NASCAR Cup Series start at the 1.25-mile oval, he has five CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts there, earning one top-five and three top-10 finishes.

“We’re happy to have left Darlington with a much-needed top-15 finish and some good momentum heading into Gateway,” said Smith. “With only a handful of races left, it’s important that we go into every race looking to maximize our potential and score points. While it’s easy to get lazy this point in the season, I know the team and I will keep our focus and finish the season strong.”

Road Crew

Driver: Zane Smith

Hometown: Huntington Beach, California

Crew Chief: Ryan Bergenty

Hometown: Plainville, Connecticut

Car Chief: Will Norris

Hometown: Bells, Tennessee

Engineer: Jacob Clamme

Hometown: Hartford City, Indiana

Engineer: Chris Yerges

Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Mechanic: Steve Godfrey

Hometown: West Haven, Connecticut

Mechanic / Engine Tuner: Tyler Podlaski

Hometown: Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania

Interior Specialist: Matt Fowler

Hometown: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Spotter: Ryan Blanchard

Hometown: Bethlehem, Connecticut

Transport Co-Driver: Ernest Mullins

Hometown: Fayetteville, North Carolina

Transport Co-Driver: Rick Grissom

Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Ryan Flores

Hometown: Manasquan, New Jersey

Rear Tire Changer: Austin Chrismon

Hometown: China Grove, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Drew Baum

Hometown: Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Jackman: Ryan Selig

Hometown: Lindenhurst, Illinois

Fueler: Chris Webb

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

ABOUT LONG JOHN SILVER’S

Long John Silver’s was founded in 1969 and is on a mission to create treasured moments through high-quality food and bell-ringing service. With restaurants from sea to mouth-watering sea, Long John Silver’s continues building on a belief that the unique seafood experience from the coasts should be accessible to all. Learn more at ljsilvers.com or join the conversation via social media on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @teamfrm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

HFT Advance | WWTR

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Official Release
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WWTR Event Info:
Date: Sunday, September 7
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Madison, Illinois
Format: 240 Laps, 300 Miles, Stages: 45-140-240
TV: USA
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 5:05 p.m. ET, Xfinity Practice (CW App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 3 p.m. ET, Xfinity Qualifying (CW App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 4:30 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 5:40 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 7:30 p.m. ET, Xfinity Race (CW, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3 p.m. ET, Cup Race (USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The NASCAR Cup Series heads to World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) this weekend for the second race of the Round of 16, as Gateway hosts just its fourth ever Cup event.
  • WWTR marks the final race before the start of the Xfinity Series playoffs, with both Sam Mayer (3rd) and Sheldon Creed (10th, +65 to cutline) firmly in the playoff picture.
  • Mayer (874) sits third in the regular-season points standings behind Justin Allgaier (904) and Connor Zilisch (924) with just one race remaining before the Round of 12.
  • Mayer (9.6) holds the second highest average finish among full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers this season, behind only Zilisch (8.8).
  • Mayer has finished inside the top five in four of his previous five starts including Indianapolis (2nd), Iowa (1st), Watkins Glen (2nd), and Daytona (4th).
  • He has started inside the top 10 in 11 of his last 12 starts dating back to Nashville Superspeedway in May, including his lone pole of the season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway five weeks ago.

Cole Custer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Aaron Kramer
Partner: Haas/Andy’s

Sheldon Creed Team Info:
Crew Chief: Jonathan Toney
Partner: Road Ranger

Sam Mayer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Jason Trinchere
Partner: Audibel

Custer at Gateway (Cup)
Starts: 1
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Custer will make his second career start at Gateway this weekend, where he finished P29 in his Cup debut at the track in 2022.
  • He has also made three career truck starts at WWTR, earning the pole in 2014 and claiming victory a year later in 2015.

Creed at Gateway (Xfinity)
Starts: —
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

Creed is set to make his debut in the Xfinity Series at Gateway this weekend, a place he has found victory lane twice at in the Truck Series in 2020 and 2021.

Mayer at Gateway (Xfinity)
Starts: —
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

Mayer will also make his Xfinity Series debut at WWTR this Saturday. He had one career Truck start in 2020 where he finished fourth and led 24 laps after starting 15th.

Where They Stand
Cup Points Standings (41: 33rd): Custer is 33rd in the Cup Series points standings with 353 points heading into Gateway this Sunday.

Xfinity Points Standings (41: 4th, 00: 10th): Mayer sits fourth in the Xfinity points standings with 874 total points on the season, behind the three multi-winners, while Creed is in 10th place with 662 points.

Wheel & Tire Shop in Saskatoon

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SM
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Canada Custom Autoworks Saskatoon is your go-to destination for premium wheels, tires, and custom automotive styling. Conveniently located in Saskatoon, our shop specialises in providing high-performance tire solutions and custom wheel packages tailored to every vehicle and driving style.

We take pride in offering one of the largest selections of wheels and tires in the region, backed by knowledgeable staff who are passionate about helping you find the perfect fit. Whether you’re upgrading your ride’s appearance, improving handling, or preparing for winter conditions, we’re here to deliver expert advice and unmatched service.

As a trusted name in the industry, Canada Custom Autoworks Saskatoon combines quality products, competitive pricing, and personalised service to give customers a one-stop shop for all things wheels and tires.

Premium Tire Services in Saskatoon

At Canada Custom Autoworks Saskatoon, we specialise in delivering top-quality tire solutions for every season, vehicle type, and budget. From everyday drivers to performance vehicles and trucks, we stock a wide selection of leading tire brands known for durability, traction, and comfort.

Whether you need all-season, winter, performance, or off-road tires, our experienced team will help you find the perfect match for your driving needs. We offer complete tire services, including:

  • Professional tire mounting and balancing

  • Wheel alignments to improve handling and reduce wear

  • Tire rotations and inspections for a longer lifespan

  • Flat repairs and tire replacements

We also carry tire and wheel packages for custom setups, giving you both style and performance in one convenient solution. No matter the vehicle or the season, you can count on our team to keep you safe, stylish, and road-ready.

Custom Wheels, Rims & All-Weather Tires for Every Ride

At Canada Custom Autoworks Saskatoon, we offer an unbeatable selection of custom wheels and all-weather tires designed to elevate both the look and performance of your vehicle. With a wide range of styles, sizes, and finishes, you’ll find options that match your taste, whether you’re going for aggressive, sleek, rugged, or refined.

We carry premium wheel brands and provide expert fitment services to ensure your new wheels look great and perform flawlessly. Our team understands bolt patterns, offsets, and clearance, so you don’t have to. From lifted trucks to lowered sports cars, we tailor each setup to fit both your ride and your lifestyle.

Looking for year-round traction? Check out top-performing all-weather tires like:

  • iLink L-ZEAL56 All Weather Tires: Engineered for stability, comfort, and safety in all conditions, ideal for drivers who want consistent performance without seasonal tire swaps.

  • Suretrac AWT Tires: A rugged, versatile choice for all types of vehicles from sedans to trucks—these tires offer solid grip, durability, and all-season reliability.

With the perfect combination of style and function, Canada Custom Autoworks Saskatoon helps you turn heads and handle the road with confidence.

Custom Wheels

Flexible Financing & Exclusive Promotions – Get More Without Paying More

At Canada Custom Autoworks Saskatoon, we believe that quality wheels and tires should be accessible to everyone, no matter your budget. That’s why we offer flexible, customer-friendly financing options that let you invest in your vehicle today and pay over time.

Financing Made Easy

Whether you’re customising your ride or simply replacing worn-out tires, our financing partners make the process smooth and fast. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Instant approvals with no credit impact

  • Low monthly payments to fit your budget

  • No hidden fees or long-term commitments

  • Apply in-store or online for added convenience

Tip: Ask our team about “buy now, pay later” options perfect for unexpected tire emergencies or off-season wheel upgrades.

Take Advantage of Seasonal Promotions

Throughout the year, we offer limited-time deals, tire + wheel packages, and installation discounts to help you save even more. Common promotions include:

  • Winter tire specials to help you prep for snow and ice

  • Spring/summer wheel upgrade packages

  • Discounted mounting & balancing with purchase

  • Manufacturer rebates on major tire brands

Tip: Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media to be the first to hear about flash sales, giveaways, and exclusive offers at the Saskatoon location.

Price Match Guarantee

We’re committed to offering competitive pricing, and we’ll beat or match local competitors’ prices on comparable tires and wheels. Just bring in a written quote, and we’ll make sure you get the best deal.

Whether you’re shopping for performance tires, stylish rims, or both, Canada Custom Autoworks Saskatoon makes it easy to get what you need, without compromising on quality or service.

Price Match Guarantee

Why Choose Us for Tires & Wheels in Saskatoon?

Choosing the right tire and wheel shop means finding a team that delivers both expert service and a passion for custom automotive solutions. Backed by years of industry experience and a reputation for quality, this Saskatoon shop has become a trusted name for drivers who want performance, style, and reliability all in one place.

Customer value:

  • Expert fitment advice for all makes and models

  • Huge selection of wheels, tires, and all-weather options

  • Fast, friendly service from knowledgeable staff

  • State-of-the-art equipment for mounting, balancing, and alignments

  • Transparent pricing and honest recommendations

What sets this location apart is the commitment to not just selling wheels and tires, but helping customers transform their vehicles. Whether you’re building a showpiece or upgrading for tough Saskatchewan winters, you’ll find personalised support every step of the way.

With flexible financing, nationwide buying power, and local service you can count on, it’s the ideal place to gear up, stand out, and drive with confidence.

RFK Advance | WWTR

By
Official Release
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WWTR Event Info:
Date: Sunday, September 7
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Madison, Illinois
Format: 240 Laps, 300 Miles, Stages: 45-140-240
TV: USA
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 4:30 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 5:40 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3 p.m. ET, Cup Race (USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The NASCAR Cup Series heads to World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) this weekend for the second race in the Round of 16, as Gateway hosts just its fourth ever Cup event.
  • Jack Roush has five wins all-time at Gateway (4 Xfinity, 1 Truck).
  • Chris Buescher holds the third highest average starting position (11.8) in the Cup Series this season, anchored by 11 starts inside the top 10.
  • Buescher is also one of six drivers with 14+ top-10 results this season, and has an average finish of 13.9 which is the fifth highest among Cup drivers.
  • Brad Keselowski has posted four top-10 finishes over his last seven races, including two in the top five, with an average finish of 13.0
  • Keselowski won the last Xfinity Series race held at WWTR in 2010, driving through the field from 20th and leading 83 laps.
  • Ryan Preece has set Cup Series career highs this season in top-fives (3) and top-10s (10), and has finished inside the top-20 in 12 of his last 13 starts.

6 Team Info:
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins
Partner: Consumer Cellular

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Body Guard

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: BuildSubmarines.com

Keselowski at Gateway
Starts: 3
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • Keselowski makes his fourth Cup start at Gateway, and is coming off a third-place finish in last season’s race after leading 17 laps and starting seventh. He placed 20th and 28th in each of the first two Cup races there in 2022-23.
  • Keselowski made five Xfinity Series starts at Gateway from 2007-10 as he earned the last NXS win there in 2010. Overall, he finished top-10 in three Xfinity races with three races in the No. 88, and the final two in the No. 22.
  • Keselowski also made three Truck starts at WWTR with a P2 finish in his last start in 2010.

Buescher at Gateway
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

Buescher makes his third-ever start at Gateway this weekend, where he finished P14 last season and debuted in 2023 with a P12 finish (he missed the inaugural race in 2022).

Preece at Gateway
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

Preece will make his third career start at Gateway on Sunday, where he finished P17 in 2023 and P29 in last year’s event.

RFK Historically at Gateway
Overall Wins: 5 (Greg Biffle, 1999, 2002; Carl Edwards, 2006, 2008, 2010)

  • Biffle One of the First to Win at Gateway: Greg Biffle established himself as a winner early in the days of NASCAR visiting Gateway, winning his second-ever truck race there in 1999. He led 30 laps in the No. 50 machine after starting fifth for one of his 17 truck wins all-time, and one of nine on that season.
  • Edwards 3x Winner in Illinois: Carl Edwards went to victory lane on three occasions at Gateway, all two years apart beginning in 2006. He led 26 laps in the 2006 race, then went on to lead 79 laps in 2008. He went on to win again in 2010 after starting eighth, capping off his trifecta at the 1.25-mile track.
  • Tale of the Tape: RFK has 49 starts at Gateway across the Xfinity and Truck Series, tallying five combined wins with 28 total top-10s. Four of those victories came in the Xfinity Series from 2002-2010, with the lone Truck win coming in 1999.

RFK Gateway Wins

1999 Biffle Trucks

2002 Biffle Xfinity

2006 Edwards Xfinity

2008 Edwards Xfinity

2010 Edwards Xfinity

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Darlington: Buescher 10th; Keselowski 15th; Preece 16th.

Points Standings (17: 17th, 60: 18th, 6: 23rd): Buescher and Preece sit 17th and 18th in points, respectively, after the reseeding at the start of the playoffs. Keselowski dropped one spot to 23rd in the standings after a top-15 run at Darlington.

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