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Toyota GAZOO Racing – NCS Richmond Quotes – Denny Hamlin – 08.15.2

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Official Release
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Toyota GAZOO Racing – Denny Hamlin
NASCAR Cup Series Quotes

RICHMOND, Va. (August 15, 2025) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin was made available to the media on Friday prior to practice for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.

DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 Progressive Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing
How much shifting play into this race?
“I think everyone probably uses it equally – like 100 percent of the time on restarts. The first couple of laps when you are side-by-side and trying to battle for position, you are trying to get the best run you can off. As it gets single filed out, it is kind of driver preference and car preference. I think each driver and car want something different at different times, so I think you will see guys that will probably be battling 30, 40 laps into the run – one might be shifting, one might not be. It is just a matter of what your car needs at the time, just because the lap time difference is very minimal between the two.”

Is the practice time enough time to figure out this tire?
“I’m not sure it is going to be quite enough. It will be close. Last year we were able to – when you put on this type of tire, and it is, again, not the same. The hardened the left side tire for some reason, but the right side tire – we don’t know. It could last 40, 50 laps. It could be longer than that. We don’t know. If you go out right away and try to run every single lap that you can, maybe you will start to see some of that fall off, but last year, we had enough set of tires to just change them, whenever the lap times started falling off. We saw it at Watkins Glen as well. Really all of the position changes happened at the end, and then when it happened, people pitted. With us having less tires this time around, it is going to force you to go longer on them, and I just think most of the passing will happen at the end of those runs.”

What can Richmond show that they should have two races on the schedule?
“I think I’m probably the worst person to ask. I’m very biased. I grew up with two races here. We always went to both, but the sport is in a different place now. The way to get it back is you have to come here and sell out – at least the one time you are here, or have a really strong showing during that time. That, and improve short track racing. If you can do those things with the car, so if you can do those things, then possibly it is going to be put more in the forefront of the schedule going forward as well. I think all of those things are fluid things that can change year to year, and if we can get our short track stuff back better where it was towards with these types of cars, I think you will have a better case to having two races here.”

Did you watch the last lap back and if so, did it bring back any emotions?
“I mean, yes. It is just disappointing from my stand point, but I wasn’t going to win the race anyway had it not. I had about a one second period where I was supposed to win, and the other time, I was not. It wasn’t like the race I had here in ’08 where we led the entire race and then you don’t end up winning. Those are a little harder than the ones where – I’m going to win, and well, I’m not. It is just wild. It is wild how things turned out when you hear all of the radio back, now looking back on it, it was just a wild moment.”

Do you expect the intensity to increase with the Playoffs looming?
“I don’t really see a big change. This is not really a big fashion forward track when it comes to strategy. It is pretty straightforward, especially with the amount of tires that we have, so I don’t really notice a big change in intensity. More desperation perhaps, you may see someone mid pack try to take a big swing with their setup trying something just totally out of the box, hoping to hit something, but other than that, I can’t really pinpoint anything, except for at the end of race. There is always going to be chatter when you are racing around those that have to win to get in the Playoffs at this point of the season. You just know that those group of drivers are going to be more intense around you and make more aggressive moves and put you in pretty tough spots. That is really where it changes – late race restarts where that is their last and only attempt.”

What is your response to Kyle Petty’s thoughts this week?
“He is right in that sense. It is not a stock car. Talking about – I definitely heard him talk about, how we used to bring a car off the street and turn it into a racecar – those days have obviously been gone for decades now. He is definitely partially right. The difference is that to address – we’ve had exciting moments in this car, and I don’t disagree with that. The issue is that it happened early in the Next Gen era, where there was so much disparity between the fast cars and the slower cars. Now – everyone over time, sense there has been no development for years and years now, nothing has really changed – the field has just tightened up. You can see it from the fastest to the slowest. The first time here in the Next Gen was on average lap time seven tenths or something in that range, and last time we came here, it was three and a half. The field is just now running the same speed, and at a track where you have to have three to three and a half tenths of speed to overtake the car in front of you, that mean that the first-place fastest car is going to struggle to pass the 25th if he just gets put behind him. That is the fundamental part that is going to be tough for us to overcome, unless we have some major changes with the tire – Goodyear is working on that. They are coming here with a more aggressive tire. You have to applaud that. They are willing to do it, and it came from tying it last year, but beyond that, you have to fix the attitude – I’ve said it a million times on my podcast – you have to get rid of the underbody downforce and put it on the over body so you have the ability, like you do in the Xfinity Series to drive up behind someone and get them off the bottom. That is when running the same speed will be okay, because you can at least get close to the car in front of you to manipulate them and slow them down, where now the leader has the 100 percent advantage over the second-place car. Xfinity is a little more even, a little more 50/50.”

How are you approaching this race knowing you only have one shot to win at Richmond this year?
“It is an important short track for us. We certainly have a lot of race tracks where this place kind of plays into that. Certainly, there is some similarities to Loudon that you can draw. Iowa is a hybrid of it. It is important in that sense, but it is important to me because it is my home town track. You have to take advantage. I only have one shot.”

Do you know where the line is because of what happened here last year?
“I think NASCAR drew a line in the sand and said that was too far. I think that they have been better about drawing the line in the sand on certain things, like the right rear hooks we have seen over the last year, them kind of drawing the line in the sand. They are not afraid to make hard decisions, and I think that is very, very important with the governing of the sport in general, so it is not a circus. I do feel a little bit better about it than we did 12 months ago; I just feel that I think certainly, that was the first time we’ve seen something like that happen and then NASCAR had a precedence to set in the sense that – what do you from here. If you let that go, then you open up a floodgate of crazy things that could happen that would be bad for the relevance and the legitimacy of the sport, and so I think everyone probably has a little better understanding now, because of the ruling. I’m not saying I agree or disagree with it, but you certainly have a better understanding.”

Will Corey Heim be a contracted 23XI driver next year?
“Yeah, he is our development driver for the foreseeable future, so he has plenty of races ahead of him with us.”

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 49 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes – Ryan Preece Richmond Media Availability

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Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Richmond Media Availability
Friday, August 15, 2025

Ryan Preece, driver of the No. 60 Kroger/Kleenex Ford Mustang Dark Horse for RFK Racing, is 34 points behind teammate Chris Buescher for the final transfer position into the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Preece spoke about his situation, along with being named one of the 40 Greatest Modern-Era NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour drivers earlier this week.

RYAN PREECE, No. 60 Kroger/Kleenex Ford Mustang Dark Horse – HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING NAMED TO THAT IMPRESSIVE GROUP EARLIER THIS WEEK? “That was years and years of hard work, so it was nice to be a part of that and being on that list. It’s certainly one of the highlights of yesterday since it didn’t go exactly the way we wanted it to, but a lot of my accomplishments and who I am as a racer and person was groomed through the Whelan Modified Tour. That had a huge impact on me, so really reflecting on it, along with Justin Bonsignore, Jaime Tomaino and many others that are on that list. It’s a great accomplishment and something to be proud of.”

WHAT KEEPS BRINGING YOU BACK TO THE MODIFIED EVENTS AND HOW FUN WAS IT TO RACE WITH YOUR DAD? “I think that’s the real reason why I truly do it. There are a couple things. My passion for modifieds. There are a lot of great people in that pit area as well as loving to drive those race cars, and then racing with my father. The challenge of it can be all the work that comes along with it. I have to explain this to race fans all the time that ask me why I don’t do it more, I’m not like Kyle Larson with Paul Silva, where he shows up and he’s racing. If I’m not working on that race car, it’s not really coming. My father does a lot, but when it comes to setup stuff and coming up with strategies and all that, I’m a huge piece in that, so it’s really fun. It’s great in that aspect because there’s nobody else to blame except myself, so if we’re terrible, I can just yell at myself all day long. I enjoy doing it and I enjoy the passion of people that love modified racing.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY INDICATION WHAT TIRE WEAR WILL BE LIKE TOMORROW NIGHT? “It’s hard to say just yet. I think we all kind of saw some of it last year when we put the option tire on, and I think all of us are kind of anticipating the same thing. When we weren’t handling very well yesterday I was just kind of searching around for grip, trying to figure out if your car is not handling well, what can I do to make it better? But as far a tire wear and what we’re all projecting, I think we’re gonna have a lot better idea in about an hour.”

WHAT ARE THE TEAM MEETINGS LIKE AT RFK WITH YOU AND CHRIS BATTLING EACH OTHER ON THAT CUT LINE? “I would agree with what Chris said last week because I actually watched his media availability, which is that nobody is hiding anything from anybody. That’s the truth. I was talking about the blacktop here today in turns one and two. I don’t think a lot of us really knew about it, and I didn’t even know about it until I went out in modified practice yesterday and noticed it, so I just communicated some of the thoughts I had on that. Scott, Jeremy, Derrick, they work really well together just like all of us drivers do, so I think the environment that we have at RFK right now is a really good one and I don’t hide anything from them, they don’t hide anything from me and that’s what’s nice about being there.”

IS IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT AFTER ALL THESE WEEKS IT COMES DOWN TO YOU TEAMMATES? “I think ideally we would have all liked to have either won by now and kind of locked ourselves in, but when you looked at the past however many weeks, 24, to be right there with each other and both of us have penalties. It’s not like one of us had a penalty and all that, where we’ve been neck and neck. I’m just grateful to be a part of this opportunity or to have this opportunity because it’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a lot of fun for me as a racer who has put a lot into my career and really been able to finally put something together that is allowing me to go and contend and race again and feel like I’m racing again. I always used to have to go race my modified to feel like I’m racing because the biggest thought to me in the past was, ‘When is the leader coming to lap me?’ Not because I didn’t know how to drive, but you were fighting so many different things. It’s just nice to be on the other side of things to where you’re continuing to try and find grip to race for a top five or race for a win or race for a top 10 or whatever it is. There’s a lot of factors as race car drivers that come into that and I’m grateful to be on the one that I’m in.”

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE RACING CHRIS FOR THE FINAL SPOT OR ARE YOU ASSUMING THERE WILL BE A NEW WINNER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS? “It’s hard to say. I think we’re at two racetracks, superspeedway especially Daytona, anything can happen. We saw that last year. At Richmond, you don’t know who is gonna show up with the right package today for this option tire. We all, as you guys have already heard, how is the tire wear going to be. How impactful can that play into this race? I think there’s a lot of thoughts. Yeah, you’re gonna have to win to get in to really lock yourself in, unless you’re Tyler Reddick. I think Chris and I are both trying to figure out what’s the best strategy for us. I know Scott and Derrick are working hard on that. I have really fast race cars and go execute great races. If you’re in a position for a green-white-checkered and you have an opportunity to win, when it comes Monday don’t think about what I should have done different.”

YOU DO THAT EVEN AFTER WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR? “Well, I didn’t say wreck somebody. I think you need to be a racer and not leave anything on the table at the end of the day. You’ve got to do it with respect, but at the same time a half a lap can change your entire season.”

HAVE YOU SEEN THE A-POST FLAP AT ALL THAT THEY’RE PUTTING IN FOR NEXT WEEK? “I know about it, but I haven’t seen it in person.”

DO YOU LET DERRICK LEAD THE STRATEGY PROCESS? HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE TRENDS OF WHAT THE RACE IS DOING? “That’s a challenge. I’m very knowledgeable when it comes to racing race cars if I see the entire picture, but my job on Sundays is to drive that race car as fast as I possibly can. Derrick has all the information, along with Brent, or engineer, and Matt in the war room to see how the race is playing out and understanding what the best strategy is and that’s their job, so I don’t want to know. I want to focus on driving that race car as fast as I can and also have them communicate to me what my job is in that moment, so it’s really easy to get wrapped up in the whole picture and think that you need to make those decisions. I’ve just learned that if I want to make those decisions, I’m gonna bring my modified to the racetrack and figure out pretty quickly why I drive a race car fast for a living.”

HOW MUCH RACING DO YOU CONSUME AND WHERE ARE YOU WATCHING WHEN YOU WANT TO WATCH SOMEONE ELSE RACE? “It’s my life. I’ve never run a 410 sprint car, but I was watching the nationals last week. I’m a modified guy. I watch Stafford on Friday’s sometimes. If I’m not at RFK or kind of doing farm chores around with Heather, typically I’m in my shop working on my own race car and sometimes I’ll have Flo on. I think as a race car driver, at least me, I can appreciate all forms of racing. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Whelen Modified Tour car in the northeast, a Super Late Model in the southeast, USAC, Midgets, Sprint Cars, Silver Crown race cars. I grew up being a huge fan of them. I actually thought I was gonna go that Bobby Santos route or dirt cars, so I just enjoy racing.”

HOW VALUABLE DO YOU FEEL STAGES LIKE THIS, RACING AT RICHMOND, NORTH WILKESBORO, AS PART OF THESE CUP WEEKENDS ARE FOR THE TOUR AND IN GENERAL HOW VALUABLE IS THE TOUR TO THE NASCAR ECOSYSTEM? “What I can tell you is a lot of the people that race in the Whelan Modified Tour, there’s a lot of passion there. A lot of them are volunteers and they do it because they love racing, so it’s, honestly, a real grind for some of them to take off work on Wednesday, come down here, race on Thursday and then probably drive through the night to be at work at 7 a.m. the next day, but they do it because they appreciate racing on a facility like this at Richmond that is top of the class. So, really, for them to have the opportunity to come here and race that, they love it and I appreciate racing with them for everything they do. I think as far as the Whelen Modified Tour goes and modified racing and all the people that do it, I can’t give them enough credit as far as all the teams and everything that they do to go to those races and do. I read a lot and it puts a lot on all of those people, so it’s great that we’re able to come out here and do that. They’re gonna be at New Hampshire in a few weeks, which is their big race as well as going to Martinsville, so it’s a great opportunity for them to bring home some awesome trophies.”

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE MOMENTUM YOUR TEAM HAS RIGHT NOW HEADING TO THE FINAL STRETCH? “I feel really good about it. I’m really anxious to get out here in about 45 minutes or an hour. There’s just been so many questions with this tire and really a lot of preparation. For me, it’s trying to figure out what can I do as a race car driver to make it last better than somebody else. I think that’s gonna be the key tomorrow night and then let Derrick and those guys work the strategy and figure out what we need to do from there. My goal tomorrow is to win. You want to lock yourself into the playoffs you need to win.”

HOW HAS YOUR IDENTITY AS A DRIVER CHANGED FROM THE START OF THE SEASON? “I think it’s been fun talking to people that have known me for the past 15-17 years. We talk about this year and how we’re running. We’re running really well. I even joke with the merchandise trailer that we’re selling t-shirts really well. For me, the past five or however many years it was, I think I’ve even persuaded a few media people that Ryan Preece can do this. Outside of putting ourselves in position to win, we’ve executed a pretty good season, a respectable season that it would be nice to make the playoffs and then really see what we can do in there. It’s been a lot of fun and I think as a race car driver that’s sacrificed a lot to get to this point, to have this opportunity and do all the things that we’ve done and been consistent and not just having that flash of speed and kind of disappearing, it’s been really nice. The next step is trying to win these races. It’s been a great opportunity, one that I can’t thank Brad enough for being a great teammate, a great owner, and somebody that I can really rely on throughout a race weekend, along with Chris. I’ve been good friends with him, great teammates with him, and it’s been really great to be a part of this opportunity. I couldn’t do it without great sponsors like Kroger, Mohawk Northeast, FIfth Third Bank, and the list really goes on and on – Fastenal and many others. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and hopefully we can cap off tomorrow with a win and don’t have to worry about the playoffs.”

DO YOU FEEL THE COMMUNICATION ON YOUR TEAM HAS EVOLVED AND THAT’S LED TO YOUR SUCCESS? “Yeah, it started off really well and it’s only gotten better. It’s been a lot of fun to be a part of and, honestly, our trailer is just something like I’ve never been a part of in my life. It’s been great and I think for having a spotter that’s never spotted in the Cup Series before as well as a bunch of people on our team that this is really their first year in Cup, it’s been a great group.”

CHEVROLET NCS AT RICHMOND: Shane van Gisbergen Media Availability Quotes

By
Official Release
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NASCAR CUP SERIES
RICHMOND RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTES
AUGUST 15, 2025

 Shane van Gisbergen, driver of the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, met with the media in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Richmond Raceway.

Media Availability Quotes:

How would you compare your level of comfortability in the Cup car last year versus this year?

“Yeah, a lot higher. It’s been good; building up throughout the year and getting better and better. Certainly, we’d go like a month between races last year, so just really driving one car mainly as a focus, and same thing every week – same crew and same people – makes a huge difference, that’s for sure.”

Can you talk to me about what your preparation looks like kind of in the week leading up to this race? Are you on the simulator? Are you talking to the team? What does it look like for the week?

“Yeah, a lot of video study, mainly. I try and study as many drivers as I can. Yesterday, I had the race on; watched last year’s practice, qualifying and race, and then had SMT up at the same time. That’s probably what I get more out of. I find myself sort of doing less and less sim and more video stuff. I find that sort of helping me more these days.”

Do you have a message for your fans in Australia and New Zealand? Every press conference, they come out with a ton of comments. What does it mean to you for your long-time fans to still be following your career today?

“Yeah, it’s very humbling how many people have followed me over here and tune in every Monday morning and watch the races. It’ll be Sunday this weekend, so they’ll probably enjoy that a bit better. Yeah, it’s been really cool having the support. Even when it’s a bad weekend for me, I still get a lot of comments and support. So, yeah, it’s really nice.”

I just want to get your thoughts about what your mindset is coming into this race. You’re two more playoff points from taking over the top spot. How do you balance, I guess, trying to gain more points and trying to gain more information for the postseason and not trying to be caught up in a possible big wreck or big crash on Saturday night?

“Yeah, well, certainly on the ovals, it’s harder for us at the moment to get the playoff points, that’s for sure. But we’re definitely working at it and I feel like every week we’re making steps and getting better. The result at Iowa wasn’t great, but I was a lot more competitive and racing really well. Even after we had our spin, we still got into a good position before getting wrecked. So there’s lots of positives coming, and, yeah, I think we’re getting better. I feel like we are, so who knows? We can hopefully start getting further up, but, yeah, certainly not where we expected or probably where everyone thought we would be on the playoff point leaderboard, so nice way to surprise people, I guess.”

The last couple of months, you seem very happy, on the track and off the track. If you could just talk about, you know, kind of the general ‘it’s good to be you right now’ type of thing…

“Yeah, winning certainly helps, but I felt like I was really happy at the start of the year, but it’s hard to look happy, I guess, when you’re finishing 30th every week. But I felt like there was a lot of positives early in the year, and we’re just building and grinding. This series is a grind, especially when it’s not going well. You know, every week you’re working hard with your guys and girls to get better. So, yeah, I felt like I was still pretty happy in March, April, May before, but yeah, certainly I feel like everyone’s pretty stoked and riding on a high — not just the 88 crew, but the whole team. It’s really cool at the shop at the moment with how stoked everyone is, and I feel like we got some good momentum as a team, and we’re getting better and better with every week. So it’s really cool to be a part of it.”

What was it like after last weekend with all three Trackhouse cars in the top-10?

“Yeah, normally Kap (Houston) rides around on his bike when we get a top-10 handing out ice cream to everyone, so I was wondering what we’re going to do when all three cars got in the top-10.

But yeah, it was pretty cool. You know, that’s a pretty special moment for the team. It’s not easy to run up front, so to have all three cars in the top-10 and genuinely be competitive, it was a really cool step.”

What was your process early on trying to figure out the ins and outs of oval racing? Did you pick out a car in practice and try to follow that car to pick up on how they were doing things, or how did you work that process?

“Yeah, good question. It’s just time for me, and even this week, like I’ve never been around this track in a Cup car. You see the fall-off in practice; it’s very tough to get up to speed straight away, so this week, I’ve kind of been studying Denny(Hamlin) and Ross (Chastain) the most. Ross’s car’s probably most similar to how mine’s going to be, so trying to just see what they were doing with gears. You can change gear a lot here, and it changes the car balance quite a lot. I just try and study those two guys.

But, you know, different tracks might be different people, who stands out, and just try and emulate what they’re doing, I guess. But for me, it’s just time. You know, I don’t know what it’s like when I’m out there, and no one knows what the patches are going to feel like at Turn One. Just try and do things by feel, I guess, too.”

What do you feel that you’ve perhaps grown on the most on short tracks? I know you mentioned Iowa. You didn’t get the results you want, but in terms of just this style from the start of the year as compared?

“Yeah, the short tracks, I feel sort of most competitive and feel most comfortable, I guess, to push, but the results haven’t shown that. I feel like my lap times and speed are good in sections of the race, I’ve just got to put it all together, and hopefully that starts to happen soon. But the short tracks, I feel like there’s a bit more driver manipulation you can do with the gear changes, the braking and how to phase sort of the tire wear. You can have a big influence on that, it seems.

So yeah, these kinds of tracks suit me. I did have a really good race at Martinville last year, but otherwise, the short tracks have been a disaster, so I’ve just got to put it together, I think.”

If you were to evaluate 2025, obviously all the road course wins, but what are you most proud of to this point in the year?

“Just how much we’ve enjoyed it. Every race weekend, even if it’s good or bad, I enjoy going into the shop on Monday and doing the meetings. It’s going to work every day, but it doesn’t really feel like a job. I’m loving every minute of it.”

With this track and all the different unknowns with the tires, the patches, all that stuff, does it give you time to dive into some of the other little details, like the number of people who get speeding penalties on pit road here?

“Yeah, it’s difficult here, especially with the two different speeds. You’re trying to be fast on the corners and maximize. I started the year bad with trying to push that. I think I had a stupid amount of penalties, and knock on wood, I haven’t had one for a while. I’ve been behaving and conservative on my speed. That’s another part of NASCAR that’s tough — every other series I’ve been in, you press a button and hold your foot flat and it does it itself. But it’s free lap time here, especially on a high fall-off track — you’re touring through the pits quite a lot under green, so it’s worth a lot of time and that’s where these guys are good, getting in and out of pit road without getting it wrong.”

Your Supercars career gets a lot of credit for your success on the road courses. Is there anything else that translates over from your experience in Supercars, whether it be just feel for the car, since they are similarly built? Have you talked to any other former Supercar drivers, like Scott McLaughlin… I know he’s in INDYCAR, but to get any additional help in terms of racing the ovals and that sort of thing?

“Marcus Ambrose is probably the guy lent on the most for just pure racing stuff out of Supercars land, I guess. Scotty was more, sort of, general living and how it is in America. But yeah, Marcus was a huge help, and if I do still need stuff this year, he’s been there for me, as well.”

What has been the biggest area of improvement for you and the crew this year?

“On ovals, it’s just general speed. It’s just taking time learning what I need from the car and understanding the car. When we go to a road course, I can tell exactly what area the car needs speed; which part to try and focus on. On an oval, I don’t fully know yet. I can describe what the car’s doing, but I don’t have that notebook of myself, whether it’s too stiff in springs, roll bars or cross weight. I don’t know what to ask for yet. Just trying to learn every week; trying to see what the setup is and what’s different to every other week. Just trying to help my crew point the car in the right direction, whereas on a road course this year, we’ve kind of trended one way on setup, and I feel like as a team and driver combination, it’s been really good and shown it’s made us better.”

How do you anticipate the racing to be with two races remaining before they set the playoff field? At Daytona, it’s kind of chaotic and hectic anyway, but even here on a short track, I mean, are you kind of prepared to know and be aware of this guy’s racing for his playoff hopes here?

“Yeah, for sure. I watched the race here last year and I can’t believe the lengths people go through to get in. It’s a desperate situation, and it means so much to get in the playoffs, so I’m certainly glad we’re not involved in it, and hopefully won’t be involved in it. But yeah, I think that’s an awesome part of this sport. It creates those storylines and that desperation to win when someone’s in that position. There’s a lot of people in the bubble and a lot of people needing a win, and hopefully that creates some good but safe racing for the next couple of weeks.”

You said you were looking at Denny’s (Hamlin) SMT data to learn here. Was that tough to follow? Because I’ve heard that his data is unlike most drivers, where he’s like stabbing at the throttle. It looks like a heart monitor when you’re looking at it. Was it tough to mimic that?

“Yeah, it’s just amazing when there’s different styles, right? His style’s very unique, the way he’s mainly using a different gear and stabbing at the throttle, and it’s just techniques I’ve never come across or needed to use before. But in NASCAR, there’s so many different ways to get the car around the track fast, and I’m trying to be as open-minded as possible in changing my style, especially for a track I’ve never been to before. I probably won’t try it today in practice, but if it gets stalled out in the race or in a moment where I’ve got time to try stuff, I’ll experiment a bit. All these top guys have such subtle little differences in the way they drive, and it’s really interesting trying to pick things up because I’m sort of like a clean sheet of paper with oval driving, so trying to find a style that works for me.”

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The Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway Outlook

By
SM Staff
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Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to Richmond Raceway this weekend for the Cook Out 400 on Saturday night. Saturday’s race and next weekend’s event at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) are all that remain of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular season.

Denny Hamlin won the pole in August 2024 with a lap of 118.162 mph (22.850 secs.) and Austin Dillon, the winner of the Cook Out 400, was stripped of his Playoff eligibility. The penalty is a result of where he bumped and sent Joey Logano for a spin through Turns 3 and 4 on the final lap. Dillon then veered dead left and sent Denny Hamlin, who was trying to overtake both, into the frontstretch’s outside wall and proceeded to claim the checkered flag for the victory.

Richmond Raceway ranks third on the all-time list of tracks that have hosted the most NCS races with 136, behind only Daytona with 156 races and Martinsville with 153 races.

Track & Race Information for the Cook Out 400

Race Purse: $9,797,935
Race Length: 400 laps / 300 miles
Track Size: 0.75-mile Asphalt Oval (3/4-mile)
Banking/Turns: 14 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 8 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 1,290 feet
Backstretch Length: 860 feet

Time

Sunday, August 16th at 7:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. 

Stages

Stage 1 Length: 70 laps
Stage 2 Length: 160 laps (Ends on Lap 230)
Final Stage Length: 170 laps (Ends on Lap 400)

Who and what should you look out for at Richmond Raceway?

  • Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) has four top fives, seven top 10s, and a series-best average finish of 7.333.
  • Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) leads all active drivers in the NCS in average starting position with an 8.474 in 19 starts. Larson has two poles, two wins, five top fives, ten top 10s, and a sixth-best average finish of 10.700.
  • Kyle Busch (No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet) leads all active drivers in the NCS in starts at Richmond Raceway with 38. Busch has one pole, six wins, 19 top fives, 28 top 10s, and a second-best average finish of 7.553.
  • Josh Berry (No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford) has one top five, one top 10, and a fourth-best average finish of 9.000.
  • Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford) has two poles, two wins, 14 top fives, 19 top 10s, and a fifth-best average finish of 10.065.
  • Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) has two poles, two wins, five top fives, ten top 10s, and a sixth-best average finish of 10.700.
  • Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) has six top fives, eight top 10s, and a seventh-best average finish of 10.765.

Who might start up front?

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) leads all active NCS pole winners with four poles. Hamlin has four poles, five wins, 20 top fives, 24 top 10s, and a third-best average finish of 8.139.

Active Pole WinnersPolesSeason
Denny Hamlin42014, 2016, 2008, 2006
Kyle Larson22024, 2022
Brad Keselowski22019, 2014
Joey Logano22015 sweep
Tyler Reddick12023
Ryan Blaney12022
Kyle Busch12010

Who might win?

Only three active drivers have been able to win from the pole or first starting position. Kyle Busch in 2010, Brad Keselowski in 2014, and Denny Hamlin in 2016. Eight of the 55 NCS race winners are entered this weekend. Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in wins with six victories.

Active Race WinnersWinsSeason
Kyle Busch62018 sweep, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009
Denny Hamlin52024, 2022, 2016, 2010, 2009
Kyle Larson22023, 2017
Brad Keselowski22020, 2014
Joey Logano22017, 2014
Austin Dillon12024
Chris Buescher12023
Alex Bowman12021

The first starting position is the most proficient starting position and has more winners than any other starting position at Richmond Raceway, with 24 victories (17.65%). But the front row starting position has 38 wins (27.94%), a top-five starting position has 74 wins (54.41%), and a top-10 starting position has 103 wins (75.74%).

Modo Casino to Make NASCAR Cup Series Debut with Spire Motorsports

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Official Release
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Carson Hocevar to Pilot No. 77 Modo Casino Chevrolet for Four Races in 2025

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 15, 2025) – Modo Casino, a U.S.-based Social Gaming Experience produced by ARB Interactive, will partner with Spire Motorsports and Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 team for four races in 2025, beginning with the August 23rd Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

Modo Casino is America’s fastest-growing social casino platform and lets players compete for free-to-win prizes, including cash and experiences. Using free coins, online versions of top slots and table games such as “Live Roulette” and “Blackjack”, can be played with the opportunity to redeem winnings as real prizes, along with a special sign-up bonus when new players join.

“As a Made in America brand, Modo Casino is built by passionate people for players who love competition and winning moments,” said David Jumper, CMO of ARB Interactive. “Partnering with Spire Motorsports is a natural fit, and we cannot wait to bring the thrill of Modo Casino to NASCAR fans at the track and at home.”

“Modo Casino is built on delivering excitement and entertainment at the highest level,” said Patrick Fechtmeyer, CEO of ARB Interactive. “Partnering with Spire Motorsports aligns us with an iconic American sport and reinforces our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for our players.”

The partnership between Modo Casino and Spire Motorsports introduces the most passionate fans in motorsports to the company’s most popular online games and will reward loyal players with exclusive at-track experiences.

“I’ve been looking forward to kicking off the Modo Casino partnership and introducing its games to the NASCAR world,” said Hocevar. “Modo Casino has been growing its presence through Formula 1 and working with content creators, so I’m excited to join the team and continue building that growth.”

Following the Cup Series second stop of the season at “The World Center of Racing,” Modo Casino will return to Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet for three races in October including the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval, Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

For more information about Modo Casino and ARB Interactive, visit modo.us and arbinteractive.com.

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 from Daytona International Speedway will be televised live on NBC and streamed on Max Saturday, Aug. 23 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 26th of 36 points-paying races on the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule will also be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.

About Modo Casino…
Modo Casino, America’s fastest-growing social casino from ARB Interactive, is proudly built in the U.S. and offers players the thrill of casino-style gaming online. This free-to-play platform features hundreds of popular slot titles, live dealer experiences, and classic table games like Blackjack and Roulette. Players use free coins to compete and can redeem winnings for real-world prizes and experiences, creating a fun, accessible and low strees way to play. Through partnerships with major sports properties, Modo Casino delivers exclusive content, unique fan experiences, and culturally relevant entertainment for millions of players nationwide. Modo Casino follows the International Social Games Association’s and the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance’s best practice principles, as well as all relevant consumer protection, competition, advertising and privacy regulations.

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 win came on May 30, 2025, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville 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 the No. 77 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series in select events.

GMG Racing Eyes More Race Wins, Top-Three Finishes and Season Titles this Weekend in SRO America Competition at Road America

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Official Release
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  • Kyle Washington Continues GT America Powered by AWS and GT World Challenge America Campaigns at Road America in Twin No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R Entries
  • Washington and Co-Driver Tom Sargent Look for Repeat GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS Podium Finishes and More at Road America
  • GMG Racing Founder and Team Principal James Sofronas Brings McLaren Trophy America Am-Class Championship Lead to Road America in the No. 14 GMG Racing McLaren Trophy Evo

ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin (August 14, 2025) – GMG Racing has brought a trio of entries across three different racing series to Road America for a full-weekend of SRO America competition at “America’s National Park of Speed,” August 15 – 17. Longtime and race-winning GMG Racing driver Kyle Washington drives two different No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R entries, respectively, in the GT World Challenge and GT America series, with coach and professional co-driver Tom Sargent joining him in the Pro-Am class in the weekend’s featured pair of 90-minute GT World Challenge races.

The third entry is for GMG Racing Founder and Team Principal James Sofronas who returns to Road America leading the Am-division championship in the first-year McLaren Trophy USA series. Sofronas has won a class-leading four of the year’s first six races in the No. 14 GMG Racing McLaren Trophy Evo, garnering at least one victory on all three of the doubleheader weekends run to date at Sonoma Raceway, Circuit of The Americas (COTA) and VIRginia International Raceway (VIR).

“It’s never without it’s challenges, but everyone at GMG Racing has worked non-stop to put together a hard-earned record of 10 wins combined with both Kyle in GT3 competition and in the new McLaren Trophy America series this season. We need to continue that winning form this weekend, and we have seen some success at Road America in recent years and throughout GMG Racing’s decades of competing here. My professional driving career actually began at Road America 31 years ago, and we were fortunate to still run strong and secure a few race wins here just last year. Only three race weekends remain in the SRO’s GT3 categories, and just two doubleheaders in McLaren Trophy, so putting up some good results this weekend will be very helpful. There is no doubt we are up to the challenge.”

A top priority for the weekend is returning Washington and Sargent to the GT World Challenge podium, and they know the way to victory lane at Road America. The No. 32 Pro-Am duo finished second in Saturday’s opening race last year, and a matching result or victory in either GT World Challenge race this weekend would be a season-best in the series for Washington and Sargent.

Washington’s main GT3 success this season to date has come in the single driver GT America series, in which he has won three of the year’s first 10 races. Washington’s wins have been earned at Sonoma Raceway, COTA and Sebring International Raceway, and he arrives at Road America second in the GT America championship standings just 25 points – the equivalent of race win – out of first place, 204 – 179.

While GT World Challenge and GT America have three doubleheader race weekends – Road America, Barber Motorsports Park and the season-ending event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) – left on the 2025 schedule, Sofronas and his McLaren Trophy competitors have only this weekend’s twin 50-minute races at Road America and the similar-length rounds at the Indy finale remaining. Sofronas leads the Am championship by 12 points, 80 – 68, over the nearest challenger. A McLaren Trophy race win is worth 15 points.

Sofronas carries the GMG Racing flag solo in McLaren Trophy this weekend with the team’s sister No. 4 McLaren Trophy Evo slated to rejoin the series for the Indy finale. The No. 4 McLaren was heavily damaged in a hard-hit practice incident in the most recent race weekend at VIR, but team driver John Capestro-Dubets – who has soloed or co-driven the No. 4 to three Pro and Pro-Am wins this year – avoided serious injury.

Following Friday practice and Saturday qualifying, the GT World Challenge, GT America and McLaren Trophy series each contest Saturday and Sunday doubleheaders at Road America.

The first 50-minute McLaren Trophy race starts Saturday at 12:05 p.m. CDT. The McLaren opener is followed by the GT America 40-minute race at 1:10 p.m. CDT and the first GT World Challenge America race at 3:15 p.m. CDT.

Sunday’s final rounds start at 9:15 a.m. CDT for GT America and the McLaren Trophy weekend finale an hour later at 10:15 a.m. CDT. The weekend-ending GT World Challenge race goes off at 2:45 p.m. CDT.

All of the weekend’s races air live on RACER TV and the GTWorld YouTube channel.

About GMG Racing: Founded in 2001, GMG Racing quickly established itself as North America’s premier performance tuning facility. What began as a small 1,200 sq. ft. shop, maintaining two race cars, has grown into a state-of-the-art performance tuning, racing and service facility relocated last year to The Thermal Club and a 28,000 sq. ft. trackside motorsports facility. The staff, attention to detail and passion are what make GMG the choice of professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. GMG, in its early years, was located directly across the street from Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA). This close proximity allowed GMG to build a strong relationship with the legendary racing brand which has helped the company support its customers to the highest level possible. We have since won several Championships, not only with Porsche, but with Audi, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and McLaren. From club racing to Sebring, Daytona, Spa, Montreal, COTA and The Thermal Club, GMG can take you as far as you want to go. More information can be found at www.gmgracing.com.

Top Tips for Preparing Your Vehicle for Long Road Trips with Confidence

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SM
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When preparing your vehicle for long road trips with confidence, it’s essential to ensure it’s in top condition to avoid unexpected breakdowns. Key preparations include checking fluid levels, tire conditions, battery health, and brakes. This guide will walk you through every step to make sure your car is ready for the journey ahead.

Check and Top Off Fluid Levels

One of the first steps in preparing your vehicle for a long road trip is to check and top off all essential fluid levels. This is crucial for optimal engine performance and reliability. Essential fluids to monitor include:

  • Engine oil
  • Brake fluid
  • Windshield washer fluid
  • Power steering fluid
  • Coolant
  • Transmission fluid

Maintaining these fluids at the proper levels can prevent overheating, breakdowns, and dangerous travel disruptions. Neglecting to check fluid levels can lead to engine trouble and costly repairs, so it’s essential to make this a priority.

Engine Oil

Checking your engine oil is a simple yet vital task. Use the dipstick to check the oil level and ensure it’s within the recommended range. If the oil is low or looks dirty, it’s time for an oil change.

Keeping your engine oil at the proper level and clean will help maintain optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency.

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is essential for the proper function of your vehicle’s braking system. To check the brake fluid level, locate the brake fluid reservoir under the hood and ensure it is filled to the ‘full’ mark indicated on the reservoir.

Additionally, inspect the entire brake system, focusing on the brake pads and the brake pedal, to ensure reliable stopping power.

Coolant

Coolant, or antifreeze, plays a critical role in preventing engine overheating, especially during long trips and hot weather. Check coolant levels by letting the engine cool, opening the radiator cap, and ensuring the coolant is at the proper level; top up if necessary.

Signs of a coolant leak, such as a sweet smell or visible orange, pink, or green fluid, may require professional attention.

Inspect Tires for Safety

Your tires are your vehicle’s only contact with the road, making their condition crucial for safety and fuel efficiency. Start by ensuring that all four tires are properly inflated to the recommended psi as specified in your owner’s manual. Properly inflated tires not only improve fuel economy but also enhance handling and safety.

Check the tread depth with the coin test; if it’s worn out, it’s time to replace the tires. Finally, confirm that your spare tire is functional and pack a tire repair kit for emergencies.

Tire Pressure

Correct tyre pressure significantly boosts your car’s fuel economy and handling. Consult your owner’s manual for the recommended psi and check the tire pressure when the tires are cold for the most accurate reading.

Regular tire pressure checks and tire checks help prevent low-efficiency issues caused by underinflated tires.

Tread Depth

Tread depth is vital for maintaining traction and safety on the road. Use the coin test by inserting a quarter into the tread groove; if the top of Lincoln’s head is visible, it’s time to replace the tire.

Sufficient tread depth significantly impacts how your vehicle handles in various driving conditions.

Spare Tire and Repair Kit

Inspect the spare tire for any damage and check its inflation pressure before your trip. Make sure it’s in good condition and that you have the necessary tools to change it.

Confirm that the tire repair kit is functional and includes sealant and a patching tool. This preparation can save you from being stranded with a flat tire.

Test Battery and Electrical Components

Test Battery and Electrical Components

A reliable battery and well-functioning electrical components are essential for a smooth road trip. Inspect the battery condition and terminals for any signs of corrosion. Clean any corrosion using a baking soda solution to ensure a strong connection.

Test all car lights, including brake lights and hazard lights, to ensure visibility and safety on the road.

Battery Terminals

Corrosion around battery terminals can appear as a white, ashy substance and may affect the battery’s connection. Clean the battery terminals using a baking soda and water mixture to remove corrosion and ensure a reliable electrical connection.

This simple maintenance step can prevent electrical issues and ensure your vehicle performs reliably.

Car Batteries

Car batteries typically have a lifespan of 3 to 5 years. Regularly check the battery’s condition and replace it if necessary to avoid possible breakdowns while traveling, especially when using auto start niet.

Before summer drives, consider having a professional battery test done to ensure it’s in good condition.

Lights and Signals

Testing all car lights is crucial for safety. Malfunctioning lights can lead to accidents due to decreased visibility for both the driver and other road users.

Equip your vehicle with signaling tools, such as road flares or reflective triangles, to enhance visibility during emergencies.

Brake System Check

A thorough brake system check is crucial for safe driving conditions. Check the brake fluid levels to identify any leaks early and prevent loss of hydraulic pressure.

Inspect the brake pads and their thickness; if they measure less than 6.4 mm, replace them. Ensure the brake pedal responds immediately without any delay, indicating the system is functioning correctly.

Brake Pads

The recommended thickness for sturdy brake pads is 13 mm. Key points to consider are:

  • If brake pads measure less than 6.4 mm, they should be replaced.
  • Brake pad thickness is crucial for safe braking performance.
  • Worn brake pads can compromise vehicle safety.

Brake Pedal Feel

The brake pedal should respond immediately without any delay, indicating that the system is functioning properly. If the pedal feels soft or spongy, it may indicate a problem with the brake system that needs addressing before your trip.

Air Filters and AC System

Air Filters and AC System

Maintaining air filters and the AC system is crucial for both comfort and engine performance. Replace the engine air filter to improve fuel efficiency and prevent engine trouble.

To ensure clean air inside the vehicle and better AC performance:

  • Change the cabin air filter regularly.
  • Perform routine checks of the AC system to prevent breakdowns.
  • Maintain optimal cooling efficiency during hot weather.

Engine Air Filter

A blocked or clogged engine air filter can result in decreased performance and poor fuel economy, and may also lead to serious engine issues.

Replacing an old engine air filter can improve performance, smoother operation, and reduced fuel consumption.

Cabin Air Filter

A clogged cabin air filter can negatively impact AC performance, causing the system to work harder and potentially lead to water leaks. Regularly changing the cabin air filter ensures clean air and efficient operation of the AC system during your travels.

AC System

The AC system is crucial for maintaining comfort during hot weather, ensuring that drivers and passengers can stay cool and refreshed throughout their journey with the air conditioner cooling system.

Regular maintenance of the AC system prevents breakdowns of crucial components, like the compressor.

Pack Essential Tools and Emergency Supplies

Proper preparation for long road trips includes packing essential tools and emergency supplies to ensure you are road trip ready. Assemble an emergency kit with must-have safety gear like:

  • jumper cables
  • a flashlight
  • a reflective warning triangle
  • a tire repair kit
  • a first aid kit.

Consider subscribing to a roadside assistance service for peace of mind. Ensure you have reliable navigation tools, including offline maps and a physical map, to navigate areas with poor cell service.

Emergency Kit

Include a flashlight with extra batteries in your emergency kit to enhance visibility during roadside emergencies. Portable jumper cables are essential for restarting a dead battery and can quickly get you back on the road.

A well-stocked first aid kit, including reliable wound care products, makes a significant difference in emergencies.

Roadside Assistance

In the event of a car breakdown, pull over safely, turn on your hazard lights, and call roadside assistance for assistance with breakdowns.

Consider subscribing to a long-distance roadside assistance service for peace of mind during long distances.

Navigation and Connectivity

Downloading offline maps is crucial for navigating areas without cell signal during road trips. Carrying a physical map as a backup is also smart, even if you have GPS available, and using Google Maps can enhance your navigation experience.

Organize Luggage and Cargo

Organize Luggage and Cargo

Properly organizing luggage and cargo ensures a smooth and safe journey. Use tie-down straps to secure your load and prevent items from shifting during transit. This is especially important when using a roof rack or cargo carrier, as unsecured items can become dangerous projectiles during sudden stops.

Organizing the trunk for quick access to essentials can make the trip more enjoyable.

Secure Your Load

Ensure your luggage and gear are properly secured, especially when using a roof rack or cargo carrier. When towing a trailer, double-check all connections to ensure everything is balanced. This preparation prevents items from becoming dangerous projectiles during sudden stops.

Quick Access Essentials

Keep items like the first aid kit, tire repair kit, and emergency supplies in easily reachable compartments to enhance accessibility during emergencies.

Final Pre-Trip Checklist

Completing a thorough pre-trip vehicle checklist helps avoid unexpected issues during your journey. Fuel up and plan your stops to avoid running out of gas in remote areas. Verify travel requirements for different states or countries to avoid complications.

Pack comfort items like travel pillows, blankets, snacks, and water to ensure a pleasant journey.

Fuel Up and Plan Stops

Route planning avoids excessive detours and high fuel costs during long road trips along the scenic route, while hitting the road for an enjoyable road trip and a smooth journey. Comparing petrol prices along the route can save money on fuel.

Using the best petrol credit card for fuel purchases helps cut travel expenses.

Verify Travel Requirements

Different regions may have distinct regulations regarding vehicle documentation and insurance, which must be verified before travel. Failing to verify requirements can lead to unexpected complications or legal issues.

Comfort Items

Having travel pillows and blankets significantly improves comfort during a long trip. Packing snacks, water, travel pillows, and blankets ensures passengers remain comfortable and relaxed.

Lighten Your Load Before You Go

If you’re traveling internationally and want to make your trip more comfortable, consider sending certain items ahead of time. International parcel services allow you to avoid carrying bulky luggage through airports. You can make your journey smoother by using the service to send international parcel deliveries ahead of time.

Summary

In summary, preparing your vehicle for a long road trip involves a series of essential checks and preparations. From checking fluid levels and tire safety to ensuring your battery and brakes are in top shape, these steps can help you avoid unexpected breakdowns and ensure a safe, enjoyable journey. With the right preparation, you can hit the open road with confidence, ready to create unforgettable memories and enjoy the adventure that lies ahead.

Why Families Trust Little Scholars at Kindercare West 1st Street

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SM
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Photo by depositphotos at https://depositphotos.com/

Families trust Little Scholars at Kindercare West 1st Street because it combines exceptional care with a strong educational foundation. This Little Scholars daycare school prioritizes a safe, nurturing environment where children can explore, learn, and grow confidently. Experienced staff members create individualized plans to support each child’s development, ensuring personalized attention.

The facility is designed to stimulate curiosity and creativity, balancing structured activities with free play. Parents appreciate the transparent communication and consistent updates on their child’s progress. Little Scholars at Kindercare West 1st Street understands the unique needs of families in a busy city, making it a dependable choice for early childhood education.

Safe, Nurturing Spaces for Early Learners

Creating safe, nurturing spaces for early learners is essential to their development. At Little Scholars NYC, the environment is thoughtfully designed to promote security and comfort, allowing children to explore and grow confidently.

The daycare’s compassionate staff fosters emotional warmth and support, encouraging children to build trust and positive relationships. This foundation helps young learners develop social skills and a love for learning, making Little Scholars NYC a reliable choice for families seeking quality early education in New York.

Focused Learning Through Play-Based Curriculum

Little Scholars NYC emphasizes focused learning through a play-based curriculum that nurtures children’s development naturally. This approach encourages exploration, creativity, and critical thinking in a supportive environment.

Key benefits include:

  • Enhanced social interaction
  • Improved communication skills
  • Stronger emotional development

Children engage in activities designed to build social, cognitive, and motor skills while enjoying the learning process. The play-based curriculum promotes curiosity and problem-solving, making education both effective and enjoyable.

Dedicated Educators Who Truly Care

At Little Scholars NYC, dedicated educators foster a supportive environment where every child feels valued and encouraged. Their commitment goes beyond teaching, focusing on nurturing each child’s growth and development with genuine care. This personalized attention ensures a strong foundation for lifelong learning and confidence.

Little Scholars Builds Confidence Every Day

Little Scholars NYC fosters confidence every day through a supportive and enriching environment. Children are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and express themselves freely. This approach helps develop self-assurance and independence from an early age.

  • Encouraging curiosity
  • Supporting individual growth
  • Celebrating achievements

The skilled staff at Little Scholars NYC create personalized experiences that meet each child’s unique needs, promoting positive social interactions and resilience. Building confidence is essential for lifelong learning and success.

Why Parents Choose Little Scholars in New York

Parents choose Little Scholars in New York for its exceptional commitment to early childhood development and personalized care. The center offers a safe, nurturing environment where children thrive academically and socially. 

Its partnership with trusted locations, including kindercare west 1st street, ensures consistent quality across the city. Families appreciate the experienced staff, comprehensive curriculum, and focus on fostering creativity and critical thinking. Little Scholars stands out as a reliable choice for parents seeking the best daycare experience.

Ready for the Next Step: Choosing the Right Daycare School

Choosing the right daycare school is a significant decision for families. It involves evaluating educational programs, safety measures, and the overall environment to ensure it supports a child’s development effectively. Taking this next step carefully helps parents find a nurturing setting where children can grow socially, emotionally, and intellectually.

The Smart Buyer’s Guide to Used Electric Cars in 2025

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SM
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Photo by depositphotos at https://depositphotos.com/

If you have been keeping an eye on the automotive market, you have probably noticed one trend that is not slowing down anytime soon. Used electric cars are in higher demand than ever. With new EV prices still on the premium side and technology improving every year, buyers are turning to pre-owned vehicles as a smart way to get behind the wheel of an eco-friendly ride without breaking the bank.

From used sedans with solid mileage to cutting-edge used EVs with impressive range, the market in 2025 is filled with options that deliver both value and performance. With so many models, battery types, and pricing tiers, it is important to know how to make the right choice. This guide will break down the benefits, considerations, and insider tips you should know before making your move.

Why More Drivers Are Choosing Used Electric Cars

Buying a used gas-powered car has always been common, but the EV market is catching up quickly. Here is why.

1. Lower Upfront Cost

Brand-new EVs can carry a hefty price tag, but depreciation hits electric vehicles quickly in their first few years. You can often find a model with modern tech and low mileage at a fraction of the original cost.

2. Improved Technology Over Time

Unlike the early EV models with limited range, today’s electric cars, even those a few years old, often come with battery ranges of over 200 miles and faster charging capabilities.

3. Lower Maintenance Costs

No oil changes, fewer moving parts, and minimal wear-and-tear on brakes help EV owners save on upkeep compared to traditional vehicles.

4. Eco-Friendly Driving Without the Premium Price

Driving an EV still reduces your carbon footprint, even if it is a model from a few years back. Buying used simply makes it more affordable.

Choosing Between Used Sedans and Other EV Body Styles

When shopping for a pre-owned vehicle, body style can impact your driving experience, comfort, and practicality.

  • Used Sedans: Ideal for daily commuting, they offer smooth rides, better aerodynamics for extended range, and often come with luxury features in higher trims.
  • Used Hatchbacks: Usually more affordable and versatile in cargo space, though they may have a slightly shorter range.
  • Used SUVs: Provide more space and a higher seating position, but tend to be heavier, which can affect efficiency.

If efficiency and handling are your top priorities, used sedans can be the perfect choice. They typically offer better mileage and a more comfortable drive for both city and highway travel.

Key Factors to Check When Buying a Used EV

Buying used electric cars is slightly different from buying a gas-powered model. You will want to focus on the following.

1. Battery Health

The battery is the heart of any EV. Request a battery health report, check warranty status, and research average degradation rates for the model you are considering.

2. Charging Compatibility

Make sure the EV supports charging networks in your area. Also, check the cost of installing a home charging station if you do not already have one.

3. Range Needs

If you mostly drive in the city, a model with a 150 to 200-mile range may be sufficient. For longer commutes or frequent road trips, aim for 250 miles or more per charge.

4. Service History

As with gas cars, service history is important. Look for regular check-ups and recall updates.

5. Software Updates

Some EV manufacturers push over-the-air updates that improve range, performance, or add new features. Check if the used model has received them.

Top Used EV Models Worth Considering in 2025

While the market changes quickly, certain models have proven to be reliable, affordable, and enjoyable to drive.

  • Tesla Model 3 – Strong range, great performance, access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.
  • Chevy Bolt EV – Affordable, efficient, and practical for everyday driving.
  • Nissan Leaf (2020 and newer) – Budget-friendly, especially in the used market, with improved battery life.
  • Hyundai Kona Electric – Compact SUV feel with excellent range.
  • Kia Niro EV – A comfortable crossover that works well for families.

If you are looking for used sedans, the Tesla Model 3 remains one of the most in-demand choices thanks to its sporty feel and tech-forward cabin.

Buying From a Dealer vs. Private Seller

When it comes to pre-owned vehicles, you have two main paths.

Buying from a Dealer

  • Pros: Certified Pre-Owned options, warranties, financing help, and trade-in opportunities.
  • Cons: Prices may be slightly higher compared to private sales.

Buying from a Private Seller

  • Pros: Potentially lower prices and more room to negotiate.
  • Cons: No warranty, less buyer protection, and more due diligence required.

Dealers such as Premium Autos Inc. often have a wider selection of used electric cars and can provide peace of mind through inspections and detailed service records.

Financing and Incentives for Used EVs

The good news is that many states now offer incentives not just for new EVs but for used EVs as well. You might qualify for:

  • State rebates for pre-owned electric vehicles.
  • Utility company incentives for installing charging equipment.
  • Federal tax credits in certain situations, based on IRS guidelines.

Even without incentives, financing a used EV often results in lower monthly payments compared to a new car loan.

Common Myths About Buying a Used Electric Car

Here are some misconceptions worth clearing up.

Myth 1: Used EV batteries die quickly.
Truth: Most modern EV batteries last well over 100,000 miles, and some are still going strong past 200,000 miles.

Myth 2: Charging takes forever.
Truth: Many used models support fast charging that can add 80 percent range in under 40 minutes.

Myth 3: Used EVs do not have a good range.
Truth: Many 3 to 4-year-old EVs still deliver more than 200 miles per charge, which is more than enough for most drivers.

Tips for Getting the Best Deal

  1. Time Your Purchase – End of the month or quarter is when dealers may offer better deals to meet sales targets.
  2. Check Multiple Sources – Compare listings from different dealerships and private sellers.
  3. Test Drive Multiple Models – Range, comfort, and features vary between models.
  4. Negotiate with Data – Use market research and comparable listings to support your offer.

The market for used electric cars in 2025 is full of opportunities for smart buyers. Whether you want a sleek used sedan for commuting or a versatile hatchback for weekend trips, there is a pre-owned vehicle that can fit your lifestyle and budget.

By paying attention to battery health, range, and service history, and by shopping through trusted dealers like Premium Autos Inc., you can drive away with a reliable EV that offers value and sustainability.

Switching to electric does not have to mean paying new car prices. With research and the right buying strategy, you can enjoy the perks of an EV at a price that makes sense.

AFTER HUGE WIN, PRO STOCK’S GREG STANFIELD LOOKS TO KEEP ROLLING AT LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS

By
Official Release
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BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 14, 2025) – Fresh off his first Pro Stock victory since 2011 – and snapping Elite Motorsports’ winless streak in 2025 – Greg Stanfield’s reward is a brand new car for this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.

The veteran will debut a new Janac Brothers Racing/The Rod Shop car at the penultimate race of the regular season, looking for another big result with the Countdown to the Championship playoffs approaching. His previous car had come on strong this year in his return to the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, capped off by his victory in Sonoma in a final round that also featured his son and Pro Stock standout, Aaron.

With the added momentum from the victory – and moving to seventh in points – Stanfield is thrilled to return to Brainerd, a track where he made his NHRA debut nearly 40 years ago.

“Going into Brainerd, I’ll be in a new Jerry Hass car. Everyone has been busting their tails to get it finished by this weekend,” Stanfield said. “We want to put on a good show for these Minnesota fans. My first race at Brainerd International Raceway was 1987 in Super Stock. It’s a cool place with some crazy fans that really love drag racing. Looking forward to having some fun, letting the clutch out and seeing what happens.”

Last year, Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Blake Alexander (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) all won in Brainerd, while Antron Brown, Austin Prock and Greg Anderson took home Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge wins. The 43rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals is the 13th of 20 events in 2025 and the race will be broadcast on FS1 and FOX, with elimination coverage on FOX starting at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Friday kicks off in festive fashion with the introduction of the American Rebel Light Friday Night “Battle for the Battle Axe.” The Friday night qualifying session at Brainerd will award the low qualifier in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock a bonus, as well as a unique Rebel Axe trophy.

The Rebel Axe trophy is a fully functional electric cigar box guitar, custom-built in the shape of a 12-pack of American Rebel Light. The top qualifier in the three pro classes will sit on a special “Throne of the North” – made from American Rebel Light cases – until they are dethroned or they take the low qualifier of the session.

Stanfield has shown he has the ability to qualify well, also ending KB Titan’s perfect start to 2025 in the process. He’ll have to deal with the likes of Glenn, the points leader who has won the last two years in Brainerd, area native Anderson, Erica Enders, Matt Hartford and Cory Reed, but Stanfield feels good about his chances.

He’s also thrilled with the strong improvements the entire Elite Motorsports camp has made in recent weeks and the payoff could come at the perfect time of the year.

“It feels great to have gotten the win in Sonoma, not just for me but everyone that’s involved in this Elite Motorsports program. I was just the lucky one who won,” Stanfield said. “I had a bet to pay off for being second on the tree, bought Aaron lunch on taco Tuesday following the race. But it was back to the grind at the shop when we got home. I think chugging that wine on the stage was enough celebration for me.”

The Top Fuel division has seen seven different winners in 2025. Currently leading the points is former champion Shawn Langdon, who has three wins on the season. Second place belongs to motorsports legend and 2024 Rookie of the Year Tony Stewart, who picked up wins in Las Vegas and Chicago. Standout Justin Ashley is third, after winning in Richmond and Norwalk.

This season, the Funny Car ranks have again been dominated by reigning Funny Car champion Prock, who leads the class with five wins on the season. Others to watch in Brainerd will be Jack Beckman, J.R. Todd, Paul Lee, Seattle winner Matt Hagan and Ron Capps, the winningest active driver at BIR with seven wins to his credit.

The event will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as action in Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock and Pingel NHRA Top Fuel Motorcycle Series.

On Friday, the second qualifying session leads right into Friday night’s live music schedule at the Zoom entrance band shell, which kicks off at 8 p.m. and includes Andy Ross’ headline set at 10 p.m. The Mud Rhythm Truck Series will be running in the famed “Zoo” campground at the dirt track during the weekend, along with The Patriot monster truck and drift cars on display, cementing the track’s status as a major multi-functional facility.

Fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage, the entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and more. Brainerd race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate event winners.

As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features two rounds at 4 and 6:15 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 15 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 17. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 10 p.m. ET on Friday and 7 p.m. ET on Saturday on FS1, and eliminations on FOX at 3 p.m. ET Sunday.

To purchase tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, fans can visit www.birmn.com. Tickets will also be available for purchase on the day of the event at the gate. For more information on the NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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