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NU WAY NAMED TITLE SPONSOR, BLUES HOG AS PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR UPCOMING NASCAR XFINITY SERIES RACE

MADISON, Ill. (Aug. 14, 2025) – Nu Way Concrete Forms, in celebration of the St. Louis-based company’s 70th anniversary, will serve as title sponsor for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, Sept. 6, at World Wide Technology Raceway.

In addition to Nu Way in the entitlement role, St. Louis’ award-winning barbeque company Blues Hog will serve as the presenting sponsor.

The 160-lap, 200-mile event, which will be the Xfinity Series’ regular-season finale, will be branded as the Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog. The race, which marks the Xfinity Series return to the St. Louis Metro East facility for the first time in 15 years, will be broadcast live on The CW Network and MRN Radio beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT.

“We are excited to bring on both Nu Way and Blues Hog for the Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog NASCAR Xfinity Series race,” said WWT Raceway VP of Sales and Sponsorship Declan O’Neill. “Bringing on two local powerhouses in the St. Louis area shows just how much the support of the community helps build these national events.”

Both local companies have built strong reputations in their respective industries and have made significant contributions to the St. Louis area. Nu Way has become a staple in the St. Louis region’s construction industry by providing premium supplies, equipment and expert services.

“We are thrilled to be the title sponsor for the Xfinity Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway this year! This event holds special significance as it marks Xfinity’s return to WWTR after 15 years, and it perfectly coincides with Nu Way’s 70th anniversary,” Nu Way Director of Sales Mike Townsend said. “We extend our sincere gratitude to our customers for your continued business and loyalty, and we also want to thank WWTR for being a valued and trusted partner.”

Blues Hog will be bringing a new flavor to the Madison, Ill.-based venue during the NASCAR race weekend. Founded in the 1980s, the company has grown into an award-winning barbeque operation, earning national recognition for its sauces and seasonings.

“Blues Hog is excited to bring our bold flavors to the WWT Raceway! Looking forward to providing a fun and tasty experience at the track this year,” Blues Hog owner Tim Scheer said. “Stay Saucy, race fans!”

The Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog will be complemented by the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race on Sunday, Sept. 7. The action-packed weekend also is full of entertainment and music as the Confluence Music Festival returns alongside the NASCAR action. The musical acts will be highlighted by a pre-race performance by rising country star Ella Langley and a post-race concert by award-winning country music artist Jon Pardi.

For the full NASCAR weekend schedule click here. To purchase tickets please visit TIXR. For more information, please visit wwtraceway.com, nuwayinc.com or blueshog.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.

About Nu Way

Nu Way. Everything for the Contractor. Since 1955, Nu Way Concrete Forms, Inc. has been family-owned and committed to supporting the success of builders throughout the Midwest. Now celebrating 70 years in business, Nu Way has grown to six locations and is recognized as the region’s premier provider of construction materials, equipment and form rentals, along with expert estimating and rebar fabrication services. Our legacy is built on quality, reliability, and the strong relationships we’ve formed with contractors over generations — and we’re proud to keep building the future, one project at a time.

About Blues Hog

Blues Hog is a nationally recognized producer of premium barbecue products, trusted by top chefs, champion pitmasters, and restaurateurs around the world. Known as “The Award-Winning Choice of Champions,” Blues Hog offers a diverse lineup of sauces, seasonings, marinades, fuels, and meats crafted to elevate any barbecue experience—from backyard cookouts to elite competitions. With a commitment to exceptional taste and quality, Blues Hog delivers next-level flavor for every occasion. For more information, visit www.blueshog.com.

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Richmond

Richmond Raceway
Saturday, Aug. 16
0.75-Mile D-Shaped Oval
7:30 PM ET
Location: Richmond, Virginia
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (Race 25 of 36)
RADIO: SiriusXM

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 33 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Week: 39th (Watkins Glen)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: t-4th

No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerRichmond
Races2439020
Wins3322
Poles1222
Top 5111305
Top 101419610
Laps Led87310,129346
Stage Wins8701
Average Finish14.514.110.7
  • Kyle Larson finished seventh or better in all but two of the last 12 NASCAR Cup Series short-track races (both finishes outside the top seven came at Iowa Speedway).
  • The Elk Grove, California, native has led the second-most laps (265) at Richmond Raceway in the Next Gen car behind Martin Truex Jr. (382).
  • Larson has scored the fourth-most points on short tracks in 2025 with 109.
  • The 33-year-old sits tied for fourth in the regular season points standings, just four markers behind third place and 85 points behind leader and Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 29 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last week: 26th (Watkins Glen)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 2nd

No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerRichmond
Races2434617
Wins1200
Poles0120
Top 571116
Top 10121838
Laps Led3855,911105
Stage Wins1390
Average Finish11.012.810.7
  • With just two races left in the regular season, Chase Elliott is second in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings, 42 markers behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron.
  • Elliott’s average finish of 10.96 is the best of all drivers in 2025 and his third best in a season after 24 races.
  • This is second straight year that the 29-year-old has completed all but one lap entering the 25th race of the season.
  • This weekend, the Cup Series heads to Richmond Raceway where Elliott has a streak of two top-10 finishes, tied for second longest. Last year, he placed fifth in the spring and ninth in the summer. He also started inside the top five in both events.
  • In the stage racing era, Richmond is Elliott’s third best oval based on average finish (9.64). He has four top-five finishes in his last eight races there.
  • Elliott is the most recent Cup Series winner in a night race, claiming victory at his home track of Atlanta Motor Speedway back in June.

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 27 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Week: 4th (Watkins Glen)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 1st

No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerRichmond
Races2427613
Wins2150
Poles2150
Top 59631
Top 10131173
Laps Led9103,888239
Stage Wins7301
Average Finish13.815.115.0
  • William Byron captured another top-five finish this past weekend at Watkins Glen International, extending his lead in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season points standings to 42 over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott. This is the 19th week he’s led the standings and he’s been no worse than second. Two races remain in the regular season.
  • The Charlotte, North Carolina, native is leading in several statistical categories including: laps led (910), points (812), laps spent in the top five (2,849), laps spent in the top 10 (3,884) and average running position (10.05).
  • Byron has two wins in the last eight short track races, tied for the most.
  • In the Next Gen era, Byron has won four night races, most of any driver.
  • At Richmond Raceway, Byron has led 239, laps all coming in the Next Gen era. That accounts for Byron’s fourth-most laps led at any track and the fourth-most laps led at Richmond with this generation car.

48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 32 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Week: 20th (Watkins Glen)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 9th

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerRichmond
Races2434917
Wins081
Poles270
Top 55451
Top 10131094
Laps Led1601,52819
Stage Wins070
Average Finish16.219.119.2
  • With only two races remaining in the regular season, Alex Bowman is 15th in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings, holding a 60-point cushion above the cutline.
  • Through 24 races in 2025, Bowman has 13 top-10 finishes, his most ever at this point in a season. He has five top-five finishes and is one of only five drivers with multiple poles, scoring two.
  • The Tucson, Arizona, native will make his 350th career Cup Series start this weekend at Richmond Raceway.
  • In 17 Cup starts at Richmond, Bowman has one win (April 2021), four top 10s and one top five.
  • Bowman’s eight career victories have each come at a different track: Chicagoland Speedway (2019), Auto Club Speedway (2020), Richmond (2021), Dover Motor Speedway (2021), Pocono Raceway (2021), Martinsville Speedway (2021), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2022) and the Chicago Street Course (2024).
  • For this weekend’s race at Richmond, the featured Best Friends Animal Society partner is the Henrico Humane Society in Allen, Virginia.
  • Ally and HendrickCars.com are teaming up again to give fans the chance to win prizes with this year’s “Open Road Sweepstakes.” Fans can win VIP experiences at various races throughout the season and one lucky winner will hit the open road in a Chevy Silverado LT Trail Boss with an Airstream camper. Fans can stop by the Ally Fan Zone to enter the sweepstakes in-person and check out the camper. Fans can also enter at ally.com/sweepstakes/nascar.

Hendrick Motorsports

2025All-TimeRichmond
Races241,40581
Wins6318*12
Poles5258*19*
Top 5321,311*69*
Top 1052*2,239*128*
Laps Led2,328*84,640*4,643*
Stage Wins16*1312

*Most all time
**Tied for most all time

  • With William Byron’s fourth-place run at Watkins Glen International last Sunday, Hendrick Motorsports remains the only organization to place at least one car in the top 10 of every event in 2025. That streak goes back 32 races to last season, the longest such run of any team in the Next Gen era.
  • The Hendrick Motorsports engine shop stands at 549 national series victories, just one short of an unprecedented 550. The organization’s engines have won 18 poles (seven in the NASCAR Cup Series, 11 in the Xfinity Series) and 22 races (six in Cup, 15 in Xfinity and one in the preseason Clash) in 2025 and have powered teams to 40 points paying Cup Series victories in the Next Gen era, the most of any organization.
  • Hendrick Motorsports has led 2,328 laps through 24 events this year, accounting for 39% of all circuits completed in the Cup Series and more than any other team by 1,141.
  • With 16, the organization leads the series in stage wins and is tied for the most through a season’s first 24 races all time.
  • Hendrick Motorsports is the all-time leader in poles (19), top-five finishes (69), top 10s (128) and laps led (4,643) at Richmond Raceway.

QUOTABLE /

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on gathering needed momentum for the playoffs: “The last couple of months we haven’t scored as many points as we want but through that, I feel like we’re a much tougher team. We’ve been through a lot and seen a lot of different things and circumstances over the past two, two and half months and I think that can prepare you for the playoffs. I think we have some great tracks for us in the playoffs and I feel if we do a solid job the next two weeks and we execute, we head into the playoffs with some momentum and get to those tracks that we run good at and gain some points again and hopefully get a win or two along the way and just another way to help your playoff out.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on going back to Richmond Raceway: “Richmond is a track that has always been difficult for me to get a hold of and be consistently good time after time because the window to hit it right is just so small. I feel like there are very few guys that are consistently successful there. Last year, I do feel like we put together a couple pretty decent finishes, so hopefully we can continue that this weekend.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on any similarities between Iowa Speedway and Richmond Raceway: “Yeah, I mean you hope so, but they’re very different. Like Iowa, with the repave and just the conditions there versus Richmond being really slick old asphalt and slow mid-corner, it’s going to be a lot different at Richmond. So yeah, you hope some stuff translates, but Richmond’s kind of its own beast, really.

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on Richmond Raceway: “Richmond’s always a place I enjoy racing. It’s such a unique short track because you have to balance speed with saving your tires over a long run. We’ve had some strong runs there before, and with the playoff picture so tight right now, every point matters.”

RCR Race Preview: Richmond Raceway

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond Raceway… In 193 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Richmond Raceway, Richard Childress Racing has scored 10 wins, led by Dale Earnhardt’s five victories (1985 – spring, both races in 1987, 1990 – fall, and 1991 – spring). Kevin Harvick won three times (2006 – fall, 2011 – fall, and 2013 – spring), while Clint Bowyer scored his first short track victory in the Cup Series at the Virginia facility (2008 – spring). Austin Dillon pulled off a dominating performance one year ago to claim his first Richmond win and fifth career victory in the Cup Series. Teammate Kyle Busch, a six-time Richmond winner, finished 12th. The team owns 40 top-five and 77 top-10 finishes in Cup Series competition at the .75-mile oval.

Deep Roots… Richard Childress made 19 starts as a driver at Richmond Raceway between 1971-1981, earning four top-10 finishes and leading a total of 38 laps.

The Cowboy Way… The Carolina Cowboys, a professional bull riding team in the PBR Teams league, an elite league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing in games throughout the country, return home on September 12-14 for their fourth annual Cowboy Days homestand at First Horizon Coliseum. Tickets for the event are on sale now, and start at $20, taxes and fees not included. They can be purchased online at TicketMaster.com and PBR.com, at the First Horizon Coliseum Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at (800) 732-1727.

For more information on Carolina Cowboys, and for updates on the upcoming PBR Cowboy Days, visit https://pbr.com/teams/carolina-cowboys, Carolina Cowboys on Facebook, @carolinacowboyspbr on Instagram, or @CARCowboysPBR on Twitter.

Catch the Action… The Cook Out 400 will be televised live on Saturday, August 16 beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. The NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying sessions on Friday will be broadcast on truTV. Ride shotgun all season long with live, in-car camera feeds and scanner audio with a paid subscription to Max as part of their NASCAR driver cam experience during the race.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Deer Season XP® Chevrolet at Richmond Raceway… Austin Dillon enters this weekend’s Cook Out 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway as the defending race winner, having posted a dominating performance in the 2024 event to clinch his fifth Cup Series win and first at the Virginia short track. Dillon, who has made 21 total starts in Cup Series competition at Richmond, owns two top-five and seven top-10 finishes at the track, with 91 laps led. The North Carolina native has 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Richmond Raceway, acquiring two top-five finishes, seven top-10 finishes, and one pole award.

Memorable Moments… Dillon’s career-first Xfinity Series start came at Richmond Raceway in 2008 driving the No. 21 Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma Chevrolet for RCR with crew chief Shane Wilson calling the shots. Dillon, who finished 26th in the race, went on to earn an Xfinity Series championship for the storied organization in 2012.

About Bass Pro Shops… Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations, and more. In 2017, Bass Pro Shops united with Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations, and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.” Bass Pro Shops has a long relationship with RCR, dating back to 1998. For more information, visit basspro.com.

Winchester Deer Season XP®… Winchester Deer Season XP® is celebrating 10 years as the most accurate and lethal bullet for deer hunting. For a decade, Deer Season XP® has been the choice of deer hunters looking to fill their tags. Deer hunters everywhere rely on the Extreme Point® bullet’s oversized impact diameter. The larger impact diameter means more impact trauma, better energy transfer, and larger wound cavities for faster knockdown. Until November 30, 2025, earn $5 per box when you purchase Deer Season XP®. Learn more here.

Meet Dillon… Dillon is scheduled to make several public-facing appearances this weekend, beginning with a stop at Bass Pro Shops (111550 Lakeridge Pkwy, Ashland, VA 23005) on Friday, August 15 beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET for an autograph session with fans. The driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet is also scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Richmond Raceway Fan Midway on Saturday at 3:45 p.m. ET. Stop by to meet the defending Richmond Raceway race winner and get new RCR gear.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

You and your teammate, Kyle Busch, had fast cars at Richmond Raceway last year. What do you think you have for them going back to Richmond?

“I’m pumped to get to Richmond Raceway. I’ve been excited about that one all year. I just want to get there and see if we can be as successful as last year. We had a two second lead with however many laps remaining in the race, drove past Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano, and the car was just really solid. Unfortunately, an untimely caution put us in a difficult position. We worked a little bit this week in the simulator just to see how it correlated, and I thought it correlated very well. We will go there and give it our best shot. We feel like it could be a good opportunity to put us into the NASCAR Playoffs with just two races remaining until the cutoff.”

Is there a damper when you look back at Richmond Raceway knowing that you were penalized?

“It was still a big day and I’ll always remember it as one of my favorite wins. We got the trophy, just not the NASCAR Playoffs spot. That part was a struggle, and I hate it for RCR, but this year going back I definitely want to go out there and try to win again, but this time lock ourselves into the Playoffs. We had a dominant car last year and really came on strong at the end. We had a multiple-second lead and passed two of the best to do it, so that’s pretty cool.”

Have some of your recent performances, particularly strong runs at Iowa Speedway and Watkins Glen International, given you confidence heading back into the site of your most recent win?

“I’m really excited about Richmond Raceway. That is a good track for the No. 3 team. Iowa Speedway was a good chance for us to get to run around some of the guys at the front, and make decisions, and have a pit crew making competitive stops around the front because when we get to Richmond, I feel like we should be able to compete in the top five and have another shot to win.”

What contributed to your strong finish at Iowa Speedway, a track that shares similar characteristics to Richmond Raceway, that you can translate to this Richmond?

“As a team, we did a really good job prepping for that race from a simulation standpoint. I think when we have really good SIM weeks, we run better at the track. Some days I can tell you ‘oh I don’t know,’ because it didn’t feel good at the SIM – it just didn’t feel realistic, or the things we were doing don’t correlate to at-track so you have to go back to history. That was probably the biggest thing – a good SIM session. We were good there the year before as well, we just didn’t get to show it. We were the first car out and it was super hard to pass. We actually ran the second or third-fastest lap of the race last year, so we had a base line that we could work off of, just like we have for Richmond Raceway this year.”

You’ve won at both of the last two races left in the regular season. What would it mean for the way the season has gone to get a victory and lock yourself into the NASCAR Playoffs?

“It’s nice that Richmond Raceway and Daytona International Speedway are the two tracks that we have left. I’m pretty confident at both of them. We’re going to give it our all and try to build momentum and keep building it. Truthfully, we want to win to get into the NASCAR Playoffs, but also we need to move ourselves into a better place in the point standings because we’ve had a lot of unfortunate events go on that kept moving us down in the point standings. We want to be a top-20 team no matter what, so we have to work our way to the front with the remaining races.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet at Richmond Raceway… Kyle Busch enters this weekend’s race with six NASCAR Cup Series victories at Richmond Raceway in 38 previous starts – the most by any active driver – and is tied for third on the all-time win list at the .75-mile oval. Busch has led an impressive 1,530 laps at the Virginia short track, the third-most among all active drivers. The veteran racer owns 19 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes at the facility. In addition to his Cup Series success, Busch has collected six NASCAR Xfinity Series wins in 23 starts at Richmond.

The Stats… According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Busch leads the Cup Series in green flag passes at Richmond Raceway with 2,272 passes made since 2005 and has made more quality passes than any other driver with 1,278. The Las Vegas, Nevada native ranks second amongst all drivers in the categories of average running position (8.481), green flag speed (113.972 mph), fastest on restarts (116.619 mph) and fastest laps run (962). Busch has the fourth-fastest average speed early in a run (105.630 mph) and the fourth-fastest speed late in a run (105.624 mph).

All But One… Busch has been running at the finish in all 38 of his previous Cup Series races at Richmond. In fact, Busch has completed all but one lap in those events, completing 15,243 of a possible 15,244 laps.

Get to the Points… With just two points-paying races remaining until the NASCAR Playoffs, Busch is 15th in the Cup Series point standings and 18th in the Playoff standings, 102 points outside the cutoff line. A win in Saturday’s event would lock him into this year’s postseason.

Introducing KB 108… Earlier this year, Rebel Bourbon announced the limited-edition release of Kyle Busch 108 Single Barrel Bourbon. Every barrel was selected by the two-time Cup Series Champion and bottled at 108 proof (54% ABV) in honor of Rebel’s partnership with RCR. Every bottle’s front label includes prominent placement of the unique barrel number selected by Busch, plus the bourbon’s proof and “aged since” date details. The distinctive label also includes Busch’s signature, number, and the RCR logo. Visit Rebelbourbon.com and use our product locator to find your bottle near you.

About Rebel Bourbon… Distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky, by Lux Row Distillers Master Distiller John Rempe, Rebel Bourbon features a wheated mash bill true to its original recipe dating back to 1849, when it was invented at the Stitzel-Weller distillery. Our defiantly smooth premium wheated bourbon celebrates those who embrace bold originality and a rebellious spirit. Our products have earned top spirits industry honors including Single Barrel American Whiskey of the Year for Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards. Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel also won a double platinum medal at the 2025 ASCOT Awards, a double gold medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a double gold medal and Consumer’s Choice Award at the 2025 SIP Awards. To learn more, visit RebelBourbon.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

About Luxco… Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products with a mission to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Luxco operates as MGP Ingredients Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI) Branded Spirits division since its acquisition in 2021. The company’s extensive and award-winning premium portfolio includes brands from four distilleries: Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Penelope and Remus bourbon are produced; Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Rebel, Ezra Brooks, and Blood Oath bourbons; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Bourbon; and Arandas, Mexico-based Destiladora Gonzalez Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas including Cortada, El Mayor, Escasa and Exotico. For more information, visit Luxco.com.

Meet Busch… Fans in the Richmond area have several chances to meet the driver of the No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet this weekend. Busch is scheduled to sign bottles of Rebel Bourbon at Virginia ABC Headquarters (7450 Freight Way, Mechanicsville, VA 23116) at 12 Noon ET on Friday, August 15. Busch is also scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Richmond Raceway Fan Midway on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET. Stop by to meet the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and purchase new gear for race day.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

Overall, how do you feel about these next two weeks and your chances of making it into the NASCAR Playoffs?

“Richmond Raceway is one of my best tracks, statistically, so I would like to think that we could be good there. My teammate Austin Dillon had a great race there last year, and I think we can use some of that success on the No. 8 team as well. Daytona International Speedway has always been great for us at RCR and ECR with the speed that we typically carry there.”

Does Austin Dillon’s speed at Richmond Raceway last year give you confidence for this weekend?

“That’s definitely something to look at, with as good as Austin Dillon and the No. 3 team were at Richmond Raceway last year. The No. 8 team has had some good speed there, both last year and in the year prior, but in the fall race last year Austin was much better than we ever were. We’ve got a couple of third-place finishes out of Richmond Raceway the past few years, but Austin, being as good as he was and driving to the front and being deserving of that victory, gives us a lot to look forward to and try to replicate.”

Richard Childress said over the radio a couple of weeks ago that he has to start giving you winning cars. You have to have cars that match your talent. Have you seen any changes in the quality of the equipment that you are driving?

“I think every week there is a chance of being able to go out there and be better, or go out there and be different than you were before. It’s not due to lack of effort, that’s for sure, so I appreciate everyone’s hard work and what’s going on and what we are able to do behind the scenes. I would say the cars are probably better than some of our results have indicated just due to issues we’ve had, the battles that you get into towards the later stages of the race and getting taken out or whatever. We’re trying to put those results to the racetrack and get some checkered flags from it.”

Jesse Love and the No. 33 C4 Ultimate Energy Chevrolet at Richmond Raceway… Although this weekend marks Jesse Love’s first NASCAR Cup Series start at Richmond Raceway, the 20-year-old has experience at the Virginia oval. Last season, Love made his debut at the short track in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where the young gun qualified in eighth-place and finished in the fifth position.

Last Cup Laps for Love in 2025… This weekend’s Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway will mark Love’s fifth and final race in the premier series for the 2025 season. Love has previously raced in the Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In his Cup Series debut at Bristol, Love qualified a career-best 19th before finishing 31st in the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Most recently at Indianapolis, Love raced to his career-best Cup Series finish, bring home a 24th-place effort behind the wheel of the No. 62 Beard Motorsports entry.

Frost, Frost, Frost… Making its C4 Ultimate Energy® product line-up more delicious and even cooler, Nutrabolt recently introduced the Frost collection – a product extension available in three flavors that will also unveil a unique can technology that transitions from silver to blue when the can is cold and ready to drink. Love’s No. 33 machine will carry the Cherry Bomb Frost flavor at Richmond Raceway.

About Nutrabolt… Nutrabolt is a fast-growing, global active health and wellness company with a portfolio of market leading performance-oriented brands that energize and fuel active lifestyles. The company’s disruptive and innovative products compete in the Functional Beverage and Active Nutrition segments, under three consumer-loved brands: C4® (one of the fastest-growing energy drink brands in the United States and the #1 selling global pre-workout brand), XTEND® (America’s #1 BCAA brand), and Cellucor® (an award-winning sports nutrition brand created in 2002).

Since their founding 20 years ago, their goal has been to meet the discerning needs of performance athletes and fitness enthusiasts, while appealing beyond this core group to include consumers and communities around the globe who are making healthy, active living a daily priority.

Nutrabolt’s portfolio, which is distributed in over 125 countries, is sold through company-owned DTC platforms, Amazon, and other third-party marketplaces, and is available at leading retailers across the U.S., including Walmart, Target, 7-Eleven, Walgreens, Kroger, H-E-B, Wawa, Publix, GNC, and the Vitamin Shoppe. For more information about Nutrabolt, please visit nutrabolt.com.

JESSE LOVE QUOTES:

Richmond Raceway is your last NASCAR Cup Series start of the year. What have you learned in the four Cup Series races you have competed in so far?

“I have learned how to be more aggressive with the No. 33 C4 Ultimate Energy Chevrolet. I am working on improving my restarts, learning about the grip pickup in qualifying, and what kind of balance I need in the car. That’s what I’ve really picked up on, what kind of balance I need as a driver to go fast. I feel like I’ve been able to narrow in on that and for me that is to be a little bit tighter. For someone else that might be different, but for me it is to have that heavy wheel feel.”

Is there any other track that we race that is like Richmond Raceway?

“It is a short, flat oval, so Martinsville Speedway, Phoenix Raceway, and Iowa Speedway are all similar and racetracks that I am pretty good at. But Richmond is its own beast because it is a D-shaped oval. It is shorter and flatter than most. It is low grip, with a lot of tire fall off.”

What are you expecting from the Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway?

“To not be able to pass, for everyone to be the same speed which will make restarts and qualifying important. You have to be smart and manage a good race.”

Forte Racing Adds Second Car to McLaren Trophy America Lineup at Road America

RP Motorsports by Forte Racing Remains Focused on Strong Results and Autoimmune Disease Awareness

Plymouth, WI (Thursday, August 14, 2025) – Forte Racing is doubling down at Road America this weekend, expanding their McLaren Trophy America program to include a second entry for the penultimate round of the season. In addition to the full-season No. 53 RP Motorsports by Forte Racing McLaren Artura Trophy entry, the team will field the No. 24 Cypress Land McLaren driven by Tanner Harvey and Patrick Liddy. The expanded lineup reflects Forte’s continued commitment to competitive excellence while advancing their season-long campaign to raise awareness and funds for autoimmune disease research through Race for RP.

Making his McLaren Trophy debut this weekend, Tanner Harvey, in the Cypress Land entry, arrives at the 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit confident after a productive test at the Road America track earlier this month. With a strong motorsports background and immediate chemistry with his co-driver, Harvey is eager to take on the challenge.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the McLaren Trophy Series with Forte Racing and Cypress Land,” said Tanner Harvey. “Patrick and I had a strong test last weekend, and I’m feeling confident heading into the race. It’s an exciting new chapter, and I’m ready to push hard and compete at the highest level.”

No stranger to Forte Racing, Patrick Liddy reunites with the team for the final two rounds of the season. A proven winner and long-time collaborator, Liddy brings experience and leadership to the new lineup.

“I’m honored to be teaming up with Tanner Harvey for the last two rounds of McLaren Trophy America this season,” added Patrick Liddy. “Forte and I have enjoyed a lot of success together over the years, and I’m confident Tanner will get up to pace quickly in his first foray into a pro racing series. Special thanks to Shane and everyone at Forte, Cypress Land, and McLaren for helping us get this program together!”

Meanwhile, the No. 53 RP Motorsports by Forte Racing McLaren returns to action at Road America, continuing its dual mission of on-track performance and off-track impact. Fresh off earning the Best Team award at VIR, the entry has become a standout in the paddock not just for results, but for the purpose it carries. Backed by the Race for RP Foundation, the team races to raise awareness for relapsing polychondritis and related autoimmune diseases—leveraging every podium, lap, and hot lap to spotlight the cause.

Langberg, co-driver of the No. 53 McLaren, once again brings his signature mix of passion and purpose back to Road America, carrying forward the energy from VIR into another high-profile event.

“I can’t talk about Road America without first commending the team for all the amazing work they put in at VIR,” said driver Neil Langberg. “That’s why we received the Best Team award and made all of our podiums possible. We weren’t just ‘workin’ on the highway, layin’ down the blacktop’—all day long they just didn’t stop. We’re looking for more of the same at Road America. We can’t stop blasting through the bedrock; our autoimmune disease patients can’t wait, and neither can we. We’ll continue driving awareness and rock the world by accelerating even more research… remaining on the top steps everywhere we go.”

“Please,” Langberg added, “if you have not viewed it yet, or want to see it again, here’s a link to our award-winning documentary/director’s cut, ‘The Race of Our Lives’ . Hope to see you at the track again soon.”

Driver and coach Kevin Madsen is a strong advocate for McLaren’s Hot Lap program, which gives supporters the chance to experience the speed and sensation of a McLaren race car from the passenger seat—all while contributing to a vital cause. Madsen, who will have a hand in both programs this weekend, also manages the No. 24 car and is excited to see it under the Forte Racing tent for the final two rounds of the inaugural McLaren Trophy America season.

“Pumped for Road America for so many reasons!” said Madsen. “The fans are always great out in cheese country—although we’ll miss all of Neil and Nancy’s family that joined us last race. With the RP Foundation and McLaren, we’ll be doing hot laps again to raise critical money for research. Also, the second McLaren Trophy car I manage will be under the same Forte Racing tent and driven by good friends Patrick and Tanner. Let’s see what we can do together at Elkhart Lake!”

As the RP Motorsports by Forte Racing program continues its push on track, it remains focused on using the racing platform to spotlight the mission of the Race for RP Foundation. For veteran driver Jon Miller, the connection between competition and cause is what makes the effort so meaningful.

“Podiums, fast laps, pole positions—those get attention,” said Miller. “Outperforming our rivals is why we go racing, but we’re also making sure that positive attention shines a light on the incredible work the Race for RP Foundation is doing. We’re pushing for more awareness, deeper understanding, new treatments, and hope for patients suffering from relapsing polychondritis and other autoimmune diseases.”

For Team Principal Shane Seneviratne, Road America represents more than just another race weekend—it’s a reflection point for the progress Forte Racing has made throughout the season. With the addition of a second McLaren Trophy America entry and the continued success of the Race for RP collaboration, Seneviratne sees the team’s trajectory as proof that performance and purpose can thrive together.

“This weekend is a great example of how far our program has come in a short amount of time,” said Seneviratne. “Adding a second McLaren Trophy car with Tanner and Patrick, continuing to deliver competitive results with the No. 53, and expanding our work with Race for RP—it all speaks to the culture and mission we’ve built at Forte Racing.”

“Road America is a fan favorite and one of the most iconic tracks on the calendar. It’s a perfect place to showcase what we’re about: bringing great people together, building momentum, and using racing as a platform to make a difference.”

The McLaren Trophy America weekend at Road America runs August 15–17. Race 1 is Saturday, August 15 at 1:05 PM (ET), while Sunday’s Race 2 goes green at 11:15 AM (ET). Both races will be streamed live on the SRO YouTube Channel and the McLaren Trophy America website. Links for the SRO YouTube Channel are Race 1 SRO YouTube, Race 2 SRO YouTube. The link for to the McLaren Trophy America website for both races is McLaren Trophy America Race 1 and Race 2. For updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and live action from the paddock, follow @ForteRacing on Instagram.

Fans and supporters are encouraged to mark their calendars for the season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, October 15–17, where the Race for RP will once again be a featured part of the weekend.

In the meantime, to learn more about the mission behind the team, watch the award-winning documentary The Race of Our Lives, now streaming on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0tZYRazk8U.

RP Motorsports by Forte Racing remains committed to using motorsports as a platform for change, combining elite competition with a mission to advance research and awareness for autoimmune diseases. Fans can follow the team’s progress and support the cause by visiting www.raceforrp.org and www.forteracing.com.

ABOUT RACE FOR RP

Race for RP is a motorsports initiative aimed at driving awareness and accelerating research for RP and other autoimmune diseases. Through collaboration with drivers, teams, and sponsors, Race for RP fuels education, accelerates research, and raises awareness of Relapsing Polychondritis and other related autoimmune diseases. For more information, visit raceforrp.org or follow @raceforrp on social media.

ABOUT FORTE RACING

Founded in 2023, Forte Racing is a motorsports team based in Los Angeles and Charlotte, supported by Lamborghini Squadra Corse. Under the watchful eye of Shane Seneviratne, the team competes in various racing series, including the IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship, the IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo and, in 2025, plans to expand by adding a single-car entry in

the inaugural McLaren Trophy America Championship. Building on the foundation of US RaceTronics, the team has quickly built a strong reputation with multiple podium finishes, race wins, and several North American and World Championships. For more information about the team, its drivers, and race operations, visit www.forteracing.com.

ABOUT THE SERIES

The inaugural McLaren Trophy America Championship series will launch in Spring 2025. The season will feature 10 rounds at five iconic U.S. tracks with each event coinciding with the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS.

2025 McLaren Trophy America Schedule:

  • Rounds 1 & 2: Sonoma Raceway, CA | March 28-30
  • Rounds 3 & 4: Circuit of the Americas, TX | April 25-27
  • Rounds 5 & 6: Virginia International Raceway, VA | July 18-20
  • Rounds 7 & 8: Road America, WI | August 15-17
  • Rounds 9 & 10: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IN | October 17-19

ABOUT RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS

RP is a rare and degenerative autoimmune disease that primarily affects cartilage in the body, causing inflammation that can lead to severe complications. RP affects multiple organs, including the ears, nose, airways, joints, and even the heart and brain. Research is essential to improve care and treatment options for those living with RP.

How Long Does Paint and Auto Body Repair Take

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You’ve been in a fender-bender or maybe a rogue shopping cart took a swipe at your car. Now you’re staring at the damage thinking, “Alright… how long am I gonna be without my ride?” Nobody wants to be stuck in a rental longer than necessary, and waiting around for repairs can feel like watching paint dry—literally.

Truth is, the timeline for paint and auto body work isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. It’s a mix of damage severity, shop schedule, parts availability, and the actual process involved. But if you know the steps, you can get a solid idea of what to expect.

The Quick Fix vs. The Full Project

Some jobs are a “coffee break” in auto repair terms. Small paint touch-ups or minor dents? You might be in and out in a couple of days. But if your car looks like it just wrapped filming for a demolition derby scene, that’s going to take longer—sometimes weeks.

Shops can only move as fast as the damage lets them. A quick buff and repaint is a totally different game from pulling panels, sourcing parts, straightening frames, and blending new paint to perfection.

Step 1: The Estimate (1–3 Days)

The clock doesn’t start with the repair—it starts with the estimate. You’ll drop off your car, a technician will assess the damage, and they’ll send you a breakdown of costs and timelines. If insurance is involved, this step can stretch longer while adjusters sign off.

Pro tip: Get estimates from reputable shops instead of just going with the first one. The fastest shop isn’t always the one doing the best work.

Step 2: Parts Ordering (1–7 Days)

If your repair needs new parts, the shop can’t start until they’ve got them in hand. Common parts might arrive in a day or two. Specialty or backordered items? That’s where delays creep in. The supply chain can be as unpredictable as Utah weather—sunny one second, snowing the next.

Step 3: Disassembly & Hidden Damage (1–2 Days)

Once the shop starts taking things apart, they might uncover more damage than expected. This is especially common after collisions where some issues aren’t visible until panels are removed. If new repairs are needed, the timeline shifts again.

It’s not the shop dragging their feet—it’s making sure your car is actually safe to drive when you get it back.

Step 4: Body Work (1–5 Days)

Here’s where the real transformation starts. The team will straighten frames, fix dents, replace panels, and smooth surfaces. The complexity depends on the damage. A small crease in your bumper might be fixed in a day. A crushed quarter panel? That’s a multi-day affair.

Quality matters here. Rush the process, and you’ll spot the imperfections every time the sun hits your car.

Step 5: Paint Prep & Painting (2–5 Days)

Painting isn’t just “spray and go.” First, the car is sanded, primed, and masked. Then the base coat goes on, followed by clear coat, and finally, curing. Color matching is crucial—especially if you don’t want to end up with a “two-tone” look when you weren’t planning on one.

Shops often need the paint to set before handling the vehicle, which can add an extra day or two.

Step 6: Reassembly (1–3 Days)

After the paint dries, it’s time to put your car back together. This includes reinstalling lights, trim, mirrors, and any other components removed during repairs. Sometimes, wiring or alignment tweaks are needed, which can extend the process slightly.

Step 7: Detailing & Quality Check (1 Day)

The final step is making sure everything’s perfect. The shop will clean the car, polish the new paint, and check that everything functions as it should. This step might feel small, but it’s where you avoid having to come back for a fix after pickup.

Typical Timelines for Different Jobs

Here’s a ballpark idea of how long you might be without your car:

  • Minor dent and paint touch-up: 2–3 days
  • Moderate collision repair with paint: 5–10 days
  • Severe collision with structural damage: 2–4 weeks

These are averages. Add more time if there are parts delays, insurance approvals, or extra damage found mid-repair.

What Can Slow Things Down?

Even the most efficient shop can’t control every factor. Delays usually happen because of:

  • Parts shortages – Common in specialty or older models
  • Insurance holdups – Waiting on claim approvals
  • Hidden damage – Discovered during teardown
  • Paint curing time – Can’t rush the drying process without risking quality

Knowing these helps you manage expectations and plan accordingly.

How to Speed Up the Process

You can’t control everything, but you can help the repair go smoother.

  • Choose a reputable shop with a track record of on-time deliveries
  • Respond quickly to calls about approvals or updates
  • Ask about parts availability before booking your appointment
  • Avoid “just in case” add-ons once work has started

The more streamlined the communication, the faster your car gets back to you.

Why Quality Beats Speed

It’s tempting to push for the shortest timeline possible. But think about it—do you want your car’s paint to look flawless for years or start peeling in six months? Rushed repairs can lead to uneven finishes, paint bubbles, or worse, safety issues if structural fixes are involved.

A couple extra days now is a better trade-off than having to redo the job later.

The Bottom Line

For most paint and auto body repairs, you’re looking at anywhere from 3 days to a few weeks. The bigger the damage and the more complicated the work, the longer the wait. The good news? A well-done repair will have your car looking brand-new—and you’ll forget the wait the second you see it gleaming in your driveway.

Final Tip: Communication Is Key

Stay in touch with your shop, get regular updates, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The more you know about what’s happening with your car, the less stressful the wait feels.

If you’re in the middle of figuring out your own repair timeline, find a shop that’s transparent and realistic—not one that promises “done by Friday” when it’s already Thursday afternoon.

Ready to Get Your Car Back in Shape?

If your car’s looking worse for wear, it might be time to book that repair. Go with a team that’s upfront about timelines and delivers quality that lasts. Your future self—and your freshly restored ride—will thank you.

How Do Garage Shops Diagnose Car Problems?

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You know that moment when your car starts making a sound that could either be a loose bolt or the soundtrack to a horror movie? That’s when you head to a pro. Modern garage shops aren’t guessing what’s wrong — they’re using a mix of tech, know-how, and good old-fashioned detective work to figure it out.

Car diagnostics aren’t just a guy in overalls tapping your hood and saying, “Yup, that’s bad.” Today’s shops combine computer scans, hands-on inspections, and real-world driving tests to nail down the issue before turning a single wrench. Here’s how they do it, step by step.

Step 1: Listening to the Owner

Believe it or not, the process starts with you. The more details you give, the better the starting point. Is the noise constant or only when you brake? Does the car pull to one side or only after it rains?

Think of it like giving a doctor your symptoms. You wouldn’t just say “I feel weird” and leave it at that. The more precise you are, the faster they can rule things out.

Step 2: Visual Inspection

Before plugging into any fancy gadgets, mechanics do a quick walk-around. They’ll check for obvious signs — leaking fluids, loose belts, worn tyres, or visible damage.

It’s low-tech but effective. Sometimes, the issue is sitting in plain sight. A cracked hose or frayed wire can tell its own story without a laptop.

Step 3: The Computer Scan

Here’s where tech takes over. Cars built after the mid-90s come with an onboard computer that stores fault codes. Mechanics hook up an OBD-II scanner to pull those codes, which act like breadcrumbs leading to the root problem.

These codes don’t give the full picture, though. They point to an area — like “oxygen sensor issue” — not a final verdict. That’s why this step is followed by deeper testing.

Step 4: Hands-On Testing

Once they’ve got a lead, the mechanic gets more hands-on. This could mean checking electrical circuits, measuring fluid pressure, or testing individual components through car electrical diagnosis Perth.

If the scanner hints at a faulty sensor, they’ll confirm it’s not just a loose connection. Replacing parts without verifying is like buying a new phone because your charger stopped working — expensive and unnecessary.

Step 5: Road Testing

Sometimes, the issue only shows up in real-world driving. Mechanics take the car out, paying attention to noises, vibrations, and performance under different conditions.

It’s also a way to replicate the problem on demand. If you said the shudder occurs at 60 mph, they’ll aim for that speed and watch the data in real time.

Step 6: Process of Elimination

Diagnosis is part science, part elimination. If a test comes back fine, that’s one suspect off the list. Bit by bit, they narrow down the possibilities until they’ve got the real culprit.

This process saves you from paying for repairs based on guesswork. It’s why experienced mechanics often find the root cause faster — they’ve already seen 50 versions of your “mystery rattle.”

Why Modern Tools Matter

Today’s cars are rolling computers, which is why proper engine diagnostics play such an important role in troubleshooting issues. Without the right diagnostic tools, you’d be poking around in the dark. Advanced scanners can read live data, measure sensor activity, and even simulate conditions to trigger the fault.

That doesn’t mean the human element is gone. A scanner can say “misfire detected,” but it won’t tell you if it’s a bad spark plug, coil, or injector. That’s where experience comes in.

Common Problems They Spot Fast

While every case is unique, certain issues recur frequently. A few examples:

  • Dead battery or bad alternator – Usually spotted with a quick voltage test.
  • Brake wear – Visual check plus rotor measurements.
  • Suspension problems – Uneven tyre wear or strange handling.
  • Sensor faults – Flagged by the OBD system, confirmed by testing.

Knowing these common culprits helps mechanics cut straight to the chase.

The Human Factor

Even with all the tech, diagnosis still leans heavily on the mechanic’s instincts. A faint burning smell, a subtle change in engine tone, or a vibration through the seat can all be big clues.

That’s why seasoned pros can sometimes predict the problem before the scanner even finishes. Experience is a cheat code you can’t download.

How Long Does It Take?

Not every diagnosis is done in 10 minutes. Some problems are stubborn, especially intermittent ones that disappear during testing.

Quick fixes might be sorted in an hour. The tricky ones? They can take days, especially if parts need to be tested in different conditions.

What You Can Do Beforehand

If you want to speed up the process (and maybe save a few bucks), here’s your pre-shop checklist:

  • Write down symptoms – Include when they happen and any patterns.
  • Note recent changes – New fuel, long trips, repairs done.
  • Don’t clear warning lights – Mechanics need that stored data.
  • Be honest – If you hit a pothole or spilled soda into the console, say so.

The more clues you bring, the faster they can work.

Why Guessing Is Expensive

Skipping proper diagnosis might feel faster, but it usually costs more. Replacing parts “just in case” racks up the bill without fixing the issue.

Worse, you could mask the real problem until it gets bigger — like topping up coolant without finding the leak. That’s not a shortcut. That’s a time bomb.

When to Seek a Second Opinion

If the first diagnosis feels off or comes with a sky-high quote, it’s okay to check elsewhere. A reputable shop won’t mind — in fact, they’ll stand by their findings.

Just make sure you give the second mechanic the same info. Starting from scratch wastes time and can skew results.

The Bottom Line

Car problems don’t solve themselves. Modern garage diagnostics blend tech with hands-on skill to pinpoint issues before they drain your wallet. The process isn’t magic — it’s methodical, tested, and built on years of pattern-spotting.

Next time your car acts up, you’ll know the playbook. Describe the symptoms, let the pros run their checks, and trust the process. It’s faster, cheaper, and way less stressful than the “fix it yourself and hope” method.

If you want your car checked without the guesswork, find a shop that combines solid experience with up-to-date tools. The right team will have you back on the road before that mystery noise becomes a full-blown crisis.

Hiring Smart: Why Every Employer Should Consider a Checkback

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Hiring a new employee is one of the most critical decisions a company can make, affecting team dynamics, productivity, and long-term growth. That’s why a checkback is so valuable, it allows employers to verify a candidate’s professional history, skills, and experience, providing a clear picture of the individual before any offer is made. Partnering with a professional agency ensures that all information is gathered safely, securely, and efficiently. This process reduces the risk of bringing someone on board who may not have the necessary qualifications or knowledge, allowing businesses to build strong, reliable teams that contribute positively to the company’s culture and objectives.

Understanding the Value of Verification

Workplaces thrive when every team member brings reliability, integrity, and competence. Yet, resumes and interviews alone often fail to paint the full picture of a candidate. Claims about previous positions, achievements, or responsibilities can sometimes be exaggerated, and gaps in employment or inconsistencies in experience may go unnoticed. A structured verification process addresses these uncertainties, giving employers the confidence to make informed hiring decisions.

A well-executed screening process can also reveal critical insights into a candidate’s professional behavior and track record. By confirming past employment and evaluating qualifications, employers can assess whether the individual possesses the experience needed to handle the responsibilities of the role. This kind of diligence minimizes potential surprises after onboarding and promotes a smoother integration into the team.

Key Components of a Comprehensive Screening

A complete verification process often examines several important aspects of a candidate’s background. Employment history is reviewed to confirm positions held, dates of employment, and the responsibilities managed in each role. Education and professional qualifications are verified to ensure that the skills listed are legitimate and relevant to the job requirements.

In addition, criminal record checks, where legally permissible, provide an extra layer of security. While these checks are conducted with respect for privacy laws, they help protect the organization and its employees from potential risks. For some roles, particularly those in finance, security, or positions involving sensitive data, verifying legal and professional standing is essential.

Professional agencies conducting these checks also often assess references. Speaking with previous employers or colleagues can offer nuanced insights into a candidate’s work ethic, teamwork, and ability to handle challenges. These perspectives complement formal records, providing a more holistic understanding of the individual’s suitability.

Benefits for Employers

One of the most immediate benefits of engaging in a formal verification process is the reduction of hiring risks. Bringing someone into a team without knowing their full professional history can lead to mismatched expectations, inefficiencies, and even costly mistakes. By confirming credentials and experience, employers gain a clearer picture of what a candidate brings to the table.

Beyond risk mitigation, verification enhances the quality of hires. When employers have confidence in the skills and reliability of new team members, productivity increases and workplace cohesion improves. Teams can focus on collaboration and innovation rather than managing the consequences of overlooked discrepancies.

Another important advantage is compliance. Certain sectors, including healthcare, finance, and government contracting, require documented verification of professional qualifications and background checks. Partnering with a specialist agency ensures that employers meet these obligations while maintaining privacy and ethical standards.

Advantages for Job Seekers

While it may seem that verification processes only benefit employers, candidates gain from them as well. Successfully completing a verification process demonstrates professionalism, reliability, and transparency. It signals to employers that the individual is capable of meeting high standards and can be trusted with important responsibilities.

This can be especially useful in competitive sectors where multiple applicants vie for a single position. Candidates who have undergone verification stand out by offering an additional layer of reassurance, potentially improving hiring outcomes and accelerating the decision-making process.

Common Misconceptions About Background Screening

One common misconception is that verification processes are invasive or overly complicated. In reality, professional agencies conduct screenings with strict adherence to privacy laws, ensuring that only relevant information is examined. The focus is on verifying skills, experience, and suitability for the role, without unnecessarily delving into unrelated personal matters.

Another misunderstanding is that such processes are only necessary for high-level or sensitive positions. While they are essential for roles with security, legal, or financial implications, verification benefits any role where accuracy, competence, and reliability matter. Small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and even creative teams can all gain from confirming that new hires align with the company’s standards and expectations.

Best Practices for Implementing Verification

For employers considering professional verification, partnering with a trusted agency is key. Experienced providers streamline the process, guiding both the organization and candidates through documentation, timelines, and legal requirements. Their expertise ensures that checks are thorough, secure, and compliant with current regulations.

Employers should also clearly communicate the process to candidates. Transparency fosters trust, reduces anxiety, and allows applicants to prepare the necessary documents and information. Establishing expectations at the outset can prevent misunderstandings and speed up the hiring process.

Integrating verification into the broader recruitment workflow is another effective strategy. Conducting these checks early in the hiring process prevents wasted time and resources on unsuitable candidates, while still leaving room for thorough interviews and assessments. This approach maximizes efficiency without compromising thoroughness.

Building a Culture of Reliability

Verification is more than a protective measure, it helps reinforce a culture of responsibility and professionalism. Employees who understand that their qualifications and experience are verified from the start tend to approach their roles with greater accountability. This mindset supports a productive, trustworthy work environment where standards are upheld across the board.

Employers also benefit from the confidence that comes with knowing their teams have been properly vetted. Decisions can be made swiftly, roles can be assigned appropriately, and management can focus on strategic growth rather than troubleshooting preventable hiring issues.

As the business landscape evolves, verification processes are becoming increasingly streamlined and technologically advanced. Digital records, automated reference checks, and secure online portals make it easier than ever to conduct thorough evaluations while respecting privacy. These innovations reduce administrative burdens and allow employers to focus on building high-performing teams.

Verification is also extending beyond traditional sectors. Organizations of all sizes are recognizing that confirming experience, skills, and professional history is a valuable investment in long-term team stability and performance. In an era where reputation and operational efficiency are more important than ever, the importance of verification cannot be overstated.

Conclusion

Hiring the right person goes far beyond reviewing resumes or conducting interviews. A thorough verification process allows employers to gain a complete understanding of a candidate’s background, experience, and qualifications. Engaging a professional agency ensures that this information is gathered securely and accurately, minimizing risks and supporting confident hiring decisions.

For employers, verification protects business interests, ensures compliance, and strengthens workplace culture. For candidates, it provides an opportunity to demonstrate professionalism and reliability, often accelerating the hiring process and opening doors to new opportunities.

Ultimately, a structured verification process benefits both sides, fostering safe, productive, and trustworthy workplaces. Understanding the importance of these checks, integrating them effectively into recruitment, and partnering with experienced professionals ensures that new hires contribute positively to team performance and company growth.

Best Crypto & Bitcoin Sports Betting Sites: Top List 2025

In recent years, Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies have transformed the world of online sports betting. More players are embracing the speed, security, and anonymity that crypto betting sites offer. Whether you’re into sports betting, casino games, or even esports, these sites cater to a wide range of preferences.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top-rated crypto betting sites in 2025, offering fast payouts, generous bonuses, and a seamless user experience. If you’re looking to place bets using Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, keep reading to find the best platforms for you.

Top Crypto Betting Sites 2025

Casino NameRatingTop FeatureWelcome Bonus
Bovada⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Well-known US brand100% bonus up to $1,000
Ignition⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Poker & crypto focus300% bonus up to $3,000
Jackbit⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Crypto-friendlyFree spins + deposit match
BetWhale⭐⭐⭐⭐High RTP games125% bonus up to $1,250
Stake⭐⭐⭐⭐Fast crypto payoutsWager-free bonus + free spins
CryptoRoyal⭐⭐⭐⭐Exclusive Bitcoin bonuses100% up to 1 BTC

Top Crypto Sports Betting Sites: In-Depth Review

Crypto sports betting sites have evolved rapidly, offering Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for instant deposits and withdrawals. The platforms we’ve selected in 2025 stand out for their security, fair gaming, and generous bonuses. Whether you’re an experienced bettor or a newcomer, these sites cater to all with a wide variety of sports and competitive odds.

#1. Bovada: Best Bitcoin Betting Site Overall

Overview:
Bovada is a long-standing sportsbook and casino that has made strides in accepting Bitcoin for both deposits and withdrawals. Known for its solid sports markets, including NFL, NBA, and MLB, Bovada also offers casino games and poker. While it has several payment options, Bitcoin remains the quickest method for withdrawals.

Pros:

  • Well-known brand in the U.S.
  • Fast Bitcoin payouts
  • Generous sports betting bonuses

Cons:

  • BTC withdrawals can be slower than other crypto casinos

#2. Ignition: Offers Robust Poker & Sports Betting Options

Overview:

Ignition is widely recognized for its robust poker offerings and sports betting options. The platform provides excellent poker tournaments and daily cash games in addition to a wide selection of sports betting markets. Bitcoin is the primary payment method, and fast withdrawals ensure players have quick access to their winnings.

Pros:

  • Excellent for poker players
  • 300% Bitcoin bonus up to $3,000
  • Live betting on major sports

Cons:

  • Limited selection of live casino games

#3. Jackbit: 6000+ Games & Sportsbook With Live Betting Options

Overview:
Jackbit is a crypto-first sports betting site with over 6,000 games and a sportsbook offering live betting and major sports events. Players can enjoy instant crypto withdrawals, including Bitcoin and Tether (USDT), making transactions fast and secure. Jackbit supports a variety of cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, ensuring accessibility for all players.

Pros:

  • Huge game and sports selection
  • Instant Bitcoin withdrawals
  • Generous welcome bonus for new players

Cons:

  • Some regions restricted

#4. BetWhale: Crypto-Only Platform With High RTP Games

Overview:
BetWhale is a crypto-only platform designed for players who prefer Bitcoin and altcoins for betting. The site offers a clean layout with real-time odds and live betting features. Players can enjoy a wide range of sports events, while its high RTP games provide great value for money.

Pros:

  • Easy to use and fast for crypto bets
  • Crypto-only platform for faster transactions
  • Real-time odds and live betting

Cons:

  • Limited selection of niche sports

Overview:
Stake is a leading Bitcoin sports betting site known for its speedy crypto payouts and a wide range of esports markets. Players can bet on esports like CS:GO, Valorant, and Dota 2, while also enjoying traditional sports betting. With no limits on deposits, provably fair games, and VIP rewards, Stake is popular among high-volume bettors.

Pros:

  • Rich esports offerings
  • No deposit limits
  • Fast Bitcoin withdrawals

Cons:

  • Limited Fiat support

#6. CryptoRoyal: Solid Welcome Bonuses & VIP Rewards

Overview:
CryptoRoyal is a crypto-only casino with a wide variety of sports and casino games. Players can enjoy fast Bitcoin transactions and provably fair games, ensuring transparency. With a solid welcome bonus and VIP rewards, it’s a platform that offers both value and excitement to cryptocurrency enthusiasts.

Pros:

  • Exclusive Bitcoin bonuses
  • Fast crypto withdrawals
  • VIP rewards for loyal players

Cons:

  • Smaller game variety compared to larger platforms

Bitcoin Sports Betting Bonuses 

One of the key benefits of Bitcoin sports betting is the availability of exclusive bonuses for players. These promotions are designed to attract new players and reward loyal ones. Here’s a look at the various Bitcoin sports betting bonuses you can expect when signing up at these top crypto sportsbooks.

  • Welcome Bonuses: Almost all Bitcoin sportsbooks offer generous welcome bonuses, often in the form of a deposit match. For example, Ignition offers a 300% deposit bonus up to $3,000 for new players who use Bitcoin to deposit.
  • Free Bets: Many platforms, including BetWhale and Jackbit, provide free bets as part of their promotions. These are often used to encourage players to try out Bitcoin sports betting or casino games without risking their own funds.
  • Reload Bonuses: As players continue to bet, many platforms offer reload bonuses, rewarding them for making additional deposits. For instance, BetWhale offers crypto-exclusive bonuses with no deposit limits.
  • Cashback Offers: Some Bitcoin casinos and sportsbooks offer cashback bonuses, providing players with a percentage of their losses back. This is typically seen as a way to mitigate any losing streaks.
  • Loyalty Programs: Stake and BetWhale offer VIP rewards and loyalty bonuses, ensuring that regular players get rewarded for their continued patronage.

Advantages & Disadvantages Of Crypto Betting 

Crypto and Bitcoin betting offer a unique and modern approach to sports betting. However, it comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits and potential drawbacks of using crypto for sports betting in 2025.

  • Advantages:
    • Fast deposits and withdrawals: Crypto transactions are processed almost instantly, allowing you to enjoy quick access to your winnings.
    • Anonymity: Transactions with Bitcoin are generally more private, as they don’t require personal banking details.
    • Lower fees: Crypto betting typically has fewer fees compared to traditional payment methods like credit cards.
    • Global Access: Crypto allows bettors to place wagers without regional restrictions.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Volatility: The value of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can fluctuate significantly.
    • Limited fiat support: Not all platforms accept fiat currency, which might be inconvenient for non-crypto users.
    • Learning curve: New users might find crypto wallets and transactions a bit complicated.

Crypto Betting Vs. Traditional Betting 

Crypto betting and traditional betting offer different experiences for online gamblers. While traditional betting platforms rely on fiat currencies like USD, crypto betting allows you to use digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether. 

Crypto betting sites often provide faster payouts, enhanced privacy, and lower fees, making them an attractive option for many players. In this section, we compare the key differences between crypto betting and traditional betting sites to help you decide which option suits your style best.

Crypto BettingTraditional Betting
Fast crypto payoutsSlower payouts via bank transfers
Anonymity and privacyRequires personal information
Lower transaction feesHigher transaction fees
Wide range of crypto depositsLimited to fiat currency
Provably fair gamesNo provably fair system

How We Rate The Best Bitcoin Betting Sites? 

When choosing the best Bitcoin betting sites, there are several key factors that determine their overall quality. We evaluate platforms based on user experience, game variety, crypto transaction speed, and bonuses offered. Our in-depth research ensures that we recommend the most reliable and enjoyable crypto sportsbooks.

  • Bonuses and Promotions: We prioritize platforms with generous welcome bonuses, free spins, and ongoing promotions for loyal players.
  • Crypto transaction speed: Sites with instant deposits and fast withdrawals are highly rated.
  • Game variety: A large selection of sports and casino games increases the site’s appeal.
  • Customer support: Quick and reliable support via live chat, email, and phone is essential.
  • Security: We ensure the site uses SSL encryption and provably fair games for transparency.

Responsible Betting 

Responsible gambling is crucial for a healthy betting experience. The best Bitcoin sports betting sites, like Jackbit and BetWhale, promote responsible Crypto and Bitcoin betting practices, offering players tools to manage their gambling behavior. These features ensure that you can enjoy betting without risking your financial well-being.

  • Deposit Limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits to control spending.
  • Self-Exclusion: Take a break from gambling by excluding yourself from the platform for a set period.
  • Reality Checks: Reminders about time spent gambling to keep track of your activities.
  • Support Resources: Access to gambling support organizations for help.

Bitcoin Betting: FAQs

How to bet on Bitcoin?

To bet with Bitcoin, you need to sign up on a Bitcoin sports betting site, deposit your Bitcoin, and place your wager on the events or games you want. Bitcoin transactions are usually fast and secure.

Can I gamble with Bitcoin?

Yes, Bitcoin is widely accepted on numerous crypto betting platforms, allowing players to use it for deposits, withdrawals, and placing bets on sports events or casino games.

What betting sites use crypto?

Top crypto betting sites like Jackbit, Stake, and BetWhale allow you to deposit and bet using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Litecoin.

What is the best website for Bitcoin?

Some of the best websites for Bitcoin betting include Ignition, BetWhale, and Jackbit, offering competitive odds, fast payouts, and a wide variety of betting options.

Is betting with Bitcoin anonymous?

Bitcoin offers a higher level of anonymity than traditional banking methods, as it doesn’t require sharing personal banking information. However, some platforms may require KYC verification for withdrawals.

Where can you buy crypto for online betting?

You can buy Bitcoin and other cryptos from exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, or Kraken. Transfer your crypto to your betting account to start gambling.

What is the best Bitcoin wallet for betting?

Some of the best Bitcoin wallets for sports betting include Coinbase Wallet, Exodus, and Electrum, all of which offer secure storage and easy transactions for crypto betting.

Can I bet on esports with crypto?

Yes, many Bitcoin sports betting platforms, such as Stake and Jackbit, offer esports betting with a wide range of games like CS:GO, Dota 2, and Valorant available for wagers.

What Kinds of Handicappers are there in Online Sports Betting?

Picking football in the fall and winter, basketball in the spring, and tennis and golf in the summer are just a few of the activities that some handicappers engage in, especially those who also follow casinos not on GamStop. The term “generalists” is frequently used. Instead of dispersing their attention over a wider variety, the majority of handicappers, however, would rather specialize in one or two sports. They can spend more time investigating, evaluating, and selecting as a result. The best online sports handicapper in both categories, so it’s a challenge to determine which is superior. However, in theory, specialists should perform better because they have more time to learn more about their chosen sport.

In sports betting, what is meant by a handicapper?

Handicapping signifies different things. In golf, for instance, a handicapper determines players’ handicaps and grades them so that they can compete in events appropriate to their ability level. But when we talk about handicappers in the context of sports betting, that’s not what we mean. The number of consecutive away games a club has played, injuries, player form, and previous performance in comparable games are some of the variables.

Two primary categories of handicappers exist.

The statistical handicapper is the first kind. This handicapper will attempt to forecast a match’s result using data and analytics. They will consider player performances, head-to-head records, and previous outcomes.

Subjective handicappers are the second category of handicappers. They will take into account factors such as player performance, team spirit, and any upcoming games that can affect the team.

Researchers

The data is the focus of handicappers in this area. To produce a distinct set of betting options, they devote time to developing algorithms and performing mathematical calculations. These bettors are at ease sifting through statistics of all kinds, regardless of whether they are tech-savvy or traditional.

League Professionals

Just as soccer differs from football and hockey differs from motor racing, betting varies from league to league. Since variance in sports betting is a wide-ranging industry, it’s critical to identify a league in which you feel comfortable placing bets. NFL expert Michael Rosenbaum makes NFL predictions on TV. Nevertheless, despite his lack of success and connection to baseball, he also provides plays during the summer. Rosenbaum may be considered an expert NFL handicapper by bookmakers, but not an expert MLB handicapper.

Total Experts

Because point total picks focus on team averages rather than game outcomes, some professional handicappers find success with them. Because it involves statistics and calculating the average score of two teams, mathematicians are in this market. The experienced handicapper is 20-4 when selecting the point total market, but just 5-20 when betting against the spread. It would be prudent to follow their total predictions. While some expert handicappers make decisions based on point totals, others make other selections based on how comfortable they are with a particular game.

Opinion Gatherers

Sorting through large amounts of data may seem tiresome or unfeasible to some handicappers. Therefore, to reach a judgment, they gather professional opinions from as many sources as possible. Their analysis ultimately comes down to expert arguments they believe are the strongest.

Prop Expert

In particular, prop handicappers are placing wagers based on the performances of specific players rather than the result of the match. Since prop betting is comparable to fantasy sports, many prop gurus have experience with DFS or fantasy football.

Globalists

Few handicappers reject the notion of devoting significant time to research, whether it is data or professional judgment. They identify key indicators first, followed by the results. Although this method may appear a little careless at first, the quality of its systems’ limited inputs produces outcomes on par with those of any other method.

Experts in Survivors

The Circa Sports Survivor Pool is a well-liked location for handicappers, and anyone can use RYP’s similar structure. A handicapper must pick one team each week to win in survival games, but they are not allowed to select that team for the remainder of the season. The handicapper gets removed if the team loses. Since this content is so well-liked in both RYP and Las Vegas, many contestants in survivor pools base their wagers on survivor handicappers. Because there is very little room for error in this competition, choosing a professional handicapper is crucial.

Conclusion

Once you learn how to use them, handicaps can be enjoyable. Thus, attentively read my explanations and examples, then continue playing and practicing. Additionally, always remember to investigate the clubs or players you want to wager on. Confirm to compare the handicaps offered by various bookmakers. You can increase your wins from short-odds moneyline favorites by understanding what handicap in betting means and backing their handicap score instead. On the other hand, even if they lose the match, you can now profit from a gameday outcome when they are underdogs.

TEAM CHEVY NASCAR RACE ADVANCE: Richmond Raceway

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
Richmond Raceway
August 15-16, 2025

Playoff stakes are heightened for the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series this weekend as the pair will head to Richmond Raceway for a doubleheader event under the lights.

For the Truck Series, Friday’s eero 250 will bring the regular season to a close and set the 10-driver playoff field that will compete for the 2025 championship title. The current rankings see four Team Chevy drivers above the cutline including season winners Daniel Hemric, Tyler Ankrum and Rajah Caruth, as well as series veteran, Grant Enfinger, who holds the top provisional points position. The weekend will conclude with the Cup Series in Saturday’s Cook Out 400 – marking the second-to-last stop in the series’ 26-race regular season. Reigning Richmond winner, Austin Dillon, will look to go back-to-back to punch his ticket into the title hunt.


Chevrolet at Richmond Raceway:

“The Action Track” hosted its first NASCAR Cup Series event in April 1953, with Saturday’s 400-lap race marking the series’ 137th appearance at the .75-mile Virginia venue. One year ago, Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon powered his No. 3 Chevrolet to victory lane to deliver the manufacturer its series-leading 41st all-time victory at the track. Dillon rounds out a group of four active Team Chevy drivers that are past Richmond winners – joining the likes of Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman with one win each, as well as the track’s winningest driver, Kyle Busch, with six victories on his resume.

BYRON BOOSTS POINTS LEAD

William Byron followed up his Iowa victory with yet another top-five finish at Watkins Glen to double his points lead to now 42-markers over teammate, Chase Elliott, with just two races left in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season. While he’s still looking for a trip to victory lane at Richmond Raceway, short-tracks have fared well for the 27-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina, native this season – earning top-six results in three of the four events on tracks measuring less than one-mile, including his win at Iowa Speedway and a pair of sixth-place results at Bristol Motor Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway. There’s no sweeter place for Byron to collect his first regular season title than Daytona International Speedway, where the Team Chevy driver will return as the back-to-back Daytona 500 champion.

LARSON LOOKING FOR A REBOUND

While a brake line failure resulted in a dismal day at Watkins Glen International for Kyle Larson, the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team is still in the fight for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular season championship. The 33-year-old Elk Grove, California, native is a two-time winner in the division at Richmond Raceway. From the bigger picture, Larson’s statistics boosts top-20 results in 19 of his 20 career starts at “The Action Track”, including top-seven finishes in five of his eight races behind the wheel of a Hendrick Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet. Larson has also scored one of his three wins on the season at a short-track, which came at Bristol Motor Speedway earlier this season when the former champion drove his No. 5 Chevrolet to a dominating 411-laps led en route to the victory.

Busch, Dillon Looking to Capitalize on Richmond Success:

The Richard Childress Racing duo of Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon sit in a ‘must-win’ situation to earn a playoff berth, but they head to a track where challenge presents opportunity for both teams.

Busch stands as the series’ winningest driver at “The Action Track” – a resume that boasts six trips to victory lane in 39 career starts. The 40-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada, native also leads the series in runner-up finishes (seven) and top-10 finishes (28) at the Virginia venue. Busch’s storied history at the track has featured a few strong streak of results including 10-consecutive top-nine finishes (Sept. 2017 – Aug. 2022), as well as top-five finishes in his first-five career starts at the track (May 2005 – May 2007).

Dillon has earned seven top-10 finishes at Richmond Raceway – most recently one year ago when the 35-year-old Welcome, North Carolina, native made the trip to victory lane. Dillon and the No. 3 Chevrolet team showcased speed throughout the 2024 event weekend – topping the overall speed chart in practice en route to a sixth-place qualifying effort. Dillon went on to earn top-seven results in each stage; collected a 50-point day (second-most in the field); and tallied 35 laps led to cap-off a strong outing at the .75-mile Virginia short-track. In 2025, the No. 3 Chevrolet team has earned a pair of top-10 results on tracks measuring under one-mile – one of which came at Iowa Speedway just two weeks ago.


ONE LAST SHOT AT NCTS PLAYOFFS

In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, four playoff positions hang in the balance for drivers to either win or point their way into a spot in the race for the 2025 championship title. Among the six drivers that have solidified their postseason positions with a win are three from the Chevrolet camp including Daniel Hemric, Tyler Ankrum and Rajah Caruth. While still looking for his first trip to victory lane this season, series veteran, Grant Enfinger, will head into the regular season finale in the top provisional points position with a strong 91-point cushion over the cutline. Richmond could very well be the track to break the winless streak for the No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet team. Enfinger has yet to finish outside of the top-nine in each of his five career starts at the .75-mile Virginia venue – highlighted by a win in his first-ever appearance at the short-track in Sept. 2020.


Eckes Set for NCTS Return:

Christian Eckes will spend his NASCAR Xfinity Series off-weekend back behind the wheel of a familiar seat. The 24-year-old Middletown, New York, native will rejoin McAnally-Hilgemann Racing to pilot the No. 16 Chevrolet entry in Friday’s 250-lap event. The start will mark Eckes’ return to the Truck Series for the first time since making the move up into the Xfinity Series for his rookie campaign this season. In 2024, Eckes was a force to be reckoned with for the Truck Series championship title – putting together a season that consisted of four wins and 22 top-10 finishes in 23 races, including a streak of 21-straight. Eckes is a nine-time Truck Series winner, with eight of those triumphs coming behind the wheel of a McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet.

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 24 NASCAR Cup Series races complete:

Wins: 11

Poles: 10

Laps Led: 2,938

Top-Fives: 48

Top-10s: 103

Stage Wins: 20

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 23 NASCAR Xfinity Series races complete:

Wins: 20

Poles: 14

Laps Led: 2,804

Top-Fives: 77

Top-10s: 147

Stage Wins: 33

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 17 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races complete:

Wins: 6

Poles: 2

Laps Led: 856

Top-Fives: 39

Top-10s: 82

Stage Wins: 7


BOWTIE BULLETS:

· Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Richmond Raceway:

Kyle Busch: six wins (2018 sweep, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)

Kyle Larson: two wins (2023, 2017)

Austin Dillon: one win (2024)

Alex Bowman: one win (2021)

· In 136 NASCAR Cup Series races at Richmond Raceway, Chevrolet has amassed a series-leading 41 victories and 48 pole wins.

· Chevrolet recorded six consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victories at Richmond Raceway from 2006 to 2008 – a record for the longest streak of consecutive wins by a single manufacturer at the .75-mile Virginia oval.

· Chevrolet has earned at least half of the top-10 finishing results in 12 of the 24 points-paying races thus far this season, including a season-high seven top-10 finishes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

· In 132 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 63 victories – a winning percentage of 47.7%.

· With its 43 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 877 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.


TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series

Cook Out 400

Saturday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET

(USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

eero 250 (regular season finale)

Friday, August 15, at 7:30 p.m. ET

(FS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)


QUOTABLE QUOTES:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

You finished fifth last year at Richmond. How much confidence does that give you for this weekend? Have the cars changed so much that it doesn’t give you an advantage anymore?

“I feel like we can go anywhere and compete, we just need to execute. We have the pieces, people and the resources, but actually executing on that during the weekend is where we have failed. If we can go and get our balance and grip right in practice and qualifying, that sets us up for a good race day. We have won the Richmond 125 a couple of times, but getting all 400 laps has been tough. We’ve done it a couple of times before and I know we have the ability to do it.”

How significant is it to you to be starting next year as the longest tenured driver at Trackhouse? Is there a different responsibility?

“Nothing drastically changing for next year, but it will be different. Obviously, I’ll have different teammates and no one will have been there longer than me.”

Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

You and your teammate, Kyle Busch, had fast cars at Richmond Raceway last year. What do you think you have for them going back to Richmond?

“I’m pumped to get to Richmond Raceway in the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Deer XP Chevrolet. I’ve been excited about that one all year. I just want to get there and see if we can be as successful as last year. We had a two second lead with however many laps remaining in the race, drove past Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano, and the car was just really solid. Unfortunately, an untimely caution put us in a difficult position. We worked a little bit this week in the SIM just to see how it correlated, and I thought it correlated very well. We will go there and give it our best shot. We feel like it could be a good opportunity to put us into the NASCAR Playoffs with just two races remaining until the cutoff.”

Is there a damper when you look back at Richmond Raceway knowing that you were penalized?

“It was still a big day and I’ll always remember it as one of my favorite wins. We got the trophy, just not the NASCAR Playoffs spot. That part was a struggle, and I hate it for RCR, but this year going back I definitely want to go out there and try to win again, but this time lock ourselves into the Playoffs. We had a dominate car last year and really came on strong at the end. We had a multiple-second lead and passed two of the best to do it, so that’s pretty cool.”

Have some of your recent performances, particularly strong runs at Iowa Speedway and Watkins Glen International, given you confidence heading back into the site of your most recent win?

“I’m really excited about Richmond Raceway. That is a good track for the No. 3 team. Iowa Speedway was a good chance for us to get to run around some of the guys at the front, and make decisions, and have a pit crew making competitive stops around the front because when we get to Richmond I feel like we should be able to compete in the top five and have another shot to win.”

What contributed to your strong finish at Iowa Speedway, a track that shares similar characteristics to Richmond Raceway, that you can translate to Richmond this fall?

“As a team, we did a really good job prepping for that race from a simulation standpoint. I think when we have really good SIM weeks, we run better at the track. Some days I can tell you ‘oh I don’t know,’ because it didn’t feel good at the SIM – it just didn’t feel realistic, or the things we were doing don’t correlate to at-track so you have to go back to history. That was probably the biggest thing – a good SIM session. We were good there the year before as well, we just didn’t get to show it. We were the first car out and it was super hard to pass. We actually ran the second or third-fastest lap of the race last year, so we had a base line that we could work off of, just like we have for Richmond Raceway this year.”

You’ve won at both of the last two races left in the regular season. What would it mean for the way the season has gone to get a victory and lock yourself into the NASCAR Playoffs?

“It’s nice that Richmond Raceway and Daytona International Speedway are the two tracks that we have left. I’m pretty confident at both of them. We’re going to give it our all and try to build momentum and keep building it. Truthfully, we want to win to get into the NASCAR Playoffs, but also we need to move ourselves into a better place in the point standings because we’ve had a lot of unfortunate events go on that kept moving us down in the point standings. We want to be a top-20 team no matter what, so we have to work our way to the front with the remaining races.”

Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

What is your outlook heading into Richmond this weekend?

“I really enjoy competing at Richmond. It’s always been one of my favorite tracks. The lack of grip from the old asphalt and short track feel makes the cars slide around and a lot of fun to drive. I feel confident we can execute a solid weekend in the Gainbridge Super League Chevy.”

Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Overall, how do you feel about these next two weeks and your chances of making it into the NASCAR Playoffs?

“Richmond’s one of my best tracks, statistically, so I would like to think that we could be good there in the No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet. My teammate Austin Dillon had a great race there last year, and I think we can use some of that success on the No. 8 team as well. Daytona has always been great for us at RCR and ECR with the speed that we typically carry there.”

Does Austin Dillon’s speed at Richmond Raceway last year give you confidence for this weekend?

“That’s definitely something to look at, with as good as Austin Dillon and the No. 3 team were at Richmond Raceway last year. The No. 8 team has had some good speed there, both last year and in the year prior, but in the fall race last year Austin was much better than we ever were. We’ve got a couple of third-place finishes out of Richmond Raceway the past few years, but Austin, being as good as he was and driving to the front and being deserving of that victory, gives us a lot to look forward to and try to replicate.”

Richard Childress said over the radio a couple of weeks ago that he has to start giving you winning cars. You have to have cars that match your talent. Have you seen any changes in the quality of the equipment that you are driving?

“I think every week there is a chance of being able to go out there and be better, or go out there and be different than you were before. It’s not due to lack of effort, that’s for sure, so I appreciate everyone’s hard work and what’s going on and what we are able to do behind the scenes. I would say the cars are probably better than some of our results have indicated just due to issues we’ve had, the battles that you get into towards the later stages of the race and getting taken out or whatever. We’re trying to put those results to the racetrack and get some checkered flags from it.”

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

“Richmond’s a difficult racetrack where we typically have a lot of long runs, tires wear out really quick. The track changes a lot throughout the course of the race so you’re always trying to keep up with it. We have lacked speed there in the past, but we’ve made a lot of improvements on our short track program; our group is ready for the challenge. Track position is critical, so we’ll look to qualify up front and have the speed to consistently run in the top-15 all day.”

Jesse Love, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Richmond is your last Cup Series start of the year. What have you learned in the four Cup races you have done?

“I have learned how to be more aggressive with the No. 33 C4 Ultimate Energy Chevrolet. I am working on improving my restarts, learning about the grip pickup in qualifying, and what kind of balance I need in the car. That’s what I’ve really picked up on, what kind of balance I need as a driver to go fast. I feel like I’ve been able to narrow in on that and for me that is to be a little bit tighter. For someone else that might be different, but for me it is to have that heavy wheel feel.”

Is there any other track that we race that is like Richmond?

“It is a short, flat oval, so Martinsville, Phoenix, Iowa, all racetracks that I am pretty good at. But Richmond is its own beast because it is a D-shaped oval. It is shorter and flatter than most. It is low grip, a lot of tire fall off.”

What are you expecting from the Cup car in Richmond?

“To not be able to pass, for everyone to be the same speed which will make restarts and qualifying important. You have to be smart and manage a good race.”

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet

“We had a pretty solid weekend at Watkins Glen and that gives us some good momentum heading into Richmond this week. My team’s been working hard all week, and I’m excited to get out there and see what we can do this weekend.”

Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

What are your thoughts heading into Richmond?

“Running Richmond on a Saturday night should be a fun race. The track temps are going to be different than what we see in practice on Friday afternoon, but I think our Spire Motorsports group has been in the game with our short-track package. We had the speed at Iowa, but those long green flag runs put us behind with some old tires and didn’t get the finish we deserved. I think we have a lot to show this weekend in Richmond, and I’m looking forward to getting to the track. I have been watching a lot of film and us, as a group, have put a big emphasis our simulator sessions, so I feel confident heading into this weekend and expect to have a good run.”

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

The No. 77 team’s short track performances have been strong this year. What is your outlook for Richmond this weekend?

“I enjoy racing at Richmond a lot. Last year I was able to move around and find different lines that worked for me based on how our tires were wearing. It was a lot of fun to move around and try something different. I feel like those are the types of tracks where I do well and can find something that works for me that may not work for someone else. I know we had the option tire there last year, and maybe that was what made the difference, but I still feel like I learned enough about how the track races to be able to put together a good run.”

Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Watkins Glen was your fourth Cup win of the year and is the most ever by a rookie. What does that mean to you personally?

“Yeah, it means everything. The prep that we go through, not just for these road courses, but we do it every week. As I’ve said many times over the last few weeks, I feel like we’ve gotten a lot better, especially on the ovals. It’s been cool working with a great bunch of people. To share four wins with everyone and to see how much it meant to everyone when you’re high fiving during the burnout, you can see how into it they are. It’s so cool.”

Do you feel like the other drivers have improved and gotten closer to you in terms of road racing ability?

“I just think they’re good anyway. I think the difference has been that I’m with the team full-time this year and I’ve been able to develop a setup and fine tune it to the way I want. Last year I kind of just jumped in and ran with the Kaulig guys, whereas this year I’m all involved in the setup, trying to learn every week. I really feel like as a team we’ve been able to tailor the car to my needs. I think we turn up to the track, we know what our tuning tools are. I know what I want the car to feel like. I think it’s just us as a team getting better.”

Are you looking forward to making your first Cup Series start at Richmond?

”We only went there once in Xfinity, so it’s still a really fresh track for me. I had a fun race there and it was early in the season. I enjoyed it, how you can move around and try and make the car work. It was very line sensitive. You could change the line and see what worked best for you. The track allows you to have a bit more driver input on what works to get the best result out of the car. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish there this weekend.”

Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

On your performance in recent weeks:

“There’s a lot of tracks that have been good to me in the past coming up. Lately, we’ve just had a lot of accidents and things happen that were out of our control. Hopefully we can carry this momentum from a good run at Watkins Glen into the next couple of races and contend for a win. I really want to get a win for everyone at Trackhouse Racing and all of our sponsors.”

What are the challenges of transitioning from practice to qualifying at Richmond?

“In practice you are more in a rhythm and you are looking to get your car in a rhythm and have a good read in your race car to be able to make it better. In qualifying you have to be as present as possible because you have what you have and you must maximize every single ounce of the car. And it is very, very important to be present on the car, you know, to understand the car. Even before you take the green flag you have to know if the car going to be tight, loose, or what it’s going to do.”


Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2024): 43

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Most recent: 2024

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Drivers Championships:

Total (1949-2024): 33

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)

Most recent: Kyle Larson (2021)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021

Event Victories:

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2025 STATISTICS:

Wins: 11

Poles: 10

Laps Led: 2,938

Top-Fives: 48

Top-10s: 103

Stage Wins: 20

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 877 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 763

Laps led to date: 255,649

Top-fives to date: 4,417

Top-10s to date: 9,110

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,211

       Chevrolet: 877

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 844                                                                               

       Ford: 744

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 198

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.