Home Blog Page 377

Small Truck Modifications That Can Make a Big Safety Impact

Photo by Julien Daga on Unsplash

Driving a small truck means balancing power, utility, and safety. While factory models come with essential safety features, there are several simple modifications that can enhance your truck’s protection for both you and others on the road.

Mud Flaps – A Simple Yet Effective Upgrade

Mud flaps might seem like a minor addition, but they play a crucial role in keeping the road safer. These durable panels prevent rocks and debris from flying up and damaging other vehicles, reducing the risk of cracked windshields and paint chips. They also help limit the amount of water spray in wet conditions, which can significantly improve visibility for drivers behind you. Another bonus is that they keep your truck cleaner by reducing the amount of dirt and mud that splashes onto the body and undercarriage. Opting for durable, flexible mud flaps ensures they last longer and don’t crack easily.

Better Headlights for Improved Visibility

Many stock headlights don’t offer the best illumination, especially in low-light conditions or bad weather. Upgrading to LED or HID bulbs can make a noticeable difference, as they are brighter and more energy-efficient than standard halogen lights. Projector headlights focus the beam better, reducing glare for oncoming traffic while improving your own visibility. If you frequently drive in fog or heavy rain, adding fog lights can also be beneficial since they cut through mist more effectively than regular headlights.

Convex Mirrors to Eliminate Blind Spots

Even small trucks have significant blind spots, making lane changes and merging more dangerous. Adding convex or wide-angle mirrors helps expand your field of view and makes it easier to spot vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Many clip-on and stick-on mirror options are affordable and simple to install, making this a quick yet effective safety upgrade.

Stronger Brakes for Better Stopping Power

Braking performance is crucial, especially when carrying loads. Upgrading your braking system can significantly improve stopping power.

Consider:

  • High-performance brake pads – Designed to provide better grip and reduce brake fade.
  • Slotted or drilled rotors – Help dissipate heat and improve braking efficiency.
  • Stainless steel brake lines – Provide better brake pedal feel and responsiveness.

If you drive in hilly areas or regularly tow, upgrading brakes is one of the most effective safety modifications.

Rear-View Cameras for Safer Reversing

Backing up in a truck can be tricky, particularly in tight spaces. A rear-view camera provides a clear view of what’s behind you, making it easier to reverse safely and avoid obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles. This upgrade is particularly useful if you tow a trailer, as it helps with alignment and positioning. Many aftermarket rear-view cameras are affordable and can be installed relatively easily, with both wired and wireless options available.

Tyre Upgrades for Better Grip and Stability

Tyres are one of the most important safety components on any vehicle. Worn-out or low-quality tyres can lead to skidding, poor handling, and longer stopping distances. Upgrading to all-season or terrain-specific tyres can improve traction, making your truck safer in wet, icy, or off-road conditions. Tyres with reinforced sidewalls also provide better load-carrying capacity, which is beneficial if you frequently transport heavy items. Regularly checking tyre pressure and tread depth ensures optimal performance and longevity.

Roll Bars and Bull Bars for Extra Protection

While often associated with larger off-road vehicles, roll bars and bull bars can be valuable safety additions to small trucks as well. Roll bars provide extra protection in case of a rollover, which is particularly useful for off-road driving or high-speed accidents. Bull bars offer additional front-end protection, reducing damage from minor collisions or animal strikes. If considering this modification, ensure that it complies with local safety regulations so it doesn’t interfere with airbag deployment.

Securing Your Load to Prevent Accidents

Loose cargo is a major safety hazard, as shifting loads can affect your truck’s balance and increase the risk of losing control. Proper load-securing equipment helps prevent items from moving around, especially during sudden stops or sharp turns. Using ratchet straps instead of bungee cords provides a firmer hold, while additional tie-down anchor points allow for better weight distribution. A cargo net can also be helpful for securing smaller or loose items, ensuring everything stays in place while driving.

Suspension Upgrades for a Smoother, More Controlled Ride

A well-balanced suspension improves handling, stability, and overall ride comfort. If you frequently carry heavy loads or drive on rough terrain, upgrading your suspension can make a noticeable difference. Heavy-duty shocks absorb bumps better and reduce body roll, while air suspension kits allow you to adjust ride height and stiffness depending on the weight of your load. Upgraded sway bars further enhance stability by reducing body roll when cornering. These modifications make your truck more responsive and easier to control in unexpected driving situations.

Small Changes That Make a Big Difference

Improving your truck’s safety doesn’t have to involve major modifications. Simple upgrades like better headlights, mud flaps, and convex mirrors can make a noticeable impact on visibility and protection. If you frequently carry heavy loads, upgrading your suspension and securing your cargo properly ensures a more stable ride. Investing in small but effective safety enhancements helps protect not only you and your truck but also other drivers on the road.

Common PPF Installation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Paint Protection Film (PPF) installation can go wrong due to mistakes like improper surface prep, poor alignment, or ignoring environmental factors. To avoid these issues, make sure thorough cleaning, precise application, and proper curing. Understanding the process and seeking professional help when needed can lead to flawless results that protect your vehicle’s paint for years.

Table of Contents

  1. Understanding Paint Protection Film: What You Need to Know
  2. Common PPF Installation Mistakes to Watch Out For
  3. How to Avoid These Mistakes During Installation
  4. Tips for Maintaining Your PPF After Installation
  5. Final Thoughts on Protecting Your Vehicle

A flawless paint job is every car owner’s pride, but chips, scratches, and UV damage can quickly dull its shine. Paint Protection Film (PPF) acts as an invisible shield, preserving your vehicle’s exterior against these threats.

However, improper installation can lead to bubbles, wrinkles, or uneven edges—issues that not only look bad but also reduce the film’s effectiveness. From surface prep to precise application, understanding the process is key to avoiding costly mistakes. For those seeking expert results, trusted professionals like calgarypaintprotectionfilm.ca can secure a flawless finish. Let’s explore how to sidestep common pitfalls and protect your vehicle with confidence.

Understanding Paint Protection Film: What You Need to Know

Before diving into installation mistakes, it’s important to understand what Paint Protection Film is and how it works. This knowledge will help you appreciate its value and make informed decisions about its application.

What is PPF?

Paint Protection Film is a thermoplastic urethane layer designed to shield your vehicle’s exterior from damage. It’s applied to high-impact areas like the hood, bumpers, and side mirrors to guard against chips, scratches, and environmental hazards. PPF is virtually invisible, maintaining your car’s original appearance while offering robust protection.

How Does PPF Work?

The science behind PPF lies in its self-healing properties and durability. When exposed to heat—like sunlight or warm water—minor scratches on the film’s surface gradually disappear. This feature makes PPF an ideal solution for preserving your vehicle’s finish. To learn more about the technology behind this innovation, check out how does PPF work.

Benefits of Using PPF

PPF offers several advantages beyond aesthetics. It protects against rock chips, bug splatter, bird droppings, and UV rays that can fade paint over time. Additionally, PPF can increase your vehicle’s resale value by keeping its exterior in pristine condition. For car owners who take pride in their vehicles, PPF is a worthwhile investment.

Common PPF Installation Mistakes to Watch Out For

Even with the best intentions, PPF installation can go awry if proper techniques aren’t followed. Avoiding these common mistakes is crucial to achieving a professional-quality finish that truly protects your vehicle.

Improper Surface Preparation

One of the most critical steps in PPF installation is preparing the vehicle’s surface. Skipping this step—or doing it poorly—can lead to bubbles, peeling, or poor adhesion. Dust, grease, or wax residues can prevent the film from sticking properly. Always wash and dry the car thoroughly, then use a clay bar to remove any remaining contaminants before starting.

Poor Alignment and Stretching

Misalignment during installation can result in uneven edges or gaps, which compromise both aesthetics and protection. Overstretching the film is another issue, as it can distort the material and reduce its effectiveness. Take your time to position the film correctly, and avoid excessive stretching to maintain its integrity.

Ignoring Environmental Factors

Environmental conditions like dust, humidity, and temperature play a significant role in PPF installation. Installing the film in a dusty garage or outdoors can introduce particles that create imperfections. Similarly, cold temperatures may prevent the adhesive from bonding properly, while high humidity can cause clouding. Aim for a clean, controlled environment with moderate temperatures for optimal results.

Skipping Professional Help When Needed

While DIY installation might seem cost-effective, it’s not always the best choice. Complex curves, large surfaces, or lack of experience can lead to unsatisfactory outcomes. If you’re unsure about tackling the job yourself, consulting professionals can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.

How to Avoid These Mistakes During Installation

How to Avoid These Mistakes During Installation

Now that we’ve covered the common pitfalls of PPF installation, let’s focus on how to avoid them. With the right preparation and techniques, you can achieve a flawless application that protects your vehicle effectively.

Pre-Installation Checklist

Before diving into the installation process, follow this checklist to set yourself up for success:

  1. Clean the Surface Thoroughly: Wash your vehicle with a high-quality car shampoo, then use a clay bar to remove embedded contaminants.
  2. Choose the Right Environment: Work in a clean, dust-free space with moderate temperatures (ideally between 15–25°C ).
  3. Gather Your Tools: Make sure you have all necessary tools, including a spray solution, squeegee, heat gun, and precision knife.

By preparing properly, you eliminate many potential issues before they arise.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

Having the right tools is essential for a smooth installation. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Spray Solution: A soapy water mixture helps position the film without it sticking immediately.
  • Squeegee: Use this to smooth out bubbles and wrinkles during application.
  • Heat Gun: Essential for stretching the film over curves and activating the adhesive.
  • Precision Knife: For trimming excess material with accuracy.

Investing in quality tools confirms better results and reduces frustration during the process.

Step-by-Step Installation Process

Follow these steps for a professional-grade installation:

  • Measure and Cut: Start by cutting the PPF slightly larger than the area you’re covering. This allows room for adjustments.
  • Apply the Film: Spray the surface and the back of the PPF, then position it carefully. Smooth it out with a squeegee, working from the center outward to remove air bubbles.
  • Use Heat for Curves: For complex shapes, use a heat gun to soften the film and stretch it evenly. Be cautious not to overheat.
  • Trim Excess Material: Once the film is in place, trim any excess edges with a precision knife for a clean finish.

Pro Tip: Take your time—rushing through the process often leads to mistakes.

Tips for Maintaining Your PPF After Installation

Once your Paint Protection Film is installed, proper maintenance secures its longevity and performance. Follow these tips to keep your PPF in top condition and your vehicle looking flawless.

Regular Cleaning Techniques

Cleaning your PPF regularly is essential to prevent dirt buildup and maintain its glossy finish. Here’s how to do it right:

  • Use Mild Car Shampoo: Avoid harsh chemicals that can degrade the film. Opt for a pH-neutral car shampoo instead.
  • Rinse Thoroughly: Remove all soap residue with clean water to prevent streaking or dullness.
  • Dry with a Microfiber Towel: Gently pat the surface dry to avoid scratching or leaving water spots.

Consistent cleaning keeps your PPF looking fresh and functional.

Avoiding Harsh Chemicals

Certain products can damage your PPF, so it’s important to steer clear of them:

  1. Avoid Abrasive Cleaners: Products with strong acids, alkalis, or solvents can weaken the film’s adhesive or cause discoloration.
  2. Skip Wax or Polish: These products aren’t necessary for PPF and may interfere with its self-healing properties.

When in doubt, stick to products specifically designed for paint protection film.

Long-Term Care Strategies

To maximize the lifespan of your PPF, consider these long-term strategies:

  • Inspect Regularly: Check for signs of wear, such as lifting edges or cloudiness, and address issues promptly.
  • Reapply When Needed: Depending on usage and environmental exposure, PPF may need reapplication every 5–10 years.
  • Park Strategically: Minimize prolonged exposure to extreme heat, cold, or direct sunlight to preserve the film’s integrity.

By following these practices, you can extend the life of your PPF and protect your vehicle for years to come.

Final Thoughts on Protecting Your Vehicle

Investing in Paint Protection Film is one of the best decisions you can make to safeguard your vehicle’s appearance and value. However, proper installation and maintenance are just as important as the film itself. By avoiding common mistakes—like improper surface prep or poor alignment—you can achieve a flawless finish that truly protects your car.

Mastering Tongits Plus on GameZone: Complete Guide to Rules, Strategies, and Winning Tips

What is Tongits?

Tongits is widely regarded as one of the most beloved card games in the Philippines. Over the years, it has become a staple among Filipino card players, offering excitement, strategy, and a bit of luck. With the rise of digital gaming, Tongits has seamlessly transitioned into the online gaming world, making it even more accessible to players nationwide.

One of the top platforms that brings this traditional game to life is GameZone, where players can experience an enhanced version called Tongits Plus. This version maintains the core elements of the classic game while incorporating new features, interactive elements, and a smooth online experience that caters to both casual and competitive players. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced player looking to refine your strategies, this comprehensive guide will help you master the game.

What is Tongits?

Tongits is a three-player, rummy-style card game that utilizes a standard 52-card deck. The primary goal is to form valid melds (sets and sequences) while keeping the total value of your unmelded cards as low as possible. Players can win in three ways: achieving Tongits (emptying their hand), calling a Draw, or having the lowest total points when the draw pile is exhausted.

How to Play Tongits Plus on GameZone

Objective of the Game

The main goal in Tongits Plus is to form valid card combinations (melds) while reducing the total value of your unmelded cards. Players can win in one of three ways:

  • Tongits: Completely emptying their hand by forming valid melds.
  • Draw: Calling a Draw when they believe they have the lowest total unmelded card value.
  • Lowest Points: Holding the lowest point value when the deck runs out.

Game Setup

  • A standard 52-card deck is used.
  • Three players participate in each round.
  • The dealer starts with 13 cards, while the other two players receive 12 cards each.
  • The remaining cards form the draw pile, placed at the center.
  • A discard pile is created as players discard unwanted cards.

Valid Card Combinations

To maximize their chances of winning, players must create melds, which include:

  • Sets (Three-of-a-Kind) – Three cards of the same rank (e.g., 5♠ 5♦ 5♥).
  • Runs (Straight Flush or Sequence) – Three or more consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 3♣ 4♣ 5♣).

Gameplay Mechanics

A round of Tongits Plus consists of several steps:

1. Drawing a Card

  • The dealer discards a card to start the game.
  • The next player can either draw from the deck or pick up the last discarded card.

2. Melding

  • Players can place valid sets or runs face-up on the table.
  • Melding is optional—players may choose to hold onto their cards for strategic advantage.

3. Sagasa (Laying Off Cards)

  • Players can add cards to existing melds on the table.
  • Example: If an opponent plays 7♠ 8♠ 9♠, another player may add 10♠.

4. Discarding a Card

  • After drawing and making any possible melds or sagasa, the player must discard a card.
  • The next player continues the sequence.

Winning Conditions in Tongits Plus

Winning Conditions in Tongits Plus

1. Tongits

  • A player wins instantly if they completely empty their hand after forming valid melds.

2. Draw

  • A player may call a Draw if they believe they have the lowest hand value.
  • If no opponent challenges, the player automatically wins.
  • If another player fights the Draw, the one with the lowest total points wins.

3. Deck Exhaustion

  • If no player wins by Tongits or Draw, the game continues until the draw pile is empty.
  • The player with the lowest unmelded card value is declared the winner.

Scoring System

After the game, players are assigned points based on their unmelded cards:

  • Aces = 1 point
  • Numbered cards = Face value (e.g., 4♠ = 4 points, 10♦ = 10 points)
  • Face cards (J, Q, K) = 10 points each

The player with the lowest score wins the round.

Special Features of GameZone’s Tongits Plus

GameZone enhances the Tongits experience by offering unique features that make the game more engaging:

  1. Multiplayer Online Mode
    • Play with real players anytime, anywhere.
    • Participate in ranked matches and climb leaderboards.
  2. In-Game Chat & Emojis
    • Communicate with opponents using chat messages and fun emojis.
  3. Tournaments & Events
    • Join tournaments to win exclusive rewards.
    • Complete daily missions for bonus prizes.
  4. Safe & Fair Gameplay
    • Randomized card distribution ensures fair matches.

Top Strategies to Win at Tongits Plus

1. Observe Your Opponents

  • Pay attention to what cards they pick and discard.
  • This will help predict their strategy and avoid giving them any useful cards.

2. Discard High-Value Cards Early

  • Holding onto high-value unmatched cards is risky.
  • Get rid of them early to reduce potential points if you lose.

3. Use the Draw Option Wisely

  • Call Draw only if you’re confident your hand is the lowest.
  • If an opponent challenges, be sure your hand has fewer points.

4. Don’t Rush to Empty Your Hand

  • Avoid rushing to declare Tongits—an opponent may challenge and win.

5. Keep Track of the Draw Pile

  • As the deck runs low, focus on reducing points to gain an advantage.

Why Play Tongits Plus on GameZone?

For players searching for the best online Tongits experience, GameZone is the perfect platform. Whether you’re a casual player looking for fun or a competitive gamer aiming to dominate the leaderboard, GameZone offers a fair and exciting environment.

With this guide, you now have a solid understanding of Tongits Plus rules, strategies, and tips. Get ready to test your skills, challenge other players, and enjoy the thrilling world of Tongits Plus on GameZone!

Start playing today and experience the best digital Tongits action available!

The Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Outlook

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, March 23rd, for the Straight Talk Wireless 400. This is the sixth of 36 points-paying races on the 2025 NCS schedule and will be broadcast live on FOX beginning at 2 p.m. ET or on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Driving the 23XI Racing Toyota, Tyler Reddick captured the pole last season on October 26th with a lap of 167.452 MPH (32.248 secs.) and led eight times for a race-high of 97 of the 267-scheduled laps and claimed his third Cup victory of the 2024 season and clinched a Championship 4 berth for the first time in his career.

Brad Keselowski leads all active NCS drivers in average starting position at Homestead-Miami with a 9.412 in 17 starts, and Reddick leads all NCS drivers in average starting position in the Next Gen car (2022-2024) with a 3.667 in three starts.

Track & Race Information for the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami

Season Race No: 6 of 36 (Straight Talk Wireless 400)
Track Size/Type: 1.5 Mile Asphalt Oval
The Purse: $11,055,250
Banking/Turns (All four): 18-20 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch & Backstretch: 4 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 1,760 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,760 feet
Race Length: 267 laps / 400.5 miles

Stages

Stage 1: 80 Laps
Stage 2: 85 Laps (End on Lap 165)
Stage 3: 102 Laps (Ends on Lap 267)

Who and what should you look out for at Homestead-Miami Speedway?

Christopher Bell is still hot and has one win, two top fives, three top 10s, and an average finish of 8.8.

Tyler Reddick has one win, four top fives, four top 10s, one pole, and an average finish of 9.0.

Chase Elliott has three top fives, four top 10s, and an average finish of 9.778. Teammate William Byron has one win, two top fives, four top 10s, one pole, and an average finish of 13.571. Teammate Kyle Larson has one win, five top fives, five top 10s, and an average finish of 13.0.

Denny Hamlin has three wins, six top fives, 13 top 10s, three poles, and an average finish of 10.5. Kyle Busch has two wins, five top fives, 11 top 10s, and an average finish of 15.95. Both Hamlin and Busch lead all active drivers in the NCS with 20 starts each.

Denny Hamlin has three wins, six top fives, 13 top 10s, three poles, and an average finish of 10.5.

FVP NAMED OFFICIAL BATTERY OF NHRA AS PART OF GROWING PARTNERSHIP

INDIANAPOLIS (March 19, 2025) – NHRA officials announced today that FVP has been named “Official Battery of NHRA” as part of a multi-year partnership beginning with the 2025 season in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

A longtime partner of NHRA, FVP was previously “Preferred Battery of NHRA” before moving into an official NHRA partner this year. FVP will also continue as an associate sponsor for reigning and four-time Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown.

“Factory Motor Parts is excited to accelerate our partnership with the NHRA,” FVP Director of Marketing Dave Schumacher said. “Over the past seven years they’ve been an invaluable partner, powering our connection with the most passionate and loyal fan base in motorsports. This year also marks our seventh year with our FVP battery on the starting line and we are proud to be the Official Battery of the NHRA.”

Launched in 2005, FVP batteries are specially engineered for maximum performance, offering a full line of batteries for all automotive, RV, boating, commercial and lawn & garden needs.

The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues this weekend with the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park in Phoenix as part of a thrilling 20-race schedule.

As part of the official partnership, the large FVP battery starting line box will continue to be at every NHRA national event, while other in-venue marketing items include top-end inflatables, interactive display space for consumer activation at select events and at select Y.E.S program events, and hospitality through Brown’s Top Fuel team.

FVP will also have television spots during Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series broadcasts and social media activation across NHRA’s channels.

“FVP has been a great partner for the NHRA for several years, so we’re thrilled to now have them as the ‘Official Battery of the NHRA,’” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “Their oversized battery on the starting line has become a signature item at all NHRA national events and it’s exciting to see this relationship continue to grow. FVP remains an industry leader and we look forward to a terrific 2025 season and beyond with them.”

For more information about FVP, visit www.fvpparts.com. For more information on NHRA, including the 2025 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com.


About FVP

Launched in 2005, FVP is built on a commitment to quality and delivered with unmatched service. FVP products are specifically engineered to provide OE quality that is equal or superior in performance to national brands at a competitive price. FMP is a multi-generational, family-owned company that prides itself on providing premium original equipment and name brand automotive parts, serving as a total resource for independent service centers, dealerships, fleets and wholesale customers.

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

RCR Race Preview: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway… In 74 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolets have earned 12 top-five and 30 top-10 finishes. Additionally, they have completed 99% of the laps contested (19,578 of 19,777) and have led 176 laps. The Welcome, N.C.-based team owns a best finish of second, scored five times: Kevin Harvick (2003 and 2008), Jeff Burton (2009), Ryan Newman (2014) and Tyler Reddick (2021).

RCR in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Homestead… RCR owns five NASCAR Xfinity Series wins at Homestead, highlighted by Tyler Reddick’s championship-clinching victory in 2019. Myatt Snider grabbed his first Xfinity Series victory at the track in 2021. Burton rallied from a 30th-place starting position to win in 2007, leading the final 26 laps. Harvick scored a dominating win in 2003, leading 108 of 203 laps. Austin Hill swept both stages en-route to racking up his 10th-career Xfinity Series win at Homestead last year by a 3.045-second margin of victory.

99 and Counting… RCR’s next Xfinity Series win will be their 100th in NASCAR’s second-tier division. Only two other teams won at least 100 races in the series, Joe Gibbs Racing with 215 and Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing with 138.

Catch the Action… The NASCAR Xfinity Series 300 miler at Homestead will be televised live on Saturday, March 22, beginning at 4 p.m. ET on The CW. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Follow Sunday’s Action… The NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead will be televised live on Sunday, March 23, beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET on FS1. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Practice and qualifying will air Saturday on Amazon Prime beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Austin Dillon has 11 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway and has completed 100% of the laps run at the 1.5-mile oval. His best Cup Series finish at the track is a fourth-place result he earned in the fall of 2022. Dillon has four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, acquiring three top-five finishes, including a best finish of second in 2015 after leading 16 laps. In three NASCAR Truck Series starts Dillon won the pole in 2010 and earned a best finish of 10th in 2011.

Championship Track for Austin Dillon… Dillon clinched the 2011 NASCAR Truck Series and the 2013 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship at the track driving the famed No. 3 Chevrolet in both series.

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 NASCAR, dating back to 1998. For more information, visit basspro.com.

About Winchester Ammunition… Winchester is the leading small caliber ammunition brand for hunting, recreational shooting, and law enforcement, and the largest supplier to the U.S. military. The legendary Winchester® brand, with its 159-year history, is founded on principles of integrity, hard work, and a strong commitment to its loyal customers. As a division of Olin Corporation, Winchester shares Olin’s purpose to deliver materials and solutions that enhance and protect lives. Learn more about Winchester and the responsible use of its products by visiting Winchester.com or connecting with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/WinchesterOfficial.

Meet Dillon… The driver of the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops / Winchester Chevrolet is scheduled to make an appearance at the RCR Merchandise Hauler at 11:00 a.m. ET on Sunday to greet race fans in the Fan Midway. Stop by and pick up new RCR gear.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

What are your thoughts on Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“I look forward to returning to Homestead-Miami Speedway. It’s my favorite track that we race at. Homestead-Miami Speedway is a driver’s racetrack. It’s so much fun to run right up against the fence. You have to be disciplined in how you drive and save your tires. It’s a track that’s been good for me in my career winning a NASCAR Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship. The Miami atmosphere is just one of the things I love about this time of year. There is nice weather, and fans always show up to support NASCAR racing. I can’t wait to get on track in the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Bank OZK Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 400 will mark his 21st start at the 1.5-mile oval. Busch has two wins, five top-five finishes and 11 top-10s, an average starting position of 11.8, an average finish of 16th, and has completed 95.1 percent (5,079 of 5,342) of the laps he’s contested there.

Busch has career totals of 63 wins, 34 poles, 252 top-five finishes, 385 top-10s and 19,434 laps led in 719 career Cup Series starts.

New Colors… The No. 8 Chevrolet will sport new colors this weekend when the white, red, gray and black paint scheme of Bank OZK debuts for the first time as a primary partner with Richard Childress Racing. The bank will serve as a primary partner for Busch and the No. 8 for multiple races throughout the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season and beyond.

Two Times a Winner, Two Times a Champion… Both of Busch’s wins at Homestead have come in NASCAR Cup Series Championship races, in 2015 and 2019. In 2016, Busch capped an incredible comeback after missing the first 11 races of the season due to injuries sustained in a NASCAR Xfinity Series February wreck at Daytona International Speedway. Busch won in dominating fashion, claiming the checkered flag over runner-up finisher Kevin Harvick by roughly a 20-car margin. In 2019, Busch, cycled back to the lead following a round of green flag pit stops with 45 laps to go and was able to maintain a solid margin over then-teammate, Martin Truex Jr.

Did You Know? Busch owns the all-time race record at Homestead, averaging 142.654 mph on his way to winning the 2019 event in just 2 hours, 28 minutes, 47 seconds.

Success Not Limited to the Cup Series… In addition to his Cup Series success at Homestead, the veteran racer also has two NASCAR Xfinity Series and three NASCAR Truck Series wins at the variable-banked oval.

Get to the Points… With his disappointing 33rd-place finish Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Busch enters Homestead 17th in the NASCAR Cup Series driver standings.

232 and Counting… Busch enters Sunday’s race at Homestead with 232 career wins among NASCAR’s top three divisions – Cup (63), Xfinity (102) and Truck (67) – following his Truck Series victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway last month.

About Bank OZK… Bank OZK (Nasdaq: OZK) is a regional bank providing innovative financial solutions delivered by expert bankers with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Established in 1903, Bank OZK conducts banking operations in more than 240 offices in nine states including Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, New York, California and Mississippi and had $38.26 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2024. For more information, visit www.ozk.com.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTE:

The NASCAR Cup Series is headed to Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend. What makes it unique?

“I’ve always looked forward to going to Homestead-Miami Speedway. It’s a unique mile-and-a-half. We’ve run well there. I’ve won there. It’s been a great track for me. I’ve won two championships by winning races there. It’s always been a fun racetrack. It lends itself to drivers well because it can be a three, even four lane track as we venture from the bottom all the way to the wall. It’s going to be exciting to have Bank OZK on out No. 8 Chevrolet for the first time, we’re looking forward to giving them a strong run and finish.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Jesse Love has made one career NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Homestead-Miami Speedway, coming behind the wheel of the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet in 2024. The Menlo Park, California native started from the 14th position and steadily drove to a fourth-place result in his first race at the 1.5-mile oval.

Extra $100K Up for Grabs… After earning a third-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Love enters Homestead-Miami Speedway with a chance to win an extra $100,000 through the Xfinity Dash 4 Cash program. Love will battle with teammate Austin Hill, Justin Allgaier, and Sam Mayer on Saturday afternoon, with the highest finisher earning the Dash 4 Cash title. This marks Love’s third career Dash 4 Cash appearance.

About Whelen Engineering… Whelen Engineering is a family-owned company with a pioneering spirit and a passion to protect the lives of those who protect and serve others. The company mission is to provide industry-defining safety solutions around the world, while creating a community of problem-solvers who are inspired to push boundaries and continue our legacy of delivering ground-breaking innovation. As a global leader in the emergency warning industry, Whelen has been trusted to perform since 1952, when George Whelen III invented the first rotating aviation beacon. Whelen now encompasses two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire with over 750,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space and the largest design staff in the industry. Every part of every Whelen product is proudly designed and manufactured in America. We embrace quality as our foundation, we celebrate innovative engineering in every product we produce.

Lights, Lights, Lights… After decades in the Florida sun, Whelen Engineering recently replaced the safety lights at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The same Whelen lights and technology that are trusted to protect first responders are also the same Whelen lights and technology that are used to provide valuable safety features for NASCAR drivers on track. In the early 2000s, Whelen worked closely with the team at Homestead-Miami to develop the Racetrack Series lights – found and installed on the catchfences on property – and the Florida speedway was the first track to implement the design.

Meet Love… On Saturday, March 22 at 1:15 p.m. local time, Love is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Stop by to meet the young gun and purchase new No. 2 team gear.

JESSE LOVE QUOTES:

Looking back on 2024, how would you describe your first race at Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“Our Whelen Chevrolet was fast last year. Danny (Stockman) made great adjustments to keep up with the track, and our pit crew was solid – especially late in the race when they gained spots on pit road, and we restarted second. We just lacked rear grip during the long green flag run to the end. After I saw Austin (Hill) win both stages from the bottom line, I knew where I needed to run at the end. We didn’t have enough to catch those guys though. For whatever reason, we couldn’t get the top line to work like I needed it to, so we’ve worked on it since then.”

You qualified for the Xfinity Dash 4 Cash once again this season. Talk about racing for an extra $100,000 on Saturday.

“It’s nice to be one of the four going for an extra $100,000 this weekend. We were fortunate enough to qualify for it a couple of times last season, but we didn’t get the check at the end of the day. Obviously, it’s a good chunk of change, so it would be nice to win it. It feels like a race inside of a race. Our main goal remains to win the actual race or get the best finish possible, but we also want to earn the Dash 4 Cash bonus. I think we will have a good shot at it for sure. I have confidence in our Whelen group.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Global Industrial Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Austin Hill has made three career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, earning one win and three top-10 finishes. The Winston, Georgia native has never finished worse than the ninth position in Xfinity Series competition at the 1.5-mile oval. Hill also has five NASCAR Truck Series starts at Homestead-Miami, claiming one victory in 2019 and one pole in 2020.

Defending Race Winner… Hill enters Homestead-Miami Speedway as the defending race winner, with the 30-year-old capturing the victory at the South Florida facility last October. After starting from the 16th position, Hill swept both stage wins and led a total of 82 laps before taking the checkered flag. This Round of 8 win also earned Hill his first career Championship 4 berth.

Dashing 4 Cash… After capturing a fourth-place result at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Hill has a chance to win an extra $100,000 through the Xfinity Dash 4 Cash program on Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hill will battle with teammate Jesse Love, Justin Allgaier, and Sam Mayer on Saturday afternoon, with the highest finisher earning the Dash 4 Cash title.

About Global Industrial… For over 75 years, Global Industrial has been the source for industrial equipment and supplies for businesses of all sizes and the public sector. They have been – and continue to be – a leader, and an authority, for supplying industrial-strength equipment that delivers uncompromising quality at an exceptional value with experts who understand the unique needs of our customers.

New Products… Earlier this month, Global Industrial revealed two new products that were designed to boost efficiency, workplace safety, and sustainability. The Global Industrial Recirculating Water Auto Ride-On Floor Scrubber is an eco-friendly scrubber with a 4-stage filtration system that recycles water and reduces waste. The Global Industrial Electric Pallet Jack is a powerful, easy-to-use solution that improves load handling efficiency and operator safety with the push of a button. To learn more about these products, visit globalindustrial.com.

Meet Hill… On Saturday, March 22 at 1:35 p.m. local time, Hill is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Stop by to meet the 11-time Xfinity Series winner and purchase new No. 21 team gear.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTES:

Describe the start of the 2025 season for the No. 21 team.

“Our consistency is building throughout the entire organization, with both the No. 2 and No. 21 teams finishing inside the top-five on a regular basis. That goes to show how fast our Chevrolets are right now. It builds a lot of confidence for my new crew chief, Chad Haney. He might not have known what to fully expect coming into this role this season, but we’ve had a lot of speed right off the trailer with his leadership. Our No. 21 team is full of top-caliber people, and we are having a lot of fun so far this year. We are building something special, and I think we have more wins coming in our future.”

After winning at Homestead-Miami Speedway last season, how do you better the effort?

“It’s going to be tough. There are a lot of good drivers and cars in the field, including (Kyle) Larson. If we do what we did last year, I think we can go toe-to-toe with anyone. It’s going to be such a fun race though. Hopefully we have a really fast Global Industrial Chevrolet, like we did last year, and we can go contend for the win and see who comes out on top.”

You are racing for an extra $100,000 this weekend with the Xfinity Dash 4 Cash program. Does that provide extra motivation before the race?

“When you leave the track and have the extra $100K, it goes a long way not just for yourself but for the race team. You can walk out of the track with your chest bowed out, knowing that you were able to get the job done for your team and you are the ones leaving with a little extra cash in your pocket. There isn’t extra pressure in my opinion, but you do think about it. If we are not able to win the race itself, but we can win the Dash 4 Cash, we’ll do what it takes to get the job done.”

Front Row Motorsports: Homestead-Miami Speedway Competition Notes – Noah Gragson

Noah Gragson and the No. 4 Beef-a-Roo Ford Team
Homestead-Miami Speedway Competition Notes

Straight Talk Wireless 400
Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025
Event: Race 7 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Homestead-Miami Speedway (1.5-mile)
#of Laps: 267
Time/TV/Radio: 3:00 PM ET on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Noah Gragson Notes

Noah Gragson returns to the Sunshine State for 267-laps at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. In five NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 1.5-mile intermediate speedway, Gragson has four top-five finishes, including his win in 2021 with JR Motorsports. This will mark Gragson’s third Homestead-Miami NASCAR Cup Series start, where he earned a top-20 finish in October 2024.

Beef-a-Roo returns for their second of five race primaries at this weekend’s Homestead-Miami race. Beef-a-Roo has a new app; download today and automatically receive a free drink! As a loyalty member, you earn two (2) points for every dollar spent at any of Beef-a-Roo’s locations—bringing you closer to exclusive rewards, a free shake on your birthday and tasty treats with every bite. Start earning Roo rewards today. Available on Google Play and Apple Store.

“Excited to head to Homestead this weekend—it’s always been a strong track for us,” said Gragson. “While the results haven’t been what we’ve wanted this year, our cars have plenty of speed. There’s nothing better than ripping the wall, scrubbing the right rear against the fence for that extra side force. This is my all-time favorite track, and unlike last year, I’ll be saving my car for when it matters most in the race.”
Road Crew

Driver: Noah Gragson
Hometown: Las Vegas

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer
Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Joey Forgette
Hometown: Iron Mountain, Michigan

Engineer: Dillon Silverman
Hometown: Chico, California

Engineer: Scott Bingham
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Mechanic: Chris Trickett
Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Tony Infinger
Hometown: Fort Valley, Georgia

Tire Specialist: Chris Aunspaw
Hometown: Zelienople, Pennsylvania

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller
Hometown: Monroe, New York

Spotter: Nick Del Campo
Hometown: Blauvelt, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Nate “Cookie” Eller
Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy
Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Thomas Hatcher
Hometown: Middleburg, Florida

Rear Tire Changer: MarQuill Osborne
Hometown: Huntersville, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Will Cooper
Hometown: Huntsville, Alabama

Jackman: Quan Hampton
Hometown: Compton, California

Fueler: Ray Hernandez
Hometown: Orlando, Florida

ABOUT BEEF-A-ROO

Beef-a-Roo is a 58-year-old fast casual restaurant brand dedicated to serving fresh handmade meals at an affordable price. The company is a family-owned brand with 22 restaurants across seven states. The restaurants offer a famously delicious menu including the classic roast beef, wraps, specialty sandwiches, burgers, chicken and turkey sandwiches, soups and salads, its iconic cheese fries smothered in liquid gold and a selection of heart-healthy foods. Over the past five decades, Beef-a-Roo has used long-standing methods and quality ingredients, hasn’t sacrificed its values, and treats staff and customers as “one of their own.” For a complete menu and to find the location nearest to you please visit: https://beefaroo.com/. Follow Beef-a-Roo on social media: Instagram at @beefaroousa and Facebook at facebook.com/beefaroousa.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Homestead-Miami

Homestead-Miami Speedway
Sunday, March 23, 2025
1.5-Mile Oval
3 PM ET
Location: Homestead, Florida
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (6 of 36)
RADIO: SiriusXM

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 32 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Week: 9th (Las Vegas)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 6th

No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerHomestead-Miami
Races537111
Wins0291
Poles0210
Top 521215
Top 1031855
Laps Led739,329626
Stage Wins2646
Average Finish13.414.113.0
  • Kyle Larson led 199 of 267 laps en route to his sole NASCAR Cup Series victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2022.
  • His 626 laps led at the South Florida track are the most all-time.
  • At Las Vegas Motor Speedway last Sunday, Larson won stage two to capture his second stage victory of the year. He is the only driver with multiple stage wins in 2025.
  • The 2021 Cup champion now has 64 career stage wins, two behind Martin Truex, Jr. for most all-time.
  • Larson has six stage wins at the 1.5-mile track, three more than any other driver.
  • The Elk Grove, California, native has led 21% of laps raced on 1.5-mile tracks in the Next Gen car (1,286 of 6,224).
  • Larson has the most wins in the Next Gen car on 1.5-mile tracks with four.
  • The 32-year-old driver is racing triple duty this weekend. He’ll compete in the No. 07 HENDRICKCARS.COM Spire Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series on Friday, the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Hendrick Motorsports entry in the XFINITY Series on Saturday and the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the Cup Series on Sunday.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
 Age: 29 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last week: 10th (Las Vegas)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: T-3rd

No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerHomestead-Miami
Races53279
Wins0190
Poles0120
Top 511053
Top 1031744
Laps Led25,528112
Stage Wins0380
Average Finish11.812.99.8
  • Last weekend, Chase Elliott earned his third consecutive top-10 finish, placing 10th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
  • He is now tied for third in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings, just 48 markers behind the leader, teammate William Byron.
  • Last fall at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Elliott finished fifth after leading 81 laps – tied for his second-best Cup Series result at the track next to a runner-up result in 2020.
  • Elliott is riding a streak of back-to-back, top-10 results on 1.5-mile tracks, tied for the third-longest in the series. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native finished in the top 10 in six of the last seven races on tracks of that length, including his win at Texas Motor Speedway last April.
  • He is one of only five drivers to finish on the lead lap in all five points-paying races this season and has the fourth-best average finish (11.8).
  • Elliott’s 174 career top-10 results at the sport’s top level leads the current Hendrick Motorsports roster and is third overall for the organization behind NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon (477) and Jimmie Johnson (374).

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

No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerHomestead-Miami
Races52577
Wins1141
Poles1141
Top 53572
Top 1041064
Laps Led1103,088159
Stage Wins1241
Average Finish8.015.013.6
  • William Byron qualified eighth for last Sunday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Despite an untimely caution throwing off strategy in stage one, Byron rebounded to finish second in stage two and put himself in contention to win before settling for a fourth-place finish.
  • So far in 2025, the 27-year-old driver has an average starting position of eighth, an average running position of 7.2, and an average finish of eighth, all of which lead the NASCAR Cup Series. He also has collected a series-best 58 stage points.
  • The Charlotte, North Carolina, native is the only driver to have led a lap in every points-paying event this season and has led laps in the last seven races dating back to 2024.
  • In addition, he leads the series in laps run in the top five (610) and in the top 10 (871).
  • Byron has finished in the top six in 10 of the last 11 races. The only exception came at Atlanta Motor Speedway where he was contending for the win in the closing laps before being involved in an incident.
  • Byron has six consecutive top-10 finishes on 1.5-mile tracks, a personal best.
  • Since 2020, Byron has an average finish of 6.4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, best of all drivers who have competed in all five races.

48 ALEX BOWMAN
 Age: 31 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Week: 7th (Las Vegas)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 5th

 No. 48 Ally x Unrivaled League Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerHomestead-Miami
Races53309
Wins080
Poles050
Top 50400
Top 1041003
Laps Led191,3870
Stage Wins070
Average Finish11.019.218.4
  • Alex Bowman is currently fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings, just 51 points behind leader and teammate, William Byron.
  • Bowman achieved his 100th top 10 in the Cup Series with his seventh-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend.
  • The Tucson, Arizona, native has finished in the top 10 in three of his last five races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
  • Ally, a founding partner of Unrivaled Basketball, is highlighting the new 3-on-3 professional women’s basketball league at Miami this weekend. The special paint scheme on the No. 48 Chevrolet showcases special iconography from artist Sophia Chang and celebrates Ally’s efforts to invest in men’s and women’s sports.
  • For the Best Friends Animal Society programming, Ally and Bowman will be partnering with Humane Society of Greater Miami in Homestead, Florida, as their selected shelter for this weekend in Miami. 
  • 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 or can visit at ally.com/sweepstakes/nascar. 

Hendrick Motorsports

2025All-TimeHomestead-Miami
Races51,38626**
Wins1313*4
Poles1**254*4
Top 56*1,285*21
Top 1014*2,201*42
Laps Led20482,516*1,115
Stage Wins3**1184


*Most all time
**Tied for most all time

  • Last week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers finished in the top 10 for the second consecutive week. That’s only the second time in the organization’s history that all four cars came home in the top 10 in consecutive weeks (Michigan International Speedway and Sonoma Raceway, 2014).
  • Hendrick Motorsports has led 36% of all laps run on 1.5-mile tracks in the Next Gen era (2,269 of 6,224). That includes 54% of laps run at Homestead-Miami Speedway (434 of 801).
  • With William Byron’s win in 2021 and Kyle Larson’s victory in 2022, Hendrick Motorsports has won two of the last four events at Homestead.
  • Hendrick Motorsports has had a top-10 finisher in each of the last 16 races on 1.5-mile circuits and has a streak of 23 in a row in South Florida.

QUOTABLE /

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on success at Homestead-Miami Speedway: “I love racing at Homestead – it’s definitely one of my top-three favorite tracks. I’ve been able to find a line near the wall that for the most part I am comfortable with. Hopefully we can have some solid results for HENDRICKCARS.COM this weekend in all three series.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on the tracks coming up on the schedule: “I’m looking forward to all of them. I look forward to the challenge. I’m at a point, and we’re at a point as a race team that we need to be good everywhere we go. There’s no excuse at this point not to be.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on returning to Homestead-Miami Speedway: “Homestead is one of my favorite tracks and Rudy’s all-time favorite. It’s been a bit frustrating the last couple years. We’ve run in the top five but it’s been a while since we dominated. I think the mid-week test will help though, to give us some more intermediate notes since the tires are close. I think the racing at Homestead in the spring will be better as well. I’m excited to see how it goes.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on Homestead-Miami Speedway: “I thought we were OK at Homestead last fall, but it was not great. Miami is a difficult track since its very low grip causing us all to slip and slide all over the place. You have to have a lot of confidence in your car running up against the fence on the long runs to try and get all the grip you can. The short runs you have more options with lines and can use various different driving skills. This track is not one of my better ones but I’m trying to get better there and I know my No. 48 team has been working really hard to gain wherever we can. We’ve had speed so I hope we can execute, have a clean race and be in contention at the end.”

TEAM CHEVY NASCAR RACE ADVANCE: Homestead-Miami Speedway

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
Homestead-Miami Speedway
March 21-23, 2025

The second of three-straight tripleheader weekends will see the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series head south to Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The Truck Series will again kick off the weekend under the lights in Friday’s Baptist Health 200, where Chevrolet’s Grant Enfinger will aim to defend his race-winning title at the 1.5-mile oval. On Saturday, Chevrolet will look to make its fifth-straight trip to victory lane in the Xfinity Series with the Hard Rock Bet 300. Finally, the Cup Series will take center stage on Sunday for the Straight Talk Wireless 400 to wrap up the tripleheader weekend.

Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway:

Homestead-Miami Speedway has a 30-year history with NASCAR – hosting its first national series race in Nov. 1995 with the Xfinity Series’ debut event. The South Florida venue’s most notable tenure with NASCAR came in 2002-19, with the track hosting the championship-deciding race for all three divisions for 18 consecutive seasons.

Chevrolet has made seven trips to victory lane in NASCAR’s top division at Homestead – each earned with a different driver behind the wheel. Among those triumphs include three that also came with a championship including Tony Stewart’s third and final title in 2011; Kevin Harvick’s first title in 2014; and Jimmie Johnson’s record-setting seventh title in 2016. The Bowtie brand’s most recent triumph came with Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson in the debut race for the Next Gen car in Nov. 2022.

In the Xfinity Series, Chevrolet owns nearly half of the series’ wins at Homestead – entering the weekend with 15 wins in 31 races. Of those wins includes back-to-back triumphs by Richard Childress Racing and Tyler Reddick in the series’ season finale race in 2018-19 – also delivering the team a pair of championship titles. The set of triumphs started a string of strong finishes for the Bowtie brand at the South Florida oval, with four different drivers boosting a streak of four-straight trips to victory lane heading into the weekend. Most recently, it was Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill that paid a visit to victory lane at the track (Oct. 2023) – a win that also sealed the team’s berth into the Championship Four.

Chevrolet has tallied seven all-time Truck Series victories at Homestead, with the manufacturer looking to drive to a three-peat in Friday’s 200-mile race. The Bowtie brand’s active streak was kick-started by now full-time Cup Series driver, Carson Hocevar, in Oct. 2023 – a victory that broke a 10-year winless streak at the track for the manufacturer. One year ago, it was CR7 Motorsport’s Grant Enfinger that drove his Chevrolet-powered machine to back-to-back wins in the series’ Round of Eight.

LARSON LOOKING FOR TRIPLEHEADER SWEEP

Kyle Larson will be the first driver this season to attempt a tripleheader sweep, with the former Cup Series champion set to get behind the wheel of a Chevrolet-powered machine in all three NASCAR national series this weekend. Along with his full-time ride in the Cup Series, the 32-year-old Elk Grove, California, native will also make his first of two starts of the season in both the Xfinity and Truck Series – taking over the driving duties for No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race and the No. 07 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet in Friday’s Truck Series race. Larson is a two-time winner in the NASCAR national ranks at Homestead, including the Next Gen car’s debut race at the track in Oct. 2022. In his four career Xfinity Series starts at the South Florida oval, Larson has tallied results no worse than seventh, including a win (Nov. 2015) and three podium finishes. Larson has made just one start in a Spire Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet in the Truck Series – a race that ended in a trip to victory lane (North Wilkesboro; May 2023). The tall task of a tripleheader sweep has only been done by one other driver in NASCAR history – fellow Chevrolet driver, Kyle Busch, who successfully accomplished the feat twice at Bristol Motor Speedway (2010 and 2017).


TALLYING TOP-10S

Despite coming up just one spot short of a trip to victory lane in NASCAR’s top division at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Chevrolet rounded out the weekend with yet another stout representation in the top-10 of the final leaderboard. The manufacturer earned a season-best record of seven top-10 finishes at the 1.5-mile Nevada oval, with three different Chevrolet organizations contributing to those results including: Trackhouse Racing with a pair of top-fives; all four Hendrick Motorsports entries in the top-10; and an eighth-place finish for Kaulig Racing’s AJ Allmendinger. In four of the five points-paying races this season, Chevrolet has owned at least half of the top-10 finishing positions. Among those races includes five of the top-eight in just the series’ second race of the season at Atlanta Motor Speedway, with each of those finishes earned by a different Chevrolet organization.


BIGGEST MOVERS

With the NASCAR Cup Series wrapping up the west coast swing, a handful of Chevrolet drivers put together a strong points day to shake up the standings. A pair of drivers made a double-digit jump up the points standings, including Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez, who moved up 10 positions in the standings following his season-best runner-up finish. Suarez’s teammate, Ross Chastain, also netted his first top-five finish of the season to inch his way into the top-10 of the points standings. Also leaving Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the top-10 of the points standings was Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Chevrolet team. The 32-year-old Elk Grove, California, native was among just four drivers who collected points in both stages of the race – ultimately taking the checkered flag for his third top-10 finish of the season. The result was enough to propel him up five positions in the standings – putting all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers in the top-six positions in the points heading into the Homestead race weekend.

PAGING A NEW POINTS LEADER

JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier will have the opportunity to defend his championship title this season following a trip to victory lane at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend. In near dominate fashion, the 38-year-old Riverton, Illinois, native piloted his No. 7 Chevrolet to a one-two finish in the stages, going on to lead a race-high 102 laps en route to his first victory of the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. Allgaier is now the fourth different driver to visit victory lane in just five Xfinity Series races this season, joining his JR Motorsports teammate, Connor Zilisch, and the pair of Richard Childress Racing teammates, Jesse Love and Austin Hill.

Allgaier’s race-high 59-point day at the Nevada oval was enough to put him at the top of the series’ points standings heading into the Homestead race weekend. The reigning champion sits 19-markers ahead of fellow Chevrolet driver, Jesse Love, who continues to impress in his sophomore campaign in the series – collecting his series-leading fourth top-10 finish of the season last weekend.

ENFINGER AIMING FOR A REPEAT

Coming off his season-best runner-up finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Enfinger will carry the momentum to a track where he knows how to find victory lane. The 40-year-old Fairhope, Alabama, native returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway as the Truck Series’ defending winner at the track, with the Chevrolet driver being one of just three full-time competitors who is a past winner at the South Florida venue. In just eight career Truck Series starts at the 1.5-mile oval, Enfinger has collected five top-eight results, including back-to-back top-five finishes in his last two appearances at the track.

Among those who also had a strong outing in the series’ last race at Homestead includes McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Connor Mosack and Tyler Ankrum, who each piloted a Chevrolet-powered machine to top-five finishes. For Mosack, Homestead is the site of his career-best Truck Series finish of third, which he earned in the Oct. 2024 event.


BOWTIE BULLETS:

· Chevrolet will serve as the official pace vehicle for the tripleheader weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with the Corvette Stingray pacing the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series and the Silverado RST pacing the Craftsman Truck Series.

· Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Homestead-Miami Speedway:

Kyle Busch – two wins (2015, 2019)

Kyle Larson – one win (2022)

William Byron – one win (2021)

· In 26 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Chevrolet has recorded seven victories, including one triumph in three races in the Next Gen era (Kyle Larson – Oct. 2022).

· In 113 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 53 victories – a winning percentage of 46.9%.

· With its 43 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 867 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

FOR THE FANS:

· Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Homestead-Miami Speedway, which will feature an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles including: Colorado Trailboss, Silverado 1500 High Country, Equinox ACTIV, Equinox EV RS, Traverse RS and a Corvette Z06.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

· Friday, March 21: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

· Saturday, March 22: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

· Sunday, March 23: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.


TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series

Straight Talk Wireless 400

Sunday, March 23, at 3 p.m. ET

(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Hard Rock Bet 300

Saturday, March 22, at 4 p.m. ET

(CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Baptist Health 200

Friday, March 21, at 8 p.m. ET

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


QUOTABLE QUOTES:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

How do you look at the mile-and-a-half tracks now that you’ve raced at Las Vegas and are going to Homestead-Miami?

“It was great to get a top-five at Las Vegas. We had a couple of things that didn’t go our way when it came to cautions versus what we had hoped for with our strategy. We certainly made the best of it though and had a nice recovery. Of course, it’s always easier to recover when the car is fast. Miami is the second mile-and-a-half this season and obviously it’s important to run well at the intermediate tracks because we have so many. So it will be nice to get to Miami and see what we have there too and have a better understanding of how our mile-and-a-half program will be.”

Why you look forward to going to Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“It’s the closest to home in Alva, just a couple of hours away and I’m going to drive over to the track. The weather in South Florida is beautiful and it’s fun to have so many friends and family at the track. I think Homestead provides some great racing and the ability to run up by the wall. I was there last week for an event at the track and got to meet different people from the community. I enjoy it anytime I get the chance to go to South Florida.”

Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

What are your thoughts on Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“I look forward to returning to Homestead-Miami Speedway. It’s my favorite track that we race at. Homestead-Miami Speedway is a driver’s racetrack. It’s so much fun to run right up against the fence. You have to be disciplined in how you drive and save your tires. It’s a track that’s been good for me in my career winning a NASCAR Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship. The Miami atmosphere is just one of the things I love about this time of year. There is nice weather, and fans always show up to support NASCAR racing. I can’t wait to get on track in the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet.”

Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

“We had a good day in Las Vegas and hopefully we can turn that into a solid run this weekend in Homestead. We’re bringing fast cars so we’ll work on trying to build some momentum and putting together some consistent finishes.”

Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

“Homestead-Miami Speedway is always a fun racetrack. It lends itself to drivers well because it can be a three, even four lane track as we venture from the bottom all the way to the wall. It’s going to be exciting to have Bank OZK on out No. 8 Chevrolet for the first time, we’re looking forward to giving them a strong run and finish.

I’ve always looked forward to going to Homestead. It’s a unique mile-and-a-half. We’ve run well there. I’ve won there. It’s been a great track for me. I’ve won two championships by winning races there.”

Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

“Homestead is one of my favorite tracks just because it’s worn out so much, it’s multi groove and kind of reminds me of my dirt racing background being able to, as a driver, change lanes and kind of change the handling of your car. Also, it’s exciting going back to Homestead where Andrew (Dickeson, crew chief) and AJ (Allmendinger) ran really well there at the end of the year last year. I think we have some good notes and we’re just going try to learn from them. I’m looking forward to going to Homestead with our Sea Best team.”

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

“Homestead has been a really good racetrack for us over the last couple years and it’s a track I’ve always enjoyed. We’re coming off a good weekend in Las Vegas and we’ll carry that momentum on to Homestead. I’ve been happy with the speed of our Chevys the last few weeks; if we go there with the same mindset to execute, we have an opportunity to have another really good run.”

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet

With such a strong showing in the Xfinity Series at Homestead and some roller coaster of runs in the Cup Series, how do you feel about Homestead overall as a racetrack?

“Homestead was one of my favorite racetracks, by far, for the longest time. Especially in the Xfinity Series. I’ve always had good memories of going down there. Back in the day, that was the championship race, and I won both of mine there in the Xfinity Series. It was a racetrack where I always thought that I would win at and we always had fast cars. Unfortunately, we have just not been able to get that win there yet. I think our last two races at Homestead in the Cup car were decent. We’re improving this year on the cars that we had, so hopefully we’ll get some better finishes.”

Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

“Homestead it’s still one of those racetracks you go to where tires fall off, you slip and slide around, and you work really hard as a driver all race all day long. You have a lot of options, you can run the bottom, run the top or run the top to the bottom. So, you can find where your car works best, you can find clean air, and it’s just one of those tracks that you just drive all day long and it’s a lot of fun.”

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

The No. 77 has had a lot of speed to start the year. What kind of confidence does that give you this early in the season?

“It’s been great. We’ve been faster, we just haven’t finished as good as we should. Last year, I thought we were really good at running decent and finishing really well. Now, we’re running really well and we just have something happen that takes away that finish to match. Having that speed and knowing that we’re good from practice to qualifying to the race definitely builds a lot of confidence for the team. We can work on the things that have kept us from getting those finishes, so I would much rather be super-fast and have issues that take us out and know we can work on it, then have to find speed and hope that we can finish a race.”

Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

You are carrying Jockey and the American Flag on your car this weekend. Can you tell us about racing full-time in America?

“I’ve always dreamed of racing in America, especially in NASCAR, it’s the pinnacle of stock car racing in the entire world. It’s the biggest challenge I’ve ever raced in my career, so I’m putting every effort into driving these cars and racing against these drivers. I’m having a blast doing it. Excited to be behind the wheel of the No. 88 Jockey Chevrolet this weekend and I’m hoping for a great result.”

The NASCAR Cup Series schedule has many different varieties of tracks. Are there any ovals in particular that you have earmarked for this year?

“I really like the different variety of tracks. It’s a different style of track every week and a new challenge. I think that’s good because it’s not the same style of track every week. I excited for Homestead this weekend. I’ve never been there in a Cup car, so I’m looking forward to seeing what that’s like. Looks like a cool but challenging track.”

Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

What are your thoughts on last week’s second-place finish at Las Vegas?

“I was a little disappointed, but the No. 99 Freeway Insurance Chevy team did everything right. The pit crew did an amazing job with the pit stops throughout the race on Sunday. We did everything right with the strategy. Our Chevy was fast, but we just struggled a little bit on the short runs. But overall, just very, very proud of everyone at Trackhouse Racing. The entire organization has been working very hard and it’s showing. Thank you to Chevrolet, Freeway Insurance, Coca-Cola, Quaker State, Jockey Wendy’s, Kubota – all of our partners that help us to get to the track every weekend. It was a solid effort. We hope we can build on it this weekend and keep it going through the season.”

What do you remember about winning the Xfinity championship in Homestead in 2016?

“I remember I was really speechless. I was just very proud of everyone and thankful to have the family that I have – my mom, my dad. They gave me all the tools to be there. They put me in a car even when we didn’t have the support or the racing background. They supported me and it was like living a dream. Homestead will always be a special place for me.”

Do you enjoy Miami?

“Yes, this is like a second home to me. Julia, my wife, went to college here and we visit often. I feel at home here. We have lots of fans, so we try to do things to go out and meet everyone. I’d like to put on a show for everyone on Sunday.”

Connor Zilisch, No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet

After running well at Las Vegas, are you optimistic about Homestead this weekend?

“I feel really good about Homestead. We’ve definitely made gains on what I raced last year. I’m excited to go back there and see if we can make progress with the result. We finished 12th in the Xfinity race last year and kind of struggled a little bit. I feel like we’ve got a bit of a better package going back there. I’m excited to see what we can do when we get to the track.”

Are you one of the drivers who likes to run up against the outside wall at Homestead?

“I feel comfortable doing it but last year the guy who ran up front and won the race wasn’t really running up there. I’m curious to see if the track migrates to the top next to the fence or if it’s going to be like last year’s race where it was down on the bottom and through the middle. Homestead is such a cool racetrack with so many different lanes to run and a lot of tire fall off and it creates some really good racing. I’m curious to see what the track is going to be like when we get there for practice on Saturday.”


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: 1

Poles: 2

Laps Led: 357

Top-Fives: 11

Top-10s: 25

Stage Wins: 3

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 867 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 755

Laps led to date: 253,068

Top-Fives to date: 4,380

Top-10s to date: 9,032

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,201

       Chevrolet: 867

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 841                                                                             

       Ford: 741

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 192

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.

CORVETTE RACING AT LONG BEACH: Robert Wickens & Tommy Milner

Media conference transcript ahead of landmark Corvette entry at Long Beach

Corvette Z06 GT3.R drivers Robert Wickens and Tommy Milner met with members of the media via Zoom on Thursday afternoon. The pair discussed Wickens’ initial test and upcoming race debut with Corvette at the Grand Prix of Long Beach alongside Corvette Racing factory driver Milner in a DXDT Racing Corvette Z06 GT3.R equipped with Bosch’s state-of-the-art hand-control braking system.

ROBERT WICKENS, NO. 36 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R

GIVE US YOUR FIRST THOUGHTS ON YOUR FIRST TIME IN THE CORVETTE.

“So far I feel like a kid on Christmas. It’s been a lot of work so far. Yesterday I got my first taste of the Corvette Z06 GT3.R just before lunch. I got a couple of laps in, we stopped for a lunch break and then kind of hit the ground running in the afternoon. I felt like we finished in a good place yesterday and then thankfully a good night’s rest and a lot of planning ahead of today. So far today has been running super smooth. The biggest takeaway I have so far is that it feels like the Bosch EBS and the hand-control system developed by Pratt Miller belongs in his car. There hasn’t been a single hiccup. It’s like when they designed the Corvette Z06 GT3.R it was always in the plan. It looks like it belongs in the car. It feels like it belongs in the car. Immediately I felt way more comfortable with the braking feeling and braking sensation then I had in my past racing in TCR with the Bosch EBS. It was a massive step forward so hats off to all the men and women at Bosch, Pratt Miller, GM and DXDT Racing for collaborating in making this all possible.”

HOW DOES THE CORVETTE COMPARE TO THE FORMULA E CAR YOU TESTED LAST YEAR?

“Quite a bit different. The Formula E car was pretty much a temporary hand-control solution where we repurposed the re-gen paddles at the bottom of the steering wheel so one side was for throttle and one side was for braking. It worked but it wasn’t effective. Here, everyone put their heads together and we have a very well-integrated hand-control system where the paddles and everything… the sensation and feeling that I have, whenever I embarked on this journey to race with hand controls, I was always envisioning that hydraulic sensation with my hands when I’m applying the brake. Everyone involved made it happen. When you take a look at it, you’ll see there’s a damper on the top of my brake paddles. We’ve evolved and evolved, and now we’ve changed spring rates… it’s basically like you’re changing suspension settings. We have bump rubbers and packers. It’s teeny tiny things like surgeon work. It’s amazing the feeling that I have and I feel like I’m extracting a lot of pace because of it. The fact that I was straight away comfortable… frankly internally I was concerned that it might take me a little bit to get up to speed. But thankfully that wasn’t the case so far. There’s a lot of work to be done but so far the signs are positive.”

HOW MUCH HAS YOUR TIME ON YOUR HOME SIMULATOR COME TO GRIPS WITH THIS NEW CHALLENGE?

“I think racing on my home simulator is not only very fun, but it made my dexterity and kind of my resolution of my hand for throttle application in particular just stronger and stronger. After driving this Corvette Z06, I feel like the next step for me is actually to start doing more throttle application with my right hand just to build that muscle memory. Because for people that don’t know, I pretty much do like 98 percent of my throttle application with my left hand. So that way I can freely upshift with my right hand and then brake with my right hand and downshift with the left hand. So with this car, like with Turn Seven at Sebring… there’s a few corners here where I feel like I need to start practicing using throttle with both hands a little bit more. But yeah, the home simulator, it definitely didn’t hurt. Not only is it a lot of fun, but my brake that I use on my home simulator is very different to what we have in the race car. But for throttle purposes, I think it’s very helpful.”

ON DRIVING A REAR-WHEEL DRIVE CAR AND USING PAST EXPERIENCE IN SINGLE-SEATERS AND DTM WITH THE CORVETTE GT3.

“Yes and no. I feel at home in a rear-wheel-drive car. You know, I feel like I never left in a way. That being said, a TCR car with it being front-wheel drive, a lot of your instability moments it’s all kind of corner entry and mid-corner. By the time you apply throttle, you’re not really fighting the car. So it’s been an interesting adjustment here, trying to maintain a consistent throttle position while the rear is starting to slide or step out a little bit. So that’s taken some getting used to, and I still need to learn that. Sometimes I’ll get a snap oversteer, and I’ll accidentally lift off the throttle completely and just bleed loads of lap time. So, yeah, a lot to work on. But the biggest thing for me is understanding the traction control system that’s in this Corvette Z06 GT3.R because I haven’t really felt traction control for all my career. I’ve done some testing in GT3 from my time at Mercedes and some other stuff in a couple other race cars here and there. But in terms of extracting lap time from a proper traction control system and all the aids and assists that we have inside the car. Still trying to understand kind of what makes it click, because I think when I’m applying throttle, my resolution is not spot on yet. So I think I’m applying like 10 percent throttle, but I’m actually more like 30 percent, 35, 40 percent throttle. And I’m immediately getting traction control intervention, and the car is coping and handling it great and there’s no dramas. But I feel like it’s still catching me by surprise and it’s still something I need to keep working on.”

DO YOU KNOW APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY MAN HOURS HAVE GONE INTO DEVELOPING THIS SYSTEM?

“More than I’m sure I can imagine. It was a very motivating experience. But every time I was on weekly calls with Pratt Miller developing the controls, the physical paddles and the shapes and the ergonomics of everything, it was some of the busier Zoom meetings I’ve ever participated in. They’re all just all such intelligent people. With Bosch on it, DXDT all on the call, (team owner) David Askew with his engineering background and all being integrated into this build, it didn’t take one person. It took an army. And I think everyone just collaborated perfectly. And every single time I went down to Detroit to Pratt Miller Engineering to see the next 3D printed prototype of the ergonomics of everything, everyone I felt was just very motivated for the challenge. What made me feel great was I could tell that it was a motivation and not a distraction. You know, I feel like when I’ve been trying to get into these categories and trying to make a step into another race car… race teams are efficient operations. It’s not like there’s just a surplus of engineers to just take people and move around. So I was very grateful for the opportunity and, frankly, the timeline that they got it completed on was pretty astounding from start to finish.”

ON TOMMY MILNER’S ROLE AND EXPERIENCE WITH THE CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R.

“I’m going to be leaning on Tommy exclusively! I think once I finish here today, I’m probably going to try to book him in for a half-day Zoom call or something just to pick his brain on every nuance of the car. From getting to know Tommy a little bit and watching him shake down the car at The Firm around Daytona… he actually drove me from Daytona up to The Firm and back. So I was chewing his ear off and asking loads of questions about the car already then and that’s just going to carry on.

“Hopefully he doesn’t get tired of me too soon, but I’m definitely going to be leaning on him for a lot of support because even now it’s this fine line where we’re trying to evolve the brake system and get the braking sensation, the spring rates and also the software side with Bosch and the EBS all dialed into the car. But in parallel I’m also still trying to learn what the car likes and how the car likes to be driven. When I did this in the TCR car, I had driven the TCR car for two years so I knew how to drive it and how to get laptime out so it was just solely trying to get the brake feel to what I wanted. Now it’s kind of a much more foggy experience because I feel like I’m learning both at the same time. We only have basically a day-and-a-half and we’re on to the launch. So there’s only an afternoon left before that’s all I get going into Long Beach. We’re getting through it quick. I did my first full just before lunch hence the sweatiness! But yeah so far so good. I got to kind of feel what a double-stinted Michelin felt like here at Sebring with mid-80s ambient temperature and stuff. These are all things I need to learn for my database because you don’t get an opportunity to test very often. So I’m trying to make sure I have as much information before I start the season.”

WAS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS CAR OR ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY OR ABOUT LONG BEACH THAT MADE THIS THE RIGHT TIME TO RETURN TO THE SERIES?

“I guess all of the above. Frankly, for me, I wanted to get into the car as soon as possible. If there was a way to have driven the car in (Petit Le Mans) last year, I would have been all over it. The same for Daytona and the same for last weekend in Sebring. But good things take time. I think in the moment, I was frustrated but obviously I respect that you can’t rush something like this. It has to be done properly because also this is the product that I have to now use for the entire 2025 season. If you don’t have a strong foundation, you can just kind of set yourself up for failure. Although I was pushing and pushing and pushing to try to bump the timeline up as much as possible, it was very clear that we weren’t going to make the first two endurance races. With that said, the original plan was to debut at Laguna Seca, and we were able to bump it up to start in Long Beach. So I feel like that’s already a win in itself.

“In terms of the car, it just took a group of people to believe that this is possible. I feel like when I was speaking to other teams, everyone thought it was a good idea. But it took David Askew at DXDT to take the leap of faith and say ‘You know what? I want to do this.’ And then we aligned with Pratt Miller, Bosch was already on my side, and they were fully supporting it, and then the fine people at General Motors all basically pulling together and saying ‘You know, let’s give this a shot and see what it can do.’ And I understand, I have a pretty small sample group of races in 2025 to try and prove myself, but my goal is to be a full-time staple in the IMSA WeatherTech Series for 2026 in the future.”

THESE COMPANIES ARE INVOLVED IN A LOT OF RACING SERIES. DO YOU FEEL LIKE WHAT YOU’RE LEARNING NOW CAN BE APPLIED POTENTIALLY TO OTHER SERIES?

“One hundred percent. What we’re learning here today can transfer into any race car and then hopefully down the road what we’re developing with the electronic braking system from Bosch, opportunities are endless that maybe this can evolve into road safety and into everyday road vehicles and accessibility in road vehicles. I feel like the opportunities are endless, but short-term we need to perfect this system here in the Corvette Z06 GT3.R. We’ll have to wait and see. The way Pratt Miller developed the actual brake control that I apply, it mounts to the steering column independent of the steering wheel. The steering wheel that Tommy will be driving or any other teammate that I drive with in this Corvette, it’s the exact same steering wheel that they always know. There’s just a bit of luggage on the backside. What’s great about it is in theory it can mount to virtually any steering column as long as you have the right bolt pattern. It actually fits the space of a steering spacer that would be on the steering column to change how close or far away the steering wheel would be to the driver. It was a very intuitive design and honestly sets up for future-proofing. If there’s other car opportunities where my paddles that I use could actually be transferable from car to car. That way I’m not learning the ergonomics of new controls every time I drive something different.”

AS EACH STEP HAS COME FOR YOU IN THIS PROCESS, WHERE DOES THIS RANK FOR YOU IN TERMS OF YOUR GROWTH AND YOUR COMEBACK? DO YOU HAVE THINGS LEFT THAT YOU’D LIKE TO TRY?

“I think there’s a lot of things left. My goal from the outset of this was to get back to the highest levels of motorsport again. I’ve always seen that the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is the highest level of sports car racing here in North America. Aligning myself with someone like General Motors and DXDT Racing, it was just the perfect fit. It would be a dream if I could call it a 10-year career here in the IMSA WeatherTech series racing against the best drivers in the world and one of the best series in the world.

“In terms of what’s left, there’s always opportunity. But my goal is always to get to the highest levels and I feel like I’m here. So the next step is to become a week-in, week-out staple of the series and make sure I can get myself to a full-time position for 2026 and then start fighting for championships. Hopefully we can challenge for race wins and podiums here this year. There’s no Sprint championship in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship, so we’re going to have to wait a year, hopefully go full-time and then try to make a full run at it. In terms of what’s left, I don’t know. It’s kind of a fun part of my career right now. With the help of Bosch, I feel like there are more opportunities than I thought I would have 12 to 24 months ago.”

THE WAY YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT IMSA, DO YOU CONSIDER THIS LIKE YOU’VE MADE IT AND YOU’VE COME BACK?

“I think this is a big step. For me to officially get that fulfillment, I want to be a full-time contender in the WeatherTech Series. Honestly taking the green flag in Long Beach is going to be an enormous step forward in my career and my journey back to the highest levels. Basically you could say ‘We did it. We’re racing against the best cars and the best drivers in the whole sports car industry’. So I want to win championships for myself, for General Motors, for DXDT. There’s still some work to be done. I think you could say it’s definitely a massive box to check, probably the biggest box that we could check off so far in my return.”

ON THE WORK DONE DURING THE TEST AT SEBRING.

“It’s been a lot. It’s been a long 36 hours. The big thing is getting acclimated into the car was kind of job Number One. Honestly, Bosch did so much preparation ahead of this that there wasn’t a whole lot. The first run with the system… if that was all I had and there was no tunability, I wouldn’t have been upset about it. We started off in such a great window where I kind of just got to figure out the race car.

“We’re not doing a whole lot of setup work, but thankfully with the Sebring 12 Hours just finishing, the car feels great. We’re in a great balance window. DXDT was so quick on the weekend. They nearly had a shot at a podium there at the end. Yesterday morning, we had Spencer Pigot shake down the car and do some initial tests and installations because this was actually the first time that the Bosch EBS was integrated into the DXDT Corvette. We wanted to make sure that everything just worked according to plan, and they wanted an able-bodied person to do the initial shakedowns and the initial baseline run just to make sure that if there was an issue, they had the ability to apply brakes to get the car back safely. I got my first run in just before lunch yesterday… a little six-lap run to get a taste and then look at some data over lunch and hit the ground running in the afternoon.

“Today’s been a lot more intense. An 8:30 start and basically never got out of the car for most of the morning. I got my first taste of a long run with double-stinted tires to see what the car behaves like. Like we talked about, this is my only test for the whole year and we want to make sure that I have as many tools on my belt as possible so there’s no surprises once we get into Long Beach or further down the road. The best thing about Sebring is a lot of these apex and exit curves are not super friendly. So you can kind of treat them like walls. So in terms of getting used to Long Beach, that’s been good. The apex at Turn One is a wall, so that’s pretty good too. So I feel like there’s a lot of stuff that we’re learning here that I can take with me to Long Beach. But then also the high-speed corners here in Sebring, like Turn One, I’m trying to think of how the car wants to act when I think down the road for Laguna Seca or Road America or Canadian Tire Motorsport Park where it’s a fast-flowing, committed track. We’re getting through it. We have another busy afternoon ahead of us with a lot of work to be had.”

WHAT ARE YOU ANTICIPATING BEING THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES AT LONG BEACH FOR YOU?

“I don’t know yet, to be honest. I think I won’t know until I’m in there. I mean, best-case scenario, I do my first runs and I’m only a handful of tenths off of Tommy and we’re in a window where we can keep chipping away. Until I’m in that environment, it’s hard to tell. For me, I’m just continuing to get used to the car here in Sebring and try to do as much preparation as possible and then just kind of see where we are.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 36 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R

TELL US ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU AND ROBBIE HAVE HERE TOGETHER AND WHAT YOU’VE SEEN OUT OF HIM.

“It’s super exciting for me to be a part of this effort with DXDT Racing and with Robbie in his first race in the Corvette. As Rob mentioned, I had the opportunity to drive The Firm after The Roar in the kind of initial shakedown of the Bosch EBS system in the Corvette. I obviously know who Robbie is and I followed his career for a long time. He had raced Formula BMW just before I had a long time ago. So I knew the name and kind of followed his career as time went on. You can tell that he’s still a racer at heart. And like he said, he was picking my brain about the Corvette constantly. More than anything, I’m excited to go back to Long Beach to join DXDT Racing again and then help Robbie here in his first race get up to speed with the Corvette.

“From what I’ve heard already from some of the team down there, he’s already quite quick. If the team has put him on some double-stint tires and full tanks, he’s already kind of experienced probably the worst of what the Corvette is going to feel like, just based on our experience this last weekend at Sebring. Super-excited for him and super-excited for DXDT. It’s a cool opportunity for me as well to be a part of that with him and to go back to Long Beach again and go racing there again.”

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THIS PROGRAM TO SOMEONE WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT IT, AND HOW DOES THAT CHANGE YOUR ROLE?

“In Robbie’s case he has to do all of his driving with his hands, with him being paralyzed from the chest down. So he has no use of his feet. So this system is basically set up so that he can do all that with the steering wheel itself. There’s a brake ring and there are throttle paddles that take the place of what I would normally use in the pedal box. Those are some of the common questions that I’ve heard about this system when I’ve told people who know a little bit about racing but not this situation.

“The system is quite impressive with how it functions and how it works. With just one push of a button, the system switches from the able-bodied driver controls to the hand controls, which obviously is important for sports car racing where we have driver changes. It’ll be especially important at Long Beach as we’ve always talked about the driver change being a pretty important part of the race because that typically ends up being kind of the limiting factor in the pit stop. The tires and the fuel typically take a little bit less than that time (to do a driver change). Robbie obviously comes from a place where he has the sports car racing experience, where he’s had to do those driver changes. From that side, there’s no real limitations, so to speak. He knows what he needs to get out of the car.

“But fundamentally, everything happens on the wheel. And it’s a system that took me initially a little while to sort of understand in my own brain… how it is supposed to work, how to find laptime out of it and things like that. But the system is set up quite well to where by the end of the second day of testing that I had in the car to prove the system a bit, I was able to find quite a bit of lap time and get closer to what I was capable of with the normal able-bodied setup. So for someone like Robbie, who has as much racing experience as he does, as good as he was and still is, you can tell just from talking to him how focused he is on doing what he’s always done, which is drive race cars very fast. The system is designed to allow that to happen for him. His drive and determination are pretty incredible. It’s pretty inspiring to see that and I’m excited to go racing with him at Long Beach.

ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO HOW YOU TYPICALLY CLIMB INTO THE CAR WITH THE MODIFICATIONS?

“No. The car will, for me, feel as if it’s the same Corvette that I’ve been in for many years. Like Robbie talked about, there’s a little bit more going on behind the wheel. But when I’m driving, I basically won’t even know that it’s there. Obviously that was done on purpose and done with the intention of making it as easy to use for Robbie, but also as easy to use for myself, essentially. So in practice and in reality, there should be no obvious signs other than an extra button box, that this Corvette is any different than any other Corvette that I’ve driven.”

WHEN YOU WERE PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY, HOW DID YOU LOOK AT IT? WAS IT A CHALLENGE? WAS IT AN OPPORTUNITY? WAS IT AN HONOR?

“All of those things. More than anything, I would say an honor because I’ve met Robbie a couple of times over the years in the past and now have spent a lot more time with him recently just after Daytona. You can tell why he is successful in racing, why he was so successful prior to his incident as well. He’s just super focused on getting the most out of himself, out of the car team, that kind of thing. For me to be part of that story and that process, and hopefully give him a good foundation to do the next four races in IMSA this year, I do look at it as a challenge as well. I want to help him as best as I can, give him as much of the knowledge and information that I’ve gathered over the years driving this Corvette to give him the best opportunity to be successful.”

ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM SETUPS.

“When the car is in the able-bodied mode, it will feel just like every other Corvette Z06 GT3.R. The way that the system is set up – I’m not as technically advanced as maybe I should be with the system, and Robbie probably knows a lot more than I do – they’re essentially sort of like separate systems. When the able-bodied system is active, the pedal feels the same, throttle pedal and all that feels the same, and the steering wheel feels all the same. When the hand-control system is activated, then it goes through the EBS system, and then Robbie has his own brake bias, so the system will function slightly different in that way where if he needs a certain brake feel or brake distribution then it can be custom tuned so to speak for him. He can adjust that on the fly just like I would be able to with the normal hydraulic system. So when I’m driving the car it feels just like every other Corvette that I’ve driven before and when he’s driving it, it’s tuned for what he needs.”

YOU SAY THE CAR IS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CORVETTE, SO DOES THAT MEAN THERE’S REALLY NO WEIGHT DIFFERENCE IN WHERE WEIGHT IS FOR THIS SYSTEM?

“I’m sure there’s more weight in the car. I don’t know how much more the system actually weighs, but I was talking about the sense of my experience when I sit in the car, when I’m driving the race car with the normal controls. It all feels just like the car that I currently race in IMSA. The pedal feels the same. The steering wheel feel is the same. There’s an emergency hydraulic brake that sits on the center tunnel there. That would be different. But again when I was doing my testing with the normal controls, there was nothing about that experience that I was driving that was something different about this car.”

ON GETTING TO KNOW ROBERT WICKENS MORE.

“For him to go through what he went through and with his drive and determination to get back in a race car again and be competitive and win races, that’s something that can be an inspiration for anybody. Anybody who’s gone through some sort of hardship like he has it’s what you make of your life and that situation. You can tell that it does change parts of his life. But the one thing that he doesn’t want it to change realistically is him driving race cars and driving them as fast as he does. To see that in person, that drive and determination and just never-give-up attitude that he has, it’s inspiring. I’m excited to race with him and see on a race weekend that part of him that I can tell that he has. To see that really come out, is going to be something exciting.”

GOALS FOR THE LONG BEACH RACE.

“I can probably answer for myself and for Robbie. I’ll bet you a win is going to be the goal, and I certainly think that’s possible. The Corvette has been fast in the past at Long Beach. His time in the car here at Sebring is going to be super important, and he knows the racetrack at Long Beach. He knows how to go sports car racing now, that’s for sure. It’ll certainly be a lot to take in. It’s a lot happening. It’s a short weekend. There’s not a lot of practice. From that side, you know all of the obstacles that are in the way of making that happen. Like I said, I have no doubt that he has the drive and determination to get the most out of himself fundamentally too. There’s still a bit of learning, of course. It’ll be new for him in some ways, first time in the race with this car. I also think the weekend goals-wise will be to help set himself up and the team up for a successful rest of the season as well. It’s not a checkers or wreckers kind of thing. It’s definitely going to be about getting the best result that we can, but I’m certainly not counting out a win.”

ON FAMILIARITY WITH DXDT RACING AND INTEGRATION INTO IMSA.

“I know this was a goal of David Askew’s for a long time. It’s a big accomplishment from his side and from the team side to be here in IMSA this year and prove to themselves and obviously everybody else in the paddock that they’re a team that belongs here, that can be successful and can win races.

“From my side, on race weekends you do keep some touch with other teams and other drivers. I would say more so for me with DXDT than others just because of having driven for them a little bit last year. My sister is the team manager there, and I’m good friends with Bryan Sellers, as well. So there’s lots of reasons for me to kind of check in on them. My brother-in-law is crew chief, so there’s a lot of people there that I’m close with and want to see succeed. Based on Sebring, they put themselves in a great position to potentially win the race. The podium, I think, was really on the table for them. So there was some heartbreak to see that all kind of fall away in the last five minutes or so of the race. But I think ultimately that’s motivating for them to know that they’re doing all the right things and even more motivating to finally get that big first result for them when it comes.”

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.