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Ford Performance NASCAR – Indianapolis Advance

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Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS

Friday, July 25 – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series @ IRP, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)
Saturday, July 26 – NASCAR Xfinity Series @ IMS, 4:30 p.m. ET (CW)
Sunday, July 27 – NASCAR Cup Series @ IMS, 2 p.m. ET (TNT)

For the first time since Pocono last month, all three of NASCAR’s top series will be racing in the same location albeit different tracks. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will kick things off after a three-week break at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on Friday night while the NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Cup Series run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

MUSTANG WINS BRICKYARD IN FIRST ATTEMPT

Mustang has been a staple of the Ford Motor Company passenger car lineup since 1964 and, just like a bottle of fine wine, it only gets better with age. When the iconic sports car made its NASCAR Cup Series debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2019, it didn’t disappoint. Kevin Harvick set the tone by putting his No. 4 Mobil 1 Mustang on the pole, and he continued that during the race as he led 118-of-160 laps to win by a whopping 6.118 seconds. That capped a big day for Ford, which saw Joey Logano finish second and six Mustangs end up in the top 10.

(For more on how many Mustangs are racing globally this week, please see the bottom of this week’s advance.)

KESELOWSKI AND THE BRICKYARD

Brad Keselowski is the only active Ford driver who has won the Brickyard 400 on the oval, taking the checkered flag in 2018 while driving for Team Penske. After a 10th place finish last weekend at Dover Motor Speedway, Keselowski goes into Sunday’s race with four straight Top 10 finishes on ovals. The streak started at Michigan (10th) and continued at Pocono (9th) and then Atlanta (2nd). In 12 career starts on the Indianapolis oval, Keselowski has six Top 10 efforts and an average finish of 13.6.

AUSTIN CINDRIC: “The opportunity to win a crown jewel race is always awesome. To think about what the speedway means to both Roger and my family, it’s definitely a cool one to have on the schedule. There’s plenty of tracks on the NASCAR schedule that definitely have historical value, but nothing compares to the history of Indianapolis.”

CHRIS BUESCHER: “It’s just really fun being able to go places when you have speed like we do in the RFK cars. Indianapolis is such a big event, so when you roll into that place, it takes you back a bit. After last season, we have some unfinished business to do.”

ZANE SMITH: “I think Indy has probably been one that I’ve circled the biggest since the start of the year. Going back to last year, I felt like that was one of my best tracks and I really enjoyed that facility and racetrack after growing up racing karts in Indy. Watching the Indy 500 was big for me when I was younger, so being able to race on the big oval is always cool.”

THREE JEWELS FOR DJ

The first time Ford found victory lane on the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a NASCAR Cup Series race was in 1996 when Dale Jarrett won the first of his two Brickyard 400 championships. What made the race most memorable from a Ford perspective is that it ended up being a battle between Jarrett and his Robert Yates Racing teammate, Ernie Irvan. The two ended up breaking away from the field as Irvan found himself in the lead after passing Jarrett on lap 139, but when he pushed up the track going into turn two with only seven laps to go, Jarrett was there to take advantage and make the pass. Jarrett held on to eventually win as the race ended under caution. That completed a trifecta of sorts for Jarrett, who also won the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 earlier that season, and capped a memorable day for Ford with seven finishers in the Top 10 and 11 in the top 14.

RUDD’S BIG WIN

One of the most recent NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees, Ricky Rudd, stretched his fuel to the limit in winning the 1997 Brickyard 400 as he went the final 46 laps without stopping. That decision, along with a pair of timely cautions, enabled him to gain the lead and hold it until the checkered flag. Rudd inherited the lead on lap 147 after the yellow flag came out for debris. While leader Dale Jarrett and fellow contender Jeff Gordon were forced to pit for fuel, Rudd stayed out. Another caution with seven laps remaining allowed Rudd to save the necessary fuel to make it the rest of the way. In a single-file restart with three laps to go, Rudd led Bobby Labonte, Johnny Benson, Mark Martin, Jarrett and Gordon. Labonte was never able to get closer than a couple of car lengths as Rudd posted his second win of the season and biggest triumph of his career.

A MAST-ERFUL START

Another memorable Brickyard highlight came in the inaugural weekend in 1994 when Rick Mast won the pole while driving the No. 1 Ford of car owner Richard Jackson. Mast went on to lead the first lap at the speedway in official NASCAR competition, but would ultimately finish one lap down in 22nd place. The pole was one of four Mast earned during his 15-year NASCAR Cup Series career.

ON THE BUBBLE

There are six races remaining in the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular season and two Ford drivers are currently in playoff positions. Sam Mayer is third in the overall point standings and is 162 points above the cut line while Sheldon Creed is 61 points to the good in 10th. Harrison Burton and Ryan Sieg are both still within striking distance of the 12th and final playoff berth. Burton trails his cousin, Jeb, by seven points while Sieg is 30 points out. Sieg has the most experience among the Ford foursome with this weekend being his ninth series start on the Indianapolis oval. His best finish is 10th, which came in 2019.

MAJESKI GOING FOR THREE-PEAT

Ty Majeski is still searching for his first win of the season and if there’s one track on the circuit where he could be deemed a favorite it would be this weekend at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Majeski, who has six career wins, has captured each of the last two series races at the facility, including last year when he took the lead from Christian Eckes and led the final 56 laps. The Wisconsin native was even more dominant the previous year when he led 179-of-200 circuits.

STANDINGS UPDATE

It’s been nearly a month since the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competed, so let’s review where Ford drivers currently sit in the point standings with only three races remaining in the regular season. Front Row Motorsports drivers Chander Smith (2) and Layne Riggs (1) have combined for three wins and rank second and third, respectively, in overall points. ThorSport Racing is also represented in the Top 10 with a pair of drivers as defending series champion Ty Majeski is eighth and Jake Garcia ninth, but both drivers are on the playoff bubble. Majeski currently holds the 10th and final playoff spot and has a 38-point lead over Garcia, but a win by either driver would automatically secure a berth.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT INDIANAPOLIS

1996 – Dale Jarrett (Oval)

1997 – Ricky Rudd (Oval)

1999 – Dale Jarrett (Oval)

2018 – Brad Keselowski (Oval)

2019 – Kevin Harvick (Oval)

2020 – Kevin Harvick (Oval)

2023 – Michael McDowell (Road Course)

FORD NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS

AT INDIANAPOLIS

2020 – Chase Briscoe (Road Course)

2021 – Austin Cindric (Road Course)

2024 – Riley Herbst (Oval)

FORD NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT INDIANAPOLIS

1999 – Greg Biffle

2002 – Terry Cook

2003 – Carl Edwards

2006 – Rick Crawford

2023 – Ty Majeski

2024 – Ty Majeski

The Ford Mustang, celebrating its 61st anniversary in 2025, is the world’s best selling sports car. It is also one of the planet’s most popular race cars. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Australian Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 27 Mustang race cars are scheduled to race across all disciplines. Learn more at FordPerformance.com.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY RACE PREVIEW

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Official Release
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: Brickyard 400

DATE: July 27, 2025
RACE: NASCAR Cup Series 22 of 36
TRACK: Indianapolis Motor Speedway | 2.5-mile oval

CLUB MINUTES:

JJ KISSES THE BRICKS: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB co-owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson knows what it’s like to kiss the yard of bricks at the Crown Jewel race of the Brickyard 400. Johnson has a total of 19 Cup Series starts at the 2.5-mile oval resulting in four victories, six top-fives, and seven top-10s with 306 laps led. He earned his first win at Indianapolis in August 2006 where he bested LEGACY MC competition advisor and runner-up Kenseth as the race ended under caution. He followed that up with back-to-back victories in July 2008 with a .332 of a second margin of victory over Carl Edwards and July 2009 with a .400 of a second margin of victory over Mark Martin. His final victory at Indianapolis came in July 2012 where he started sixth and bested runner-up Kyle Busch by 4.758 seconds after leading 99 laps.

JJ IN INDYCAR AT INDY: Johnson has not only experienced the iconic Brickyard in the NASCAR Cup Series, but also in the INDYCAR Series for the Indianapolis 500 which is raced on the same weekend as the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. He qualified on the fourth row for the May 2022 Indianapolis 500 where he ended up earning a 28th-place finish after contact on lap 193 ended his day early. Johnson did return to Indianapolis in 2024 and 2025 for their broadcast though. In 2024, he contributed to NBC’s pre-race and race coverage for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Earlier this year, he flew up to Indianapolis to participate in Tom Brady’s Fastest Seat in Sports – aka the G.O.A.T. RIDE – where Johnson and Brady led the field to green in a two-seat INDYCAR prior to Johnson flying back to Charlotte to race in the Coca-Cola 600 that evening.

KENSETH AT INDY: LEGACY MC competition advisor Matt Kenseth has a total of 20 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Indianapolis in his career. He earned a total of 10 top-fives and 13 top-10s while leading 77 laps. Besides his second-place finish to Johnson in August 2006, he earned the runner-up spot in three other Brickyard 400 races. In August 2003, Kenseth finished 2.758 seconds behind Kevin Harvick. He finished second again in the July 2016 race 2.126 seconds behind Kyle Busch. Finally in July 2020, he finished .743 of a second behind Harvick once again.

CROWN JEWEL NUMBER SHADOWING: LEGACY MC’s Number Shadowing program will be back this weekend at Indianapolis for the Crown Jewel race of the Brickyard 400. As part of the program that was announced prior to the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway, the shadows of Richard Petty’s Parts Blue on the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE and Lee Petty’s red on the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE will be on the door for NASCAR’s select Crown Jewel races – which will include the Brickyard 400, the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, and the Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

ULTIMATE CANINE: After Friday’s NASCAR Cup Series practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LEGACY MC drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek will road trip up to the Ultimate Canine Training Facility in Westfield, IN to interact with a group of graduating K9 officers and partake in a friendly competition. Ultimate Canine is an award-winning training facility just an hour north of the track founded by Julie Case. She has been training dogs for over 27 years. Jones will bring his four-legged companion Oscar to the activity to run him through some training exercises alongside the graduating K9 officers.

DOLLAR TREE VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Dollar Tree will serve as the primary partner on the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE, driven by Erik Jones, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The bold green and white Dollar Tree scheme will hit the track alongside support from vendor partner Jack Links, showcasing a strong collaboration for the race weekend across LEGACY MC’s social platforms.

NEVER SETTLE: Join ESPN’s Marty Smith and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s co-owner Jimmie Johnson for their weekly podcast, “Never Settle”. The podcast airs live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90 at 2 p.m. ET every Wednesday and can be downloaded wherever fans source their podcasts. This week’s guest is Carolina Hurricanes head coach and 2006 Stanley Cup Champion pick Rod Brind’Amour.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 PYE-BARKER FIRE & SAFETY TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN AT INDY: John Hunter Nemechek has two starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, one in 2020 where he finished 15th, and one in 2024 where he was running in the front half of the pack all day and led 16 laps before ultimately finishing 29th due to a late-race wreck. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he has also made two starts at the track in 2018 and 2019, where he finished 25th and 31st, respectively.

T-MACK INDIANAPOLIS STATS: Sunday’s race will be Crew Chief Travis Mack’s second NASCAR Cup Series race at the Brickyard. His first outing was in 2024 with AJ Allmendinger, who earned a 30th-place finish after a crash in the middle of Stage 2. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Mack has two starts with Michael Annett, where he finished 31st in 2018 and 12th in 2019.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“We had a really good run going in Indy last year. Ended poorly, result-wise, but led some laps. We had a really fast car though, so I’m looking forward to going back there. We have a long practice session this weekend, so we get to try some things. This has been a race that has been circled on our calendar all year. Hopefully we have a shot to win. If we don’t have a shot to win, we want to make the best day out of it that we possibly can and have a solid result in our No. 42 Pye-Barker Toyota Camry XSE.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:
“I feel good about Indy. It’s going to come down to qualifying and pit strategy. John Hunter led laps here last year, and I feel like we’ve made lots of improvements since then. I look at this as one of our top races that we could clinch our way into the playoffs.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JONES INDIANAPOLIS STATS: Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will mark Jones’ sixth NASCAR Cup Series start at the iconic, 2.5-mile oval. In his five prior starts, Jones earned a best finish of second after starting 13th in the September 2018 race. He finished just .904 of a second behind race winner Brad Keselowski. He has an additional three starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Indianapolis where he earned a best finish of 22nd in July 2016. In his three Xfinity Series starts though, he never qualified worse than third.

BESHORE AT INDY: Crew Chief Ben Beshore has not only been on top of the box for one NASCAR Cup Series race on the oval at Indianapolis, but also one NASCAR Xfinity Series race which resulted in him kissing the bricks. His one Cup Series start with John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 42 team in July 2024 resulted in a 29th-place result after starting 10th, when a wreck took the team out on lap 161 after an incredible day that saw Nemechek lead 16 laps. In the September 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series race, Beshore started from the pole with Kyle Busch. The team led 46 laps on its way to a .132 of a second margin of victory over Justin Allgaier.

ZIGAZOO AT INDY: In addition to his activities with Ultimate Canine, Jones will welcome social media influencer Elyse Hofer to the racetrack as his guest for the weekend. Hofer is an Indiana-native model and social media influencer who is well known on Instagram, TikTok, and Zigazoo. With over 250K followers on Zigazoo alone, the young social media starlet is making her name known and racking up a following on all three platforms.

GOODNIGHT RACETRACK: In collaboration with the Newgardens, Jones will post a special #READwithErik on his channels where he reads “Goodnight Racetrack” by Andy Amendola and Ashley Newgarden. This is the latest installment of Jones’ program that he started in 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic. He began reading children’s books live on social media for those kids who were stuck at home, and it has since transitioned into a pillar of the Erik Jones Foundation to promote literacy. Watch all of his #READwithErik episodes HERE.

ERIK JONES QUOTE
“Indy’s such a great track, and I’m so happy for it to be back on the oval. Last year getting back to it, we didn’t have much of a race, unfortunately. We had a mechanical issue from Lap 1 that kept us from getting much experience, but I feel like where we’re at this year and our strengths, Indy should be a really good track for the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota team. I’m excited to get there and see what the race is going to bring. This is a race win that is on everyone’s bucket list, including mine. I grew up just four hours away and raced there as a kid in quarter midgets in the parking lot. So, it’s always fun to go back there and just get a chance to race on the oval. I want to have a shot to win at the oval, so I’m looking forward to it. Hoping we can go there and execute well.”

BEN BESHORE QUOTE
“Indianapolis is a track where you can pull a lot of similarities from Pocono. It’s sort of that bigger, 2-mile track with a lot of straightaway time. Qualifying is going to be important at Indy. It’s going to be tricky to pass during the race. If you find yourself off sequence, it’s hard. You’ll have guys who will go back-and-forth on strategies, but you kind of just have to pick a strategy and ride it out. You have to hope that cautions fall in your favor. I love Indy. It’s a really cool track with a lot of tradition. Just seeing those cars come down the front straightaway with grandstands on both sides, there’s nothing like it. The yard of bricks at the start-finish line is iconic. It’s just a really cool place and probably one of my favorite tracks on the schedule.”

CLUB APPEARANCES:
Jones will visit the NASCAR Classics trackside merchandise rig to sign for fans at 10:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, July 27.

Nemechek will visit the NASCAR Classics trackside merchandise rig to sign for fans at 11:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, July 26.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m. ET on TNT, MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

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

Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Preview: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park

By
Official Release
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NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE ADVANCE: LUCAS OIL INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK
Event: TSport 200 (200 laps / 137.2 miles)
Round: 16 of 25 (Regular Season)
Track: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Location: Clermont, Indiana
Date & Time: Friday, July 25 | 8:00 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX Sports 1 | NASCAR Racing Network (NRN) | SiriusXM Ch. 90

Team Stats & Notes

  • Niece Motorsports IRP Stats: Niece drivers have made a combined total of 12 starts at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP) since the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) made its return to the track in 2022. The team has captured one top-five finish delivered by Carson Hocevar in 2023. Last year, Ross Chastain was the highest-finishing driver for the team in 11th.

No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett
Matt Mills Racing

  • Mills’ IRP Stats: Matt Mills has made two prior NCTS starts at IRP, coming home 23rd in his first start in 2023. Mills bested that result by one spot last year, when he finished 22nd.
  • Shiplett’s IRP Stats: Mike Shiplett has only competed in one NCTS race held at IRP which came last year, where he finished 26th with Bret Holmes. Shiplett also made one NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) start at the short track in 2007, finishing in 35th with Deac McCaskill.
  • On the Truck: Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from longtime partners J.F. Electric and Utilitra, who will serve as his anchor partners for the entire 25-race season.
  • Recapping Lime Rock: Matt Mills and the No. 42 team fought hard all afternoon at Lime Rock, but lost all their track position after going off course at the end of the race. Mills started the 100-lap event in 21st, and battled a tight-handling truck in the opening two stages. After making wholesale changes to the setup ahead of the final stage, the J.F. Electric Chevy gained speed. Unfortunately for Mills, once he locked up the brakes and slid off in turn one, his results were shot down, finishing in 26th.
  • Points Rundown: Following his 26th-place result in Lime Rock, Mills remains 19th in the championship points standings. With only three races remaining in the regular season (IRP, Watkins Glen, and Richmond), Mills finds himself in a must-win situation to enter the Playoffs as he sits 189 points below the cutline.
  • Quoting Mills: Given your history at short tracks like Richmond where there is a considerable amount of tire fall off, do you think that should be in your benefit this week?

“Yeah, I think there are some similar characteristics between those places. The first year I raced at IRP, I ran pretty well there, but last year, I put our team in a hole immediately by spinning on lap three of practice. Hopefully, I can help give our team a better notebook this year through practice, because I feel like we can find a good balance of what we need. I think this is a track that suits Niece Motorsports and myself, so hopefully we can rebound from where we were last year. I know we can be fast here.”

About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

No. 44 Illiana Watermelon Association Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Ross Chastain | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers
Josh Bilicki Racing

  • Chastain Returns: Ross Chastain makes his NCTS return this weekend driving the No. 44 Silverado for Niece Motorsports. Chastain has competed in three events this season, finishing as high as second-place at Charlotte Motor Speedway. His tour will wrap up at Watkins Glen International on August 8th.
  • Chastain’s IRP Stats: Chastain has competed in two previous NCTS races held at IRP. In 2011, the Florida native made his series debut at the short track and finished in 10th. Last year, he made his return to the track in over 10 years, recording an 11th-place finish for the No. 45 team.
  • Rogers’ IRP Stats: Wally Rogers has competed in five NCTS races at IRP, and has one top-five and two top-10s to his credit. Rogers’ best result at the track came in 2005 when he ran third with Ron Hornaday, and his team finished 29th last year with Conor Daly after suffering a cut tire mid-race. In six NXS starts at this track, Rogers’ record reflects similar numbers, including a fifth-place result with Hornaday in 2007.
  • On the Truck: Chastain’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from the Illiana Watermelon Association, who has had a longstanding relationship with the veteran.
  • Recapping Lime Rock: Josh Bilicki and the No. 44 team successfully parlayed a mid-range day into a top-10 finish. Bilicki qualified 18th and noted that his truck lacked front end grip in the opening two stages, but the team made big swings on adjustments to make it better. Not afraid to think outside the box, Wally Rogers called for a four-tire pit stop with five laps left in the race. Once chaos ensued on the restart, Bilicki maneuvered his way around the carnage to sneak away in seventh-place.
  • Owner Points Rundown: Coming off their top-10 run in Lime Rock, the No. 44 team remains 17th in the owner championship. The group closed in on 16th-place’s No. 17 team from TRICON Garage, now only five points behind. They have a 35-point gap above 18th-place, currently occupied by the No. 81 team from McAnally-Hilgemann Racing.
  • Quoting Chastain: Your team brought a fast truck here last year, but you weren’t able to get the finish you hoped for. What more are you looking for to be better on Friday night?

“We just have to try and get the trucks to turn better. Front turn is the main goal for us this time around. Last year, what hurt us mainly was I missed our pit stall on the last stop. I turned in too late and got it all jacked up for the pit crew. That’s what lost us the most spots. But yeah, for Wally and the guys, I think the biggest thing we remember that we need to fix is helping our trucks turn a little bit more.”

About Illiana Watermelon Association: Over 70% of our production is produced in and around Knox County, Indiana. Most of that production is within 15 miles east and west of a 50 mile corridor running along US Hwy 41. It has been said many times that you can stand in one farm’s watermelon field and throw a rock in another neighboring watermelon field. Not that we would throw rocks at each other, or anything so crude. We produce over 7,000 acres of watermelon on our farms. If you’re lucky enough to live close to our market areas you already know you can taste the difference. Many travelers stop at our roadside stands to experience the taste of Indiana and Illinois watermelon.

No. 45 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Kaden Honeycutt | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
Kaden Honeycutt Racing

  • Honeycutt’s IRP Stats: Kaden Honeycutt will make his first NCTS start at IRP on Friday night. Honeycutt has competed in one ARCA race at the short track, finishing 19th after an early exit due to a mechanical failure in 2018.
  • Gould’s IRP Stats: Phil Gould has called three NCTS races at IRP, including one top-five finish. While working with Carson Hocevar in 2023, Gould’s team earned a respectable fourth-place result. Last year, Gould guided Ross Chastain to an 11th-place finish.
  • On the Truck: Honeycutt’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from DQS Solutions & Staffing, who will serve as his anchor partner for the majority of the season.
  • Mr. & Mrs.: Last Friday, Honeycutt became a married man after tying the knot with wife, Jessica, in Trinity, North Carolina. The driver will have a special “Just Married” decal with strings and cans on the back of his truck celebrating the event. Congratulations to the happy couple!
  • Recapping Lime Rock: Kaden Honeycutt and the No. 45 team had impressive speed all throughout the day in Lime Rock, but were collected in a crash on the final restart. Honeycutt started sixth and finished there in both stages, earning a total of 10 extra points. The team appeared to be en route to a top-five there at the end, but were punted off the race track and had to settle back in 12th-place.
  • Points Rundown: Consistency has been key for Honeycutt, who gained a spot in the points standings after Lime Rock. Now up to fifth-place overall thanks to the help of a strong amount of stage points, Honeycutt has a 67-point cushion over the Playoffs cutline. Since there have been seven different race winners so far, he’ll need to maintain that consistency over the next three races in order to qualify for the postseason.
  • Quoting Honeycutt: You’ve never raced at IRP before, but have had a good amount of short track reps in a truck. What will be the biggest key to help you adapt here?

“I haven’t raced at IRP since I made my first ARCA start back in 2018, so it’s been a long time since I’ve been there, but the way our short track package has been going, it’s been pretty good all year. So, I’m looking forward to going back to another short track to try and lock ourselves into the Playoffs. We’ll look to have a solid night there and continue our momentum that we’re building on. Each week, we’re continuously getting faster and finishing better in stages, and I think we’re closing in on our first win. IRP is a really worn out racetrack, so it’s going to be about tire management and keeping ourself in a good position to be successful.”

About DQS Solutions & Staffing: Guided by a mission to achieve excellence and adaptability, DQS partners with clients to create custom solutions that address unique business challenges. Recognized as Michigan’s fastest-growing company and #22 in the nation on the Inc. 5000 list, DQS drives industry growth while giving back through its nonprofit, Foundation for Pops, and partnerships like the River Rouge School District.

About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is a professional auto racing team founded by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2025, the team celebrates its 10th consecutive season competing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) where it fields the Nos. 41, 42, 44 and 45. Since its founding in 2016, Niece Motorsports has garnered nine wins, 50+ top-fives, 100+ top-10s, 200+ top-15 finishes and made five playoff appearances. At its 80,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Salisbury, NC, Niece Motorsports is a trusted build shop for the Chevrolet Silverados of multiple NCTS teams as well as a customizable fabrication shop for any manufacturing needs.

Follow the Team: To keep up to date with the latest team news, visit niecemotorsports.com or connect on Facebook and Instagram (@NieceMotorsports) as well as X (@NieceMotorsport).

HFT Advance | Indianapolis

By
Official Release
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Indianapolis Event Info:
Date: Sunday, July 27
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Speedway, Indiana
Format: 160 Laps, 400 Miles, Stages: 30-95-160
TV: TNT
Radio: SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 12:05 p.m. ET, Xfinity Practice (CW App, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Friday: 1:05 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 1 p.m. ET, Xfinity Qualifying (CW App, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 2:35 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 4:30 p.m. ET, Xfinity Race (CW, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 2 p.m. ET, Cup Race (TNT, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The NASCAR Cup Series will run on the 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the second consecutive year after competing on the infield road course the prior three seasons.
  • Sam Mayer (10.7) is tied with Connor Zilisch for the best average finish among full-time Xfinity drivers this season.
  • Mayer has also started inside the top 10 in six of his last seven starts dating back to Nashville Superspeedway in May.
  • Sheldon Creed has recorded three consecutive top-10 finishes at the Chicago Street Course (3rd), Sonoma (10th) and Dover (8th).
  • Cole Custer finished in the top five in his lone Cup Series start on the Indianapolis oval, driving up to fifth after starting 30th.

Cole Custer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Aaron Kramer
Partner: Haas / Autodesk

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

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

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

  • Custer makes his second career Cup start this weekend at the Indianapolis oval, where he finished fifth in his only other start at the track in 2020.
  • He also made two Cup starts at the Indy Road Course, with a best finish of ninth in 2022.
  • Custer has three top-10 results in four Xfinity Series starts at Indy, leading 47 total laps and earning a pole last season.

Creed at Indianapolis (Xfinity)
Starts: 1
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • Creed is set to make his second Xfinity start at Indy on Saturday, where he is fresh off a fifth-place finish in last season’s race after starting 12th.
  • He has made two Xfinity starts on the Indy Road Course, with a best finish of eighth in 2023.

Mayer at Indianapolis (Xfinity)
Starts: 1
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Mayer is in line for his second Xfinity start at Indianapolis this weekend, coming off an opening-lap incident in last season’s race after starting fourth.
  • Across a trio of starts on the Indianapolis RC, Mayer has a pair of top 10s including a runner-up result in 2023.

Where They Stand
Cup Points Standings (41: 34th): Custer is 34th in the Cup Series points standings with 263 points heading into Indianapolis this Sunday.

Xfinity Points Standings (41: 8th, 00: 10th): Mayer sits eighth in the Xfinity points standings with 652 total points on the season, behind the seven winners, while Creed is in 10th place with 551 points.

RFK Advance | Indianapolis

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Official Release
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Indianapolis Event Info:
Date: Sunday, July 27
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Speedway, Indiana
Format: 160 Laps, 400 Miles, Stages: 30-95-160
TV: TNT
Radio: SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 1:05 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 2:35 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 2 p.m. ET, Cup Race (TNT, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The NASCAR Cup Series will run on the 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the second consecutive year after competing on the infield road course the prior three seasons.
  • Chris Buescher leads the Cup Series this season with an average starting position of 10.6, anchored by 10 starts inside the top 10.
  • Buescher is also one of seven drivers with 11+ top-10 results this season, following a ninth-place finish last weekend at Dover in his 350th career start.
  • Over his last nine races, Brad Keselowski has posted five top-10 finishes with an average finish of 14.7.
  • Keselowski won the Brickyard 400 back in 2018 after starting sixth, making a pass on Denny Hamlin with two laps to claim victory.
  • Buescher (8) and Ryan Preece (7) hold the second and third, respectively, longest active lead lap finish streaks in the Cup Series.

6 Team Info:
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins
Partner: Body Guard

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Kroger / Diet Cherry Coke

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: Castrol

Keselowski at Indianapolis
Starts: 12
Wins: 1 (2018)
Top-10s: 6
Poles: —

  • Keselowski enters the weekend as a prior winner at the Brickyard, having won the 2018 Brickyard 400. Otherwise, he has six top 10s overall, including three finishes of fourth or better.
  • The 2012 Cup Champion has led laps in eight events at Indy with a 13.6 average finish dating back to 2010.
  • Despite no pole at the Brickyard, Keselowski has six top-10 starts, including a career-best third in 2014.
  • Keselowski won the Xfinity Series event at Indy back in 2012, leading 33 laps in the No. 22 car.

Buescher at Indianapolis
Starts: 6
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • This weekend marks Buescher’s seventh start on the oval track at Indy. He carries a 19.3 average finish into the weekend with a career-best ninth back in 2017.
  • Buescher’s best qualifying effort at Indy came in 2019 (16th).
  • Buescher also ran a pair of Xfinity events at Indy back in 2014-15, earning finishes of 11th and 16th, respectively.

Preece at Indianapolis
Starts: 3
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Preece is set for his fourth Cup start at IMS this weekend, where he posted a career-best finish of 16th at the track in 2019.
  • He holds a 30.0 average starting position at Indianapolis, including a 23rd-place start in 2022.
  • Preece has also made two career NXS starts at Indy in 2016 and 2018.

RFK Historically at Indy
Cup Wins: —

  • Chasing History: Indianapolis is one of just three active NCS tracks that RFK has not visited Victory Lane at, along with Nashville Superspeedway and Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Despite not earning a victory, RFK has finished in the second position on four separate occasions (1998, 2003, 2006 and 2008) with drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards.
  • Ragan’s Row: Former RFK driver David Ragan earned the organization’s first pole position at the famed 2.5-mile speedway in the 2011 running of this event. Overall, RFK has had one of its Fords on the front row at the hallowed speedway four times.
  • Tale of the Tape: RFK has made 101 starts in the NCS at Indianapolis dating back to 1994. In that span, RFK has 16 top-five and 31 top-10 finishes, with an average finish of 18.7.

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Dover: Buescher 9th; Keselowski 10th; Preece 19th.

Points Standings (17: 15th, 60: 17th, 6: 27th): Buescher sits 44 points above the cutline while Preece is 16 points behind Bubba Wallace for the final playoff spot. Keselowski remained in 27th after a 10th-place run at Dover.

Motul Named Title Sponsor of Road America’s IMSA Race Weekend; Multi-Year Partnership Announced

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Official Release
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ELKHART LAKE, Wis., June 22, 2025 – Road America and Motul are proud to announce a multi-year partnership that will see Motul become the new Official Motor Oil & Lubricant and title sponsor of the annual IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event weekend, beginning in 2025, and a new landmark sponsor of the Turn 9 bridge, previously known as the SpeedVille Bridge, for both IMSA and select events. The event, taking place from July 31 to August 3, will now be officially known as the Motul SportsCar Grand Prix featuring IMSA.

This prestigious partnership will elevate one of the most anticipated stops on the IMSA calendar, bringing enhanced fan experiences, greater international visibility, and a dynamic brand presence throughout the iconic 4.048-mile circuit.

Looking ahead to 2026, the partnership will expand even further as Road America joins the ranks of IMSA’s Michelin Endurance Cup. The midsummer WeatherTech Championship race at Road America will evolve into a six-hour endurance event, with Motul continuing as the title sponsor. The new format aligns Road America with endurance classics such as the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, and Motul Petit Le Mans.

“Road America has long held a special place in North American motorsports, an iconic racetrack with a rich history and passionate fans,” said Amber Bates, General Manager for Motul.

“When we heard Road America would become part of IMSA’s endurance calendar in 2026, it felt like a natural alignment for Motul. Endurance racing has been a core part of who we are for over 70 years, stretching back to the 1954 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Through our involvement in endurance racing and partnerships like this, we’ve had the opportunity to develop and test our formulations in some of the most demanding racing environments around the world.

The opportunity to support this transformation at Road America reinforces our commitment to the fans, teams, and technology that drive this sport forward. We’re proud and excited to be part of this next chapter and look forward to fueling the passion for endurance racing in Wisconsin and beyond.”

The Motul SportsCar Grand Prix will continue to feature the full excitement of IMSA’s top-tier racing while setting the stage for a thrilling new chapter in 2026. Fans can expect expanded programming, endurance-racing drama, and a celebration of speed like never before.

“This is a landmark moment for Road America and sports car racing in Wisconsin,” said Mike Kertscher, President and General Manager of Road America. “Motul’s commitment to innovation and performance makes them the perfect partner to elevate this event for fans, teams, and drivers alike, and we are extremely proud to have them as an entitlement partner.”

As the event approaches, fans are encouraged to secure their tickets, golf carts, and camping spots well in advance. Last year’s massive turnout is a testament to the event’s growing popularity, and this year is expected to draw even more attendees. Don’t miss out on the high-speed action and the chance to explore Road America’s picturesque grounds. Get your tickets now to be part of the excitement only Road America can deliver!

Tickets are available at www.roadamerica.com or by calling 800-365-7223. All races run rain or shine.

LOGAN BEARDEN PARTNERS WITH PATRIOT CREW AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

By
Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, N.C., (July 22, 2025) – NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Logan Bearden announced he will compete this weekend at Indianapolis (Ind.) Motor Speedway in the No.07 Chevrolet Camaro of SS-GreenLight Racing.

Bearden’s primary marketing partner will be Patriot Crew.

“Patriot Crew is proud to join forces with NASCAR Racing, bringing our commitment to quality and American patriotism to race fans everywhere. Together, we celebrate the thrill of the track and the community that drives it,” said Michael Fellows, president of Patriot Crew.

Patriot Crew is an Austin-based apparel brand founded in 2020 by two brothers dedicated to delivering premium, patriot-inspired clothing. They blend timeless design with everyday comfort, empowering individuals to wear their pride.

Follow @patriotcrew.co on social for behind-the-scenes content, driver meet-and-greets and race-week promotions.

“I love partnering with strong American companies like Patriot Crew. They fit so well into the NASCAR family,” said Bearden, a native of Leander, Texas, approximately 26 miles northwest of Austin.

“Patriot Crew truly embodies the traditional American values of quality, community and country – especially with their focus on supporting veterans’ mental health. I feel good about purchasing and wearing their apparel, not only because of the high level of quality and comfort, but also because a portion of every sale goes to veteran-facing organizations.”

Bearden, 29, will make his third Xfinity Series start of the season and second with SS-GreenLight Racing.

The Pennzoil 250 (100 laps | 250 miles) is the 21st of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2025 schedule. Practice will take place on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 12:05 p.m. to 12:55 p.m. Qualifying will follow on race day, July 26, launching at 1:00 p.m. The 38-car field will take the green flag shortly after 4:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage on The CW Network, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

For more information on Logan Bearden, visit https://www.loganbearden.com/ or follow him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/loganbeardenracing/), X (https://x.com/LoganBearden_) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/logan_bearden/).

For more information on Patriot Crew, visit https://patriotcrew.co/ or follow them on Facebook (https://facebook.com/patriotcrew.co), X (https://twitter.com/patriotcrewco) or Instagram (https://instagram.com/patriotcrew.co).

ZAC BROWN BAND AND HENDRICKCARS.COM TO ROCK NASCAR PLAYOFFS WITH ‘STONE SKULL’ PAINT SCHEME

By
Official Release
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KYLE LARSON WILL RACE SPECIAL NO. 5 CHEVROLET AT LAS VEGAS AHEAD OF BAND’S SPHERE CONCERT DATES

CONCORD, N.C. (July 22, 2025) – Zac Brown Band and HENDRICKCARS.COM are teaming with Hendrick Motorsports for a show-stopping presence in the NASCAR playoffs to promote the group’s just-announced 2025 limited engagement at Sphere Las Vegas. The collaboration will feature a special paint scheme on Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet during the Oct. 12 Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Zac Brown Band will perform at Sphere Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13 to coincide with the release of their seventh full-length studio album, “Love and Fear.” Known for fusing country, rock and Southern roots, the multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Award-winning group’s immersive live shows will be elevated by Sphere’s state-of-the-art technology and storytelling capabilities that deliver a concert experience like no other.

The No. 5 Zac Brown Band HendrickCars.com Chevrolet will feature the band’s signature “Stone Skull” logo on the hood with a matte black and gold chrome color palette. Primary sponsor HENDRICKCARS.COM will remain prominently featured on the car.

“Hitting the track with Hendrick Motorsports and Kyle Larson is a badass way to get the word out about our shows at Sphere,” said Zac Brown, frontman and lead vocalist of Zac Brown Band. “Mr. H has been an awesome friend for many years, and we’re thrilled to have this opportunity with his team. These performances are going to be unlike anything we’ve ever done – and this car is just a preview of the spirit we’re bringing to Vegas.”

Hendrick Motorsports fans can access an exclusive presale offer for Zac Brown Band’s Sphere Las Vegas concerts at www.zacbrownband.com using the promo code HENDRICK from 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 23, to 1 a.m. ET on Friday, July 25. Tickets will be available to the general public beginning Friday, July 25.

“Zac and the band are great friends of our organization,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. “They always put on an incredible show, and I personally can’t wait to see what they come up with at Sphere – it’s going to be unbelievable. There’s a natural connection between the energy of rock and roll and the intensity of NASCAR. Las Vegas is one of Kyle’s best tracks, and we hope to deliver a performance for our fans that matches what the band brings to theirs.”

Larson, 32, has been dominant at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Elk Grove, California, native is a three-time winner on the 1.5-mile oval and has led 690 laps there. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion has gone to victory lane twice in his last four starts at the track.

“It’s always cool when two different worlds come together like this,” Larson said. “The paint scheme has a killer edge to it. I’m pumped to take something to Vegas that our No. 5 team fans and Zac Brown Band fans will all be excited about. I love that HENDRICKCARS.COM wanted to make this collaboration happen and is going all in. It’ll be a lot of fun.”

ABOUT HENDRICK AUTOMOTIVE GROUP:
Representing 134 franchises and 26 manufacturer nameplates from the Carolinas to California, Hendrick Automotive Group is the largest privately held automotive retail organization in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company employs more than 11,000 people in its 97 dealership locations, 21 collision centers and four accessories distributor installers in 13 states. For more information, please visit HENDRICKCARS.COM.

ABOUT HENDRICKCARS.COM:
HendrickCars.com is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop more than 30,000 thousand new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.

ABOUT ZAC BROWN BAND:
Zac Brown Band is a multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Award-winning, Southern rock group led by front man, Zac Brown. Throughout their career spanning more than a decade, Zac Brown Band has had six consecutive albums reach the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and five consecutive albums debut at #1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. To date, the group has won three GRAMMY® Awards, including Best New Artist in 2010, sold more than 30.5 million singles, 10.8 million albums, amassed over 11.2 billion catalog streams, achieved 16 #1 radio singles and are the second act to top both the Country and Active Rock formats. Zac Brown Band has headlined nine North American Tours and currently holds the record for most consecutive sold-out shows at the iconic Fenway Park. Symbolic of their massive success at the ballpark, in July 2022, Zac Brown Band was inducted into the Fenway Music Hall of Fame, joining music icons Paul McCartney and Billy Joel. Since their debut, Zac Brown Band has developed a reputation with critics and fans alike as one of the most dynamic live performers, marked by strong musicianship that defies genre boundaries.

ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history. At the sport’s premier level, the organization holds the all-time records in every major statistical category, including championships (14), points-paying race victories (317) and laps led (more than 84,000). It has earned at least one race win in a record 41 different seasons, including an active streak of 40 in a row (1986-2025). The team fields four full-time Chevrolet entries in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Headquartered on more than 150 acres in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Motorsports employs approximately 600 people. For more information, please visit HendrickMotorsports.com or interact on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

Pacers’ Pascal Siakam To Drive Pace Car at Brickyard 400

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Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, July 22, 2025) – Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, a three-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, will serve as honorary Pace Car driver for the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG on Sunday, July 27.

Siakam, who is a Red Bull athlete, will drive the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS and lead the field around the iconic 2.5-mile oval to start the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 615-horsepower Blazer EV SS is the most powerful EV in its class and quickest SS model ever produced by Chevrolet, the fastest-growing EV brand in the U.S.

Siakam didn’t start playing organized basketball until age 17, but by age 26, he was an NBA champion.

Siakam’s journey began in Douala, Cameroon, in a family of six siblings. Even though his older brothers – Boris, Christian and James – all eventually went on to play Division I college basketball in America, Siakam had other plans. He was more interested in soccer.

After an invite to a Basketball Without Borders camp in South Africa at age 16, Siakam went on to attend a prep school in Texas and later played college basketball at New Mexico State before being drafted in the first round by the Toronto Raptors in 2016.

Siakam went from a promising prospect in his rookie NBA season to a bench player in his second year and blossomed into the starting power forward of a championship team in his third season, earning the league’s Most Improved Player award while helping the Raptors capture their first-ever NBA championship in 2019.

In 2024, Siakam was traded to the Indiana Pacers, where he quickly emerged as a key veteran presence on a young, dynamic roster. His leadership and playoff experience were critical during the Pacers’ 2025 postseason run. Siakam’s standout performance earned him the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, and he was instrumental in pushing the team to a hard-fought Game 7 in the NBA Finals — the franchise’s deepest playoff run in recent memory.

“Basketball and motorsports – Pacers and racers – go hand in hand in Indianapolis,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Following the Pacers’ electrifying postseason run, it’s only fitting to have Pascal join us to pace the field as NASCAR’s biggest stars compete to win the In-Season Challenge and add their name to the history books with a win at the Brickyard.”

From a late basketball bloomer to an NBA champion, multi-time All-Star and respected veteran leader, Siakam’s story continues to be one of resilience, adaptability and relentless determination.

The Brickyard 400 presented by PPG is the final race in the five-race NASCAR In-Season Challenge. The winner takes home a $1 million bonus. Catch the race live on TNT Sports at 2 p.m. ET Sunday, July 27.

Visit IMS.com for ticket information for Brickyard Weekend on July 25-27.

TEDSports Indianapolis Partners with Haley, Gainbridge for Brickyard 400

By
Official Release
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Spire Motorsports to Showcase Inaugural Event Aboard No. 7 Chevy

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 22, 2025) – TEDSports Indianapolis, TED’s inaugural event dedicated to the transformative power of sports, will partner with Gainbridge to serve as co-primary sponsors aboard Justin Haley’s No. 7 Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

TED is a nonprofit dedicated to discovering, debating and spreading ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding and drive meaningful change. The first-of-its-kind global confluence of athletes, innovators, scientists, creatives, and change-makers will convene Sept. 9-11, 2025 at the historic Old National Centre in downtown Indianapolis to explore how sports intersect with technology, culture, health, and social impact.

The event will be held in partnership with the Indiana Sports Corp and Next Practice Partners.

“We are proud that TED has chosen our hometown of Indianapolis to host the inaugural TEDSports event in September,” said Mike Nichols, Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation at Gainbridge®. “The Brickyard 400 is a premier event on the NASCAR and Indianapolis calendars, and we are honored to feature TEDSports Indianapolis alongside Gainbridge on Justin Haley’s No. 7 Chevrolet for the weekend.”

“There’s no place more exciting for TEDSports to make its NASCAR debut than the Brickyard,” said Monique Ruff-Bell, TED’s Chief Program and Strategy Officer. “Indianapolis is a city where innovation, culture, and sports converge, and this partnership reflects everything TEDSports is about – exploring bold new intersections and sharing big ideas.”

Haley, a native of Winamac, Ind., is a veteran of 165 NASCAR Cup Series starts and is just one of 41 drivers to have collected victories across NASCAR’s Cup, Xfinity and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The 26-year-old racer earned one top-10 and five top-15 finishes this season and is coming off a 17th-place effort in the division’s most recent stop at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway.

Last season, in his lone Cup Series start at the famed 2.5-mile Indianapolis oval, Haley started 35th and raced his way to a respectable 20th-place finish. He posted a spirited fifth-place finish during the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ 2019 100-lapper.

“It’s always fun when our partners do something unique and explore non-traditional ways to activate their sponsorships,” said Haley. “Gainbridge and Group 1001 are always on the leading edge when it comes to thinking outside the box and innovating across multiple sports platforms. Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is always special but, for a kid from Indiana, being able to represent Gainbridge and TEDSports Indianapolis is a big deal. Our entire team is looking forward to the weekend and eager for the opportunity to make everyone proud.”

The Brickyard 400 from Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be televised live on TNT and streamed on Max Sunday, July 27 beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 22nd of 36 points-paying races on the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule will also be broadcast live on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.

About TEDSports Indianapolis …
TEDSports Indianapolis is TED’s inaugural event dedicated to the transformative power of sports. Taking place from Sept. 9-11, 2025, at the historic Old National Centre in downtown Indianapolis, this three-day experience will convene athletes, innovators, scientists, creatives, and change-makers to explore how sports intersect with technology, culture, health, and social impact.

Under the theme “Game Changers,” the event will feature mainstage TED Talks, interactive workshops, discovery sessions, curated dinners, and immersive experiences designed to spark conversation and inspire action. Curated and organized in collaboration with TED by Indiana Sports Corp and Next Practice Partners, TEDSports aims to redefine how we think about and engage with the world of sports. For more information, visit tedsports-indianapolis.ted.com or follow @TEDSportsIndy on Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.

About TED …
TED is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to discovering, debating and spreading ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding and drive meaningful change. Our organization is devoted to curiosity, reason, wonder and the pursuit of knowledge — without an agenda. We welcome people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world and connection with others, and we invite everyone to engage with ideas and activate them in your community.

TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, but today it spans a multitude of worldwide communities and initiatives exploring everything from science and business to education, arts and global issues. In addition to the TED Talks curated from our annual conferences and published on TED.com, we produce original podcasts, short video series, animated educational lessons (TED-Ed) and TV programs that are translated into more than 100 languages and distributed via partnerships around the world. Each year, thousands of independently run TEDx events bring people together to share ideas and bridge divides in communities on every continent. Through the Audacious Project, TED has helped catalyze more than $3 billion in funding for projects that seek to make the world more beautiful, sustainable and just. In 2020, TED launched Countdown, an initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis and mobilize a movement for a net-zero future, and in 2023 TED launched TED Democracy to spark a new kind of conversation focused on realistic pathways towards a more vibrant and equitable future. Follow TED on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X.

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

In 2025, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team also fields the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and the No. 77 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series in select events.

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