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Cook Out Clash Returns to Historic Bowman Gray Stadium on Feb. 1, 2026

By
Official Release
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Cook Out Returns as Entitlement Partner for the Opening NASCAR Cup Series Exhibition Event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

WINSTON SALEM, N.C. (July 9, 2025) – Today, NASCAR announced the Cook Out Clash will return to Bowman Gray Stadium as the opening exhibition event for the 2026 season. Following the sold-out success of this year’s Cook Out Clash, the first NASCAR Cup Series exhibition race of the 2026 season will return to the historic venue on Saturday, Jan. 31 and Sunday, Feb. 1. The Cook Out Clash at ‘The Madhouse’ will be broadcast by FOX Sports.

“We wrote a new chapter in the storied history of motorsports at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cook Out Clash this year,” said Joey Dennewitz, Managing Director, NASCAR Regional. “As NASCAR’s first weekly racetrack, we are proud to bring the 2026 Cook Out Clash back to the original home to grassroots racing. Thanks to the City of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem State University for their continued partnership at ‘The Madhouse’.”

“The City of Winston Salem is deeply honored to have been chosen to host the 2026 Cook Out Clash,” said City of Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines. “The 2025 race was an immensely successful event for all parties involved. We will work hard to ensure that the 2026 Cook Out Clash is even more successful.”

Cook Out, one of the fastest growing family-owned restaurant chains in the nation, will return as the entitlement partner for the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Based in the Winston-Salem area since 1989, Cook Out is known for its Cook Out burgers as part of the “best combos in town.” The restaurant chain has 350 locations across 11 states.

“We are proud to support the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in our backyard in Winston-Salem,” said Jeremy and Morris Reaves, CEO and Founder of Cook Out. “We look forward to bringing our NASCAR racing family together in our community once again with the Cook Out Clash. Last year was so amazing and we can’t wait to do it again!”

Cook Out has a strong presence in NASCAR as it is the entitlement partner for the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway and Richmond Raceway, and the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway where it also serves as the Official Quick Service Restaurant. It is also a proud sponsor of the NASCAR Youth Series and is an active sponsor at the grassroots level.

“Cook Out is an amazing partner that continues to have a positive impact across NASCAR,” said Justin Swilling, Project Lead for the Cook Out Clash. “Their support continues to take our events to the next level, and we look forward to working together to make this year’s Cook Out Clash another memorable sold-out event.”

Built in 1937, Bowman Gray Stadium, a quarter-mile short track, holds a special place in NASCAR history as the longest-running weekly racetrack. In 1949, Bill France Sr. and Alvin Hawkins, two founding fathers of NASCAR, brought motorsports to the facility as the first weekly racetrack and first paved racetrack that NASCAR competed on. In 2024, NASCAR took over the long-term management of racing operations at Bowman Gray Stadium in partnership with the City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The racetrack hosted 29 NASCAR Grand National, now NASCAR Cup Series, races from 1958 to 1971. Bowman Gray Stadium has hosted many NASCAR legends including Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, Glen Wood, David Pearson, Ned Jarrett, Richie Evans, Jerry Cook, and others. Petty won his 100th NASCAR Grand National race in the 1969 Myers Brothers 250 at the racetrack.

More recently, Bowman Gray Stadium hosted several East Series races from 2011 to 2015. Ben Kennedy, great grandson of Bill France Sr., won an East Series race there in 2013. Other winners include two-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion Ben Rhodes and Cup Series drivers Ryan Preece and Corey LaJoie.

This year’s Cook Out Clash was the first Cup Series race at the historic track since 1971. Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series champion, won this year’s Cook Out Clash. With a history of intense competition, NASCAR is proud to bring the Cup Series back for the Cook Out Clash at ‘The Madhouse.’

For more information and to get on the list to purchase tickets for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, visit NASCARClash.com. To learn more about the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series season with weekly modified, sportsman, street stock and stadium stock competition, visit bowmangrayracing.com.

About Bowman Gray Stadium

Built in 1937, Bowman Gray Stadium, a quarter-mile short track, holds a special place in NASCAR history as the longest-running weekly racetrack. The racetrack hosted 29 NASCAR Grand National, now NASCAR Cup Series, races from 1958 to 1971 and hosted several East Series races from 2011 to 2015. The Cup Series returned in 2025 with the Cook Out Clash for the first time since 1971. For more information, visit bowmangrayracing.com.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and Snapchat.

Christopher Bell To Run First Two Nights of Eldora’s Kings Royal

By
Official Release
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Interstate Batteries Joins Bell for July 16 Double Down Duels and July 17 Joker’s Jackpot

NASCAR Cup Series Driver Tackling Three Racing Disciplines in One Week Between

Road Course at Sonoma, Half-Mile Dirt Oval at Eldora, and High-Banked Mile Oval at Dover

DALLAS (July 9, 2025) – The NASCAR Cup Series goes coast-to-coast next week, competing in Northern California on Sunday at Sonoma Raceway and then traveling 2,900 miles eastward to the shores of Delaware for next Sunday’s race at Dover Motor Speedway.

In between, Christopher Bell, driver of the No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing, will spend Wednesday and Thursday, July 16-17, in Rossburg, Ohio, at the famed Eldora Speedway where he will compete in the first two nights of the 42nd annual Kings Royal, one of sprint car racing’s crown-jewel events.

“NASCAR has the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Brickyard 400 and Southern 500. Sprint car racing has the Kings Royal and the Knoxville Nationals. Those are always the big events,” said Bell, who made his name in sprint cars and midgets before establishing himself as a perennial championship contender in the NASCAR Cup Series.

“The Kings Royal is a huge event and it’s always an honor to be a part of it, even if it’s only for the first two nights.”

Bell will drive the No. 69k 410 winged sprint car for team owner and National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Don Kreitz, Jr, in Wednesday night’s Double Down Duels and Thursday night’s Joker’s Jackpot. He will be easy to spot. Interstate Batteries, the leading replacement battery brand in the United States, will sponsor Bell in his quest with its traditional bright green livery adorning the No. 69k.

“Interstate Batteries’ commitment to motorsports is impressive,” Bell said. “They’re synonymous with NASCAR because they’ve been with Joe Gibbs Racing since its beginning – 34 years and counting. But Interstate Batteries has been on dragsters, powerboats, bikes, sprint cars – all kinds of racing machines. To get a win at Eldora, and to do it with Interstate Batteries, would make for a heckuva night. They’ve bought a suite and they’re all coming in for the two nights I’m racing. Would love to be able to deliver for them.”

With 12 career Cup Series wins, three of which were earned earlier this year, Bell’s delivery skills make Amazon drivers look over their shoulders.

His winning ways began early, from go-karts at age 6 to USAC’s top-three national touring divisions as a teen, where he campaigned in Midget, Silver Crown and Sprint Car – three very different types of open-wheel racecars – on a variety of tracks that included both asphalt and dirt.

“Dirt racing, for sure, gives you versatility, and you have to be versatile to be successful at it. You have to be good at adapting to ever-changing track conditions and the conditions the cars throw your way,” said Bell, who racked up 29 career USAC wins, along with the 2013 National Midget title. “That’s something I grew up with, just racing different disciplines, different styles of cars, and I think that’s translated to my NASCAR career, just being able to not get set in your ways, and racing with an open mind and knowing that sometimes different lanes are going to open up. You use different driving styles and techniques, and I do think that comes from my background.”

Returning to his dirt-track roots allows Bell to do what he loves while also honing his race craft to be good no matter what he races or where.

“Racers race, and the more you race, the better you are,” said Bell, who believes that being in race shape brings a heightened level of physical fitness to his craft. “You can go lift weights and run as much as you want, but being in that racing environment and focusing on the task at hand, it’s different – a lot different – and there’s no way you can prepare for it other than doing it.”

Doing it at Eldora and, specifically, during the Kings Royal, brings a heightened level of difficulty. The event features a who’s who of sprint car racing’s elite from the nascent Kubota High Limit Racing and the established World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series. It is four straight nights of intense racing action.

Bell would be a part of all of it, but his NASCAR commitments curb his participation to just the $12,000-to win Double Down Duels on Wednesday night and the $100,000-to-win Joker’s Jackpot on Thursday night. He will have to watch the $25,000-to-win The Knight Before on Friday night and, of course, the marquee $200,000-to win Kings Royal on Saturday night from his motorcoach in the infield at Dover, each of which will be livestreamed on DirtVision beginning at 6:45 p.m. EDT.

“Eldora is just an amazing facility,” Bell said. “It has a ton of history and it’s been around forever. It’s just a special place.”

Bell won his first race at Eldora not in a sprint car or midget, but in a Toyota Tundra when he competed in the 2015 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the high-banked clay oval. It was a prelude to more Eldora wins, as two months later in September, Bell won both the USAC Midget and Silver Crown features of the 4-Crown Nationals. The Norman, Oklahoma, native secured his first sprint car win at Eldora when he drove a 360 winged sprint car to victory in May 2016 during the NRA Sprint Invaders portion of the annual Johnny Appleseed Classic. Bell nabbed his second sprint car win at Eldora when he won the 2017 edition of The Knight Before. His third, and most recent, Eldora sprint car win came in October 2018 when he won the track’s #LastCallForThemAll season finale. Bell’s last two sprint car victories at Eldora have come with the World of Outlaws.

“Sprint car racing is just so real and raw and true. You can’t fake it,” said Bell, a six-time World of Outlaws feature winner. “You’ve got to qualify well and you’ve got to race well. There are no pit stops. It’s just the driver and the car once it’s on the track. You still have a team. You have a crew chief and mechanics who work on the car, but it’s all really in your hands, and you can’t fake your way around a sprint car, that’s for sure.”

Bell’s week of speed begins this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. EDT with the Toyota/Save Mart 350k from the 1.99-mile, 10-turn Sonoma road course, broadcast live on TNT and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Wednesday night’s Double Down Duels and Thursday night’s Joker’s Jackpot will both be livestreamed on FloRacing beginning at 6 p.m., with the Joker’s Jackpot also being shown live on FS1, with that linear broadcast starting at 7 p.m. Next Sunday’s AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 from the concrete-clad Dover mile goes green at 2 p.m. EDT with live coverage on TNT and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Joe Gibbs Racing:

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR with four NASCAR Cup Series teams, four NASCAR Xfinity Series teams, and a driver development program. JGR is based in Huntersville, North Carolina, and owned by 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Joe Gibbs, who also earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was named as one of the NFL’s top-10 coaches of all-time with a winning career that included three Super Bowl championships as head coach of the Washington franchise. JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, capturing 400 wins over that span. No team has more combined wins across the sport’s three national series in the history of NASCAR. In addition, JGR has won five Cup Series championships along with four Xfinity Series driver championships and six Xfinity Series owners’ championships. The organization also has captured four Daytona 500 titles, considered to be NASCAR’s premier event.

About Interstate Batteries:

For more than 70 years, Interstate Batteries® has powered people down roads, trails and waterways and businesses to succeed. Best known for its starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) batteries, this product has been under car hoods since 1952, each one backed by the company’s service, quality and value. Interstate All Battery Center® provides portable power in both retail and commercial markets. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Interstate Batteries is an industry leader in recycling efforts, as well as a global leader in safe lead handling practices. Guided by a set of common values, the company’s purpose is to glorify God and enrich lives while delivering the most trustworthy source of power to the world. For more information, visit www.InterstateBatteries.com.

Christopher Bell to make 200th Cup career start at Sonoma

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Tim Jarrold for SpeedwayMedia.com.

In his sixth full-time season as a NASCAR Cup Series competitor, Christopher Bell is on the verge of achieving a milestone. By competing in this weekend’s third In-Season Tournament event of the year at Sonoma Raceway, the driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry XSE entry will make his 200th career start in NASCAR’s premier series.

A native of Norman, Oklahoma, Bell made his first career start as a Cup Series competitor in the 62nd running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in February 2020. By then, he was coming off two full-time seasons in the Xfinity Series, where he racked up a combined 15 victories and made the Championship 4 round while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing during both seasons. Previously, he achieved the 2017 Craftsman Truck Series championship while driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Starting in 17th place, Bell, who competed in the No. 95 Toyota Camry for Leavine Family Racing, ended up 21st during his Cup debut after he was collected in a multi-car wreck with two laps remaining. Bell would then finish no higher than 24th twice during his next four starts before he finished in the top 11 while racking up two ninth-place results during the following four events on the schedule. Another five races later, he notched his first top-five result in the Cup circuit by finishing fourth during the first of a Pocono Raceway doubleheader feature.

Amid an extra top-10 result in the form of a seventh-place run at Kentucky Speedway in July for his next 12 starts, Bell, who averaged a 20th-place run throughout the 26-race regular-season stretch, did not earn a spot for the 2020 Cup Series Playoffs. For the remaining 10 events on the schedule, he achieved a season-best third-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in late October before settling in 20th place in the final driver’s standings. With a total of two top-five results, seven top-10 results, 18 laps led and an average finishing result of 20.3 throughout the 36-race campaign, Bell settled in third place in the 2020 Rookie-of-the-Year standings.

Despite Leavine Family Racing ceasing operations at the conclusion of the 2020 season, Bell reunited with Joe Gibbs Racing as he replaced Erik Jones to pilot the team’s No. 20 Toyota Camry on a full-time basis in 2021. Despite finishing 16th during the 63rd running of the Daytona 500, Bell rebounded by scoring his first Cup Series career victory in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 on Daytona’s road-course layout after he overtook Joey Logano prior to the final lap and held him off for a final circuit to become the first Oklahoma native and the 197th competitor overall to win in NASCAR’s premier series.

Bell proceeded to finish in the runner-up spot twice and rack up seven additional results in the top 10 throughout the 26-race regular-season stretch before transferring into the Playoffs as a contender for the first time in his career. Despite transferring into the Round of 12 amid respective finishes of 20th, third and 29th throughout the Round of 16, he missed the cutline to transfer past the Round of 12 amid respective finishes of 24th, fifth and eighth throughout the round.

With three top-nine results recorded in the final four events on the schedule, Bell capped off his sophomore Cup season in 12th place in the final driver standings. By then, he earned five additional top-five results and nine additional top-10 results while boosting his average finishing result to 15.8 compared to his rookie Cup campaign. 

The 2022 Cup Series season was a breakthrough season for Bell, who finished no higher than 10th during the first five events on the schedule before he recorded four top-five results and nine top-10 results during his next 14 starts. Then at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July, the Oklahoma native scored his first elusive Cup victory of the season after leading the final 42 laps.

Despite generating three additional top-eight results throughout the final six events on the regular-season schedule, Bell clinched a spot in the Cup Series Playoffs for a second consecutive year. After transferring into the Round of 12 with three consecutive top-five results throughout the Round of 16, he then rallied from finishing no higher than 17th during the Round of 12’s first two events by capturing a late victory at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course in October, which enabled him to vault from below the cutline to the Round of 8.

After finishing no higher than 11th during the Round of 8’s first two events, Bell then notched a clutch victory during the Round of 8 finale at Martinsville Speedway by overtaking Chase Briscoe with five laps remaining and muscling away to capture his third win of the season and race his way into the Championship 4 round for the first time in his career while also delivering the 200th Cup career win for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Ultimately, Bell would finish 10th on the track during the finale at Phoenix Raceway and settle in a career-best third place in the final driver’s standings. Overall, he capped off his junior Cup season with career-high stats in season-race victories (four), top fives (12) and top 10s (20). In addition, he notched four poles, led 573 laps and recorded an average finishing result of 13.8.

Poised for another championship run in 2023, Bell commenced the season by finishing in third place in the 65th running of the Daytona 500. He then accumulated four top-six runs during his next six starts before notching his first victory of the season at the Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Course. He led a race-high 100 of 250 laps and fended off a late challenge from Tyler Reddick. With seven additional top-10 finishes generated throughout the final 18 regular-season events, Bell made his third consecutive appearance in the Playoffs. He would then transfer through the playoffs’ first two rounds on the strength of three top-10 results.

Bell redeemed himself a week after he was beaten in a narrow finish by Kyle Larson in the Round of 8 opener at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October. In the following event at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Larson won and clinched a Championship 4 berth for a second consecutive season.

Despite having a strong start during the finale at Phoenix, Bell’s championship hopes evaporated on Lap 109 of 312 after a failed brake rotor sent Bell into the outside wall and out of contention, with significant damage made to his entry. Amid the disappointment of ending up in fourth place in the final driver’s standings, Bell capped off the 2023 season with two victories, a career-high six poles, 10 top-five results and 19 top-10 results. In addition, he achieved a career-high 599 laps led and a new career-best average-finishing result of 12.9.

This past season, Bell, who won the second Bluegreen Vacations Duel event at Daytona before finishing in third place in the Daytona 500 for a second consecutive season, rallied from finishing outside the top 30 during his next two starts by claiming an early victory at Phoenix in March.

The Oklahoma native proceeded to win the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte in May and at New Hampshire Motor Speedway amid wet conditions in July. To go along with nine top-five results, Bell made his fourth consecutive appearance in the Playoffs. After finishing in the top seven in all but one of the first six Playoff events on the schedule, he transferred from the Playoff’s Round of 16 to 8.

Bell finished second and fourth, respectively, throughout the Round of 8. He then used a final lap overtake on Toyota teammate Bubba Wallace while also slapping and accelerating his No. 20 Toyota against the outside wall through the final turn to initially clinch his third consecutive Championship 4 berth in a tie-breaker over William Byron. NASCAR completed an extensive review of the finish.

Bell originally scored an 18th-place finish, but was demoted to 22nd place. They deemed his wall-riding maneuver as outlawed, a rule that had been in effect since the start of the 2023 season and following Ross Chastain’s wall-riding move in 2022. The final ruling resulted in Bell missing the Championship 4 round by four points while Byron was awarded the spot.

Amid the controversy over the finish, Bell proceeded to lead a race-high 143 of 312 laps during the finale before he finished in fifth place both on the track and in the final standings. By then, Bell had achieved career-high stats in top fives (15), top 10s (23), and laps led (1,145), while also recording a career-best average finishing result of 12.8, which was a tenth better than his previous result of 12.9 from the 2023 season.

This season, Bell has achieved three victories through 19 scheduled events. All of his points-paying victories occurred in three consecutive races, including Atlanta Motor Speedway, Circuit of the Americas, and Phoenix, from late February to early March. He also achieved his first All-Star Race victory at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May following a late battle with Logano.

To go along with his pole, Bell has seven top-fives, 11 top-10s, 153 laps led, and an average finishing result of 12.7. He is currently ranked in sixth place in the 2025 driver standings as he strives to return to the Championship 4 round and contend for his first Cup Series title.

Through 199 previous Cup starts, Bell has achieved 12 victories, 14 poles, 53 top-five results, 96 top-10 results, 2,588 laps led and an average-finishing result of 14.9.

Christopher Bell will make his 200th Cup Series career start at Sonoma Raceway for the Toyota/Save Mart 350. It will make the third of five In-Season Tournament events this year. The event will occur on Sunday, July 13, at 3:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

Why Night Out Groups Book Chauffeur Instead of Uber

By
SM
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Photo by Bilderboken on Unsplash

Planning a big night out in Charlotte? Whether it’s a birthday celebration, bar crawl, or bachelorette party, one thing is certain: how you get there matters. Sure, you could rely on Uber or Lyft – but more and more groups are choosing chauffeur service instead. And for good reason.

When it comes to a stress-free, stylish, and safe night on the town, private transportation offers clear advantages. Here’s why party groups are ditching the rideshare apps and riding with professional chauffeurs instead.

Reliability Comes First

Let’s face it – Uber is hit or miss on busy nights. Surge pricing, long wait times, and canceled rides are all too common during peak nightlife hours.

With a dedicated event transportation service, you don’t leave your plans up to chance. You’ll have a professional driver ready and waiting according to your schedule, ensuring that your night stays on track – not on pause.

Safety for the Whole Group

Booking a chauffeur service means you know exactly who’s behind the wheel. No last-minute driver changes, no uncomfortable rides, and no uncertainty. You’re in a professionally licensed vehicle with an experienced chauffeur who’s focused on your comfort and safety – especially important when alcohol is involved.

For bachelorette parties or any all-women group, safety and privacy matter – and professional chauffeurs deliver both.

Travel Together, Not in Pieces

One of the biggest frustrations with rideshares is the vehicle size limit. Bigger groups often get split into separate cars, which kills the party mood before it even starts.

With private group transportation, everyone rides together. Whether it’s a luxury SUV, or van – there’s room for the entire crew to enjoy music, conversation, and even pre-party drinks en route.

The Party Starts in the Ride

This isn’t just a way to get from point A to point B. With the right transportation, the ride is part of the experience. Think leather seats, premium sound systems, ambient lighting, and that VIP energy that makes everyone feel special.

It’s perfect for capturing those Insta-worthy group photos before you even hit the first bar.

No Surprise Pricing

Surge pricing on Uber during peak hours can turn a short ride into a big expense. With a professional chauffeur service, you get a flat, upfront rate. No surprises, no hidden fees, no last-minute cancellations.

Why Teleport Limo Is the Preferred Choice in Charlotte

For nightlife groups looking to elevate their experience, Teleport Limo offers premium, personalized service designed around your night. Whether you’re hitting the town, organizing a bar crawl, or celebrating a milestone event, Teleport Limo provides luxury vehicles, vetted drivers, and flexible packages tailored for event transportation and group transportation.

  • Experienced, licensed chauffeurs
  • Clean, insured, luxury vehicles
  • On-time arrival – every time
  • Privacy, comfort, and VIP treatment

If you’re looking to turn a good night into an unforgettable one, Teleport Limo is the way to go.

When planning a big night out, don’t let transportation be an afterthought. With a professional chauffeur service, you get more than just a ride – you get peace of mind, style, and an experience that starts before the first stop and ends long after the last.

Ready to upgrade your next night out? Discover the difference with Teleport Limo – Charlotte’s trusted name in group transportation and luxury event transportation.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: SONOMA RACEWAY RACE PREVIEW

By
Official Release
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: SONOMA RACEWAY PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: Toyota / Save Mart 350
DATE: July 13, 2025
RACE: NASCAR Cup Series 20 of 36
TRACK: Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway | 1.99-mile, 10-turn street course

CLUB MINUTES:

TNT IN SEASON BRACKET: With two rounds complete in TNT’s In Season Tournament, both LEGACY MOTOR CLUB drivers have advanced to the third round to face each other in an elimination battle. Last weekend, Erik Jones bested his opponent Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. despite a broken toe link after the second stage. Meanwhile, John Hunter Nemechek beat his match-up Chase Elliott in the final laps of the race by finished one spot better than the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. Now the LEGACY MC teammates will go head-to-head in this Sunday’s Toyota / Save Mart 350 to the final four next weekend at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway.

PLAYOFF PICTURE WITH SEVEN TO GO: The NASCAR Playoffs kick off on Aug. 31 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Only seven races remain until they begin, and both LEGACY MC drivers are in the hunt to point their way in. Erik Jones has been one of the biggest points movers over the past two months, catapulting himself from 29th in points at Texas Motor Speedway to 17th. He’s currently 50 points below the top-16 cutline. Nemechek is currently 20th in points after a strong couple of races. He’s currently 68 points before the cutline.

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

LEGACY LANE: LEGACY MC co-owner Jimmie Johnson has one win, four top five, and seven top 10 finishes in 12 starts at Sonoma Raceway. He has led 85 laps at the 1.99-mile road course. His average finish at Sonoma is 12.4 in 17 starts and won at Sonoma in 2010.

KENSETH AT SONOMA: LEGACY MC competition advisor Matt Kenseth owns 19 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Sonoma. In total, he owns one top-10 with his best finish of eighth in June 2008 at the road course.

NEVER SETTLE: Join ESPN’s Marty Smith and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s co-owner 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 six-time IndyCar Champion Scott Dixon.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 MOBIL1 TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN AT SONOMA: John Hunter Nemechek has four starts at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway across all three NASCAR national series – one in the Cup Series, two in the Xfinity Series, and one in the Truck Series. He finished 8th in the Truck Series race in 2022, followed by a 16th-place result in the 2023 Xfinity race. In 2024, he ran both the Xfinity and Cup races, finishing eighth and 29th, respectively.

ROAD COURSES THIS YEAR: Nemechek’s first road course race of the 2025 season produced a 22nd-place result at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. The team learned and grew from that race to deliver a career-best Cup Series road course finish of sixth at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. Last Sunday’s Grant Park 165 on the Chicago Street Course tested him once again. After qualifying 25th, he battled through multiple challenges and damage to climb to 15th by the checkered flag.

T-MACK SONOMA STATS: Sunday’s Toyota / Save Mart 350 will be crew chief Travis Mack’s fifth race at Sonoma Raceway. His first outing came in June 2021 with Daniel Suárez, who earned a 12th-place finish. The duo returned in June 2022 to capture the long-awaited victory for the No. 99 team. In June 2023, Mack and Suárez finished 22nd. Then in his last race there in June 2024, Mack scored a sixth-place result with A.J. Allmendinger.

NEMECHEK’S UPWARD TRAJECTORY: Following the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, Nemechek sat 26th in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings. A strong and steady performance throughout the month of June marked a turning point for him and the No. 42 team though. Building momentum with each race, they climbed six positions in the standings and now sit 20th as they head into the Sonoma race weekend with renewed confidence and a clear upward trajectory.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE: 
“I don’t have a lot of experience at Sonoma under my belt with only one Cup start. I wrecked around Lap 3 last year from some oil on track getting into Turn 1. Not really a lot to take away but looking forward to going back out there. I’ve been able to run a lot of laps on sim, iRacing, and video games growing up, so hopefully all that prep is good for us this weekend. Our road course program continues to get better each time we’ve run road course this year. Hopefully we have positive momentum coming off Chicago and have a really good No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE: 
“Sonoma is where I got my first win in the Cup series in 2004 with Jeff Gordon and my first win as crew chief in the Cup Series, so I plan to make it our first win with John Hunter. I’m confident in our road course cars. We were sixth in Mexico, we had a top ten or a top five day going at Chicago with potential, and it just didn’t work out due to some damage, but we’re really looking forward to Sonoma.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JONES SONOMA STATS: Sunday’s Toyota / Save Mart 350 will mark Jones’ eighth NASCAR Cup Series start at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway. In his prior seven starts, Jones earned two top-10s and four top-20s with a best finish of seventh earned in his June 2018 start at the road course. He followed that up in June 2019 with an eighth-place finish and an 11th-place result in June 2021. Jones has one additional start outside of the Cup Series in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West in June 2018 where he started 13th and finished sixth.

BESHORE AT SONOMA: Crew chief Ben Beshore has been on top of the pit box for four races in the Cup Series at Sonoma. His first two in June 2017 and June 2021 resulted in fifth-place results in both events from Kyle Busch. He went on to finish 30th with Busch in June 2022 and 29th last June with John Hunter Nemechek. He has one race under his belt in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as well with Nemechek, where the team started ninth and finished 16th.

SWAPPING ROLES: Sonoma race weekend will also mark Jones’ debut in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as a spotter. He’s switching roles with his full-time spotter Will Rodgers while the latter gets behind the wheel of the No. 70 car in Saturday’s 79-lap Xfinity Series race. Jones has limited experience as a spotter in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, but this will be his first in the series where he owns nine victories. Rodgers started spotting for Jones at the beginning of the 2025 season. Saturday’s race will mark Rodger’s ninth Xfinity Series career start.

RODGERS AND JONES SONOMA BATTLE: Jones and his spotter Rodgers only raced against each other twice in their careers on the track. The first was the June 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma. It was just the second time Jones tackled the track after making his debut in his 2017 rookie season, and he was joined by fellow Cup Series drivers Aric Almirola, Daniel Suarez, and William Byron in the 64-lap race. Rodgers was running a part-time schedule in 2018 but started from the pole for the race while Jones started 13th. By the checkered flag, Rodgers protected his pole position to win the race while Jones rallied for a sixth-place finish.

RUN WITH ME: Jones will join the latest installment of NASCAR’s “Run with Me” social media series this weekend at Sonoma alongside the two people who got him into running – Trevor Bayne and Matt Kenseth. “Run with Me” started at the beginning of the 2025 season with the premise of an interview with drivers while having them run a lap around the track. In the latest installment, the LEGACY MC trio will do a relay-style interview with Bayne starting the interview through the first few turns before handing it off to Kenseth who will then hand it off to Jones to cross the start-finish line. The video will live on NASCAR’s social platforms after filming.

ZIGAZOO CONTEST: As part of his partnership with Zigazoo, Jones launched a competition last weekend for a contest to invite one Zigazoo user and his family to come out to a race this season. In a social post released last Saturday, he challenged young fans to post their own victory celebration on the Zigazoo app for a chance to win a trip to a race and meet Jones. All fans have to do is post their video on the app with the hashtag #ErikJonesVictoryChallenge.

ERIK JONES QUOTE: 
“Sonoma is always fun. It’s been a place that I’ve been to for a long time now. With that, it’s one of the places that I feel comfortable at when making laps. I feel like the tracks lends itself to some good racing – some hard racing – but you’re able to pass and move around to do what you need to do. I always look forward to get out there. It’s a beautiful part of the country and a great time of year to race there. Hopefully we can get ourselves back on track after Chicago.”

BEN BESHORE QUOTE:
“The unique part about Sonoma is that it has a lot of elevation changes with the up-and-down. It’s got more “s” type corners than Chicago instead of the hard-breaking corners. Sonoma is more of a flowy-rhythm track. It’s got more finesse-type sections. After the repave, the track has a lot more grip than it had a few years ago. It used to be really biased toward forward drive and getting the throttle down off the corners, but now it’s gripped up and you can make a lot of grip through the tires. It’s going to be a lot like Chicago from a strategy standpoint to keep your guy out front and keep him out of trouble.”

CLUB APPEARANCES:
Jones will stop by the Toyota merchandise hauler on Sunday, July 13 at 10:25 a.m. local time to sign autographs for fans in the Sonoma Raceway Fan Zone.

Nemechek will visit the NASCAR Classics trackside merchandise rig to sign for fans at 10:15 a.m. local time on Sunday, July 13.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, July 13 at 3:30 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.

DEECELL AFTER DARK LOW QUALIFIER HIGHLIGHTS FRIDAY NIGHT SESSION AT MUCKLESHOOT CASINO RESORT NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS

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Popular Friday night session returns to Pacific Raceways, with added bonus money on the line

SEATTLE (July 8, 2025) – After last year’s thrilling first-ever night session for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, this year’s encore will be even more memorable thanks to the Deecell Power Systems “After Dark Low Qualifier” bonus.

The bonus money will go to the low qualifiers of the must-see night session on Friday, July 18 in the four professional categories as part of the Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals.

Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will kick off the Deecell “After Dark Low Qualifier” festivities Friday at 8:15 p.m. PT, with the 12,000-horsepower, 340-mph nitro categories taking to the track under the lights at 9:15 p.m. The top qualifier of that session will earn bonus money in each class, with the low qualifier in Top Fuel and Funny Car earning $4,000 each. The Pro Stock low qualifier will get $2,500 and the top qualifier on Friday night in Pro Stock Motorcycle earns $1,500, adding a thrilling incentive to what is expected to be another incredible night session in the Pacific Northwest.

“Partnering with NHRA was a no-brainer for us. We wanted to give back to the racing community, and this award is one way we’re doing it. There’s nothing like watching the professional race teams under the lights in Seattle — it deserves recognition,” said Andrew Moeck, founder of Deecell. “We’ve built Deecell to solve real problems racers face, but it’s also changing the game for the broader transportation industry. This is just another chance to connect with the people we built it for — both at the track and on the road.”

The four Deecell “After Dark Low Qualifier” winners will also take part in an autograph session at 11 a.m. PT on Saturday at the Deecell display at Pacific Raceways.

The Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals takes place July 18-20, offering three days of unbelievable action, including the Friday night session, three nitro qualifying sessions on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday.

The race will be broadcast on FOX, with elimination coverage on Sunday at 4:30 ET p.m. Last year, Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Chase Van Sant (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won, while Justin Ashley, Prock, Aaron Stanfield and Gaige Herrera won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge.

No. 1 qualifiers included Torrence, Prock, Erica Enders in Pro Stock and Herrera. This year, even more will be on the line to qualify at the top, especially under the lights and with a spectacular backdrop on Friday night.

“Introducing the Deecell ’After Dark Low Qualifier’ bonus is a thrilling addition for Seattle’s Friday night session,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “Last year’s inaugural nighttime qualifying session was electric and now, with extra money on the line for the quickest run under the lights, we look forward to building on that energy. Deecell’s continued support of NHRA and our racers is very exciting to see and there’s no doubt Pacific Raceways is going to be the place to be on Friday and all weekend.”

The weekend kicks off with $15,000 Mission Foods Machine Tournament at Muckleshoot Casino Resort, where fans can register for free. It’s followed by a fan fest at Auburn Outlets Collection on Thursday, July 17 at 5 p.m. PT. On Saturday following qualifying, race fans can visit Muckleshoot Casino Resort for the official NHRA after-party with live music from 7 p.m.-1 a.m. PT.

Leading the Top Fuel points is motorsports legend and 2024 Rookie of the Year Tony Stewart. Others to watch include Shawn Langdon, Ashley, who has won back-to-back races, Brittany Force and reigning world champion Antron Brown. Defending Funny Car world champ Prock continues to impress with four event wins and the points lead. The star-studded class also includes John Force Racing teammate Jack Beckman, Paul Lee, Matt Hagan, Ron Capps and J.R. Todd.

The Pro Stock ranks has been dominated this season by the KB Titan Racing powerhouse, as reigning champ and points leader Greg Anderson and area native Dallas Glenn have combined for seven wins. Pro Stock Motorcycle is led by reigning champ Herrera, who has three wins in 2025. Six-time champ Matt Smith is second, while Richard Gadson is third. Others to watch will be John Hall, who won in Norwalk, Angie Smith and Van Sant.

Also on the track will be standouts in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. All weekend, fans will be invited to the Nitro Alley Stage, which hosts Nitro School, meet and greets, autograph sessions and more. On Sunday, Seattle race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk, as well as the winner’s circle celebration after racing on Sunday.

As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars, get autographs and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an exciting atmosphere.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds of qualifying on Friday, July 18 for the Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle classes at 6:40 and 8:15 p.m. PT, with Top Fuel and Funny Car taking to the track at 9:15 p.m. PT. On Saturday, July 19, nitro teams will qualify three times at 12:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will qualify at 3:45 p.m. and 6:05. Race day begins at 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday, July 20.

Television coverage includes qualifying action at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday on FS1, leading into eliminations on FOX at 4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Tickets for the 36th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals are currently on sale at www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com. For more information on Muckleshoot Casino Resort, visit https://muckleshootcasino.com.

About Deecell Power Systems:

Deecell Power Systems was born out of frustration — and driven by firsthand experience. NHRA drag racer Andrew Moeck spent decades dealing with loud, fuel-hungry generators at the track and on the road. By 2024, he’d had enough. So he built a solution that didn’t just replace generators — it outperformed them.

Deecell’s Solar Power Units (SPUs) deliver reliable, continuous 120V AC power without the fumes, noise, or fuel costs. Designed to dramatically reduce non-drive-time idle in sleeper cabs and power race haulers, fleet trucks, and mobile operations, Deecell keeps A/C, lighting, devices, and workstations running cleanly — even when the engine’s off.

To find out more about Deecell visit www.deecell.com.

About Muckleshoot Casino Resort

The Muckleshoot Casino Resort, celebrated as the “Biggest and Best in the Northwest,” has just become even more impressive with the unveiling of their new hotel tower. This exciting expansion features 401 elegant guestrooms, a more expansive casino floor, a serene indoor pool, a luxurious spa, and the exquisite rooftop steakhouse, Smoke & Cedar. From here, guests can indulge in breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier, the Olympic Mountain range, and the Seattle skyline. As one of Washington’s premier casino gaming destinations, Muckleshoot Casino offers the largest selection of games in the state, with over 3,500 machines, an array of table games, and one of the most extensive smoke-free gaming areas in the region. Muckleshoot Casino also tantalizes the taste buds with a variety of dining options that take guests on a culinary adventure around the world and provides world-class entertainment at the Muckleshoot Events Center and Galaxy! Guests can enjoy additional perks like complimentary valet service, Wi-Fi, covered parking, and electric vehicle charging stations, making every visit even more convenient and enjoyable.

· https://muckleshootcasino.com/

About Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is composed of descendants of the Native people who inhabited the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup watersheds of central Puget Sound for thousands of years before non-Indian settlement. The word, Muckleshoot, is derived from the Native name for the prairie on which the tribe’s reservation was established in 1857. Today, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is a major contributor to the local economy and community providing resources to other governments, schools, nonprofits, and churches throughout Washington. The benefits of the Muckleshoot Tribe’s economic revival go well beyond financial contributions. From landmark agreements protecting fish and wildlife habitats and innovative educational programming to hundreds of partnerships with organizations serving those in need throughout the state, the Muckleshoot Tribe is committed to improving the quality of life of its citizens, neighbors and work force while preserving its culture and laying the groundwork for a bright future.

· https://www.muckleshoot.nsn.us/

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

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

ALEX LABBÈ REUNITES WITH SONOMA AVIATION AT SONOMA RACEWAY

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MOORESVILLE, NC, July 8, 2025 – NASCAR driver Alex Labbé today announced that he and Sonoma Aviation are once again partnering for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Sonoma Raceway. The Sonoma Aviation livery will be displayed on the No. 07 of SS-GreenLight Racing.

“We’re proud to support Alex Labbé for the second year in a row at Sonoma Raceway,” said Jeremy Epperson, President of Sonoma Aviation. “His determination and skill on the track reflect the same approach we hold at Sonoma Aviation—precision, performance, and passion. Partnering with Alex again for the Xfinity race is an exciting opportunity to connect with fans and showcase our commitment to excellence in aviation and motorsports.”

Sonoma Aviation provides exceptional aircraft flight support with Sonoma Jet Center at the Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, CA and Carlsbad Jet Center at the McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, CA. By staying true to its values of safety, teamwork, hospitality, community, innovation and sustainability, Sonoma Aviation is known throughout the aviation industry for its dedicated professionals who truly care about their clients, their communities and their teams. 

“I’m stoked to partner with Sonoma Aviation again,” said Labbé. “We had good speed there last year. I’ll be coming off the Chicago Street Course race, so I plan to build on that momentum for another strong finish.”

The Pit Boss / FoodMaxx 250 (79 laps | 156.95 miles) is the 19th of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2025 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, July 11 from 1:05 – 1:55 p.m. Qualifying immediately follows at 2:10 p.m. The field is set to take the green flag on Saturday, July 12 shortly after 1:30 p.m. with live coverage on The CW, the Performance Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are Pacific Daylight Time.

For more information on Alex Labbe, visit https://alexlabberacing.com/ or follow him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AlexLabbe36), X (https://x.com/AlexLabbe36) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alexlabbe36).

For more information on Sonoma Aviation, visit https://sonomaaviation.com/.

RFK Advance | Sonoma

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Sonoma Event Info:
Date: Sunday, July 13
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Sonoma, Calif.
Format: 110 Laps, 218.9 Miles, Stages: 25-55-110
TV: TNT
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 1:35 p.m. ET Cup Practice (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 2:40 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3:30 p.m. ET, Cup Race (TNT, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • Sonoma Raceway hosts points race No. 20 this weekend as the Cup Series heads West for its annual summer date on the 12-turn road course.
  • Chris Buescher leads the Cup Series this season with an average starting position of 10.2, anchored by 10 starts inside the top 10.
  • Ryan Preece has five top-10 finishes over his last eight races, including at the Chicago Street Course last weekend (7th).
  • The NASCAR In-Season Tournament continues this weekend at Sonoma, with one RFK Ford advancing into the “Elite 8”. The third-round matchup is as follows:
  • No. 15 Ryan Preece vs. No. 23 Tyler Reddick

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

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: BuildSubmarines.com

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

Keselowski at Sonoma
Starts: 14
Wins: —
Top-10s: 3
Poles: —

  • Keselowski makes his 15th Cup start in Sonoma this weekend, where in 14 starts prior he has three top-10s and a 15.9 average finish.
  • His best-career finish at the 12-turn course came in 2017 when he ran third. Most recently he finished 13th in 2024, and 16th in 2023.
  • Keselowski has three top-10 qualifying efforts with a best of ninth in 2021, and an average of 18.8.

Buescher at Sonoma
Starts: 8
Wins: —
Top-10s: 3
Poles: —

  • Buescher is in line for his ninth Cup start from Sonoma on Sunday, where he’s fresh off three consecutive top five results. He finished third in this race a season ago, ran fourth in 2023, and came home in second in 2022.
  • He also has qualified inside the top 10 in two of the last three races, with five efforts of 12th or better in his eight starts.
  • In his Cup career, Buescher has a 12.7 average finish on road courses with 16 top 10s in 38 starts.

Preece at Sonoma
Starts: 4
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Preece makes his fifth Cup start at Sonoma where he has best finish of 13th in 2023. He carries an average finish of 20.3 into this weekend’s event, his second highest of any road course on the schedule.
  • He holds an average starting position of 24.8, including a P20 starting spot in his debut race.
  • Across 24 career races on road courses, Preece has three top 10s and a 22.1 average finish.

RFK Historically at Sonoma
Cup Wins: 2 (Mark Martin, 1997; Carl Edwards, 2014)

  • Looking for the Hat Trick in the ‘Golden State’: In 113 NCS starts at Sonoma, RFK has recorded two wins, 17 top-five finishes, 38 top-10 finishes and has led 313 laps. Former RFK driver Carl Edwards earned the organization’s most recent victory at the road course in 2014.
  • Hasta La Vista Baby: RFK has left the California road course victorious on two occasions in the NCS with former drivers Mark Martin and Carl Edwards. Martin earned the victory in 1997 after starting from the pole and leading 69 laps, while Edwards started fourth and led 26 laps in the 2014 running of this event.
  • RFK on the Road: As an organization, RFK has made 249 starts on road courses in the Cup Series with five wins, 87 top 10s and 41 finishes inside the top five with a 17.4 average finish.

RFK Sonoma Wins

1997 Martin Cup

1997 Ruttman Truck

2014 Edwards Cup

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Chicago: Preece 7th; Buescher 18th; Keselowski 37th.

Points Standings (17: 15th, 60: 17th, 6: 28th): Buescher sits 35 points above the cutline while Preece remains just two points behind Bubba Wallace for the final playoff spot. Keselowski stayed in 28th after an early-lap incident at Chicago.

Ford Performance NASCAR – 2025 Sonoma Advance

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SONOMA

Saturday, July 12 — NASCAR Xfinity Series, 4:30 p.m. ET (CW)
Sunday, July 13 — NASCAR Cup Series, 3:30 p.m. ET (TNT)

After running on the streets of Chicago last weekend, the NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Xfinity Series return to the road as Sonoma Raceway hosts its annual event on Saturday and Sunday. Ford drivers Ryan Preece and Zane Smith will be looking to advance in the In-Season Challenge on the Cup side while Ford’s Xfinity drivers continue their march toward the postseason.

PREECE HAVING CAREER YEAR

Ryan Preece is in the midst of his best NASCAR Cup Series season as he comes off a Ford-best seventh-place finish in Chicago. Preece, who is in his sixth year running a full-time schedule, goes into Sunday’s road course race at Sonoma Raceway with five top-10 efforts in the last eight races. Overall, the Connecticut native has eight top-10 runs this season, which is three more than his previous single-season high of five that he set last year with Stewart-Haas Racing. This weekend will be the fifth time Preece has started a Cup race at Sonoma. His best finish came two years ago when he was 13th.

IN-SEASON CHALLENGE UPDATE

Two Ford drivers remain alive as the inaugural In-Season Challenge reaches the quarterfinal round this weekend at Sonoma Raceway. Ryan Preece, who eliminated fellow Ford driver Noah Gragson in the Round of 16, will be matched against Tyler Reddick. Zane Smith, who saw his run continue after he edged Chris Buescher by four spots in Chicago, will face Ty Gibbs with a berth in the semifinals on the line.

HALL OF FAME TIES

Ford has won eight times at Sonoma and the one thing all of those winners have in common is that their owners are members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Robert Yates (Class of 2018) won this event three times (Davey Allison, 1991; Ernie Irvan, 1994; and Ricky Rudd, 2002), while Jack Roush (Class of 2019) has two victories (Mark Martin, 1997 and Carl Edwards, 2014). Bud Moore (Class of 2011) took Geoffrey Bodine to Victory Lane in 1993 while Roger Penske (Class of 2019) did the same with Rusty Wallace in 1996 and Tony Stewart (Class of 2020) with Kevin Harvick in 2017.

JOEY LOGANO: DO YOU LIKE HAVING ROAD COURSE RACES BUNCHED TOGETHER OR WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE THEM SPREAD OUT? “We’ve got to do them, so I’m kind of good either way. I just think in the playoffs you need to have a good mixture of racetracks throughout the 10 weeks, but the other regular season races, I mean, if we’re gonna do them, then I don’t really care. Whatever works best for the schedule and weather and fans and that type of stuff is fine with me.”

RYAN BLANEY: “I don’t think it’s any more difficult than going different places week to week. Whether it’s road course to oval or road course to road course, you just understand the schedule and you know what to do and you understand the flow of it. I think it’s actually nicer that we can go two road courses in a row because it just keeps you in that mindset of a road course. Every track layout is different no matter what it is, so that’s already difficult, but I think it’s actually better just staying in that mindset for a couple of weeks.”

CHRIS BUESCHER: “We talk about momentum in our sport all the time and while it’s made up in some people’s minds, it works more times than not and, to me, it means that if you can get momentum on your side for these early road courses, then I think it can carry over into Sonoma and the Glen as well. So, I’m curious to see how it all plays out. We’ll kind of get some feedback from the industry and from our fans and see where their mind is at, but I’m on board right now.”

RYAN PREECE: “I’m a big fan of having back-to-back road courses. I feel like after Mexico we’ve been really good. We were good at COTA in the race and then transferred that to Mexico. I feel really confident about where our team is at as far as continuing to build and the direction we’re heading for road courses. Some people look at road courses as a wild card where you don’t really know what you could have. I look at it as an opportunity to attack.”

EDWARDS NETS FIRST ROAD COURSE WIN

Recent NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Carl Edwards held off Jeff Gordon on the final lap to post the first road win of his NCS career in 2014 with car owner Jack Roush. He did it thanks to a two-stop strategy and a timely caution. Edwards had just pitted on lap 70 when NASCAR threw a caution for debris one lap later. While most of the field decided to pit for new tires, Edwards and fellow Ford driver Marcos Ambrose stayed out and gained the necessary track position that put both in position to win. Ambrose took the lead from Clint Bowyer on lap 81 and brought Edwards with him, but another restart with 25 to go saw Ambrose and Edwards sharing the front row. Edwards got the jump and took the lead, which he never surrendered, although a hard-charging Gordon made it interesting on the final lap.

RUDD RUCKUS

When Ford took the checkered flag at Sonoma Raceway for the first time it came in controversial fashion. That’s because Davey Allison, the man credited with winning the Banquet Frozen Foods 300 in 1991, was sent spinning by Ricky Rudd as they were approaching the white flag. Even though Rudd, one of the most recent inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, ended up crossing the finish line first, he received the black flag from NASCAR for rough driving and awarded Allison with the trophy. The win was Allison’s first and only one on a road course and snapped an eight-race streak that had seen either Rudd or Rusty Wallace in Victory Lane at Watkins Glen International or Sonoma Raceway.

MAYER AND CREED DO IT AGAIN

The Haas Factory Team duo of Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer have come out of the box strong in their first season with the new organization. Even though both drivers are still looking for their first win of the year, they have been consistently in the mix as evidenced by last week’s race in Chicago. Creed led nine laps and won the second stage before finishing third while Mayer ended up eighth. That represented the sixth time both drivers have finished in the top 10 of the same race (Daytona, Las Vegas, Homestead, Martinsville, Nashville and Chicago). Mayer, who is a Ford-best third in the series point standings, comes to Sonoma after a third-place finish a year ago. Creed, who is eighth in points, was the runner-up in this event last season.

FORD’S NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT SONOMA

1991 – Davey Allison

1993 – Geoffrey Bodine

1994 – Ernie Irvan

1996 – Rusty Wallace

1997 – Mark Martin

2002 – Ricky Rudd

2014 – Carl Edwards

2017 – Kevin Harvick

FORD’S NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS AT SONOMA

2023 – Aric Almirola

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, 38 Mustang race cars are scheduled to race across all disciplines. Learn more at FordPerformance.com.

Hertz to Sponsor John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota at Dover

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Partnership Expands Knighthead’s Motorsport Footprint, Linking NASCAR and WEC Programs

STATESVILLE, N.C. (July 8, 2025)  –  LEGACY MOTOR CLUB announced today that Hertz, one of the world’s largest mobility solutions providers, will serve as the primary sponsor of John Hunter Nemechek’s No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on July 20. The announcement marks another chapter in the evolving partnership between LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and team co-owner Knighthead Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of its investors, which also co-owns Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA racing team in the FIA World Endurance Championship (“WEC”).

The iconic black-and-gold Hertz livery will make its NASCAR return on the high-banked concrete mile at Dover—known as the “Monster Mile”— bringing international motorsports synergy under the Knighthead umbrella. Hertz Car Sales – which offers thousands of well-maintained, high-quality used vehicles online and in person at more than 40 locations nationwide – also will be featured prominently on the racecar.

“We’re excited to see Hertz and Hertz Car Sales on the No. 42 this summer at Dover,” said John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota. “It’s awesome to represent such a recognizable global brand, and even more special knowing it ties into the broader Knighthead motorsport vision that spans NASCAR and endurance racing.”

Hertz’s entry into the NASCAR Cup Series complements its sponsorship of Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA’s No. 12 and No. 38 Cadillacs in the WEC. This cross-series sponsorship strategy, backed by Knighthead, exemplifies a global approach to brand visibility and performance alignment across premier racing platforms.

“Hertz has a proud legacy in motorsports and we’re excited to expand our presence by partnering with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and John Hunter Nemechek for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover,” said Gil West, Hertz Chief Executive Officer. “This collaboration not only highlights our iconic brand on one of racing’s biggest stages, but also showcases Hertz Car Sales as a trusted source of high-quality used vehicles. It’s an exciting opportunity to connect with fans and customers through the thrill of racing.”

Fans will get their first look at the Hertz-branded No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE during practice and qualifying at Dover on July 19, with race coverage airing nationally on TNT Sports.

About Hertz
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. is one of the world’s leading car rental and mobility solutions providers. Its subsidiaries, including The Hertz Corporation, and licensees operate the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and Firefly vehicle rental brands, with more than 11,000 rental locations in 160 countries around the globe. The Company also operates the Hertz Car Sales brand, which offers a range of quality, competitively priced used cars for sale online and at locations across the United States, and the Hertz 24/7 car-sharing business in Europe. For more information about Hertz, visit www.hertz.com.

About Knighthead Capital Management LLC
Knighthead Capital Management, LLC was co-founded in 2008 by Tom Wagner  and  Ara Cohen and has grown to become a diversified asset management platform with an experienced team of investment professionals, specializing in fundamental analysis, operational and financial turnarounds and risk management. Knighthead’s long-term objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for its clients while emphasizing the preservation of capital. Knighthead manages assets across a variety of investment vehicles including insurance asset management, real estate lending, and closed and open-ended vehicles.

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.

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