Home Blog Page 418

CORVETTE RACING AT SĀO PAULO: Full Push

Pair of TF Sport Corvettes in thick of LMGT3 title picture following Le Mans

DETROIT (July 8, 2025) – The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R and TF Sport enter the second half of the FIA World Endurance Championship this weekend with solid momentum and both racecars in title contention as the series shifts to South America.

The Six Hours of Sāo Paulo is the fifth round of the FIA WEC and first event after the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It also is the resumption of a tight fight in the LMGT3 with each of the second-year Corvette GT3s looking to contend not just for a race win but also moving up in the Drivers and Teams championship standings:

No. 33 TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R

The trio of Daniel Juncadella, Jonny Edgar and Ben Keating sit third in points on the strength of their season-opening race win at Qatar. Of the three, only Juncadella has raced at Sāo Paulo and his debut at the circuit came last year.

Following the victory at Qatar and subsequent championship lead, the No. 33 Corvette was the heaviest car at both Imola and Spa-Francorchamps by more than 50 pounds. Much of that success ballast comes off for Sāo Paulo, which gives the 33 side of the TF Sport garage optimism for its first Hyperpole appearance of the season and a return to the class podium.

No. 81 TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R

Charlie Eastwood, Rui Andrade and Tom Van Rompuy broke through at Le Mans for a third-place LMGT3 finish and their first podium result of the year. The No. 81 Corvette squad jumped up to sixth in points to give TF Sport two cars that can contend for the race win and podium in Brazil.

Of note, Van Rompuy has advanced the No. 81 Corvette into the LMGT3 Hyperpole session in three of four races this year. Meanwhile Eastwood and Andrade are coming off a thrilling victory in Sunday’s Four Hours of Imola in TF Sport’s European Le Mans Series Corvette entry with Hiroshi Koizumi – the first win for Corvette Racing in that championship.

The Six Hours of Sāo Paulo is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, July 13. Full live streaming coverage of Free Practice 3, qualifying and the race will be available on the FIA WEC app and the MAX app in the United States.

TF SPORT PRE-EVENT QUOTES

DANIEL JUNCADELLA, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “The good news is we are going to lose a lot of weight. We have a gluten-free diet going to Sāo Paulo! Which is nice because we have been heavy all year. We are still third in the championship, which is fantastic after a difficult Le Mans. I think the second half of the year we will be strong and will be fighting to get back to where we belong.”

JONNY EDGAR, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “This will be my first time to Brazil, so it’s a new track for me and Ben. We’ll try to learn it as quickly as possible. Luckily, Dani has been there so I’m sure he will be able to help us a lot. I’m sure he’ll be able to help us a lot. It’ll be nice to have as much success ballast. Obviously it’s nice to have it because you’ve obviously won something! But I think we’ll have a tiny bit from our championship position, but much less than previous races. So I think that should be helpful. Hopefully we can have another good weekend and score as many points as we can.”

BEN KEATING, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “My main goal is to win the championship, and we are still in that hunt for sure. For the last several races, we’ve been carrying around so much success ballast. I’m glad to know that the two people in front of us in the championship are now going to be very heavy. And we’re going to be considerably lighter. I’ve never been to Sāo Paulo. But I’ve spent a lot of time on my simulator and learning it. So I’m looking forward to being back toward the front.”

CHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Coming off Le Mans, we’re really optimistic about Sāo Paulo. The truck’s been resurfaced, so it might be quite different. We just need to keep doing what we are doing and hopefully we have a bit more pace in the Corvette. So we are looking forward to it. Hopefully like last year we can finish the year super-strong. We’re up to P6 in the championship after Le Mans and hopefully we can keep pushing forward with that.”

RUI ANDRADE, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s really encouraging to come into Brazil after our podium at Le Mans. Our confidence is at an all-time high right now as we are going into some tracks where I feel we were strong last year. It starts at Sāo Paulo where we learned a lot in our first time there with the Corvette. The car already was fairly quick and competitive last year and I hope we have more of the same this time around.”

TOM VAN ROMPUY, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “We have really good momentum after Le Mans. Now we take that to Sao Paulo, which is a track I discovered for the first time last year. I think we should go along fairly well there. The team is operating at a high level on both sides of the garage. All season, the driving has been very, very good to go along with the strategy and pit stops. Let’s see if we can continue that this weekend.”

2025 FIA World Endurance Championship Points

LMGT3 Drivers Standings

  1. Riccardo Pera/Richard Lietz/Ryan Hardwick – 81
  2. Alessio Rovera/Francois Heriau/Simon Mann – 76
  3. Ben Keating/Daniel Juncadella/Jonny Edgar – 60
  4. Ian James/Mattia Drudi/Zacharie Robichon – 47
  5. Arnold Robin/Finn Gehrsitz – 38
  6. Charlie Eastwood/Rui Andrade/Tom Van Rompuy – 38

LMGT3 Teams Standings

  1. No. 92 Manthey 1ST Phorm – 81
  2. No. 21 Vista AF Corse – 76
  3. No. 33 TF Sport – 60
  4. No. 27 Heart of Racing Team – 47
  5. No. 78 Akkodis ASP Team – 38
  6. No. 81 TF Sport – 38

About General Motors
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

Eckes, Sawalich, and Bryson Lead Stacked Sonoma ARCA Menards Series West Entry List

TEMPERANCE, Mich. (July 7, 2025) – Former ARCA Menards Series champion Christian Eckes and two-time ARCA Menards Series East titlist William Sawalich lead the entry list for Friday’s ARCA Menards Series West General Tire 200 at Sonoma Raceway. The ARCA Menards Series platform former champions will be joined by a stacked list of drivers that includes road racing ringers from around the world in addition to the drivers competing for the 2025 series championship.

Eckes, the 2019 ARCA Menards Series champion, has joined Kaulig Racing and made the leap into the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025. Eckes won seven times on a variety of tracks in the ARCA Menards Series, including four on his way to the championship. He scored wins at Salem Speedway, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, and Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, the dirt miles at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, the mile-and-a-half Kansas Speedway, and the 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway over the course of his ARCA Menards Series career. He has nine career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victories, including four on his way to second in the series championship standings in 2024 driving for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing.

While winless on road courses, Eckes has proven strong on the twisty circuits scoring a then career-best NASCAR XFINITY Series finish of fourth, in his first start at Autodromo Hermanos Rodgriguez in Mexico City.

Eckes will rejoin team owner Bill McAnally for Friday’s romp through California wine country. He is currently 15th in the XFINITY Series standings with three top-five and seven top-ten finishes.

Sawalich, the 2023 and 2024 ARCA Menards Series East champion, has proven to be strong on road courses in his career throughout the ARCA Menards Series platform. With a total of 23 series wins across the platform, Sawalich won in the ARCA Menards Series at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2022 and matched it with an ARCA Menards Series West victory at Portland International Raceway in 2024.

Sawalich is competing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series full-time for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2024; he’s currently 25th in the series standings with three top-ten finishes including a career-best sixth in Mexico City.

Sprint car ace Corey Day returns to the ARCA Menards Series platform for the first time since a tenth-place finish at Phoenix Raceway in March. The protégé of NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, Day has had a busy schedule in 2025, making starts in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series in addition to chasing the Kubota High Limit Sprint Car Series. In ten High Limit feature appearances, the Hendrick Motorsports development driver scored wins in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and in May at Tri City Speedway.

The race at Sonoma will be Day’s first-ever stock car start on a road course.

Twenty-four year-old Kaylee Bryson will make her ARCA Menards Series platform debut at Sonoma Raceway, driving for the team that won the 2023 ARCA Menards Series West owner’s championship led by veteran crew chief Bruce Cook. Bryson won the Trans-Am Series SGT class championship in 2024 with victories at NOLA Motorsports Park, Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, and Virginia International Raceway. In addition to her road course success, she also became the first female driver in USAC history to score a win in the Silver Crown Series with a dominant performance at the Belleville Highbanks in Kansas.

Alon Day, from Ashdod, Israel, will make his second ARCA Menards Series platform start of 2025 with Venturini Motorsports at Sonoma; he finished second two weeks ago in the ARCA Menards Series race at Lime Rock Park in his platform debut. Other notables include NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular Jack Wood in a second Bill McAnally Racing entry, former ARCA Menards Series East road course winners Dale Quarterley and Will Rodgers, who also has a West win at Sonoma in 2018, and Sigma Performance Services teammates Spencer Gallagher and Tyler Reif, who drove to the 2024 ARCA Menards Series West owners championship with Central Coast Racing. SPS won at Sonoma in 2024 with Xfinity Series regular Sam Mayer at the wheel.

The battle for the ARCA Menards Series West championship will resume through the rolling hills of Sonoma County, with Trevor Huddleston leading Tanner Reif by nine points after five of 12 races. Huddleston has a pair of victories at his home track, Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, while Reif scored his first win of the season at Tucson Speedway in April. Kyle Keller, is third in the standings with a trio or runner-up finishes, and Eric Johnson, Jr. and Robbie Kennealy, Keller’s teammate for owner Jan Qualkenbush, within striking distance of the lead.

The full entry list for the General Tire 200 will be released in the coming days.

The race will be simulcast on FloRacing and NASCAR’s new free streaming platform, The NASCAR Channel on Tubi and Amazon Prime Video starting at 6:30 pm ET / 3:30 pm PT.

For complete event information, including live timing and scoring data for all on-track sessions and live race audio, please visit ARCARacing.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly Twitter).

Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Unveils 2026 Schedule

For its 21st season of racing, the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin will continue to visit legendary racetracks across North America.

Maintaining a roster of all-star tracks with events that support both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship as well as INDYCAR weekends, the 2026 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup schedule changes only slightly from the 2025 version, as the series makes a return to the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway in September, displacing a return to Barber Motorsports Park.

“With our 2026 schedule, I believe we’ve addressed the primary needs of our competitors,” Mazda Motorsports Senior Manager Jonathan Applegate said. “The MX-5 Cup paddock values consistency, budget considerations, and world-class tracks that put a lot of eyes on their sponsors. The addition of Indianapolis to the 2026 schedule will definitely be a welcomed modification.”

As has been tradition since Mazda MX-5 Cup became part of the IMSA family, the 2026 season will kick off at Daytona International Speedway, January 21 – 23.

The series stays in Florida for Rounds 3 and 4 with another trip to the streets of St. Petersburg, February 27 – March 1. This is the sole event on the 2026 schedule that will be with the NTT IndyCar Series.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course consistently produces some of the best MX-5 Cup racing, so naturally the series is back June 5 – 7 as part of the IMSA-hosted event weekend.

Later this week, MX-5 Cup rolls into Ontario to race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, which it will do again in 2026, July 10 – 12.

August brings the traditional trip to VIRginia International Raceway, August 20 – 23.

Then comes the Indy road course, Sept 18-20. MX-5 Cup last raced at Indy in 2017.

The 2026 season comes to a close at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta for the sixth year in-a-row. A new champion will be crowned following the final two races, October 1-3.

2026 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin Schedule

Date Track
Jan. 21 – 23 Daytona International Speedway
Feb. 21 – March 1 St. Petersburg Street Course (with IndyCar)
June 5 – 7 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
July 10 – 12 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Aug. 20 – 23 VIRginia International Raceway
Sept. 18 – 20 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course
Oct. 1 – 3 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
*All events are doubleheaders

About: The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. The series has been operated by Andersen Promotions since 2017 and is currently sanctioned by IMSA. Mazda-powered grassroots champions can earn Mazda scholarships for this pro-level series. The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup awards more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships.

Find out more at http://www.mx-5cup.com.

Greg Van Alst Motorsports to Debut NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Program in July

ANDERSON, Ind: Greg Van Alst Motorsports announced today the formation of a part-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team that will launch later this month at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis on July 25, 2025.

Veteran race car driver Greg Van Alst will pilot the team’s No. 35 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro throughout its inaugural schedule, with an eye toward expanding the team’s footprint in 2026.

Based in Anderson, Indiana, the team plans to compete in a minimum of four Truck Series events this season.

Following its debut at Lucas Oil Raceway, the schedule includes Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway on September 11, Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on October 17 and the penultimate Truck Series race of the season at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on October 24.

Van Alst’s company, Top Choice Fence, will serve as a partner for the team’s debut at Lucas Oil Raceway; however, Greg Van Alst Motorsports continues to actively seek additional marketing partners to join forces with the former CRA | ARCA Series champion as the team builds toward the future.

“This has been in the works for the last couple of months,” said Greg Van Alst. “Starting a Truck Series program has been an eventual goal of mine for a long time, and to finally see it coming together — especially at a place like Lucas Oil Raceway, where I’ve turned so many laps — is incredibly special.

“We know there’s a lot of work ahead, but we’re committed to building something competitive and sustainable, and we’re excited to take this next step with Top Choice Fence, and hopefully, more partners join us along the way.”

Van Alst has reunited with his championship-winning crew chief, Kevin Shannon, from his CRA | ARCA days, bringing familiarity and proven chemistry to the No. 35 Toyota team as they prepare for their Truck Series debut.

“Having Kevin back on top of the box means a lot to me,” added Van Alst. “We’ve had a lot of success together over the years, and there’s a level of trust and communication between us that you just can’t manufacture. Bringing that into our Truck Series effort gives us a solid foundation to build on right out of the gate.”

Van Alst has established realistic goals for this season, emphasizing the importance of gaining experience and building momentum with each race.

“We’re not coming into this expecting to set the world on fire right away,” explained Van Alst. “We’ve set some realistic goals for this season and know the key is gaining experience and improving each time we hit the track. The more races we run, the stronger this team will become.”

Van Alst brings some prior experience to his new venture in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, which he hopes to apply this season. In 2023, he made five starts with Young’s Motorsports before a back injury sustained at Talladega cut his campaign short.

The 2023 Daytona ARCA winner began the 2025 season competing part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen. After eight starts, Van Alst opted to step back and reset his racing schedule for the remainder of the year.

He plans to return to Xfinity Series competition later this season, with details of his next start to be announced.

For more on Greg Van Alst and Greg Van Alst Motorsports, please visit GregVanAlst.com, like them on Facebook (Van Alst Motorsports) and follow him on X | Twitter (@GregVanAlst35).

From Track Days to Road Trips: Why a Car GPS Tracker is Essential

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

From Track Days to Road Trips: Why a Car GPS Tracker is Essential

In an increasingly connected world, the way we interact with our vehicles is evolving. No longer just a means of transportation, our cars have become extensions of our digital lives, offering entertainment, navigation, and even advanced safety features. Amidst this technological revolution, one unassuming device — the car GPS tracker — is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool for drivers, regardless of their driving style or usage. Whether you’re a seasoned track day enthusiast pushing your car to its limits, a family embarking on an epic road trip, or simply a concerned parent wanting to keep tabs on a teenage driver, a car tracker offers a suite of benefits that enhance security, safety, and overall peace of mind.

This comprehensive article delves into the myriad reasons why a car GPS tracker is essential in today’s world, spanning the spectrum from high-performance driving to everyday commuting and beyond. We’ll explore its capabilities, benefits, and how it can empower you to take control of your vehicle’s security and performance.

1. Unveiling the Power of Location Tracking: Beyond Basic Navigation

At its core, a car GPS tracker is a small, often discreet device that uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to pinpoint the exact location of your vehicle in real-time. This data is then transmitted to a server and accessible via a user-friendly mobile app or web portal. However, the power of a car GPS tracker extends far beyond simply knowing where your car is parked.

  • Real-Time Location Monitoring: Know precisely where your car is at any given moment. This is crucial for tracking stolen vehicles, monitoring teen drivers, or ensuring the safety of elderly relatives who may be prone to getting lost.
  • Geofencing: Set virtual boundaries around specific locations, such as your home, work, office, business, or school. Receive alerts whenever your vehicle enters or exits these zones. This feature is invaluable for setting boundaries for young drivers and preventing unauthorized use of your car.
  • Route History and Driving Analysis: Review past routes, speeds, and travel times. This feature can be used to analyze driving habits, identify areas for improvement (such as aggressive acceleration or hard braking), and provide valuable insights into your vehicle’s usage.

2. Enhanced Security: Protecting Your Investment from Theft and Unauthorized Use

Car theft remains a persistent problem, and recovering a stolen vehicle can be a frustrating and time-consuming ordeal. A car GPS tracker significantly increases your chances of recovery and offers a proactive layer of security.

  • Rapid Recovery of Stolen Vehicles: In the event of theft, the GPS tracker provides law enforcement with the precise location of your vehicle, significantly expediting the recovery process. Many trackers offer features like remotely disabling the ignition or sounding an alarm to further aid in recovery.
  • Deterrent to Theft: Some trackers come with warning stickers that can be prominently displayed, signaling to criminals that the vehicle is being monitored. The presence of a GPS tracker can act as a deterrent to potential thieves.
  • Unauthorized Use Alerts: Receive notifications if your vehicle has been started or moved without your permission. This is particularly useful for cars parked for extended periods of time or those used by multiple drivers.
  • Insurance Benefits: Many insurance companies offer discounts for vehicles equipped with GPS trackers, recognizing the increased security they provide.

3. Peace of Mind for Parents: Monitoring Teen Driving Habits

Newly licensed drivers, the road can be a source of anxiety for their parents. A car GPS tracker offers a powerful tool for monitoring teen driving habits and promoting safe driving practices.

  • Speed Monitoring: Set speed limits and receive alerts when the vehicle exceeds those limits. This helps prevent reckless driving and encourages teens to adhere to speed regulations.
  • Driving Behavior Analysis: Track instances of hard braking, rapid acceleration, and sharp turns. This data can be used to identify areas where teens need to improve their driving skills and address any risky behaviors.
  • Curfew Alerts: Set curfew hours and receive notifications if the vehicle is used outside of those designated times. This helps enforce curfew rules and ensures that teens are not driving unsupervised during late hours.
  • Location History and Geofencing: Verify that teens are driving to approved destinations and staying within designated areas. Receive alerts if they deviate from their planned route or enter restricted zones.
  • Open Communication and Education: The data collected by the GPS tracker can be used as a basis for open and honest conversations about safe driving practices. It’s not about being controlling but about educating and empowering teens to become responsible drivers.

4. Track Day Domination: Analyzing Performance and Improving Lap Times

For track day enthusiasts, a car GPS tracker is more than just a security device; it’s a powerful performance analysis tool.

  • Precise Lap Timing and Data Logging: Record lap times with pinpoint accuracy, eliminating the need for manual timing methods. Many trackers integrate with performance analysis software to provide detailed insights into your driving.
  • Speed and G-Force Data: Track your speed, acceleration, braking force (G-force), and cornering forces throughout each lap. This data helps you identify areas where you can optimize your driving technique and improve your lap times.
  • Route Optimization: Analyze your track data to identify the optimal driving line and braking points. Experiment with different approaches and compare the results to find the fastest and most efficient route.
  • Driver Skill Development: By analyzing your performance data, you can identify weaknesses in your driving and focus on improving specific areas. This leads to faster lap times and a more rewarding track day experience.
  • Vehicle Performance Monitoring: Track key vehicle parameters, such as engine temperature, oil pressure, and coolant temperature, to ensure that your car is performing optimally under demanding conditions.

5. Road Trip Adventures: Ensuring Safety and Convenience on Long Journeys

Road trips are all about freedom and adventure, but they can also present unique challenges. A car GPS tracker can help ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.

  • Real-Time Location Sharing: Share your location with family and friends so they can track your progress and ensure your safety. This is particularly useful for solo travelers or those venturing into remote areas.
  • Navigation Assistance: While most vehicles have built-in navigation systems, a GPS tracker can provide an alternative or backup navigation solution. Some trackers offer advanced features like real-time traffic updates and rerouting.
  • Emergency Assistance: In the event of an accident or breakdown, the GPS tracker can automatically alert emergency services with your precise location. Some trackers even offer SOS buttons that can be pressed to summon help.
  • Theft Protection: Protect your vehicle and belongings from theft while parked at rest stops or hotels. The GPS tracker provides an extra layer of security and peace of mind.
  • Route Recording and Documentation: Record your road trip route and save it for future reference. This is a great way to document your adventures and share them with others.

6. Fleet Management Solutions: Optimizing Efficiency and Reducing Costs

Beyond personal use, businesses that manage fleets of vehicles can utilize car GPS trackers together with fleet management systems to help them further improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance overall operations.

Beyond personal use, car GPS trackers are essential tools for businesses that manage fleets of vehicles. They offer a range of benefits that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance overall operations.

  • Real-Time Tracking of Vehicle Locations: Monitor the location of all vehicles in the fleet in real-time. This allows dispatchers to efficiently assign vehicles to jobs, optimize routes, and improve customer service.
  • Driving Behavior Monitoring: Track driving behavior metrics, such as speeding, hard braking, and idling time. This data can be used to identify drivers who need additional training and promote safer driving practices.
  • Fuel Efficiency Monitoring: Track fuel consumption and identify areas where drivers can improve their fuel efficiency. This can lead to significant cost savings over time.
  • Maintenance Tracking: Monitor vehicle mileage and schedule preventative maintenance to avoid costly breakdowns.
  • Route Optimization and Geofencing: Optimize routes for efficiency and set geofences to ensure that vehicles are operating within designated areas.
  • Improved Security and Accountability: Deter unauthorized use of vehicles and improve driver accountability.

7. Choosing the Right Car GPS Tracker: Features and Considerations

With a wide variety of car GPS trackers available on the market, it’s important to choose one that meets your specific needs and budget. Consider the following factors:

  • Accuracy and Reliability: Look for a tracker that offers accurate and reliable location tracking. Read reviews and compare specifications to ensure that the tracker performs as advertised.
  • Battery Life: Consider the battery life of the tracker and choose one that meets your needs. Some trackers require a wired connection to the vehicle’s battery, while others are battery-powered.
  • Subscription Fees: Be aware that many GPS trackers require a subscription fee for data transmission and access to the tracking platform.
  • Features and Functionality: Choose a tracker that offers the features you need, such as geofencing, speed monitoring, and driving behavior analysis.
  • Ease of Use: Select a tracker with a user-friendly mobile app or web portal.
  • Customer Support: Ensure that the manufacturer offers reliable customer support in case you have any questions or issues.
  • Tamper Detection: Some trackers feature tamper alerts that notify you if the device is disconnected or moved.

Cadillac at São Paulo: Building momentum

2024 FIA World Endurance Championship Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil 10th - 14th July 2024 Photo: Drew Gibson

Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA seeks to take next step following positives at Le Mans

DETROIT (July 7, 2025) – Capitalizing on precision and performance is the objective for Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA’s factory Hypercars this weekend in the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo.

The contest on the 4.409 km (2.677-mile), 15-turn Autódromo José Carlos Pace – commonly known as Interlagos – is the fifth of eight rounds on the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) calendar and eagerly awaited by the team and drivers of the Nos. 12 and 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R.

Following the pole start and fourth-place finish last month in the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, drivers Alex Lynn, Norman Nato and Will Stevens look forward to building on momentum.

Their No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R is the only Hypercar to compete in Hyperpole (Hyperpole2 at Le Mans) in each of the four races and has qualified three times in the top five. CHART The No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R has crossed the finish line fifth and fourth in the past two races and the drivers have sat at the points table in every race.

“We’re improving a lot, which we showed at Le Mans. The car has a lot of strong points, and we aim to utilize them on the Interlagos circuit,” Lynn said of the first-year Hypercar works team.

The No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R has also displayed performance gains as drivers Earl Bamber, Sebastien Bourdais and Jenson Button continue to learn and extract more out of the car. Bamber qualified second at Le Mans and the trio have combined to place sixth and seventh the past two races.

Also, in the 21-car Hypercar field at Circuit de la Sarthe, Bourdais recorded the fastest race lap, and Jack Aitken set the qualifying pace in Hyperpole1 in the sister No. 311 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R campaigned by Action Express Racing.

Following a decade-long absence, the historic Autódromo José Carlos Pace rejoined the WEC schedule in 2024, with more than 73,000 spectators cheering the action. Cadillac Racing’s lone Hypercar entry, with Bamber and Lynn sharing the duties, qualified fourth and placed 13th (routine service stop issue required a return trip down pit lane to make corrections). The Hertz Team JOTA entries finished seventh and 18th with another manufacturer.

Drivers and teams will attempt to quickly find their car’s balance on the demanding circuit. A pair of 90-minute free practice sessions Friday will be followed by a 60-minute free practice Saturday that precedes qualifications and the 10-minute Hyperpole.

What they’re saying

No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R

Alex Lynn: “I think the progress we’ve made since last year in Brazil and understanding the importance of tire management on the circuit puts us in a better position to challenge for the podium. We’ve done sim work and other things to prepare, and hopefully data collected at Le Mans and Spa will be put to good use.”

Norman Nato: “After a quite good effort in Le Mans, another challenge of us in Brazil with different track conditions. A lot of tire degradation at the rear, which makes the tire strategy and driving different than the other races in term of management. We will focus on being efficient in the race, where we need to find the best car setup compromise to be smooth on tires. Such an iconic track I discovered last year, very passionate fans, looking forward to driving the Cadillac V-Series.R.”

Will Stevens: “Brazil, it’s actually kind of my home race because I’m married to a Brazilian. So, looking forward to it and it’s great we have a race so soon after Le Mans. I think we learned a lot at Le Mans because there’s a lot of track time to learn what we want from the car, things we can still improve. At the end of the day, (Le Mans) is only just the beginning of what we’re doing. We’re six months into this program, we’re going to keep improving, we’re going to keep getting better. Let’s go to Brazil and full attack and hopefully come away with the great result.”

No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R

Earl Bamber: “I’m looking forward to returning to Interlagos and taking what we’ve learned, what we’ve developed over the past few months to this historic circuit. Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA had overall great results in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and though Interlagos is a different track we believe the strengths of the Cadillac V-Series.R will come through there. Aside from a pit miscue in 2024 that cost us two laps, we were competitive in Brazil, so I expect us to be in the mix again.”

Sebastien Bourdais: “Interlagos is a very different animal than Le Mans. It tends to be quite high tire deg. The altitude makes it that you lose downforce as well, so it’s not an easy track. I wasn’t there last year, so it’s difficult to know what to expect. Overall, looking forward to it. It feels like we’re building on from the last couple of events. We’re starting to catch some references. The team is working and gelling. We’ll have a tough task ahead of us there and will give it our best shot.”

Jenson Button: “We have some work to do for the races to come but I left Le Mans very proud of the entire team. Interlagos is a demanding circuit with a pair of alternating downward left and right turns at the start to a long uphill left turn toward the end of the lap. The unpredictability of the weather adds to the mix, too. We’ll keep pushing forward with the goal of reaching the top step of the podium.”

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Chicago

Grant Park 165 – Chicago Street Course
Chicago, Ill. – July 6, 2025

AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 DISCOUNT TIRE FORD MUSTANG
START: 27TH STAGE 1: 25TH STAGE 2: 23RD FINISH: 27TH POINTS: 15TH
RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric and the No. 2 Discount Tire team showed steady progress in Sunday’s Grant Park 165 on the streets of Chicago, but their day was ultimately derailed by a late-race incident that left the team with significant damage and a 27th-place result. Cindric started the race from the 27th position and gained several spots following a multi-car incident on Lap 4, moving up to 16th. He stayed out under the yellow and restarted just outside the top 15 on Lap 7. As the opening stage wore on, the handling began to shift free and he pitted on Lap 18 for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment, just prior to finishing Stage 1 in 25th after the early pit stop. The race returned to green on Lap 25, only to see another caution shortly after. With a few laps remaining in Stage 2, the team brought Cindric back to pit road for another set of tires and adjustments, wrapping the segment in the 23rd position. Cindric lined up 16th for the start of the final segment and began working his way forward. With less than 20 laps to go, he cracked the top 15 and was scored 14th when a caution flew with 16 laps remaining. The No. 2 team stayed out and Cindric restarted from the 11th position. Unfortunately, his run came unraveled just a few laps later when he was involved in an incident with 12 to go, suffering heavy damage and a broken right rear toe link. The team made repairs on pit road and Cindric returned to the track to finish the race. The event ultimately ended under caution, with Cindric scored 27th at the checkered flag.

CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “Definitely an interesting day out there. We made some gains early and had a shot at a solid finish, but just got caught up late. Appreciate the effort from everyone on the No. 2 Discount Tire team to get us back out there at the end.”

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/DUTCH BOY FORD MUSTANG
START: 17TH STAGE 1: 16TH STAGE 2: 1ST FINISH: 12TH POINTS: 7TH
RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney picked up his fourth stage win of the season as the Menards/Dutch Boy Ford Mustang Dark Horse came away with a 12th-place finish in Chicago Sunday. After taking the green flag from 17th, Blaney made his way around a pileup on lap three while sustaining minimal nose damage, prompting a red flag during the opening run. Once the 20-lap first stage resumed, Blaney was called to pit road with four laps remaining in the segment in order to flip track position as he crossed the line 16th in Stage 1. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler made the call to run the entirety of the second stage without making a trip to pit road as Blaney cycled into the top-five before taking the lead with two laps to go in Stage 2 and went on to pick up the stage win. Following a four tire stop under caution, Blaney lined up to restart 23rd before making contact with the wall in turn 11 on lap 52, causing the right front tire to go down and consequently making an unscheduled stop on pit road. Despite losing a lap in the process, Blaney got himself back on the lead lap after a caution with 12 laps remaining and charged through the field during the final run to salvage a 12th-place finish on the day.

BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “I thought overall it was a pretty decent day. It was nice to win that stage. I knew we were going to lose track position, but we were fine. We made up really good ground on the restart in the third stage and then I hit the inside wall in [turn] 11 and popped the right-front tire. We had to work our way back from there, but, overall, it was a decent recovery.”

JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG
START: 12TH STAGE 1: 15TH STAGE 2: 19TH FINISH: 11TH POINTS: 12TH
RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano and the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse team were involved in a late-race incident Sunday afternoon in Chicago but rallied back in the closing laps to pick up an 11th-place finish. After starting 12th, the 22 team opted to flip the opening stage and pit with three laps remaining in the 20-lap segment, resulting in a 15th-place finish in Stage 1. Logano worked his way into the top-10 by lap 28 before crew chief Paul Wolfe called him to pit road with three to go in the second stage to set up their track position for the final run of the afternoon as Logano crossed the line 19th in Stage 2. Following a caution with 16 laps remaining, Logano lined up ninth to take the green flag before making his way through a stack up in turn one, but contact from the No. 1 heading into turn two sent the Shell-Pennzoil Ford spinning into the tire barrier – collecting the No. 47 in the process – as the caution flag flew moments later to reset the field. After a four tire stop under yellow prior to the final restart of the 75-lap event, Logano worked his way from outside the top-20 back up to 11th in the closing laps to cap off the day.

LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “Proud of the effort today and all weekend from our 22 team. Definitely think our finish should have been a few spots better with how our track position was playing out on the second-to-last restart, but still showed decent speed at the end to come back through the field on that final run.”

The NASCAR Cup Series heads west to Sonoma for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on Sunday, July 13. Coverage from Sonoma begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on TNT and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Kaulig Racing Race Recap | Grant Park 165

No. 16 Celsius Camaro ZL1

Start: 16th
Stage 1 Finish: 13th
Stage 2 Finish: 15th
Finish: 6th

AJ Allmendinger qualified 16th for the Grant Park 165 at the Chicago Street Course. Within the first lap, Allmendinger drove up to 13th place. On lap three, Allmendinger was running 11th when he was hit in the door as the caution came out. Under the red flag the team evaluated the damage sustained and opted to stay out to restart in ninth place. With three laps remaining, the No. 16 came to pit road for tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment to help tighten up the car. In Stage 2, Allmendinger raced up to third place by lap 30. When the next caution came out on lap 31, he stayed out to restart on the front row. The No. 16 maintained second place until the leader, the No. 88, came to pit road, and Allmendinger assumed the lead, before making his scheduled pit stop one lap later. Allmendinger restarted the final stage in 10th place and was up to third place when the caution flew on lap 64. On old tires, Allmendinger restarted in third place with nine laps to go and went on to finish in sixth place, earning his best finish in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Chicago Street Course.

“I’m proud of our day. From the bit of the struggle we had on Saturday, I felt like we did a good job getting everything out of it. I was just way too loose there at the end and struggled with rear tires. I need to focus on that to be better, but it felt like at times we definitely had a top three or four car. We worked hard to make it better throughout the weekend and executed our race. Overall, at a racetrack that I haven’t been overly confident at, to come here and almost get a top five, that was our ultimate goal. Having a solid day and getting the finish we did was important. I’m really happy with that and just know, for myself, I’ll keep working to be better to try to go out there and try to win these races.” – AJ Allmendinger

No. 10 Sea Best Camaro ZL1

Start: 36th
Stage 1 Finish: 32nd
Stage 2 Finish: 27th
Finish: 20th

Ty Dillon and the Kaulig Racing No. 10 SeaBest Chevrolet team started Sunday’s Grant Park 165 on the Chicago Street Course from the 36th position and the rear of the field after an incident in qualifying forced the team to make repairs to the No. 10 on Saturday evening. Focused on improving the handling of the No. 10 Chevy, Dillon pitted from the 30th position during the lap four caution following a multi-car accident. With an extended stay on pit road for adjustments, Dillon returned to the track and finished the opening stage in 32nd. Making routine stops throughout the race, Dillon made an unscheduled stop on lap 52 after making contact with the wall and cutting a right-front tire. With the unscheduled stop, Dillon was scored one lap down. Running in the ‘Lucky Dog’ position, Dillon returned to the lead lap when the caution was displayed on lap 61. Restarting the race from the 28th position, Dillon was able to advance multiple positions to finish the race in 20th. With his finish, Dillon advances to the ‘Elite Eight’ in the In-Season Challenge and will face Alex Bowman in the next round at Sonoma Raceway.

“We survived and advanced! This No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet team is just a tough team – we never quit. We don’t even know how to. I’m just so proud of Kaulig Racing and our No. 10 team. I knew in a basketball city, going up against Brad in a game of knock-out, I was going to have a good chance. This race was tough on us. I felt like halfway through the race, we were rolling pretty good and we could have had a chance at a top-15. I clipped the wall again and knocked the toe out and kind of bent the ball joint pretty bad. I was just kind of hanging on and hoping we could get everything we could there at the end. We’re just going to keep working hard; put pressure on who we’re facing next and see if we can keep it rolling.” – Ty Dillon

No. 10 MobileX Camaro ZL1

Start: 19th
Stage 1 Finish: 39th
Stage 2 Finish: 39th
Finish: 39th

As multiple cars in front of him began wrecking on lap three, Will Brown was unable to avoid the carnage. The No. 13 car was too damaged to continue, and Brown was scored 39th.

“Overall, a bit of a disappointing weekend. I probably went a little bit easy in qualifying, then made a mistake on my fast lap and ended up 19th. I felt okay the first couple of laps in the race, and then I just came around the corner there and just got caught up in someone else’s crash. We couldn’t really avoid it. There was nowhere to go in the position I was in.

A lot of time and effort went into the weekend from the team at Kaulig Racing, as well as everyone from my team back home and all my sponsors that helped make this happen. I’m disappointed for them, but I’m really appreciative of this opportunity. Hopefully there will be more to come.” – Will Brown

About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 27 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

Allmendinger Earns Sixth Place Finish in the Windy City

Lexington, N.C. (July 6, 2025): AJ Allmendinger finished in sixth place Sunday in the Grant Park 165 at the Chicago Street Course, earning his fifth top-10 finish of the season.

“I’m proud of our day,” said Allmendinger. “From the bit of the struggle we had on Saturday, I felt like we did a good job getting everything out of it. I was just way too loose there at the end and struggled with rear tires. I need to focus on that to be better, but it felt like at times we definitely had a top three or four car. We worked hard to make it better throughout the weekend and executed our race. Overall, at a racetrack that I haven’t been overly confident at, to come here and almost get a top five, that was our ultimate goal. Having a solid day and getting the finish we did was important. I’m really happy with that and just know, for myself, I’ll keep working to be better to try to go out there and try to win these races”

Allmendinger qualified 16th for the race and quickly drove his way into the top 10. At the beginning of the second stage, Allmendinger drove up to third place, where he maintained position until the caution came on lap 31. The No. 16 restarted on the front row and held second position until taking over the lead on lap 42 when the No. 88 came to pit road. Allmendinger pitted on schedule the following lap.

“It was actually a great day,” said crew chief, Trent Owens. “We were competitive in the top three most of the day; we were on a good strategy to finish well. I thought the last set of tires was a little off from our two previous sets. At a place we haven’t really had the greatest of finishes at, I thought AJ did really well fighting on the old tires at the end. To come away with a sixth-place finish is a success in Chicago, but obviously we want top fives and wins. To leave here with a sixth-place finish and a race like that, it’s a good deal.”

Allmendinger’s finish in Chicago advanced him to 15th in driver points. The team heads to Sonoma Raceway next week, another road course, looking to build on the momentum.

About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 27 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

Top Benefits of Choosing a Houston Toyota Dealership

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

If you’re in the market for a reliable, high-performing vehicle, Toyota is likely one of the top names on your list and for good reason. Known for durability, innovation, and value, Toyota vehicles consistently rank among the most trusted brands. But beyond choosing the right vehicle, choosing where to buy it is equally important. For Houston residents, purchasing from a local Toyota dealership comes with a range of advantages that go far beyond convenience.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the key benefits of buying from a Houston Toyota dealership, and why it’s a smart move for both first-time buyers and seasoned drivers.

1. Wide Selection of New and Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

Houston Toyota dealerships offer an extensive inventory of both brand-new models and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles, giving you plenty of options to find the perfect fit. Whether you’re eyeing a fuel-efficient Corolla, a rugged Tacoma, or a family-friendly Highlander, you’re more likely to find your preferred trim, color, and features when shopping locally.

Certified pre-owned Toyotas from dealerships undergo rigorous multi-point inspections and come with extended warranties offering peace of mind and great value.

2. Access to Exclusive Deals and Financing Offers

One major perk of shopping at a dealership is access to special promotions, rebates, and financing options. Houston Toyota dealers often partner with Toyota Financial Services to offer:

  • Low or zero-percent interest rates
  • Cash-back offers
  • Lease specials
  • First-time buyer programs

These dealership-exclusive deals are not usually available through third-party sellers or private listings, helping you save significantly on your purchase.

3. Certified Technicians and Genuine Toyota Parts

When you purchase from a Houston Toyota dealership, you’re also gaining access to a trusted service center staffed by factory-trained technicians. These professionals specialize in Toyota models and use genuine OEM parts to ensure your vehicle runs safely and smoothly for years to come.

Routine maintenance like oil changes, brake checks, or tire rotations is quicker and more reliable when done through a dealership that knows your car inside and out.

4. Customer-Centric Service and Ongoing Support

Reputable Toyota dealerships in Houston prioritize customer satisfaction from your first test drive to years down the road. Most offer:

  • Transparent pricing
  • Detailed vehicle history reports (for used cars)
  • Trade-in evaluations
  • Concierge services for vehicle pick-up/drop-off

This level of support ensures you’re not just buying a car — you’re building a relationship with a team that cares about your driving experience.

5. Convenient Location and Community Connection

With several Toyota dealerships located throughout Houston and surrounding areas, you’re never far from help or service. Plus, these dealerships are part of the local community, often sponsoring events, charities, and schools, which means your purchase helps support Houston’s growth and well-being.

Final Thoughts

Buying from a Houston Toyota dealership offers a blend of choice, security, service, and savings. Whether you’re upgrading your ride or buying your first car, the benefits of dealership-backed transactions, from expert service to exclusive offers, far outweigh the risks of buying privately.