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20-Year-Old Jonathan Shafer To Contest Virginia Late Model Triple Crown With Hettinger Racing

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Official Release
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Three-Race Miniseries Begins This Weekend at South Boston Speedway

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 25, 2025) – The Virginia Late Model Triple Crown features three of the East Coast’s biggest Late Model Stock races, and 20-year-old Jonathan Shafer has cast his lot with Hettinger Racing for the popular grassroots miniseries that begins this weekend at South Boston Speedway.

Shafer will drive the No. 5 Chevrolet in Saturday night’s Thunder Road Harley-Davidson 200 at the .4-mile oval before tackling the July 19 Hampton Heat at Larry King Law’s Langley Speedway in Hampton and the Sept. 27 ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway.

“Running up front and winning any one of these races would go a long way toward advancing my racing career,” Shafer said. “The Triple Crown carries a lot of prestige, and NASCAR and FloSports put a lot of promotion behind it. You want to win no matter where you’re racing, but the Triple Crown brings out the best. Any success is hard earned, and it resonates when you’re out there talking to companies trying to secure future partnerships.”

The entire Virginia Late Model Triple Crown is broadcast on FloSports, and beyond just streaming the racing action, FloSports partnered with NASCAR to raise the purse to $50,000, with the overall champion earning $20,000, making it the richest prize in the event’s 12-year history.

“At all three of these tracks in the Triple Crown, I’ve had quite a few starts,” Shafer said. “At Martinsville, in particular, we ran second until a mechanical failure in 2021, and in 2023, we went from 40th to 10th. And at South Boston in 2022, we were running up in the top-five, and that’s a place where I feel like I’ve always been strong and competitive. Being paired with Hettinger Racing for this year’s run, I know we can put some good finishes together.”

Shafer is an experienced racer with 35 starts on the zMAX CARS Tour, in addition to select starts across the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The Ashland, Ohio, native scored a breakout CARS Tour victory on Aug. 12, 2022 at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, North Carolina, where in his 31st start, he led wire-to-wire after securing his second career CARS Tour pole.

“In my mind, the CARS Tour is the most competitive short-track series there is right now, just because of how close the field is and how tight the equipment is. The team has to be good, the driver can’t make a mistake, and everybody’s got to work together,” Shafer said.

“In the Triple Crown, you’ll have the series regulars and the same big hitters, but with a lot more cars. I think the experience from the CARS Tour sets you up really well for the Triple Crown because it seems like all the CARS Tour drivers run up front in the Triple Crown.”

Hettinger Racing is a staple of the CARS Tour, regularly fielding two or more cars for aspiring drivers as they climb the racing ladder. Owned by second-generation racer Chris Hettinger, the team also competes in select ARCA and Truck Series races. The operation serves as a one-stop shop for drivers looking to compete in these stepping-stone divisions and advance to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and, ultimately, the top-tier NASCAR Cup Series.

“Jonathan’s a talented racer who can compete at a high level,” said Hettinger, who began his racing career behind the wheel, winning in Midgets and Late Models before becoming a fulltime team owner. “We’ve known each other for a long time, so there’s a natural trust and familiarity there. The Triple Crown is a tough stretch of races, but I believe we’ve got the team and the driver to make a serious run at it.”

Shafer has known Hettinger for nearly as long as he has been racing. Hettinger’s daughter, Katie, raced quarter midgets and Junior Late Models, and Shafer raced with Katie while both were in their early teens.

“I’ve known Chris for a while, and he’s always had a really good program with really good people. The quality of his race team stands out,” Shafer said. “I think we can accomplish a lot together.”

Shafer and Hettinger Racing will take to the track for the first time on Friday at South Boston with two practice sessions, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT and from 4:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., respectively. They will have Friday night and Saturday morning to review data before hitting the track again for three more practice sessions on Saturday afternoon – 1:15-1:50 p.m., 2:15-2:45 p.m. and 3:10-3:30 p.m. Qualifying starts at 4:15 p.m. and the green flag for the Thunder Road Harley-Davidson 200 drops at 7 p.m.

TOP FUEL’S JOSH HART LOOKS TO MAKE BIG MOVE AT SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS

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Official Release
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NORWALK, Ohio (June 24, 2025) – Always a highlight of the season for every driver in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, this weekend’s 19th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park represents a great opportunity for Top Fuel’s Josh Hart.

The standout has made solid improvements in his 12,000-horsepower R+L Carriers dragster and Hart would love nothing more than to pick up his first win of the season as the NHRA season hits the halfway point.

He’s had success in Norwalk, advancing to the final round in 2022 and with a massive R+L Carriers location directly across the street from Summit Motorsports Park, a win would mark a special moment for Hart and his team.

It’s also a busy weekend for the two-time Top Fuel event winner, as he’ll be racing in the Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown category. But Hart has embraced the double-duty and is ready for the Top Fuel team to make another big move this weekend in Norwalk.

“I would like to get back to the feeling we had in 2022 (in Norwalk) when we were on a roll and then a storm came through and flipped the track conditions,” Hart said. “That was a strong weekend for this team, and I think we can get back to that kind of performance. This sport is humbling but I also think it rewards hard work. This R+L Carriers team has been really working hard, and I am looking forward to seeing positive results in Norwalk.

“We have been coming off the trailer and making good runs on Friday, which is critical. If you can get ahead of the track on Friday it sets you up for success. This past weekend (in Richmond), the track chewed us up and spit us out on Saturday and Sunday. We are not going to hang our heads. We are getting back to work even though this is back-to-back races.”

In 2024, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won at a race that will again be broadcast on FOX and FS1 in 2025, including eliminations coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET on FOX on Sunday.

It is the 10th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA season and the race in Norwalk is annually one of the premier stops on the NHRA tour. The packed weekend includes two rounds of qualifying on Friday, including a must-see night session and fireworks, two rounds of qualifying – and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge – on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday.

This year’s event promises even more excitement, as the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals plays host to the GETTRX Pro Stock NHRA All-Star Callout for the first time. This specialty event will feature eight Pro Stock drivers battling for top honors.

For Hart, the double-duty keeps him focused and he’s ready to thrive in Norwalk. He’s picked up round wins in Top Fuel at five of the past seven races, but advancing to the semifinals and beyond is the next goal. It’s never easy in the loaded Top Fuel ranks, a group that includes points leader and racing legend Tony Stewart, Shawn Langdon, Justin Ashley, reigning world champ Antron Brown, Brittany Force and Clay Millican.

But Hart is ready for that challenge, as well as the busy responsibility of driving in two separate classes in one weekend.

“When I have both cars on the track it makes for a busy and fun weekend,” said Hart, who is ninth in Top Fuel points. “I am blessed to be able to have this opportunity, and I want to thank everyone at R+L Carriers and Burnyzz Speed Shop for the support they provide both my teams. David Davies and his DHDR team keep us on track in Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown so that is a big plus. These are the races that really make me feel fortunate.”

Tasca scooped up his second Norwalk win over Ron Capps last year. This season’s Funny Car field continues to be led by reigning champion Prock and his John Force Racing teammate Jack Beckman. Others to watch are four-time champion Matt Hagan, Phoenix winner Paul Lee, J.R. Todd and Gainesville winner Chad Green.

Pro Stock standout Stanfield took home his first Norwalk win last year, but this season has been dominated by points leader Greg Anderson and Dallas Glenn. Anderson has four wins and the points lead, while Glenn has three victories in what has been an impressive season by the KB Titan Racing teammates.

The GETTRX Pro Stock NHRA All-Star Callout field features reigning six-time champion Anderson, who will have the first pick of the eight-car field made up of Glenn, Matt Hartford, standout Stanfield, multi-time champions Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin, Eric Latino and Troy Coughlin Jr.

Two-time reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champ Herrera took the win last year over his rival Matt Smith. Herrera continues to lead the field, while others to look for at Norwalk will be Gadson, who won in Bristol, Angie Smith, Jianna Evaristo and Chase Van Sant.

Also on the track will be the standouts in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock.

All weekend, fans will be invited to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits. The stage hosts Nitro School, meet and greets, autograph sessions and more. Norwalk race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. Fans are also invited to congratulate the winners at the winner’s circle celebration 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 at 5 and 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 27, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 28 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 29. The first round of the GETTRX Pro Stock All-Star Callout takes place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, with the semifinals at 1:20 p.m. and the finals at 3:50 p.m.

Television coverage includes qualifying action at 7 p.m. ET on Friday and 11 a.m. on Sunday on FS1, leading into eliminations on FOX at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday. The Callout will be broadcast at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday on FS1.

To purchase tickets to Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.

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.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: ATLANTA RACE PREVIEW

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Official Release
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: ATLANTA PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: Atlanta 400

DATE: June 28, 2025 
RACE: NASCAR Cup Series 18 of 36
TRACK: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Ga. | 1.54-mile oval

CLUB MINUTES:
TNT IN SEASON CHALLENGE BEGINS: Saturday night’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway marks the start of the first-ever TNT In-Season Bracket Challenge. For the next five weeks, each of the top-32 drivers will be paired up against another driver to compete for a better finish. The goal is simple – finish higher than your competitor and advance all the way to the finals at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27. In this first round, John Hunter Nemechek was seeded 12th against Josh Berry for the first round. Meanwhile, Jones is seeded 20th against Ross Chastain.

DRIVEN TO GIVE GLOVES: This weekend at Atlanta, both LEGACY MC drivers will sport the iconic skeleton gloves as part of the Dale Jr. Foundation’s Driven to Give glove program which raises awareness and funds for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Various NASCAR Cup and Xfinity drivers will wear them throughout the weekend. The gloves will then be signed by the driver and Dale Earnhardt Jr. before being auctioned off. Learn more the program and auction HERE.

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

JJ WINS AT ATLANTA: LEGACY MC co-owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson owns 29 career starts on the old configuration of the track during his career from 2001 to 2020. He was successful in finding victory lane five times at Atlanta (October 2004, March 2007, October 2007, March 2015, and February 2016). He led 586 laps in his career and earned 14 top-fives and 17 top-10s.

KENSETH AT ATLANTA: LEGACY MC’s competition advisor Matt Kenseth also has a solid record at Atlanta on the old configuration. In 30 starts, he earned 11 top-fives, 17 top-10s and led 363 laps. His best finish of second came in August 2014 when he finished just .574 of a second behind race winner Kasey Kahne.

“THE KING” VICTORIOUS AT ATLANTA: CLUB Ambassador and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Richard Petty is also a six-time winner at Atlanta. In 65 total Cup Series starts, Petty has scored 22 top-fives, 33 top-10s, and led 1,827 laps at the 1.5-mile track. His victories came in August 1966, August 1970, August 1971, July 1974, March 1975, and March 1977.

THE KING’S FINAL LAP: On November 15, 1992, Richard Petty famously completed his final NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It marked the end of his career and the beginning of Jeff Gordon’s who made his Cup Series debut in the same race. The race drew a record 160,000 spectators to celebrate Petty’s historic career in the sport.

NEVER SETTLE: Join ESPN’s Marty Smith and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s co-owner Johnson for their weekly podcast, “Never Settle”. This week’s guest is Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. The podcast airs live on SIRIUS XM 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 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson.

FAST STOPS: LEGACY MC had another strong performance on pit road in last Sunday’s race at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. According to Asphalt Analytics, the No. 42 team was second overall for the day on pit road with a 9.2 second average stop. This is their highest-ranking performance of the 2025 season so far. Both the No. 42 and No. 43 teams are ranked inside the top 10 for the second-half of the regular season pit stop rankings.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 PYE-BARKER FIRE & SAFETY TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
BACK-TO-BACK TOP-10 FINISHES: John Hunter Nemechek is on a roll as he is on a two-race top-10 streak. Two weeks ago on June 15 in Mexico City, the driver of the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE finished an impressive sixth at the NASCAR Cup Series’ inaugural race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez after starting 32nd. He followed that up with another sixth place finish last Sunday at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway after earning his best qualifying result of the 2025 season – fourth. He currently sits 22nd in the points standings, 72 points below the playoff cutline with nine races to go in the regular season.

JHN’S HISTORY AT ATLANTA: Saturday night’s Atlanta 400 will mark Nemechek’s fifth NASCAR Cup Series race at the 1.54-mile oval of Atlanta Motor Speedway. In his previous four starts, Nemechek earned his only top-10 and best finish of 10th in this season’s prior race in February. He has an additional 11 starts outside of the Cup Series at Atlanta – five in the Xfinity Series and six in the Truck Series. In the Xfinity Series, Nemechek has two top-fives and three top-10s with a victory in July 2023 with a .245-second margin of victory over competitor Daniel Hemric. He has an additional victory in February 2016 in the Craftsman Truck Series along with two third place finishes in March 2021 and March 2023.

JHN STEALS A WIN AT ATLANTA: Nemechek’s strongest outing in the Xfinity Series at Atlanta was his July 2023 victory to earn his third victory of the season. The only time he led was during overtime after a push from Daniel Hemrick got him to the lead on the final restart over Justin Haley who was leading on the final restart. He struggled with handling issues for a majority of the day but found himself in the right spot at the right time when it came time for NASCAR overtime.

HOMETOWN PYE-BARKER DAY: Prior to Friday afternoon’s qualifying session at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Nemechek will visit Pye-Barker Fire & Safety’s main office for their annual “Pye-Barker Headquarters Day” in Alpharetta, Ga. Starting at 9:30am ET, Nemechek and the No. 42 pit crew will participate in Q&As, live pit stops, and autograph sessions before heading to track. To honor the 8,000-plus associates, Pye-Barker has listed their names on the No. 42 car for this weekend. The event is not open to the public.

TMACK AT ATLANTA: Crew chief Travis Mack has nine NASCAR Cup Series starts on top of the pit box at Atlanta. His best finish of second came in July 2023 when his driver Daniel Suarez finished just behind William Byron under caution. He has an additional three top-10s in the Cup Series at Atlanta with his most recent being a 10th-place finish in February with Nemechek. He has an additional two starts as crew chief at Atlanta in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Michael Annett, finishing 12th and 11th respectively.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE: 
“I am really excited about Atlanta this weekend. We will start the weekend by visiting Pye-Barker’s headquarters. We have some momentum building from the last few weeks – our speedway program has been really good this year. It is one of our best shots to go down there, lead some laps and be in the position to win to get into the playoffs. We have some ground to make up still but things are really trending upward.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE: 
“I look at Atlanta like it’s a race we need to go there and win. We had a really good race there in the spring, so I feel like this is going to be one of our best shots to win a race and get into the playoffs. I think the heat of the race will fall into our favor a lot with the handling, we’ve had some really good intermediate races, so hopefully handling plays more of a factor and we can come out on top. It’s a ‘home’ race for Pye-Barker so I’d like nothing more to give them a win.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JONES ATLANTA STATS: Saturday night’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway will mark Erik Jones’ 14th NASCAR Cup Series race at the 1.54-mile track where he owns one top-five and three top-10s. His best finish of fourth came in July 2022 after the track’s reconfiguration. He owns three additional starts at Atlanta in the NASCAR Cup Series – two in the Xfinity Series and one in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. His best Xfinity Series finish of third came in February 2016 when he started second and finished third. In his one and only Truck Series start ended up in a seventh-place finish after starting second and leading 37 laps.

SUPPORTING HENRY COUNTY: Back in early May, Jones visited Georgia in collaboration with Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Henry County Library system to incentivize kids to read – rewarding bookworms with tickets to this weekend’ race. This year’s program ran from May 15 to August 15 where each reader ages 0-18 who reaches their quarter milestone in reading would receive two complimentary tickets to this weekend’s race. On May 7, Jones visited the Forton Library in Hampton to help promote the initiative and read for some of the children. After the library, he visited Rocky Creek Elementary School in Hampton where he previously installed a book vending machine in 2023 to restock the vending machine and deliver a check of $2,500 from the Erik Jones Foundation and Speedway Children’s Charities Atlanta to keep it stocked.

JONES ON THE CLIMB: Jones has been on a hot streak in collecting points over the past few weeks. After being outside of the top-25 in points prior to May 4 at Texas Motor Speedway, a string of strong finishes and stage points has allowed him to sit 18th in the points standings. He’s currently 62 points below the playoff cutline and just three points behind 17th-place AJ Allmendinger. With nine races to go until the regular season finale on August 23 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Jones has a shot to put together some strong finishes to help him put himself into the playoffs.

BESHORE AT ATLANTA: Ben Beshore has been on top of the pit box for a total of seven NASCAR Cup Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway. His best team finish of second came in July 2021 with Kyle Busch when he finished just 1.237 seconds behind his brother and 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Kurt Busch. He has an additional four races as a crew chief at Atlanta in the Xfinity Series where his team never finished outside the top-10. He won in July 2023 with John Hunter Nemechek.

ERIK JONES QUOTE: 
“I’m looking forward to Atlanta. Obviously, it’s kind of become a wild card race a bit. It’ll be interesting to see with how hot it’s going to be and how the track is aging just exactly how this track will race on Saturday night. We’ve ran well there, and I’m excited for that. This could be a shot for us to win, for sure. I’m just proud of this team for the strong runs this past month that have helped us in our climb in the points. I think we were 28th or 29th prior to Texas after the penalty at Martinsville. Now we’re back in the top-20 and on the cusp of the playoffs here – only about 60 points back. The hope is to have some really good races here to help us keep climbing. I’m excited to have that shot because it’s been a few years. Hopefully we can keep rolling and keep showing that speed to get some good finishes. Our team has done a really good job at bringing fast cars and running well during the day. It just hasn’t worked out in the races to have some good finishes. If we can get the finishes, I think we’ll have a strong run at the playoffs.”

BEN BESHORE QUOTE:
“For Atlanta, the summer race will be quite different from that February race. In general, it’s about 50 degrees hotter. It’ll be a bit more handling-based than superspeedway-based. Every time we go back to the track we lose a little more grip and it tends to step its way more toward a handling track than your traditional superspeedway, even though it’s the same sort of aero package. We just have to keep that in mind. It’s a night race so it’ll be a little cooler, but still hot. You’ll be slipping and sliding a bit more than we did in February.”

CLUB APPEARANCES:
Nemechek will appear on the stage in the Atlanta fan zone for “Trackside Live” on race day at 4pm.

TUNE IN:
The NASCAR Cup Series returns for the second NASCAR Cup Series race of the 2025 season at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 28 for the Atlanta 400. The race broadcast will take place on TNT, MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90) at 7 p.m. EDT.

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.

HFT Advance | Atlanta II

By
Official Release
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Atlanta II Event Info:
Date: Saturday, June 28
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Hampton, Georgia
Format: 260 Laps, 400.4 Miles, Stages: 60-160-260
TV: TNT Sports
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 3 p.m. ET, Xfinity Qualifying (CW App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Friday: 5:05 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Friday: 7:30 p.m. ET, Xfinity Race (CW, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 7 p.m. ET, Cup Race (TNT Sports, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The newly rebranded EchoPark Speedway hosts race No. 18 on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule this weekend, the first track to host its second date on the calendar this season.
  • There have been five different winners across seven total races on the newly reconfigured Atlanta track.
  • Last weekend at Pocono was the final race in the “Driving 4 a Difference presented by the Gene Haas Foundation,” a new in-season Ford tournament within the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
  • Sam Mayer won the inaugural Xfinity tournament with 117 points, followed by teammate Sheldon Creed (116), Ryan Sieg (101), Harrison Burton (93) & Kyle Sieg (37).
  • Mayer is now tied with Justin Allgaier (10.9) for the best average finish among full-time Xfinity drivers this season.

Cole Custer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Aaron Kramer
Partner: HaasTooling.com

Sheldon Creed Team Info:
Crew Chief: Jonathan Toney
Partner: Friends of Jaclyn

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

Custer at Atlanta (Cup)
Starts: 7
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • Custer makes his eighth Cup start at Atlanta this weekend, where he has a 23.6 average finish. His lone top-10 finish came in the fall of 2022.
  • His best start was 18th in that same race, and he boasts a 23.3 average starting position.
  • Custer has also made seven NXS starts at Atlanta, where he has three top-10 finishes and a pole in 2019.

Creed at Atlanta (Xfinity)
Starts: 7
Wins: —
Top-10s: 2
Poles: —

  • Creed is set to make his eighth Xfinity start at Atlanta on Friday, where he finished P4 in the spring last season. He has two career top-10s at the track, including a 9th-place finish in his Xfinity Series debut at the track in 2022.
  • Over seven races, Creed holds an average qualifying position of 10.9 and has started inside the top-15 in six of those races.

Mayer at Atlanta (Xfinity)
Starts: 8
Wins: —
Top-10s: 3
Poles: —

  • Mayer is in line for his ninth Xfinity start at Atlanta this weekend, where he has recorded three top-10 finishes in his career. His lone top-5 came in the fall of 2023, where he started and finished fifth.
  • He has started inside the top 10 three times, and has an average starting position of 10.5.

Where They Stand
Cup Points Standings (41: 34th): Custer is 34th in the Cup Series points standings through 17 races this season with 219 points.

Xfinity Points Standings (41: 7th, 00: 10th): Mayer sits seventh in the Xfinity points standings with 518 total points on the season, behind the six winners, while Creed is in 10th place with 420 points heading into Atlanta this Friday.

RFK Advance | Atlanta II

By
Official Release
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Atlanta II Event Info:
Date: Saturday, June 28
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Hampton, Georgia
Format: 260 Laps, 400.4 Miles, Stages: 60-160-260
TV: TNT Sports
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 5:05 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 7 p.m. ET, Cup Race (TNT Sports, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The newly rebranded EchoPark Speedway hosts race No. 18 on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule this weekend, the first track to host its second date on the calendar this season.
  • There have been five different winners across seven total races on the newly reconfigured Atlanta track.
  • Last season’s spring race saw a record number of lead changes at the track, 48, and there has been a final lead change with two or fewer laps to go in five of the last six Atlanta races.
  • Jack Roush has 13 wins all-time in Atlanta, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • RFK Racing put all three Fords in the top 10 last weekend at Pocono, with Buescher (4th) leading the way while Preece (8th) and Keselowski (9th) rounded out the top 10.
  • It marked the second time this season that RFK Racing has placed three cars inside the top 10 (also Michigan).

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

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Kroger / Cinnamon Toast Crunch

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

Keselowski at Atlanta
Starts: 21
Wins: 2 (2017, 2019)
Top-10s: 11
Poles: —

  • Keselowski makes his 22nd Cup start at Atlanta this weekend where he is a two-time winner with an average finish of 16.3.
  • Keselowski won at the now Superspeedway’s first race in 2017 after starting fifth, and again in 2019. He is one of four active drivers with multiple wins at Atlanta.
  • Overall, he’s led laps in 11 different Atlanta races and finished in the top-10 11 times.
  • He carries an average starting position of 15.2 into the weekend with a career-best effort of P2 in 2014. Overall, he has seven top-10 starts, including a P9 starting spot earlier this season.
  • He also has eight Xfinity Series starts with six top-10s including two P2 finishes. In the Truck series, he’s made four career starts.

Buescher at Atlanta
Starts: 14
Wins: —
Top-10s: 4
Poles: —

  • Buescher makes his 15th Cup start in Atlanta where he has posted four top-10s and a best finish of seventh (twice – 2021, 2022). He also finished ninth in 2019 and 2024.
  • Buescher has an average qualifying position of 17.1 and has qualified inside the top 10 in three of the last five Atlanta races.

Preece at Atlanta
Starts: 9
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Preece makes his 10th Cup start in Atlanta where he has best finish of 16th in the spring race last season.
  • He holds an average starting position of 22.2, including a P11 starting spot in the spring earlier this season.

RFK Historically at Atlanta
Cup Wins: 6 (Mark Martin, 1991, 1994; Kurt Busch, 2002; Carl Edwards, 2005, 2005, 2008)

  • RFK at Atlanta: RFK has 284 starts at AMS in NASCAR’s three major touring series totaling 13 wins, 60 top fives, 115 top-10s and nine poles while leading 3,267 laps and turning over 111,000 miles.
  • AMS/RFK History: RFK competed in its first NASCAR event at AMS on March 20, 1988, finishing 31st after getting involved in an early crash. Just three years later the organization claimed its first win there in the fall of ‘91 with the No. 6 Ford. RFK won its first of seven NXS races at the track in the spring of ’97. The team’s top outing at AMS came in the fall of 2005, when the organization placed four cars inside the top seven, with three cars finishing in the top five including race winner Carl Edwards. Altogether, in the two races at AMS in 2005, RFK posted six top-five finishes and two wins.
  • Spring Forward: All but one of RFK’s Cup wins at AMS came in the fall, with the only spring win coming in 2005. Three of RFK’s seven NXS wins came in the fall.

RFK Atlanta Wins

1991-2 Martin Cup

1994-2 Martin Cup

1997-1 Martin NXS

1998-2 Martin NXS

2000-1 Martin NXS

2002-2 Busch Cup

2005-1 Edwards Cup

2005-1 Edwards NXS

2005-2 Edwards Cup

2008-1 Kenseth NXS

2008-2 Edwards Cup

2011 Edwards NXS

2012 Stenhouse NXS

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Pocono: Buescher 4th; Preece 8th: Keselowski 9th.

Points Standings (17: 14th, 60: 17th, 6: 31st): Buescher sits 38 points above the cutline while Preece for sits 20 points behind Alex Bowman for the final playoff spot. Keselowski is in 31st after a top-10 finish at Pocono.

Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Advance: Lime Rock Park

By
Official Release
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NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE ADVANCE: LIME ROCK PARK
Event: LiUNA! 150 (100 laps / 147.8 miles)
Round: 15 of 25 (Regular Season)
Track: Lime Rock Park
Location: Lakeville, Connecticut
Date & Time: Saturday, June 28 | 1:00 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX | NASCAR Racing Network (NRN) | SiriusXM Ch. 90

Team Stats & Notes

  • New Venue Vibes: This weekend’s LiUNA! 150 will be the inaugural running of a NASCAR national series race at Lime Rock Park. It will also be the first Truck Series race held in the state of Connecticut, expanding the series’ reach.
  • Niece Motorsports Road Course Stats: Niece drivers have made a total of 42 starts on six different road courses (Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Circuit Of The Americas, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Watkins Glen International, Daytona International Speedway, and Sonoma Raceway). The team has won two pole awards (Carson Hocevar – Sonoma, 2022 & Ross Chastain – COTA, 2023) and have earned three top-fives and nine top-10 finishes.

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

  • Mills’ Lime Rock Stats: Matt Mills will make his first-career start in any series at Lime Rock Park on Saturday.
  • Mills’ NASCAR Road Course Stats: Mills has raced on two road courses in a truck; first at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2023 and later at the Circuit Of The Americas in 2024. He picked up his best result at Mid-Ohio, finishing 22nd. In seven NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) starts, Mills’ best effort was a 19th-place finish at the Daytona road course in 2021.
  • Shiplett’s Lime Rock Stats: Mike Shiplett will call his first race in any series at Lime Rock Park on Saturday.
  • On the Truck: Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from longtime partners J.F. Electric and Utilitra, who will serve as his anchor partners for the entire 25-race season.
  • Recapping Pocono: Matt Mills and the No. 42 team brought home a 20th-place finish at Pocono Raceway. Mills found it difficult to make up track position as he was mired in traffic, and picked up some slight damage in a mid-race incident. The J.F. Electric team made repairs and kept Mills on track to finish the race inside the top-20.
  • Points Rundown: Mills remains 19th in the points standings heading into the 15th race of the year. The driver currently is 10 points behind Jack Wood in 18th and has a 13-point lead over Dawson Sutton in 20th. With four races left to run in the regular season, Mills is 159 points below the Playoffs cutline.
  • Quoting Mills: It’s been a while since you’ve raced a road course, so have you done any special work to prepare for Lime Rock & Watkins Glen?

“Between running on the simulator and working in the Wise Program, it’s been extremely helpful having those resources to be able to go over everything. Obviously, iRacing too has been helpful in getting in as many laps as we can in different vehicles since we don’t really know what to expect in the trucks. I feel like Niece Motorsports has been a pretty solid team on the road courses the past few years, so having that notebook to build off of will be great. I think specifically for this weekend, the name of the game is going to be survival. We need to qualify well and get what we can without being too greedy.”

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

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

No. 44 Trim-Tex Drywall Solutions Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Josh Bilicki | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers

  • Bilicki Joins the Team: NASCAR veteran, Josh Bilicki, will make his debut with Niece Motorsports on Saturday. Bilicki, who has competed in over 225+ starts in the top-three national series, is an accomplished road course racer in other disciplines. He is slated to compete in one other race for the team at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL in October.
  • Bilicki’s Lime Rock Stats: Josh Bilicki will make his first-career start in any series at Lime Rock Park on Saturday. He has driven the track several times before in track days / testing with other series, but has never raced here before.
  • Bilicki’s NASCAR Road Course Stats: Bilicki has only made one other road course start in a truck, which came at Sonoma Raceway in 2022. In NXS competition, Bilicki has competed on 10 different road courses (Road America, Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio, Charlotte ROVAL, Indianapolis RC, Daytona RC, COTA, Portland, Chicago, and Mexico City), earning three top-10 finishes in total. He has also raced in several Cup Series events at different venues.
  • Rogers’ Lime Rock Stats: Wally Rogers will call his first race in any series at Lime Rock Park on Saturday.
  • On the Truck: Bilicki’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Trim-Tex Drywall Solutions and Lemons Of Love.
  • Recapping Pocono: Conner Jones and the No. 44 team were forced out in an early Pocono exit due to a crash on lap 47. After starting 22nd, Jones was moving forward before getting collected, but the damage proved to be too severe to continue. He was credited with a 31st-place finish in his second outing with the team.
  • Owner Points Rundown: Following Jones’ crash in Pocono, the No. 44 team dropped to 17th in owner points. Heading into Lime Rock, the team is currently 12 points behind TRICON Garage’s No. 15 entry in 16th and 35 points ahead of ThorSport Racing’s No. 88 entry.
  • Quoting Bilicki: You’ve made some laps around here before, so how do you expect this weekend’s race to play out?

“Lime Rock is a track I’ve been to, but never raced at before. So, I feel good going into the track. There’s been a lot of sim work here, and it almost feels like it’s a backwards short track where you’re turning right. There’s only one left-hand corner here, but it’s really tight. I think the lap times are going to be under a minute. I think there’s going to be attrition, with guys using their bumpers because it’s such a tight track. Hopefully, we can qualify up front and stay there out of the mess all day and bring home a good result for the No. 44 team.”

About Trim-Tex: Trim-Tex Drywall Solutions, a world recognized manufacturer of drywall corner bead and accessories, is no stranger to the motorsports industry. Along with their CEO, Joe Koenig, Trim-Tex has been involved in the motorsports industry as a sponsor, team owner, and a competitor for nearly three decades.

About Lemons of Love: Lemons of Love is a nonprofit organization that delivers care packages to individuals undergoing cancer treatment to provide comfort and support. Each package is thoughtfully filled with items that help ease the side effects of chemotherapy and remind recipients they’re not alone. In addition to care packages, Lemons of Love offers free programs and resources to build community and spread hope.

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

  • Honeycutt’s Lime Rock Stats: Kaden Honeycutt will make his first-career start in any series at Lime Rock Park on Saturday.
  • Honeycutt’s NASCAR Road Course Stats: Honeycutt has only competed in one prior road course race in a truck, which came at the Circuit Of The Americas in 2023. In his lone NASCAR road course race, he finished 15th.
  • Gould’s Lime Rock Stats: Phil Gould will call his first race in any series at Lime Rock Park on Saturday.
  • On the Truck: Honeycutt’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from DQS Solutions & Staffing, who will serve as his anchor partner for the majority of the season.
  • Living Life: There have been lots of reasons to celebrate in the Honeycutt household. On Monday, Kaden celebrated his 22nd birthday, and in just a few weeks, he and fiancée, Jessica, will get married before the series’ next outing in Indianapolis.
  • Recapping Pocono: Kaden Honeycutt and the No. 45 team matched their season-best showing with an impressive third-place finish. Honeycutt started off strong on the front row, and maintained track position through the first stage. With stage finishes of second and sixth, Honeycutt nabbed a total of 15 extra points on the day.
  • Points Rundown: Honeycutt’s third-place finish in Pocono vaulted him up to sixth-place in the championship points standings, up two positions from the previous week. Entering Lime Rock, he is five points behind Grant Enfinger in fifth, and 15 points ahead of Tyler Ankrum in seventh. The driver is currently ninth in the Playoffs standings with a 45-point advantage over the cutline.
  • Quoting Honeycutt: You don’t have a ton of road course experience, so what have you been doing to get acclimated to this type of racing?

“Thanks to Chevrolet, Scott Speed, and Josh Wise, I’ve been getting some help on the simulator. We’ve been going over Lime Rock and some characteristics there to see what we can do to be successful there. It’s all right-hand turns except for turn two, so we’ll be running right for 100 laps. I think it will be a very interesting race to see, and it looks like the track is pretty narrow. Passing zones will be pretty small, and I think everyone should unload pretty fast because of how simple the track layout is. Once we get through practice to see what kind of speed we have, I’ll dive into finding out what I can do to be better. You can always go faster on road courses, so it’s all about maximizing. But, the big thing is to stay on the track, and that should lead to a good day. We don’t have really big expectations, so hopefully we can exceed those and be fast.”

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

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

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

Ford Gearing Up For Run at Sixth Straight Atlanta Cup Pole

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Official Release
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ATLANTA/LIME ROCK

Friday, June 27 — NASCAR Xfinity Series @ Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. ET (CW)
Saturday, June 28 — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series @ Lime Rock, 1 p.m. ET (FS1)
Saturday, June 28 — NASCAR Cup Series @ Atlanta, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)

All three of NASCAR’s top series are in action this weekend as the regular season continues to wind down. The NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Cup Series drivers will be making their second trip to EchoPark Speedway, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, this season while the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competes at Lime Rock Park for the first time.

LOGANO LOOKING FOR ATLANTA REPEAT

When Joey Logano won the second race last year at Atlanta Motor Speedway it was a foreshadowing of how the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs would start and finish. Logano used a push from his Team Penske teammate, Ryan Blaney, on an overtime restart to win the postseason opener and secure a spot in the Round of 12. The victory was Logano’s second of the season and third overall after he captured the All-Star Race earlier in the year. The Connecticut native went on to close the playoffs with a win at Phoenix Raceway and secure his third series title.

QUALIFYING DOMINANCE

When it comes to qualifying at EchoPark Speedway in recent years, no manufacturer has been more dominant than Ford, which has captured the NASCAR Cup Series pole five straight times. The Blue Oval hasn’t only won the pole, but it has swept the front row in each of those qualifying sessions. Team Penske has led the way during this three-year stretch as all three drivers – Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric – have qualified in the top 10 for each race. The organization has also had at least one driver start on the front row in each of the last five events. Here’s a list of Ford’s qualifying success since 2023.

FORD POLE STREAK AT ECHOPARK

  • Ford has won the last five NASCAR Cup Series poles at EchoPark (Joey Logano, Aric Almirola, Michael McDowell twice, and Ryan Blaney).
  • Blaney won the pole for the race earlier this year.
  • Ford has swept the front row in five straight EchoPark qualifying sessions (Blaney/Cindric (2025-1), McDowell/Blaney (2024-2), McDowell/Logano (2024-1), Almirola/Blaney (2023-2), Logano/Cindric (2023-1).
  • Team Penske has had at least one driver start on the front row in each of the last five races (Blaney and Cindric, 2025-1; Blaney, 2024-2; Logano, 2024-1; Blaney, 2023-2; Logano and Cindric, 2023-1)
  • Ford swept the top eight spots in the 2023 spring race.
  • Ford swept the top six spots in the 2023 summer race.
  • Ford swept the top five spots in the 2024 summer race.
  • Ford swept the top five spots and nine of the top 10 in the 2025 spring race.

INAUGURAL IN-SEASON CHALLENGE

There will be 10 Ford drivers competing in the inaugural In-Season Challenge, which kicks off this weekend in Atlanta and concludes at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The head-to-head competition will result in the winner receiving $1 million. Ford participants: Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Josh Berry, Zane Smith, Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson. There are two first-round matchups that pit Ford drivers against each other: Chris Buescher vs. Todd Gilliland and Zane Smith vs. Austin Cindric. Whichever driver finishes the best in each matchup will advance to the next round.

KESELOWSKI GETS FIRST CUP WIN FOR MUSTANG

In 2019, Brad Keselowski gave Mustang its first NASCAR Cup Series victory as he held off Martin Truex Jr. at the finish line to win the Folds of Honor 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Keselowski, who was battling an illness all weekend and had Austin Cindric standing by in case he needed relief, led the final 33 laps to post his 28th career victory. In all, Ford led 177 of the 325 laps and won for the third straight year at the 1.5-mile track.

MAYER WINS FORD DRIVING 4 A DIFFERENCE

Sam Mayer’s seventh place finish in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway helped him win the inaugural Ford Driving 4 A Difference presented by the Gene Haas Foundation. The four-race event involved all five of Ford’s series drivers, who were supporting their favorite charities. For finishing first, Mayer earned $20,000 for the Starkey Hearing Foundation while Sheldon Creed won $15,000 for the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation as the runner-up. Harrison Burton (All Within My Hands), Ryan Sieg (Isabella Santos Foundation) and Kyle Sieg (Motor Racing Outreach) each received $5,000 for their charities.

CAM WATERS MAKING TRUCK SERIES RETURN

Ford driver Cam Waters is generally found in his native Australia driving a Ford Mustang in the Repco Supercars Championship, but this weekend he’s trading that in for a Ford F-150 and will compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Lime Rock Park for ThorSport Racing. Waters made his NASCAR debut a year ago for the team at Martinsville Speedway (finished 30th) and then followed that up with another start at Kansas Speedway (19th) a couple weeks later. He also made one NASCAR Cup Series start in 2024 with that coming at Sonoma Raceway for RFK Racing.

A NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES FIRST

This weekend will mark the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut and it comes at a vital time with only four races remaining in the regular season. Layne Riggs comes into the weekend after winning the pole and race at Pocono, which clinches his first playoff berth. The pole marked the first of his career and set the tone for a day that saw him win the first stage and then lead the final 20 laps to post his third career triumph. He joins Front Row Motorsports teammate Chandler Smith as Ford drivers who have secured spots in the postseason.

FORD’S ATLANTA CUP SERIES WINNERS

1961 – Fred Lorenzen

1962 – Fred Lorenzen

1963 – Fred Lorenzen

1964 – Fred Lorenzen and Ned Jarrett

1965 – Marvin Panch (Sweep)

1967 – Cale Yarborough and Dick Hutcherson

1968 – LeeRoy Yarbrough

1969 – LeeRoy Yarbrough

1975 – Buddy Baker

1978 – Bobby Allison

1981 – Neil Bonnett

1985 – Bill Elliott (Sweep)

1987 – Ricky Rudd and Bill Elliott

1990 – Morgan Shepherd

1991 – Mark Martin

1992 – Bill Elliott (Sweep)

1993 – Morgan Shepherd

1994 – Ernie Irvan and Mark Martin

1997 – Dale Jarrett

2002 – Kurt Busch

2005 – Carl Edwards (Sweep)

2008 – Carl Edwards

2017 – Brad Keselowski

2018 – Kevin Harvick

2019 – Brad Keselowski

2020 – Kevin Harvick

2021 – Ryan Blaney (1)

2023 – Joey Logano (1)

2024 – Joey Logano (2)

FORD’S ATLANTA XFINITY SERIES WINNERS

1992 – Jeff Gordon

1997 – Mark Martin

1998 – Mark Martin

2000 – Mark Martin

2004 – Matt Kenseth

2005 – Carl Edwards

2008 – Matt Kenseth

2011 – Carl Edwards

2012 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

2018 – Kevin Harvick

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

Young’s Motorsports, Anthony Alfredo and Brand South Africa Bring International Spotlight to Atlanta

By
Official Release
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Anthony Alfredo to drive Brand South Africa No. 42 at EchoPark Speedway

MOORESVILLE, N.C.: Young’s Motorsports is proud to announce a dynamic international partnership for this weekend’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at EchoPark (Ga.) Speedway.

Brand South Africa and several leading South African organizations will sponsor Anthony Alfredo and the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro, bringing global visibility to the team’s effort in Friday night’s Focused Health 250.

This marks a significant collaboration between NASCAR and an international branding campaign, highlighting South African culture, business and innovation on a major motorsports stage.

The car will feature Brand South Africa prominently on the hood. Other supporting partners include:

● Brooklyn Biltong – Brooklyn Biltong Naked Tender Steak Slices are no-nonsense, made with grass-fed beef, & air-dried to perfection. Each bite is rich, tender, and unapologetically delicious. Inspired by Brooklyn’s bold spirit, we’ve reimagined biltong for the modern lifestyle. Zero BS, no fillers, just pure, clean protein.

Portable and anytime enjoyable, we take the strain out of dietary pain and make snacking satisfying. Packed with protein, every bite fuels your body and crushes cravings. Brooklyn Biltong Naked – DELICIOUS. TENDER. UNMATCHED. https://www.brooklynbiltong.com/

● Superformance – Superformance LLC is an American automaker specializing in factory-built, turnkey‑minus continuation cars of iconic 1960s sports cars—such as the Shelby Cobra, GT40, and Daytona Coupe—produced under official licensing since its founding in 1996 https://www.superformance.com/

● 7th House – A cocktail and culinary experience rooted in mid-century glamour and celestial inspiration, 7th House blends classic mixology with immersive storytelling. Created by the minds behind Bovino After Dark and The Vine Wine Club, this intimate residency invites guests on a journey through the elemental forces — fire, earth, air, and water — via a curated tasting menu of cocktails and light bites.

Designed to evoke a planetary imaginarium, 7th House delivers a nostalgic yet modern atmosphere where southern hospitality, creative cuisine, and astrological aesthetics align. https://seventhhouse.lpages.co/7th-house

● HERO – A farmer-owned cooperative, HERO stands for Healing the Environment, Regenerating Ourselves. HERO has a network of food supply chain partnerships that connect consumers directly to farmers, all with a shared interest in building a food system that promotes human and planetary health.

Headquartered in the U.S., HERO offers a full range of sustainable, regenerative, and organic-based products. Want to be a HERO? Learn more at: https://herofarmed.com

● The International Rhino Foundation – The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is a Texas-based nonprofit established in 1989 that protects all five species of rhinoceros—White, Black, Indian, Javan, and Sumatran—through strategic funding, on‑the‑ground conservation teams in Africa and Asia, and advanced scientific research. https://rhinos.org/

● The Lekker Network – The Lekker Network is a global community connecting South African professionals, entrepreneurs, and visionaries, rooted in Ubuntu and designed to amplify stories, spark collaboration, and unlock opportunities across borders. https://thelekkernetwork.com/

Brand South Africa, a government agency charged with promoting the country’s image both locally and abroad, views this NASCAR partnership as an opportunity to strengthen economic ties and introduce South African culture to a new audience.

“I am thrilled to head to EchoPark Speedway with South Africa and Brooklyn Biltong,” said Anthony Alfredo. “It’s a really fun track and one our team has had circled on the schedule because we know we can succeed there.

“I’m looking forward to racing at the front of the field with this great-looking race car and contending for a win! “

The partnership also includes a special business roundtable on Friday afternoon at the Global Atlanta offices. There, South African business leaders, VIPs, and dignitaries will engage on South Africa as a trade partner and a foreign direct investment, celebrate international collaborations and explore future opportunities in both motorsports and commerce.

“This weekend represents the culmination of seven years of collaboration with Brand South Africa across NASCAR,” said Arnout Kok, project coordinator. “Now, with Young’s Motorsports and Anthony Alfredo leading the way, we’re reaching a new milestone—marking the first time a top-three NASCAR Series car is fully dedicated to promoting South Africa and its business community.”

Fans can catch Anthony Alfredo in action when the NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 goes green at EchoPark Speedway on Friday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast on the CW, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90).

About Brand South Africa:

Brand South Africa is a South African government agency responsible for promoting the country’s image domestically and internationally. Its primary goal is to manage South Africa’s brand reputation, ensuring that the country is recognized for its strengths and attractiveness as a destination for investment, tourism, and international cooperation. For more information, visit: www.brandsouthafrica.com.

About Young’s Motorsports:

Young’s Motorsports is a professional stock car racing team competing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series.

The family-owned winning organization, led by founding driver Tyler Young, is headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, and has earned a reputation as a respected and competitive presence across NASCAR’s national touring divisions.

With a strong focus on driver development, team culture, and collaborative partnerships, Young’s Motorsports fields entries for a diverse lineup of talented drivers and continues to expand its footprint both on and off the track.

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

About A.E. Engine (Sales and Marketing Partner):

A.E. Engine is a full-service sports sales, marketing, and content creation company. Founded in 2005 by sports publishing and marketing executives, A.E. Engine has earned a reputation for conceiving, creating, and delivering high-quality, premium content and programming for passionate fans. www.ae-engine.com

DePaul University Partners with McDowell, Spire Motorsports for NASCAR Cup Series Chicago Street Race

By
Official Release
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DePaul to serve as primary sponsor for Michael McDowell’s No. 71 Chevrolet ZL1

CHICAGO (June 24, 2025) – DePaul University is excited to announce a partnership with Spire Motorsports for the 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race. DePaul will serve as the primary sponsor of Michael McDowell’s No. 71 Chevrolet ZL1.

As part of the sponsorship, DePaul branding will be prominently featured on McDowell’s custom-designed No. 71 Chevy, his fire suit, pit road signage, and the Spire Motorsports crew shirts. Co-branded merchandise will also be available at the Chicago Street Race event and online.

National visibility through broadcast, digital and social media, and in-person audiences will create a powerful platform to feature the university to new audiences. The race is projected to draw more than 4 million viewers nationwide, building on the success of the inaugural 2023 event, which became the most-streamed NASCAR Cup Series race in NBC Sports history and the most-watched on NBC in six years. Locally, the event is expected to attract over 55,000 unique spectators from around the world, with more than half traveling to Chicago specifically to experience the race firsthand.

“At DePaul, we view athletics as the front porch of the university — a powerful entry point that invites the world to engage with our university,” said DePaul Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy. “Partnering with Spire Motorsports for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race allows us to spotlight DePaul on a national stage while embracing a global event in our own backyard. Even more exciting, this collaboration will extend into our classrooms this fall, offering our students a hands-on look at the business and science behind professional racing. It’s the perfect example of how we’re using sports to elevate our visibility and create real-world learning experiences for our students.”

McDowell, a 17-year veteran of the NASCAR Cup Series with 518 starts, joined Spire Motorsports to pilot the No. 71 Chevrolet ZL1 ahead of the 2025 season. The Glendale, Ariz., native won the 2021 Daytona 500 and followed it up with a win in the 2023 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The father-of-five and road course ace has finished inside of the top-10 in both attempts at the Chicago Street Race, including a fifth-place result in 2024. So far this season, he has recorded one top-five, two top-10 and seven top-15 finishes, including a fifth-place showing at NASCAR’s most recent road-course race in the Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.

“I’m really looking forward to Chicago,” said McDowell. “We’re coming off some great momentum on road courses, and to have a cornerstone of the city like DePaul University on our car for the weekend is special. Chicago is a great city, and NASCAR has built a fantastic racetrack. It’s not every day you get to race through the streets. With the city as the backdrop, it’s a unique experience and a real opportunity for us to have success with a new partner like DePaul.”

This partnership will extend well beyond the race weekend. Later this fall, students in DePaul’s Physics and Sport Management programs will benefit from exclusive engagement opportunities with members of the Spire Motorsports team, gaining firsthand insights into the high-performance, data-driven landscape of professional racing.

This summer, in collaboration with NASCAR Chicago, DePaul’s School of Hospitality and Sports Business introduced a special topics course, HSB 198: A NASCAR Experience. As part of the curriculum, students will play an integral role in designing and executing the newly created College Tailgate at Turn 7—a fan engagement event tailored to college students during the race. Further anchoring this collaboration in the local community, the longstanding NASCAR internship program will continue to empower DePaul students and alumni, offering them leadership roles and on-the-ground experience during one of Chicago’s most prominent sporting events.

“This initiative reflects DePaul’s continued commitment to authentically embrace its identity as Chicago’s university,” said DePaul Chief Branding Officer Cristel Turner. “This collaboration brings DePaul into the cultural and civic spotlight through a bold, innovative partnership that connects us with new audiences to build brand interest and support enrollment growth. What truly sets DePaul apart is our teaching philosophy of layered learning that merges classroom education with real-world, project-based learning and service learning that unlock real-world opportunities for our students.”

DePaul students receive 20% off select race tickets for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. Learn more and purchase here.

Fans, students and alumni can tune in to see the No. 71 DePaul University Chevrolet ZL1 rally through the streets of Chicago July 6, at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT) on TNT, MRN, SiriusXM, and MAX.

ABOUT DEPAUL UNIVERSITY…
DePaul University provides exceptional academics and real-world experiences to prepare students for a changing world. With more than 21,000 students across more than 300 academic programs, DePaul has two campus locations in Chicago. Students richly benefit from the city’s many opportunities. In turn, DePaul is one of the forces that shapes Chicago’s future. The university was founded in 1898 by the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians), a Roman Catholic religious community dedicated to following the ideals of St. Vincent de Paul. DePaul is among the nation’s top universities for diversity because of its long tradition of providing a high-quality education to students from a broad range of backgrounds. DePaul is one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in the Midwest and one of the largest Catholic universities in the nation. Visit DePaul.edu to learn more

ABOUT DEPAUL ATHLETICS…
DePaul’s 15 intercollegiate athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division I, BIG EAST Conference. DePaul University began sponsoring athletics teams in the early 1900’s, with intercollegiate athletics coming to fruition in the 1920’s. Legendary coach Ray Meyer helped put DePaul on the map in the 1970’s as the men’s basketball program helped elevate the university to national prominence. Through a bold new vision for the future, DePaul Athletics looks to become the premier program in the BIG EAST Conference through a focus on winning championships with integrity, building champion students through education and intentional development, and serving as a visible ambassador for DePaul University and the Chicago community. DePaul Athletics has a storied tradition and is uniquely positioned to support the university’s mission and commitment to academic excellence, real world experience, community engagement, and systemic change. Further, the department is steadfast in its commitment to grow the university’s national exposure and enrollment through athletics. Visit DePaulBlueDemons.com to learn more.

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

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

ALL-PRO AUTO RECONDITIONING BECOMES PRIMARY SPONSOR OF NASCAR POINTS LEADER WILLIAM BYRON

By
Official Release
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AUTOMOTIVE RECONDITIONING SERVICES LEADER EXPANDS HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS PARTNERSHIP THROUGH 2030

CONCORD, N.C. (June 24, 2025) – Automotive cosmetic appearance services leader All-Pro Auto Reconditioning will become a primary sponsor of two-time DAYTONA 500 champion and current points leader William Byron through the 2030 season, representing an expansion of its existing partnership with 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports.

In 2025, All-Pro will appear as a primary sponsor of Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet at two high-profile events: the Chicago Street Race on July 6 and the Cup Series playoff opener at Darlington Raceway on Aug. 31. The company will continue to grow its presence in subsequent seasons, serving as a primary sponsor for two races again in 2026, four races in 2027 and six races annually from 2028 through 2030.

“From day one, partnering with Hendrick Motorsports has exceeded our expectations,” said Brett Boettcher, chief strategy officer for All-Pro Auto Reconditioning. “This expansion reflects our confidence in the relationship and what it delivers for our brand. Hendrick Motorsports embodies performance, precision and teamwork – the same values we bring to every customer we serve. As we grow nationally, aligning with William and the iconic No. 24 team will elevate our visibility, deepen customer relationships and attract top-tier talent to our company. We’re proud to take this next step and excited about the long-term impact it will have on our associates and our partners.”

Byron, 27, opened 2025 with his second consecutive DAYTONA 500 victory and currently leads the Cup Series regular season standings after 17 races. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has already posted 14 career wins at NASCAR’s top level.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished with All-Pro in such a short time,” Byron said. “They’re a great partner with a shared commitment to performance. Having them become a primary sponsor shows that we’re delivering results, and it means a lot to me and the whole No. 24 team. We’re looking to build on our momentum and put All-Pro up front for years to come.”

All-Pro originally joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2024, aligning with the No. 24 team as an associate sponsor. The partnership launched during a milestone year for both organizations, with All-Pro celebrating its 30th anniversary and Hendrick Motorsports marking its 40th in NASCAR.

“It means a lot when a partner believes in what we’re doing and chooses to grow with us,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “The No. 24 team has competed at a high level, and William continues to elevate his role as a driver, a leader and a spokesperson. All-Pro is expanding the program because it supports business goals, strengthens their connection with customers and reflects the performance-driven culture they’ve developed. We’re proud of this long-term commitment and can’t wait to see what’s next.”

ABOUT ALL-PRO AUTO RECONDITIONING:
Established in 1994, All-Pro Auto Reconditioning began as a single dealer operation in Houston, Texas, but has since expanded its reach to serve over 250 dealers nationwide, boasting a workforce of more than 1,300 associates. With a foundation built on hands-on expertise, the leadership at All-Pro brings a wealth of knowledge from various facets of the automotive industry. Specializing in returning vehicles to a like-new condition, All-Pro offers dealers a comprehensive range of reconditioning services, including paint repair, wheel refurbishing, paintless dent removal, detailing, paint protection films, interior repair, and more. Renowned as the industry leader in mobile vehicle reconditioning, All-Pro sets the standard for excellence in automotive reconditioning.

ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history. At the sport’s premier level, the organization holds the all-time records in every major statistical category, including championships (14), points-paying race victories (316) and laps led (more than 84,000). It has earned at least one race win in a record 41 different seasons, including an active streak of 40 in a row (1986-2025). The team fields four full-time Chevrolet entries in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Headquartered on more than 150 acres in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Motorsports employs approximately 600 people. For more information, please visit HendrickMotorsports.com or interact on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

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