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Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Overview- Daytona

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Official Release
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Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport
NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Overview-
Daytona International Speedway; August 22, 2025

Track: Daytona International Speedway
Race: WaWa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola; 100 Laps –30/30/40; 250 Miles
Date/Broadcast: Friday; August 22, 2025 7:30 p.m ET
TV: CW Network
Radio: MRN Radio – Check Local Listings for affiliate, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
Social Media: Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport; Facebook, Instagram, and X

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport Eyes Daytona
Breakthrough Amid Playoff Push

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (August 21, 2025) – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport heads into one of the most anticipated races of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season, the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway, this Friday, August 22, at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW.

Known as a wild card on the schedule, Daytona’s high-banked 2.5-mile superspeedway has long been a stage where underdogs rise, photo finishes decide winners, and split-second drafting alliances make or break playoff hopes. Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport will unload three very fast Chevrolet’s looking to capture the win and conquer Daytona victory.

Jeb Burton will pilot the No. 27 Golden Corral / State Water Heaters Chevrolet, with playoff urgency on the mind. Sitting 13th in the standings, 30 points below the cutline, Burton faces a must-perform scenario with only three races remaining before the postseason. His Daytona résumé in 12 starts includes three top-5, and eight top-20 finishes, proving his ability to navigate the draft. Backed by Golden Corral, a brand synonymous with family tradition and hearty rewards, and State Water Heaters, built on reliability and endurance, Burton enters with sponsors that align perfectly with his fight-under-pressure mindset.

Expect Burton to lean heavily on manufacturer alliances, staying patient mid-pack in Stage 1 before making decisive moves in the final laps to maximize both stage points and a potential win to secure his playoff berth.

Blaine Perkins, at the wheel of the No. 31 easycare Chevrolet, brings determination matched with a sponsor focused on peace of mind and long-term protection for auto owners. Perkins’ Daytona history shows steady progress, capped by a pair of 14th-place finishes in 2024. Though his superspeedway stats average around 23rd, his recent results show improved and comfort in the draft.

Perkins is likely to prioritize survival early, avoiding the “Big One,” before positioning himself inside the top-15 late—poised to capitalize if chaos unfolds in the final sprint.

In the No. 32 Atlanta Life Insurance Company Chevrolet, Rajah Caruth makes his Daytona Xfinity return with the momentum of two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series wins and growing recognition as one of NASCAR’s rising stars. While his Xfinity résumé at Daytona is still developing, Caruth’s Truck Series record shows composure and adaptability in traffic. Representing Atlanta Life Insurance Company, a brand rooted in stability and community investment, Caruth embodies the future-focused, resilient mindset Jordan Anderson Racing Bommmarito Autosport cultivates.

Caruth is expected to run conservatively early, shadowing veteran teammates to learn the rhythm of the pack, before seizing opportunities in the final 20 laps to deliver a breakout top-10 or better.

Daytona has long been known as a track where anything can happen: photo finishes decided by inches, dramatic last-lap crashes, and underdog stories rewriting the playoff picture. Drafting partners are critical, yet survival through the inevitable “Big One” often proves just as important as speed. With Jeb Burton’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Blaine Perkins chasing another step forward, and Rajah Caruth hunting his first Xfinity breakthrough, Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport enters Daytona with high stakes and three distinct paths toward success.

Qualifying will take place Friday afternoon at 3:00 PM ET with single-car runs, setting the stage for the evening showdown. The Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola will go green at 7:30 p.m. ET, Friday, August 22, live on The CW, with additional coverage on MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport is a NASCAR team, owned by owner/driver Jordan Anderson and Bommarito Automotive Group President, John Bommarito. Established in 2017 the organization is fueled by an incredible, close-knit team of employees, fans, and sponsors with a focus on integrity in the pursuit of excellence. Our goal is to embrace the journey we’re on and to never give up – whether on the track, in the pits, or in life. Every single team partner, and fan of ours, is what keeps our race cars running strong and our team performing at the highest level.

NHRA UNVEILS NEW WALLY PARKS TOWER AHEAD OF CORNWELL QUALITY TOOLS NHRA U.S. NATIONALS

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Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (August 21, 2025) – Ahead of the world’s biggest drag race, next week’s 71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway and NHRA announced the completion of the new Wally Parks Tower and the renovated suites during an official unveiling this week at the facility.

It completes the first phase of a multi-year, multi-phase project at the legendary facility, with the new Wally Parks Tower set to be one of the centerpieces at The Big Go, where the world’s best drivers compete on the sport’s grandest stage.

The impressive three-story facility features race control, a media center and television broadcasting capabilities, as well as three suites on the third floor. The observation deck on the top floor, which features an open-air covered roof, is another stunning aspect of the state-of-the-art tower. It includes an overview area and event space that can host nearly 500 people.

Sitting in the same area as the previous tower, the new facility also has dedicated bathrooms, two staircases and an elevator, along with a scenic winner’s circle backdrop that is a nod to the historic and memorable winner’s circle at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

“We were thrilled to unveil the new Wally Parks Tower this week as we continue to move into the next frontier of this great and historic facility,” NHRA Vice President of Track Management and Operations Kasey Coler said. “The new tower will be a hallmark of the facility and the sport for years to come. This is the first step to enable us to better use our property to best serve our fans, race teams and partners.”

A major overhaul and full renovation of the eight suites above the west side grandstands is also completed ahead of the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, as IRP and NHRA get set to start on phase two of the project.

The second phase will focus on drainage and will be a key part of the long-term plan that will create an improved parking and entry experience for fans.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 29 at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, two rounds at 12:30 and 3:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 30 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Aug. 31 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 1.

Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.

The first round of the Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 31, with the semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and the final round at 4 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place on FOX at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday.

To purchase tickets to the 71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

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.

Chase Elliott Looking Forward to America’s Night Race, Says Bristol Provides Great Environment for NASCAR Racing

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Official Release
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Chase Elliott tasted victory at Bristol in 2020, winning the prestigious NASCAR All-Star Race on the all-concrete high banks.

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Aug. 21, 2025) – Chase Elliott says Bristol Motor Speedway is a great place to show off the sport of NASCAR. Throw in an intense Playoff atmosphere, 16 drivers who are hungry to advance to the next round and flip on the stadium lights for dramatic effect and you have all the makings of America’s Night Race.

NASCAR’s most popular driver visited with media members in Nashville Tuesday to talk about the crown jewel Bass Pro Shops Night Race, where so much NASCAR history has taken place over the years. When there’s water cooler conversations being had about NASCAR racing, you can bet a past Bristol race is probably a part of the discussion.

Elliott says the versatile stadium that has proven itself as a successful host venue for college football, Major League Baseball, sold-out country music concerts and so much more entertainment over the years, also continues to be one of the best places to watch NASCAR stock car racing.

“People always ask me the best races, the best race track,” Elliott said. “It’s hard to beat Bristol, such a great environment, something you don’t get everywhere we go.”

Elliott’s lone Cup win at Bristol came during the 2020 NASCAR All-Star Race at Bristol. In 18 official points starts he has two second place finishes, including last year’s Night Race, five top-fives and 11 top-10s (includes two dirt top 10s).

Elliott will be one of the 16 championship-eligible drivers mixing it up on Saturday night under the lights at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on September 13. Before the racing action begins there will be a NASCAR Trackside Live show in the pits with Kenny Wallace and John Roberts, an amazing Track Walk where fans can go explore the all-concrete high-banks, a pre-race concert with Grand Ole Opry member Chris Janson and Bristol’s famous driver introductions, where each driver walks into The Last Great Colosseum to the sound of his favorite music.

“Bristol does such a great job of bringing the action of what NASCAR has to offer to the fan in an intimate manner,” Elliott said. “Everything is right there close. We don’t get that stadium environment in racing like you get in football and other sports. Bristol has always been the closest thing to that. It’s a lot of fun for us as competitors and the fans feed off that.”

It’s what track president and general manager Jerry Caldwell likes to call a county fair meets a music concert that meets a NASCAR race. The Bristol weekend has it all. The NASCAR Playoff implications – which are attached to each of the races on Thursday, Friday and Saturday – adds tons of drama and the challenge for the drivers to navigate the notorious 132-mph half-mile bullring where the action comes flying at your face as you try your best to stay out of trouble.

“Playoffs produce a lot of excitement,” Caldwell said. “Bristol produces excitement on its own. For that to be part of the playoff just makes a lot of sense, and I think the fans have responded really well. The drivers seem to like it. Some of them love it, some of them hate it, but that’s what we like. That’s what produces excitement.”

Bristol’s unique layout and big-eyes wow moment when someone walks into the venue for the first time is why NASCAR drivers, including Elliott, continue to point to it as a place if you want to experience your first NASCAR race that’s where you should go.

“There is nothing else like Bristol out there,” Caldwell said. “It is the last great Colosseum. It’s a football stadium on steroids. You go into that place and you’ve got 40 cars, running 130 miles an hour right in front of you. And all these people are completely bowled over. It’s an electric environment, and it’s just something that you don’t replicate anywhere else in the country.”

The Bass Pro Shops Night Race weekend will feature three nights of action-pack racing, showcasing the Round of 16 Playoffs for the Cup Series on Saturday night (7:30 p.m., USA Network, PRN Radio) with Elliott, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Bubba Wallace, William Byron and Chase Briscoe, among others, looming large as the pre-race favorites.

The Round of 12 Playoff opener in the NASCAR Xfinity Series is the Food City 300 on Friday night, Sept. 11 (7:30 p.m. The CW, PRN Radio). Look for Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill, Sheldon Creed, Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith, Jesse Love, and current points leader Connor Zilisch to challenge for the victory as their postseason gets underway.

On Thursday night, Bristol Motor Speedway will feature a thrilling doubleheader to kick off the weekend, with the second race of the Round of 10 Playoffs in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series headlining the action. Corey Heim, Ty Majeski, Rajah Caruth, two-time Bristol Truck winner Chandler Smith and defending winner Layne Riggs are among the drivers to watch in the UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics (8 p.m., FS1, PRN Radio). Thursday’s racing will open with the Bush’s Beans 200 ARCA Menards Series (5:30 p.m., FS1) race, where the future stars of stock car racing will strut their stuff. A strong mix of veterans and newcomers will tangle for the victory, including Lawless Alan, Lavar Scott, Brendan “Butterbean” Queen, Brent Crews, Garrett Mitchell (aka Cleetus McFarland), Logan Misuraca and Isabella Robusto.

To purchase tickets to the Bass Pro Shops Night Race weekend, please visit the Bristol Motor Speedway website, or call the BMS ticket sales center at (866) 415-4158. Limited tickets are available at your neighborhood Food City stores until Friday, Sept. 5.

RCR Race Preview: Daytona International Speedway

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Official Release
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Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway… The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Daytona International Speedway this weekend to race under the lights of the 2.5-mile speedway. Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 marks the 157th running of a NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona, and the most among all tracks in Cup Series history. Richard Childress Racing has made an impressive 202 starts at track and counts four Coke Zero Sugar 400 victories among the organization’s impressive seven points-paying wins at the track. Austin Dillon was RCR’s most recent Coke Zero Sugar 400 race winner, earning the win in 2022 to clinch a spot in the NASCAR Playoffs. Other Coke Zero Sugar 400 race winners include Kevin Harvick (2010) and Dale Earnhardt (1990, 1993). RCR owns three Daytona 500 wins (Earnhardt – 1998, Harvick – 2007, Dillon – 2018). In addition, RCR has collected11 poles in Cup Series competition at Daytona.

RCR in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Daytona International Speedway… In addition to its NASCAR Cup Series success, RCR has accumulated 10 wins with drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2002, 2010), Harvick (2007), Clint Bowyer (2009), Tony Stewart (2013), Dillon (2015), Austin Hill (2022, 2023, 2024) and Jesse Love (2025) in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. RCR has won three of four drafting track races this season and enters Daytona on the strength of Love’s Daytona win in February. RCR has also won the pole in 12 of the last 19 drafting track races.

Three Times the Fun… RCR will field three Cup Series teams this weekend at Daytona. Austin Hill returns to the No. 33 United Rentals Chevrolet, led by crew chief Andy Street. Hill and Street have a winning combination with 10 wins together in the Xfinity Series (2022-2024).

Honor A Cancer Hero… RCR’s NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series programs will participate in the Honor A Cancer Hero program this weekend on behalf of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation and the NASCAR Foundation. The drivers’ names above the door of our entries will be replaced by the name of a cancer hero. For more information on the program, click here.

Deep Roots… Richard Childress made 17 starts at Daytona International Speedway from 1973 through 1981 during his driving career, earning a pair of top-10 finishes at the track.

The Cowboy Way… The Carolina Cowboys, a professional bull riding team in the PBR Teams league, an elite league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing in games throughout the country, return home on September 12-14 for their fourth annual Cowboy Days homestand at First Horizon Coliseum. Tickets for the event are on sale now, and start at $20, taxes and fees not included. They can be purchased online at TicketMaster.com and PBR.com, at the First Horizon Coliseum Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at (800) 732-1727. For more information on Carolina Cowboys, and for updates on the upcoming PBR Cowboy Days, visit https://pbr.com/teams/carolina-cowboys, Carolina Cowboys on Facebook, @carolinacowboyspbr on Instagram, or @CARCowboysPBR on Twitter.

Friday Tune In… The WaWa 250 powered by Coca-Cola will be televised live on Friday, August 22 beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW Network. The same day NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying session can be viewed on The CW App beginning at 3 p.m. ET.

Catch the Action Saturday… The Coke Zero Sugar 400 will be televised live on Saturday, August 23 beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR Cup Series qualifying on Friday will be broadcast on truTV. Ride shotgun all season long with live, in-car camera feeds and scanner audio with a paid subscription to Max as part of their NASCAR driver cam experience during the race.

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Austin Dillon and the No. 3 BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway… With 24 previous starts in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway, Austin Dillon heads to the historic track with experience on his side. Dillon has acquired two wins, one pole, four top-five and nine top-10 finishes in the premier series. The veteran driver, who grew up attending races in Daytona Beach with his family, has 10 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with one win and seven top-five finishes. Dillon also has two starts at Daytona in the NASCAR Truck Series.

Playoff Bound… Last weekend in Richmond, Virginia, Austin Dillon raced his way to Victory Lane, defending his 2024 win at Richmond Raceway and punching his ticket into the Cup Series Playoffs. The win is the sixth Cup Series win of Dillon’s career, and his third in the closing weeks of a regular season. Dillon secured the win, and snapped his 37-race winless streak, after leading 107 of 400 laps, including the final 49 laps of the race, finishing 2.471 seconds ahead of second-place Alex Bowman.

Former Pole Winner… Dillon earned his career-first Cup Series pole award with a lap of 196.019 mph (45.914 seconds) in the 2014 edition of the Daytona 500. Dillon also started on the front row for the July 2015 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona.

BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) Teams Up with Dillon… Dillon and the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing team will be supported by BREZTRI AEROSPHERE®, an AstraZeneca product, at Daytona International Speedway. This partnership is about more than just racing. You can learn more about Dillon and his family’s personal connection to the brand at Breztri.com. AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and Biopharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

Influenced… Dillon and his RCR team will be hosting LSU women’s basketball star and rapper Flau’jae Johnson on Saturday. Johnson, who was the 2022-23 SEC Freshman of the Year when LSU claimed its first national championship, will celebrate her time in Daytona Beach with a special hauler tour and meet-and-greet with the RCR team, before serving as one of the race’s honorary starters.

Meet Dillon… Dillon is scheduled to make an appearance at the Wawa Block Party (1900 W. International Speedway Boulevard) with Coca-Cola on Friday, August 22 at 1 p.m. Local Time. Later that afternoon, beginning at 3:45 p.m. Local Time, he will take to the NASCAR Experience Stage for a Q&A in the Fan Midway at Daytona International Speedway. On Saturday, August 23 at 3:45 p.m. Dillon will visit the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Daytona International Speedway Fan Midway. Stop by to meet the driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet and purchase gear for race day.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

Richmond Raceway was a good race for you. You led the last 49 laps to win your second consecutive race at the Virginia short track. Does locking yourself into the NASCAR Playoffs take some of the pressure off?

“What a special weekend Richmond Raceway was for us. A little pressure is taken off because we’re in the NASCAR Playoffs now. We want to go help our teammate Kyle Busch try and lock himself in. This is the last opportunity to get into the NASCAR Playoffs, so we’ll be focused on helping him, while also trying to get some bonus points for the No. 3 BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) team for the NASCAR Playoffs. We’re excited for the opportunity for RCR and all of our partners.”

As a Daytona 500 Champion, does Daytona International Speedway just feel special every time you drive through the tunnel there?

“Daytona International Speedway is so special in so many ways to my family and I. We’ve had some crazy memories there. We’ve been to Victory Lane, tore down the fence, and done a little bit of everything. We’re looking for a clean, fun night this Saturday and hopefully, if the opportunity arises, we can go back to Victory Lane.”

Is Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway one of the coolest in our sport?

“It is, for sure. I always look forward to Daytona.”

It’s August so you never know what you are going to be dealing with, weather-wise. It could be sunny one moment, then you might have the weather to deal with. How do you handle that unpredictability?

“You’ve got to stay grounded. Execution is key, and putting yourself in good positions. Weather does seem to always play a factor at Daytona. It could rain at any time, so we’ll try and stay ahead of that weather and see. We have great engineers watching it constantly, so if a shower does pop up, we’ll look at some strategy if need be.”

Describe the mood leading into the last race of the regular season.

“Obviously, it’s different for the drivers that are in the NASCAR Playoffs versus those who are not. I think we’re already focused on Darlington Raceway, which is the first race in the NASCAR Playoffs, and trying to get our baseline dialed in at the simulator. Right now, this is the grind of our season. We’ve been going for a long time now. We only had one off weekend this year and that was Easter, so we have been going at it and everybody’s just pushing as hard as they can to the to the finish. It sure felt good getting that win to get that off your shoulders and feel like you can go ahead and get after it in the Playoffs.”

What’s your schedule like when you get to town?

“We always make the most of our trip to Daytona. I’m actually going to do some deep sea fishing with our friends at Huk when I get there. In addition, Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops are a big partner of ours, so anytime I can get out on the water and try and reel in a fish before a race, I’m all about it. I love to get out there and fish a little bit, maybe catch a big one.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway… Sunday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 will mark Kyle Busch’s 41st career NASCAR Cup Series start at Daytona International Speedway. In the premier series, Busch owns one win (July 2008), nine top-five and 13 top-10 finishes at the World Center of Racing. The 40-year-old has led 539 laps and completed 93.1% (6,685 of 7,182) of total laps competed. Busch also holds an average starting position of 15.8 and an average finishing position of 18.5. The driver of the Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet is second among active drivers with 539 laps led and has led at least one lap in 29 of his starts at Daytona.

About Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen… Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is the homestyle casual dining restaurant where guests always Get a lot. For not a lot™. The restaurant offers a variety of homemade meals and generous portions served up in a warm, welcoming atmosphere – all at an unbelievable price. After being welcomed with a signature Honey Butter Croissant on the house, guests can enjoy signature entrées like hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, homemade Chicken Pot Pie and slow-smoked Baby Back Ribs. Cheddar’s operates more than 180 restaurants in 28 states. For more information or to locate the nearest restaurant, visit Cheddars.com. Fans can like or follow Cheddar’s on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Meet Busch… Busch is scheduled to make an appearance at the NASCAR Experience Stage in the Daytona International Speedway Fan Midway on Friday, August 22 at 3:00 p.m. Local Time for NASCAR Family Feud. Later that afternoon, Busch will take to the nearby Fanzone Stage for a Q&A. Stop by to hear from the driver of the No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet and don’t forget to purchase gear for race day at the nearby RCR Merchandise Hauler.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

Is the pressure any higher going into Daytona International Speedway this weekend with it being the last race before the Playoffs?

“I think it’s always high anyways. Through the field, every position, doesn’t really matter, you know, they’ll crash for 10th-place for a finish. Just deal with what you can, and hopefully you’ve got a fast enough race car to be in front of the field and drive away.”

Have you looked at the flap on the A-post and you have any thoughts on it?

“I’ve seen it. I mean, if it works, it works, great. That’s the whole point and process of it.”

Is the pressure to win now to make the Playoffs any different than week two or week three?

“I don’t think so, no. We just know time is running out, but I don’t think the pressure is any greater. It’s just a matter of being able to get it done and right now is the best time, you know, so you can go try to prepare for a championship.”

Are you stressed out over this being the last weekend to make the Playoffs?

“No, I’m not stressed out over it. I think that we go to each and every single weekend with the mindset to try to go out there and win, and, you know, we haven’t put ourselves in that position to be able to score a victory. So, you know, we need to. But I wouldn’t say that this weekend puts any added pressure on that.”

Austin Hill and the No. 33 United Rentals Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway… Austin Hill has made two career NASCAR Cup Series start at Daytona International Speedway, driving in both the 2023 and 2024 edition of the Coke Zero Sugar 400. After qualifying 26th and finishing 14th with the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet in his Cup Series debut at Daytona International Speedway in 2023, Hill was involved in a crash last season with Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 United Rentals Chevrolet, leading him to finish the race 25th after qualifying 23rd. The Winston, Georgia native has also competed in eight career NASCAR Xfinity Series event at the World Center of Racing, earning three victories (2022, 2023, 2024) and two pole positions (both 2023 races). In addition, Hill has raced in six NASCAR Truck Series events, securing the checkered flag in his 2019 victory.

Second of Five in 2025… This weekend will mark Hill’s third of five starts aboard the No. 33 United Rentals Chevrolet during the 2025 Cup Series season. The remaining race lineup includes Bristol Motor Speedway on September 13, and Talladega Superspeedway on October 19.

Career Cup Series Stats… Hill has taken part in a total of 12 Cup Series races, making at least one start in each of the last three seasons. The Xfinity Series championship contender posted a career-best finish of ninth in his most recent appearance on the Cup Series at the Chicago Street Race this past July.

About United Rentals… United Rentals, Inc. is the largest equipment rental company in the world. The company has an integrated network of 1,591 rental locations in North America, 39 in Europe, 37 in Australia and 19 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The company’s approximately 27,900 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others. The company offers a fleet of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $21.43 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Barron’s 400 Index and the Russell 3000 Index® and is headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Additional information about United Rentals is available at unitedrentals.com.

Worksite Performance Solutions… United Rentals boasts the industry’s largest and most versatile fleet. In today’s digital age, we go beyond equipment, integrating people, equipment, and data to foster innovation and create connected worksites. United Rentals’ Worksite Performance Solutions enable unprecedented control, strategic decision-making, and unlock new opportunities. From the perimeter gate to the back office, United Rentals connects worksites to drive safety, productivity, and sustainability.

Meet Hill… Hill is scheduled to make an appearance at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Daytona International Speedway Fan Midway on Saturday, August 22 at 4:30 p.m. Local Time. Stop by to meet the driver of the No. 33 United Rentals Chevrolet and purchase gear for race day.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTES:

What is the mindset heading into the Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway?

“I have a few Cup Series superspeedway races under my belt now, and in those races, I’ve learned that the Cup car does not react the same way as the Xfinity Series car. With that being said though, there are some tendencies behind the wheel that are the same and just a product of the style of racing. Our No. 33 team wants to have a solid day and keep our United Rentals Chevrolet out of trouble. If we can find ourselves in a position in the final laps, anything can happen at the end of these races.”

You earned a top-10 finish in your last start behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet. Does that carry momentum into this weekend?

“It’s been a little bit – almost two months – since my last race in the No. 33 United Rentals Chevrolet, but we had a great race in Chicago on the street course. It was a fun weekend passing a lot of cars and earning my first Cup Series top-10 finish. The style of racing is completely different this weekend and there is so much out of your control at times, but from a mental standpoint, we know what this team is capable of. Everyone at RCR has been working extremely hard to bring another fast car to the track and we’ll give it our best shot.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway… Jesse Love will travel to Daytona International Speedway looking to repeat his success from this winter when he won the season-opener’s United Rentals 300. The win marked Love’s second Xfinity Series win of his career. During the race, Love led 30 laps, including the last 18 of the race, putting the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet out front on the final three restarts. Throughout his career, Love has made three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Daytona International Speedway. In his Xfinity Series debut at the World Center of Racing in February 2024, the Menlo Park, California native earned his first career pole position, led the most laps (34), and captured his first career stage win. Love also has one career ARCA Menards Series start, where the young driver started from the second position, faced motor issues, and finished in seventh-place.

Did You Know? Love was the third youngest pole winner in Xfinity Series history at Daytona International Speedway and just the 14th driver to claim the first starting position in their series debut.

Drafting Track Dominance… As the Xfinity Series heads for Daytona International Speedway, Love has had arguably the most success of his career on drafting tracks. Love has won the pole at six of the last 10 superspeedway races. The 20-year-old is one of nine active drivers with a win on a drafting track, and one of six active drivers to have previously raced his way to Victory Lane in Daytona Beach.

Standings Update… Through 23 regular season events, Love currently holds the fourth position in the Xfinity Series driver championship point standings – 68 points behind third-place Sam Mayer and 92 points behind standings leader Connor Zilisch. Love leads the Xfinity Series with 15 top-10 finishes.

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

Meet Love… Love is scheduled to make an appearance at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Daytona International Speedway Fan Midway on Friday, August 21 at 5:00 p.m. Local Time. Stop by to meet the driver of the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet and purchase gear for race day.

JESSE LOVE QUOTE:

You have had success on superspeedways and won the season opener in Daytona Beach in February. What can we expect from the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet this weekend?

“I always look forward to going to the superspeedway races. We typically always start upfront and have a good shot the pole, and then we’re in a good position to get stage points and and have a solid race because of that. We always have a lot of speed under the hood, and always have a shot to win. I always enjoy coming to these races and Daytona is one of my favorite venues to go to. It’s not a place that I feel like I’ve done a great job at in the past, it doesn’t really suit my drafting style as much as Talladega does, but I feel like this weekend I should be able to really hone in on it. With my style I’ve kind of gone two different directions. My baseline, obviously drafting style didn’t fully work there, and then I’ve kind of went to a completely different style for the season opener for this year. We won so that was a big positive and got our season started on the right track, but I didn’t necessarily do a great job throughout the race so hopefully I can have another shot to win and just run a better race and dominate it more like I typically do at Talladega. Obviously my car will be capable and I feel like I should be able to hit the nail on the head as far as my style goes for this weekend.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Global Industrial Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway… Austin Hill has competed in eight career NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Daytona International Speedway, earning three victories – a resounding 37.5% of his starts. Over the last seven Xfinity Series races, the Winston, Ga. native has started on the front row for all but two at the World Center of Racing. Hill also has six NASCAR Truck Series starts, securing the checkered flag in his 2019 victory.

Daytona Success, Drafting Dominance… Hill and the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet have found Victory Lane three times in the last seven Xfinity Series races at the World Center of Racing. Across all drafting tracks, Hill is the all-time leader with nine victories, having led 754 laps and won 14 stages. Across the last 21 drafting track races, Hill has raced his way to victory lane nine times. Since Hill joined Richard Childress Racing full time in 2022, the legendary racing team has won 11 of 21 drafting track Xfinity races.

Double Duty… This weekend at Daytona International Speedway, Hill will climb aboard the No. 33 United Rentals Chevrolet to make the third of five NASCAR Cup Series starts in the 2025 season.

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

AUSTIN HILL QUOTES:

What is the outlook and expectation heading back to Daytona International Speedway?

“Our expectation is to win the race for sure, but it’s not going to be easy. We don’t have a ton of help out there, so we will have to be smart and control the race from up front. We have to be aggressive and calculated with our moves. If we lose track position, it will be tough to get it back, because the rest of the field knows that we are one of the cars to beat for the win. At the end of the race, a little bit of luck has to be involved in these superspeedway races. We will need to have everything work out, but the number one goal is to go for the win.”

Does the August race at Daytona International Speedway have a different feel than the race in February?

“Yes, because with it being hotter outside, the track will be slicker. Handling comes into effect more, which has been the trend the last couple of seasons in the summer race. You need a balance of being trimmed out with raw speed and having drivability in your car to where, if you need to make big moves, you can.”

You’ve had a lot of success on superspeedways in your career. Is there a reason why?

“I say it every time we go to a superspeedway race, but the biggest thing for me is I feel like Derek Kneeland (Xfinity Series spotter), and I are really aggressive from the start of the race. During Stage 1, we learn to set ourselves up for Stage 2 and Stage 3. That is not going to change any; it’s just something that we have always done. If we get big runs, we pull out of line to see if it works. The more that you can learn in Stage 1 to apply to Stage 2 and 3, it sets you up better for when you get in the final 10 or 20 laps. You can apply everything that has been learned early in the race. This is something that is carried over for every race I’ve ever run on a superspeedway and probably won’t change going forward.”

High Speed and High Stakes: What NFL Teams and Motorsports Teams Have in Common

By
SM
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When you think of the NFL and motorsports, the initial words that may pop into your head are gridiron glory and high-speed cars. On the surface, these two worlds are different, right? One involves bone-crushing tackles, while the other consists of driving in circles at absurd speeds. But peel back the layers, and you’ll find they have a lot more in common, especially when it comes to teamwork, pressure, and the reward of winning or the agony of defeat.

Teamwork and Chemistry: It’s All About the Connection

We all know that NFL success is more than just about talent. The most successful teams are those that have players who work well together. Quarterbacks and wide receivers must be on the same page, defenders must be in each other’s ears at all times, and all of them must trust each other on the field. Without chemistry, it’s hard to win.

It’s no different in racing. Sure, the driver receives the glory, but he wouldn’t make it around the track without his pit crew, engineers, and strategists. It’s a team effort from beginning to end. The driver and crew have to be on the same page, knowing when to push the car to its limits and when to back off. Both worlds rely on one thing: trust. Without it, the whole operation falls apart.

Preparation and Strategy: Winning Starts Before the Game (or Race)

Nobody wins by just showing up. In the NFL, players prepare all week by studying film, analyzing their opponent, and practicing plays. They strategize each game, leaving nothing to chance. It is all about being prepared for anything.

Racing teams, especially in series like NASCAR, do the exact same thing. They analyze data from every race, make adjustments to the car, and make strategic decisions about tire changes, fuel, and pit stops. All the strategy in the world will not guarantee a win, but it definitely gives a better chance. Every turn, every lap, is strategically planned.

Just like NFL teams adjust their game plan based on the opponent, motorsports teams adjust their strategies based on the race conditions. Make a wrong choice? It can cost you the game or the race.

Pressure and Decision-Making: It’s All About the Moment

Imagine being a quarterback with 30 seconds left on the clock, the game tied, and the Super Bowl on the line. The pressure is unreal. You’ve got to make the right call, and you’ve got to do it fast. It’s high-stakes, high-speed decision-making at its finest.

Now think about a driver in the final laps of a race. Seconds count, and a single miscalculation—whether a pit stop or a pass—can change the outcome of the race. NFL athletes and motorsports drivers both have to process information quickly, trust their instincts, and perform under pressure.

The difference? NFL players are facing 22 other guys trying to annihilate them, while a driver is avoiding the crash and burn of a high-speed accident. However, the need for quick, high-pressure decision-making is a skill both arenas demand.

Rising Stars and Rookie Impact: Making a Big Splash Early

One of the most exciting aspects of the NFL and motorsports is when rookies and young players/drivers emerge onto the scene and have the potential to completely change the game. In the NFL, rookies tend to come out of nowhere and make an impact right away. Think of the rookies who caught the league off guard last year—players who came out of nowhere and became household names.

Similarly, motorsports is no exception to this phenomenon of rookies. There is a new driver each year, and some of them set the racing world on fire. They might not have the experience of a seasoned driver, but they possess the raw talent and the will to win. These rookies instantly prove that age and experience do not always triumph; sometimes, it is the fire and the will to win.

Just like in the NFL, young talent in motorsports can change the momentum of a race or even a season. When these rookies are ready to play, they bring a fresh energy that can positively shake up both sports.

Innovation and Adaptability: Always Changing

The NFL is an ever-evolving environment. New styles of play, new schemes, and new technologies are developed by teams every season to maintain competitiveness. Whether it is through new training methods, better equipment, or innovative game plans, staying one step ahead is the secret to sustained success.

In motorsports, it’s all about innovation, too. Every team is looking for ways to make the car faster, more efficient, and more reliable. New technology, new tires, new strategies – it’s a constant push to be better. Without that drive to innovate, teams fall behind. Whether it’s a new playbook in football or a faster pit stop strategy in racing, the teams that adapt and evolve are the ones that dominate.

Conclusion: High-Speed, High-Stakes, and High Rewards

NFL teams and motorsports teams have much more in common than you’d think. Whether it’s building good chemistry, preparing for pivotal moments, or taking risks, both worlds are driven by the same set of principles.

Spencer Boyd Lands Godspeed Auto Group as New Primary Sponsor

By
Official Release
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Mooresville, NC (August 20, 2025) Godspeed Auto Group has officially signed on as the primary sponsor of Spencer Boyd and the No. 76 Freedom Racing Enterprise Chevrolet Silverado for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL on October 3, 2025.

Godspeed Auto Group, a leader in managing and operating Meineke franchises across the Carolinas, continues to expand its footprint in automotive service while embracing new opportunities to connect with the racing community.

“I’m a sucker for a black and yellow paint scheme,” said a smiling Spencer Boyd. “I’ve been talking with Castor (Cooper) for a number of years about putting this together, and I’m thrilled we finally made it happen. The growth of Godspeed Auto group has been incredible, and their team’s professionalism sets the bar high. To represent a Charlotte-based business on such a big stage is special, and I know their support will be riding with me every lap.”

Brothers, Castor and Matthew Cooper, lead Godspeed Auto Group, which operates 11 – and soon to be 12 – Meineke service centers. Among them is one of the largest Meineke locations in the country, located on Freedom Drive in Charlotte.

“This is NASCAR country!” said Castor Cooper, CEO of Godspeed Auto Group. “It has been a goal of mine to see our brands on the racetrack because I believe in the power of NASCAR marketing. When I reached out to Spencer this time, he immediately jumped on board, and we made it happen. He is a hard-working man with a vision – just like our family. While the Meineke brand is driving the look of the truck, we’re also proud to showcase our other businesses, including Planet Auto Towing and Classic Current Rentals, on the hood.”

Fans will have the opportunity to meet Spencer Boyd and the Godspeed Auto Group team during the ROVAL race weekend at their activation space just outside the track near Bruton Smith Blvd and Sandusky Blvd.

“Godspeed Spencer Boyd!” added Castor.

Catch all the action as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs roll into Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Road Course, The ROVAL, on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 3:30 PM ET. Tickets are available now, and the race will be broadcast live on FS1.

Longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway President H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler Passes Away

By
Official Release
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CHARLOTTE, NC (Aug. 21, 2025) – Longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway President and General Manager H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler died peacefully of natural causes yesterday surrounded by loving family. He was 86.

A transformative figure in the world of motorsports, Wheeler was hired by Speedway Motorsports founder Bruton Smith in 1975 and oversaw the operations of one of NASCAR’s premier venues until his retirement in 2008. He was best-known for his “FANS First” approach; mentorship of drivers and industry professionals; and his elaborate and flashy pre-race stunts, earning the moniker “the P.T. Barnum of motorsports.”

Statement from Charlotte Motor Speedway on the passing of H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler:

Charlotte Motor Speedway was blessed to have a leader in Humpy Wheeler who can only be described as ONE of a kind.

For more than 30 years, Humpy was a promoter’s promoter at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Alongside our founder Bruton Smith, Humpy pushed the speedway to new and greater heights – establishing the famed 1.5-mile superspeedway as not only the most innovative facility in NASCAR for fan, partner and competitor amenities, but also one of the most progressive in all of sports.

Humpy’s engaging smile and flair for promotion were legendary, and his impact on every stakeholder in motorsports will be long-lasting. Often described as the “P.T. Barnum of motorsports,” Humpy not only made his mark with publicity, but also with a laser-focus toward the fans. He would often tell his staff to pay attention to “the three Ts – tickets, traffic and toilets” in order to ensure fans have the best possible experience. He would also say it was our job to put a little “technicolor in people’s black-and-white lives.”

While the motorsports world has lost an icon, the legacy H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler created by building and promoting remarkable events at Charlotte Motor Speedway will continue for generations to come.

Information regarding funeral arrangements will be released at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Wheeler’s name to the Belmont Abbey College Motorsports Management Program, which Wheeler was instrumental in launching more than 20 years ago to prepare young professionals for business, management and marketing roles across the industry.

Belmont Abbey College Motorsport Management Program
Office of College Relations
100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road
Belmont, NC 28012
collegerelations@bac.edu

Howard Augustine “Humpy” Wheeler Jr.

1938 – 2025

Howard Augustine “Humpy” Wheeler Jr., a revolutionary figurehead in motorsports and the longtime president and general manager at Charlotte Motor Speedway, died peacefully of natural causes yesterday surrounded by loving family. He was 86.

Born Oct. 23, 1938, in Belmont, N.C. to the late H.A. Wheeler Sr. and Kathleen Louise Dobbins, Wheeler had a lifelong love affair with cars and racing. At the age of 11, he hitchhiked to his first auto racing event at Charlotte Speedway, not far from where Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is today. Two years later, he founded Belmont’s first-ever bicycle repair shop, which he used to help promote local bicycle races.

“I actually promoted my first race when I was 13,” Wheeler told the Roanoke Times in 1990. “A Little Rascals type of a deal, but I would give prizes and stuff. It was a unique business. They’d tear their bicycles up over there, see. They’d take ’em home to try and let their daddies fix ’em. They couldn’t, so they’d bring ’em in to me to put back together. Had to make a living some way back then.”

Before he established himself as one of NASCAR’s greatest promoters, Wheeler considered a career in professional boxing. Despite aspirations of joining the U.S. Olympic Boxing team in 1960, a career record of 40-2 and a Golden Gloves championship at the age of 17, Wheeler hung up his gloves when he realized his weight class could find him sharing the ring with boxing greats like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. He was inducted into the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.

When he was 18, Wheeler spent a summer at Darlington Raceway, where he was mentored by Russ Catlin, a respected publicist.

“It was kind of a rat’s nest bunch of people like Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison. We were all the same age group and we knew each other while we were coming up,” Wheeler told sportswriter Randy King of The Roanoke Times in 1990. “Nobody ever thought that anybody would amount to much.”

Wheeler played football at the University of South Carolina until a serious back injury brought his playing career to an end. He later earned a double major in journalism and political science in 1961.

After graduation, he returned to Charlotte where he worked with local CBS television station WBTV and simultaneously began promoting local auto races at grassroots tracks in nearby Gastonia and Monroe. After brief stints with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, the City of Charlotte and the Ervin Company, Wheeler was hired by businessman and fellow racing promoter Bruton Smith in the fall of 1975. Smith, who owned Charlotte Motor Speedway and its parent company, Speedway Motorsports, named Wheeler track president the following year, beginning a career that spanned more than three decades at one of NASCAR’s premier venues.

“Bruton and I shared the same philosophy,” Wheeler shared with King. “Racing must be the greatest sport in the world because we’ve dusted people to death… we’ve given them terrible rest rooms… they sit out in the rain, snow, sleet and hail… lousy parking… traffic jams. But they kept coming back, and they kept multiplying. What would ever happen if you ever did it right?”

In only his second year at CMS, Wheeler diligently worked with Smith to bring sports car racer Janet Guthrie to the 1976 World 600 where she became the first woman to qualify for a race at a NASCAR superspeedway. Guthrie would finish 15th ahead of future Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt and Bill Elliott following a whirlwind week of publicity orchestrated by Wheeler.

A transformative figure, Wheeler guided the famed 1.5-mile facility through periods of unprecedented growth and expansion. Under his management – and in an effort to keep NASCAR’s All-Star Race rooted at Charlotte Motor Speedway – Wheeler supervised the installation of a first-of-its-kind lighting system, illuminating the superspeedway for the sport’s first-ever night race in 1992. Following the success of that event, dubbed “One Hot Night,” many racetracks followed suit and night racing soon became a more regular part of the schedule.

It was the latest in the speedway’s long history of fabulous firsts that Wheeler and Smith spearheaded, including overseeing the construction of a fine-dining restaurant overlooking Charlotte Motor Speedway, adding VIP suites and luxury condominiums.

“We did a lot of things to try to make it better for the fans, and he did a lot of that,” Smith said after Wheeler’s CMS retirement in 2008.
Wheeler was at the helm when the speedway inked the first ever major naming-rights agreement for a motorsports facility, establishing an 11-year partnership to call the venue Lowe’s Motor Speedway. With an eye toward making racing affordable and groom future racing stars, Wheeler was also instrumental in the creation of U.S. Legend Cars International, a subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, which manufactures, sells and delivers small-scale grassroots race cars worldwide.

Despite his contributions across many areas of motorsports, his flamboyant and flashy pre-race stunts and shows were, perhaps, what endeared him most to fans. From hosting boxing matches and a three-ring circus in the infield to recreating the Battle of Grenada, sending stunt drivers flying through the air or introducing fans to Robosaurus, a metal-mashing robot, Wheeler’s flair for showmanship earned him the nickname the “P.T. Barnum of motorsports.”

“I don’t know what it was, but I just saw something in racing,” he told The Roanoke Times. “There was spectacle waiting to happen. And that was always in my head.”

Wheeler’s larger-than-life persona extended far beyond motorsports. He published his autobiography, Growing Up NASCAR in 2010. Wheeler’s voice was immortalized in the 2006 Pixar animated movie Cars, where he played the role of Tex, a 1975 Cadillac that owned the fictional company Dinoco. He later reprised the role in the franchise’s Cars 3 reboot. He also appeared on the third season of the series American Pickers when he donated items from his personal collection to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

For his contributions to motorsports, Wheeler was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association and North Carolina Sports Hall of Fames in 2004, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2009. He was awarded the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award from the North Carolina Motorsports Industry in 2013 and received an honorary doctorate from Belmont Abbey College in 2019. Earlier this year, the NASCAR Hall of Fame announced Wheeler as the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR recipient as part of the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class.

“His passion was to ensure that when each fan left the track, they felt as if they had been a part of a happening,” NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty said, according to a 2008 Yahoo Sports article. “Under his direction, Charlotte Motor Speedway became the gold standard by which all other racetracks were built and in how they were measured.”

Apart from motorsports, Wheeler was active in church and civic clubs. Among other boards and commissions, he previously served on the Belmont Abbey College Board of Trustees, the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, the Charlotte Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Governor’s Sports Commission, the National Motorsports Council, the North Carolina Highway Patrol Foundation, the President’s Advisory Committee at the University of South Carolina and the Speedway Motorsports Board of Trustees.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Pat; their three children, Patti Wheeler (Leo Hindery), Tracy Hardy and Trip Wheeler (Jacqui); 4 grandchildren, Jackson Marchant, Adele Marchant, Austin Hardy (Donna), Adam Hardy and one great-grandchild Augusta Hardy plus sisters, Angie Wheeler (Janet Jones) and Mary Plexico (Lowry).

Information regarding funeral arrangements will be released at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in memory of Humpy Wheeler Jr. to the Belmont Abbey College Motorsports Management Program, which Wheeler was instrumental in launching more than 20 years ago to prepare young professionals for business, management and marketing roles across the industry.

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Daytona

By
Official Release
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Daytona International Speedway
Saturday, Aug. 23
2.5-Mile Superspeedway
7:30 PM ET
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (Race 26 of 36)
RADIO: SiriusXM

5 KYLE LARSON
 Age: 33 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Week: 6th (Richmond)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 4th

No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerDaytona
Races2539122
Wins3320
Poles1221
Top 5111300
Top 10151975
Laps Led88210,13836
Stage Wins8700
Average Finish14.214.121.9
  • Kyle Larson is tied for the most top-five finishes with 11 and leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top 10s with 15.
  • Larson is fourth in the regular season points standings, just seven markers out of third place and 12 behind second-place Chase Elliott.
  • The No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM team ranks first in pit road rankings, which accounts for pit stop speed, consistency, and ability to gain positions on pit road.
  • Heading into the final race before the playoffs at Daytona International Speedway, the 33-year-old still has a mathematical chance to secure the No. 1 seed for the Cup Series playoffs, which begin at Darlington Raceway.
  • In his last five drafting track races, Larson has recorded one runner-up finish, three top fives and two stage wins. His average finish in those events is 9.2.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 29 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last week: 38th (Richmond)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 2nd

No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerDaytona
Races2534719
Wins1200
Poles0123
Top 571113
Top 10121835
Laps Led3855,911174
Stage Wins1393
Average Finish12.012.821.0
  • With just one race remaining in the regular season, Chase Elliott is second in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings, the highest position in which he can possibly finish. He is five points ahead of third.
  • Elliott’s average finish of 12.05 in 2025 leads all drivers.
  • The 29-year-old driver has finished second twice at Daytona International Speedway (August 2020 and February 2021).
  • Throughout his Cup career, Elliott has led 556 laps on drafting-style tracks, including 41 at Atlanta Motor Speedway en route to his most recent victory in June.
  • In the Next Gen era, Elliott has an average finish of 13.62 on drafting tracks, tops among active drivers with more than five starts.
  • Elliott has the second-most drafting track wins in the Next Gen with three – Atlanta (2022 and 2025) and Talladega Superspeedway (2022).

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 27 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Week: 12th (Richmond)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 1st

No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerDaytona
Races2527715
Wins2153
Poles2151
Top 59634
Top 10131175
Laps Led9103,888110
Stage Wins7300
Average Finish13.715.021.7
  • With his 12th-place finish at Richmond Raceway, William Byron locked up the NASCAR Cup Series regular season championship and 15 playoff points. This is his first regular season title.
  • The Charlotte, North Carolina, native is having a stellar 2025, leading in most statistical categories including laps led (910), points (839), laps run in the top five (2,877), laps run in the top 10 (4,068) and average running position (10.16).
  • Byron has won four night races in the Next Gen era as well as four races on drafting tracks. Both are most of any driver.
  • The 27-year-old has three Cup Series wins at Daytona International Speedway, including back-to-back DAYTONA 500 victories. Three wins are his most at any track. It’s also the site of his first Cup Series win (August 2020) and he is the only repeat winner in the last 12 races at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.

48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 32 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Week: 2nd (Richmond)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 9th

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerDaytona
Races2535018
Wins080
Poles273
Top 56462
Top 10141107
Laps Led1601,52853
Stage Wins070
Average Finish15.619.114.7
  • Alex Bowman enters Daytona International Speedway sitting 16th in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings, holding a 60-point cushion above the cutline.
  • Bowman is coming off a runner-up finish at Richmond Raceway, which tied his season-best result from Homestead-Miami Speedway. Over the last 10 races, he has posted eight finishes of 11th or better, including four top fives.
  • The Tucson, Arizona, native is one of just five drivers with multiple poles in 2025 (Homestead-Miami, Bristol Motor Speedway).
  • Bowman has made 18 career Cup starts at Daytona. He has collected three poles, two top fives and seven top 10s with a career-best result of second in the 2024 DAYTONA 500.
  • For the Best Friends Society programming, Ally and Bowman will be partnering with Southeast Volusia Humane Society located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, as their selected shelter for this weekend.
  • Ally and HENDRICKCARS.COM are teaming up again to give fans the chance to win prizes with this year’s “Open Road Sweepstakes.” Fans can win VIP experiences at various races throughout the season and one lucky winner will hit the open road in a Chevy Silverado LT Trail Boss with an Airstream camper. Fans can stop by the Ally Fan Zone to enter the sweepstakes in-person and check out the camper. Fans can also enter at ally.com/sweepstakes/nascar.

Hendrick Motorsports

2025All-TimeDaytona
Races251,40683
Wins6318*17*
Poles5258*23*
Top 5331,312*64*
Top 1054*2,241*114*
Laps Led2,337*84,649*2,331*
Stage Wins16*1317

*Most all time
**Tied for most all time

  • With Alex Bowman finishing second and Kyle Larson sixth at Richmond Raceway on Saturday, Hendrick Motorsports remains the only organization to place at least one car in the top 10 of every event in 2025. That streak goes back 33 races to last season, the longest such run of any team in the Next Gen era.
  • The Hendrick Motorsports engine shop stands at 549 national series victories, just one short of an unprecedented 550. The organization’s engines have won 18 poles (seven in the NASCAR Cup Series, 11 in the Xfinity Series) and 22 races (six in Cup, 15 in Xfinity and one in the preseason Clash) in 2025 and have powered teams to 40 points paying Cup Series victories in the Next Gen era, the most of any organization.
  • Hendrick Motorsports has led 2,337 laps through 25 events this year, accounting for 37% of all circuits completed in the Cup Series and more than any other team by 1,150.
  • With 16, the organization leads the series in stage wins. That total is the second-most through a season’s first 25 races all time.
  • Hendrick Motorsports is the all-time leader in wins (17), poles (23), top-five finishes (64), top 10s (114), and laps led (2,331) at Daytona International Speedway. With William Byron winning the season-opening DAYTONA 500, the organization has a chance to sweep both races at the historic 2.5-mile superspeedway for the third time. The previous occurrences came in 1986 (Geoff Bodine and Tim Richmond) and in 2013 (Jimmie Johnson won both). Johnson remains the last driver to both events at Daytona in the same year.
  • In the Next Gen era, no team has more wins on drafting tracks than Hendrick Motorsports (seven).

QUOTABLE /
 
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on heading to Daytona International Speedway: “Yeah, there’s one more race until the playoffs start. Anybody has a shot to win at Daytona (International Speedway), so hopefully we can go there and have a good race, a good points day and get ready for the playoffs.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on the summer race at Daytona International Speedway: “The summer Daytona race, even as a kid growing up, I thought it was an incredible atmosphere for Daytona. The 500 is the 500, it’s different. I think there’s a lot to appreciate there. But just for a fun race to go to at the beach, all those things, I think (the summer race is) a great stop on our schedule and I look forward to going.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on winning the NASCAR Cup Series regular season championship: “I think we knew within our team that we were different this year, different towards the end of last year, just really kind of buckled down and started to make some really good moves, good decisions. I started driving the car pretty well.
“It’s kind of like the speed was always there. Feel like that’s always what you need. We’ve been able to make something out of the races where we don’t have as much speed, too.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on Daytona International Speedway: “Daytona’s always wild. You never know what’s going to happen, but that’s part of the fun. For us, it’s about staying out of the mess and being there at the end. This is the final race to get locked into the playoffs, so every point matters.”

Your Ultimate Vehicle Dimension Guide: How Car Sizes Impact Comfort, Usability, and Decision-Making

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

The dimension of a vehicle type is more important than most owners imagine when picking up a new vehicle. A report by Statista in 2023 indicated that more than 46 percent of all new passenger cars in the world were purchased as SUVs, which suggests that consumers are moving towards bigger and more spacious cars. In parallel, urban populations expand and, by 2050, almost two in three people worldwide will dwell in cities (United Nations, 2022). This provides a complexity in parking, turning, and fuel consumption, which are all directly linked to the size of vehicles.

The Importance of Vehicle Dimensions in Daily Life

1. Parking and Maneuverability

The standard dimensions of a U.S parking space are 8.5 to 9 feet (2.61-2.7 m) by 18 feet (5.5 m) (National Parking Association). As the 2025 Buick Enclave III width will be 2233 mm(87.9 in), there are already a few standard spots contesting the comfort margin.

2. Comfort and Interior Space

The length, height, and wheelbase of a vehicle are also directly associated with passenger comfort. A study conducted by J.D. Power indicates rear-seat legroom to be one of the three main influences on customer satisfaction when it comes to automobile design. The longer wheelbase sedans, such as the 2025 Audi A5 (4829 mm length), have greater ease of access to the cabin than the smaller hatchbacks.

3. Fuel Efficiency and Aerodynamics

The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that the larger and weightier the vehicle/car, the less the fuel economy. As an example, a small car will be 30-35 MPG, and a big SUV is 18-23 MPG. The width and height of the vehicle also influence aerodynamics, contributing to the efficiency.

Browsing by Body Style

Body style significantly affects usability.

  • Sedans (2204 generations available): Balanced for families and professionals.
  • SUVs (2044 generations): Ideal for cargo and versatility, but harder to park.
  • Pickup trucks (623 generations): Useful for towing and hauling.
  • Microcars (30 generations): Perfect for dense urban areas with limited parking.

Featured Vehicle Models and Their Dimensions

To demonstrate the differences in size, here are several popular 2025 models:

Audi SQ5 III Sportback (2025): 4717 mm length, 2155 mm width the sport SUV spot in style and compactness.

BMW X3 (2025): 4755 mm length, 2132 mm width – a little bigger, more cargo versatility.

Honda Odyssey V (2025): 5212 mm length, 1994 mm width: a very spacious minivan, a great choice if you want to be able to take the whole family.

Buick Enclave III (2025): 5273 mm long, 2233 mm wide- one of the widest SUVs, very comfortable but difficult in tight parking spaces.

Lamborghini Fenomeno (2026):  5036 mm length, 2266 mm (width) but 1161 mm high; created to perform, not to accommodate.

These comparisons reveal how dimensions can alter usability by large measure according to our lifestyle requirements.

Expert Resources for Vehicle Research

When it comes to detailed specifications, not all resources are created equal. That’s where Vehicle Dimensions — your source for insights and guides on car dimensions, vehicle comparisons, and size-related trends— comes in. Whether you are comparing SUVs to sedans, learning how vehicle size can impact parking, or even exploring the compact vs.full-size choices you have as an option, drivers need to be able to have access to an up-to-date and growing collection of guides in order to make better choices.

This resource will offer graphical breakdowns, usability in real-world experiences, and complete car data to assist buyers in finding the right properties that suit themselves and their purposes.

Why This Vehicle Dimension Resource Stands Out

Comprehensive Database

The resource has information on over 10,100 car types, making it one of the most extensive sources of current information on vehicle sizes. It provides side-by-side comparisons between cars, such as sedans, electric cars, and others, with photos, which facilitates the ability to compare specific cars with accuracy and assurance.

User-Friendly Filters

You can browse by brand or by body style. Interested in all Toyota SUVs since 2010, or all BMW coupes? Filters make it easy to narrow in on what you like best.

Visual Guides

The measure lines down the horizontal side and the vertical side are present on all the designs, producing a vivid visual impression of proportion. This is a feasible method of car comparison when owners cannot work with raw numbers.

Authoritative Accuracy

The site is regularly updated to capture the new models, and thus the user is not using old information. This reliance on pictures and full specifications, together with a realistic discussion of what features can be expected, makes it a credible source of reference.

EEAT Credentials: Why This Guide is Reliable

The author of the paper is an automotive content specialist with over 7 years of experience in automobile research and writing technical content in car review publications, as well as the preparation of buyer guides. The information is generated by the results of high-ranking sources such as Statista, U.S. Department of Energy, National Parking Association, or J.D. Power. The association with real-life usability of the research will make this guide both authoritative and highly applicable.

Conclusion: Making Smarter Vehicle Choices

The dimensions of vehicles are not mere technical characteristics; they determine comfort, usability, parking, and efficiency. Due to the increasing crowdedness of cities and to the broadening of the range of vehicles used, the extent to which size (or to which size-features) affects real-world use has never been more needed to be known. Through this website, customers can access correct, current, and illustrated information on more than 10,100 models. 

FAQs

1. Why are vehicle dimensions important when buying a car?

The size influences comfort, usability, safety, and even long-term spending, which is why it is one of the most determining characteristics in finding the correct automobile to suit the lifestyle and driving circumstance.

2. How do SUVs compare to sedans in size?

SUVs are typically longer, wider, and taller than sedan vehicles with extra cargo and passenger room, but it is poorly maneuverable in the densely packed urban setting.

3. Where can I find accurate vehicle dimensions?

Trusted sources such as VehicleSizes.com offer up-to-date documentation, images, and comparisons of thousands of models, so it is easy to make informed choices.

4. Does a larger car always mean better comfort?

No, vehicles can be larger but may not be comfortable, how seats are designed, the distribution of legroom and interior layout is also dependent on the model.

5. What is the average width of a parking space in the U.S.?

The norm of parking in the U.S. ensures that there is an 8.5-9 feet wide space, which can accommodate neither big SUVs nor small cars, and the latter can fit both small and large ones.

Forte Racing Brings Confidence and Momentum to VIR

By
Official Release
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Photo by Brayan Castiblanco

GTD and VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Programs Set Sights on Strong Weekend

Monrovia, California (Thursday, August 21, 2025) – Following a runner-up finish at Road America, Forte Racing heads to Virginia International Raceway with confidence and momentum. After scoring a second-place finish at VIR in 2024, the team returns knowing what it takes to succeed on the 3.27-mile circuit. This weekend, Forte will campaign its No. 78 Huntress Forte Racing Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 in GTD with drivers Misha Goikhberg and Mario Farnbacher, while also fielding two entries in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge with drivers Brian Thienes and Jon Hirshberg. Competing in both championships at VIR underscores Forte’s determination to deliver strong results on one of the most technical and demanding tracks on the IMSA calendar.

GTD driver Misha Goikhberg enters the weekend with confidence, buoyed by Forte Racing’s second-place finish at Road America earlier this month. Having also finished runner-up at VIR in 2024, he views the event as both an opportunity to build on past success and a chance to keep the team’s momentum rolling into the final stretch of the season.

“We’re heading into VIR with good momentum after our second place at Road America,” Goikhberg said. “We finished second here last year as well, so the goal is definitely to get back on the podium. It’s a track I really enjoy — fast, technical, and a lot of fun to drive. I know we have the pace and the team to fight for another strong result, and I’m confident we can deliver.”

Mario Farnbacher brings proven success to VIR, a circuit where his technical skill and feel for old-school tracks have consistently paid dividends. With the Forte Huntress Lamborghini alongside teammate Misha Goikhberg, he views this weekend as another opportunity to turn his experience at VIR into a push for the podium.

“VIR is a cool track, very fast and technical, kind of old school — unfortunately now without the oak tree,” Farnbacher said. “I always like going to a track where it’s only GT cars, so no prototypes this time. That allows you to focus 100% on performance without worrying about traffic. The downside is there are fewer cars, so you can’t always use traffic to your advantage, but in the end it’s the same for everyone. I’m looking forward to trying to get back on the podium like at Road America with our Forte Huntress Lamborghini and with Misha as my teammate. I’ve always had great success at VIR, which makes it a special place for me. The track has that roller coaster feel I love, and I can’t wait to go through the esses flat out.”

On the other side of the paddock, Brian Thienes faces a demanding triple-header weekend at VIR, with the rescheduled Canadian Tire Motorsport Park race added to the schedule. Currently sitting second in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge standings, Thienes enters VIR with his season-long pace and determination keeping him firmly in the championship fight.

“I am looking forward to working with US RaceTronics and my engineer Pete Jacobs this weekend at VIR,” Thienes said. “The team always provides a great competitive car, and I expect the same for this weekend. Hopefully, my track knowledge will provide an advantage for the team this weekend.”

After competing in the VPRC season opener at Daytona, Jon Hirshberg shifted his focus to Lamborghini Super Trofeo. Now returning to Forte Racing for the final two rounds of the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, Hirshberg is eager to get back into the LMP3 platform at one of his favorite circuits as he looks to close out the season on a high note.

“I am very excited to get back into the LMP3 platform this weekend with Forte after a long break since Daytona,” Hirshberg said. “VIR is one of my favorite tracks in the U.S. and we found good pace here last year. I’m eager to see where we stack up this weekend.”

For Team Principal Shane Seneviratne, the podium at Road America was more than just a strong result — it was proof of the team’s preparation and collective effort. As Forte Racing takes on VIR with programs in both GTD and VPRC, he sees it as another chance to showcase the depth of the operation and the resilience that has become a hallmark of the team. He remains focused on execution and building toward championship-caliber results.

“Coming off a podium at Road America, the entire team is carrying great momentum into VIR,” said Seneviratne. “This track demands precision and teamwork, and I believe our group is ready to rise to that challenge. Competing in both GTD and VPRC really showcases the depth of our program and the dedication of our drivers, crew, and partners. Weekends like this are about execution, resilience, and building on the progress we’ve made, and I’m confident we can deliver strong results.”

Broadcast Information

All races will air live on Peacock in the U.S., IMSA.com, and the IMSA YouTube Channel. Race times are as follows:

WeatherTech GTD Race: Sunday, August 24 at 2:00 p.m. ET
VPRC Race 1: Friday, August 22 at 4:55 p.m. ET
VPRC Race 2: Saturday, August 23 at 12:55 p.m. ET
VPRC Race 3: Sunday, August 24 at 9:35 a.m. ET

For updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and live action from the paddock, follow @ForteRacing on Instagram.

ABOUT FORTE RACING (Formerly US RaceTronics)

Forte Racing, based in Los Angeles and Charlotte, competes in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar GTD Championship, IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo series with support from Lamborghini Squadra Corse. In 2025, the team will expand into the McLaren Trophy America series in SRO, further broadening its competitive footprint.

Founded as US RaceTronics by Shane Seneviratne in 2005, the team quickly made its mark with multiple wins and podiums in the Atlantic Championship before transitioning to Lamborghini Super Trofeo in 2015, winning multiple North American and World Championships.

In 2023, the team entered IMSA WeatherTech GTD with a Lamborghini Huracan EVO2 GT3, driven by Misha Goikhberg and Loris Spinelli. They secured four top-five finishes in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, including a win at the 2023 Petit Le Mans and a second-place finish in 2024, finishing fifth in the GTD Championship both years. Forte Racing continues to build its reputation as a rising force in GT racing.

For more information on driving opportunities, series details, or event attendance, visit www.forteracing.com.

About Change Racing

Founded by Lamborghini Charlotte CEO and long time real estate developer, John E. Littlefield, Change Racing is the premier championship winning team. Claiming 18 titles in various classes. Change Racing has competed in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series since its inception in 2013, most recently claiming the 2021 Amateur World Championship in Misano, Italy. Change Racing also claimed all SIX 2020 North American Championships, including the Pro, Pro-Am, Am and LB Cup class championships as well as the Team and Owner championships.

About O’Gara Motorsport

O’Gara Motorsport was founded in 2014 by owner Tom O’Gara and celebrated winning the 2015 North American Lamborghini Super Trofeo driver and team Championships. The team goal is to achieve victories in the Series as well as showcasing the brands of their sponsors both on and off the track. With a vertically integrated platform that starts at the dealership and accelerates to the top levels of professional sports car racing, everyone at O’Gara is dedicated to providing a comprehensive program for anyone, from the casually curious to the dedicated racer.

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