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Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Advance: Texas Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE ADVANCE: TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Event: SpeedyCash.com 250 (167 laps / 250.5 miles)
Round: 8 of 25 (Regular Season)
Track: Texas Motor Speedway
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Date & Time: Friday, May 2 | 8:00 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX Sports 1 | NASCAR Racing Network (NRN) | SiriusXM Ch. 90

Team Stats & Notes

  • Niece Motorsports Texas Stats: Texas Motor Speedway was the site of the team’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) debut race in 2016. Niece drivers have made 35 combined starts over a 10 year period. The team claimed victory in 2023 at this track with Carson Hocevar, and have notched a total of two top-fives and five top-10 finishes. Last year, Bayley Currey led the team with a 14th-place result.
  • Home Team: Team Owner, Al Niece, has called Texas home for several decades. With Niece Equipment headquartered in Buda and Fort Worth, the team’s roots are deeply embedded in the Lone Star state.

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

  • Mills’ Texas Stats: Matt Mills has competed in three NCTS races at Texas Motor Speedway. By finishing 26th in last year’s event, Mills earned his personal-best result at the 1.5-mile track. Through eight NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) starts, Mills’ best finish is 13th, which he attained in October, 2020.
  • Shiplett’s Texas Stats: Mike Shiplett has only competed in one NCTS race at Texas, which resulted in a 22nd-place finish with Bret Holmes last year. Shiplett is a past winner at this track, having won a NXS race with Kyle Larson in 2016. In 13 NXS starts, the veteran amassed four top-fives and six top-10 finishes. He has also competed in 11 Cup Series races here, finishing as high as 10th in fall, 2009 with AJ Allmendinger.
  • 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.
  • Throwback Paint Scheme: Mills will carry a special throwback paint scheme on his Silverado for this race which harkens back to Ross Chastain’s win at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2019. This race win was a pivotal moment in the history of the team, which secured their berth into the Playoffs.
  • Celebrating 100 Years: 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the Fowler Company, the parent company of J.F. Electric. In 1925, James L. Fowler founded The Fowler Company with a single truck and a vision. Through hard work and family dedication, the business grew—eventually evolving into J.F. Electric in 1969. The hood design on Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet nods to that historic first truck along with a current work truck.
  • Recapping Rockingham: Matt Mills and the No. 42 team were on their way to a promising finish in Rockingham before getting collected in a multi-truck crash late in the going. Mills earned his best qualifying result of the season in 13th, and held steady inside the top-15 in both of the first two stages. Just as the team eclipsed the top-10, Mills was swept away in the incident resulting in a disappointing 30th-place finish.
  • Points Rundown: Following his crash Rockingham, Mills dropped two spots in points down to 20th-place. Mills is only one point behind Dawson Sutton in 19th, and 13 points ahead of Bayley Currey in 21st.
  • Quoting Mills: This is the start of a pretty large string of intermediate tracks, so how important is it to come out of Texas with a good result?

“Texas is a track that’s very important to our team, so heading there will be important to have a good run. It’s a track that I really like, and going into that stretch of races will be key to build a good notebook for what we need out of the next few races. We hope to start off strong and keep the momentum rolling on our J.F. Electric team.”

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 TXAPA / MG Machinery Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Bayley Currey | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers

  • Currey’s Texas Stats: Bayley Currey has competed in three NCTS races at Texas and earned his personal-best finish of 14th-place last year. Through nine NXS starts at the 1.5-mile track, Currey’s best result is 12th-place, achieved twice (fall, 2020 and fall, 2022). He has also made one Cup Series start here.
  • Rogers’ Texas Stats: Wally Rogers has called nine NCTS races at Texas, resulting in three top-10 finishes. Ron Hornaday gave Rogers his best finish at the track in 2005 when he crossed the line in sixth-place. In nine NXS races, Rogers’ drivers finished inside the top-10 twice, and he also won a pole with Kevin Harvick in 2008. Rogers has also made 11 Cup Series starts here.
  • Home Race: Currey is a native of Driftwood, TX near Austin, which is roughly three and a half hours away from the track. As a kid, Currey raced on the short track of “Little” Texas Motor Speedway, and became the bandolero track champion in 2006. He is only one of two drivers (Kaden Honeycutt being the other) entered in Friday’s race to hail from the state of Texas.
  • On the Truck: Currey’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from the Texas Asphalt Paving Association (TXAPA) and MG Machinery, LLC. These partners have been supporting Niece Motorsports since 2016.
  • Throwback Paint Scheme: Currey’s TXAPA / MG Machinery Silverado will dawn a throwback paint scheme to Ross Chastain’s “winning” truck from Iowa in 2019. A tough memory for the team no doubt, the No. 44 was disqualified shortly after celebrating in victory lane. The distraught moment rallied the team together for a strong comeback in which they would win the very next race. This video recalls the impact that Iowa race had from the team’s perspective.
  • Recapping Rockingham: Bayley Currey and the No. 44 team brought a truck that had raw speed on both the short and long runs, and had high hopes for their first race at Rockingham. Currey qualified sixth, but was unfortunately taken out of contention with an early wreck on lap two. The Masked Owl Technologies pit crew worked hard at repairing the damage to keep Currey in the race, but lost several laps in the process. They were credited with a 20th-place finish through attrition.
  • Owner Points Rundown: Niece Motorsports’ No. 44 Chevrolet continues to hold down 15th-place in the owner points standings heading into Texas. The team currently resides 11 points back from Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 entry in 14th, and is four points ahead of TRICON Garage’s No. 15 entry in 16th.
  • Quoting Currey: You’ve been here long enough to realize what the truck you’re racing meant to the team, so what does it mean to you to bring it back?

“Oh yeah, I’ve always loved this paint scheme. We ran something similar to it a few years ago and I’ve been begging them to bring the neon green back for a while. I’m pretty pumped to have TXAPA and MG Machinery supporting us this week. Obviously, we are representing the state pretty heavily – with two companies based out of Texas at a Texas race. I’m from Texas, Al (Niece) is from Texas, so it all lines up pretty well for us.”

About TXAPA: Texas Asphalt Pavement Association is a full-service Association for the asphalt industry. It serves the needs of asphalt producers, contractors, liquid asphalt suppliers, and interested firms dedicated to improving and growing the asphalt industry. The Association is committed and dedicated to providing the services and information that keeps its member firms and the industry on the competitive edge.

About MG Machinery: MG Machinery LLC is located in Buda, Texas with a long history of sales and rentals in the heavy equipment, construction, and mining equipment. Born from necessity and a passion for the construction and mining industry, it is in their blood.

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

  • Honeycutt’s Texas Stats: Kaden Honeycutt will make his first-career start in any series at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday night. He attempted to qualify for this race in 2023, but withdrew after crashing with a blown tire in practice.
  • Gould’s Texas Stats: Phil Gould has called eight NCTS races at Texas, resulting in two top-fives and three top-10 finishes. Gould served as crew chief for Carson Hocevar when he won his first race here in 2023. In 12 NXS starts, Gould’s drivers finished inside the top-10 on three occasions – bested by Brian Scott who finished sixth in 2014.
  • Home Race: Honeycutt is a native of Aledo, TX, which is located only 45 minutes away from the track. Growing up, Honeycutt has several memories of watching his heroes race at the 1.5-mile speedway. He competed in Bandoleros and U.S. Legends Cars at “Little” Texas Motor Speedway, winning several feature races. As one of only two drivers from the Lone Star state (Bayley Currey being the other), he is sure to be a fan favorite this week.
  • On the Truck: Honeycutt’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from DQS Solutions & Staffing and Precision Vehicle Logistics, who will serve as his anchor partners for the majority of the season.
  • Throwback Paint Scheme: Honeycutt’s No. 45 DQS / Precision paint scheme is reminiscent of the very first Niece Motorsports truck to hit the track in 2016. The original truck, driven then by Casey Smith, made its debut at Texas Motor Speedway in October of that year, marking the start of the team’s history.
  • Recapping Rockingham: Kaden Honeycutt and the No. 45 team had a great showing at Rockingham Speedway. Honeycutt qualified in seventh-place and gained a considerable amount of points by finishing third and second in the opening two stages. The DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet led for a total of 12 laps, but slid back in the final run to the checkers to finish in sixth-place. Overall, it was a solid points night for the team who vaulted back above the Playoffs cutline.
  • Points Rundown: Entering the eighth race of the season, Honeycutt sits ninth in the championship standings, 34 points ahead of the Playoffs cutline. Honeycutt is only three points behind Grant Enfinger in eighth, and nine points back of Jake Garcia in seventh.
  • Quoting Honeycutt: What will it mean to make your first start at your home track of Texas Motor Speedway?

“I’m very excited to go to Texas. I grew up watching races there for over 15 years now, so it will be really cool to get a chance to race there in front of all my family. Most importantly, I want to try to win a race for Al Niece and everyone here at the team. It would be really cool to go out there and win as we’re celebrating our 10th season at our home track with this special paint scheme. Unfortunately, I don’t have many laps around the track, but hopefully, we’ll get dialed in pretty quickly. Our mile-and-a-half package has been great the past few years, so we expect to run well.”

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 Precision Vehicle Logistics: Precision Vehicle Logistics is a customer-focused group of professionals committed to service excellence in finished vehicle logistics. Precision offers a unique combination of talented experience, industry-leading software and systems, and a network of partners and resources to deliver customized solutions to the world’s leading automakers.

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, 190+ 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).

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 To Pace 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge

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Official Release
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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 To Pace 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) – The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 – capable of 233 mph, the highest top speed of any car ever made in America by an auto manufacturer – will lead the field to the green flag for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Designed for speed and performance, the Corvette ZR1 is up for any challenge, and the exterior and interior of the Corvette ZR1 will be on full display as the car fulfills responsibilities on and off the track.

Michael Strahan, a Pro Football Hall of Fame member, two-time Daytime Emmy Award winner, longtime “FOX NFL Sunday” analyst and “Good Morning America” co-host, has been named honorary Pace Car driver and will pace the field of 33 drivers in the Corvette ZR1 to start “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

“Chevrolet is proud that the 2025 Corvette ZR1, our fastest Corvette ever, will be the Official Pace Car for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500,” said Scott Bell, global Chevrolet vice president. “With a top speed of 233 mph, the Corvette ZR1 is the perfect fit to lead the Indy 500 field to green.”

The Corvette ZR1 delivers 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm from a 5.5L twin-turbo V8, which is the most power ever from a factory Corvette and the most powerful V8 ever produced in America from an auto manufacturer. For Pace Car duty, the ZR1 is equipped with the Carbon Aero package, including dive planes on the front bumper, underbody aero strakes and the rear wing, which creates more than 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speeds.

The Corvette ZR1 achieves incredible acceleration – capable of zero to 60 mph in 2.3 seconds before rushing through the quarter-mile in 9.6 seconds at 150 mph, making it the quickest Corvette ever.

Arctic White exterior paint and Jet Black interior accents pair nicely with the Indianapolis 500 logos on the Pace Car. The jewel tone, emerald green and gold of the logo are highlighted in racing stripes and additional exterior design elements. Carbon fiber wheels complete the car’s iconic, race-ready look.

“As we anticipate another iconic Indianapolis 500, we are once again excited to have the incredible American sports car Corvette pacing the field,” IMS and INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “The race car-like performance of the Corvette ZR1 makes it the perfect car to pace the Indianapolis 500, and the distinctive sound of the Chevrolet V8 engine will echo brilliantly inside the walls of IMS.”

Corvette is the longest-running car nameplate in automotive industry history, so it’s no surprise Corvette has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” more times than any car. The 2025 race marks the 36th time for Chevrolet to pace dating back to 1948 and the 22nd time overall, all since 1978, for America’s favorite sports car.

Visit IMS.com for tickets and more information on all Month of May events and activities at IMS.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 80 countries. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

JEGS & NHRA ANNOUNCE LONG-TERM EXTENSION OF JEGS ALLSTARS, WITH 2025 RETURN SET FOR TEXAS MOTORPLEX

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Official Release
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ENNIS, Texas (April 29, 2025) – Following a thrilling celebration of 40 years of the popular JEGS Allstars in 2024, NHRA and JEGS announced an exciting multi-year extension of the historic specialty race.

Continuing its status as one of the biggest and most highly-anticipated events of the years for standout drivers in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the JEGS Allstars returns to historic Texas Motorplex for the third time in 2025 as part of the track’s Stampede of Speed and the 40th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals on Oct. 8-12.

The JEGS Allstars made a successful move to Texas Motorplex in 2023 and will continue as a marquee attraction during the massive Stampede of Speed.

“JEGS is proud to continue our longstanding partnership with the NHRA in presenting the JEGS Allstars, an event that showcases the highest level of sportsman competition,” JEGS CEO Gabe Mendoza said. “For more than four decades, this program has recognized the dedication, performance and excellence of racers from across the country and beyond. We are honored to play a key role in one of the most prestigious events in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and remain committed to supporting its continued growth and impact.”

For more than 40 years, the JEGS Allstars has celebrated the best of sportsman racing in a unique team format, bringing out the best from across NHRA’s seven divisions, including competitors from across the country and internationally.

The unique event crowns individual champions in 10 separate classes, in addition to the overall team title. To qualify for the prestigious event, drivers earn points in their home divisions throughout the season in the following categories — Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Competition, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman.

Since moving to Texas Motorplex, the race has also featured distinct Texas-sized traditions, including custom t-shirts and decals for drivers and teams, and a custom trophy and custom-made JEGS Allstars belt buckle for the winners. There’s also custom-fit Texas Motorplex cowboy hats for winners, as a victory at the JEGS Allstars remains a huge honor for every racer in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

“The JEGS Allstars has become a major addition to the Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals lineup and we are thrilled to have it back,” Texas Motorplex Co-Owner Christie Meyer Johnson said. “Having racers from all over the country race in an all-star event brings a lot of prestige to the Fall Nationals. Seeing the emotion and passion from those drivers really makes the Stampede of Speed an even more special event for all our fans. We have added some Texas traditions to the JEGS Allstars and hope that we will continue to make this a memorable event for all the racers, their fans and teams.”

“The JEGS Allstars has been a hallmark event for 40 years and we’re thrilled to see JEGS continue as the title sponsor of this special and unique event,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “They see the tremendous value in this team event that brings out the best in our remarkably talented sportsman racers. The race has found a great home at Texas Motorplex and we look forward to seeing this event continue to grow and thrive for years to come.”

The weekend includes several special events, including the driver and team welcome breakfast and participating in the Stampede of Speed Pre-Stage Fan Fest in downtown Waxahachie. The JEGS Allstars event will be shown live on NHRA.tv during the race weekend and also featured on the NHRA on FOX Lucas Oil Sportsman show.

For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.

About JEGS

JEGS, an industry-leading DTC e-commerce retailer and distributor of high-performance and restoration automotive aftermarket parts and accessories, will have a strong presence on and off the track as it celebrates its 65th anniversary and ongoing commitment to sportsman racing.

About Lucas Oil

Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products was created with the simple philosophy of producing only the best line of lubricants and additives available anywhere. Today, it encompasses the most diversified range of products in the automotive, powersports, marine, industrial, outdoor, and motorsports marketplaces, many of which were created by Forrest Lucas himself. In total, the company boasts more than 300 premium products, representing the largest variety of shelf products of any oil company in the United States with a distribution network across 48 different countries. For more information, please visit www.LucasOil.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.

Meyer Shank Racing Heads South for INDYCAR Action at Barber Motorsports Park

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Official Release
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Birmingham, Ala. (29 April 2025) – Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) is set for round four of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season this weekend as the team heads to the scenic Barber Motorsports Park for the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix (May 4, 1:00pm ET, FOX, SiriusXM channel 218).

Coming off of Indianapolis 500 oval testing at IMS last week, MSR is back with its two full-season entries – Marcus Armstrong in the No. 66 SiriusXM / Root Insurance Honda and Felix Rosenqvist in the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda.

Rosenqvist will make his seventh INDYCAR start at Barber, having qualified in the top ten on four occasions and scoring a best finish of sixth in 2021. Known for his ability to extract speed on technical circuits, the Swede is aiming to convert qualifying strength into a strong race-day result for MSR.

Armstrong will make his third career start at Barber Motorsports Park after making his debut at the circuit in 2023. The New Zealander showed promising pace in that outing, gaining six positions to finish 11th. With a strong road course background and continued progress from MSR, Armstrong is targeting another step forward on the 2.3-mile, 17-turn circuit.

Meyer Shank Racing made its debut at Barber in 2019 and has steadily built its program at the picturesque venue. MSR’s 2024 outing at Barber saw Rosenqvist finish fourth and just shy of a podium finish. The result was the team’s best finish to date at the Birmingham circuit.

The Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix weekend kicks off with practice on Friday, May 2, followed by qualifying on Saturday at 2:30pm ET on FS2. Sunday’s 90-lap race will be broadcast live on FOX and SiriusXM (channel 218) beginning at 1:00pm ET.

Meyer Shank Racing Driver Quotes:

Felix Rosenqvist: “We have some good momentum going into the start of the season, and we are looking forward to keeping that going through Barber. We got to test there a while back, but the temperatures I don’t think were very representative of what we will see next week. Barber is another track that will be a lot different for us now with the hybrid, so we will see how everything goes.”

Marcus Armstrong: “Barber is one of my favorite circuits on the calendar. It’s high speed and flowing, kind of what I used to race on in Europe. We tested there a little bit ago and we got some good data from that which will hopefully help us get through the weekend. I’m really looking forward to heading there this weekend.”

Ford Heading To Texas With Added Momentum After Cindric Victory

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Official Release
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TEXAS

Friday, May 2 — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)
Saturday, May 3 — NASCAR Xfinity Series, 2 p.m. ET (CW)
Sunday, May 4 — NASCAR Cup Series, 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1)

Ford heads to Texas Motor Speedway with added momentum after Austin Cindric’s thrilling NASCAR Cup Series victory last weekend in Talladega. Ford has 15 all-time Cup wins at the Fort Worth track and 32 overall in the three premier NASCAR series combined, which includes a sweep in its inaugural 1997 season.

CINDRIC CLINCHES PLAYOFF BERTH

Mustang driver Austin Cindric led a race-high 59 laps in the season-opening Daytona 500 and finished eighth, but on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway he went to Victory Lane while leading only seven. His thrilling side-by-side battle with fellow Ford driver Ryan Preece ended in a photo finish and a margin of victory of .022 seconds. The win, which was the third of his Cup career and 200th for Roush Yates Engines, clinched a spot in the playoffs for the second straight year and third time overall. Cindric has led at least one lap in half of the 10 races this season, and at least 45 or more in three of those.

MR. SMITH GOES TO TEXAS

Ford’s Zane Smith came away with the first pole of his NASCAR Cup Series career last weekend when he posted the fastest speed at Talladega Superspeedway, and then led five laps in the race before finishing 19th. This week, he’ll make his third career Cup start at Texas Motor Speedway and second with Front Row Motorsports. In 2023, he finished 24th as that marked one of eight series events he participated in with FRM while also competing full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In six NCTS starts at Texas, Smith registered three top 10 finishes with his best effort being third in 2020.

NINE ALL-TIME FORD CUP WINNERS

Ford has 15 NASCAR Cup Series victories at Texas Motor Speedway with nine drivers having at least one. Kevin Harvick ran off a streak of three straight playoff victories at the 1.5-mile track from 2017-19 and is tied with Carl Edwards, who had three career Ford wins including a season sweep in 2008. Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth have two apiece while Joey Logano, Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Dale Jarrett and Elliott Sadler have one each.

ROUSH SUCCESS

Jack Roush has had his share of victories at Texas Motor Speedway from the very beginning as Mark Martin (NXS) and Jeff Burton (Cup) swept the opening weekend in 1997. Overall, Roush has won nine times in both the Cup and Xfinity Series while Greg Biffle registered a NASCAR Craftsman TrucK Series win in 2000. Those nine Cup wins are tied for third on the all-time Roush list with Dover Motor Speedway. Only Michigan International Speedway (14) and Bristol Motor Speedway (12) have been more successful.

JOEY LOGANO: IS THERE SOMETHING YOU CAN LEARN FROM TEXAS THAT WILL HELP WITH THE TWO OTHER MILE AND A HALVES THAT FOLLOW? “Texas is a little bit of a unique facility, but pretty smooth. Kansas is pretty smooth as well, so there’s a little bit that you can take over from one to the other. It’s kind of nice to have them backed up because then you can make a gain from one to the other and you can work on your setup because that’s what we’ve got these days. It’s not like we’re gonna go out there and practice like we used to and sling springs at it, so you may try something at Texas and if it doesn’t work, you’re gonna try something completely different at Kansas.”

RYAN PREECE: CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY TEXAS IS SO TREACHEROUS? “I think when they did turns one and two they said we’re gonna do the complete opposite in turns three and four. It’s challenging. I think over time the groove has widened out. I don’t know if that’s a product of when they laid down the PJ1 a few years back, but the outside has certainly come in. Three and four are just one of those corners where you need to be comfortable and flat out and be able to move around. It’s tough.”

JOSH BERRY: WHY IS TEXAS SO TREACHEROUS? “It’s definitely a unique layout. I think that each end of the track is so drastically different that part of the problem is it’s very hard to get your car really balanced on both ends. Turn one is much slower with less banking, and getting off turn two is really important because it sets you up to carry all that momentum through three and four. To be good in one and two, you’ll have your hands full in three and four just with the speed. The sketchiness of it is going through three nearly wide-open. That makes it a handful.”

LOGANO’S LAST LAP PASS

Joey Logano’s first Cup win at TMS came in 2014 in a race that was delayed until Monday because of rain. Logano dominated much of the second half, but a caution with two laps to go forced a green-white-checker finish. He started third on the restart after the leaders stopped on pit road and was able to get past Jeff Gordon on the final lap to claim victory. Logano led 108 of the final 116 laps to claim the first of five wins that season.

A TEXAS TWO-FIRST

A couple of firsts happened on April 6, 1997 as Texas Motor Speedway hosted its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event and Jeff Burton took his first checkered flag. Burton, led by crew chief Buddy Parrott, passed Todd Bodine with 58 laps remaining and beat fellow Ford driver Dale Jarrett to the finish line by four seconds. The race was slowed by 10 cautions, which included a multi-car accident in the first turn of the first lap. Burton went on to win 21 career series races with 17 of those coming in a Thunderbird or Taurus.

MAYER GOING FOR TWO STRAIGHT

Sam Mayer heads to Texas Motor Speedway this weekend in search of his second straight NASCAR Xfinity Series victory after he won last year’s event in a dramatic photo finish. Mayer ran Sieg down at the white flag and briefly passed him on the backstretch, but the two drivers ended up banging door-to-door off turn four before crossing the finish line side-by-side. Mayer ended up winning by .002 seconds and was the first of three wins for him last year. Mayer comes into this weekend as the highest-ranked Ford driver in the standings as he sits third while Haas Factory teammate Sheldon Creed is 10th.

FOUR FAST FORDS IN TOP 10

Chandler Smith leads a group of four Ford drivers who come into this weekend’s action at Texas Motor Speedway in the top 10 of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series point standings. Smith, who won his first race with Ford three weeks ago at Bristol Motor Speedway, is second overall while Front Row Motorsports teammate Layne Riggs is three spots back in fifth. The ThorSport Racing duo of defending champion Ty Majeski (sixth) and Jake Garcia (seventh) round out the group.

FORD’S NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT TEXAS

1997 – Jeff Burton

1998 – Mark Martin

2001 – Dale Jarrett

2002 – Matt Kenseth

2004 – Elliott Sadler

2005 – Greg Biffle (1) and Carl Edwards (2)

2008 – Carl Edwards (Sweep)

2011 – Matt Kenseth (1)

2012 – Greg Biffle (1)

2014 – Joey Logano (1)

2017 – Kevin Harvick (2)

2018 – Kevin Harvick (2)

2019 – Kevin Harvick (2)

FORD’S NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS

AT TEXAS

1997 – Mark Martin

1999 – Mark Martin

2000 – Mark Martin

2004 – Matt Kenseth

2007 – Matt Kenseth

2010 – Carl Edwards (2)

2011 – Carl Edwards (1) and Trevor Bayne (2)

2012 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (1)

2013 – Brad Keselowski (2)

2015 – Brad Keselowski (2)

2018 – Ryan Blaney (1) and Cole Custer (2)

2020 – Austin Cindric (1)

FORD’S NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT TEXAS

1997 – Kenny Irwin Jr.

1998 – Tony Raines

2000 – Greg Biffle (1)

Actor Shea Whigham Named Grand Marshald for Würth 400 Presented By LIQUI MOLY Nascar Cup Series race

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 Talented veteran actor co-stars with Tom Cruise in “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – The Final Reckoning,” whose world premiere is May 14 at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival

  • Former Cup Series star Kasey Kahne to serve as Honorary Pace Car Driver for race on Sunday, May 4
  • Former NFL running back and University of Oklahoma star Spencer Tillman to provide pre-race invocation
  • 100-year-old Iwo Jima survivor Don Graves to sing the National Anthem

FORT WORTH, Texas (APRIL 29, 2025) – Film and television actor Shea Whigham, best known for his standout roles in acclaimed projects such as “Boardwalk Empire,” “True Detective,” “Joker” and “American Hustle,” has been named the Grand Marshal for the WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race this Sunday, May 4, at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS).

The talented veteran actor co-stars with Tom Cruise in “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – The Final Reckoning,” which will have a gala screening on May 14 at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Whigham’s leading dignitary role will include him providing the famous pre-race command for the drivers to start their engines to the marquee NCS race beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT (TV: FS1, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM and Lone Star 92.5 locally).

Whigham has helped generate a box office of more than $6 billion during a brilliant career that has spanned over two decades. It began with a role in the 2000 film “Tigerland,” which he was cast alongside Colin Farrell, and continued with a lengthy list of critically acclaimed and award-winning projects.

His resume includes “All the Real Girls” (2003), “Lords of Dogtown” (2005), “Pride and Glory” (2008), ‘Elias Eli Thompson’ in HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” (2010-2014), “Take Shelter” (2011), “The Lincoln Lawyer” (2011), “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012), “Savages” (2012), “American Hustle” (2013), “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013), ABC’s “Agent Carter” (2015), “Kong: Skull Island” (2017), FX’s “Fargo” (2017), Amazon’s “Homecoming” (2018), “First Man” (2018), HBO’s “Perry Mason” (2020-2022), Starz’s “Gaslit” (2022), Showtime’s “Waco” (2018) sequel, “Waco: The Aftermath” (2023), Neon-acquired Sundance film “Eileen” (2023), Paramount+ “Bass Reeves” (2023), Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (2023) and HBO’s “The Righteous Gemstones” (2023).

The other primary dignitary role for the WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY will be filled by Sebastian Würth, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Würth Group. He will serve as the Honorary Starter and wave the green flag to officially start the 11th race of the season. Benjamin Würth, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Würth Group, will be a co-Honorary Race Official alongside Moses Brings Plenty, who is best known for his portrayal of “Mo” in the Paramount Network hit series, “Yellowstone.”

Former NCS star Kasey Kahne will buckle in as the Honorary Pace Car Driver and help lead the field to the green flag. Kahne was an 18-race winner in the NCS and was part of the closest NCS finish in TMS history. He was edged by Elliott Sadler by 0.028 of a second in the 2004 race. He would go on to capture his first – and only – TMS pole and win two years later in the same spring race.

Football champion running back Spencer Tillman will provide the pre-race invocation for the WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY. Tillman spent eight years in the NFL with the Houston Oilers (1987-88, ’92-94) and San Francisco 49ers (’89-91). He was also an All-American and captain of the University of Oklahoma’s 1985 national championship team. Tillman is currently a college football game analyst for FOX Sports.

Another esteemed dignitary will be National Anthem singer Don Graves, who will celebrate his 100th birthday the day prior to his appearance at the NCS race. He is a U.S. Marine veteran who is part of an exceptional group of living American heroes who took part in the successful invasion on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II. It will be Graves’ second visit to TMS to perform, having sung “God Bless America” prior to the 2023 fall NCS Playoff race.

The WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY headlines a NASCAR tripleheader at TMS. The weekend also includes the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) SpeedyCash.com 250 this Friday, May 2, at 7 p.m. and Xfinity Series (NXS) Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 this Saturday, May 3, at 1 p.m.

Below are the dignitaries for each of the weekend races.

NCS WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY

Grand Marshal: Film and television actor Shea Whigham.
Honorary Starter: Sebastian Würth, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Würth Group
Honorary Pace Car Driver: Former NASCAR Cup Series star Kasey Kahne.
National Anthem: World War II Iwo Jima survivor Don Graves.
Invocation: Former NFL running back and University of Oklahoma All-American Spencer Tillman.

NXS Andy’s Frozen Custard 300

  • Grand Marshal: Andy’s Frozen Custard CEO and owner Andy Kuntz, who will be accompanied by his wife Dana, mother Carol and children Coyler, Leigha and Tatum.
  • Honorary Starter: Andy’s Frozen Custard franchise owner Emad Lakhany.
  • Victory Lane Trophy Presenters: Andy, Dana and Carol Kuntz.
  • National Anthem: Rowdy Shea, competitor on “The Voice” Season 26 (2024).
  • Invocation: Bret Shisler of Texas Alliance Raceway Ministries.

NCTS SpeedyCash.com 250

  • Grand Marshals: Speedy Cash Regional Vice President Ryan Roscoe, Regional Vice President Bruce Cantrell, District Director Alejandro McClain and District Director Ulysses Perez.
  • Honorary Starter: CCF Family of Brands Senior Vice President of Operations Tim Pearson.
  • Victory Lane Trophy Presenters: CCF Family of Brands President Bill Baker and Executive Vice President Retail Operations Larry Reisinger.
  • National Anthem: Musical artist Allyse McFall.
  • Invocation: Bret Shisler of Texas Alliance Raceway Ministries.

Event tickets and camping for the 2025 WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR tripleheader weekend are on sale now. Save up to 33 percent versus purchasing individual tickets, take advantage of interest-free monthly payments, get the best seat selection and more. Click HERE for more information and to buy tickets.

Texas Motor Speedway’s current 2025 events calendar includes the Kubota High Limit Racing (May 1 and 3 at the TMS Dirt Track), WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR tripleheader weekend (May 2-4), C10 Nationals (May 9-10), Holley LS Fest Texas (May 16-17), Bandas y Trocas (May 24), Solar Car Challenge (July 17-23), Goodguys Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals (Sept. 26-28), Texas World Dirt Track Championship (Oct. 3-4 at the TMS Dirt Track), October Truck Madness (Oct. 11), Kubota High Limit Racing All-In Championship (Oct. 17-18 at the TMS Dirt Track), FuelFest (Oct. 25), POWRi Sprint Cars (Nov. 7-8 at the TMS Dirt Track) and Xtreme Xperience (Dec. 11-14).

ABOUT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Texas Motor Speedway is among the largest sports and entertainment venues in the United States. The speedway has an array of amenities such as Big Hoss, the largest single LED screen of any sports facility in North America, making it one of the premier venues in the world of sports. The 1.5-mile superspeedway located in Fort Worth hosts all three NASCAR national series among its various races and specialty events throughout the year. Texas Motor Speedway is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, LLC, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information, please visit texasmotorspeedway.com.

MORE INFO:

Keep track of Texas Motor Speedway’s busy schedule by following on Facebook, X and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Speedway website and TMS mobile app.

Katz Coffee to Sponsor Haley, Spire Motorsports at Texas Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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Team’s Official Coffee to be Showcased as Primary Partner Aboard No. 7 Chevy

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 29, 2025) – Katz Coffee, Spire Motorsports’ Official Coffee Provider, will serve as the primary sponsor aboard Justin Haley’s No. 7 Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY at Texas Motor Speedway.

Founded in Texas and headquartered in Houston, Katz Coffee has been aiming for perfection in every cup since 2003. The company specializes in small-batch, custom roasting with a focus on sourcing the finest coffee beans from farmers around the world. The Lone Star State’s largest specialty coffee roaster has served some of Houston’s highly-acclaimed chefs, restaurant and coffeehouse owners for more than 20 years.

“I’m excited for Katz Coffee to ride along with me at Texas Motor Speedway,” said Haley. “I’ve had a lot of great runs at Texas, so hopefully we can mix it up at the front of the field and compete for the win. Katz does a great job of fueling the men and women at Spire Motorsports with rich, great tasting coffee both at the shop and at the track every weekend. I’m not going out on a limb when I say Spire Motorsports and Katz Coffee have the best coffee game in the sport.”

Haley scored a series/venue best third-place finish in November 2022 and is well accustomed to the “Great American Speedway” across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series. He finished 13th last fall in the Cup Series most recent visit to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

The Winamac, Ind., native earned five top-10 finishes across six NASCAR Xfinity Series starts and notched a November 2018 win in CRAFTSMAN Truck Series competition that propelled him into the series’ Championship 4 race two weeks later at Homestead-Miami Speedway. On top of the win, Haley boasts top-10 results in all five of his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at the ultra-fast 1.5-mile Fort Worth tri-oval.

Over the course of his career, the newly minted 26-year-old, who celebrated his birthday Tuesday, has collected four NASCAR Xfinity Series checkered flags and three CRAFTSMAN Truck Series wins, making him one of just 41 drivers in history to have earned wins across all three of NASCAR’s National Touring Series. 

He is a veteran of 154 Cup Series starts where he’s logged one win, five top fives, 17 top 10s and led 103 laps.

“We’re proud to celebrate another big moment in our partnership with Spire Motorsports by sponsoring Justin Haley’s car during his birthday week,” said Katz Coffee Owner Avi Katz. “It’s an exciting milestone for Katz Coffee, and we’re thrilled to fuel the drive for success both on and off the track. Here’s to a weekend powered by Liquid Love and full of momentum, fueled by Katz!”

The Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLI will be televised live on FS1, Sunday, May 4 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 11th of 36 points-paying races on the 2025 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

About Katz Coffee …
Katz Coffee has been roasting Liquid Love since 2003, proudly fueling some of the Nation’s most celebrated chefs, coffee shops, and restaurants. As Texas’ largest specialty coffee roaster, we source beans from the finest farms around the globe and roast them fresh daily in small batches to ensure every brew is perfect. Every cup is crafted to deliver bold flavor, a smooth finish, and the energy to power everything from daily routines to a day at the track. Born in the Lone Star State, our reach now stretches from coast to coast, and our coffee is enjoyed in communities from Seattle to Key West. Giving back to our community is as important as what’s in your coffee cup, through long-standing support of the PTSD Foundation of America and other local nonprofits, we’re proud to stand for something bigger. We roast with purpose, serve with passion, and always strive to Grow Together.

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 March 21, 2025, when Kyle Larson took the checkered flag in the Baptist Health 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

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.

Niece Motorsports Partners with Three Charitable Organizations Working with Veterans

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Official Release
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(Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

Team Unveils New Patriotic Logo along with Charitable Efforts

Salisbury, NC (April 29, 2025) – Veteran owned NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) team, Niece Motorsports, has partnered with three charitable organizations to honor members of the United States military.

Owned by United States Marine Corps veteran, Al Niece, the Niece Motorsports organization has always placed those who serve the country at the core of the team’s identity. Niece served in Vietnam with the 3rd Marine Division, Lima Co. 3rd Marine Regiment. During his time in the Marine Corps, Niece earned the rank of Sergeant.

Beginning this weekend and throughout the month of May, the following organizations will be represented by the team:

Foundation for Pops

Foundation for Pops – https://foundationforpops.org/

Foundation for Pops, started by Josh Morris, CEO of DQS Solutions & Staffing, was founded in honor of his grandfather, a Vietnam veteran, and was created in response to the hardships he faced after returning to civilian life.
The nonprofit will serve as Kaden Honeycutt’s primary partner for the Memorial Day weekend event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Foundation for Pops aims to empower veterans and people experiencing homelessness through education, resource development, assistance, and supportive services, helping them achieve economic mobility and secure quality, affordable housing.

Through a five-step process, Revive in Five, the nonprofit provides resources to those in need, including: needs assessment, tailoring an action plan, personal development, job placement, and financial capability & housing.

PGA HOPE

PGA HOPE – https://www.pgareach.org/pgahope

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

Led by PGA of America Golf Professionals, the program is inclusive of a developmental 6-8 week curriculum. All programs are provided at no cost to all participating Veterans.

Niece Motorsports primary partners, J.F. Electric and Utilitra, are actively involved with PGA HOPE, having made several contributions to the fund.

The Foundation will be represented on Matt Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America – https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

A national tradition since 1992, Wreaths Across America is an initiative that has touched the lives of many. The nonprofit organization honors and remembers fallen U.S. Military members by placing decorated wreaths on national cemetery gravesites throughout the country.

Al Niece has supported Wreaths Across America for several years now, having donated wreaths at various locations. Last December, Niece Motorsports drivers and employees participated in Wreaths Across America Day at the Historic Salisbury National Cemetery near the team’s headquarters.

Realizing that there were not enough wreaths available to place on every veteran’s headstone, the team made it a mission to raise money for this year’s event. All three entries will have the logo placed on their B-posts throughout the remainder of the season.

As part of the partnership, fans, media members, and industry colleagues are able to donate to the cause on behalf of the team by sponsoring wreaths through a dedicated page on the organization’s website. Fans who sponsor a wreath through the link will receive promo codes to the Niece Motorsports online store.

Throughout the month of May coinciding with the NASCAR Salutes campaign, the team will change its logo to a patriotic version with stars and stripes incorporated into the brand marks.

In the coming weeks, Niece Motorsports plans to unveil special patriotic paint schemes for its entries throughout the month. Stay tuned to the team’s social media channels.

Follow Niece Motorsports on Facebook, X, and Instagram and visit niecemotorsports.com for all the latest news.

About Foundation for Pops: At Foundation for Pops, our vision is to cultivate a society where the transformative power of education, empowerment, and inclusive support dismantles barriers to economic mobility and stable housing. Guided by our core values of Positive Mindset, Empowerment, Respect, Innovation, and Community Collaboration, we aspire to be a beacon of hope for people experiencing homelessness and veterans, fostering a community where everyone can rebuild their lives with dignity and contribute meaningfully to the world.

About PGA HOPE: PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAHOPE on Instagram, X and find us on Facebook.

About Wreaths Across America: Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s yearlong mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington and at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

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, 190+ 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).

North Wilkesboro Honors Dale Earnhardt’s Legacy On His 74th Birthday, While Looking Ahead To NASCAR All-Star Race Week

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Dale Earnhardt celebrates in North Wilkesboro Speedway’s Victory Lane after dominating the 1987 First Union 400, leading 319 of 400 laps in a classic performance. (Courtesy: Save the Speedway Archives)
  • On what would have been Dale Earnhardt’s 74th birthday, North Wilkesboro Speedway honors his legacy as a five-time winner ahead of an action-packed All-Star Race Week, May 15-18
  • NASCAR All-Star Race Week packages, single-day tickets and camping to all NASCAR All-Star Race Week events are on sale at northwilkesborospeedway.com

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (April 29, 2025) – Today, on what would have been Dale Earnhardt’s 74th birthday, North Wilkesboro Speedway is reminded of the legendary driver’s enduring connection to the track. Long before its modern-day revival, Earnhardt’s five victories at this iconic short track cemented his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. With anticipation building for the upcoming NASCAR All-Star Race week, May 15-18, fans can relive Earnhardt’s unforgettable moments at North Wilkesboro and experience the same thrilling atmosphere that once served as the backdrop for some of his most iconic wins.

Here are three of his most iconic North Wilkesboro triumphs:

Class of the Field – April 1987
At the height of his 1987 domination, Earnhardt was untouchable. Few moments showcased this more than the 1987 First Union 400 at North Wilkesboro. He led a jaw-dropping 319 of 400 laps, holding off third-generation rival Kyle Petty by 1.72 seconds. It was vintage Earnhardt — relentless, efficient, and cool under pressure. The impressive victory helped catapult him toward his third NASCAR Cup Series championship later that same season.

Snapping Handsome Harry’s Streak – September 1991
With Harry Gant chasing a modern-era record for a fifth straight Cup win, Earnhardt was the only driver who could stop the streak — and he did so in dramatic fashion. Brake issues plagued Gant late in the race, and Earnhardt pounced with just nine laps to go. He led only those final nine laps, but they were the most important of the day. The win was gritty, clutch, and championship-caliber — and, sure enough, Earnhardt went on to capture the 1991 Cup title.

“The Man in Black” vs. “Wonder Boy” – April 1995
North Wilkesboro bore witness to one of the earliest duels between Earnhardt and a young Jeff Gordon. While Gordon was rising fast, it was still Earnhardt’s turf in the spring of 1995. The seven-time Cup Series champion led 227 laps and crossed the line a staggering 13.48 seconds ahead of Gordon’s colorful No. 24. Fans saw a legend holding off the future — a symbolic passing of the torch that wouldn’t come easy.

Earnhardt won five times at North Wilkesboro Speedway, but these three triumphs stand out as timeless reminders of his grit, skill and ability to own the moment.

North Wilkesboro Speedway is more than just a racetrack; it’s a living testament to NASCAR’s rich history. For generations of fans, this short track has been the stage for some of the sport’s most legendary moments, especially those involving The Intimidator himself. As the NASCAR All-Star Race approaches, there’s no better time to pay homage to the past and honor Earnhardt’s legacy, whose grit and determination still echo through the foothills of North Carolina. The spirit of those historic races, where heroes were made and legends were born, lives on at North Wilkesboro Speedway — where the thrill of NASCAR’s past meets the excitement of its future.

The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race will feature more on-track action than ever before. In addition to all the NASCAR Cup Series activity, fans can enjoy zMAX CARS Tour feature races both Thursday (The Reverend Whiskey 75) and Friday (Late Model Stock Cars) nights, along with the Window World 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race and a Jake Owen concert presented by Raymer Oil on the frontstretch Saturday. Sunday’s racing action begins with the FaithFest 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Series race preceding the All-Star Open and All-Star Race.

May 15-18 NASCAR All-Star Race Week ticket packages — including eight races, the Pit Crew Challenge, Jake Owen concert and all NASCAR qualifying sessions — start at just $130. Race week packages or individual event day tickets and camping can be purchased online at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com.

Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding NASCAR All-Star Week and North Wilkesboro Speedway by following on X and Instagram or by becoming a Facebook fan.

Front Row Motorsports: Talladega Superspeedway Race Report – Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith

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Noah Gragson | Todd Gilliland | Zane Smith
Talladega Superspeedway Race Report

Jack Link’s 500
Date: April 27, 2025
Event: Race 11 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Talladega Superspeedway (2.66-miles)
Length of Race: Three hours, 10 minutes, 52 seconds

FRM Finish:

● Noah Gragson (Started 27th, Finished 4th / Running, completed 188 of 188 laps)
● Todd Gilliland (Started 15th, Finished 16th / Running, completed 188 of 188 laps)
● Zane Smith (Started 1st, Finished 19th / Running, completed 188 of 188 laps)

FRM Points Standings:

  • Zane Smith (23rd)
  • Todd Gilliland (28th)
  • Noah Gragson (31st)

Noah Gragson Key Takeaways

Stage One: 22nd / Stage Two: 14th / Race Result: 4th

Noah Gragson qualified 27th for the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Talladega Superspeedway. Gragson finished 22nd and 14th in Stages One & Two, respectfully, taking trips to pit road to fix the handling of his Ford Mustang Dark Horse. With adjustments made by Crew Chief Drew Blickensderfer and the No. 4 team, Gragson put himself in contention for the win in the final stage, ultimately finishing fourth, his first top-five of the season.

“It was a really smooth day for a change, and it feels great to finally show the results we knew we were capable of with a top-5 finish,” said Gragson. “Early on, we had some handling issues and lacked track position, but the team made a great adjustment on the first stop that really helped the car. We stuck to our plan of saving fuel by running the bottom and picking off spots when others got impatient, and it set us up perfectly for that last pit stop. Our stop was shorter than most, which got us the track position we needed. We were just a couple spots short of truly contending for the win, but overall, we did everything right and it was a strong day for our team.”

Todd Gilliland Key Takeaways

Stage One: 20th / Stage Two: 8th / Race Result: 16th

Todd Gilliland qualified 15th for Sunday’s 188-lap event at the Talladega Superspeedway. Gilliland fought with the handling of his Ford Mustang Dark throughout the first stage, but was able to run within the top-10 with Front Row Motorsports teammate, Zane Smith. Gilliland finished Stage One in 20th. Back within the top-10 in Stage Two, Gilliland finished the stage in 8th, earning stage points. In the final stage, Gilliland continued to show speed and worked with fellow Ford teammates to cross the start / finish line in 16th.

“We wanted a little more from a results standpoint, but I’m still happy to have left Talladega with a top-20 finish,” said Gilliland. “We left the track with some stage points too, so it’s encouraging to see the speed this No. 34 team is bringing to the track. On to Texas.”

Zane Smith Key Takeaways

Stage One: 18th / Stage Two: 9th / Race Result: 19th

Zane Smith made his fourth Talladega Superspeedway NASCAR Cup Series start this past Sunday. In Saturday’s qualifying session, Smith earned his first career NASCAR Cup Series pole award with a top speed of 182.174 MPH for a 52.565 lap time. Fuel strategy was the topic of discussion in the 188-lap race. Smith showed the speed of his Ford Mustang Dark Horse in Stage One, leading five laps throughout the stage before falling back to the top-20 to save fuel, finishing the stage in 18th. In Stage Two, Smith made his way back into the top-10, finishing the stage in ninth, earning two valuable stage points. In the final stage, Smith ran within the top-10, moving up a lane on the final lap in hopes of making a run for a top-five finish, but with no help, fell back within the top-20 and crossed the start / finish line in 19th.

“Frustrating finish to a really good weekend,” said Smith. “Winning a Pole award was super cool, and that translated into the race where we were able to put ourselves in a really good spot for the finish. We just didn’t have anyone commit to our bumper that last lap and it cost us a ton of spots, but I’m proud of this TitleMax Ford team and excited to keep bringing fast cars to the track.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @teamfrm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

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