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AM Racing | Harrison Burton Pocono Raceway Xfinity Race Preview

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Official Release
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AM Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Pocono (Pa.) Raceway | Explore The Pocono Mountains 250

Fast Facts

No. 25 AM Racing Team:
Driver: Harrison Burton
Primary Partner(s): DEX Imaging
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Danny Efland
Spotter: Kevin Hamlin
Chassis Intel: AMR Chassis No. 006
Engine: Roush-Yates Engines
2025 Driver Points Position: 11th | 2025 Owner Points Position: 12th

Notes of Interest:

● Junior Journey: AM Racing will embark on its junior year journey in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025 with driver Harrison Burton for the entire 33-race tour, continuing with Saturday afternoon’s running of the Explore The Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.

● Future Focused: In September 2024, AM Racing announced that NASCAR Cup Series winner Harrison Burton would join the family-owned operation to pilot the team’s No. 25 Ford Mustang, beginning with the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season-opener from Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on February 15, 2025.

Burton, a native of Huntersville, N.C., has been a staple in the NASCAR Cup Series for the past three seasons but will embrace a return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and continue his relationship as a driver of the Ford blue oval.

Burton, 24, arrives on the scene at AM Racing after a 108-race stint driving for the historic Wood Brothers Racing team.

● Best with DEX: DEX (DEX Imaging) will continue its long-standing partnership with Harrison Burton and join AM Racing for several races this season, including Saturday afternoon’s 100-lap challenge at Pocono Raceway.

DEX Imaging is the largest independent dealer of document imaging technology in the United States. DEX sells and services the broadest selection of copiers, printers and data management solutions in the industry, such as Konica Minolta, Canon, Sharp, Ricoh, Xerox, and Kyocera, with annual revenue exceeding $500 Million.

What makes DEX unique is its people, whose combined knowledge of cutting-edge business technologies and depth of service experience are unmatched. DEX Imaging’s success is directly tied to its mission: to help customers of all sizes drive down document-related expenses while improving productivity.

● Game On: The Ford Driving for a Difference presented by the Gene Haas Foundation is a five-week competition among the five full-time Ford teams competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Teams from AM Racing, the Haas Factory Team, and RSS Racing will go head-to-head for the highest cumulative finishing position across a stretch of select races.

The team with the most points at the end of the challenge will earn a generous donation to their designated charity courtesy of the Gene Haas Foundation. In contrast, all participating teams will receive a contribution in recognition of their efforts.

AM Racing has selected All Within My Hands, the charitable foundation founded by the legendary rock band Metallica, as its charity of choice.

The program not only fuels on-track competition but also drives meaningful impact off the track through charitable giving.

The initiative launched at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2025, and continued at Nashville Superspeedway on May 31 and last weekend’s Xfinity Series road course at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

This weekend is the finale at “The Tricky Triangle,” Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania.

● Critical Summer Stretch: Pocono Raceway continues a pivotal nine-week stretch that will help shape the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff picture ahead of the postseason opener at Bristol Motor Speedway in September.

The series will visit a wide variety of tracks over the coming weeks, offering a mix of challenges and styles. The stretch includes the 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway this weekend, a return trip to the hybrid superspeedway of EchoPark Speedway, the Chicago Street Course and another road course at Sonoma Raceway in Northern California.

From there, teams will take on the high-banked concrete of Dover Motor Speedway, then head to the iconic yard of bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, followed by Iowa Speedway, before wrapping up the stretch on August 9 at Watkins Glen International — a renowned road course in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

● Up Close and Personal: For this weekend’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway, Harrison Burton will carry an in-car camera, offering fans multiple dynamic views from inside the No. 25 DEX Imaging Ford Mustang.

From high-speed straights to challenging corner entries, the footage will deliver a captivating experience as Burton tackles “The Tricky Triangle” in his pursuit of another strong finish.

● Harrison Burton NASCAR Xfinity Series Pocono Raceway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 will mark Harrison Burton’s third NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the unique triangular track nestled in the Pocono Mountains.

Burton returns to Xfinity Series competition in Long Pond for the first time since 2021, looking to shift his fortunes and make the most of his opportunity.

He earned a track-best of 32nd after starting 10th in the 2021 edition of the Pocono Green 225, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.

He returned to the track a month after his initial start, winning the pole but finishing 37th following a crash on Lap 36 of 90.

Additionally, Burton carries an average Xfinity track finish of 34.5.

Also, the Huntersville, N.C. native has three NASCAR Cup Series starts at Pocono Raceway, with a track-best of eighth after starting 26th in the 2023 edition of the HighPoint.com 400, while driving for Wood Brothers Racing.

● Harrison Burton NASCAR Xfinity Series Career Stats: Entering Pocono, Burton has 90 career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts to his credit with four wins, 27 top-five and 55 top-10 finishes, and a championship-best result of eighth, twice in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Burton’s four wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series occurred during the 2020 season. Burton, the son of former NASCAR driver and current television analyst Jeff Burton, captured the checkered flag at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway, Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, respectively.

Burton maintains a solid Xfinity Series average finishing position of 12.3 in four years of competition.

In addition to the 90 Xfinity Series starts, he has achieved 109 NASCAR Cup Series starts, 40 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts and 52 career starts across the ARCA Menards Series platforms.

● Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez | The Chilango 150 Race Recap: NASCAR went south of the border this past weekend as the NASCAR Xfinity Series returned to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, joining the NASCAR Cup Series in the heart of Mexico City.

Sporting the AirBox colors for the first time in 2025, Harrison Burton showed promise early with a solid 17th-place effort in practice. However, he settled for the 22nd-fastest lap in time trials.

From the drop of the green flag, Burton faced an uphill battle with track position and an early race spin. Still, crew chief Danny Efland orchestrated a strong strategy that vaulted the team into the top five during Stage 3.

While continuing to battle the balance of his No. 25 AirBox Ford Mustang, Burton held steady inside the top-10, ultimately securing a ninth-place finish at the checkered flag.

The resilient run marked the team’s seventh top-10 finish of the season.

● Thanks For Your Support: With 45 percent of the 2025 Xfinity season complete, AM Racing and Harrison Burton would like to thank their partners for their continued support: AIRBOX Air Purifier, Blue Wolf Cleaner & Degreasers, Dead On Tools, DEX Imaging, Eagle Rentals, Flying Circle, Mechanix Wear, Morton Buildings, Racing Radios, Volt Batteries and WIX Filters.

● From the Pit Box: Veteran race engineer and former NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Danny Efland is Harrison Burton’s crew chief.

He will be the crew chief for his 20th career NASCAR Xfinity Series race, his first at Pocono Raceway, on Saturday afternoon.

In his previous 19 Xfinity Series starts, he has collected one pole (Daytona International Speedway | February 2016), two top-five and eight top-10 finishes.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Harrison Burton, please

● Follow on Social Media: For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and X | Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Harrison Burton, please visit theharrisonburton.com, like his Facebook page (Official Harrison Burton), or follow him on Instagram (@harrisonburton12) and X | Twitter (@hburtonracing).

Harrison Burton Quoteboard:

On Pocono Raceway: “I’m really excited to be back in the Xfinity Series this weekend at Pocono. It’s a place that’s always challenged me as a driver in the Xfinity Series, but I’ve also had speed here in the past.

“We’ve been building momentum, and I’m hoping we can put together a clean race and come out of the weekend with something to show for it.”

On Keys to Success at Pocono Raceway: “Pocono’s such a unique track with its three different corners, so it’s all about compromise and execution. You’ve got to be good on restarts, make the right calls on pit road, and stay disciplined through all three turns.

“If we can hit our marks and make smart adjustments, I think we’ll be in a good spot by the end.”

On Goals for Pocono Raceway: “Our goal at Pocono is to run a smart, strategic race and be in position when it counts. Track position and pit calls are everything here, so if we can stay ahead of the curve, we’ve got a shot at making something happen.

“We’ve shown we can run inside the top-10, and with the Playoffs getting closer, every point matters. We’re focused on building momentum and making the most of these opportunities.”

On Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Finish: “That was a hard-fought ninth-place finish for our team. We had to overcome a lot — starting deep in the field, going for a spin early, and fighting the balance most of the day.

“But Danny (Efland) called a great race, and we kept digging. To come out of Mexico City with a top-10 and some solid points is something we can definitely build on moving forward.”

On 2025 Season Outlook: “I truly believe we can turn some heads in 2025. The goals we’ve set for ourselves aren’t just realistic—they’re within reach, and I know this AM Racing team has what it takes to execute and get into the Playoffs.”

“We’ve got a great group of people and partners who are fully behind what we’re building this season. Nothing would mean more to me than delivering AM Racing its first Xfinity Series win, locking into the Playoffs, and making a run at the championship.”

“It’s shaping up to be a really fun and exciting year.”

Race Information:

The Explore The Pocono Mountains 250 (100 laps | 250 miles) is the 16th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2025 schedule. A pair of 25-minute practices will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. Qualifying will immediately follow at 11:05 a.m. The 38-car field will take the green flag shortly after 3:30 p.m., with live coverage on The CW Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

About AM Racing:

AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multi-faceted Motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

Established in December 2015, AM Racing is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

In its ninth year of competition, the family-owned team will compete in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and various Dirt Modified events.

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Pocono

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Official Release
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The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono

Pocono Raceway
Sunday, June 22, 2025
2.5-Mile Tri-Oval
2 PM ET
Location: Long Pond, Pennsylvania
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (Race 17 of 36)
RADIO: SiriusXM

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 32 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Week: 36th (Mexico City)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 2nd

No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerPocono
Races1638217
Wins3320
Poles1221
Top 591285
Top 10111939
Laps Led85110,107158
Stage Wins8705
Average Finish12.814.011.6
  • So far in 2025, Kyle Larson leads all NASCAR Cup Series drivers with nine top-five finishes, two more than the rest of the field.
  • Larson’s career average finish of 11.6 is fourth best among active drivers at Pocono Raceway. His five stage wins at the 2.5-mile tri-oval are the most all-time. Since the start of the 2021 season, Larson has led 57 laps at Pocono, ranking fourth.
  • With 158 laps led, Pocono ranks second among tracks where Larson has led the most laps without a win behind only Atlanta Motor Speedway (452). Larson has recorded nine top-10 finishes at Pocono, his most at any track without a victory.
  • Larson has 16 wins in the Next Gen era, four more than the second-place driver, Hendrick Motorsports teammate, William Byron (12).
  • On speedways larger than 2 miles, Larson has six wins, 22 top fives and 37 top-10 finishes.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 29 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last week: 3rd (Mexico City)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 4th

No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerPocono
Races1633815
Wins0191
Poles0120
Top 541084
Top 10817910
Laps Led955,62167
Stage Wins0381
Average Finish11.212.813.5
  • Following his third-place run in Mexico City last weekend, Chase Elliott is now fourth in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings, 104 markers behind leader and teammate William Byron.
  • Elliott has scored more points at Pocono Raceway in the Next Gen era than any other driver (123). His current streak of three top-10 finishes at the Tricky Triangle ranks second.
  • This weekend, Elliott will take on double duty at Pocono, getting behind the wheel of the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday in addition to driving the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet in Sunday’s Cup event.
  • In two Xfinity Series starts at Pocono, the 29-year-old driver has two top-three finishes.
  • The 2020 Cup Series champion is the only driver to finish top 20 in all 16 races this season. He’s completed all but one lap through 16 events. His average finish of 11.2 ranks third.

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 27 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Week: 9th (Mexico City)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 1st

No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerPocono
Races1626811
Wins1140
Poles2152
Top 57613
Top 10101146
Laps Led7693,747130
Stage Wins7301
Average Finish10.414.99.4
  • William Byron is having a career season in 2025, leading the NASCAR Cup Series driver points standings for 13 out of 16 weeks, including presently by 67 markers. His current advantage is the largest of the season and the second-largest gap through 16 races during the stage racing era. He has also collected 604 points, the most by a driver through 16 races in the Next Gen era.
  • The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has led laps in 13 races this season, the most races with a lap led by any driver. All told, Byron has been in front of the field for 769 circuits, second only to Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson. In addition, Byron has completed 99.91% of laps run – tied for the second most.
  • So far in 2025, the driver of the No. 24 leads the field with an average starting position of 9.3, an average running position of 9.2, and an average finish of 10.4.
  • At Pocono Raceway, Byron has an average finish of 9.36, best all time by a driver with more than two starts.
  • Since the start of 2021, the 27-year-old driver has led 95 laps at the Tricky Triangle, second most by a driver in that span.

48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 31 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Week: 4th (Mexico City)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 12th

No. 48 Ally Best Friends Chevrolet

2025Cup CareerPocono
Races1634115
Wins081
Poles270
Top 53433
Top 1081045
Laps Led1101,47834
Stage Wins070
Average Finish19.319.417.3
  • Alex Bowman’s fourth-place showing in the inaugural Viva México 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City on Sunday marked his best result since a runner-up finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway in March.
  • Bowman sits 15th in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings, 22 points above the playoff cutline.
  • In 15 career starts at Pocono Raceway, Bowman has one win (2021), three top-five finishes, five top 10s, 34 laps led and an average finish of 17.3.
  • With two, Bowman is one of three drivers with multiple pole positions this season (William Byron, Chase Briscoe).
  • The Tucson, Arizona, native has led 110 laps this season and has been out front in eight races, tied for fifth most.
  • Best Friends Animal Society, Bowman, and Ally Racing have teamed up in effort to try to #SaveThemAll. Alex and Ally have committed a $4,800 donation split between Best Friends Animal Society and a local rescue/shelter partner for each race during the season. If Bowman wins, the local rescue/shelter partner will get $10,000. For this weekend’s Pocono Raceway event, the shelter partner is Paws Along the River Humane Society in Warren, Pennsylvania.
  • 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-TimePocono
Races151,39679
Wins4316*19*
Poles5**258*14*
Top 521*1,300*78*
Top 1034*2,221*140*
Laps Led1,824*84,136*3,456*
Stage Wins15*1305


*Most all time
**Tied for most all time

  • Hendrick Motorsports has led 42% of all laps raced through 16 NASCAR Cup Series events this season. Its 1,825 circuits paced are the third most through a season’s first 16 races in company history.
  • The organization’s 15 combined stage wins are the most ever through 16 races in a season.
  • Hendrick Motorsports has finished in the top five in every Cup event this season, the only team to do so. Dating to last year, the organization has posted at least one top-five finish in 24 consecutive races, matching its longest streak ever.
  • The team’s engines have powered 14 pole positions and 14 race wins across all NASCAR national series in 2025, including four points-paying Cup victories and one in the exhibition Clash.
  • Hendrick Motorsports enters this weekend’s race at Pocono Raceway as the all-time leader in wins (19), poles (14), top-five finishes (78), top 10s (140) and laps led (3,456). The company has claimed two of the last five races at the Tricky Triangle.

QUOTABLE /
 
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on going to Pocono Raceway: “Looking to rebound from a rough day at Mexico City. The No. 5 team brought a fast car for us, we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. We have had some strong runs at Pocono and Hendrick (Motorsports) always brings fast cars to Pocono. I am hopeful we can put our HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevy in Victory Lane on Sunday.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on Pocono Raceway: “I like Pocono. I’ve always enjoyed going up there. It’s unique. Something different. It does have some similarities to Indy (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) in ways. It’s a fun place to go. I enjoy the racetrack. It’s just not the norm. Anytime we go to places that kind of set themselves apart from other tracks, I think, is always an enjoyable thing to do.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on Pocono Raceway: “We’re always good at Pocono. That brings comfort. We put extra work into preparing for Mexico, so I think this weekend is more, ‘business as usual.’ We know what works and we can just execute like normal.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on Pocono Raceway: “Pocono’s a cool place. It’s super unique with how different each corner is, and it really keeps you on your toes. I feel like our team’s been building some momentum lately, and we’d love to keep that going this weekend. Just need to execute and hopefully have a solid day.”

Berry, eero Team Seek Right Combination for the ‘Tricky Triangle’

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Official Release
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#21: Josh Berry, Wood Brothers Racing, Eero Ford Mustang

Pocono Raceway’s unique 2.5-mile layout has earned its nickname — “Tricky Triangle” — thanks to its three distinctly different turns that challenge even the most experienced drivers and teams.

For Josh Berry and the No. 21 eero Ford Mustang Dark Horse team, the focus this weekend is on dialing in a setup that finds the right balance across all three corners to be a contender in Sunday’s Great American Getaway 400.

“Each corner at Pocono is so different,” Berry said. “Turn Three is probably the most difficult since it leads onto the long straightaway, and getting off there strong can make a big difference – getting your car turned well enough to have good drive off and carry speed down the straight is important. But you can’t give up too much in the other corners either.”

Staying up front throughout the race is probably more important at Pocono than at most other tracks on the Cup Series circuit.

“Track position is key,” Berry said. “Being up front and staying up front really matters, not just for clean air, but to avoid trouble. It’s a place where strategy and execution both have to be spot on.”

The Wood Brothers have a strong history at Pocono, having earned three Cup Series victories at the Pennsylvania track — David Pearson in 1975, Neil Bonnett in 1980 and Ryan Blaney in 2017.

On-track action for the Great American Getaway 400 begins Saturday with practice at 12:35 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 1:45 p.m. ET. The 160-lap, 400-mile main event will go green shortly after 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, with Stage breaks scheduled for Laps 30 and 95. Coverage will air all weekend on Prime Video.

About eero
eero was founded to make wifi and networking the way they should be—fast, reliable, secure, and, most importantly, easy to use. After introducing the first home mesh wifi system with a high-quality design that blends into its environment and technology that intuitively works behind the scenes, eero became known for sweating every single detail and delivering award-winning hardware and software for homes, businesses, communities, and service providers. Founded and headquartered in San Francisco in 2014, eero is an Amazon company. For more information, visit eero.com.

About Wood Brothers Racing
Founded in 1950 by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood in Stuart, Virginia, Wood Brothers Racing holds a special place in NASCAR history as the sport’s longest-running team. Over eight decades, the team has earned 101 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with 120 poles, and remains proud of its longstanding relationship with Ford Motor Company, fielding only Ford products since its inception. Glenn’s brother, Leonard Wood, played a key role in shaping modern racing by developing the techniques behind today’s pit stops. With a rich legacy rooted in innovation and tradition, Wood Brothers Racing continues to honor its heritage while adapting for the future as it competes in NASCAR’s premier series with Josh Berry.

Front Row Motorsports: Pocono Raceway Competition Notes – Zane Smith

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Official Release
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Zane Smith and the No. 38 Long John Silver’s Ford Team
Pocono Raceway Competition Notes
The Great American Getaway 400

Date: Sunday, June 22, 2025
Event: Race 19 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Pocono Raceway (2.5-miles)
#of Laps: 160
Time/TV/Radio: 2:00 PM ET on Amazon Prime/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Zane Smith Notes

Zane Smith and the No. 38 team are back in the States this weekend as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to the Pocono Raceway. Sunday’s 160-lap event will mark Smith’s second Cup Series start at the 2.5-mile track but has five previous CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at the track, earning an eighth-place finish in 2021 with GMS Racing.

“Mexico City didn’t go as planned, but we had decent speed at Michigan and some of the other bigger tracks, so I’m looking forward to rebounding at Pocono. We have some good tracks coming up on the schedule where I feel we can make a big swing at the points gap and maybe even get a win.”

Road Crew

Driver: Zane Smith

Hometown: Huntington Beach, California

Crew Chief: Ryan Bergenty

Hometown: Plainville, Connecticut

Car Chief: Will Norris

Hometown: Bells, Tennessee

Engineer: Jacob Clamme

Hometown: Hartford City, Indiana

Engineer: Chris Yerges

Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Mechanic: Steve Godfrey

Hometown: West Haven, Connecticut

Mechanic / Engine Tuner: Tyler Podlaski

Hometown: Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania

Interior Specialist: Matt Fowler

Hometown: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Spotter: Ryan Blanchard

Hometown: Bethlehem, Connecticut

Transport Co-Driver: Ernest Mullins

Hometown: Fayetteville, North Carolina

Transport Co-Driver: Rick Grissom

Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Ryan Flores

Hometown: Manasquan, New Jersey

Rear Tire Changer: Austin Chrismon

Hometown: China Grove, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Drew Baum

Hometown: Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Jackman: Ryan Selig

Hometown: Lindenhurst, Illinois

Fueler: Chris Webb

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

ABOUT LONG JOHN SILVER’S

Long John Silver’s was founded in 1969 and is on a mission to create treasured moments through high-quality food and bell-ringing service. With restaurants from sea to mouth-watering sea, Long John Silver’s continues building on a belief that the unique seafood experience from the coasts should be accessible to all. Learn more at ljsilvers.com or join the conversation via social media on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

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.

Front Row Motorsports: Pocono Raceway Competition Notes – Noah Gragson

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Official Release
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Noah Gragson and the No. 4 MillerTech Ford Team
Pocono Raceway Competition Notes
The Great American Getaway 400

Date: Sunday, June 22, 2025
Event: Race 19 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Pocono Raceway (2.5-miles)
#of Laps: 160
Time/TV/Radio: 2:00 PM ET on Amazon Prime/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Noah Gragson Notes

Coming off of the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico, Noah Gragson and the No. 4 team will shift their focus to the Pocono Raceway. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the 2.5-mile, Pennsylvania, track is home to one of Gragson’s 13 Xfinity wins and has scored two top-five and three top-10 finishes in four starts at the track.

MillerTech returns to the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend at Pocono Raceway. This will be the second of three primary races for the premium lithium battery company in the NASCAR Cup Series. FRM and MillerTech will also collaborate on compelling activation programs to engage the NASCAR community and promote their array of products.

“We have the speed to compete upfront, but we haven’t had the luck to put together a full race,” said Gragson. “Pocono is a place I feel comfortable at—if we can put down a decent qualifying lap and stay out of trouble, I think we can leave Pennsylvania with a strong finish.”

Road Crew

Driver: Noah Gragson

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer

Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Joey Forgette

Hometown: Iron Mountain, Michigan

Engineer: Dillon Silverman

Hometown: Chico, California

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Mechanic: Chris Trickett

Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Tony Infinger

Hometown: Fort Valley, Georgia

Tire Specialist: Chris Aunspaw

Hometown: Zelienople, Pennsylvania

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Spotter: Nick Del Campo

Hometown: Blauvelt, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Nate “Cookie” Eller

Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Thomas Hatcher

Hometown: Middleburg, Florida

Rear Tire Changer: Adam Riley

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Tire Carrier: Jarren Davis

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Jackman: Nate McBride

Hometown: Vidalia, Georgia

Fueler: Ray Hernandez

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

ABOUT MILLERTECH

MillerTech Energy Solutions LLC is a Premium Lithium Battery Company that combines superior quality products with faith-based business values to deliver a unique and beneficial experience for end users. Our commitment to integrity, customer focus, quality and community engagement sets us apart as a reliable and trustworthy partner in the lithium battery industry. Choose MillerTech for premium lithium batteries that enhance your bottom line while aligning with your values. Visit millertechenergy.com and follow on Facebook at facebook.com/MillerTechlithiumbatteries.

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.

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Road America Advance

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Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES
XPEL Grand Prix at Road America Presented by AMR
Road America
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Race Advance

June 20-22

DETROIT (June 19, 2025) – The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, along with 14 Chevrolet-powered drivers, head to the iconic 4.014-mile, 14-turn Road America natural terrain road course for the ninth round of the 2025 season. This stretch of four races in five weekends, with drivers facing four distinct track types, superspeedway (Indianapolis Motor Speedway), street circuit (Detroit), short oval (Gateway), and natural terrain road course, highlights the one-of-a-kind skills it takes to compete for a championship.

“America’s National Park of Speed,” host to 35 INDYCAR SERIES races since 1982, poses a unique challenge with more than 160 feet of elevation change, long downhill blasts through forests followed by heavy braking zones and some of the highest commitment corners the drivers will face all year.

Chevrolet at Road America

  • Chevrolet-powered drivers have made 190 race starts across 21 seasons (22 races) at Road America, with 17 of the 29 starters in 1993 powered by the Bowtie.
  • Will Power, who started from the fifth spot in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet last year, led a Team Penske and Team Chevy 1-2-3 on the way to the manufacturer’s 11th win at Road America, the most of any brand at ‘America’s National Park of Speed.’
  • Danny Sullivan (3) and Josef Newgarden (3) have almost half of Chevrolet’s baker’s dozen poles on the 4.014-mile, 14-turn Road America road course.
  • Seven teams account for Chevrolet’s 32 podiums at Elkhart Lake, with Team Penske’s 19 leading the way.
  • Road America opened in 1955, and excluding the INDYCAR SERIES, Chevrolet engines have won races across the following top-level categories: IMSA United Sports Car Series, NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, SCCA US Road Racing Championship, Can-Am, SCCA Can-Am, SCCA Trans-Am, and USAC/SCCA Formula 5000.
  • 1-2-3

Since the introduction of the twin-turbo 2.2L V6 powerplants in 2012, almost a quarter (54) of the 224 podium celebrations held at NTT INDYCAR SERIES races have been swept by one of the two manufacturers, including a Chevrolet-powered sweep of the 2024 XPEL Grand Prix at Road America by Team Penske’s Will Power, Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin.

The Bowtie has been the only brand featured during 32 of the 54 podiums, with only one manufacturer spraying the champagne. Every season – except 2025 through eight rounds – since 2012 has had at least one race where a single manufacturer stood on all three steps of the podium. In 2012, 2019, and 2022, all but two podiums had podiums split between Chevrolet and Honda, while in 2013, ten of the 19 races had single manufacturer podiums.

The podium at Road America last year by the Penske trio was the team’s tenth shared podium since Bobby Unser, Rick Mears and Mario Andretti shared a podium at Ontario Motor Speedway (California) in 1979.

Chevrolet 1-2-3 finishes at Road America

2024 – Will Power (Team Penske) – Josef Newgarden (Team Penske) – Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske)
1992 – Emerson Fittipaldi (Team Penske) – Al Unser Jr. (Galles Racing) – Bob Rahal (Rahal Hogan Racing)
1991 – Michael Andretti (Newman Haas Racing) – Al Unser Jr. (Galles Racing) – Mario Andretti (Newman Haas Racing)
1990 – Michael Andretti (Newman Haas Racing) – Emerson Fittipaldi (Team Penske) – Rick Mears (Team Penske)
Leading the field to the green flag for Sunday’s XPEL Grand Prix at Road America Presented by AMR will be the Corvette E-Ray, featuring eAWD capability, 655 horsepower and a lightning-fast 0 to 60mph time of 2.5 seconds.

Tune-In Alert

Friday

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #1 – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (MT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Saturday

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 11am (ET)/10am (CT)/9am (MT)/8am (PT) – FS1/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 1:30pm (ET)/12:30pm (CT)/11:30am (MT)/10:30am (PT) – FS1/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Sunday

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 10am (ET)/9am (CT)/8am (MT)/7am (PT) – FS1/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
XPEL Grand Prix at Road America Presented by AMR (55 laps) – 1:30pm (ET)/12:30pm (CT)/11:30am (MT)/10:30am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (Quotes):

A.J. FOYT RACING

David Malukas, No. 4 Clarience Technologies/A.J. Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

You’ve qualified in the top 10 in the last three races and four of the eight so far. With that momentum, what are your expectations for Road America, a track you haven’t raced since 2023?

“We’ve had a strong run lately, and I’m really happy with how the car’s been feeling. With the speed we’ve shown recently and how the team is clicking, I think we can be solidly in the front and in the mix for something bigger if everything goes right. I didn’t race here last year, but I was able to go on the sim last week, so I feel prepared. I’ve had speed but haven’t been able to put together a strong race performance the past couple of years, so that will be the focus this weekend. I consider Road America as a home track to me in some ways, and I grew up coming here a lot. Through the feeder series, I have had a handful of podiums, so I’m not worried about settling back in with the track.”

Is Road America a place where Chevy’s horsepower can shine?

“Definitely. Chevy’s done a great job giving us that straight-line speed. If we get everything dialed in, we should be in a strong spot.

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Sexton Properties/A.J. Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

Why is Road America one of your favorite tracks?

“Road America and Portland are two of my favorite tracks, just because they really are very rewarding when you get the lap correct. Also, I really like the flow of Road America. I like the fact that it’s a really fast track with the big break zones. You can race on it very hard and I just think it’s an al- around and incredibly solid racetrack.”

With it being four miles long, does that add some challenges?

“I think that’s one of the reasons why that when you put a lap together, it’s very satisfying, because it’s such a long lap. Every corner you have the big risk to reward ratio, and when you. Get the lap correct. It’s just really cool.”

ARROW MCLAREN

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“Another podium in the books at World Wide Technology Raceway but we can’t sit on that because we race again this weekend. We’ve got some good momentum on our side, and the goal is to keep building on that. As a team, we’re staying focused on one race at a time. I’m looking forward to the physical test Road America provides, and hopefully it’ll make for some more great racing.”

Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“My focus right now is on executing a solid weekend at Road America. It’s a place I’ve always enjoyed racing at, so I’m hopeful that we can put everything together for a strong result.”

Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“After a bit of a missed opportunity last weekend, I’m glad we get the chance to turn around and get back at it again this weekend. Road America will be a great chance for us to get on track and build some momentum heading into the rest of the summer. We’ve shown what we’re capable of as a team, so I’m confident we’ll be out there fighting near the top this weekend.”

ED CARPENTER RACING

Alexander Rossi, No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet:

“The great thing about the NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule is you are able to get back on track immediately after a tough race. I love Road America and I think it’s one of the best road courses in the country! I can’t wait to get to work and bounce back from last weekend.”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 21 ECR Splenda Chevrolet:

“I’m super excited to be back at Road America after such a great race last weekend and my first podium! Road America is a special track to me as I won my first INDY NXT race there in 2022. The fans, the atmosphere, and the challenge make it one of my favorite venues. It is also an honor to race the Direct Supply Chevrolet in front of all of the employees and their families joining us from Milwaukee!”

PREMA

Robert Shwartzman, No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet:

“This will be another new track for me and one where we haven’t even tested at. From the simulator it looks like an amazing track, quite a European style circuit I would say. We’ll need to learn the track quickly and from my side I want to enjoy the experience, have a good run, the target is always to do better every time we go out there. We had a pretty good run at Gateway, so we just need to continue in this positive direction.”

Callum Ilott, No, 90 PREMA Racing Chevrolet:

“Back to another road course, the longest one on the calendar so lots of track length for our Chevy powered race cars. This is a high downforce track which is a lot of fun and hopefully we’ve prepared well enough showing again the progress we’ve made.”

TEAM PENSKE

Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 XPEL Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet:

“Road America was always one of those classic American tracks that I couldn’t wait to get to when I joined the INDYCAR SERIES. Now it has even more meaning for the XPEL Chevy team with XPEL having the naming rights to the race. We were close to giving them a win last year in our 1-2-3 finish by Team Penske. Will and Josef are always tough to beat there but with the speed we’ve shown in our car – despite the lack of any kind of luck – we can be right there with them again this year.”

Will Power, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet:

“I would say, aside from the 2 team winning the Indy 500, the Road America weekend was definitely our high mark last year as an organization. Those podium sweeps are very rare and to do it at a place like Road America was pretty special. It’s such a big place with long lap times where we can really show the strength of our Chevy engines. We were on top of the podium last year so that is the goal this year for the Verizon Chevy team.”

Chevrolet at Road America

WINS

Chevrolet Wins: 11

2024 – Will Power – Team Penske
2022 – Will Power – Team Penske
2018 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske
2016 – Will Power – Team Penske
1993 – Paul Tracy – Team Penske
1992 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Team Penske
1991 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing
1990 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing
1989 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske
1988 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Patrick Racing
1987 – Mario Andretti – Newman Haas Racing

POLES

Chevrolet Poles: 13

2021 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske
2020 Race #2 – Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren
2020 Race #1 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske
2018 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske
2017 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske
2016 – Will Power -Team Penske
1993 – Paul Tracy – Team Penske
1992 – Paul Tracy – Team Penske
1991 – Bob Rahal – Galles Racing
1990 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske
1989 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske
1988 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske
1987 – Mario Andretti – Newman Haas Racing

PODIUMS

Chevrolet Podiums: 32

Chevrolet podiums at Road America by driver: Josef Newgarden (6), Will Power (5), Mario Andretti (3), Emerson Fittipaldi (3), Michael Andretti (2), Rick Mears (2), Pato O’Ward (2) Bob Rahal (2), Al Unser Jr. (2), Helio Castroneves (1), Tony Kanaan (1), Scott McLaughlin (1), Danny Sullivan (1), and Paul Tracy (1)
Chevrolet podiums at Road America by team: Team Penske (19), Newman Haas Racing (5), Arrow McLaren (2), Galles Racing (2), Rahal Hogan Racing (2), Chip Ganassi Racing (1) and Patrick Racing (1)

LAPS LED

Chevrolet Laps Led: 688

Chevrolet laps led at Road America by driver: Josef Newgarden (159), Will Power (81), Michael Andretti (79), Emerson Fittipaldi (76), Danny Sullivan (62), Paul Tracy (55), Mario Andretti (50), Pato O’Ward (43), Al Unser Jr. (24), Scott McLaughlin (18), Helio Castroneves (17), Max Chilton (7), Felix Rosenqvist (7), Kevin Magnussen (6), Oliver Askew (2), and Simon Pagenaud (2)
Chevrolet laps led at Road America by team: Team Penske (435), Newman Haas Racing (129), Arrow McLaren (56), Patrick Racing (35) Galles Racing (24), Carlin (7), and Ed Carpenter Racing (2)

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Manufacturer history at Road America

Wins – 35

11 — Chevrolet (2024, 2022, 2018, 2016, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987)

9 — Honda (2023, 2021, 2020 R2, 2020 R1, 2019, 2017, 2000, 1998, 1997)

7 — Ford (2006, 2004, 2003, 1999, 1996, 1995, 1994)

6 — Cosworth (2007, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982)

2 — Toyota (2002, 2001)

Earned Poles – 35

13 — Chevrolet (2021, 2020 R2, 2020 R1, 2018, 2017, 2016, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987)

7 — Ford (2006, 2004, 2003, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1995)

6 — Cosworth (2007, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982)

6 — Honda (2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2000, 1996)

1 – Ilmor (1994)

1 — Mercedes (1997)

1 — Toyota (2002)

INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturer Championships (since 1979)

21 – General Motors (Chevrolet and Oldsmobile combined)

16 – Chevrolet (6 Championship Auto Racing Teams & 10 INDYCAR)

10 – Honda (4 Championship Auto Racing Teams & 6 INDYCAR)

9 – Cosworth (9 Championship Auto Racing Teams)

5 – Oldsmobile (5 INDYCAR)

2 – Ford (2 Championship Auto Racing Teams)

2 – Toyota (1 Championship Auto Racing Teams & 1 INDYCAR)

1 – Ilmor (1 Championship Auto Racing Teams)

1 – Mercedes Benz (1 Championship Auto Racing Teams)

About General Motors

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

TEAM CHEVY NASCAR RACE ADVANCE: Pocono Raceway

By
Official Release
-
The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
Pocono Raceway
June 20-22, 2025

Closing the chapter on a historic weekend on the international stage, all three NASCAR national touring series will come back together to venture to the mountains of Pennsylvania to take on Pocono Raceway.

Team Chevy will tackle the “Tricky Triangle” with momentum from a weekend sweep in Mexico City courtesy of victories by Shane van Gisbergen and Daniel Suarez. NASCAR’s 10th tripleheader weekend of the 2025 season will get underway with the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series on Friday evening with the MillerTech Battery 200, followed by the Xfinity Series on Saturday with the Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 and the Cup Series capping off the three-day event on Sunday with The Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VISITPA.com.

Chevrolet at Pocono Raceway:

Chevrolet’s history of success at Pocono Raceway is highlighted by a series-leading 34 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins. Benny Parsons gave Chevrolet its first win in NASCAR’s premier series at the Pennsylvania venue in 1977, with the most recent coming in July 2022 with Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott. Of those triumphs includes a record-setting streak of six consecutive trips to victory lane – a run that started with NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon’s final Cup Series win at the track in Aug. 2012. Hendrick Motorsports accounts for over half of the Bowtie brand’s “Tricky Triangle” triumphs, with nine different drivers earning a combined 19 victories under the Chevrolet banner.

Chevrolet etched its name in the history books as the inaugural winners in two of NASCAR’s national series at Pocono Raceway. The Truck Series made its debut at the “Tricky Triangle” in July 2010 – a race that saw Elliott Sadler drive a Chevrolet Silverado for team owner Kevin Harvick to the win. The 2.5-mile Pennsylvania venue later welcomed the Xfinity Series for the first time in June 2016, with Kyle Larson driving the Bowtie brand to the win in the series’ inaugural event. Chevrolet’s most recent trip to victory lane in both divisions came during the 2023 season with Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill (NXS) and Kyle Busch (NCTS).

Trackhouse Racing Drivers Hitting Early Summer Stride

A trip south of the border ended with a shakeup in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings courtesy of a dominant victory by Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen. Further proving his mastery on road courses, the 36-year-old Auckland, New Zealand, native powered his No. 88 Chevrolet to the pole position – going on to tally a race-high 60 laps led and a record-setting margin of victory in the Next Gen era of 16.567 seconds to become the series’ 10th different winner of the season. Van Gisbergen is the fourth different Chevrolet driver to reach victory lane thus far this season – matching the series’ lead in early playoff berths by a manufacturer. Van Gisbergen will make his first appearance in the series’ postseason competition alongside his Trackhouse Racing teammate, Ross Chastain, who punched his ticket into the title hunt with his crown jewel victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway just a few weeks ago.

Team Chevy Drivers Finding Success on All Configurations:

In just 16 points-paying races, Chevrolet has been able to earn a trip to victory lane in each track configuration found on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. The Bowtie brand’s series-leading six wins kicked off with Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron, who drove his No. 24 Chevrolet to back-to-back DAYTONA 500 victories. His teammate, Kyle Larson, is one of three, three-time winners this season, with his victories earned on two traditional 1.5-mile ovals (Homestead-Miami Speedway and Kansas Speedway) and the short-track of Bristol Motor Speedway. Van Gisbergen checked off the final box by earning the manufacturer’s first road course win of the season in Mexico City.

Suarez Keeps Team Chevy’s Xfinity Series Dominance Alive in Mexico City

In the NASCAR Xfinity Series return to Mexico City, Team Chevy’s Daniel Suarez took the meaning of “hometown hero” to another level – driving the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet from last to first to earn the trip to victory lane at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The win continued the Bowtie brand’s monstrous season in the Xfinity Series, with Suarez becoming the eighth different driver to earn a trip to victory lane in the series under the Chevrolet banner. Heading into the Pocono race weekend, Chevrolet sits at a win record of 13 in 15 races, with an active streak of seven-straight. Among the list of winners includes five full-time Team Chevy competitors who have each earned an early ticket into the series’ championship chase, including three JR Motorsports drivers – Justin Allgaier, Connor Zilisch and Sammy Smith – and the pair of Richard Childress Racing teammates, Austin Hill and Jesse Love. Accompanying its win count includes a variety of stellar statistics, with the Chevrolet camp leading the series with nine pole wins, as well as wins in 25 of the 30 stages, to-date.

Pocono Marks Five-Race Countdown in Truck Series Regular Season

Sitting idle last weekend, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will be back in action at Pocono Raceway, with Friday’s 200-mile race marking the five-race countdown to the end of the series’ regular season. The Bowtie brand will enter the stretch with a series-leading six victories, with the most recent coming at Nashville Superspeedway with Spire Motorsports’ Rajah Caruth. With the playoff picture inching closer, the Chevrolet camp sits strong as the only manufacturer with multiple early tickets into the postseason, with Caruth joining McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Daniel Hemric and Tyler Ankrum, who have each earned a trip to victory lane.

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 16 NASCAR Cup Series races complete:

Wins: 6

Poles: 8

Laps Led: 2,197

Top-Fives: 34

Top-10s: 71

Stage Wins: 16

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 15 NASCAR Xfinity Series races complete:

Wins: 13

Poles: 9

Laps Led: 2,109

Top-Fives: 51

Top-10s: 98

Stage Wins: 25

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 13 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races complete:

Wins: 6

Poles: 2

Laps Led: 851

Top-Fives: 33

Top-10s: 64

Stage Wins: 7

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· Chevrolet will serve as the official pace vehicle for the tripleheader weekend at Pocono Raceway, with the Corvette Stingray pacing the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series and the Silverado RST pacing the Craftsman Truck Series.

· NASCAR Cup Series victories by active Chevrolet drivers at Pocono Raceway:

Kyle Busch – four wins (2021, 2019, 2018, 2017)

Chase Elliott – one win (2022)

Alex Bowman – one win (2021)

· In 91 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Pocono Raceway, Chevrolet has recorded 34 victories and 35 poles – both of which are series-leading records.

· Chevrolet has earned at least half of the top-10 finishing results in nine of the 16 points-paying races thus far this season, including a season-high seven top-10 finishes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

· In 124 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 58 victories – a winning percentage of 46.8%.

· With its 43 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 872 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

FOR THE FANS:

· Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Pocono Raceway.

· Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles including: 2026 Equinox, Corvette E-Ray, Silverado 1500 ZR2, Traverse Z71, Blazer EV SS, Silverado EV RST, Tahoe Premier and No. 9 Chase Elliott show car.

Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:

Saturday, June 21:

Sammy Smith: 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Josh Williams: 12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Daniel Dye: 12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Nick Sanchez: 1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Christian Eckes: 1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Justin Allgaier & Connor Zilisch: 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Sunday, June 22:

Michael McDowell: 9:50 a.m. – 10:05 a.m.

Justin Haley: 10:05 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.

Daniel Suarez: 10:25 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.

Alex Bowman: 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

William Byron: 11:20 a.m. – 11:35 a.m.

Kyle Larson: 11:40 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

Friday, June 20: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 21: 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Sunday, June 22: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

 
TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series

The Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VISITPA.COM

Sunday, June 22, at 2 p.m. ET

(Amazon Prime, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Pocono Mountains 250

Saturday, June 21, at 3:30 p.m. ET

(CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Millertech Battery 200

Friday, June 20, at 5:00 p.m. ET

(FS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

 
QUOTABLE QUOTES:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Are you looking forward to Pocono?

“Absolutely! We have Busch Light Apple back on the car this weekend so it’s another opportunity for all of the Busch Light Apple fans to rejoice. I’m sure I’ll run into a lot of fans cracking open their Busch Light Apple cans in the infield at Pocono. I actually enjoy racing at Pocono. It’s one of our most unique tracks with each corner being so different. Still looking for that top-five finish there though. We typically have a good car but it seems like something just doesn’t go our way the last few races. We have the win from Charlotte under our belt and have some momentum so I’m looking forward to this weekend.”

What do you think about Mexico City now that it is over?

“Mexico City was a lot of fun. It was fun to experience the culture away from the racetrack and it was fun to drive on the road course. Obviously, having Daniel as a teammate and him looking forward to the race and the market all year was cool. He was embraced by his home country and that was neat to see. And then Shane getting the win on Sunday was even more unique. Both of those guys had a great weekend in Mexico City and it was fun to watch them.”

Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

What has been the biggest challenge for you at Pocono Raceway?

“Pocono Raceway is a challenging track from the standpoint of trying to get all three corners tied together with the racecar. It’s tough on the drivers, and tough on the crew chiefs. You’re never going to be completely comfortable with Pocono Raceway because you’ve got to be able to deal with an issue in one of the three corners. Our No. 3 Bass Pro Shops / Winchester team will do a very good job of trying to get a happy medium between all three, but I think the Tunnel Turn is probably the most important.”

Now that we’re this far into the season, is there still room for points racing, or is winning races the primary goal?

“Victory is the main goal every weekend, but you also want to consistently move forward in the point standings, and earning stage points is a good way to try and do that. A win locks you into one of those coveted top 16 spots. We’re going to do what we can to bring more speed to the racetrack, and try to create opportunities, both to earn stage points, and to find Victory Lane.”

Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Coming off of Mexico, how do you feel about Dorman aboard your Chevy and thoughts on Pocono?

“I’m excited to have Dorman on our No. 7 Chevrolet. Dorman has been a great partner for Spire and it’s really cool to give them their first chance to be on the car at their home track where I’ve had success in the past. We learned a lot over the past couple of weekends on the No. 7 car and I’m looking forward to a solid weekend in Pocono.”

Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Which end of the racetrack in Pocono is most critical for a good lap?

“Pocono has three very distinct corners and you need to be fast in each one in order to have a fast race car and to have a good day. I would say the biggest compromise between turns is between Turn 1 and Turn 3.”

The last couple of years at Pocono, the track had a huge crowd. Do you think that’s because the facility has just one race a year?

“I was pleasantly surprised to see such a good crowd at Pocono the last couple of years. I do believe it has to do with us only going there once a year. When we go to some of these tracks twice a year, fans will decide which one they want to go to Instead of just knowing that they only have one chance to go so they better get their tickets as soon as they can.”

There’s a lot of shifting at Pocono. Would you be in favor of NASCAR making a rules change to limit that or is that something that you enjoy?

“I think at Pocono, since the track is so big and with the three corners being as different as they are, it needs shifting. I think shifting at Pocono is an okay thing.”

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

“Pocono is a racetrack that we have been very strong at in the past. Over the last several weeks, we’ve had good speed in the race car, so we’ll look to execute overall. It’s a racetrack I’m comfortable with and one I enjoy racing. We have a chance to put together a strong weekend and run inside the top-10.”

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet

“I’m excited to head to Pocono—it’s one of the most unique tracks we race all year. It’s fast, it’s tricky, and it really challenges you as a driver. We’ve got Martin’s Potato Rolls on board this weekend, and it doesn’t get much better than racing with a hometown favorite. Hopefully we can bring home a strong run for everyone at Martin’s and all the fans up in PA.”

Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Coming off your first top-five as a Spire Motorsports driver last week in Mexico, what are your thoughts heading into Pocono?

“I think Pocono is another great opportunity to put together a strong week. It is a unique place, especially over the tunnel turn with how narrow the track gets, but it is a track we have had success at in the past. I hope that we can continue to build off of our top-five run in Mexico and if you look at the next couple of tracks, there are a lot of places where we have had success. Atlanta, Chicago, Sonoma are real opportunities for us to earn some points, shake up the in season tournament, and win races for Spire Motorsports. I am really looking forward to this stretch.”

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

How will another double-duty weekend help you at a track as tricky as Pocono?

“Track time is going to be an advantage this weekend. Pocono can be really difficult, you have to be able to get through each corner and they’re all different. The way the car or truck gets through the tunnel turn is going to feel completely different from how it gets through Turn One or Three. Then there’s the long straightaway and the bumps, and all the unique things that can impact a race at Pocono. I think we’ll do well. We’ve been able to find things at each type of track that play in our favor and I feel like we’ll be able to build on all of those things to make the adjustments we need.”

Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

How special was last weekend’s win?

“It was a brilliant weekend for us with a pole and a win! I really am stoked to get a great result for SafetyCulture. We’ve had speed with them on the car but never had a great finish. Amazing to win with an Australian company on the car. Thank you so much to the Trackhouse guys, Chevy, ECR Engines, and everyone who’s supported us and dug deep. It’s been a tough start to the year, but there’s been a lot of bright spots lately, a lot of progress. I struggled to enjoy that last stint it because I was just praying that a yellow wouldn’t come out, but the car was just unreal, just so balanced. The last 10 to 15 laps were really special.”

After listening to your radio this past weekend in Mexico City, it seems you and your crew chief, Stephen Doran have a great relationship. What is that like?

“It’s a collaboration. We really have to work together with not only Stephen (Doran) but Josh (Williams) my spotter. Especially on Sunday with the weather, we had different tire choices and what was going to happen with strategy. When we decided not to flip the second stage obviously, I questioned that, because that’s a normal thing to do on road courses. But from the driver’s seat, I don’t have the bigger picture, and Stephen painted the picture in my head. Just have to work together closely with those guys. They really lead the way on oval stuff with me because I’m still learning a lot, but on road courses I think I can provide a lot of valuable input.”

You’re now locked into the Playoffs but only have six Playoff points – What is your mindset after this win, heading into Pocono and the rest of the regular season?

“Great question! Last year, when we were in this position in Xfinity, we really started to gather more stage points as the weekends went on. Obviously, we want to keep winning races and keep getting better at the ovals. The first round of the playoffs are some really tough ovals and also a track I haven’t been to before with World Wide Technology Raceway. We just need to keep focusing on improving so when the Playoffs come around, we are a solid contender on ovals.”

Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Did Mexico go as you expected?

“Everything about this weekend exceeded my expectations: the people, the fans, the sponsors, the excitement and the energy. I had expectations for this weekend, not the results but, like, the event, and I can tell you that I personally believe it exceeded those expectations and so I’m very, very happy for that. I feel so blessed and I hope that we can do race in Mexico City many more times. I hope that we come back many, many times.”

What are your goals for Pocono?

“We need to win in these next weeks. We know we are capable and we have done it before.”

What does having Very Good Ventures as a sponsor mean to you and Trackhouse?

“Very Good Ventures has been working with Trackhouse to improve our race day experience for guests on the pit boxes. The guests will have iPads and the ability to hear what we are saying on the radios, follow along on timing, scoring, and other things. They also work with the competition side, improving our processes with new technology. We believe Very Good Ventures will make our cars faster.”

Connor Zilisch, No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet

“I think Pocono will be a good track for us. We’ve had some good momentum lately. We’re coming off three top-fives in a row and we’re looking to keep that up and have another good showing. I’ve never been to Pocono, but I’ve done quite a bit of SIM time preparing for this weekend. Pocono is definitely a unique racetrack. All three corners are different and it’s one that I’m going to have to learn quickly because a lot of guys have raced there in ARCA and other series.”

What is the most challenging part of Pocono Raceway?

“I think the Tunnel Turn is pretty tough. It’s got a big bump and that can be challenging.”

 
Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2024): 43

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Most recent: 2024

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Drivers Championships:

Total (1949-2024): 33

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)

Most recent: Kyle Larson (2021)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021

Event Victories:

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2025 STATISTICS:

Wins: 6

Poles: 8

Laps Led: 2,197

Top-Fives: 34

Top-10s: 71

Stage Wins: 16

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 872 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 761

Laps led to date: 254,908

Top-fives to date: 4,403

Top-10s to date: 9,078

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,206

       Chevrolet: 872

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 844                                                                                  

       Ford: 744

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 195

 

About General Motors

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

Three Uncommon Motorsports Betting Strategies to Help You Win

By
SM
-

Coinciding with the thunderous roar of the engines and the thrilling excitement on the speedways, motorsports bets are among the most fun and engaging ways to participate in motorsports. While many bettors employ traditional strategies such as podium finish, head-to-head matchups, and race winners, there are a plethora of alternative betting strategies you could implement during the next race weekend.

Continue reading to learn how you can use websites like 22Bet login to maximize your profits and win big on the big race day.

Betting on Large Crashes (“The Big One”)

Due to the nature of NASCAR’s superspeedways, some tracks like Daytona or Talladega are notorious for massive multi-car collisions and pileups. This is known colloquially as “The Big One” amongst race fans. These large Multi-Car crashes typically occur near the late stages of the race, as drivers take more risks to secure better finishing positions. Here are some points on how to utilize this strategy:

Consider using live betting during the race. If you see drivers begin taking more risks, it may be a good opportunity.

If the speedway has a reputation for large collisions, be ready to utilize this strategy.

Also, consider placing bets on underdogs that survive the crash following “The Big One.”

Go Against the Crowd

Sportsbooks adjust odds based on public sentiment and the current bets placed. There can be some value in going against the prevailing sentiment, and even more value can be gained by betting against the crowd.

While it is riskier, this strategy is more efficient when you are knowledgeable about NASCAR and driver performance histories. If you see many bets placed on the usual suspects (Kyle Larson, Chase Elliot), consider placing a bet on mid-pack drivers that are often overlooked.

The public often overvalues the large players, and motorsports races usually feature upsets that can result in a significant amount of money being wagered on higher odds bets.

Stage Betting

For the past eight years, NASCAR races have been divided into three stages (sometimes four). While stage betting hasn’t been the most popular option, it offers some unique betting opportunities. Stage betting allows you to focus on drivers’ strengths and moves during each stage instead of the entire race. An example bet could be “Which Driver will Overtake the most drivers during this stage.”

A good way to implement this strategy is by placing bets on drivers based on their strengths in each given stage. Denny Hamlin, for example, drives much riskier during the last stage, so you can expect him to overtake many more positions than other drivers. Stage betting is beneficial because it breaks the race down into smaller categories, each offering significant opportunities to win big.

Final Thoughts

Motorsports, and especially NASCAR, isn’t just about picking winners; it’s all about discovering hidden value. Utilizing unconventional betting strategies can be a more lucrative and valuable approach to betting than traditional bets.

As with any sports betting, the secret sauce is research, knowledge, and discipline. Leverage your knowledge of tracks, driver trends, and race history to have the ability to go against popular opinion. Remember to bet responsibly and enjoy the next race weekend!

NASCAR at Pocono Weekend Schedule and Highlights

By
Angie Campbell
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Photo by Kirk Schroll for SpeedwayMedia.com. Pocono Weekend Schedule

NASCAR travels to Pocono Raceway this weekend with a full racing schedule as the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Craftsman Truck Series compete. Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney is the defending Cup Series winner, and Ty Gibbs is the returning pole winner.

Kyle Busch leads all active Cup Series drivers in starts at Pocono Raceway with 37. NASCAR Hall of Famer Ricky Rudd leads in all-time Cup Series starts at Pocono Raceway with 55.

Ten different drivers have provisionally qualified for the Playoffs with a win. They include Kyle Larson (three wins), Denny Hamlin (three wins), Christopher Bell (three wins), William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, Josh Berry, Shane van Gisbergen, and Ross Chastain.

Cup Series Notes

Pocono Raceway has a rich history in NASCAR. The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono was on August 4, 1974, and was won by Richard Petty driving the No. 43 Dodge. He led all but 40 of the race laps (152 of 192).

There have been 91 NASCAR Cup Series races at Pocono Raceway, with one race held from 1974 to 1981, and two per year from 1982 to 2021. Since 2022, the NASCAR Cup Series has only competed at Pocono Raceway once a season.

Forty different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Pocono Raceway. Eight of the previous winners will participate in this weekend’s race. They include multiple race winners Denny Hamlin (7 wins), Kyle Busch (4 wins) and Ryan Blaney (2 wins). Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, Chris Buescher and Joey Logano have 1 race win each at Pocono.

Xfinity Series Notes

In nine Xfinity races at Pocono, there have been eight different winners in nine races. Cole Custer is the only repeat winner.
Austin Hill is the only past Pocono winner in the Xfinity field.

Chase Elliott will make his second Xfinity start of 2025 in the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will fill in on the pit-box as crew chief for Connor Zilisch in the No. 88 as Marty Lindley serves a one-race suspension.

Three of the last eight Pocono races featured a pass for the win in the final two laps.

Truck Series Notes

Six different drivers won the last six races at Pocono.

The following drivers can clinch a spot in the Playoffs with a win at Pocono: Tyler Ankrum, Rajah Caruth, Stewart Friesen and Daniel Hemric.

Twelve drivers entered are racing in the Truck Series at Pocono for the first time.

Friday – June 20

12:35 – Truck Series Practice – FS2
2 Groups, 25 minutes each
1:40 p.m.: Truck Series Qualifying – FS2
Impound/All Entries/Single Vehicle/1 Lap

5 p.m.: Truck Series MillerTech Battery 200 at Pocono
Stages 20/40/80 Laps = 200 miles
FS1/MRN/SiriusXM
Post-race: NASCAR Press Pass

Saturday – June 21

10 a.m.: Xfinity Series Practice – CW App
Timed/2 Groups, 25 minutes each group

11:05 a.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying – CW App
Impound/All Entries/Single Vehicle/1 Lap

12:35 a.m.: Cup Series Practice – Prime/MRN/SiriusXM
Timed/2 Groups, 25 minutes each group
Impound/All Entries/Single Vehicle/1 Lap

1:45 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying – Prime/MRN/SiriusXM
Post Cup Series Qualifying: NASCAR Press Pass

3:30 p.m.: Xfinity Explore the Pocono Mountains 250
Stages 25/50/100 Laps = 250 Miles
CW/MRN/SiriusXM
Post-Race: NASCAR Press Pass

Sunday at Pocono – June 22

2 p.m.: Cup Series – The Great American Getaway 400
Stages 30/95/160 Laps = 400 Miles
Prime/Max/MRN/SiriusXM
Post-Race: NASCAR Press Pass

Custer Hoping Xfinity Success Transfers to Cup This Weekend at Pocono

By
Official Release
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The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Pocono Media Availability
Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Cole Custer, driver of the No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford Mustang Dark Horse, is coming off his first top 10 finish of the season after an eighth-place run last weekend in Mexico City. Custer was part of a media Q&A session this afternoon where he talked about that race and what’s coming up next at Pocono Raceway, where he has a pair of NASCAR Xfinity Series wins on his resume.

COLE CUSTER, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford Mustang Dark Horse – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT MEXICO CITY AND HOW THINGS WENT FOR YOU? “It was great for our team being able to go there and get an eighth-place finish, our first top 10 of the year. We just had a solid car all day and good strategy. I didn’t make any mistakes. The pit crew did well and didn’t make any mistakes, so, overall, it was just a really solid day for us. Hopefully, at the halfway point of the season we’re able to start clicking off some good finishes and moving in the right direction.”

WHAT IS BUILDING A NOTEBOOK LIKE AND WHAT IT TAKES FOR YOU TO KEEP UP WITH EVERYTHING? “Unfortunately, a lot of things that we do in racing is trial by error, so you go out there and try to make a change to the car to see if it’s better or worse. If it’s worse, you don’t do it. If it’s better, you keep working on that. With the limited times that we get to practice and having a practice this past weekend in Mexico definitely helped our team, being able to build our notebook and figure out what we want in our road course cars and what I need in the car. I think from there throughout the year we’ll get better and better, but it can get frustrating because it is pretty much trial by error of trying to figure out what we need to do with the cars. You try to rely on simulation as much as you can to work in the right direction, but there’s nothing like those real life experiences.”

WHERE DO YOU FEEL YOUR TEAM IS AT RIGHT NOW AND HOW MUCH DID MEXICO HELP? “I think at the end of the day the start of the season didn’t go how we started. We wanted to be in a better spot, but I feel like we’ve been starting to bring better cars to the racetrack. The intermediates have definitely been tough on us, so, hopefully, as the year goes we’re able to work better and better and get all of the aero stuff figured out for those tracks because it’s just so important when you go there. I feel like we’re moving in the right direction, it’s just a matter of putting races together. I feel like the road courses, the short tracks, the superspeedways, all of those should be strong suits for our team. I think we’re still working on the intermediate stuff, but I think we’re rolling in the right direction.”

HOW MUCH OF A NOTEBOOK DID YOU GUYS KEEP FROM SHR? DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THOSE OR IS NONE OF THAT APPLICABLE? “We have a lot of notes to look at, I’m not gonna lie on that, it’s just a matter of for what our cars currently are right now and what our team currently is right now, there’s a lot of moving parts. We have different simulation than we had last year and different tools to work with, so there’s a lot of different moving parts that it’s not as simple as just plugging one thing in and hoping it works. We actually found that out at the start of the season, so you really have to tailor it around your team because it’s all new people, all new tools, so we’re really having to work through that stuff and I think we’re starting to get in the flow of things halfway through the year.”

CAN YOU GIVE SOME PERSPECTIVE ON HOW THE NEXT GEN CAR IS DIFFERENT FROM WHEN YOU DROVE IT IN 2022 TO NOW? ARE YOU DOING A LOT OF THINGS DIFFERENTLY NOW? “I think the biggest thing I noticed when I first came back is just how good the cars drive, honestly. That’s kind of a hard thing to say because it’s not like we’re really up there in points, but that first year was so many unknowns. You’d show up at the racetrack and really didn’t know what you were gonna have. If you were gonna hit limiters, or hit road blocks. It was the wild west really at figuring this car out, where now everybody has dialed in these cars so good that it’s just a game of thousandths, literally thousandths of trying to figure out ways to make gains and beat the guy next to you. The field has really gotten a lot tighter. The cars have gotten to drive better, so you really just have to be 100 percent in every single area.”

SO HOW DO YOU BECOME A BETTER DRIVER? “I think the biggest thing is really taking your sim time seriously and using all the notes that you can to rely on and try to make sure you’re prepared for the weekend, and I think working with your team to get what you need in the race car to try to go faster. I think those are the biggest things that you can try to work on as a driver and studying to get better.”

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW ATLANTA DIFFERS FROM TALLADEGA AND DAYTONA, AND WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE UPCOMING ROAD COURSES AFTER SUCH A GOOD RUN IN MEXICO? “I think the first question, going to Atlanta, comparing that to Daytona and Talladega, the biggest thing is just the handling, especially when we go back there for the summer race. It’s just so hot that you really have way more handling involved than you do at Daytona or Talladega. You still have the drafting aspect, but everybody is hanging on for dear life a little bit, so the field gets a little bit more spread out just because you can’t race as tight. You have to worry about the handling, so it’s definitely a different dynamic where you see a little bit of a mix of a mile-and-a-half and superspeedway racing. The second question about going to the road courses, I’m definitely looking forward to those places. I feel like that practice in Mexico did us good as far as figuring out what we want in the cars, and I think having a solid finish definitely gives us some confidence going to the rest of them.”

HOW WAS LAST WEEKEND AS FAR AS THE TRACK AND SETUP, AND WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME BACK TO MEXICO CITY FOR ANOTHER RACE? “I thought the track raced really well. It had some really good passing zones with turn one, turn four, turn 11, turn 12, so it’s a racy track. There’s fall off in the cars. It’s not an easy place to get around. I thought the track was awesome, so I wouldn’t mind going back. It is logistically hard at times. We found that out as a team this week with our flights getting cancelled, but I feel like the second time around everything would be easier. I wouldn’t mind going back.”

WHAT WAS IT LIKE DRIVING THROUGH THE STADIUM? “It was cool. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a setup that was legitimately, I think it used to be a baseball stadium, and now you have a racetrack running through it, so it was pretty awesome. I’ve never been a part of something like that, where it was so tailored around the fans and how they encapsulate the whole area. It was almost like you’re in Bristol but a road course. It was a pretty cool dynamic.”

WAS THERE ANY SENSE OF ADDED PRESSURE BEING THE ONLY TEAM THAT HAS TIES TO SHR? “I think we all put the pressure on ourselves. At this level, we all want to go win. Everybody on our team, there are a lot of people who have won races on our team that expect to go run up front, so I feel like that’s our end goal is to go and compete for wins. We’re putting that pressure on ourselves. We know we need to get better. I think at the end of the day, our guys aren’t gonna stop working until we get there.”

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PERSPECTIVE OF SHIFTING FROM XFINITY TO CUP AND HOW YOU GO FROM CHASING A TITLE IN ONE TO BUILDING A NOTEBOOK IN THE OTHER? “It’s definitely a reset. I think of us as a new team, so we have to be smart about how we try and go out there and get solid finishes and try to maximize our days. Sometimes that’s not for a win, but it’s a matter of just how we build our notebook and how we move in the right direction is the biggest thing. You don’t want to be tearing up cars when you’re trying to build a program and trying to get things better. You have to be smart about things, but I think it’s a great challenge for us. I think there’s a lot of people that want to prove some people wrong and we want to go out there and compete with the best of them. I feel like we have the tools to do that, we just have to keep working and get our notebook better and better. Hopefully, in the second half of this season we’re able to hit our stride a little bit.”

HOW ARE THINGS DIFFERENT THIS TIME AROUND COMPARED TO THE LAST TIME YOU WERE IN THE SERIES? “I wouldn’t say the cars drive comfortably, but I would say they drive better. That first year, everything was just so crazy with everybody trying to figure out the car that I think everybody has just really fine-tuned it to now. It’s really just brought the field a lot closer and closer together. For us, expectation-wise, I feel like we want to go out there this second half of the season and try to live in the top 20, live in the top 15, get some top 10 finishes and if you’re able to live in that top 15 or so, you’re gonna compete for wins at some point because the field is so tight. We just have to keep trying to work at that and try to get in that area.”

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES POCONO PRESENTS FOR A DRIVER WITH THREE DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT TURNS? “Pocono is so tough with three different corners, such long straightaways. You have to have everything working. You have to have good strategy, good pit stops, a great car that can work in all three corners. The driver has to be on their game because it’s a tough place to get around with how fast it is and how flat it is, so you just have to really be 100 percent in every single area. I feel like we’re working in the right direction, so hopefully we can have a solid weekend.”

WHEN YOU FIRST WENT TO POCONO AS A YOUNG DRIVER HOW CHALLENGING WAS IT AND WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THROUGH THE YEARS THERE? “I remember going there the first time and trying to go through the tunnel turn and I was scared to death. It can be such a hard place to get comfortable at because it is so fast and at the same time you’re going into a corner at 180-190 and it looks dead flat when you’re going into it, and there are big bumps in the center of turn two, so there’s just a lot of things you have to get comfortable with there. I feel like it’s been a solid place for me. I’ve won a couple Xfinity races there and an ARCA race, but I feel like it’s always a place that challenges you that you can always do better. You don’t ever feel like you leave that place and did an absolutely perfect job because it’s so hard to really hit perfect laps around that place every single time.”

HOW DO YOU WALK INTO IT THIS TIME THEN? “I think I understand it, it’s just a matter of getting comfortable with it, especially since I haven’t driven a Next Gen car there in a year or two. Just being able to go there and be really aggressive through turn two and everywhere you need to go, it takes a lot of commitment, so I think for me in practice just getting used to how far I can get into the corner and how much I can get away with.”

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