● Event: Cook Out Southern 500 (Round 26 of 36) ● Time/Date: 6:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 1 ● Location: Darlington (S.C.) Raceway ● Layout: 1.366-mile ● Laps/Miles: 367 laps/501.32 miles ● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 115 laps / Stage 2: 115 laps / Final Stage: 137 laps ● TV/Radio: USA / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Justin Haley, Driver of the No. 51 NC Fraternal Order of Police Ford Mustang Dark Horse
● Justin Haley, driver of the No. 51 NC Fraternal Order of Police Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing (RWR), returns to Darlington (S.C.) Raceway looking to build on a solid performance in the May 12 Goodyear 400 at the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval. His ninth-place finish was his first of two top-10s this season, his third top-10 at Darlington, and it marked RWR’s best finish at a non-superspeedway-type track.
● Haley backed up his May Darlington finish with another ninth-place result two weeks later at the 1.25-mile World Wide Technology Raceway oval in Madison, Illinois. The strong runs continued for the No. 51 team, which last Saturday night led 21 laps at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway before being caught up in a multicar wreck while running third with just nine laps remaining in the race.
● In seven starts at Darlington, Haley has a best finish of third, earned in May 2022. He’s completed 2,265 of 2,275 total laps available (99.6 percent) at the track and has an average finish of 16.6.
● On Monday, April 29, 2024, law enforcement officers from the U.S. Marshals Task Force and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police department (CMPD) were attempting to serve a felony warrant when a suspect opened fire from inside the house. Four heroes were mortally wounded – CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer, NC Department of Adult Corrections Investigators Samuel Poloche and William “Alden” Elliott, and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks, Jr. – while four additional officers were injured. Haley and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #9 Foundation represented the fallen in the May 12 Goodyear 400 at Darlington. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #9 has provided the families of the four fallen officers with monetary assistance thanks to the donations made in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy and will continue to collect donations for future assistance. Additional details, including donation information, can be found at NCFOPLodge9.com.
● With 25 races complete this season, Haley is ranked third among drivers in laps (6,550) and miles (8,688.26) completed, and sits first among Ford drivers in both categories.
Kaz Grala, Driver of the No. 15 Meat N’ Bone Ford Mustang Dark Horse
● Kaz Grala returns to the No. 15 Meat N’ Bone Ford Mustang Dark Horse for his second Cup Series start at Darlington after earning an 18th-place finish in his Darlington debut in May.
● In two NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Darlington, Grala has a best finish of ninth, earned in the May 2023 race.
● Grala’s last outing in the No. 15 Ford Mustang Dark Horse was a 26th-place effort in his first Cup Series event on the Chicago Street Course on July 7.
● Meat N’ Bone returns to the No. 15 RWR Ford Mustang Dark Horse after debuting with Grala at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon on June 23. Meat N’ Bone is an online butcher shop offering premium quality meats delivered locally and shipped nationally. Customers can order from over 300 products, including USDA Prime and Wagyu A5, and have it delivered fresh to their door. Meat N’ Bone also offers local pickup and a personalized retail experience in its boutiques.
Rick Ware Racing Notes
● The Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) series enters the penultimate weekend of the 2024 season with a doubleheader at the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The 2019 Mission SuperTwins champion and RWR rider Briar Bauman sits third in the standings, just 12 points out of first. Singles rider Kody Kopp has the opportunity to clinch an early championship after securing his sixth win of the year at Sturgis TT. He currently holds a 34-point lead and would need to score just 26 more throughout the weekend to claim his third consecutive title.
● The Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series heads to Indianapolis for the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway Park this weekend. RWR Top Fuel driver Clay Millican sits sixth in the championship standings as the series enters the final race of the regular season.
● Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age six when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he finished third in his NASCAR debut – the 1983 Warner W. Hodgdon 300 NASCAR Grand American race at Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. More than a decade later, injuries would force Ware out of the driver seat and into fulltime team ownership. In 1995, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with wife Lisa by his side, Ware has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that fields two fulltime entries in the NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning successful teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX), where RWR won the 2022 SX2 championship with rider Shane McElrath.
Justin Haley, Driver Q&A
You’re heading back to Darlington, where the No. 51 team had a strong showing in May. How do you feel about returning to the Lady in Black?
“I’m really excited. Outside of our superspeedway performance, I feel like Darlington is where we’ve run the best. I think we’ve continued to build on what we learned that weekend and are in a great position to have another top-10 race.”
This is the first time you’ll be running the Southern 500 as the regular-season finale. Do you expect this to be a more contentious race than what it typically was when it was the first race in the playoffs?
“You never know. Darlington is always a crazy race, especially once we get to September and the night race. There’s a reason the Southern 500 is a crown jewel, it’s not easy to win. I don’t know if it necessarily gets any crazier than it usually is, but I think it’ll be like any cutoff race. We’ll just be on our toes and ready for whatever comes.”
Kaz Grala, Driver Q&A
For the first time this year, you’re returning to a track where you had a solid performance earlier in the year. Are you more prepared now for the challenge that comes with the Cup Series at Darlington?
“Definitely. I knew going into Darlington in May it would be a challenge. We came out with a great finish and I think we can absolutely improve on that, especially when you look at how well RFK Racing and the No. 51 team ran. It gives us more to work with in the preparation for this one and I feel a lot more comfortable with what I should expect from the car.”
It’s been a few weeks since you’ve been in the No. 15 car, but you’ve been at the track working with the team. How has that helped you for your return to the seat?
“I’ve been itching to get back in the car, but the No. 15 team has done a great job the last few weeks. I’ve been at the track, looking at data, and working with my teammates every week, so I feel just as prepared as I would be if I had just been in the car. The No. 15 team is coming off a top-five at Daytona, which gives us a lot of forward momentum to work with.”
RYAN PREECE Darlington Advance No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Event Overview
● Event: Cook Out Southern 500 (Round 26 of 36) ● Time/Date: 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 1 ● Location: Darlington (S.C.) Raceway ● Layout: 1.366-mile oval ● Laps/Miles: 367 laps/501.32 miles ● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 115 laps / Stage 2: 115 laps / Final Stage: 137 laps ● TV/Radio: USA / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Notes of Interest
● The Cook Out Southern 500 Sunday at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway will mark Ryan Preece’s 10th career NASCAR Cup Series start at the 1.366-mile oval and his fifth in the Southern 500. The driver of the No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing has a best finish of 12th at Darlington, earned in the 2021 Southern 500. In his most recent Darlington start in May for the Goodyear 400, Preece finished 17th.
● Preece has one Darlington start apiece in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In his September 2016 Xfinity Series start, he qualified 22nd and finished 10th in a JD Motorsports entry. His Truck Series appearance came in May 2017 when he started 13th and finished seventh for David Gilliland Racing.
● The 2024 season marks Darlington’s 74th anniversary, with the track having hosted 126 NASCAR Cup Series races. The first came on Sept. 4, 1950 and it was the first 500-mile race in NASCAR history and the first on asphalt. Johnny Mantz drove his Plymouth to the win with an average speed of 75.250 mph and the race took 6 hours, 38 minutes and 40 seconds to complete. Juxtapose that with Kyle Larson’s win in last year’s Southern 500, where he had an average speed of 120.906 mph and the race finished in 4 hours, 8 minutes and 47 seconds.
● Joining Preece and the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse at Darlington is HaasTooling.com, the cutting tool division of Haas Automation. HaasTooling.com allows CNC machinists to purchase high-quality cutting tools at great prices. Haas cutting tools are sold exclusively online at HaasTooling.com and shipped directly to end users. Haas Automation, founded in 1983, is America’s leading builder of CNC machine tools. The company manufactures a complete line of vertical and horizontal machining centers, turning centers, rotaries and indexers, and automation solutions.
Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse
What do you think of Darlington serving as the regular-season finale and the last chance for drivers to earn a playoff berth?
“I think it’s a little bit better than what it’s been in recent years. It’s more of a controlled environment when it comes to if you’re going to have an opportunity to get in the playoffs and win, or not feel like it’s such an anomaly that it could make your season or break your season. I think it’s a good thing.”
Do you feel like a race at Darlington is more in your hands, as opposed to the week before at Daytona where you have to rely on others to push you in the draft?
“I feel like Darlington is more about your team and your speed as an organization. If you’re a team with a lot of speed, you’re probably one that really likes the opportunity to do that. But at the same time, I think it’s just another opportunity to make your car fast and earn your way in.”
What is it about Darlington that makes drivers feel like the track can reach out and bite you at any given moment?
“I don’t necessarily think it’s that way as much as it once was. I guess I just haven’t had that feel. It’s just a really low-grip racetrack, and sometimes if you try to get a little too much, it can certainly get you.”
The Southern 500 is 100 miles longer (74 additional laps) than your first race at Darlington was back in May. Is a race at Darlington akin to the Coca-Cola 600, where it’s a test of stamina as much as a test of skill?
“Believe it or not, you talk about 74 laps, it’s a long race. It’s one where you want to make sure you’ve drank enough fluids and, starting in the day and going into the night, you want to make sure the balance is good.”
Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team, fresh off a win last Saturday night at Daytona, are headed into this weekend’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway with a burst of momentum.
“It’s hard for me to put into words how special getting this Wood Brothers Racing team their 100th win is to both myself and to Harrison,” said crew chief Jeremy Bullins. “Obviously we haven’t met our own expectations this season, but we knew Daytona would a great opportunity to try to get a win and turn things around.
“With the Playoff format being what it is, nothing before Daytona really matters now. We can hit reset and get focused on the next few weeks.
“Darlington is a track that Harrison has run well at in the past so we are excited to head there with some momentum and our Motorcraft Mustang.
Burton finished a season-best sixth in the spring race at Darlington last year, and he has his best average finish there (19.6) of any track on the schedule.
Practice for the Cook Out Southern 500 is set for Saturday at 12:35 p.m. Eastern Time, with qualifying to follow at 1:20.
Sunday’s 267-lap, 500-mile race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 6 p.m., with Stage breaks at Laps 115 and 230.
USA Network will carry the TV broadcast all weekend.
About Motorcraft® Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com. *See your dealer for limited-warranty details.
About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com. *See your dealer for limited-warranty details.”
About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford is pursuing mobility solutions through Ford Next, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.
About Ford Performance Ford Performance is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, SRO British GT, FIA World Rally Championship, Supercars Championship, World of Outlaws, Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally, Thailand Super Series and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with RedBull Ford Powertrains. Ford Performance also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit Performance.Ford.com or follow @FordPerformance on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.
Wood Brothers Racing Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 100 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last eight decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.
Irving, TX – August 29, 2024 – Panini America, the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company and the official trading card partner of NASCAR, has announced that it will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 15 AM Racing Ford Mustang, driven by two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano, for the Xfinity Series’ Sports Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200.
The race is this Saturday, August 31st, at the iconic Darlington Raceway.
Logano has been a member of Panini’s athlete roster since 2019, serving as the brand’s racing trading card ambassador and as a key element of multiple Panini NASCAR products and marketing activations, including its annual Panini VIP Experience for a sweepstakes-winning fan at the Daytona 500.
“Bringing back the fan-favorite Panini Prizm paint scheme on the No. 15 Panini America Ford will be fun to see on the track this weekend at Darlington,” said Jason Howarth, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America.
“We are proud to be partnering with the team at AM Racing and, of course, with Joey Logano, who has been such an important part of our many NASCAR initiatives over the years.”
Panini has had primary car partnerships on the Xfinity Series every season since 2019, and earlier this year was the primary sponsor of the No. 4 Ford Mustang driven by Josh Berry at the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis. That car’s paint scheme featured basketball star Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. The Panini Prizm paint scheme is highlighted in advance of Panini’s upcoming Prizm NASCAR trading card release.
“We are thrilled to welcome Joey (Logano) back to AM Racing this weekend at Darlington Raceway,” offered AM Racing team president Wade Moore. “Joey did a great job for our team at the Chicago Street Course in July, and we look forward to having another successful race together at one of our sport’s most prestigious tracks on Saturday afternoon.”
This will be Logano’s second NASCAR Xfinity Series start of the season in the No. 15 car, having finished in eighth at The Loop 110 in Chicago on July 6th. He has 30 career victories in the series.
“I’m looking forward to racing the No. 15 Panini America Ford Mustang this weekend at Darlington for many reasons,” said Joey Logano. “Darlington is a very challenging racetrack, yet it’s a fun one to battle on, as it has an older surface, and for the majority of the time, you’re racing just inches from the wall.
“The extra seat time on an important race weekend is always an added bonus and I’m pumped that Panini will be the primary with me on Saturday. I’ve celebrated in the winner’s circle in both the Xfinity and Cup Series at Darlington, and we have high hopes to add to the stat sheet by parking my No. 15 Panini America Ford Mustang for AM Racing in Victory Lane Saturday afternoon.”
About Panini America:
Panini America is a subsidiary of The Panini Group, established over 60 years ago in Modena, Italy, with subsidiaries throughout Europe, Latin America, and the United States.
Panini is the world leader in officially licensed collectibles and is the most significant publisher of collectibles in the U.S., with official licenses for NFL, NFLPA, NBA, NBPA, NASCAR, FIFA, LIV Golf, WWE, the Professional Fighters League, College, Disney and other key properties from many other licensors.
Panini is also the exclusive trading card and sticker partner of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Elite 11 and Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.
Panini has distribution channels in more than 150 countries and employs a staff of over 1,200. For more information, visit us at www.paniniamerica.net, www.paninigroup.com, or http://blog.paniniamerica.net/.
You can also follow Panini America on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
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.
The family-owned team will compete in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and various Dirt Modified events in its eighth year of competition.
WHITE FLAG: Entering the final race of the regular season, Kyle Larson is second in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings and trails points leader Tyler Reddick by 17 markers. Larson has scored 17 or more points than Reddick in four races this season. The 2021 Cup champion tops the series with four wins, five poles, 28 playoff points and is second with 826 laps led.
TOP FIVE FOR NO. 5: The driver of the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet has run a series high 3,153 laps in the top five this season. Larson is tied for second with nine top-five finishes.
FIRST SEPTEMBER REIGN: The Elk Grove, California, native led 55 laps last September at Darlington Raceway in capturing his first Southern 500 victory, marking the 500th NASCAR national series triumph for the Hendrick Motorsports engine department. The win was also Larson’s first at NASCAR’s highest level at the 1.366-mile, egg-shaped oval. The 2014 rookie of the year also scored a victory at Darlington in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2023.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATS: In 13 Cup starts at Darlington, Larson has six top-three finishes. His 785 laps led at the track “Too Tough to Tame” are his third-most at any track on the schedule. Additionally, Larson’s average finish (11.31) is third-best among active drivers with more than two starts at the historic track.
FOUR TIRES FAST: The No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM pit crew holds the 10th-fastest average four-tire pit stop time in 2024 at 11.12 seconds. Larson’s pit crew consists of Blaine Anderson (front-tire changer), R.J. Barnette (tire carrier), Brandon Harder (fueler), Brandon Johnson (jackman) and Calvin Teague (rear-tire changer).
AWAY BUT ALWAYS AVAILABLE: In 2024, the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM team recognizes “home” events by wearing white firesuits and “away” with blue. Its home races come at tracks with nearby Hendrick Automotive Group car dealerships. This weekend, the No. 5 team races “away” at Darlington. However, its easy to pick up a new set of keys from any one of Hendrick Automotive Group’s 94 dealerships nationwide. Customers can also shop from the convenience of home by selecting the category, make, model and vehicle packages important to them from the nearly 30,000 new, high-quality pre-owned and certified cars, trucks and SUVs available at HENDRICKCARS.COM.
WE’RE HIRING: Hendrick Automotive Group is hiring more than 300 technicians at its dealerships throughout the country. Positions are open for all skill levels and offer tuition and training reimbursement. Interested people can apply at HENDRICKCARS.COM.
9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 28 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 3rd
No. 9 NAPA Gold Filters Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
FIERCE FINALE: Heading into the regular season finale at Darlington Raceway, Chase Elliott is within striking distance of capturing the regular season championship. He sits third in points, 18 markers behind the current leader Tyler Reddick and one point behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson. Fifteen playoff points will be awarded to the regular season champion, 10 for the second-place finisher and eight for third. In three races this season, Elliott has scored 19 or more points than Reddick.
WHAT A RIDE: Prior to last weekend’s race at Daytona International Speedway, Elliott had gone a career-best 37 NASCAR Cup Series races without a DNF, dating back to last year’s event at Michigan International Speedway. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was caught up in a multi-car incident during stage two at Daytona, ending his night. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native was the first Cup Series driver to complete all but one lap through 24 races in a season. The previous record was all but two laps, which occurred three times.
#DI9: So far in 2024, Elliott has earned one win (Texas Motor Speedway), seven top-five finishes and 12 top 10s with 213 laps led. Elliott’s 11.64 average finish is second best in the Cup Series. He also has the third-best average running position (11.30), the fourth-most laps spent inside the top 10 (3,584) and is tied for the fourth-most top-10 results among full-time premier series drivers.
DARLINGTON DATA: Sunday marks Elliott’s 16th start at Darlington in the Cup Series. In 15 previous races at the 1.366-mile oval, he has collected four top-five finishes, seven top 10s and led 151 laps. In last year’s Southern 500, the 28-year-old driver posted an eighth-place finish. His best overall Cup finish at the South Carolina venue was a third-place showing in May of 2023.
SIMILAR TRACK PERFORMANCE: In 62 Cup starts on tracks measuring 1 to 1.37 miles in length (Darlington, Dover Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Phoenix Raceway and WWT Raceway), Elliott has four wins. His first came at Dover in 2018 and was followed by his championship-winning performance at Phoenix in 2020. His two most recent victories on a track of this length came in 2022 at Dover and Nashville. Accompanying the quartet of triumphs are 23 top-five finishes, 30 top 10s and 1,287 laps led. This season in six races on this variation of track, Elliott’s best finish is fifth (at Dover).
DOUBLE DUTY IN DARLINGTON: Before Elliott takes the green flag for the Southern 500 on Sunday, he will strap into the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday afternoon. Elliott will be reunited with his former Xfinity Series crew chief Greg Ives. The duo won the Xfinity Series championship in 2014 during Elliott’s rookie season. The six-time National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver Award winner has made three Darlington Xfinity Series starts, earning a win in 2014. In his most recent start in the No. 17 in May of this year, Elliott claimed a victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
FASTEST FIVE: The No. 9 pit crew continues to hold the fastest average four-tire pit stop time (10.736 seconds) in the Cup Series. The over-the-wall squad laid down the fastest four-tire pit stop (9.076 seconds) of the season at Texas in April, according to data from Racing Insights. The 2021 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew award-winning group is comprised of Chad Avrit (rear-tire changer), Jared Erspamer (tire carrier), John Gianninoto (fueler), Nick O’Dell (front-tire changer) and T.J. Semke (jackman).
AG IN SC: On Sunday, Alan Gustafson is set to call his 26th Darlington race in his 20th season as a Cup Series crew chief. In 25 previous starts with five drivers (Kyle Busch, Casey Mears, Elliott and NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin), Gustafson has accumulated one win (2009 with Martin), six top-five finishes, 11 top 10s and 222 laps led.
GOING GOLD: Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will have a different look this weekend at Darlington. Primary partner NAPA Auto Parts is trading in its iconic blue and yellow for a black and gold livery, highlighting its line of NAPA Gold™ oil filters. Since 1966, NAPA Gold Oil Filters have earned the trust of generations of drivers and car enthusiasts. Each one is built to offer better strength, performance benefits and is specifically designed to remove contaminants to keep engines running at peak performance.
24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 26 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 5th
No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
24 IN ‘24: William Byron has three wins (tied for the second-most) in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season including the DAYTONA 500. Following Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native has eight top-five finishes (tied for the fourth-most) and has 13 top 10s (third). Byron has spent 1,505 laps running in the top five (10th-most) and 3,114 laps running in the top 10 (eighth-most). Byron is fifth in the 2024 Cup Series points standings with 16 playoff points.
SIMILAR IN SIZE: This Sunday’s race at Darlington Raceway will mark Byron’s 49th start on tracks 1 to 1.37 miles in length (Dover Motor Speedway, Darlington, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Phoenix Raceway and WWT Raceway). In 48 starts, the 26-year-old driver has collected two pole awards, two wins, 10 top-five finishes, 20 top 10s and has led 537 laps.
DARLINGTON DEETS: Byron is looking to continue his success at the 1.366-mile track in his 13th Cup Series start. Byron took home the victory last spring at Darlington after starting fourth and leading seven laps, his first at the track. In his last eight Darlington starts, Byron has only finished outside the top 10 twice. In five Next-Gen races at Darlington, he leads the field in laps run in the top five (1,041) and top 10 (1,367) with top-10 showings in each of those events. He is tied for the longest active top-10 streak at Darlington.
THE FUGLE FILES: Crew chief Rudy Fugle will make his eighth Cup Series start at Darlington on Sunday. Fugle and the No. 24 team have collected one win, three top-five finishes, five top 10s and have led 86 laps. Prior to his Cup Series career, Fugle had three starts at Darlington – two in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and one in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
PIT ROAD PROWESS: After 25, races in the 2024 season, the No. 24 pit crew ranks fourth for the fastest average four-tire pit stop (10.962 seconds). The squad consists of Spencer Bishop (jackman), Jeff Cordero (front-tire changer), Orane Ossowski (rear-tire changer), Ryan Patton (tire carrier) and Landon Walker (fueler).
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE OF MIND: Walker hails from North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and has ties to South Carolina as well, having played football at Clemson University. The former offensive tackle earned a scholarship to Clemson in 2007 after being named an All-American at East Wilkes High School. Walker recorded 3,131 snaps with 49 starts at tackle through four seasons at Clemson and was named team captain in 2011. Clemson won the Atlantic Coast Conference championship that year. The football standout was recruited by Hendrick Motorsports in 2012 and earned a position as the fueler for the former No. 5 (now No. 24) team in 2015.
LIBERTY U. IS BACK: Byron will sport Liberty University on board his No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for this weekend’s race at Darlington Raceway. Featuring a white base with navy flames and red accents, the Liberty University No. 24 will surely stand out on track. Liberty University has a long history with Byron, starting in 2014 in the late model ranks. Liberty University has been Training Champions for Christ since its founding in 1971. Located in the mountains of Central Virginia, Liberty is a liberal arts institution with 17 colleges and schools that offer more than 600 degree programs, from the certificate to the doctoral level, on campus and online. Working on an undergraduate degree in strategic communication, Byron is in his junior year at Liberty University through its online program. For a better look at Byron’s Liberty University paint scheme, click here.
48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 31 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Resides: Concord, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 12th
No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
DAYTONA DEBRIEF: Last weekend at Daytona International Speedway, Alex Bowman qualified 21st and fought through an on-track accident, repairs, cautions and chaos to secure a 16th-place finish. It marked the fifth time Bowman led the Hendrick Motorsports stable this season. He ranks 12th in the driver points standings, 175 markers behind the leader, 28 back of 10th place.
ONE TO GO: Only one regular-season race remains until the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Bowman’s eighth Cup Series win came at the Chicago Street Course and has the No. 48 Ally Racing team locked-in to the postseason. It will mark Bowman’s seventh appearance in the playoffs. Following the completion of 25 points-paying races this season, Bowman has six top-five finishes (most in a season since 2021) and 12 top 10s (in a tie for third most, more than all of 2023).
DARLINGTON RACEWAY: NASCAR returns to Darlington Raceway this weekend, also known as the “Lady in Black.” Bowman finished eighth in the May race at the 1.366-mile track. In 13 starts at Darlington, Bowman has one top five, four top 10s and has led 42 circuits.
TEAMMATES IN THE FAN ZONE: Starting at 3:05 p.m. Sunday at Darlington, fans can visit Bowman and his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson in the fan zone at the Ally activation stage. Both drivers will participate in a Q&A surrounding the “Win Your Wheels” sweepstakes fueled by Ally and HENDRICKCARS.COM, which will end on Sept. 20. To celebrate Hendrick Motorsports’ 40th anniversary, the pair teamed up to give away a special edition Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE to one lucky fan. Only 40 will be manufactured and the other 39 will be sold exclusively through select Hendrick Automotive Group Chevrolet dealerships. Enter to win here.
HUMBLE PIG ANIMAL SANCTUARY: Over the last four years, Bowman and Ally have donated over $650,000 to Best Friends shelters and its vast network of partners. This weekend, the pair will donate $4,800 to the Humble Pig Animal Sanctuary. This unique Best Friend’s partner is located on 90 acres in Darlington, South Carolina, and is a non-profit animal rescue. It is home to dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, goats, turtles and pigs. The sanctuary aims to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home animals in dire need. If adoption is unsuccessful for any reason, these animals have a familiar home to return to at the Humble Pig.
ALLY RACING PIT CREW: The Ally Racing pit crew ranks seventh in the fastest average four-tire stop this season (11.067 seconds). The No. 48’s over-the-wall, five-man crew is composed of jackman Allen Holman, tire carrier Brandon Grier, front-tire changer Donnie Tasser, rear-tire changer Andrew Bridgeforth, and gasman Jacob Conley.
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS /
2024
All-Time
Darlington
Races
25
1,370
67
Wins
9*
310*
16*
Poles
6**
252*
8
Top 5
30*
1,262*
56*
Top 10
49*
2,161*
94*
Laps Led
1,310
81,067*
3,751*
Stage Wins
10
108
4
Most* Most (tie)**
DARLINGS OF S.C. ONCE AGAIN: After going winless at Darlington Raceway in 14 straight events, Hendrick Motorsports swept both races in 2023 with William Byron winning in the spring and Kyle Larson claiming the Southern 500. That brought the organization’s win total at the “Lady in Black” up to 16 with 12 of those coming in the Southern 500. Both of those marks lead all Cup Series teams.
SPREADING THE WEALTH: Six Hendrick Motorsports drivers have gone to victory lane in the Southern 500, tied for the most all time. Leading that charge is NASCAR Hall of Famer and current vice chairman Jeff Gordon with six victories. Jimmie Johnson claimed two wins in the event for Hendrick Motorsports with Larson, Mark Martin, Terry Labonte and Tim Richmond each winning once.
EVERYBODY’S INVITED: All four Hendrick Motorsports teams are locked into the playoffs. It’s the sixth time since 2004 that’s happened and third time in the last four years (2012, 2013, 2014, 2021, 2022, 2024).
THE LAST 37: Over the last 37 Cup Series events, Hendrick Motorsports has not gone more than three races without a win, needing a victory on Sunday for that streak to continue. In that span, the team has logged 13 victories (most), 43 top-five finishes and 74 top 10s. At least one Hendrick Motorsports driver has finished inside the top 10 in 35 of the 37 races.
QUOTABLE /
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on drafting-style tracks: “I love racing at Darlington and it was cool to get that first (Cup) win there last year in the Southern 500. We’re 17 points down but we’re going to race hard for stage points and hopefully be able to battle for the regular season championship at the end of the race.”
Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on Daytona: “Darlington and the Southern 500 is such a great race. This week I had fun just studying the history of the race way back to the beginning in 1950. It’s a tough track with a lot of tire fall off and it takes the entire team to have a good Southern 500. From the driver having to battle the track more so than the competition, although the competition will be tough, as well. You have to be disciplined on the track while running up against the wall. Strategy will be involved, pit stops will be important and you have to have a fast car.” Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on Darlington Raceway, points battle: “I love racing at Darlington and it was cool to get that first (Cup) win there last year in the Southern 500. We’re 17 points down but we’re going to race hard for stage points and hopefully be able to battle for the regular season championship at the end of the race.”
Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the Southern 500: “Darlington and the Southern 500 is such a great race. This week I had fun just studying the history of the race way back to the beginning in 1950. It’s a tough track with a lot of tire fall off and it takes the entire team to have a good Southern 500. From the driver having to battle the track more so than the competition, although the competition will be tough, as well. You have to be disciplined on the track while running up against the wall. Strategy will be involved, pit stops will be important and you have to have a fast car.”
Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the final race of the regular season: “I’m just excited about Darlington. Honestly, with everything that happened in Daytona, we’re not in a great spot on the regular season thing. We’re going to have to have a really, really good weekend to get back in the hunt to at least win it. But certainly, some good points on the line for us if we can have a good day. So, thinking about that some. But truthfully, I just really admire the Southern 500 and have always really loved that race. I think it’s one of the coolest races on our schedule. And from a driver’s standpoint, Darlington is just such a hard racetrack to drive. The gratification that I think you would get from winning at a place like that, I would have to imagine would be really cool. So more than anything, outside of the points and all that, I’d really just like to go and try to add my name to that list. And if we’re doing that, then the point situation is certainly going to pretty much fix itself.”
William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at Darlington Raceway: “It’s different that Darlington isn’t in the playoffs but it is a nice opportunity for us to get some more points and improve our position in the standings. We’re generally really good here so I’m excited for what we can do.”
Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 on why he enjoys Darlington Raceway: “Darlington is a tough track but once you have it figured it out it can be a lot of fun. We have a really good notebook for both the spring and summer races there. This one though would mean a bit more seeing as the Southern 500 is a crown jewel race. We’ve already won a couple big ones this year, so why not try add another.”
Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on Darlington Raceway: “Darlington has always been one of the most challenging tracks on the circuit. It’s a very unique, tactical and demanding track for the driver. Being the last race remaining before the playoffs, our team would like to secure some additional playoff points and build strong momentum before Atlanta (Motor Speedway). Looking forward to kicking off the last month of the ‘Win Your Wheels’ sweepstakes at the Ally Activation stage in the fan zone on race day as well.”
Blake Harris, crew chief of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the final points-paying race before the playoffs: “If we could win and have the opportunity to carry some bonus points into the playoffs that would be our number one priority. But really, we just need to put together a full race and bring home a decent finish. We’ve had really good race cars the past month or so and not a ton of great finishes to show for it. Some of it due to circumstances out of our control but hopefully we can put together a good race and carry some good momentum into Atlanta (Motor Speedway).”
Iconic North Carolina Track Welcomes NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Aug. 29, 2024) – For the first time in over a decade NASCAR will return to the south-central North Carolina Piedmont for the highly anticipated return of major league stock car racing to Rockingham Speedway.
Today, Track Enterprises announced it has reached an agreement with Rockingham Speedway ownership to bring the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series back to the renowned one-mile oval April 18-19, 2025.
“The entire Track Enterprises team is eager and proud to be working with Dan Lovenheim and everyone at Rockingham Speedway to bring the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series back to one of the most storied venues in NASCAR’s proud history,” said Bob Sargent, President, Track Enterprises. “We are very fortunate to work with the professional staff at NASCAR and the incredible drivers and teams who will be racing with us. This is shaping up to be a great Easter weekend for the fans and everyone involved.”
The Xfinity Series was a regular player at the historic venue from 1982-2004 and features a cast of winners who went on to be some of the sport’s most respected names including David Pearson, Sam Ard, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Harry Gant, Mark Martin, Terry Labonte and Jamie McMurray.
Martin was an indomitable force at Rockingham in Xfinity Series competition throughout his career having collected 11 wins in 25 starts, including four straight during the 1996 and 1997 seasons. McMurray matched Martin’s four-peat by recording victories in the most recent Xfinity Series races at “The Rock.”
The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series raced at Rockingham twice from 2012-2013 with Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson collecting the victories for late team owner Steve Turner and Turner Motorsports. Matt Crafton, a 25-year CRAFTSMAN Truck Series veteran, is the only current series regular to have competed at the high-banked, D-shaped oval when the division last raced there 11 years ago.
Separate from Larson, current NASCAR Cup Series competitors Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace were all part of the field when the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series last tested its mettle at Rockingham, just over a decade ago.
“Rockingham Speedway has a storied history in NASCAR, so we look forward to the return of the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to the famed racetrack,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President, Chief Venue and Racing Innovation Officer. “The holiday race weekend at The Rock will offer the opportunity to showcase the future stars of the sport at a venue with a rich history.”
Rockingham Speedway, formerly named North Carolina Motor Speedway, was a staple on the Cup Series schedule for nearly 40 years and included a veritable who’s who of NASCAR on its list of previous winners.
“Rockingham Speedway is proud to welcome NASCAR and especially race fans from all over the state back to Richmond County,” said Rockingham Speedway owner Dan Lovenheim. “Our team has put a tremendous amount of work and resources into modernizing the property and providing the area with a destination to be proud of. This moment validates our plans. We’ve refreshed the entire facility and are eager to show race fans what we’ve done. We’re looking forward to partnering with Track Enterprises and NASCAR to host the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series over Easter Weekend. We’re also thankful to Governor Cooper and the North Carolina Legislature for sharing and investing in our vision. We can’t wait to see the green flag wave again on NASCAR racing at The Rock.”
Tickets for NASCAR’s return to Rockingham Speedway will go on sale Friday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Log on to RacetheRock.com for continuing details and updates.
About Rockingham Speedway … Located in Richmond County, N.C., Rockingham Speedway opened as a flat, one-mile oval on Oct. 31, 1965. It was reconfigured to a one-mile (1.017 miles) high-banked, D-shaped oval in 1969. In 2018, a new ownership group took over the facility and renamed it Rockingham Speedway & Entertainment Complex. On Nov. 18, 2021, N.C. Governor Roy Cooper signed the 2021-2022 North Carolina state budget allocating $9 million to support reinvestment in the facility. The state funds, along with ownership investment, allowed for redevelopment of the racetrack including the racing surface and extensive repairs. Today, the facility hosts a wide variety of events including karting, road racing, endurance racing, concerts and more. In 2025, Rockingham Speedway will welcome the return of NASCAR for the first time since 2013.
About Track Enterprises … Track Enterprises has been promoting motorsports events since 1985. Based in Macon, Ill., a dedicated staff, led by longtime promoter Bob Sargent, organize and promote upwards of 80 races a year across the eastern half of the United States. Track Enterprises was responsible for the highly-acclaimed return of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to the Milwaukee Mile in 2023. In 2019, Track Enterprises merged with Charlotte, N.C.-based Spire Holdings and continues to promote high-profile motorsports properties on the national stage.
NASCAR Cup Series Goes International for First Points Race in Modern Era
With Visit to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City;
The Clash Moves to Historic Bowman Gray Stadium
Historic Venue Rockingham Speedway Added to NASCAR Xfinity Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Schedules
Lime Rock Park Joins CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Slate for First Time Ever
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 29, 2024) – NASCAR continues to set historic milestones with its national series schedules, as the 2025 slates were announced today for theNASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, which expands its schedule to 25 races for the first time since 2011. New venues will highlight the various series schedules, including Bowman Gray Stadium, Rockingham Speedway and Lime Rock Park. And, as announced earlier this week, NASCAR will etch another first into the record books in 2025 when the Cup Series goes international for a points race in Mexico City, Mexico.
The 2.674-mile historic road course in Mexico City was home to the Xfinity Series from 2005-2008, but for the first time ever, the track will host an international points event in the Cup Series airing live on Prime Video on Sunday, June 15. The Xfinity Series will make its return to the course as well when cars hit the track first on Saturday, June 14. NASCAR fans can catch the live Xfinity Series action from Mexico City on The CW.
The visit to Mexico will be the second of two new tracks on the Cup Series schedule, as NASCAR’s premier series heads back to Bowman Gray Stadium for the first time in 54 years for The Clash. The traditional season-opening exhibition event which will once again air live on FOX. The racetrack hosted 29 NASCAR Grand National, now NASCAR Cup Series, races from 1958 to 1971. Bowman Gray Stadium has hosted many NASCAR legends including Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, Glen Wood, David Pearson, Ned Jarrett, Richie Evans, Jerry Cook, and others. Petty won his 100th NASCAR Grand National race in the 1969 Myers Brothers 250 at the racetrack.
“It’s no secret we’ve been bullish about growing NASCAR beyond our borders, and the 2025 schedule is an important and thrilling first milestone in that journey,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President, Chief Venue and Racing Innovation Officer. “In addition to racing in Mexico, we’ve been able to bring back more historic and fan-favorite venues for the first time in decades across our national series. Not only will this combination of venues maintain the high levels of excitement and anticipation for NASCAR racing, but it also delivers one of the most diverse and challenging schedules anywhere in motorsports.”
As has been customary, the season will officially commence with the running of the 67th annual DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 16 live on FOX. The next 12 Cup Series races will air on FOX Sports platforms, including Homestead-Miami Speedway moving back to the spring (Sunday, March 23) and culminating with the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday, May 18.
As previously announced, Prime Video will make its NASCAR debut with the Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 25. Then, following Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, June 1, the highly anticipated In-Season Tournament will officially get underway at Michigan International Speedway (Sunday, June 8) with the first of three rounds of seeding events that will set the tournament brackets that includes the race in Mexico City (Sunday, June 15) and concludes at Pocono Raceway (Sunday, June 22).
TNT Sports will then make its return to NASCAR for the first time since 2014 when the action gets underway from Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 28. As previously announced, this race will also be the start of the in-season elimination events which will take place throughout the entirety of the five-race TNT Sports portion of the season, culminating with the $1 million tournament winner being crowned on the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 27. As part of the TNT Sports schedule, the Cup Series will return to the streets of Chicago for the third straight year on Sunday, July 6.
On Sunday, Aug. 3 NASCAR returns to Iowa Speedway where Cup Series coverage shifts to NBC Sports platforms for 14 consecutive races, including the entire Cup Series Playoffs and Championship finale at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 2.
Elsewhere in the Playoffs, World Wide Technology Raceway located outside St. Louis, Mo. will make its debut in the Cup Series postseason as the second race in the Round of 16 on Sunday, Sept. 7, nestled between the Playoffs opener at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 31 and the final race in the Round of 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 13.
New Hampshire Motor Speedway will make its return to the Playoffs for the first time since 2017 when the Cup Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series head to Loudon on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21 for the first race in the Cup Series Round of 12 and last race in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Round of 10
Additional highlights in the 2025 NASCAR national series schedules include:
On Saturday, Aug. 23, the second Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway will shift back to its customary spot, playing the ever-important role as the last chance for drivers to secure their spot in the Playoffs.
Kansas Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, which have hosted Cup Series Playoff races since the inception of the format in 2004, will move to new spots in the Playoffs. Kansas Speedway will move to the second race of the Round 12 on Sunday, Sept. 28 joining New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL (Sunday, Oct. 5). Talladega Superspeedway will move to the second race of the Round of 8 on Sunday, Oct. 19 joining Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Sunday, Oct. 12) and Martinsville Speedway (Sunday, Oct. 26).
The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and Xfinity Series return to historic Rockingham Speedway on Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19, respectively. The Xfinity Series last competed at the venue from 1982 to 2004; the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series makes its return after a two-year stint in 2012 and 2013.
Bristol Motor Speedway will become the opening race in the Xfinity Series Playoffs on Friday, Sept. 12.
The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule will expand from 23 to 25 races, a testament to the demand for its unique style of racing and intense competition.
For the first time ever, NASCAR heads to the iconic 1.5-mile road course at Lime Rock Park when the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series travels for a standalone event at the Connecticut venue on Saturday, June 28.
FOX Sports, Prime Video, TNT Sports and NBC Sports will broadcast the 2025 Cup Series season; The CW will carry the entire Xfinity Series season and FOX Sports will once again be home to the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Networks and start times will be announced at a later date.
Below are the full 2025 NASCAR national series schedules (Playoff races in bold font):
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and Snapchat.
Car racing and motorsport are always viewed as terms representing the acme of precision, speed, and reliability. The truth is—and without diverting this conversation to track-focused tests—those aren’t merely qualities reserved exclusively for the track; they can also enhance your experience when booking a private driver Paris airport transfer. Take a bit of the special quality and high skill captured in car racing into your airport transport experience with this sophisticated yet efficient service from Paris.
Speed and Punctuality
When It comes to car racing, every second matters. To this end, a good start is sometimes decisive for victory or defeat and the same goes in an overtaxed airport landscape. Private driver with a private driver on time is not just good manners, but an important part of the service. Top private driver services ensure your car waits for you as soon as the foot hits the ground. There are no better landing pickups in Charles De Gaulle, Orly or le Bourget. No waits, no time wasted not taking a lengthy transfer from the airplane to your final destination.
It seemed like a race car pit team where all their movements are exact and every second counts for much. Your driver has the focus as any race car driver does, knowing that time is always against them and their job will have only been done well if they get to you wherever your destination may be on both meds.
Comfort and precision – While racing cars are designed for high speeds, they possess an equally important characteristic: they ensure enough precision to allow the drivers to remain focused and at their best even under pressure. When your destination is the Paris airport, a private driver is the best choice because, much like a racing car, it combines luxury with functionality.
The elegant and highly maintained high-end car delivers you to the airport smoothly and comfortably, through the crowded Paris. The image of a car that seems almost sliding through the roads, just like a racing car slides on a perfectly-asphalted track. The comfort here is not a matter of cushioned leather
Seats and climate control –
it is the confidence that your driver and car are finely tuned to offer you the best. This precision and attention to everything is what distinguishes the high-quality private driver service from an average taxi. – safety first. In competitive racing, safety is crucial and depends on the vehicle’s integrity and the team’s level of professionalism. Similarly, hiring a private driver means trusting the service that prioritizes helping you avoid accidents. A professional driver who is naturally skilled is not enough, the drivers of reputable private driver companies are trained to be cautious in the Paris traffic. Moreover, unlike most taxi drivers, drivers from reliable companies check their cars regularly. Just like the racing teams do before each race, these drivers ensure that each ride will be as safe as possible.
Year-Round Availability
The ability to move quickly is what defines the very best teams in racing, and they are always primed for their next shot even if off-season may be upon them. By contrast, the best private car services in Paris are available year-round so you can order them any time of day or night when coming to town. It is a sunny summer afternoon or a cold winter evening, no matter the time of day you can trust to move easily through Paris and other major cities like Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, etc.
That means your MSP model is up and running; just like a race team ready to handle whatever comes its way, so too should be the availability of our private driver service whenever you need it.
No Experience like a Custom experience
Racing is a highly personalized sport where each car is designed to the drivers own personal specifications. This should be the same for your private transport experience as well. The top private driver services provide a customized experience that allows you to make your trip unique for yourself. Perhaps you want a particular type of vehicle or extra options, the private driver service can bring your requests to life.
This is just like a race car being tweaked to better match the style of driving done by its racer, making enough modifications such that you can have your trip in as easy and relaxed a manner as possible. I mean your travel experience just goes from good to amazing when you are that catered too.
Conclusion
Hiring a private driver to chauffeur you through Paris is like the Formula 1 of airport transfers. It is efficient, with no time wasted on pick up nor drop off. The next time around you are stuck for a ride in the city of lights, envision your private driver as what NASCAR drivers would consider their personal pit crew—pouring all they have into guaranteeing that joyride is smooth and faultless. Motorsport enthusiast or not, appreciate performance and luxury simultaneously by booking a chauffeur service for your next airport transfer transformed into an experience deserving of the racetrack.
Grandstand tickets and luxury hospitality options go on sale TODAY for race fans to purchase here, including first-of-its-kind product offerings that allow fans to have three different experiences throughout race weekend
The 2025 race weekend will again feature a Sprint race and will take place across the weekend of May 2-4 at the Miami International Autodrome in the heart of Miami Gardens
New Grandstand Membership program unveiled to provide exclusive perks for fans who attend year after year
In recognition of Lando Norris’s first win at Miami, a new McLaren-themed grandstand will offer exclusive amenities and prime viewing areas
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – South Florida Motorsports (SFM), promoter of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX, is thrilled to announce that grandstand tickets and luxury hospitality spaces for the 2025 race go on sale today. Mark your calendars for an extraordinary weekend from May 2-4, 2025, as the world’s premier motor racing series returns to the Miami International Autodrome – the very place which kick-started the most exciting summer of competitive on-track action in recent memory.
Building on a successful weekend in 2024 – including Lando Norris’s first victory, a sellout crowd and the most-watched Formula 1 race in US history – SFM is pleased to welcome fans for three days of great racing and experiences in 2025. Not only will the Sprint race format return to Miami Gardens, but fans will also have the opportunity to once again take in the excitement from popular spaces on the most unique campus on the Formula 1 circuit, such as the Hard Rock Beach Club, the dry-docked Marina and Boathouse, and the Hard Rock Stadium upper decks, providing grandstand and general admission fans the opportunity to watch all the happenings of the paddock.
Additionally, South Florida Motorsports is excited to introduce two new premium seating experiences: the LuxePass and the Club Pass, available here. The FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX has earned a reputation for its diverse array of world-class hospitality offerings, and these new products allow attendees to take in unique panoramic views and luxury experiences throughout the MIA Campus on each day of race weekend. The LuxePass features access to The Paddock Rooftop Club, The Casa Tua Trackside Club and the 72 Club, while the Club Pass includes access to the Vista, Turn 18 Club and Boathouse. Both products, which include complimentary food and beverage offerings, are limited and expected to sell out quickly.
South Florida Motorsports is also excited to unveil a brand-new option for fans at the 2025 race with a McLaren-themed grandstand. Perfect for McLaren enthusiasts and Lando Norris super fans, this grandstand offers a unique experience celebrating Norris’ maiden F1 victory at the Miami International Autodrome earlier this year. Located in a prime viewing area in the Marina Grandstand, the McLaren Grandstand provides fans with exclusive McLaren-themed amenities and the opportunity to connect with fellow McLaren supporters.
Additionally, the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX will now offer exclusive perks for three-day grandstand buyers with the new Grandstand Membership. From now until the end of 2024, fans who purchase three-day grandstand tickets are automatically enrolled. Benefits include discounted renewal pricing, payment plans, year-round activations and exclusive access to race weekend events. The initiative is designed to enhance the fan experience and offer benefits throughout the year.
“After an outstanding race in 2024, we are very excited to announce some new ticketing options for 2025,” said Tyler Epp, President of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX. “As we enter our fourth year hosting one of the most exciting events on the Formula 1 calendar, we’re aiming to create an experience that attendees will remember for a lifetime and provide a fan-first event that offers something for everyone. By creating the Grandstand Membership program, we want to enhance the fan experience and offer additional benefits to those who love coming to our race. And with the addition of the LuxePass, the Club Pass and the McLaren Grandstand, we want to provide fans a unique experience they can’t find anywhere else for each of the three days of competition on the track. As we aim to keep improving, we are excited for what’s ahead for 2025 and can’t wait to welcome fans back to Miami.”
Grandstand tickets are available here for premium vantage points, including the Start/Finish Grandstand Presented by Gainbridge, which overlooks the pre-race grid ceremonies, the ‘lights-out’ start of the race, pit lane and checkered flag. In addition to the Beach and Marina Grandstands, there are options to purchase Turn 1 North Grandstand seating, to experience the action on the first turn, or the Turn 18 Grandstand, in which there is guaranteed to be plenty of overtaking at the end of the long DRS-enabled straight. All grandstands offer shaded sections, reserved seating, and access to the full MIA Campus experience.
Tailored luxury options range from the soulful hospitality experience of the Casa Tua Trackside Club to the 72 Club that offer guests luxurious box-style seating and a climate-controlled lounge. There are multiple suites for exclusive privacy or fans can choose the vibrant energy of the clubs, such as Hard Rock Beach Club, for maximum excitement. Visit the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX website for more information and to purchase tickets for another extraordinary weekend of racing and entertainment on May 2-4, 2025.
The FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX, established in 2022 on the FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar, is the premier culmination of world-class racing, fan experience, entertainment and hospitality. Located in the heart of Miami Gardens, Florida, the event was recognized as Best New Event of 2022 by Sports Business Journal and the event’s promoter South Florida Motorsports (SFM) was recently awarded the prestigious FIA Three-Star Environmental Accreditation rating for its overall sustainability and environmental management efforts. Now entering its fourth year, the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX is hosted by SFM at the Miami International Autodrome, a 19-turn, 3.36-mile track within the complex of Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the legendary Miami Dolphins NFL team.
In its third edition, the race boasted more than 275,000 attendees and a record-breaking average audience of 3.1 million viewers on ABC – a mark previously held by the inaugural FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX – making it the largest live US television audience on record for a Formula 1 race. The event has generated more than $1 billion in economic impact to South Florida over its three years. SFM and Formula 1 have also worked closely to engage with and support the local Miami Gardens community, providing thousands of tickets annually for residents, creating a STEM education program through F1 in Schools, offering event internships for local students and featuring several community-owned restaurants on Campus during race weekend each year.
The history of Formula 1® began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motorsport competition and the world’s most popular annual sporting series. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1 and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™.
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Jesse Love to race the No. 2 Samsara Chevrolet at Atlanta Motor Speedway in September
WELCOME, N.C. (August 29, 2024) –Richard Childress Racing (RCR) today announced a partnership with Samsara Inc. (“Samsara”) (NYSE: IOT), the pioneer of the Connected Operations™ Cloud. RCR has implemented Samsara Video-Based Safety, Vehicle Telematics, and Equipment Monitoring solutions in its fleet to increase the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of its operations.
“RCR is consistently striving to find solutions to improve the safety and efficiency of not only our race cars, but our fleet of trucks that log thousands of miles to and from the track every week,” said Torrey Galida, president of RCR. “This partnership with Samsara allows us to equip our hauler drivers with innovative and sustainable technology that will help our logistic operations. Our use of the Samsara platform is an exciting opportunity, and we look forward to finding much success together both on and off the track.”
Samsara helps tens of thousands of organizations in industries like transportation, construction, and field services, solve their most complex and pressing problems. The company brings data from frontline workers, equipment, vehicles, and worksites into the cloud and leverages AI models to provide real-time insights. Whether it’s keeping the workforce out of harm’s way, managing thousands of vehicles and assets, or making operations changes to increase sustainability, Samsara is essential to strengthening operations.
“The time and hard work RCR’s hauler drivers and logistics team put in is critical to the team’s performance on track. At Samsara, we’re dedicated to helping make their jobs safer and easier with technology,” said Amy Day-O’Connor, senior director of brand and creative at Samsara. “We’re excited to play a role in improving RCR’s operations and to cheer on Jesse Love as he competes for the championship.”
The No. 2 Samsara Chevrolet, driven by Jesse Love, will make its inaugural appearance in the NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 7. Making his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at the start of the 2024 season, Love has impressed throughout his rookie campaign. The 19-year-old captured his first series victory in only the ninth race of the season and currently holds a sizeable lead in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year point standings. Love, a native of Menlo Park, California, is the youngest NASCAR champion in history and the reigning 2023 ARCA Menards Series champion.
Watch Love and the No. 2 Samsara Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 7. Live television coverage will air on USA Network at 3 p.m. ET, with the Performance Racing Network carrying the live radio broadcast.
For more information on Samsara, please visit www.samsara.com.
Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing, and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 16 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2024 NASCAR Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch (No. 8 Chevrolet) and 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet). RCR fields a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series program with Jesse Love (No. 2 Chevrolet) and Austin Hill (No. 21 Chevrolet).
Samsara (NYSE: IOT) is the pioneer of the Connected Operations™ Cloud, which is a platform that enables organizations that depend on physical operations to harness Internet of Things (IoT) data to develop actionable insights and improve their operations. With tens of thousands of customers across North America and Europe, Samsara is a proud technology partner to the people who keep our global economy running, including the world’s leading organizations across construction, transportation and warehousing, field services, manufacturing, retail, logistics, and the public sector. The company’s mission is to increase the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the operations that power the global economy.
