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Kris Wright NCTS Phoenix Raceway Preview

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Official Release
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Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 | Phoenix Raceway

Race Information

Venue: Phoenix Raceway
Event: Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 powered by POET
Date: Friday, October 16th
Location: Avondale, AZ
Track Description: 1-mile oval
Distance: 150 laps, 150 miles (4:30 p.m. MST, 7:30 p.m. ET, FS2, SiriusXM)
Wright Heads West with iHeartRadio at Phoenix

On The Road Again… Kris Wright and the No. 81 iHeartRadio team head to “The Valley of the Sun” for Round 22 of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) season. Wright is coming off a 25th-place finish last Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway and looks to improve in the Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 at Phoenix Raceway. iHeartRadio returns to the No. 81 Chevrolet Silverado RST for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) as the primary partner for the first time since Michigan International Speedway in June.

Dogleg Detail… The Pittsburgh, Pa., native will make his fifth career start at Phoenix this weekend across three NASCAR series. Wright started 20th in the 2021 NCTS race and finished 25th in his most recent appearance at the track last year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. MHR has found success in The Grand Canyon State, with teammate Christian Eckes winning in 2023 and former teammate Jake Garcia finishing second. The organization has recorded three podiums and five top-10 finishes at the one-mile oval, but Phoenix is special for MHR among other reasons. In 2018, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing made it’s first NCTS when Derek Kraus brought home the NAPA Auto Parts No. 19 entry in eighth place.

Season to Date… Four races remain in the 2026 NCTS season, as Wright sits 24th in the driver standings with six top-20 finishes to his credit. His season-best result came in June at Naval Base Coronado, where he finished 13th. Wright also recorded a 17th-place finish at Dover Motor Speedway and a 19th-place result at Rockingham Speedway.

Tune In… Coverage from Avondale, Ariz. begins Friday with practice on FOX Sports 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 4:35 p.m. ET. Live coverage of the Zero Carbon Ethanol 150 will air on Fox Sports 2 and FOX Business at 7:30 p.m. ET. Stay connected with the No. 81 iHeartRadio team by following @BMR_NASCAR on X, @bmr_nascar on Instagram and Bill McAnally Racing on Facebook. 

Kris Wright Quote:

“It’s great to have iHeartRadio back on board as we head to Phoenix this weekend. It’s a unique track that can be challenging to figure out, but I’m looking forward to getting back in the No. 81 iHeartRadio Chevrolet Silverado RST and seeing what we can do. Hopefully, we can put together a strong weekend and bring home a solid result for everyone on the team.”

Toni Breidinger NCTS Phoenix Raceway Preview

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Official Release
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Race Information

Venue: Phoenix Raceway

Event: Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150

Date: Friday, October 16th

Location: Avondale, AZ

Track Description: 1 mile dogleg oval

Distance: 150 laps, 150 miles (7:30 p.m. EST, FS2, SiriusXM)

Breidinger Returns to The MHR Camp at Phoenix

On Phoenix Time … Toni Breidinger, driver of the No. 20 Celsius Chevrolet Silverado RST returns to the driver seat of the No. 20 for McAnally Hilgemann Racing (MHR) for the final time this season at Phoenix Raceway. The young driver may only have one previous NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) start at the one mile dogleg oval but she has totaled four previous ARCA Menards National Series starts with a best of ninth coming back in 2024. Breidinger has just three starts on tracks measuring one mile in length but plans on adding to her resume with a solid top-10 run Friday evening for the Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150.

Primary Partner … The San Francisco, Calif. native will return with veteran partner Celsius to ride along side the No. 20 Chevrolet for the 150-lap event at Phoenix.Celsius is a functional fitness and energy drink brand produced by Celsius Holdings, designed to support active lifestyles, boost metabolism, and provide sustained energy. The popular energy drink brand has been a key partner in the young driver’s racing career and they will represent supplier Circle K on the tail for this event as well.

Tune In …Television coverage on the Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 will begin Friday afternoon with practice and qualifying at 12:30 p.m. MT on FS2 and will resume with the wave of the green flag at 4:30 p.m. ET on FS1. Stay connected with the No. 20 MHR team by following @BMR_NASCAR on Twitter, @bmrnascar on Instagram, and Bill McAnally Racing on Facebook.

Toni Breidinger Quote:

“I am super excited to get back in the No. 20 truck with MHR this weekend at Phoenix. Working with Dewey (Townsend, crew chief) and the guys at the shop the past couple of weeks, I feel really confident in the package we are bringing and I am looking forward to a clean run for the team on Friday. Phoenix has been a racetrack on my checklist that I really want to improve at and I know I can learn a lot with this group at MHR. Thankful to have Celsius back on the truck for this run and huge thanks to Bill (McAnally, team owner) for giving me the opportunity to get back behind the wheel.”

Toni Breidinger NCTS 2026 Stats

Starts: 4

Poles: 0

Wins: 0

Top-5’s: 0

Top-10’s: 0

Stage Wins: 0

Average Finish: 23.8

We aim to inspire those who want to live fit by giving them a sustained energy source that’s specially formulated to work with your body to help you reach your goals. We support those who work overtime at everything they do and never take shortcuts. We power through the extra set, we push through the last sprint, and we hustle through the workday. CELSIUS stands out against other brands because it’s made with healthier ingredients such as ginger, guarana, green tea and 7 essential vitamins. Our drinks contain no sugar, no aspartame, no high fructose corn syrup, and no artificial colors or flavors. CELSIUS is certified gluten free, kosher, and non-GMO. We’re made with nothing but the best, so you can do your best and take on any challenge that comes your way!

Tyler Ankrum NCTS Phoenix Raceway Preview

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Official Release
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Race Information

Venue: Phoenix Raceway
Event: Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150
Date: Friday, October 16th
Location: Avondale, AZ
Track Description: 1 mile dogleg oval track
Distance: 150 laps, 150 miles (7:30 p.m. EST, FS2, SiriusXM)

Ankrum Heads to the Desert Dogleg for Chase Race Number Four

Four of Seven … Coming off the heels of a consistent top-10 run at Charlotte Motor Speedway last Friday, Tyler Ankrum heads out West this week to Phoenix Raceway for the fourth race of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) Chase. The young driver and the No. 18 crew were able to put together their best performance of the current chase run and have a solid, clean day at Charlotte. Motivation is high and the team plans to carry that same momentum into the Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 this Friday afternoon at “The Desert Jewel”.

Desert Dogleg … The San Bernardino, Calif. native is no stranger to the desert dogleg as this will mark his ninth NCTS career start at the one mile dogleg oval track. The driver of the No. 18 LIUNA Chevrolet has battled adversity at this particular track and has only been able to secure two top-10 results out of his eighth previous starts. With his best finish of sixth coming back in 2018, Ankrum’s latest run at the Avondale configuration came last Fall (2025) while he was battling in the championship four to snag the NCTS championship title but fell just short, finishing 14th in line. The 25-year-old veteran is confident that he can end up fighting for that same title once again here in just a few short weeks at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The No. 18 team will strive to execute a high points day this weekend and climb the standings.

Spoiler Highlights … Ankrum and the No. 18 team are happy to welcome LIUNA local contractor Hal Hays Construction Inc. (HHCI) to adorn the left-side spoiler of the No. 18 LIUNA Chevrolet in Friday evenings 150-lap event at Phoenix Raceway. HHCI a family-owned, Native American-owned general contracting and heavy civil engineering firm based in Riverside, Calif. Whatever the challenge, HHCI stands ready to deliver the next noteworthy project in support of our distinguished clients.

Tune In …Television coverage on the Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 will begin Friday afternoon with practice and qualifying starting at 12:30 PM ET on FS2, followed by the wave of the green flag at 4:30 PM ET on FS2. Stay connected with the No. 18 LIUNA team by following @BMR_NASCAR on Twitter, @bmrnascar on Instagram, and Bill McAnally Racing on Facebook.

Tyler Ankrum Quote:

“Proud of our guys for a solid run last week but we have a lot more work ahead of us this weekend in Phoenix. This track has always been a struggle for me and I really would like to put this tension the track and I have behind us finally. We need a good points day and we have got to execute the perfect race if we want to move up. We have Jon Preciado from PSWA coming out with a ton of LIUNA members from Local 1184 so super stoked to see those guys and hopefully we can put on a good show for them and take them to Victory lane.”

Tyler Ankrum NCTS 2026 Stats

Starts: 21

Poles: 0

Wins: 0

Top-5’s: 1

Top-10’s: 6

Stage Wins: 0

Average Finish: 16.5

NCTS Points Position: 10th

The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) partners with public and private entities, elected officials, community groups, and responsible contractors to build and maintain the infrastructure needs of communities throughout the United States and Canada, while providing residents a career in the construction industry. For more information on LIUNA, visit www.liuna.org.

TOYOTA RACING Weekly Preview 10.14.26

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: October 12 – 18, 2026

NCS/NOAPS/NCTS/ARCA WEST: Phoenix Raceway – October 16-18

PLANO, Texas (October 14, 2026) – The NASCAR Cup, O’Reilly, and Truck Series along with the ARCA Menards Series West, head out to Phoenix Raceway for the second and final trip this season. The weekend in the desert culminates with a 312-lap race for the Cup Series on Sunday.

NASCAR National Series – NCS/NOAPS/NCTS

Toyota looks to clinch manufacturer title in Phoenix… With the 17th victory of the season, Toyota looks to clinch its fourth Cup Series manufacturers’ championship in Phoenix. Toyota just needs a driver to finish 15th or better to clinch its first manufacturers’ title since 2019. Seventeen wins is also the most in a single season since 2019, where Camry drivers crossed the finish line in first place 19 times.

Briscoe Looks to Continue Momentum in Phoenix… With his win in Charlotte last weekend, Chase Briscoe earned his first back-to-back victories in NASCAR’s top series. The Indiana native will head to Phoenix this weekend to a track that holds a special memory for him as he brought home his first career Cup Series victory back in March of 2022. As the postseason is heating up, Briscoe is the hottest driver in the series over the course of the last three races with consecutive wins at Las Vegas and Charlotte, and a near victory three weekends ago at Kansas where he led 23 laps before settling for a fourth-place finish. During his hot streak, the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver has vaulted up the standings from eighth to his current fourth with four races to go in this year’s Chase.

Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe eye points lead … After Charlotte, three out of the top-four spots in the Chase standings are being held by Toyota Camry XSE drivers from the JGR stable. Denny Hamlin sits in second, 49 points out of the lead, with Christopher Bell third 51 points out, and now Briscoe is just 65 points behind the Chase leader Kyle Larson. In total, five Toyota’s are inside the top-10 in the standings with Tyler Reddick in seventh and Ty Gibbs in ninth, with just four races left in the season.

Bell seeks third Phoenix win … Bell returns to Phoenix Raceway looking for his third Phoenix win after finishing in the runner-up spot there in the spring to add on to terrific performances the last two seasons. In the spring of 2024, the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver led 50 laps on the way to victory and then followed it up by leading 105 of the 312 laps last season in a dominant win in March. The one-mile short oval has been one of Bell’s best tracks during his Cup Series career, with four top-fives and eight top-10s, along with those two victories, in 13 previous starts.

Gray hoping to extend Chase Top-10 streak…Taylor Gray has been the most consistent driver among the Toyota GR Supra teams through the first five races of the O’Reilly Series Chase. Gray now has five consecutive top-10 finishes to start this year’s postseason as he heads to Phoenix, a track where he’s earned two top-10 finishes in just three career starts there. In 2025, Gray brought home two top-10 results as he was sixth in the spring race and followed it up with a seventh-place finishing position in last year’s season finale.

Brandon Jones looks to continue strong Phoenix stats … JGR driver Brandon Jones returns to Phoenix in search of continued strong runs at the short oval in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Jones comes into the weekend with a top-10 finish in three of the last five Phoenix races. He owns a total of nine top-10s and five top fives, along with a win in 2020, in 21 previous starts at Phoenix.

Honeycutt looks to expand on points lead at Phoenix… With just four races remaining in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Chase, Kaden Honeycutt heads to Phoenix on Friday evening with a 17-point lead as he hopes to finish strong with his eye on his first Truck Series Championship. Honeycutt, driver of the No. 11 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage, has a strong track record in limited races on the one-mile oval. In fact, Honeycutt has finished inside the top 10 in all four starts at Phoenix, dating back to his Truck Series debut there in 2022. In his most recent start at Phoenix last November, Honeycutt brought home his best career Phoenix finish of third, as he finished the 2025 season in a Toyota prepared by Halmar-Friesen Racing substituting for co-owner and fellow series regular Stewart Friesen.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series West

Strong entries for Toyota in Phoenix … Team Toyota will field a strong set of entries for this weekend’s ARCA Menards Series West race at Phoenix Raceway, as the manufacturer searches for its seventh win in the last 10 ARCA races at the one-mile oval. Max Reaves is entered in the JGR No. 18 Toyota Camry after capturing five total victories this season, with three wins in the National series and adding two more in the East series. Toyota will have two Development Drivers, Jade Avedisian and Isabella Robusto, among its eight entries on Saturday night, each seeking their first win of the year. Arizona-native and series regular Mia Lovell, Avedisian, Gavan Boschele, Landon Brown, Kasey Kleyn and Wesley Slimp round out the six-car Nitro Motorsports lineup while Robusto will enter the race for RAFA Racing.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs approximately 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 36 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

JR Motorsports — NOAPS Phoenix Raceway Preview

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Official Release
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JR Motorsports O’Reilly Auto Parts Team Preview
TRACK – Phoenix Raceway (1-mile-oval)
NOAPS RACE – Timberland PRO 200 (200 laps / 200 miles)
TUNE IN – CW, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90, ESPN Mobile App at 7:30 p.m. (ET)

Carson Kvapil

No. 1 – Champion Irrigation Chevrolet

Kvapil 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 29

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 11

Top 10s: 17

Laps Led: 468

Avg. Finish: 11.6

Points: 5th

Carson Kvapil will head to “The Valley of the Sun” this weekend for his fourth start at Phoenix Raceway in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Kvapil led 22 laps and brought home a third-place finish at Phoenix in March.

Accompanying Kvapil, crew chief Rodney Childers had made 37 NASCAR Cup Series starts atop the box at Phoenix. In those starts, Childers has five wins, 12 top-fives and 23 top-10s.

Kvapil heads into the sixth race in The Chase fifth in points, 40 markers back from the series lead.

Champion Irrigation will be featured on the No.1 Chevrolet this weekend for their final primary sponsorship of the season.

Carson Kvapil

“Phoenix is unlike any other track we race on and always presents a unique challenge. We had a great run there in the spring, and we’re looking to carry that momentum into this weekend and replicate that success. Rodney (Childers, crew chief) and this entire Champion Irrigation team have been working extremely hard and I am confident we will unload another fast Chevrolet this weekend. We just need to go out and execute the way I know this team can and hopefully put the No. 1 Champion Irrigation Chevrolet in Victory Lane come Saturday evening.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 Registix Chevrolet

Allgaier 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 29

Wins: 6

Top 5s: 16

Top 10s: 20

Laps Led: 722

Avg. Finish: 10.2

Points: 4th

Justin Allgaier heads into the sixth race of The Chase just 15 points out of the lead.

Allgaier is the most recent NOAPS winner at “The Valley of the Sun,” taking the checkered flag in March after leading the final 11 laps.

Overall, Allgaier is a three-time winner at Phoenix, going to Victory Lane in the spring of 2017 and in this event in 2019 to accompany his win earlier this year at the 1-mile oval.

Statistically, Phoenix is one of Allgaier’s strongest tracks on the NOAPS schedule, as the JRM driver’s 22 top-10s ranks first among all tracks he has competed on and his 14 top-fives rank tied for first with Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.

Additionally, Allgaier’s 824 laps led in the desert rank second among all tracks and his three wins rank tied for second with Nashville Superspeedway.

Justin Allgaier

“This entire No. 7 group is ready to get to Phoenix this weekend. This has been a really strong track for us and I know that we will have what it takes to continue to gain ground in the points. Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) has had this place circled on our calendar since The Chase started. We just need to go out and execute like we did here in the spring. If we do that, I feel like we can have a great day on Saturday.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet

Smith 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 29

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 7

Top 10s: 13

Laps Led: 51

Avg. Finish: 12.3

Points: 9th

Sammy Smith returns to Phoenix this Saturday, the track that he captured his first career NOAPS victory at, in the Spring of 2023.

Smith has eight starts on the 1-mile oval in the desert. In those, he has captured one win, one top-five, six top-10’s and has an average finish of 8.8.

According to NASCAR loop details statistics, Smith is ranked fifth for leading the most laps at Phoenix since 2005 at 123 laps.

AG Needs Inc will be on the TV panel of the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet this weekend. The family-owned company was established in 2002 in Utah and specializes in nationwide freight solutions.

Sammy Smith

“Phoenix is one of my favorite tracks. It’s a bit more special to me because it’s where I got my first O’Reilly Auto Parts Series win. We have been up front contending for the win and had solid top-five and top-10 finishes in most of our races at Phoenix so I feel really confident in this No. 8 team. The following week, we run at Talladega, another track we’ve won at before so I think the timing of these two races, towards the end of The Chase is good, it can be the turning point we need to get back up into contention for the championship.”

Jake Finch

No. 9 Chevy Cares Chevrolet

Finch 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 4

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 0

Laps Led: 0

Avg. Finish: 22.5

Points: N/A

Heading west, Jake Finch will once again pilot the No. 9 for JRM this season for his first NOAPS start at Phoenix and his fifth start of the year.

Finch will also be making his fourth ARCA Menards Series West start in the desert following the NOAPS race on Saturday.

In three previous starts in the AMSW at Phoenix, Finch has finished in the top-10 each time with an average finish of 8.3.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Finch will be representing Chevy Cares and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer with a special pink paint scheme.

Jake Finch

“Charlotte didn’t exactly go our way, so I am hoping this No. 9 team can rebound in Phoenix this weekend. This is one of my favorite tracks and I am looking forward to getting back out there. I know Phil (Bell, crew chief) and this whole team will unload another fast car. I am so glad I can represent Chevy Cares and Making Strides against Breast Cancer this weekend and I hope we can battle for a great finish for them at the end.”

Rajah Caruth

No. 88 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet

Caruth 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 29

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 2

Top 10s: 8

Laps Led: 89

Avg. Finish: 18.0

Points: 12th

Rajah Caruth and the No. 88 HendrickCars.com team head to Phoenix this weekend for the sixth race of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Series Chase.

Caruth will make his third career NASCAR O’Reilly Series start at Phoenix this weekend. His best finish at the 1-mile oval came earlier this season, when he finished eighth.

In four career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts at Phoenix, Caruth has earned one top-five and one top-10 finish. His best result came in 2025, when he finished fifth.

The No. 88 HendrickCars.com team returns to Phoenix after William Byron drove the Chevrolet to a 13th-place finish earlier this season.

Rajah Caruth

“Phoenix is a challenging track because both ends are so different, and you really have to be disciplined with how you approach each corner. Having raced there earlier this year definitely helps, and I feel like we have a good understanding of what we need out of our No. 88 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet. Our focus now is on finishing the season on a high note, putting together complete races and getting the results this team deserves. Everyone has continued to work hard, and hopefully we can execute all weekend and come away with a strong finish.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Phoenix Raceway: JR Motorsports has competed at Phoenix Raceway a combined 121 times in the NOAPS since 2006. In those starts at the 1-mile oval, the organization has recorded five wins, 33 top-fives, and 64 top-10s. The average finish is 12.7.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith and Rajah Caruth will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / HMS WB + AB souvenir rig on Friday, October 16th, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. PT.

Bennett Family of Companies to Serve as Multi-Race Primary Partner for Austin Hill and the No. 33 Chevrolet in 2027 NASCAR Cup Series

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Official Release
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Expanded Partnership Represents the Next Step in a Relationship That Has Grown Alongside Hill Throughout His RCR Career

WELCOME, NC (October 14, 2026) – Bennett Family of Companies, a leader in the transportation and logistics industry and a longtime partner of Richard Childress Racing and Austin Hill, will continue its partnership with RCR in 2027 as a multi-race primary partner of Hill and the No. 33 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series as the Georgia native transitions to his first full season of Cup Series competition.

The expanded partnership represents the next step in a relationship that has grown alongside Hill throughout his RCR career. Bennett has supported the devoted family man and father of three since he joined RCR in 2022, partnering with him through his development in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and his transition to NASCAR’s premier division. Bennett has been particularly supportive of Hill throughout a challenging 2026 season in which Hill has taken on a tough role for RCR during one of the most trying times in the race team’s history following the tragic passing of Kyle Busch in May.

Together, Bennett and Hill have celebrated some of the most significant accomplishments of Hill’s RCR career. Behind the wheel of the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet, Hill has qualified for the NASCAR post season in each of his five full seasons with RCR, won the 2023 regular-season championship, advanced to the 2024 Championship 4 and earned 16 series victories. His 11 victories on drafting-style tracks during his RCR tenure surpassed the previous record of eight held by NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt and Tony Stewart.

Bennett has also been part of several significant milestones in Hill’s career, including his Cup Series debut with RCR at Michigan International Speedway in 2022, when Bennett served as the primary partner on the No. 33 Chevrolet. Now, Bennett will take its partnership with Hill to the Cup Series full-time with a multi-race partnership beginning in 2027.

“Bennett is proud to continue our relationship with Richard Childress Racing and Austin Hill as he takes this next step into the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Lynette Mathis, Vice President of the Bennett Family of Companies. “When we started this journey with Austin in 2022, we didn’t just sign an RCR sponsorship — we built a lot of meaningful friendships. We’ve watched Austin grow as a driver and as a person, and we’ve been blessed to be part of that story. We’ve celebrated a lot of wins together, but what makes this partnership special is everything that happens beyond the racetrack. Our employees, drivers, agents, and customers have embraced Austin and the RCR team, and we’ve built some really strong programs around this partnership. We’re excited to take that same energy to the Cup Series and continue building something special together.”

Headquartered in McDonough, Georgia, Bennett Family of Companies provides innovative logistics and transportation services for companies across America. Bennett offers a suite of trucking and specialized logistic services, from flatbed and step deck trucking and manufactured housing transport to RV delivery, customs brokerage and warehousing. Bennett’s network provides the safest and best possible service to all their business partners. As a family-owned company, Bennett shares many of the same values that have helped define Richard Childress Racing for more than five decades. Both organizations have built their businesses through strong relationships, hard work, a commitment to their people and a desire to continually improve.

Since partnering with RCR, Bennett has utilized its racing program as an extension of its broader business strategy, creating opportunities to engage customers, employees, drivers and agents at the racetrack while supporting recruitment, retention, brand awareness and business development initiatives. Bennett and RCR have collaborated on a variety of marketing and content initiatives designed to bring fans and Bennett’s business community closer to the sport.

“Bennett Transportation & Logistics has been a great partner of Richard Childress Racing and Austin Hill from the beginning,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “They believed in Austin when he first came to RCR, and they have continued to support him every step of the way. That says a lot about their family and the way they do business. They understand what it means to be part of a team, and they have done an outstanding job taking their partnership beyond the racetrack and making it meaningful for their employees, customers and partners. We’re proud to have Bennett with us as Austin moves into the Cup Series.”

For Hill, the partnership represents a continuation of a relationship that has been an important part of his career since joining RCR.

“Bennett has been there for me since my first year at RCR, and I’m really proud that they’re going to be with us as we take this next step into the Cup Series,” said Hill. “We’ve had a lot of success together in the No. 21, and we’ve built a great relationship away from the racetrack, too. I’ve gotten to see firsthand how much Bennett cares about their people, their customers and their business. I’m thankful to everyone at Bennett for believing in me and continuing to be part of this journey. I’m looking forward to putting the Bennett colors on the No. 33 and giving them plenty more to celebrate.”

The 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season will mark Hill’s first full season competing in NASCAR’s premier division with Richard Childress Racing. Hill’s move to the Cup Series continues RCR’s long-standing tradition of developing drivers and preparing them for the sport’s highest level.

For more information, please visit rcrracing.com.

McDonough-Ga. based Bennett Family of Companies is a woman-owned, Women’s Enterprise Business Council (WBENC) certified, diversified transportation and logistics company. Through its 14 affiliated operating companies, the Bennett Family of Companies delivers integrated transportation and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Bennett has 4,625 drivers/owner-operators, over 1,000 employees and 600 agents located across the United States. For more information, visit www.bennettig.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 17 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 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018).

Front Row Motorsports: Phoenix Raceway NCTS Race Advance (Layne Riggs / Chandler Smith)

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Official Release
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Front Row Motorsports
Layne Riggs | Chandler Smith
Phoenix Raceway NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race Advance

Event Details:

Series: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS)
Track: Phoenix Raceway
Track Size / Surface: 1.0-mile / Asphalt
Track Location: Avondale, Arizona
Race Date: October 16, 2026
Race Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Race Information: 150 Laps (Stages – 45 / 90 / 150 ) – 150 Miles
Television: FS2
Radio: SiriusXM

Event Notes:

  • 22nd event of the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season.
  • First and only NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Phoenix Raceway this season.
  • Fourth of seven races in The Chase, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series postseason that features the top ten drivers in the regular season standings competing for the 2026 championship.

No. 34 Team Details

Driver: Layne Riggs

Crew Chief: Dylan Cappello

Primary Sponsor: Love’s Travel Stops

Standings: 2nd

Recent Season Results:

Charlotte Motor Speedway (October 9) – 1st
Kansas Speedway (September 26) – 19th
Bristol Motor Speedway (September 17) – 32nd

Driver and Team Event Notes

With his win at Charlotte Motor Speedway last Friday, Riggs has now swept the 2026 season races at the Concord, North Carolina, speedway, and heads to Phoenix Raceway just 17 points behind standings leader, Kaden Honeycutt.

In three previous NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at the one-mile, Avondale, Arizona, track, Riggs has one top-five finish and two top-10 finishes.

Love’s Travel Stops Event Notes

This will be Love’s Travel Stops ninth primary sponsorship race of the 2026 season.

Love’s Travel Stops race program has been highlighted by some exciting moments with Riggs and the No. 34 Ford F-150 team, most notably Riggs’ performance at Nashville Superspeedway in May, taking pole position on his way to his third win of the 2026 season.

Love’s Travel Stops rolls out a major update to the Love’s App, introducing a unified Love’s Rewards program that now benefits every customer who stops at Love’s. Whether fueling up, grabbing a snack, or stocking up on Love’s-branded products, customers can now save and earn points at every turn simply by scanning the Love’s App in-store or at the pump. The new Love’s Rewards program focuses on delivering meaningful value at every stop and aims to make Love’s the first stop drivers think of on the road. Love’s Rewards App users can also save 10¢ per gallon on gas and up to 25¢ per gallon on auto diesel. Fans can download the app from Google Play and the Apple App Store. To explore all the new benefits of the Love’s Rewards program, visit www.loves.com/loves-rewards.

No. 38 Team Details

Driver: Chandler Smith

Crew Chief: Jon Leonard

Primary Sponsor: QuickTie

Standings: 3rd

Recent Season Results:

Charlotte Motor Speedway (October 9) – 5th
Kansas Speedway (September 26) – 6th
Bristol Motor Speedway (September 17) – 24th

Driver and Team Event Notes

Scoring back-to-back top-10 finishes, at Kansas Speedway (sixth) and Charlotte Motor Speedway (fifth), Chandler Smith continues to chip away at the standings in hunt of the 2026 championship. Smith is third in the standings, 77 points behind Kaden Honeycutt.

Smith has an impressive NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series record at Phoenix Raceway, earning one win, four top-five finishes, and five top-10 finishes in five starts.

Smith also has proven himself at the track in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, with one win, three top-five finishes, and four top-10 finishes in five starts

QuickTie Event Notes

This will be QuickTie’s ninth primary sponsorship race of the 2026 season.

QuickTie’s 2026 partnership with Front Row Motorsports has been highlighted by one win, at North Wilkesboro Speedway, two top-five finishes, and four top-10 finishes.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization competing in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, FRM has earned top honors including a 2021 Daytona 500 victory and the 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series championship. Based in Mooresville, N.C., FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and No. 38 entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with the No. 34 and No. 38 teams in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. For more information, visit FrontRowMotorsports.com and follow Front Row Motorsports on social media — X: @Team_FRM, Instagram: @teamfrm, Tik Tok: @Team_FRM, YouTube: @FrontRowNASCAR, and Facebook: facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

2026 Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Preview: Phoenix Raceway

By
Official Release
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NCTS RACE PREVIEW: PHOENIX RACEWAY
Event: Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 (150 laps / 150 miles)
Round: 22 of 25 (The Chase)
Track: Phoenix Raceway
Location: Avondale, AZ
Date & Time: Friday, October 16 | 7:30 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX Sports 2 | NASCAR Racing Network (NRN) | SiriusXM Ch. 90

Team Stats & Notes

  • Niece Motorsports Phoenix Stats:

NCTS Starts: 27; Top-10s: 5; Best Finish: 7th (Kaden Honeycutt, 2024).

  • Double Header Race Weekend: In addition to competing in the NCTS race at Phoenix Raceway, Niece Motorsports will enter the CARS Tour season finale at South Boston Speedway on Saturday night. Connor Hall will be behind the wheel of the No. 4 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet for the 125-lap race, which will air live on FloRacing.

No. 4 Nightclubs Suck Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Donovan Strauss | Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett

Read Donovan’s Bio

  • Strauss Returns: CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series regular Donovan Strauss returns to the seat of the No. 4 Nightclubs Suck Chevrolet Silverado RST at Phoenix Raceway for his second-career NCTS start. Strauss made his debut with Niece Motorsports at North Wilkesboro Speedway earlier this year, and most recently competed in the prestigious ValleyStar Credit Union 300 race at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Strauss’ Phoenix Stats:

Donovan Strauss will make his first-career start in any series at Phoenix on Friday.

  • Shiplett’s Phoenix Stats:

NCS Starts: 11; Poles: 1 (A.J. Allmendinger, 2010); Top-Fives: ; Top-10s: 2; Best Finish: 9th (twice – 2011 & 2020).

NOAPS Starts: 13; Poles: 1 (John Hunter Nemecheck, 2018); Top-Fives: 3; Top-10s: 6; Best Finish: 2nd (2019).

NCTS Starts: 2; Top-10s: 1; Best Finish: 9th (2025).

  • On the Truck: Strauss’ No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with primary support from Nightclubs Suck, a performance apparel brand which also offers athletic training programs. The truck will sport a new, eye-popping camouflaged paint scheme with bright orange accents to promote the company’s new line of performance hats.
  • Recapping Charlotte: Matt Mills and the Utilitra team battled through a considerable amount of adversity in Charlotte. Rolling off from 19th, Mills ran conservatively early on in his first start since last year’s season finale. As the night progressed, Mills began his advance through the field. Unfortunately, his No. 4 Silverado was damaged after a multi-truck crash on lap 119. Shortly after, Mills was forced to pit under green as he had a left-front tire go down due to the damage. In his series return, Mills came home in 23rd-place.
  • Quoting Strauss: Though most wouldn’t consider North Wilkesboro to be similar to Phoenix, what did you learn in your series debut that you can apply this weekend?

“For me, the biggest thing I learned in North Wilkesboro was how the trucks drive compared to the late models that I’m used to racing. I think having the seat time heading into Phoenix is going to be very helpful in making me feel comfortable in the truck, especially considering that we will be going faster here. With it being a one-day show, I just have to adapt really fast, but having made laps in the truck before, I feel like I will be able to do that a lot quicker. I’m super excited to make my second-career start with everyone at Niece Motorsports and Nightclubs Suck behind me.”

About Nightclubs Suck: Nightclubs Suck (NC❌) is a performance apparel brand built for endurance athletes who live differently. Founded in 2025 by two triathletes, Ty and Clayton, NC❌ was born out of a simple but powerful idea: that serious athletes shouldn’t have to choose between technical performance and great design. From faster splits to longer distances, we make gear that matches the 24/7 commitment of the endurance lifestyle. For those who earn their Saturday morning PRs on Friday night, this is for you. For those who endure.

No. 42 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Tyler Reif | Crew Chief: Landon Polinski

Read Reif’s Bio

  • Reif Returns: Henderson, NV’s Tyler Reif will make his eighth NCTS start of the year in the No. 42 Silverado this weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Reif made his series debut at this track one year ago, and made a great impression by earning a top-10 result. This year, his best result so far is a 12th-place finish which came in his most recent start at North Wilkesboro Speedway back in July.
  • Reif’s Phoenix Stats:

NCTS Starts: 1; Top-10s: 1; Best Finish: 9th (2025).

ARCA West Starts: 6; Wins: 1 (2023); Top-Fives: 2; Top-10s: 3.

  • Polinski’s Phoenix Stats:

NCTS Starts: 1; Best Finish: 11th (2025).

  • On the Truck: Reif’s No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from DQS Solutions & Staffing.
  • Recapping Charlotte: Conner Jones and the Comprehensive Logistics team had their night end early due to a mechanical failure in Charlotte. Jones earned his best qualifying result of the year in 11th, and was optimistic for a solid evening. Once the race began, Jones did not maintain his pace and fell behind. The No. 42 team made several adjustments throughout the race, but a rear gear issue ultimately brought their efforts to a halt with 20 laps to go. Jones was credited with a 34th-place result.
  • Owner Points Outlook: Jones’ 34th-place finish at Charlotte kept the No. 42 team sitting 24th in the owner point standings. The team is currently 34 points behind Kaulig Racing’s No. 10 team in 23rd, and 11 points ahead of Kaulig’s No. 25 team in 25th.
  • Quoting Reif: You’ve won an ARCA race here before and ran top-10 in your Truck debut last year. What makes Phoenix such a good race track for you?

“I think some of our success at Phoenix relates to the fact that it’s similar to a short track, but there’s also aero racing involved as a factor. You have to make sure that you’re in the cleanest line and know where the right side of your truck is, especially considering how everything fans out on the restarts. Phoenix is a very momentum-based track, so it’s all about keeping your RPMs up and getting a good drive off the corners. You have to find the clean air and race aggressively to get to that point. It’s a great track to race on and I can’t wait to get back there with our DQS Silverado on Friday night.”

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

No. 44 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Andrés Perez de Lara | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers

Read Andrés’ Bio

  • Pérez de Lara’s Phoenix Stats:

NCTS Starts: 2; Best Finish: 30th (2025).

ARCA West Starts: 3; Top-Fives: 2; Top-10s: 3; Best Finish: 3rd (2022).

  • Rogers’ Phoenix Stats:

NCS Starts: 9; Best Finish: 25th (2018).

NOAPS Starts: 9; Top-Fives: 1; Top-10s: 4; Best Finish: 4th (2008).

NCTS Starts: 10; Top-Fives: 2; Top-10s: 2; Best Finish: 2nd (2005).

  • On the Truck: Pérez de Lara’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Freeway Insurance, the Official Insurance Partner of NASCAR. The company will make its debut as a partner of Niece Motorsports at Phoenix Raceway, and will also serve as the entitlement sponsor for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race.
  • Recapping Charlotte: Andrés Pérez de Lara and the Telcel team had fortune on their side as they were able to capitalize on a well-deserved top-10 finish in Charlotte. Pérez de Lara laid down a quick lap in qualifying and started in ninth-place. In the first two stages, the No. 44 team made swings at the balance of the truck on pit road. He crossed the line in eighth-place for his third top-10 result of the year.
  • Driver Points Outlook: Pérez de Lara’s eighth-place finish closed the gap to his nearest competitor in the point standings. Heading into Phoenix, the driver is only 10 points behind Brenden “Butterbean” Queen in 15th-place overall, and 71 points ahead of Corey Heim in 17th.
  • Quoting Pérez de Lara: Do you anticipate any change in the track conditions compared to last year considering this race will be a few weeks earlier on the schedule?

“The weather might be a little different this time, and I would say that Phoenix is a track that is very weather-dependent. I think our preparation and what we bring setup-wise is going to be very similar to last year. The mentality is going to be the same heading here, and especially coming off a top-10 in Charlotte, we want to continue to build some momentum to end the year strong. It will be great to have Freeway Insurance on our truck for the first time, and I hope to kick off their big weekend with a good result.”

About Freeway Insurance: Built for drivers who like to do things their way, Freeway Insurance makes it easy to compare options, choose coverage that fits your ride and your budget, and save. With a simple click, call, or come in approach, we help drivers stay in control and keep moving forward. From auto and truck to motorcycle, homeowners, renters, and more, Freeway offers coverage designed for every journey. Compare. Choose. Save Freeway, Your Way.

No. 45 Sparco Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Landen Lewis | Crew Chief: Phil Gould

Read Landen’s Bio

  • Lewis’ Phoenix Stats:

Landen Lewis will make his first-career NCTS start at Phoenix on Friday.

ARCA West Starts: 3; Top-Fives: 1; Top-10s: 3; Best Finish: 2nd (2023).

  • Gould’s Phoenix Stats:

NOAPS Starts: 12; Top-10s: 4; Best Finish: 6th (2016).

NCTS Starts: 7; Top-10s: 4; Best Finish: 7th (2024).

  • On the Truck: Lewis’ No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Sparco, the team’s official uniform supplier. Sparco keeps Niece Motorsports’ drivers and pit crew safe with its top-of-the-line fire suits, gloves, protective underwear, shoes, and more.
  • Recapping Charlotte: Landen Lewis and the J.F. Electric team had a great outing in Charlotte. Lewis started off on the right foot after nabbing his best-career qualifying effort in fifth-place. The No. 45 team fell back in the opening two stages as they fought a tight-handling condition, and nearly lost all track position once the caution flew during a green flag pit cycle. Lewis rose to the occasion in the last run of the night and rallied back to finish in seventh-place, marking his fifth top-10 finish of the season.
  • Owner Points Outlook: Lewis’ seventh-place run in Charlotte brought the No. 45 team closer to the rest of the Chase contenders in the owner point standings. Though the team continues to sit 10th overall, the gap to Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet in ninth has been cut down to 11 points. With four races left in the season, the No. 45 team looks to continue its rise through the standings.
  • Quoting Lewis: Does having ARCA experience at Phoenix help you feel more comfortable before your first start here in a truck?

“It definitely makes me feel more comfortable. The biggest thing, I think, is that having that experience will help me get up-to-speed quicker and getting the truck closer to where we need to be. The truck is obviously way different than the ARCA car, and I learned that at Bristol last month. I always look forward to going to Phoenix because it is one of my favorite race tracks. It’s a super racy place, and the restarts are something that I always look forward to. Having Ron Hornaday in my corner is super valuable because he’s a restart king and restarts are key there. I’m looking forward to debuting our new Sparco paint scheme and hope to deliver them a good performance.”

About Sparco: Sparco designs, manufactures, and sells racing safety apparel, karting safety apparel, vehicle racing seats / accessories, and gaming products. Headquartered in Volpiano, Italy, and founded in 1977, Sparco is a well-known provider in the racing industry.

About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is a professional auto racing team that has competed in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2016. The team is owned by Josh Morris of DQS Solutions and Staffing and the Fowler Family of J.F. Electric and Utilitra, and was founded by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. At its 80,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Salisbury, NC, Niece Motorsports is a full-service race vehicle build shop as well as a customizable fabrication shop for any manufacturing needs.

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

William Byron sporting final AXALTA scheme at Phoenix

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

William Byron will adorn the AXALTA brand on the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry for a final time in the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series’ Chase event at Phoenix Raceway.

The news, which was made on Tuesday, October 13, will also feature Byron’s No. 24 AXALTA Chevrolet entry sporting a special red, orange, yellow, and black-flamed paint scheme as part of AXALTA’s final coated scheme appearing for a Cup Series event. The scheme throws back to when the brand first appeared as a primary sponsor on the entry in June 2013 at Pocono Raceway with four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon. 

AXALTA will be rebranded under a new name for the 2027 NASCAR season, with an announcement of the new brand yet to be revealed. The new branding will also feature a new paint scheme ahead of next year.

AXALTA Coating Systems was branded from DuPont’s coatings division after being acquired by the Carlyle Group for the 2013 NASCAR season. Previously, DuPont had sponsored Gordon and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet entry from 1992 to 2012. Beginning in 2009, Gordon sported the ‘Firestorm’-dubbed paint scheme, the one in which Byron will pilot this upcoming weekend at Phoenix, when DuPont would primarily sponsor the entry. The ‘Firestorm’ scheme appeared on the No. 24 entry from 2009 to 2011 before returning in 2013, the latter of which all occurred with Gordon, and for a one-race appearance with Byron as part of NASCAR’s throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway in May 2024.

Following Gordon’s retirement from full-time NASCAR competition in 2015, AXALTA sponsored Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 88 Chevrolet entry for the following two seasons. Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove the entry during the latter two seasons, minus 19 events in 2016 due to concussion-like symptoms as Gordon and Alex Bowman took turns piloting the entry for the remainder of the season. During the 2017 season, AXALTA sponsored Byron in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series division as Byron, who was campaigning in his first full-time season in the series, proceeded to win the championship. For the 2018 season, AXALTA sponsored two Hendrick Motorsports entries, in which the brand reunited with the No. 24 entry for Byron’s first full-time Cup campaign while also returning to the No. 88 entry in select events and as part of Bowman’s first full-time Cup campaign.

As a primary sponsor, AXALTA, which featured a variety of paint schemes, was piloted into Victory Lane in the Cup Series division 10 times, nine of which occurred while adorning the No. 24 Chevrolet entry. Notably, victories for AXALTA include the 2014 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Gordon and back-to-back Daytona 500s at Daytona International Speedway with Byron during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. 

Photo by Adam Lovelace for SpeedwayMedia.com.
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Byron, who is currently competing in his eighth consecutive season as a full-time Cup Series competitor for Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 24 entry, is currently ranked in 13th place in the 2026 Chase standings. Having achieved five top-five results and 15 top-10 results through 31 of 36 scheduled events, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native remains in pursuit of his first victory of this season with only five scheduled events remaining.

The AXALTA ‘Firestorm’ paint scheme on William Byron’s No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry competes for a final time this upcoming Sunday, October 18, at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona, for the Freeway Insurance 500. The event’s broadcast time is slated to commence at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, MRN Radio, SiriusXM, and HBO MAX.

Essential Precautions for Managing Roadway Hazards and Incidents

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

Seventy on the 405. Semi on your right. A guy in a silver Civic suddenly remembers his exit, three lanes over. Normal Tuesday. Nobody can control traffic like that. Being ready when it goes sideways, though? That part’s on you. And it mostly gets sorted out before you even back out of the driveway.

How to Drive Defensively on California Freeways

Big crashes usually start small. Someone checks a text. Someone tailgates because they’re late. Someone merges and hopes the gap is there.

A Few Rules Worth Following at 70 mph

  • Stay roughly three seconds back from whoever’s ahead. Any road sign works for this. Their bumper passes it, you start counting. Get there before “three” and you’re too close. On wet pavement, make it six.
  • Keep the phone in the mount. California Vehicle Code 23123.5 says you can’t hold it at all behind the wheel. One tap or one swipe, and that’s your limit.
  • Stop staring at the bumper right in front of you. Eyes two cars up, on their brake lights. That’s an extra second, give or take, and at 65 a second is almost 100 feet of asphalt.
  • See somebody on the shoulder with hazards blinking, or cones out? Move over. AB 390 kicked in this January, so it now applies to regular cars stuck there too, not just cops and tow trucks. No room to switch lanes? Ease off the gas.

Fog and dust are a separate problem. November 1991, near Coalinga, a dust storm rolled across Interstate 5 and more than 160 cars ended up piled into each other. Seventeen people died. Visibility went to almost nothing in a few minutes. The people who slowed down early mostly walked away.

Still, even the calmest driver on the 5 can get rear-ended, and questions come fast. Who pays for the car? What is the other guy’s insurer allowed to ask you? How long do you even have to file? Firms like Landver Law see these freeway cases every week, and talking to a California automobile accident lawyer early tends to save people from mistakes they can’t undo later. More on that below.

What to Do When a Crash or Breakdown Happens in Traffic

Well, here is the thing. Most people’s first instinct after a bump is to jump out and look at the damage. On a freeway, that’s the worst place to be standing.

The First Minutes After a Collision

  1. Hazards on. Before anything else.
  2. Check on everyone in your car. If someone’s hurt, call 911 and leave them where they are unless there’s smoke or fire.
  3. Car still drives, and nobody’s injured? Get it to the shoulder or off at the next exit. A small scrape sitting in the fast lane is how a second crash happens.
  4. Stuck on a skinny shoulder while trucks blow past at 70? Staying put with your belt on is often the safer bet. Guardrail there, and space to walk? Then stand behind it.
  5. Trade names, license numbers, insurance info, and plate numbers. California requires drivers in a crash to stop, so don’t leave.
  6. Take pictures. Both cars, the plates, lane markings, skid marks, signs. Three weeks later, your memory will be fuzzy. The photos won’t.
  7. Don’t argue about who’s at fault. Just get the facts.

People forget this one a lot. If anyone got hurt or killed, or the damage tops $1,000, you have 10 days to send the DMV an SR-1 form. It doesn’t matter whether the police already wrote a report.

When the Car Itself Fails

Blowouts sound like a gunshot and feel even worse. The fix, though, is pretty dull. Hands tight on the wheel, foot off the gas, and leave the brake alone for now. The car slows on its own as you drift right onto the shoulder.

Engine quits? Signal right and coast over while there’s still some speed left in it. Brakes going soft halfway down the Grapevine? Drop to a lower gear. Those runaway truck ramps aren’t decoration.

Actually, about forty bucks can cut the stress in half. Two reflective triangles, a flashlight, some water, a power bank that’s actually charged. Toss it all in the trunk. You’ll forget it’s there, which is fine.

The day after, an adjuster calls. Super friendly. Wants a quick recorded statement “just to get things moving.” So what do you think, should you just wing that call?

Why Specialized Legal Sources Beat Random Forums

Reddit threads are great for a lot of things. California injury law isn’t one of them, mostly because half the advice comes from people in other states. Here, a driver who was partly at fault can still recover money, just less, because California uses pure comparative fault. And you usually get two years to file an injury claim. Miss that, and the claim is basically gone.

So read stuff from firms that actually take California cases, not from some guy in Ohio. How do you spot a decent legal page? A couple of tells:

  • California rules, by name. Not “U.S. law,” whatever that’s supposed to mean.
  • A date. When was this thing last touched?
  • It names real statutes instead of vague promises.
  • A plain line saying it’s general info, not advice on your case.

Makes sense, right? An article gets you the rules, more or less. A lawyer looks at your crash, your policy, and your deadlines.

Traffic in California isn’t going to get any nicer. But the kit in your trunk, the gap you leave, and knowing who to call afterward are all on you, and none of it costs much.

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