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NHRA AT INDIANAPOLIS: Team Chevy Race Advance | Notes & Quotes

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Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2024 TOYOTA NHRA U.S. NATIONALS
LUCAS OIL INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK
CLERMONT, INDIANA
TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE | NOTES & STATS
AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

CHEVROLET LOOKS TO RACE TO THE HISTORIC NHRA U.S. NATIONALS WINNER’S CIRCLE WITH JOHN FORCE RACING AT INDIANAPOLIS

  • Team Chevy looks to race to the Winner’s Circle this weekend at the crown jewel event of the year, the 2024 Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
  • Austin Prock, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, enters the Indianapolis race weekend with a stronghold on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship standings, leading Bob Tasca, III by 218 points in second and Matt Hagan by 230 in third.
  • The first to clinch a spot in the Countdown to the Championship in Seattle, Prock has already raced his way to the Winner’s Circle in his debut Funny Car season four times, and a fifth at the season-opening PRO Super Star Shootout event at Bradenton.
  • Racing on behalf of John Force, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, Jack Beckman, a two-time U.S. Nationals winner (2015, 2020).
  • Beckman, who is a decorated 33-time event winner and 2003 Funny Car champion, returns to the seat after a hiatus since 2020 and will accumulate points on behalf of the 16-time champion and is seeking a 17th championship title for Force.
  • While still seeking her first victory since Las Vegas 2 in 2022 and her first U.S. Nationals Wally trophy, Brittany Force, driver of the Chevrolet Accessories Top Fuel dragster, looks to turn around her season at the “Big Go” and shift momentum through the Countdown to the Championship. She currently sits 10th in the points standings heading into the U.S. Nationals.
  • Appropriately, a special Chevrolet Accessories paint scheme will be featured on Brittany’s Top Fuel dragster with John Force Racing, competing in the biggest event of the year.
  • Featured on Force’s Top Fuel dragster for the biggest event of the year, Chevrolet Accessories will adorn her John Force Racing ride for the Indianapolis event.
  • KB Titan Racing holds steady to the first and second positions in the Pro Stock championship standings, with Dallas Glenn leading Greg Anderson by 184 points, while Elite Motorsports’ Erica Enders sits third behind Glenn by 206 points.
  • Additionally in competition this weekend, the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown COPO Camaros as well as the Factory X Team Chevy teams, will compete for the season’s biggest prize, the prestigious U.S. Nationals Wally trophy.

Quotes:

AUSTIN PROCK, DRIVER OF THE CORNWELL TOOLS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

“I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of my Cornwell Tools Chevy Camaro SS. It’s been good to reset after a tough weekend and ready to get back on track! We had a great test session and have been hard at it at JFR to make sure we’re prepared to win! We would love to put Team Chevy in the winner’s circle at our biggest event of the year.”

JACK BECKMAN, DRIVER OF THE PEAK ANTIFREEZE AND COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

“The last year that I raced, (in 2020), the world as falling apart. There were four National events at Indy…but only one U.S. Nationals, and I left with the trophy. Fast Forward four years, and now I am strapped into a Chevy Camaro that I think is the baddest racecar in the pits, driving for the coolest car owner, at the biggest race of the year. We have a realistic shot at winning ‘The Big Go’ for PEAK.”

BRITTANY FORCE, DRIVER OF THE CHEVROLET ACCESSORIES TOP FUEL DRAGSTER:

“We are at the final race before this countdown kicks off and the biggest of our season. It is going to be a fight for this Chevrolet Accessories team to stay in the top 10 and give ourselves the best shot at chasing down the title this season. We’ve been very successful over the last few seasons in Indy. We have been to the finals in recent years and hope to continue that tradition in 2024 and take home the Wally.

“The U.S. Nationals race is the event that everybody wants to win. It is our most prestigious race on the circuit and it is the home to our JFR race team. I feel this team has put in such a great effort over the last two years. Winning this week would be redemption.”

How to Watch:

The Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals from Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park airs first with qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. ET with FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Sunday additionally sees the Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car Callout at 5 p.m. on FOX followed by additional qualifying coverage at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1. Race day Monday sees Finals airing at 12 p.m. ET on FS1 followed by coverage shifting to FOX at 2 p.m. ET. Coverage streams live throughout the weekend on NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS:

1,461: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time). (One round win was captured by Jack Beckman in Brainerd, 2024 while racing on behalf of Force who is currently recovering from an on-track incident in Richmond, 2024).

626: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 631.

167: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time).

165: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967.

84: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time). Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) is fifth with 88.

85: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro SS body.

47: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force.

28: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. This is the seventh-consecutive award and ninth in 11 seasons. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.

26: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car.

20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA.

16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force.

7: Number of Funny Car driver championships.

2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships.

About Chevrolet

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

Stewart-Haas Racing: Darlington NXS Advance (Cole Custer | Riley Herbst)

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COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
Darlington NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

  • Event: Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 (Round 23 of 33)
  • Date: Saturday, August 31
  • Location: Darlington (S.C.) Raceway
  • Layout: 1.366-mile oval
  • Time/TV/Radio: 3:30 p.m. EDT on USA/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

  • Cole Custer and the No. 00 Haas Automation team are hoping to rebound after bad luck struck in last Friday’s race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. In the rearview mirror for Custer is a superspeedway where anything can happen as he looks to Saturday’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, a track he’s tamed in the past. Custer started 14th at Daytona after a qualifying session shortened by lightning. He ran in the top-10 in the first stage of the race before finishing it just outside the points-paying position. During the stage break, he made contact on pit road with the his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Riley Herbst’s No. 98 Ford Mustang, forcing Custer to pit multiple times to repair damage and putting him a lap down for the start of the second stage. He was able to get his lap back and was running in the top-20 again when he was caught up in a multicar accident on lap 77. The No. 00 team attempted to repair the significant damage, but ultimately ran out of time on the DVP (Damage Vehicle Policy) clock. Custer was forced to retire his Ford Mustang and settle for 32nd-place. Most importantly, it cost him his regular-season points lead, dropping him to second in the standings, 33 points behind new leader Justin Allgaier. Four regular-season races remain.
  • Saturday’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 at Darlington will mark Custer’s seventh career Xfinity Series start at the track nicknamed “Too Tough to Tame.” Despite never having led a lap there until this May, the native of Ladera Ranch, California, was credited with the Xfinity Series victory in August 2019, when he crossed the finish line .602 of a second behind apparent race-winner Denny Hamlin, who was subsequently disqualified for a ride-height violation in postrace inspection. It was Custer’s eighth of 14 career Xfinity series victories. In the September 2018 race at Darlington, Custer was runner-up to Brad Keselowski by .738 of a second. Custer finished ninth in his Xfinity Series debut at Darlington in September 2017. Custer has not finished worse than ninth there. In his most recent visit to the track in May, Custer looked to be well on his way to another victory after starting from the pole and leading 21 laps. He ultimately was forced to settle for a third-place result after pit road issues.
  • Custer has an additional seven starts outside of the Xfinity Series at Darlington, all in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2020 to 2022. His best outing there was an 11th-place effort in the September 2021 Southern 500. He’s scored two other Darlington top-15s in the Cup Series – a 12th-place finish in September 2020 and a 14th-place finish in his most recent Cup Series start last September.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

  • Riley Herbst heads to Saturday’s Sports Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in hopes of keeping the No. 98 Monster Energy team’s momentum rolling. After starting eighth in last Friday’s Daytona 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Herbst appeared to be on his way to a third career victory in the final laps of the scheduled 100-lap race. sitting fourth in the second row on the final overtime restart. He was making a charge for the lead when the caution flag flew on the final lap, ending the race under caution. He had to settle for a fourth-place finish, but given damage sustained in a pit road incident after Stage 1, Herbst’s rebound for a top-five was significant in the regular-season standings. Earlier in the race, he finished second in Stage 2 to earn nine bonus points.
  • Saturday’s 200-mile race will mark the 10th Xfinity Series start at Darlington for Herbst. While he’s experienced a variety of results at the track affectionately known as the “Lady in Black,” he’s also earned some of his career-best finishes there. In his nine prior starts at the track, Herbst has earned four top-10 finishes with a best of third, earned in the May 2022 race on the 1.366-mile, egg-shaped oval. While his return there in September 2023 was an up-and-down day of emotions as he was racing to make the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, he came emerged with a sixth-place finish after starting 15th. In his most recent start at the track in May, Herbst started ninth and ended up with a solid seventh-place result. He’ll be seeking his first career Darlington win with the Stewart-Haas team that has been victorious twice there in the Xfinity Series – August 2019 with Cole Custer and May 2020 with Chase Briscoe.
  • With just four races to go until the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs kick off Sept. 28 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Herbst is locked into the 12-driver postseason for the fourth time in five fulltime seasons. His win on July 20 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway secured his playoff berth, and Herbst has been on a roll ever since. He has collected a total of two stage wins, 176 stage points, and 10 top-10s in the 22 races run so far this season. Currently, he sits sixth in the regular-season standings, just nine points behind sixth-place AJ Allmendinger. Herbst has earned the fourth-most stages points of all Xfinity Series drivers – only eight fewer than his teammate Custer. He has four regular-season races left to improve his position in the standings and accumulate more playoff points to carry over into the opening Round of 12. He is sixth in the playoff standings with seven playoff points.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Darlington is a difficult track where a lot of drivers struggle to find success. Yet, you’ve earned a win, five top-fives and six top-10s at the 1.366-mile oval in your six career starts. What’s your secret to navigating the track?

“Darlington is called ‘Too Tough to Tame’ for a reason. It’s such a difficult track for a driver. If your car isn’t set up just right, it can make for a bad race, which we definitely don’t need right now. I’ve been lucky to have some good runs there and continue to score top-10s at such a difficult track, but to put it into perspective as to just how hard this track is, I didn’t lead my first laps until this past May. I got the win in 2019, but that was in such unprecedented fashion. I want to win outright by running up front and crossing the finish line first. We’ve been close, but we just need that little bit more. Luckily, J.T. (Jonathan Toney, crew chief) and the guys have been working hard on it since May, and I know they’ll bring me a fast racecar once again. We’ve been good here, but I know we can be the best of the best.”

While the NASCAR Cup Series regular season-finale is this week, the Xfinity Series still has four races to go. You’re second, only 33 points behind new leader Justin Allgaier. What do you need in order to get the points lead back?

“Honestly, we just need to leave the bad luck behind us. Michigan and Daytona were just miserable. In such a good season, we were forced to park our car early in incidents outside of our own doing. Those days are tough as a driver. You replay what you could’ve done differently in your head, but you can’t dwell on it too long. This stretch here is so weird with so many superspeedway races in a month-and-a-half. We’ve got one of my best tracks with Darlington, though, and I’m planning to use that to my advantage. We lost the points lead last weekend, which is hard. We still have a shot to fight for it, though. We just need to get back to where we were. Luckily, we’re locked into the playoffs, but I’m hoping to find our way back to the top of the leaderboard again.”

Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Darlington has been one of those tracks where you run well but often find bad luck. What do you need to do in order to not only stay out of trouble Saturday, but also find your way to victory lane?

“Honestly, this racetrack is all about being patient. You can’t get too heated if you’re working your way through traffic or it’ll come back to bite you – which I’ve learned the hard way. I’ve had some of my best runs at Darlington and some of my worst. I’ve made some mistakes and gotten back in the pack, which ended up not working out in my favor and a lot of times ended my day way too early. Bad luck can hit you hard there, and I can say that I’ve seen both the good side and bad side of this track. If we can just keep focused and stay out of bad luck’s way, I know the No. 98 team can find its way to victory lane at Darlington. When it’s been good, it’s been great. We’ve had the speed all year at intermediate tracks, but it’s just about staying out of trouble. I’m excited to get back to Darlington this weekend.”

With four races to go in the regular season, you are locked into the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs thanks to your July 20 win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Talk about that feeling of being able to prepare for the final regular-season races without having to worry about points racing.

“It’s like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. We don’t have to watch that points race and can just focus on getting better for the playoffs. We can take those risks to get stage wins and race wins to help us collect playoff points. That’s something that we’ve never really been able to do in the past, and it’s such a good feeling. This No. 98 Monster Energy team has brought me fast cars each and every weekend, so I have no doubt that we can do the same at Darlington. We just have to stay out of trouble and be there at the end. I’m excited to finally be in this spot. We’re able to also experiment and see what will work for the playoffs and what won’t. It’s a good spot.”

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse

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Official Release
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Darlington (S.C.) Raceway Competition Notes

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 28, 2024) – Todd Gilliland returns to the Darlington (S.C.) Raceway for the famed Southern 500. Long John Silver’s will partner with Gilliland for the crown-jewel event.

Gilliland heads to the 1.3-mile track facing a must-win situation in order to make the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Gilliland has a career best finish of 11th at the “Track too Tough to Tame” in the Cup Series, and a 4th place finish in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. He finished 15th in the May Cup race at Darlington.

The weekend will kick off on Saturday, August 31 with practice and qualifying at 12:30 pm ET. The Southern 500 is scheduled for Sunday, September 1 at 6:00 pm ET. Fans can watch the action live on the USA Network. Fans can also listen in from the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.

No. 38 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

“This is our last chance to make the playoffs. Daytona feels like a missed opportunity but that’s just how things shook out. I have to put it in the past, keep my eyes forward, and focus on the task at hand. I think we can get it done on Sunday, but we aren’t going to hang our heads if we don’t. There is still a lot of races left to show the world what we got.”

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

“We had a solid run at Darlington in May, but we didn’t execute as a team to put Todd in contention to win. Our progression since then has really taken off and we’re all proud of that. We’re executing and building fast race cars, we just need to qualify up front and stick to our plan.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

CLARIOS AND OPTIMA BATTERIES ANNOUNCE INDY NXT MILWAUKEE SPONSORSHIP WITH RISING STAR YUVEN SUNDARAMOORTHY

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The battery industry powerhouses plan to support Wisconsin driver at ‘hometown” INDY NXT event in Milwaukee

GLENDALE, WI (Aug. 28, 2024) – Clarios, the world’s largest supplier of low-voltage batteries and solutions, as well as the company behind OPTIMA Batteries, has announced an exciting new collaboration with INDY NXT driver Yuven Sundaramoorthy. With the next round of the INDY NXT series near Clarios’ and OPTIMA Batteries’ headquarters, the team looks to debut a new look for hometown hero Sundaramoorthy’s car on the starting grid at the Hy-Vee Milwaukee 100 race on August 31.

Clarios and OPTIMA Batteries are slated to support INDY NXT rising star Yuven Sundaramoorthy.

INDY NXT, formerly known as Indy Lites, is an explosively popular open-wheel racing series that feeds directly into INDYCAR, the premier open-wheel racing series in the United States. Featuring a lineup of 16 or more cars, INDY NXT is part of the Road to Indy developmental program. It is the final step for drivers before joining the elite ranks of INDYCAR, with 14 races on America’s most challenging raceways.

Yuven Sundaramoorthy rose rapidly through the ranks of USF Pro 2000, USF2000, F1600 and karting to become the first Indian-American driver to win an INDYCAR-sanctioned event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2021 and again in 2022 as part of the USF2000 Championship. In 2024, Sundaramoorthy continues his INDY NXT push as a full-time driver for Abel Motorsports, now with support from Clarios and Optima Batteries. Most recently, he claimed his first-ever podium finish in INDY NXT at Worldwide Technology Raceway in St. Louis, Missouri, on August 18.

The Abel Motorsporrts car driven by Sundaramoorthy will feature a new Clarios-Optima livery for the upcoming round of Indy NXT in Milwaukee.

The upcoming Hy-Vee Milwaukee 100 race on August 31 will showcase the debut of the Clarios-Optima Batteries-backed Abel Motorsports car driven by Sundaramoorthy.

“The heart of OPTIMA Batteries is with motorsports and enthusiasts,” said Marketing Director of OPTIMA Batteries Cameron Douglass. “We are constantly looking for new ways to align with drivers and race teams to help take our products to the next level.”

Fans can see the Clarios-Optima INDY NXT race car in person at the Milwaukee 100 in West Allis, Wisconsin, or live exclusively on Peacock starting at 2:50 p.m. CT on Saturday, August 31. In addition to roaring around the racetrack, the CLARIOS-OPTIMA INDY NXT car will also be at a variety of events.

For more information on how to see Sundaramoorthy and the CLARIOS-OPTIMA Batteries INDY NXT car in action, click here.

About Clarios
Clarios is the global leader in advanced, low-voltage battery technologies for mobility. Our batteries and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle and are found in 1 of 3 cars on the road today. With around 18,000 employees in over 100 countries, we bring deep expertise to our Aftermarket and OEM partners, and reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We answer to the planet with a rigorous sustainability focus – advancing best-in-class sustainability practices and advocating for them across our industry. We work to ensure 100% of our products sold are recyclable, and we recycle 8,000 batteries an hour in our network. Clarios is a Brookfield portfolio company.

About OPTIMA® Batteries
OPTIMA high-performance automotive, marine and heavy-duty AGM batteries are manufactured by Clarios, LLC, the world’s largest manufacturer of automotive batteries. OPTIMA REDTOP®, YELLOWTOP® and BLUETOP® batteries feature state-of-the-art SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY®. This patented design allows OPTIMA batteries to deliver superior performance in both starting and deep cycling applications. The OPTIMA product family also includes a line of Digital Chargers, with advanced multi-stage charging to charge and maintain a variety of vehicle batteries, maximizing battery life and performance. The newest additions to the OPTIMA YELLOWTOP line are now offered in DIN group sizes H6 and H7. This offering allows a variety of modern vehicles, ranging from late-model domestic performance to European models, to experience the power and performance of OPTIMA Batteries. To learn more or to purchase OPTIMA products, please visit www.optimabatteries.com, call 1-888-8OPTIMA (1-888-867-8462) or find @OPTIMABatteries on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Toyota Racing Weekly Preview 08.28.24

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: August 26 – September 2, 2024

NCS/NXS: Darlington Raceway – Aug. 31-Sept. 1
ARCA: DuQuoin State Fairgrounds – Sept. 1
NHRA: Indianapolis Raceway Park – Aug. 30-Sept. 2

PLANO, Texas (Aug. 28, 2024) – A busy holiday weekend is ahead for Team Toyota across the nation. NASCAR’s Cup and Xfinity Series return to Darlington Raceway, with this weekend marking the cutoff race for the Cup Series Playoffs. The ARCA Menards Series heads to DuQuoin State Fairgrounds on Sunday with five races remaining in the 2024 season. The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series enters its final race before the Countdown to the Championship at the Toyota U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS

Reddick leads Cup points heading to Playoff cutoff race … Going into the final race of the Cup Series regular season, 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick holds the series points lead by 17 points, looking to secure the regular season title and 15 bonus Playoff points heading to Atlanta next weekend. Reddick is joined inside the provisional playoff field by Christopher Bell (sixth), Denny Hamlin (eighth), Martin Truex Jr. (ninth) and Ty Gibbs (10th). Bubba Wallace comes into the weekend just 21 points below the Playoff cutline. In the current Playoff standings, Bell has the second most Playoff points entering the weekend with 25, thanks to his 10 stage wins and three race wins this season.

Wallace looks for another Darlington top-five … With his Playoff hopes on the line Sunday night, Wallace returns to a track that has been favorable to him of late. The No. 23 Camry XSE driver has four consecutive top-10 finishes at Darlington, including a seventh-place result in the spring. Another such finish, and more, may be enough to get Wallace into the Playoffs once again.

Four races remain in Xfinity Series regular season … Heading to Darlington this weekend, Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing’s (JGR) two full-time Xfinity Series drivers find themselves solid in the point standings. Chandler Smith moved up to third in the regular season points with a runner-up finish at Daytona last weekend, while Sheldon Creed remained seventh in the points after his fourth consecutive top-10 finish.

Bell returns to No. 20 GR Supra … Bell will be doing double duty this weekend at the ‘Track Too Tough to Tame’ as he’s back in the No. 20 GR Supra for JGR. The Oklahoma-native will make his fourth career Xfinity Series start at Darlington, with a career-best finish of fourth in 2019. He also returns to the Xfinity Series off his triumph at New Hampshire back in June.

Creed returns to favorable Darlington … Like Wallace in the Cup Series, Darlington Raceway has been kind of late to Creed in the Xfinity Series. The driver of the No. 18 GR Supra has three top-10 finishes in his last four Darlington starts, which includes a ninth-place result in the spring.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series

Sawalich continues dominance … After another victory in Milwaukee last weekend, William Sawalich is on quite the roll in the ARCA Menards Series. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has scored four consecutive wins and six in his last seven starts. The Minnesotan makes his second career start at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds this weekend, where he was on pole and finished fifth a season ago.

Reimer returns to ARCA … For the second time this season and third time in her career, Taylor Reimer is back in the ARCA Menards Series with Venturini Motorsports this weekend in DuQuoin. In her lone start this season a few weeks ago in Springfield, Reimer finished third behind Sawalich and Isabella Robusto in a Team Toyota top three sweep.

NHRA – Top Fuel | Funny Car

Toyota’s streaks roll on to Indianapolis … Toyota brings its nine NHRA drivers to Indianapolis with multiple impressive streaks on the line once nitro engines fire Friday night. Following Justin Ashley’s win at Brainerd, Toyota-supported Top Fuel Dragsters have won 13 of the last 14 races dating back to last November in Pomona. Additionally, Toyota enters the weekend making 36 consecutive final rounds in either the Top Fuel or Funny Car categories after the all-Toyota final round in Top Fuel with Ashley and Shawn Langdon two weeks ago in Brainerd.

NHRA regular season closes with Toyota at the top … Heading into the final race before the ‘Countdown,’ Toyota’s racers remain towards the top of the points standings. In Top Fuel, Toyota owns the top five positions with Doug Kalitta, seeking a repeat Top Fuel world championship, sitting atop the standings, followed by Shawn Langdon (second), Justin Ashley (third), Steve Torrence (fourth) and Antron Brown (fifth). Billy Torrence currently sits in ninth position, inside the Countdown field going into this weekend. In Funny Car, J.R. Todd (fourth) and Ron Capps (sixth) are inside the top-10.

Brown, Capps seek U.S. Nationals threepeats … Along with positioning themselves for the Countdown, Brown and Capps also return to the Toyota U.S. Nationals each looking for their third consecutive victories at the biggest race on the NHRA schedule. Another victory at Indianapolis Raceway Park would be Brown’s sixth overall U.S. Nationals win, as he currently has three in Top Fuel and two in Pro Stock Motorcycle, while another Wally Trophy for Capps would be his third in Indianapolis.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 12 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 13th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 29 electrified options.

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

Mazda MX-5 Cup Completes Successful Open Test at Martinsville

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Teams prepare for October 26 exhibition race

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Aug. 28, 2024) – The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin welcomed teams and drivers to an open test at Martinsville Speedway on Monday in preparation for the series’ oval track debut on October 26. The highly competitive series, which traditionally stages races on a select schedule of some of North Americas most compelling road and street circuits, will innovate with a first-ever oval event at the revered half-mile Virginia bullring.

More than 20 drivers participated in the test and included a mix of Mazda MX-5 Cup regulars as well as drivers with ARCA, CARS Tour and other oval experience, but zero time in a MX-5 Cup car.

The test consisted of two, two-hour long sessions, the second of which was held in the evening and under the lights. The second session also gave competitors the chance to practice race starts.

The Virginia is for Race Lovers event at Martinsville Speedway partners MX-5 Cup with the Whelen Modifieds Tour on October 26. The race will be a non-points race for MX-5 Cup, and instead offer prize money including $15,000 to the winner. A livestream will be available on the RACER and IMSA YouTube channels.

Quotes from Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup test at Martinsville

Nate Cicero, No. 83 McCumbee McAleer Racing
“I’ve never driven anything on an oval at all, so this is a really cool experience. The cars are actually pretty fun to drive. You just have to treat it like regular corners on any other track. But I think it’ll be pretty difficult to race and pass with how close everyone’s gonna be, but I think it’ll be super cool.”

Jared Thomas, No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering
“I’d say the biggest difference that I found was just the changing groove, or the groove that you’re running and how it affects the race car. It’s something I played around with as we went through the tire life changing. Where you ran on the track really adjusted how the car drove. You know, not saying it’s faster slower, but getting comfortable with it.”

“I would expect it [the race] to be pretty racy. I got out there and passed some cars and ran side by side, and the cars seem to run well. The top groove is definitely there, and the guy who’s on top can make it very, very difficult for the car on the bottom. I think it’ll put on a good show.”

Sally Mott, No. 15 Spark Performance
“I think that Martinsville is really fun. Definitely a different driving style, but it’s more about digging and getting the most out of the car and the track. I thought it was fun. I’m having a good time and I think the racing will be interesting.

“I think right now, it’s getting off the brake and trying to carry as much mid-corner speed as possible. We’re also working on the setup, which we’re finding some nuggets of speed everywhere. So, yeah, it’s just about getting the car to turn as fast as possible without scrubbing off too much speed.”

Brandon Pierce, No. 2 Carroll Speedshop in CARS Tour
“I got introduced to this because of Chad [McCumbee]. I raced with him on the CARS Tour and in the late model stock stuff. Weeks ago, back at the track he asked me if I’d be interested. I told him, ‘are you serious?’ And he’s like, ‘heck yeah.’

“It’s kind of like a full-blown mini stock I guess, would be the closest thing us oval track guys would convert it to, but they’re a ton of fun to drive. For me, in the late model stock stuff, we don’t downshift any during the race, so that’s been the biggest learning curve for me. Towards the end of that first session, I started kind of getting the hang of it, and we’re in the ballpark. The main thing is just having fun and these little cars are a lot of fun to drive. It’s just a joy to be here and do something different from what I’m accustomed to.”

Jonathan Applegate, Senior Manager, Mazda Motorsports
“If the test was this much fun, I can’t wait until we’re racing. We’re so grateful for everyone that made this test possible. It confirms what we thought; that MX-5 Cup drivers would take quickly to Martinsville and be very close in lap times. It was great to see some new faces from other racing series join us for the test and we’re getting ready to announce some special entrants that the fans are going to love.”

About: The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. The series has been operated by Andersen Promotions since 2017 and is currently sanctioned by IMSA. Mazda-powered grassroots champions can earn Mazda scholarships for this pro-level series. The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup awards more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships.

Find out more at http://www.mx-5cup.com.

JR Motorsports — NXS Darlington Preview

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Official Release
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JR Motorsports Team Preview
TRACK – Darlington Raceway (1.366-mile oval)
NXS RACE – Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 (147 laps / 200.802 miles)
TUNE IN – USA, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 3:30 p.m. (ET)

Sam Mayer

No. 1 – 10X Health Chevrolet

Mayer 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 22

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 7

Top 10s: 10

Laps Led: 125

Avg. Finish: 17.5

Points: 13th

  • Sam Mayer heads back to Darlington Raceway for the second time this year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
  • The 21-year-old driver will make his seventh start overall at the 1.366-mile oval, where he has previously earned two top-five and three top-10 finishes. His best, fourth came earlier this year in the spring.
  • In 42 starts on tracks measuring between one and 1.5 miles in length, the Franklin, Wis. native has earned two victories, 15 top fives and 22 top 10s.
  • Mayer’s two victories came at Homestead-Miami Speedway last season, and earlier this year at Texas Motor Speedway.

Sam Mayer

“Darlington is one of my favorite tracks and one that I really enjoy racing at. So I am super pumped to get back there this weekend. We had a top-five finish in the spring so I have no doubt in my mind that Mardy (Lindley, crew chief) and the guys have put together a great package for this track and we will be able to be up front and in contention for the win. The playoffs are just a few short weeks away and I am ready to get this bad luck off our shoulders and go fight for a Championship.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 Professional Agriculture Chevrolet

Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 22

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 7

Top 10s: 14

Laps Led: 570

Avg. Finish: 12.5

Points: 1st

  • Justin Allgaier returns to Darlington as the most recent winner at “The Track too Tough to Tame,” having scored the victory after leading a race-high 119 laps earlier this season.
  • Overall, Allgaier is a three-time winner at “The Lady in Black,” going to Victory Lane in the spring of 2021, 2022 and 2024, respectively.
  • In 18 career NXS starts at Darlington, Allgaier has eight top fives and 14 top 10s to accompany the three wins.
  • Allgaier’s three victories at Darlington ranks as the most wins for the Illinois native among all tracks that he has competed on in the NXS.

Justin Allgaier

“We are really looking forward to getting back to Darlington this weekend with our BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet. We’ve had some really strong runs these last couple weeks and I know that Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and all the guys on this JR Motorsports team will give me another car capable of that again on Saturday. Hopefully we can keep our car clean all race long and be up front when it counts to try to sweep the season at Darlington. We are ready to go.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet

Smith 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 22

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 4

Top 10s: 11

Laps Led: 55

Avg. Finish: 16.0

Points: 11th

  • Sammy Smith has 22 NXS starts in his young career on tracks up to 1.366 miles in length. Of those, he has tallied one win, five top-fives, 12 top-10s and led 371 laps.
  • According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Smith is currently ranked fifth with 893 quality passes in the 2024 season.
  • Smith is only 15 points below the playoff cutline going into the weekend with four races remaining in the regular season.
  • Pilot Flying J will share the TV panel with Best Logistics Group of Kernersville, NC, located just over two hours north of Darlington.

Sammy Smith

“Last week in Daytona we didn’t finish where our No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet was capable of due to an unfortunate late-race incident. I’m hoping we have some luck on our side this weekend in Darlington and can keep our nose clean, compete up front and secure the victory that this JR Motorsports team deserves.”

Brandon Jones

No. 9 Menards / Patriot Lighting Chevrolet

Jones 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 22

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 1

Top 10s: 5

Laps Led: 30

Avg. Finish: 19.8

Points: 14th

  • Brandon Jones has made 13 starts in the NXS at “The Lady in Black” and has compiled one win, two top-five and six top-10 finishes. Jones’ win came during the 2020 season after taking the lead with two laps remaining.
  • Overall, Jones has made 141 starts on tracks measuring 1-2 miles in length in the NXS and has recorded four wins, 20 top fives and 63 top 10s.
  • Patriot Lighting, a company dedicated to providing premium quality, stylish and inviting lights at affordable prices, will make its first appearance on the hood of Jones’ Camaro this weekend. While this will be the company’s only appearance on the hood this season, Patriot Lighting will be featured on the TV panel four times over the 33-race schedule.

Brandon Jones

“This No. 9 team gave me a fast Chevy Camaro our last trip to Darlington and we were able to bring home a top-10, so I hope we can be running up towards the front again this weekend. We have had a rough couple of weeks getting caught up in other people’s situations, but we are going to stay focused and keep working to secure our spot in the playoffs.”

Carson Kvapil

No. 88 Clarience Technologies Chevrolet

Kvapil 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 7

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 3

Top 10s: 4

Laps Led: 63

Avg. Finish: 8.7

Points: 29th

  • Carson Kvapil will make his eighth NXS start this weekend at Darlington, and it will mark his second start on the historic 1.336-mile oval. In his first start there in May, Kvapil finished 19th.
  • The spring race at Darlington marked Kvapil’s first ride with Clarience Technologies and Saturday’s race will be his sixth with the company.
  • Kvapil made a big impression in his last outing at Michigan, leading 25 laps and contending for the victory in the late stages, before being collected in a late-race incident.
  • Crew chief Andrew Overstreet has guided the No. 88 team to four top-five and seven top-10 finishes in 10 starts this season with Kvapil, Connor Mosack and Bubba Pollard behind the wheel.

Carson Kvapil

“I’m looking forward to getting back to Darlington for a second time. That’s a tough place to learn, and now that I have one start there under my belt, I have a better handle on what that track throws at you. We had a great race going at Michigan before the crash, and I want to keep that momentum up this weekend.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Darlington Raceway: JR Motorsports has competed at Darlington Raceway a combined 72 times in the NXS since its first trip there in 2006. In those starts at the 1.366-mile oval, the organization has recorded seven wins, 23 top-fives and 45 top-10s, with an average finish of 11.7.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, Brandon Jones and Carson Kvapil will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / Legacy MC souvenir rig on Saturday, Aug 31 from 12:45 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. ET.

Top Eyelash Care Tips for Healthier, Fuller Lashes

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Official Release
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Photo by voronin-76 at https://depositphotos.com/

If you’re dreaming of healthier, fuller lashes, you’re not alone. Luscious eyelashes can enhance the natural beauty of your eyes and boost your overall appearance. While many turn to eyelash extensions for an instant transformation, proper care is essential for maintaining the health and strength of both natural lashes and extensions. Whether you’re a beauty enthusiast or a professional looking to take an eyelash extensions course to perfect your skills, these tips will help you achieve and maintain stunning lashes that last.

Be Gentle When Removing Makeup

One of the most common causes of eyelash damage is rough handling while removing makeup. Using excessive force or harsh products can lead to lash breakage and loss. To protect your lashes:

  • Use a gentle, oil-free makeup remover specifically designed for eye makeup.
  • Avoid rubbing or tugging at your lashes; instead, gently swipe downward using a cotton pad or soft cloth.
  • If you’re wearing waterproof mascara, let the remover sit on your lashes for a few seconds to break down the product before wiping it away.

Keep Your Lashes Clean

Cleanliness is vital for the health of your eyelashes. Dirt, oil, and makeup residue can accumulate on your lashes, leading to irritation and possible infections. To keep your lashes clean:

  • Gently wash your face and eyelids with a mild cleanser every night to remove any impurities.
  • Use a lash brush to comb through your lashes daily. This not only helps to keep them clean but also stimulates blood flow to the lash follicles, promoting growth.
  • If you wear eyelash extensions, use a lash shampoo or cleanser recommended by your technician to clean the extensions without causing damage.

Nourish Your Lashes with Serums

Eyelash serums are specially formulated to promote lash growth and strength. Regular use of a high-quality serum can lead to thicker, longer, and healthier lashes. Look for serums that contain ingredients like biotin, peptides, and natural oils. Here’s how to incorporate a serum into your routine:

  • Apply the serum to clean, dry lashes every night before bed.
  • Use a small amount, applying it along the lash line, similar to how you would apply eyeliner.
  • Be consistent with your application to see the best results over time.

Avoid Using Too Much Mascara

While mascara can enhance the look of your lashes, overusing it or using the wrong kind can cause damage. To minimize potential harm:

  • Choose a mascara that is formulated to be gentle and easy to remove. Look for options labeled as “lash-friendly” or “conditioning.”
  • Avoid applying multiple coats of mascara, as this can make lashes heavy and more prone to breakage.
  • Replace your mascara every three months to prevent bacterial growth and eye infections.

Be Careful with Eyelash Curlers

Eyelash curlers can give your lashes a beautiful lift, but improper use can lead to damage and breakage. To use curlers safely:

  • Always curl your lashes before applying mascara to avoid clumping and sticking.
  • Use a curler with a soft, silicone pad to cushion your lashes.
  • Gently press the curler at the base of your lashes, avoiding excessive pressure. Hold for a few seconds, then release gently.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Your overall health significantly impacts the condition of your hair, including your eyelashes. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can promote healthy lash growth. Focus on these nutrients:

  • Biotin: Found in eggs, nuts, and whole grains, biotin strengthens hair follicles and promotes lash growth.
  • Vitamin E: This antioxidant, found in almonds, spinach, and avocados, supports healthy hair by improving blood circulation.
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish like salmon and flaxseeds, omega-3s nourish hair follicles and promote lash thickness.

Regularly Brush Your Lashes

Just like brushing your hair, brushing your lashes can help maintain their health and appearance. Use a clean mascara wand or a lash brush to:

  • Gently comb through your lashes each day. This helps remove any dust, dirt, or product buildup.
  • Distribute natural oils along the lashes, keeping them moisturized and less prone to breakage.

Schedule Regular Breaks from Extensions

While eyelash extensions can give you the appearance of fuller lashes instantly, it’s essential to allow your natural lashes to rest periodically. Continuous use of extensions without breaks can strain your natural lashes and lead to thinning. To maintain lash health:

  • Take a break from extensions every few months to let your natural lashes recover.
  • During the break, focus on nourishing and strengthening your lashes with serums and gentle care.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is crucial for overall skin and hair health, including your eyelashes. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps keep your lashes hydrated and prevents them from becoming brittle. In addition to drinking water:

  • Consider using a humidifier in dry environments to maintain moisture in the air, which benefits both your skin and lashes.

Conclusion

Achieving and maintaining healthier, fuller lashes requires a combination of gentle care, proper nourishment, and the right beauty practices. Whether you’re considering taking an eyelash extensions course to enhance your professional skills or looking for ways to improve your personal lash routine, these tips will guide you toward achieving stunning results. Remember, the key to beautiful lashes is consistent care and attention, ensuring they remain strong, healthy, and gorgeous.

TeamSLR Set for Canadian Tire Motorport Park

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Official Release
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Pro-Am Challenge Leader Barry Boes Welcomes Back 16-Year-Old Julian DaCosta

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Aug. 28, 2024) – Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, which began its life as an iconic road-racing circuit known as Mosport Park, plays host to its first Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli headline event since 2014 this weekend, and TeamSLR and its M1 Racecars equipment are ready for the challenge with drivers Barry Boes, the TA2 Pro-Am Challenge-class frontrunner, and 16-year-old Julian DaCosta, who will be making his second career TA2 start.

When Trans Am competitors last turned laps on the 2.459-mile, 10-turn circuit about an hour’s drive north and east of Toronto eight seasons ago, it was Canadian road-racing veteran and former NASCAR road-course ringer Ron Fellows who scored the victory. Just two of the 27 drivers entered in Saturday’s 41-lap, 75-minute race took part in that 2014 race – Amy Ruman in the TA class, who was runner-up to Fellows by a scant 1.892 seconds, and Tom Sheehan, who with Boes is chasing this year’s Pro-Am Challenge championship.

Boes, driver of the No. 27 Accio Data/SLR-M1 Racecars Ford Mustang, hits town this weekend with a 102-point lead in the Pro-Am Challenge standings after scoring his fifth class win in nine races this season last Friday at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. Boes’ most recent class victory came after he was spun from behind on the second lap of the race, then forced to limp his racecar back to the pits with a flat right-rear tire for a quick tire change before resuming on the lead lap in 26th place. He made a determined drive the rest of the way, picking up 16 spots en route to his top-10 overall finish. He looks to continue that momentum this weekend in his first career visit to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, just two races removed from his first career Cube 3 Architecture TA2 Series Western Championship victory July 27 at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway, and his fourth-place finish with co-driver Greg Biffle the previous weekend in the SpeedTour All-Star Race at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Joining Boes and TeamSLR in the M1 Racecars camp for the second time this season is DaCosta, who enjoyed a solid, workmanlike TA2 Series debut April 13 at NOLA Motorsports Park in Avondale, Louisiana. The teenage driving prodigy from Myakka City, Florida, who’ll be behind the wheel of the No. 17 Powered by Hixon/Austin Hatcher Foundation/SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro this weekend, qualified ninth and fought his way to an 11th-place finish after getting shoved off the track in the opening laps of the race at NOLA. DaCosta hopes to benefit from recent experience at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park this weekend. A fulltime competitor in the Mazda MX-5 Cup Series this season, he took part in the series’ weekend doubleheader at the track July 13-14, scoring an impressive runner-up finish from the 20th starting position in the second of two races.

Riding along with this weekend’s TeamSLR drivers and their M1 Racecars, as it has all season long, is Nashville, Tennessee-based Franklin Road Apparel Company, which has been a longtime team supporter.

M1 Racecars was represented on the podium at 12 of the 13 TA2 rounds in 2023, highlighted by a pair of victories by Rafa Matos for Peterson Racing. Team SLR’s Dillon Machavern and Thad Moffitt both scored podium finishes, as did Connor Mosack at the season-opening event at Sebring, when he qualified on the pole and led the first 19 laps of the race before finishing third. Evan Slater earned TeamSLR’s first podium finish of 2024 Memorial Day weekend with his second-place finish at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, and Kvapil followed with his podium in the series’ inaugural race at Pittsburgh. Austin Green of Peterson Racing added a podium finish of second for M1 Racecars last weekend at Watkins Glen.

This weekend’s CTMP SpeedTour kicks off with a three-pack of test sessions Thursday at 10 a.m., noon and 2:40 p.m. EDT. Official practice is set for 11:50 a.m. Friday, followed by qualifying at 3:50 p.m. Race time is 2:15 p.m. Saturday with live television provided by series partner MAVTV, augmented by live-streaming video on the Trans Am and SpeedTour channels on YouTube. MAVTV will air a 60-minute race show at 8 p.m. EDT on Thursday, Sept. 12.

Barry Boes, Driver, No. 27 Accio Data/SLR-M1 Racecars Ford Mustang:

Your overall thoughts as you head to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for the first time this weekend?

“It looks like a really fun track, and it starts with a really interesting turn one. It’s blind, it’s fast, it crests over a hill, there’s a wall on the other side of it, and you have to carry a lot of speed through it because there’s kind of a straight after you get through it. You’ve got to work your way up to it, but once you get your confidence up on your way through it, then it’s go time. I’m going to have to get up to speed quickly since I’ve never been there before. But we have more than the usual amount of track time, so that’ll definitely help.”

What are your impressions of the track based on your preparation?

“I’ve watched videos, it looks like a tricky track, it looks like a fun track, there’s a lot of blind stuff, and there are some nice concrete walls that I really don’t want to have to encounter. There are plenty of sim resources out there, but the sim resources, when you go to a track that doesn’t have a lot of concrete walls everywhere, work a little better because the walls can appear a little intimidating. But that was the case before I first went to Watkins Glen back in the day and it turned out pretty well.”

What’s your approach to getting up to speed on a track you’re driving on for the first time?

“I’ve actually gotten pretty good at finding success at tracks my first time there. The first time I ever went to Portland (in July), I actually won there. I’ve been to enough different kinds of tracks that usually ‘this is like that,’ and ‘that is like that from another track.’ And you kind of put it all together in your mind after you go around there a few times, and kind of a la carte you pick and choose how you get through best at those kind of segments at other tracks.”

How does it change the complexion of the race when you have all of the Trans Am classes on track at the same time, and how do you deal with it?

“Well, I have excellent spotters, and having fantastic spotters is an absolute must this weekend. The TA cars come up on you fast, and it is essentially a sprint race and they don’t have time to wait for you to get out of their way. So you’ve got to know when they’re coming and you’ve got to be prepared for where you’re going to go, and you have to let them by when they get to you whether it’s convenient or not. You can drive in your mirrors the entire race and you can get wrecked, or you can have great spotters, and having great spotters is what I’ve got and it’s the best way to go.”

Julian DaCosta, Driver, No. 17 Powered by Hixon/Austin Hatcher Foundation SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro:

You’ll be one of the few drivers in the race this weekend with any firsthand experience on the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park circuit after your successful Mazda MX-5 Cup Series weekend there in July. Your thoughts?

“When we were there with IMSA, race one didn’t go our way and I ended up starting race two from the back and ended up finishing second. That race was really good, obviously. It lifted our spirits up from the day before, when we didn’t even finish. It’s a really fun track, so I’m pretty excited.”

Based on your experience on that track, how are you expecting things to go in your TeamSLR M1 Racecars equipment there?

“I definitely think it’s going to be different in TA2 just because of how the car is, fundamentally, but I think there are a lot of things that I can transfer over, especially momentum. TA2, obviously you have a ton of horsepower and it’s a big car, so a lot of people assume you can just throw it in and drive it out. But at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, I’m pretty confident that whoever can roll the most speed is going to be able to build a pretty good gap. I guess we’ll see, but that’s what I think it’s going to come down to. I’ve looked over the entry list and I think there are a good many drivers who are going to be able to do that.”

Your first race with TeamSLR at NOLA in April was the typical race with all TA2 cars in the field. This weekend, there will be five different classes of racecars, from the big TA cars to the various GT classes. How are you preparing to deal with that?

“To be completely honest, I’m not really thinking about that much. For me, that’s something you get on track – you think about it before you get on track and before the race about what to expect from some of the fast cars and the slower cars. Obviously, you go into the race cautiously and knowing there’s going to be different speed variations, but it’s not something you can really plan beforehand. NOLA for us was really good. Obviously, being our first race in TA2, it went well. The team did a great job putting the car together and getting me comfortable. In the race, we had a pretty good start up until turn one – we got turned going into turn one – and we made it back to finish 11th. Obviously that’s not where we wanted to be, but I think it was a pretty solid run for our first race. The team did great. I loved the environment, everything about it, they did a great job on the car throughout the whole weekend. I’m really looking forward to this weekend, especially knowing this track and how these cars are going to handle on this track.”

About TeamSLR:

TeamSLR (Scott Lagasse Racing) competes fulltime in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s newly renamed Cube 3 Architecture TA2 Series in a multifaceted effort that includes dedicated entries in the TA2 division, customer programs, driver coaching and car construction. Its history dates back to 1985 and covers a wide spectrum of motorsports, including NASCAR, IMSA, SCCA, ARCA and ASA. TeamSLR is a family-owned organization run by Scott Lagasse Sr., and Scott Lagasse Jr., The father-and-son duo have combined to win more than 120 races and seven championships across a variety of series and styles of racecars, from paved ovals to road courses to dirt tracks. For more information, please visit us online at www.TeamSLR.com, on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram and on LinkedIn.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Race Preview | Darlington Raceway

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Official Release
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CLUB ENTRY LIST

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
POINT STANDINGS: 31ST

ERIK JONES
POINT STANDINGS: 26TH

CLUB NOTES

After a Saturday night race in Daytona, the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the “Lady in Black” – Darlington Raceway. The Southern 500 will mark the last race of the regular season before the playoffs, and with drivers on the bubble to make it in, Darlington is sure to host an exciting race this weekend on September 1.

Darlington 1 Rewind: While running just outside the top-10 during the first Darlington Raceway race in 2024, John Hunter Nemechek incurred a pit-road speeding penalty that sent him deep in the field. Nemechek lost control of his No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE off Turn 4, relegating him to a disappointing 31st-place finish.

The No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE battled handling issues during all three stages at Darlington Raceway back in the spring. Despite the team’s efforts to correct adjustments, Jones found difficulty to advance through the field. The LEGACY MOTOR CLUB entry finished 19th in the Goodyear 400.

NBC Emed: The NBC team has chosen to showcase the No. 43 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB crew this weekend at Darlington Raceway. There will be cameras on the pit box, in the car, and on the team’s spotter, Rick Carelli. With a mix of live pit crew/crew chief interviews, the broadcast will help story tell all moving parts of the No. 43 Dollar Tree team during the Cook Out 400.

JHN Stats: Nemechek returns to the track to the Lady in Black to make his 14th career start while in the top-three NASCAR Touring Series. Sunday will be his fifth NASCAR Cup Series start at Darlington. In the 13 starts, Nemechek has recorded 1 victory in the 2022 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) and 5 top-five finishes across the NCTS and NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Beshore Stats: Ben Beshore has an impressive record when it comes to calling races at Darlington Raceway. With 10 trips to 1.5-mile oval, across the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series, Beshore has amassed seven total top-10 finishes. In 2023, Beshore teamed up with Nemechek, the duo swept the pole positions at Darlington and brought home two-five finishes as a results. Beshore has coached his NXS drivers to 183-laps led around the place they call Too Tough to Tame.

EJ Stats: With two wins at the Southern 500 under his belt in 2019 and 2022, Jones has had incredible success at the South Carolina track. Since racing full time in the Cup series in 2016, Jones has accumulated 2 wins, 3 top-5s and 3 top-10s. Jones is hopeful of earning the black and white checkered flag this weekend at Darlington Raceway.

Elenz Stats: Jones’ partner in crime, Dave Elenz, has also won at Darlington Raceway. Elenz took home the checkered flag in 2021 with the then Xfinity driver, Noah Gragson. Before joining Jones in the Cup series in 2022, Elenz earned 1 win, 4 top-5s and 2 top-10s at Darlington Raceway in the Xfinity series.

Partner Spotlight: This weekend, the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE will pilot vendors Energizer, Tyson, and Unilever around the track at Darlington Raceway.

Going for G.O.L.D.: Partners Dollar Tree and Family Dollar will honor store #11422 this weekend as a part of the company’s “Go for G.O.L.D.” (Grand Opening Look Daily) program. The Dollar Tree and Family Dollar primaries will highlight these stores on the deck lid of all three LEGACY M.C. entries throughout the race season. Store #11422 is located in Columbia, SC.

PETTY 75TH ANNIVERSARY

ABOUT PETTY 75th: The 2024 season marks a significant milestone in the history of the Petty family as they have helped define stock car racing for 75 years. Their commitment to the sport and the people who make it possible – behind the wheel, under the hood, in the back office, and beyond – has shaped the growth and success of NASCAR. Their LEGACY lives on with the countless fans, drivers, technicians, and team members they touched. Throughout 2024, LEGACY M.C. will celebrate the Petty family and share countless memories with friends and fans at racetracks across the country.

This Week in Petty History: Julian Petty (Lee Petty’s Brother / Richard Petty’s Uncle) scored his first career victory as a car owner at Coastal Speedway, Myrtle Beach NC on August 26, 1959. Lee Petty visited victory lane for the 44th time in his career on August 29, 1959, at Columbia Speedway.

The King’s Hat: The King’s Hat that was unveiled back in May is displayed in the Fan Zone. Be sure to check out Darlington Raceway’s social media for exact location and activities planned for race weekend.

CLUB QUOTES

John Hunter Nemechek, Driver of the No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE:

“This week’s race will be different than the spring race with it going from day to night and with it being 100-miles longer. The pit crew will need to be on top of their game with several more stops than a regular race. Our mindset hasn’t really changed with this being the final regular season race; our goal is always to win every time we hit the track. With so much history attached to this race, it would be cool to add my name to the list of winners.”

Ben Beshore, Crew chief of the No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE:

“Darlington is a very tough place and there are a lot of options of what to do from a driving style standpoint. Some guys drive it in really deep with a big, long lift, other guys have a shorter lift and then get back to the gas or a later lift; there are a lot of options that you can be fast at Darlington and be successful.”

“Darlington is all about tire fall-off and it’s so big. The track is baking in the sun, but it can be a balancing act. If you only have a couple laps on tires and you pit or you can stay out for track position where that and the number of laps left in the race, where that cross over happens – it can get pretty crazy at the end. When you start to get a lot of cautions, everyone is bunched back up and it’s right before the playoffs start and where the intensity ramps up. You could see a lot of fireworks.”

Erik Jones, Driver of the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE:

This is the last race before playoffs, but you’ve won at Darlington twice. How do you balance confidence and pressure?

“Balancing confidence and pressure is easy for me. You go in with the sense of right now we have to win to get in, that makes it a bit easier honestly than if we were in a position where we were close on points like a lot of these guys are going in. I feel like that position is a lot more pressure than just having to win the race. We have to have a good car, a good race, good strategy and put ourselves in a position to win.”

How does tire fall off affect the race strategy?

“Tire fall off really affects strategy at Darlington a lot. More than probably most places between how you pit through the cycles – we’ve got some pretty long stages here at this race compared to the spring – and whether you pit two or three times in a stage and how you’re going to play everything out really makes a big difference in how your race goes and how you bank on how the yellows are going to fall and how you end up with some good track position. It’s pretty important, along with how you’re managing it in the car and through the run and how you’re using up your tires or not and when you’re planning to go and race hard and when you’re trying to ride.”

How is racing at Darlington in the spring different from racing in the fall?

“Racing at Darlington in the fall is a lot different than racing there in the spring. In spring, it’s usually hot – a full race in the daytime. In the fall we start in dusk hours and finish in full night. It’s a lot cooler outside and it cools down a lot through the race from the start, so the track goes through a pretty big transition compared to the spring where you’ve just got full sun and full heat for the entirety of the race. Along with extra distance and an extra 100 miles that affects the stage and the strategies, but it’s a pretty different race than what we do in the spring.”

Dave Elenz, Crew chief of the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE:

“Tire wear is always a big focus at Darlington. To do well there, you must manage your tires without giving up too much short-run speed. The Southern 500 makes this tougher since we must manage our tires as the track changes from evening to night. Even with cooler temperatures, tire wear will be high, and we’ll be looking to put on four fresh tires as often as we can. This makes for an interesting day on pit road, highlighting the fastest crews. We’re ready for the challenge on pit road and the track to conquer this tough race!”

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

BROADCAST INFO

DARLINGTON RACEWAY

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST @ 6:00 PM ET

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ABOUT DOLLAR TREE, INC.: Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 16,622 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of October 28, 2023. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.

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ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice “Maury” J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. The CLUB competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series fielding the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE of John Hunter Nemechek, the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE of Erik Jones, and the No. 84 limited schedule entry for Johnson. LEGACY M.C. also competes in the Extreme E Series. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty “The King” serves as CLUB Ambassador. With a unique title signifying a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for all motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate the past and future legacies of its members, while competing for wins and championships at NASCAR’s elite level. To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ on Facebook, X, Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.

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