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Denny Hamlin to make 700th Cup career start at Nashville

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Andrew Boyd for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Denny Hamlin is on the verge of achieving a career milestone in his 20th consecutive full-time season as a NASCAR Cup Series competiton. By taking the green flag in this weekend’s event at Nashville Superspeedway, the driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) Toyota Camry XSE entry will make his 700th career start in NASCAR’s premier series.

A native of Chesterfield, Virginia, Hamlin made his Cup Series debut at Kansas Speedway in October 2005. By then, he was competing in his first full-time season in the Xfinity Series with JGR. He was also selected as the fourth competitor overall to pilot JGR’s No. 11 Chevrolet entry and fill in for the remaining seven events of the 2005 schedule.

Starting seventh, Hamlin finished 32nd in his Cup debut at Kansas. He proceeded to record his first three top-10 career results throughout his next six starts. During the span, he recorded a season-best seventh-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in November and notched his first Cup career pole the following weekend at Phoenix Raceway, where he finished 13th despite leading 23 laps.

The following season, Hamlin was promoted to a full-time Cup Series ride in JGR’s No. 11 Chevrolet entry. By claiming his first career pole at Phoenix during the previous season, he also earned an automatic berth to the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway in February. During the Shootout, Hamlin led three times for 16 of 72 laps and fended off the field during a two-lap restart to become the first rookie competitor to win the Shootout.

He commenced his first full-time Cup season with a 30th-place finish during the 48th running of the Daytona 500 before recording five top-10 results throughout his next 12 starts. Then at Pocono Raceway in June, the Virginia native, who led 83 of 200 laps, rallied from a Lap 50 spin due to blowing a left-rear tire to score his first Cup career victory.

Another six races later, he doubled down at Pocono in July by claiming his second career win after he led 151 of 200 laps. During both Pocono victories, he started on the pole. Finishing in the top 10 throughout the remaining five of six regular-season events, Hamlin clinched a berth into the Playoffs.

He became the first Cup Series rookie candidate to make NASCAR’s postseason battle for the championship. Hamlin finished in the top 10 seven times throughout the remaining 10 Playoff events. After accumulating a total of 20 top-10 results, he settled in third place in the final standings. Despite missing the title by 63 points, he sealed up the Rookie-of-the-Year title.

Throughout Hamlin’s sophomore Cup Series season in 2007, he achieved a single victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June. He made his second career Playoffs, before settling in 12th place in the final standings. During his junior season in 2008, when JGR switched manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota, Hamlin notched a single victory of the year at Martinsville Speedway in March.

He proceeded to make his third consecutive Playoffs before finishing in eighth place in the final standings. During both seasons, he recorded a pole and finished both in the top five 12 times and in the top 10 18 times apiece. By then, he surpassed 100 career starts in NASCAR’s premier series.

Hamlin’s next two Cup seasons were competitive. The driver of the No. 11 JGR Toyota going winless through the first 20-scheduled events of the 2009 season before he notched his first victory at Pocono. Five races later, he capped off the regular-season stretch by scoring a dominant victory at Richmond Raceway, his home track. Despite finishing outside the top 20 four times throughout the Playoffs that derailed his championship hopes of the 2009 season, he claimed victories at Martinsville and the season-finale event at Homestead-Miami Speedway to conclude the season in fifth place in the final standings.

Hamlin then doubled down on his win column by notching a career-high eight victories in 2010, where he swept both Martinsville and Texas Motor Speedway events. He also claimed his first crown jewel victory by winning the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway and would also win at Pocono, Michigan International Speedway and the regular-season finale at Richmond. Amid the victories that drew him into championship contention and had him leading the championship standings with two-scheduled events remaining, Hamlin capped off the season with two consecutive finishes in the top 14, which relegated him back to a career-best second place in the 2010 final standings as he fell 39 points shy of winning his first Cup title to Jimmie Johnson.

Compared to the 2010 season, Hamlin managed to achieve only one victory in 2011, which occurred at Michigan in June. Despite making the Playoffs for a sixth consecutive season and surpassing 200 Cup career starts, he dropped back to ninth place in the final standings. He rebounded during the 2012 season by notching five victories, which included first-time trips to Victory Lane at Phoenix Raceway, Kansas Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and at Atlanta Motor Speedway. His fifth victory of the season occurred at New Hampshire in September during the Playoffs. Throughout the Playoffs, however, Hamlin finished outside the top 10 six times, which kept him out of the championship battle as he settled in sixth place in the final standings.

The 2013 Cup season generated Hamlin’s most difficult season to date. It began with the Virginia native recording a single top-three finish during the season’s first three scheduled events. He finished 23rd at Bristol in March. Then after enduring a run-in with ex-teammate Joey Logano, Hamlin was involved in a vicious head-on accident on the final lap amid contact with Logano while battling for the victory during the following event at Auto Club Speedway.

The incident left Hamlin with a severe L1 compression fracture and out of competition over the next four events. Despite returning by early May, Hamlin recorded only two top-four results and three top-10 results throughout the remaining 17 events on the regular-season schedule as he missed the Playoffs for the first time in his career. Despite accumulating three additional top-10 results through nine Playoff events, he capped off the season on a positive note by winning the finale at Homestead and maintaining his winning streak to eight consecutive seasons.

Poised for redemption, Hamlin commenced the 2014 Cup season with early momentum by winning the non-points Sprint Unlimited and the first Budweiser Duel at Daytona before finishing in second place during the 56th running of the Daytona 500.

Despite being absent from competing at Auto Club Speedway in March due to a sinus infection within the first nine-scheduled events, Hamlin claimed his first victory of the season at Talladega in April, which marked his first points-paying superspeedway victory and occurred in his 300th Cup career start.

After finishing in the top 10 eight times throughout the remaining 16 regular-season events, he recorded six top-10 results throughout the Playoffs, which enabled him to transfer all the way from the Round of 16 to the Championship 4 round. Amid a late pit strategy to remain on the track with the lead on old tires, Hamlin fell back to seventh place during the finale at Homestead as he settled in third place in the final standings.

Between the 2015 and 2017 seasons, Hamlin notched a total of seven Cup victories. During the 2015 season, he won at Martinsville in March before winning the 2015 Playoff opener at Chicagoland Speedway after rallying from an opening lap spin.

The team also utilized a late pit strategy to remain on the track on old tires. During the 2015 season, he also won the All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was the first victory in the event for both Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota. Hamlin, however, was eliminated from the Playoffs following the Round of 12 and settled in ninth place in the final standings.

He commenced the 2016 season on a high note by winning the 58th running of the Daytona 500 after edging Martin Truex Jr. by 0.010 seconds for his first Great American Race victory. After winning at Watkins Glen International and the regular-season finale at Richmond, Hamlin would make the 2016 Playoffs and end up in sixth place in the final standings after being eliminated from title contention at the conclusion of the Round of 8. Like the 2016 season, Hamlin, who won at New Hampshire and the Southern 500 for a second time, settled in sixth place in the 2017 final standings after he was eliminated from title contention following the Round of 8. By then, he surpassed 400 Cup career starts.

The 2018 Cup season featured Hamlin’s first winless season despite the Virginia veteran making the Playoffs for the 12th time in his career. Throughout the season, he finished as high as second twice at Dover Motor Speedway and at Martinsville during the Playoffs. After he was eliminated from title contention following the Round of 16, he settled in 11th place in the final standings.

Hamlin then rallied at the start of the 2019 season, winning the 61st running of the Daytona 500 and notching his second victory in the Great American Race. He claimed regular-season victories at Texas, Pocono and the Bristol Night Race before the Playoffs commenced.

After utilizing consistency throughout the Round of 16 to transfer into the Round of 12, Hamlin notched a victory at Kansas during the Round of 12 and another one at Phoenix during the Round of 8, which enabled him to transfer into the Championship 4 round for a second time in his career.

Initially poised to claim his first Cup title, Hamlin was mired with late overheating issues, where a nose tape was covering his front grille, that forced him to make an extra pit stop. As a result, he ended up in 10th place during the finale at Homestead and in fourth place in the final standings. By then, he notched the third-most victories in a Cup season at six, a career-high 19 top-five results, an average-finishing result of 9.5 and surpassed 500 Cup career starts.

Coming off a strong 2019 season, Hamlin remained competitive over his next two Cup seasons. It started by edging Ryan Blaney by a nose to win the 62nd running of the Daytona 500. It was Hamlin’s third time winning the Great American Race. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he notched a rain-shortened victory at Darlington in May before claiming additional regular-season victories at Homestead, Pocono, Kansas and Dover.

Despite recording three top-10 results, including his seventh victory of the 2020 season at Talladega, through nine Playoff events, Hamlin managed to transfer all the way from the Round of 16 to the Championship 4 round, where he ended up in fourth place in the final standings. In 2021, Hamlin notched only two victories, which occurred in the Southern 500 and at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the Playoffs.

Nonetheless, he made the Championship 4 round for a fourth time in his career and went on to finish in third place in the final standings. Through both seasons, he notched a combined 37 top-five results, 46 top-10 results, 2,585 laps led and average-finishing results of 9.3 in 2020 and a career-best 8.4 in 2021. Within the span, he recorded a career-high 19 top-five results, 25 top-10 results and led a career-best 1,502 laps throughout the 2021 season.

Throughout the 2022 and 2023 Cup seasons, Hamlin added an additional five victories to his resume, which started by winning at Richmond for a fourth time in April 2022 before he won the crown-jewel Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte for the first time in his career. The following season, his first victory of the year occurred at Kansas amid a final-lap battle with Kyle Larson. He then rallied from another late run-in with Larson to win at Pocono before he won the Bristol Night Race for a third time in his career. Despite making the Playoffs, Hamlin ended up falling one points position shy of transferring to the Championship 4 round during both seasons, with the Virginia native finishing in fifth place in the final standings during both seasons. By then, he surpassed 600 Cup career starts.

This past season, Hamlin achieved three victories, which occurred at Bristol, Richmond and Dover, respectively, throughout the first half of the regular-season stretch. He also won the third and final Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Despite notching six top-10 finishes through nine Playoff events, Hamlin’s Playoff hopes came to an end following the Round of 8 for a third consecutive season. With an 11th-place run during the 2024 finale at Phoenix, he settled in eighth place in the final standings.

Through 699 previous starts in the Cup Series division, Hamlin has achieved 56 victories, 43 poles, 239 top-five results, 364 top-10 results, 15,666 laps led and an average-finishing result of 13.2. He is currently ranked in sixth place in the 2025 driver’s standings on the strengths of two victories (Martinsville in March and Darlington in April). He also has recorded xix top-10 results through 13-scheduled starts.

For this upcoming weekend at Nashville, Hamlin is scheduled to become the 22nd competitor overall to reach 700 career starts in NASCAR’s premier series. In addition to being four victories away from becoming the 11th competitor overall to reach 60 victories in the Cup division, he also continues his pursuit for his first championship.

Denny Hamlin will make his 700th Cup Series career start at Nashville Superspeedway for the Cracker Barrel 400 on Sunday, June 1, and air at 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

The Evolution of Sports Championship Rings: Then & Now

By
SM
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Few symbols in the world of professional athletics carry as much prestige, sentiment, and history as sports championship rings. From humble beginnings to intricate modern masterpieces, these rings have transformed alongside the evolution of sports themselves, growing in symbolism, design complexity, and cultural significance.

Origins: The Humble Beginnings

The tradition of awarding sports championship rings dates back to the early 20th century, though the practice gained prominence in the 1920s with Major League Baseball. The 1922 New York Giants were among the first teams to be awarded rings instead of the customary World Series pocket watches, signaling a shift toward more personalized and wearable memorabilia.

Back then, the rings were relatively simple. Made of gold with a single gemstone—usually a diamond—they bore the team’s logo and the year of the championship. The goal was to create a tasteful keepsake that could discreetly reflect one’s athletic achievements.

Mid-Century Refinements

From the 1950s to the 1980s, sports championship rings steadily became more ornate. Corporate sponsorships and television exposure grew in influence, raising the profile of athletes and their accolades. This period saw the rise of multi-gemstone designs, larger face sizes, and more personalized engravings.

NFL teams embraced this shift, especially after the Super Bowl era began in 1967. Super Bowl rings started featuring team logos, championship scores, and multiple diamonds, which often symbolized the number of titles a team had won. College sports followed suit, using rings to recognize conference and national championships, instilling pride among student-athletes.

The Explosion of Bling in the 1990s and 2000s

The 1990s marked a turning point, both in terms of cultural importance and the physical opulence of sports championship rings. Fueled by the rise of celebrity athletes like Michael Jordan and the increasing glamour around sports, rings evolved into bold status symbols.

NBA and NFL championship rings, in particular, became dramatically larger and heavier. The Chicago Bulls’ six championships in the ’90s gave rise to six distinct ring designs, each grander than the last. The incorporation of team mottos, player names, and even personal statistics became common.

The trend wasn’t just about flash—it reflected a changing sports culture. Rings became more than awards; they were legacy markers, elements of storytelling, and visual representations of blood, sweat, and victory.

Today’s Rings: Engineering Marvels and Cultural Icons

In the modern era, sports championship rings are feats of design and engineering. They often feature hundreds of diamonds and other gemstones, intricately arranged in 3D designs that tell stories unique to each team and season.

Take the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA Championship ring as an example. It featured over 400 diamonds, a removable top that revealed a QR code linking to a championship highlight reel, and other rich details. Similarly, the Los Angeles Rams’ 2022 Super Bowl ring had 20 carats of white diamonds and hidden compartments that honored their home stadium and key moments from their title run.

These modern rings are designed by top jewelers using CAD (computer-aided design) software, 3D printing, and hand-set stones. Teams often collaborate with jewelry companies like Jostens or Baron to ensure every design element is meaningful.

What Rings Mean Beyond the Game

Beyond their lavish appearance, sports championship rings hold deep emotional significance. For players, they represent career-defining moments. For franchises, they serve as milestones of success. For fans, they’re relics of seasons filled with unforgettable highs and lows.

Many players prize their rings above all other accolades. Hall of Fame speeches often include anecdotes about the grind it took to earn a ring. Some players, like Tom Brady or Bill Russell, own multiple rings, turning them into symbols of dynastic excellence.

Rings also serve as heirlooms, passed down through generations. When players auction them—often to raise money for charity or personal reasons—they can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars, emphasizing their cultural and financial value.

Customization and Personalization

Modern sports championship rings are now tailored for each recipient. While the overall design is standardized, each player, coach, and sometimes even staff member receives a customized version. Player-specific elements might include their jersey number, name, or game highlights, such as a critical touchdown, three-point shot, or defensive play.

Even fans can get replicas. Teams often produce fan editions of their rings, which are sold or given away during commemorative nights. While these versions use more affordable materials, they still reflect the artistry and spirit of the original design.

The Role of Technology

Technology has revolutionized how sports championship rings are designed and produced. Jewelers use 3D modeling and simulation software to visualize complex ideas and test configurations. Laser engraving allows for precise detail, and augmented reality (AR) previews let teams see how the ring will look before it’s made.

This tech-forward approach has opened the door to storytelling elements, like removable tops, secret messages, and interactive features such as QR codes. These innovations have transformed rings into multimedia experiences that extend far beyond metal and stone.

Rings in Non-Professional Sports

While professional leagues continue to set the standard, championship rings are now common in high school, college, and even amateur sports. Winning a state title or conference championship can come with a custom-designed ring that instills pride and commemorates the achievement.

Youth leagues, eSports tournaments, and international competitions have also adopted the tradition. This democratization of sports championship rings reflects their widespread appeal and symbolic power across all levels of competition.

Controversies and Debates

Despite their splendor, these rings are not without criticism. Detractors argue that the escalating costs—often exceeding $30,000 per ring—are excessive, especially when publicly funded teams are involved. Some question whether teams should allocate resources toward such extravagance instead of community programs or player bonuses.

Additionally, debates persist about ring worthiness. Should bench players or injured athletes receive rings? What about staff, cheerleaders, or equipment managers? Most teams take an inclusive approach, awarding rings to everyone who contributed to the campaign, reinforcing the “team-first” ethos.

The Future of Championship Rings

Looking ahead, the future of sports championship rings is poised to be even more innovative and inclusive. We can expect increased integration of smart technology, augmented reality, and sustainable materials. As environmental concerns rise, some jewelers are turning to lab-grown diamonds and recycled metals, without compromising brilliance or craftsmanship.

Culturally, rings will continue to evolve as storytelling tools. Designs may feature dynamic elements, like rotating parts or embedded videos, offering immersive ways to relive iconic moments.

Final Thoughts

The journey of sports championship rings from modest gold bands to technologically advanced, gem-encrusted masterpieces mirrors the evolution of sports themselves—from pastime to powerhouse industry. They are more than jewelry; they are symbols of perseverance, teamwork, excellence, and legacy.

Whether tucked away in a velvet-lined case or proudly worn to reunions and parades, these rings speak volumes. They whisper tales of hard-fought victories, season-long grinds, locker-room camaraderie, and the ultimate pursuit of glory. As sports continue to innovate and inspire, so too will the rings that crown their champions.

TOP FUEL’S DOUG KALITTA EAGER TO FIND WIN COLUMN AGAIN AT NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS

By
Official Release
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EPPING, N.H. (May 27, 2025) – New England Dragway was the only track on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour where Top Fuel veteran Doug Kalitta had not won before last year’s impressive triumph.

This season has been a year filled with No. 1 qualifiers but no wins yet for the former Top Fuel world champ, something Kalitta hopes to change this weekend at the 12th annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.

Kalitta has qualified No. 1 the past three races in his 12,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster and at four of the six events during the 2025 season. Of those, the last two have resulted in track-record runs at the two most recent races in Charlotte and Chicago. Eliminations haven’t gone totally as planned thus far, but Kalitta’s car has performed at a high level – including victories in the Right Trailers All-Star Callout and two wins in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge specialty race – which he hopes means a first event win is right around the corner.

“It was definitely nice to check that one off the list last year (in Epping), and this Mac Tools Toyota team is definitely looking forward to going there to see what we can do,” Kalitta said. “We’re hoping to get to the final to have a shot at winning it again. The Mac Tools car has really been great this season. We went to the semifinals in Chicago so close to the final; it’s been nice.

“Going to these races each weekend, it’s definitely nice knowing you have a good-running car and a shot at the win. It’s all a guy could hope for; it’s real exciting that our Mac Tools car is running like it is, and everybody’s doing their job really well so far.”

The sold-out crowd at last year’s race in Epping saw John Force (Funny Car), Kalitta (Top Fuel) and Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) claim race wins. It was Force, Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) who picked up Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge wins. Eliminations on FOX will be broadcast on Sunday, June 1 at 6 p.m. ET.

It is the seventh of 20 races during the 2025 season and Kalitta will be part of this weekend’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Top Fuel, along with Chicago event winner and points leader Tony Stewart, Justin Ashley and four-time champion Torrence.

The “No. 1 Clawifier Award presented by NAPA” will also be on the line on Friday during the second qualifying session under the lights. A special chair made of lobster pots will await drivers on the top end, with the evening’s No. 1 qualifier sitting in the chair until they are replaced by a new No. 1 qualifier or claim the award. The driver will receive a large lobster, while the teams will be given lobster dinners.

Qualifying No. 1 has been a strength for Kalitta and his team this year, but there’s another strong Top Fuel field awaiting in Epping, a group that also includes Brittany Force, Clay Millican, teammate Shawn Langdon, who has a pair of wins this year, and Josh Hart.

“The Mac Tools car qualified well (in Chicago), but I’m still kind of struggling with my lights for some crazy reason. We just have to keep going rounds and keep working it,” Kalitta said. “(Epping) is an interesting place – it’s a little off the beaten path but an incredible history of what they do there. They have this lobster challenge in Friday night qualifying so that’ll be cool. Hopefully we’ll have a shot at that opportunity.”

Jack Beckman took over driving duties for Force after the legend’s crash in Richmond, and has won four times, including twice this year. He’s second in points with John Force Racing teammate and reigning champ Austin Prock sitting in first. Other standouts include Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Paul Lee and local native Bob Tasca III.

Troy Coughlin Jr. earned the event win last season, but the Pro Stock ranks have been dominated by KB Titan Racing Dallas Glenn and reigning world champ Greg Anderson in 2025. The pair have been in all six finals this season, with Glenn leading the points after wins in Gainesville, Las Vegas and Charlotte.

Fans will be invited to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits. The stage hosts Nitro School, meet and greets, autograph sessions and much more. Race fans in Epping can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. Fans are also invited to congratulate the event winners at the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday.

As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars, get autographs and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an exciting atmosphere.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features two rounds at 5 and 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, May 30 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, May 31 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 1. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, 7 p.m. on Saturday, and then eliminations action from 6-9 p.m. ET on Sunday on FOX.

Friday’s second qualifying session will be broadcast for free on the NHRA’s Facebook and YouTube channels, as well as NHRA.tv.

To purchase tickets to the NHRA New England Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Van Life vs Road Trip Car: What’s Better for Travelling the UK?

By
SM
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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Road trips in the UK let you see the old coastlines, amazing countryside and busy cities; however, deciding on your means of transport shapes every part of your journey. If you are looking for a camper van or a car with plenty of camping gear, you should think about your needs for space, ease of movement and comfort. Now that van financing is available, more people can enjoy self-converted campers, so the question of van life versus car travel is more important to UK adventurers than ever.

Sleeping Arrangements and Living Space

Campervans are convenient because they have built-in sleeping areas. A van becomes a tiny home with beds, a compact kitchen area and indoor storage. When the weather is wet or windy, not having to set up your shelter makes travelling on the road less stressful.

Creativity is necessary when it comes to cars. You must either own a tent or be willing to sleep in the limited space of your car’s backseat. Even if you buy an estate or SUV, you may still need to set up and take down your bed every day. Although you can survive in a car, it is less comfortable and more limited than staying in a home.

Fuel Costs and Efficiency

Road trip cars generally win when it comes to miles per gallon. Smaller engines, lighter frames, and aerodynamic shapes mean less fuel burned per journey. That makes a big difference on long drives through areas like the Scottish Highlands or along the Welsh coast.

Vans, particularly older or larger models, tend to consume more fuel, especially when loaded with camping kit or fitted with kitchen and sleeping setups. However, newer campervans and electric van conversions are steadily improving on efficiency, which helps offset ongoing running costs. For travellers considering the bigger picture, the cost of fuel may need to be weighed against the savings in accommodation.

Navigation and Parking

Winding village lanes, tight city car parks, and narrow scenic routes all favour smaller vehicles. Cars are simply easier to navigate through compact spaces, which matters when exploring older towns or rural beauty spots.

Manoeuvring a van demands more attention and sometimes limits access to smaller roads. Height restrictions in urban areas or limited overnight parking rules can also become frustrating. Still, many van owners adapt quickly, relying on apps to locate van-friendly parking spots and routes.

Creature Comforts on the Road

In terms of on-the-move convenience, vans often excel. A fridge within reach, a proper seat for reading on rainy days, or a quick nap without leaving the vehicle adds a layer of ease that road trip cars struggle to match.

That said, some road trip cars now come with rooftop tents, pull-out kitchens, and clever modular gear designed to bridge the comfort gap. While they may not offer standing room or privacy in the same way, they appeal to those wanting to strike a balance between adventure and practicality.

Budget and Flexibility

A road trip car, especially one already owned, is the more affordable option. With no need for conversion, and lower insurance or maintenance costs, it suits shorter journeys or travellers unsure about committing to full-time life on the road.

Vans, particularly those bought through van financing, require a longer-term mindset. The upfront investment is higher, and there’s effort involved in setting it up for travel. But for those planning extended trips or aiming to live on the road for months at a time, the investment often pays off in independence and freedom.

Which One Suits Your Journey?

Choosing between van life and car travel isn’t about which is objectively better — it’s about what matches your style of exploring. If comfort, convenience, and a mobile home appeal, vans make the most sense, especially when van financing options ease the cost barrier. If nimbleness, fuel savings, and a lightweight approach sound more appealing, a trusty car may be all you need. Whatever you choose, the UK’s landscapes await — and they’re best experienced from behind the wheel.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY RACE PREVIEW

By
Official Release
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EVENT: Cracker Barrel 400
DATE: June 1, 2025
TRACK: Nashville Superspeedway | 1.33-mile intermediate oval

CLUB MINUTES:

JJ AT NASHVILLE: While NASCAR added Nashville Superspeedway to the Cup Series schedule after LEGACY MC co-owner Johnson retired from full-time racing, he does have one lone start there in the NASCAR Xfinity Series from April 2001 prior to the repave and improvements. He started 31st for the race and finished 28th after an accident ended his day on lap 203 of 225.

BAYNE AT NASHVILLE: LEGACY Club Ambassador Trevor Bayne has made six total NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) starts at Nashville Superspeedway. Although bad luck found him in two of his starts where his day ended early because of wrecks, he didn’t finish worse than 12th in his other four starts. His best finish of second came in his most recent start in June 2022 when he ran a part-time schedule with Joe Gibbs Racing. He started third for the 188-lap race and scored a runner-up result.

NEVER SETTLE: Join ESPN’s Marty Smith and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s co-owner Johnson for their weekly podcast, “Never Settle”. The podcast airs live on SIRIUS XM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90 at 2 p.m. ET every Wednesday and can be downloaded wherever fans source their podcasts. This weeks guest is racing legend, Mario Andretti.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 DRIVEVALUE.COM TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
WELCOME DRIVEVALUE.COM: DriveValue.com a new partner for LEGACY MC will dawn the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE, driven by John Hunter Nemechek this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway.

RIDE ALONG: Nemechek and the No. 42 DriveValue.com Toyota Camry XSE will carry the Toyota in-car camera this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway.

JHN AT NASHVILLE: This year marks Nemechek’s second start in the NASCAR Cup Series at Nashville Superspeedway. However, the 27-year-old has found success in NASCAR’s lower ranks. In 2024, while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he visited Victory Lane at Nashville — one of his two wins in the series that season.

TMACK AT NASHVILLE: Crew chief Travis Mack has called four Cup Series races at Nashville Superspeedway. In those four starts, his driver has an average finish of 11.25.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:

“I am looking forward to getting back to Nashville this weekend after getting a taste of Victory Lane last year in the Xfinity Series. Our No. 42 LEGACY MC team has shown a lot of speed over the last several weeks. Nashville is unique to all the different places that we go, but our team is really good at adapting and finding us speed. There will be a large group from DriveValue.com in attendance this weekend, and I hope we can put our Toyota Camry XSE out front.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:

“We are excited for Nashville. We’ve been steadily improving each week, building on our previous race package. We will look to carry that momentum into Nashville and on to Michigan.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
HIGHEST FINISHER AT CHARLOTTE: Erik Jones heads into Sunday’s Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway coming off a solid finish in the series’ longest race of the year – the Coca-Cola 600. Despite having to fall to the rear on Sunday due to unapproved adjustments, Jones found speed early on despite dealing with a tight No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE. He earned stage points and ran in the top-10 for a good bit of the 600-mile race. A pit stop error on their final stop though put them deep in the back. Still, a determined Jones was able to find himself in 13th by the checkered flag, making him the highest-finishing LEGACY MC entry.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: Jones will celebrate his 29th birthday on Friday, May 30 prior to Sunday’s Cracker Barrel 400. Born on May 30, 1996 in Byron, Michigan, Jones has spent the past 28 years chasing and now living his dream of being a NASCAR Cup Series driver. His hope is to bring home Sunday’s trophy as his birthday present.

OSCAR JAMESON JONES: Jones’ loyal companion and best friend, Oscar Jones, also celebrates his ninth birthday this week on Sunday, June 1. The Michigan-native first brought this social media famous German Shepherd home in July 2017. Often seen on Jones’ social or his own Instagram, Oscar has become a key mascot in the Erik Jones brand. Follow along for Oscar’s adventures on his official Instagram @OscarJamesonJones.

JONES NASHVILLE STATS: Sunday’s Cracker Barrel 400 will mark Jones’ fifth NASCAR Cup Series start at Nashville where he only owns one finish outside the top 20. After starting ninth in his first race at the 1.333-mile oval in June 2021, he earned a 19th-place finish. He followed that up in June 2022 with an 11th-place finish after starting 23rd. His best finish came in his third start there in June 2023 where he once again started 23rd but found himself in eighth by the checkered flag.

BESHORE AT NASHVILLE: Crew chief Beshore has a total of three races under his belt as crew chief in the NASCAR Cup Series at Nashville. He has a best result of 11th with Kyle Busch in June 2021 after Busch led 10 laps. He also has one additional race as a crew chief for John Hunter Nemechek in the Xfinity Series at Nashville where the team started 21st and finished sixth.

READWITHERIK AT VANDERBILT: As part of his initiative to ignite a passion for reading in children, Jones will take his #READwithErik program to the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and Seacrest Studios. Through the Seacrest Studios broadcast channels, children in the hospital will get to see a special #READwithErik where he reads “No Buddy Like a Book” by Allan Wolf virtually. The broadcast will not only air to the rooms of all the patients in the hospital, but also in all 12 Seacrest Studio locations across the United States.

ERIK JONES QUOTE:

““Nashville’s a place that I’m just happy we’re going back to. I think it’s a great market for us for one thing, and the track itself has aged really well since we were gone. It’s put on some great races over the years, so it’s been one where I feel like we’ve really gotten our season rolling in the last few years. We’ve been able to be in contention and run up front. So, we’re hoping it’s kind of the same this year. We can get our season back on track and get some things rolling the right way. Start racking up some points. I love going there. I love racing there. I’m excited to get back.”

BEN BESHORE QUOTE:

“It’s a little interesting because Nashville is concrete but it’s also a cross between a short-track and an intermediate. The track is a different package and sort of unique from that standpoint as it’s not really like any other track. With the service and the size, it’s different. It’s a smaller D-shaped mile-and-a-half, but with putting the resin down it’s definitely a unique animal. You’ll see some guys experiment with lines there, the rubber can build up on the seams – your typical concrete-track issues, but they key is going fast compared to a Dover or Bristol.”

CLUB APPEARANCES:
On race day, Nemechek will visit the NASCAR Classics merchandise hauler and connect with fans and sign some autographs. The appearance on Sunday will start at 2:00 p.m. CT.

TUNE IN:
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Nashville Superspeedway with the Cracker Barrel 400 on Sunday, June 1. The race broadcast will take place on Amazon Prime, MAX, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90) at 7 p.m. EDT.

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization co-owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

LOGAN BEARDEN PARTNERS WITH T3 VODKA AT NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY

By
Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, N.C., (May 27, 2025) – NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Logan Bearden announced he will compete in his first race of the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season this weekend at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway in the No.14 Chevrolet Camaro of SS-GreenLight Racing.

Bearden’s primary marketing partner will be T3 Vodka.

“T3 Vodka is thrilled to team up with Logan Bearden and SS-GreenLight Racing,” said Mark Lester, Founder and President of T3 Vodka. “Tennessee is our home – and it’s the heart of our identity. Partnering with Logan for Nashville just makes sense. NASCAR is built on passion and heritage, and we bring that same spirit to every bottle we make. We’re proud to bring a premium product to a fanbase that values quality, authenticity, and a damn good time.”

“Nashville is not just an iconic venue – it’s right in the middle of our target footprint,” Lester added. “This sponsorship helps us strengthen relationships with distributors and retailers while reaching NASCAR’s incredibly loyal and engaged fan base. It’s more than just branding — it’s a platform to grow our presence where it matters most.”

T3 Vodka is a Knoxville-based premium vodka brand known for its hand-crafted spirit and meticulous 10-step filtration process. The 80-proof, American-made vodka has earned international acclaim, including a Gold Medal at the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards in Las Vegas and a Gold Medal at the 2024 SIP International Spirits Competition in San Diego. T3 Vodka is currently distributed across Middle and East Tennessee and is expanding into Virginia, Georgia, and Nevada. For more information, visit t3vodka.com.

“It’s an honor to carry T3 Vodka on the No. 14 Chevrolet this weekend,” said Bearden. “They’re a Tennessee-born brand with big goals, and I’m excited to help bring that story to life on and off the track. We’re going to give them a show to remember.”

The Tennessee Lottery 250 (188 laps | 250.4 miles) is the 14th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2025 schedule. A pair of 25-minute practices will take place on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 1:05 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow at 2:10 p.m. The 38-car field will take the green flag shortly after 6:30 p.m., with live coverage on The CW Network, the Performance Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (CT).

For more information on Logan Bearden, visit https://www.loganbearden.com/ or follow him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/loganbeardenracing/), X (https://x.com/LoganBearden_) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/logan_bearden/).

For more information on T3 Vodka, visit https://t3vodka.com/ or follow them on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/t3vodka/) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/t3vodka).

Front Row Motorsports: Charlotte Motor Speedway Race Report – Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith

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Official Release
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Noah Gragson | Todd Gilliland | Zane Smith
Charlotte Motor Speedway Race Report
Coca-Cola 600
Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025
Event: Race 15 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway (1.5-miles)
Length of Race: 400 laps over four hours, 25 minutes, eight seconds

FRM Finish:

● Noah Gragson (Started 8th, Finished 10th / Running, completed 400 of 400 laps)
● Todd Gilliland (Started 34th, Finished 18th / Running, completed 399 of 400 laps)
● Zane Smith (Started 23rd, Finished 39th / DNF, completed 236 of 400 laps)

FRM Points Standings:

Todd Gilliland (22nd)
Zane Smith (26th)
Noah Gragson (28th)

Noah Gragson Key Takeaways

Stage One: 8th / Stage Two: 9th / Stage Three: 11th / Race Result: 10th

The NASCAR Cup Series competed in the longest race of the season this past Sunday, the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Noah Gragson qualified eighth for the 400-lap event, his third top-10 starting spot of the season. Through the first two stages, Gragson finished eighth and ninth, grabbing five total stage points. Gragson finished 11th in the third stage. In the final 100 laps, Gragson raced his way back into the top-10 to cross the start / finish line in 10th. Sunday’s 10th place finish is Gragson’s third top-10 result of the season

“It was a long night, but we came home with a solid 10th place finish,” said Gragson. “We ran within the top eight for the first 300 laps, but I made a mistake on pit road to start the final stage and had to start as the last car on the lead lap. Our Rush Truck Centers Ford was fast all night and we were able to get back into the top-10 to finish the race. I’m looking forward to bringing this momentum to Nashville.”

Todd Gilliland Key Takeaways

Stage One: 29th / Stage Two: 23rd / Stage Three: 17th / Race Result: 18th

Todd Gilliland made his fourth Coca-Cola 600 start this past Sunday. Gilliland qualified 34th for the event. Gilliland struggled with the handling of his Ford throughout the first two stages, finishing 29th in Stage One and 23rd in Stage Two. In the final two stages, Gilliland made his way into the top-20 before crossing the start / finish line in 18th.

“That was a grind for sure,” said Gilliland. “We made small gains all night but nothing big enough to get to where we wanted to be. We have a good stretch of races coming up, so I’m excited to see where we’ll stack up.”

Zane Smith Key Takeaways

Stage One: 13th / Stage Two: 14th / Stage Three: 39th / Race Result: 39th

Zane Smith competed in his third Coca-Cola 600 this past Sunday and his second with Crew Chief Ryan Bergenty. Qualifying 23rd for the 400 lap, 600-mile race, Smith picked off the competition to put himself within the top-15 throughout the first two stages. In the third stage on lap 236, Smith spun on the backstretch taking heavy damage to his Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Smith retired from the race and was credited with a 39th place finish.

“We got a little behind on adjustments and were racing with guys that are just a little sketchier,” said Smith. “Unfortunately, I just got tight and tried to slide up in front of the 88 and got a little free and then just got finished off by him. It’s unfortunate because we had a really good car until our halfway break. All in all, we’ve been fast this year and we just need to keep it going.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

Kaulig Racing Welcomes Supercars Champion Will Brown for the Chicago Street Race

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Official Release
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Lexington, N.C. (May 27, 2025) – The city of Chicago has lured another Supercars champion to its streets.

Kaulig Racing announced today it will enter reigning Supercars Australia Champion Will Brown in the NASCAR Cup Series race at the July 6 Chicago Street Race, one of the most anticipated races of the year.

Brown, a 26-year-old Australian, will drive Kaulig Racing’s No. 13 Chevrolet, joining teammates AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon. Brown won the 2024 Supercars title, scoring five wins and 19 podium finishes, the first time in 40 years that a driver earned a podium finish in every round.

For his first outing with Kaulig Racing, Brown and the No. 13 Chevrolet will be heavily supported by long-time partners of the Aussie. MobileX, the most customizable wireless service designed to save customers money, available at Walmart, will serve as the primary partner along with financial services leader, Shaw and Partners Financial Services. Additional partners featured on the No. 13 car include QuadLock, KMC Wheels, Direct Plasterboard Outlet (DPO), Complete Parts & Equipment Solutions, Southern Cross Truck Rentals (SCTR), Wurth, Supercars Championship Repco, Xpress Fleet (XF) and Leaf Filter Gutter Protection.

“After watching SVG (Shane van Gisbergen) win the 2023 Chicago NASCAR race and getting to drive myself at Sonoma last year, I’ve been really keen to have a go at the Grant Park 165,” said Brown. “The Supercars calendar aligned this year to give me time to get over to Charlotte early to prepare and give the race a crack! I have watched Kaulig Racing closely this season and I’m really excited to get behind the wheel of the MobileX and Shaw and Partners Financial Services No. 13!”

This year, NASCAR returns to Chicago for its third season racing the famed streets of Chicago. The inaugural event was won by three-time Supercars champion, Shane van Gisbergen, when he shocked the motorsports world by winning the inaugural event in just his first NASCAR start.

In the inaugural event in 2023, Kaulig Racing scored a runner up finish to van Gisbergen with Justin Haley and the No. 31 team. Haley led 23 of 78 laps before coming up just shy of the win.

“This is an amazing opportunity for Kaulig Racing to compete for a win in one of the most prestigious events on the calendar,” said owner Matt Kaulig. “We are so excited to have Will (Brown) race with us and compete for the trophy. The team is ready, and we know he has the talent.”

Brown made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Sonoma Raceway in 2024, driving a third entry for Richard Childress Racing (RCR). With a strong Chevy, Brown was third after the first practice, but an electrical issue hindered his qualifying effort. He started the race from 24th, but a similar electrical issue during the race caused the team to fall off the lead lap and unable to make up the ground, Brown finished the race in 31st.

The Grant Park 165 at the Chicago Street Course kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 6, live on TNT Sports. The race will be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SIRIUS XM’s NASCAR Channel.
 
About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 27 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

Spire Motorsports Rackley Roofing 200 Race Advance

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Official Release
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  • In three NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, Spire Motorsports has earned one top-five and a pair of top-10 finishes. Rajah Caruth, driver of the team’s No. 71 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado, collected a team-best fourth-place result in the 2024 Rackley Roofing 200. The Mooresville, N.C., organization fields the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets full time in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Nos. 07 and 7 entries will see a rotating roster of all-star caliber drivers throughout the season, while Caruth and Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Andres Perez de Lara will pilot the Nos. 71 and 77, respectively, for the full slate of races.
  • The Rackley Roofing 200 will be televised live on FS1 Friday, May 30 beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 12th of 25 races on the 2025 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series calendar will be broadcast live on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Kyle Busch – Driver, No. 07 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Kyle Busch will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 07 Gainbridge Chevrolet Silverado in Friday’s Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.
  • The 40-year-old has tallied two CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at the Lebanon, Tenn., oval, both ending with a trip to Victory Lane. Busch dominated back-to-back appearances in April 2010 and April 2011, leading 271 of 300 laps contested (90.33 percent) and collecting a pair of Sam Bass-designed Gibson guitars.
  • Busch’s 2010 CRAFSMAN Truck Series victory at Nashville marked the first of 100 wins for Kyle Busch Motorsports. The team would serve as a launching pad for some of the biggest names in the Cup Series, today, while clinching two driver’s championships and seven owner’s championships.
  • In addition to his impressive resume behind the wheel of a truck at Nashville, two of the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ all-time winningest driver’s 102 checkered flags came at the D-shaped oval in June 2009 and June 2021. In 11 Xfinity Series appearances at the track, the 2010 series champion collected five top fives, six top 10s, led 612 laps and averaged an 11.7 finishing position.
  • The Las Vegas native holds the record for most CRAFTSMAN Truck Series wins (67) and lowest average finish in series history (6.5), while ranking second on the series’ all-time laps led list (8,130).
  • In his past 14 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series appearances, Busch has finished first or second nine times, six of which concluded with a trip to Victory Lane.
  • Founded in 2018, Gainbridge® is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone, no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge® is headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.io or follow and connect with us on X and LinkedIn.
  • Earlier this season, Busch defended his 2024 victory in the Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, spending all 135 laps in the top 15, leading a race-high 80 laps and recording both a field-leading average running position (3.2) and driver rating (124.6).
  • In five starts in the 2024 campaign with Spire Motorsports, Busch snagged two wins (Atlanta and Texas Motor Speedway), three top fives and led 263 laps.
  • Busch will round out his five-race CRAFTSMAN Truck Series slate in Spire Motorsports’ No. 07 Silverado at Watkins Glen International on August 8.
  • “Rowdy” will be at the controls of Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-087 Friday night. Kyle Larson drove the truck to Victory Lane at Homestead-Miami Speedway in March and a runner-up finish at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

Kyle Busch Quote
What are your thoughts heading into your first Truck Series race at Nashville since 2011?
“It’s been several years since I’ve raced a truck at Nashville, but being in a truck there brings back good memories. I was able to get my first win as an owner-driver with KBM there in 2010 — in what I think was just our fourth or fifth race in the Truck Series. We haven’t had the results that we’ve wanted the last few weeks, but I’m hopeful that we can get things headed back in the right direction and park our Gainbridge Silverado in Victory Lane Friday night.”

Atop the No. 07 Box – Crew Chief Allen Hart

  • Allen Hart calls the shots for the No. 07 team, an entry that has seen a rotating roster of drivers throughout the 2025 campaign.
  • As a race engineer at JR Motorsports, Hart helped Justin Allgaier to a runner-up finish in the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Nashville Superspeedway. Ironically, Kyle Busch was the one driver to best Allgaier on the sizzling June afternoon.
  • Last Friday at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, the No. 07 team and driver B.J. McLeod managed a top-15 result despite considerable damage to the left-front corner of the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster Chevrolet.
  • The Midland, Mich., native earned his first career win in a crew chief role in March’s Baptist Health 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. After a spin midway through the Final Stage, Kyle Larson made an impressive run through the field over the event’s final 40 circuits, chasing down the leaders with two laps remaining to make the winning move.
  • Through 11 races, No. 07 team sits sixth in the division’s owner’s championship point standings on the strength of one win, three top-five and four top-10 finishes.

Corey Day – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Corey Day will drive Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado in Friday’s Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.
  • Day will pull double duty this weekend, also racing Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 17 Chevrolet in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Tennessee Lottery 250.
  • Friday’s 150-lap event will mark the Clovis, Calif., native’s 10th CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start and sixth with Spire Motorsports. Day competed in four races last season with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing.
  • Last time out at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway, an optimistic afternoon turned sour when contact with another competitor early in the event caused fender damage to the HENDRICKCARS.COM Silverado. The resulting damage created myriad issues throughout the 200-lap affair but the team rallied and, with an assist from attrition, came away with a workman-like 22nd-place finish.
  • In his first CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race for Spire Motorsports at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Day secured his first career Kennametal Pole Award and led the field to the green flag. One week later, he earned a career-best 15th-place finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
  • HENDRICKCARS.COM is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop more than 30,000 new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.
  • Day will round out his eight-race CRAFTSMAN Truck Series slate with Spire Motorsports at Indianapolis Raceway Park (July 25) and Darlington (S.C.) Raceway (Aug. 30).
  • The talented teenager will contest two more ARCA Menards Series events in Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet later this season at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway (July 11) and Kansas Speedway (Sept. 26).
  • The open-wheel phenom will race Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-083 Friday night, the same truck he qualified on the pole with at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March. Connor Mosack scored a chassis-best third-place finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway last October.

Corey Day Quote
What are your thoughts heading into the double-duty weekend at Nashville this weekend?
“It’s been a few weeks since I raced on pavement, but especially in the truck. I’m ready to get back though. I’ve been at the Chevy simulator getting ready and I think we should have a good weekend. Nashville seems like a track that will suit me and my driving style, so I’m excited to see if that’s the case.”

Atop the No. 7 Box – Crew Chief Brian Pattie

  • Brian Pattie stands atop of the No. 7 pit box, an entry that has seen a plethora of all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel throughout the 2025 season.
  • The 50-year-old is familiar with Nashville Superspeedway Victory Lane, propelling Reed Sorenson to a dominant first-career Xfinity Series victory in the March 2005 Pepsi 300. Sorenson qualified on the pole, led 197 of the event’s 225 laps, lapped up to the eighth position and managed a whopping 14.417 second margin of victory.
  • In last season’s Rackley Roofing 200, the Zephyrhills, Fla., native reunited with longtime friend and former Cup Series start Clint Bowyer for a one-off CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event. Bowyer was competing for a position within the top 10 when front-end damage sustained on a restart hindered his performance the remainder of the evening. The duo was credited with a 17th-place result.
  • Last Friday at Charlotte Speedway, Kyle Busch kept the No. 7 Silverado within the top five for a majority of the night. A slow stop during a late-race green-flag pit cycle relegated the Las Vegas native to a fifth-place finish.
  • Through 11 races, the No. 7 team sits ninth in the division’s owner’s championship point standings on the strength of two wins, four top-five and five top-10 finishes.
  • The No. 7 team defended its 2024 victory in the Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February with Busch behind the wheel. The Las Vegas driver spent all 135 laps in the top 15 while leading a race-high 80 laps and recording a field-leading average running position (3.2) and driver rating (124.6).
  • Earlier this month, Pattie called Carson Hocevar to victory at Kansas Speedway as the Michigan-native led 75 of the event’s 134 laps. The win marks Spire Motorsports’ eighth CRAFTSMAN Truck Series triumph.
  • The 24-year industry veteran spent 14 seasons in NASCAR’s premier division. As a crew chief, he has amassed six wins in Cup Series competition, 11 in the Xfinity Series and seven in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. He stands as one of 11 crew chiefs to win races across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series.

Rajah Caruth – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Rajah Caruth will be behind the wheel of Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado in Friday evening’s Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.
  • The 22-year-old has made two CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Nashville, highlighted by fourth-place result last season.
  • In the 2024 event, Caruth qualified fifth and registered an average running position of 4.74 en route to a fourth-place finish, his third top five of the campaign.
  • After a then career-best qualifying effort prior to the 2023 Rackley Roofing 200, the Washington, D.C. native led his first lap in a NASCAR national series race after battling in the top-two with former Rev Racing teammate, Nick Sanchez, for the opening 36 circuits. Caruth led the field across the stripe on Lap 36, only to immediately report fuel pick-up issues and drop outside the top 20 the next time around. He ultimately fell 32 laps down as the team addressed the issue.
  • After qualifying eighth last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Caruth secured his sixth top 10 of the season with a ninth-place finish.
  • Caruth has shown prowess on concrete ovals in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, collecting five top 10s in the last six events on similar surfaces dating back to last season.
  • Through the first 11 events on the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series calendar, Caruth has earned two top fives and six top 10s, while pacing the field for 115 circuits – doubling his total of 56 from the 2024 campaign.
  • HENDRICKCARS.COM is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop more than 30,000 new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.
  • The 2024 season marked a career year for Caruth, tallying one win, a pair of Cometic Gasket Pole Awards and five top-five finishes, all of which were the first of his young career. The 12 top-10 finishes on the season tripled Caruth’s total of four in 2023, while his average starting position of 10.7 was four positions higher than 2023 and his 11.6 average finish was an impressive seven positions higher.
  • With his first career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last season, Caruth became the third African-American driver to win a NASCAR National Touring Series race, joining 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Wendell Scott and current Cup Series star Bubba Wallace.
  • Caruth and the No. 71 team qualified for the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series playoffs in 2024, the first such appearance for the former Washington, D.C., resident. Despite reaching the Round of 8, mechanical issues stalled his championship bid in the season’s penultimate event at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
  • The blue and white HENDRICKCARS.COM colors will wrap Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-078. Nick Sanchez piloted the truck to victory last May at Charlotte.

Rajah Caruth Quotes
It is no secret you’ve had speed and ran up front at Nashville. How do you look to replicate that speed this weekend?
“I really like Nashville. It is definitely one of my favorite tracks. I have had the good fortune of running up front both times I raced there in trucks. I took the lead from Nick (Sanchez) in 2023, then I broke. Last year, we qualified and ran in the top five all night long. There is no reason we can’t lead laps and compete for the win on Friday.”

You continue to close the gap to the playoff cutline. How has this year gone after a pair of DNFs to start the year put you in a deficit right out of the gate?
“It has been a grind this year for sure. Even though we were in a tough points’ spot after Atlanta, neither the team nor I changed anything about our approach. Truth be told, we didn’t really do anything wrong at Daytona or Atlanta, simply wrong place at the wrong time. That’s just how it goes at those wildcard tracks. We have had a bunch of really good days, and a couple tough finishes throughout the rest of the year. But I am still living week-to-week and only worrying about the next race. My team has done a great job building me fast Silverados, and I know we are close to breaking through and getting ourselves a victory.”

Atop the No. 71 Box – Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion

  • Veteran crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion has called two CRAFTSMAN Truck Series events at Nashville Superspeedway, highlighted by a fourth-place finish with Zane Smith in 2021. The Boylston, Mass., native adds five Xfinity Series appearances in the “Music City,” collecting two pole awards and two top fives with driver Martin Truex, Jr., at Chance 2 Motorsports.
  • Manion, a 31-year veteran of the sport, founded Spire Motorsports’ CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program alongside industry veteran Mike Greci in 2022. The team claimed their first victory in their second outing with William Byron behind the wheel at Martinsville Speedway.
  • The 53-year-old has racked up six Cup Series victories – including the 2010 Daytona 500 – 17 NASCAR Xfinity Series triumphs and 11 CRAFTSMAN Truck series wins. Manion is also one of 11 crew chiefs to have called wins across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series.
  • In 2023, Manion became one of few to call a race in all three of NASCAR’s national series in a single season, all of which came under the Spire Motorsports umbrella. He led the part-time effort on the No. 7 Silverado in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, helped in limited starts for Carson Hocevar in the Xfinity Series and took the reigns during the second half of the Cup Series season for Ty Dillon and the No. 77 team.

Andres Perez de Lara – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Andres Perez de Lara will pilot the No. 77 Telcel Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports in this weekend’s Rackley Roofing 200.
  • Last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Perez de Lara showed top-10 speed throughout the event, but was stalled by a late-race, pit-road penalty. He eventually crossed the line in the 16th position, besting the field of rookie drivers.
  • The 20-year-old will make his first appearance at the Lebanon, Tenn., oval. Perez de Lara has made five intermediate starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, with a best finish of 16th coming last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • The 2024 ARCA Menards Series Champion has made four career starts in the ARCA Menards Series on concrete tracks, three of which were came at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and one at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway. He tallied two top fives and three top 10s across those four races.
  • The Mexico City native competed on a comparable oval to Nashville Superspeedway during his time in the NASCAR Mexico Series. Óvalo Aguascalientes México, a 0.875 D-shaped oval, is the site of Perez de Lara’s lone win in NASCAR’s premier series south of the border in 2023. In four starts at the Aguascalientes venue, Perez de Lara logged three top fives and four top 10s.
  • Telcel is Mexico’s leading telecommunications company, providing nationwide coverage, cutting-edge mobile connectivity, and high-speed internet services to millions of users. With over 30 years of experience, Telcel continues to innovate in digital communication, offering solutions that keep people connected anytime, anywhere.
  • Beyond technology, Telcel is committed to supporting excellence in sports, particularly in motorsports. As a proud and long-time sponsor of Perez de Lara, Telcel fuels the passion for speed, precision and performance, driving success both on and off the track. Telcel will be a season-long partner with Perez de Lara and the No. 77 team.
  • The 20 year-old has made 13 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts, 12 of which were behind the wheel of a Spire Motorsports Chevy Silverado. He earned his first-career top 10 in his CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut last June at World Wide Technology Raceway (Ill.) via a ninth-place result. His career-best seventh-place finish at Martinsville Speedway in March marked his second top 10 in the series.
  • The Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender juggled his duties while also competing full time in the NASCAR Mexico Series. In 2023, he earned Rookie of the Year honors while finishing fourth in the division’s championship point standings and reaching the series’ version of the NASCAR playoffs.
  • Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-079 will be driven by Perez de Lara Friday night. The truck has earned a pair of Kennametal Pole Awards at Kansas Speedway (September 2023 and May 2024) and a sixth-place finish at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway last July with Chase Purdy at the controls.

Andres Perez de Lara Quotes
You have never been to Nashville Superspeedway before. How do you feel about heading to yet another new track?
“I am excited for Nashville. It has the potential to be a good race for us. Spire has always brought really fast Silverado’s to the track there and has had very good results, as well. Chad (Walter) and Rajah (Caruth) ran well there last year, so that gives me the confidence that we will be competitive this weekend. For me personally, there is a track in Mexico that races similar to Nashville that I have been quite successful at. I picked up by first career win there in the NASCAR Mexico Series. When I first started running laps at Nashville in the simulator, I felt comfortable with everything I needed to do to make speed. Hopefully, everything will go our way this weekend and we can bring home a good result.”

Halfway through the season, how do you assess your rookie campaign so far?
“It has definitely been an up-and-down year. We have shown we have the speed to run up front, but we haven’t quite been able to put a full race together. Charlotte was the perfect example. We were one of the fastest trucks on track, but I made a few mistakes on pit road that cost us a good finish. I know we will continue to get better over the coming races. We are getting closer and closer to the front. I know my team won’t quit and we will continue to get better together.”

Atop the No. 77 Box – Crew Chief Chad Walter

  • Crew chief Chad Walter has called three CRAFTSMAN Truck Series events at Nashville Superspeedway, highlighted by a fourth-place finish last season with Rajah Caruth at the controls.
  • In nine NASCAR Xfinity Series events atop the box at Nashville, the Cornell (N.Y.) University graduate has collected three top fives and four top 10s.
  • Between NASCAR’s Xfinity Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, the Albion, N.Y. native has racked up six wins, 52 top fives and 131 top 10s.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on May 10, 2025, when Carson Hocevar took the checkered flag in the Heart of Health Care 200 at Kansas Speedway.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team also fields the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and the No. 77 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series in select events.

ERIK JONES PARTNERS WITH ZIGAZOO FOR SOCIAL MEDIA WELLNESS MONTH AND BEYOND

By
Official Release
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB DRIVER COLLABORATES WITH CHILDREN’S APP TO HELP GEN ALPHA STAY SAFE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

STATESVILLE, N.C. / MIAMI, Fl. (May 27, 2025) – As part of his ongoing initiatives with the Erik Jones Foundation, Erik Jones has now entered a partnership with Zigazoo, a popular social media app for children, to help spread awareness during the month of May for Social Media Wellness Month and beyond.

Zigazoo is the world’s largest social media platform made for kids, by parents and former educators. It’s a market leader for safe and positive social media. Founded during the COVID-19 Pandemic as a daily challenge app for children who were stuck at home, it has since grown to be the No. 1 iOS app for children and provide more activities like online book readings, one of which Jones will host under his #READwithErik program within Zigazoo later this month.

Throughout May, Zigazoo dropped special celebrity challenges meant to start a conversation about social media wellness. These videos were provided by celebrities and showcased on the app. The celebrities included Jones, tennis legend and Zigazoo investor Serena Williams, and more. Jones dropped his first challenge video earlier this month, and his second one during Memorial Day yesterday.

Throughout Social Media Wellness Month, Zigazoo also featured a dynamic lineup of other activities to promote mental health wellness and start conversations. In addition to the challenge videos, they posted exclusive interviews, round table discussions, giveaways, and a curated toolkit designed to support families in fostering healthy online habits for the future.

“Gen Alpha doesn’t separate online and offline life—they live in a fully blended reality,” says Leah Ringelstein, Co-founder and Director of Digital Wellness at Zigazoo. “To truly support their safety, creativity, and mental health, we must design tools that meet their unique developmental needs and empower both them and their support systems with the skills to use social media in positive, meaningful ways.”

Jones and Zigazoo are a perfect pairing with his efforts at the Erik Jones Foundation which he founded in 2021. The foundation advocates for its three pillars – literacy, early cancer detection and prevention, and animal welfare. Prior to its launch, Jones had already started his mission to help others when he started the #READWithErik program on his social media during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, much like Zigazoo. While stuck at home, Jones began reading children’s books on Facebook Live to a growing audience of young fans. He posted weekly videos showcasing a new book each week throughout pandemic. Since then the program has hit the road as Jones started to visit local elementary schools and children’s hospitals along the NASCAR circuit to encourage reading from a young age.

“I’m really excited to get partnered up with Zigazoo and learn more about who they are plus everything that we’re going to be doing together. Going forward I think there are some really neat programs that we can be involved in to continue to encourage reading, healthy learning, and healthy social media use. I’m looking forward to being on the platform and continuing to learn more about it as I get involved,” said Jones, driver of the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.

Children can find both challenge video from Jones on the Zigazoo app and a special #READwithErik as he starts his own reading channel on Zigazoo. As more comes from this partnership, Jones will continue to challenge young minds to think outside of the box, read, and be safe on social media.

To learn more about Zigazoo, visit Zigazoo.com.

ABOUT ZIGAZOO: Zigazoo is the world’s largest social platform for kids and the market leader in safe and positive social media, founded by parents and former educators who exited their last education technology company to Renaissance Learning. Zigazoo began during the pandemic as a daily challenge app for kids stuck at home and has since become the #1 iOS app for children. The video-first, challenge-based platform has empowered millions to express their authentic selves within a positive social media environment and has become a priority destination for top-tier creator talent, celebrities, and leading brands, including the NBA, MLB, WWE, DreamWorks, Paramount Pictures, Amazon, Apple TV+, Crayola, Penguin Random House, and Netflix. Zigazoo’s investors include the NBA, Serena Ventures, MaC Venture Capital, iHeartMedia, Charli D’Amelio, and Jimmy Kimmel.

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: LEGACY MC is a premier auto racing organization co-owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

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