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Spire Motorsports DQS Solutions and Staffing 250 Race Advance

By
Official Release
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  • The DQS Solutions and Staffing 250 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics marks the first time Spire Motorsports will field a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series entry at Michigan International Speedway. 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 125-lap event will be televised live on FOX Saturday, June 30 beginning at noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 13th 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.

Corey LaJoie – Driver, No. 07 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Corey LaJoie will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 07 Gainbridge Chevrolet Silverado in Saturday’s DQS Solutions and Staffing 250 at Michigan International Speedway.
  • Saturday’s 125-lap event will mark the Concord, N.C., native’s sixth CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start, fourth with Spire Motorsports and first since February 2024 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. LaJoie registered a career-best 10th-place result at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in August 2014.
  • LaJoie returns to Spire Motorsports having been a key player in building the team’s NASCAR Cup Series program. He made 136 starts behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chevrolet, tallying four top fives and eight top 10s, while registering a career-best fourth-place finish three times, most recently in the 2024 season-opening Daytona 500.
  • The father of three owns 11 Cup Series starts at the two-mile D-shaped oval, earning a career-best 15th-place finish in the 2023 event.
  • 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.
  • LaJoie will compete in nine events with the No. 07 team in 2025, returning to the seat in August at Richmond (Va.) Raceway. He will round out his schedule at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway (Aug. 30), Bristol Motor Speedway (Sep. 11), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Sep. 20), Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway (Oct. 3), Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway (Oct. 17), Martinsville (Va.) Speedway (Oct. 24), and Phoenix Raceway (Oct. 31).
  • “Supershoe” will be at the controls of Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-091 Saturday afternoon. The truck made its maiden voyage at Kansas last month, finishing in the runner-up position with William Byron at the wheel.

Corey LaJoie Quote
What will be the challenges of getting into a truck while a majority of your experience comes in Cup Series cars?
“I’m excited to get acclimated back into the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The No. 07 team has had some good runs this year, so hopefully we can have a couple more. I’ve only ran three truck races with Spire, so I’ll have to get used to these draggy things. The trucks drive like a cup car with a 40-foot trailer attached to the back. It will be an adjustment. Michigan is one of my favorite racetracks, so we should be good to be in contention, which is what we’re all going for here.”

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.
  • The Midland, Mich., native returns to his home state, competing at a venue only a mere two hours from his hometown. The 2005 mechanical engineering graduate earned his degree from Saginaw Valley (Mich.) State University, located in University Center.
  • Last Friday at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, the No. 07 team and driver Kyle Busch were forced to serve an early drive-through penalty for a restart violation, putting the team at a severe track position disadvantage. The Gainbridge Silverado lacked rear grip throughout the night and crossed the finish line in 15th.
  • The 43-year-old 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 12 races, No. 07 team sits ninth in the division’s owner’s championship point standings on the strength of one win, three top-five and four top-10 finishes.

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Carson Hocevar, driver of the No. 7 Delaware Life Chevrolet Silverado, will make his third CRAFSMAN Truck Series start of the season in Friday’s DQS Solutions and Staffing 250 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.
  • The Saturday afternoon’s 250-miler will be Hocevar’s second of three races this week. He’ll first take to the track Tuesday night at Berlin Raceway near Grand Rapids in the Money in the Bank 150 Super Late Model race. Hocevar won the prestigious event in 2020 and 2021 and will compete alongside fellow Cup Series competitor and Michigan native Erik Jones. On Sunday, he will resume his normal duties behind the wheel of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet ZL1 in the FireKeepers Casino 400.
  • The last time the Michigan-native competed at Berlin Raceway he secured a victory in last August’s Battle at Berlin 250.
  • Last month, Hocevar and the No. 7 team claimed victory in the Heart of Health Care 200 at Kansas Speedway. He led 75 of the event’s 134 laps and survived last-lap contact with a competitor en route to his fifth victory in the series and first aboard a Spire Motorsports-prepared Silverado.
  • The Portage, Mich., native is a veteran of 79 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, earning five wins, 22 top fives and 34 top 10s while leading 675 laps. He made the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series playoffs in all three full-time seasons, reaching the Championship 4 in 2023.
  • The five-time CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race winner will will round out his four-race CRAFTSMAN Truck Series slate at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in two weeks.
  • The 22-year-old driver is fresh off his second runner-up finish of the Cup Series season after a stout showing at Nashville Superspeedway. Hocevar started 26th for the 300-lap event, steadily working his way toward the top five by the conclusion of Stage Two. From there, the reigning Cup Series Rookie of the Year ran consistent lap times and was aided by a lightning-fast pit stop from the No. 77 team to claim the second position with 30 laps remaining in the event. The result tied his career-best finish in NASCAR’s premier series, first earned on February 23 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
  • Hocevar’s finish at Nashville resulted in a gain of five positions in the Cup Series driver point standings, placing the No. 77 team just four points behind the Playoff cut line with 12 races remaining.
  • Delaware Life is an insurance and annuity company that empowers financial professionals with a wide array of customizable solutions. A subsidiary of Group 1001 Insurance Holdings LLC, Delaware Life focuses on delivering a seamless experience for advisors. The company understands how important it is to find the right fit for every client, every situation and every individual need. Delaware Life is passionate about equipping advisors with annuities that give their customers peace of mind and a successful future, allowing them to plan with confidence for whatever’s next.
  • Hocevar will race Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-086 Friday night, the same truck he raced at Texas last month before falling out of contention for a top-five finish when he lost voltage under green-flag conditions and was forced to make an unscheduled pit stop. The team ultimately finished 17th.

Carson Hocevar Quote
How much does it benefit you to race in events outside of the Cup Series?
“I feel like it helps a lot. Not so much in terms of things specific to the car and what we can do, but just having that time on track to be in race mode. I love racing and I’m happiest when I’m getting to do that, but I think it does help that I can be in that racing mindset more often and earlier in the weekend. I also really enjoy getting to be around fans. It makes me a better driver to hear what they love about our sport and know that we’re making a difference.”

Atop the No. 7 Box – Crew Chief Brian Pattie

  • Brian Pattie stands atop of the No. 7 pit box, an entry that has seen an abundance of all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel throughout the 2025 season.
  • Pattie will team up with Carson Hocevar for the third time this weekend, fresh off their victory last month at Kansas Speedway.
  • The 50-year-old has yet to call his first CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event at the two-mile D-shaped oval, but has been atop the box for 27 NASCAR Cup Series events. He has earned one top five and nine top 10s, highlighted by a fifth-place result with Clint Bowyer in the August 2013 Pure Michigan 400.
  • Last Friday at Nashville Superspeedway, Corey Day registered a career night by earning his first-career top-10 finish in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series with a fifth-place result. His previous best was 15th in March at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
  • Through 12 races, the No. 7 team sits eighth in the division’s owner’s championship point standings on the strength of two wins, five top-five and six top-10 finishes.
  • The No. 7 team defended its 2024 victory in the Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February with Kyle 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).
  • 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 Saturday’s DQS Solutions and Staffing 250 at Michigan International Speedway.
  • Caruth held off a hard-charging Corey Heim and Layne Riggs to earn his second-career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victory in last Friday’s Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway. After hitting pit road for the final time in the third position, the No. 71 pit crew nailed the stop, putting the driver out front to start the Final Stage. He led the final 51 laps en route to the win.
  • The 22-year-old’s only prior Michigan start came in the 2022 ARCA Menards Series event. He rolled off from the fourth position and crossed the finish line in sixth. Additionally, Caruth owns an Xfinity Series appearance at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway, another two-mile D-shaped oval, in 2023 with Alpha Prime Racing.
  • Through the first 12 events on the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series calendar, Caruth has earned one win, three top fives and seven top 10s, while pacing the field for 186 circuits – tripling his 57 laps led entering the year.
  • 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-090. In the truck’s maiden voyage last month at Kansas, Caruth was competing comfortably in the top five until a late-race pit-road speeding penalty derailed the evening.

Rajah Caruth Quotes
Coming off the win last weekend, how do you carry the momentum into Michigan?
“The biggest thing I am focusing on is keeping up with my process and doing the same things. It keeps my mind at peace. Compared to Vegas last year, I am a lot better equipped to handle the personal side of it away from the racetrack. It is always a good thing for me to go back to the track and get in the mindset to compete. I am not someone who gets too high or too low. I keep rolling with the punches. I’m excited to get to Michigan this week and compete for another win. We are right in General Motors’ backyard, and hopefully we can have a good showing for them.”

Michigan marks the sixth and final race of the six-week stretch. How do you assess how this run of races has gone and how do you finish on a high note?
“I think closing out this stretch will be good for our guys. They’ve been working really hard the last six weeks. Tracy (Ramsey, hauler driver) has been logging a lot of miles and spent a lot of time on the road. It will be good for everyone to chill out next week and be with their families.

“Over the six weeks, we have been consistently faster than when we started the season. I’m really proud of it. I have been improving through the year, but so has my team and the Silverados they have been bringing to the track. A good finish would be good to keep the momentum up over the off week and heading into the final stretch before the playoffs.”

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

  • Veteran crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion has called five CRAFTSMAN Truck Series events at Michigan International Speedway, tallying one win and two top fives. In 2020, Manion led Zane Smith to his first-career win in the series. Smith lined up sixth for a second NASCAR Overtime restart and completed the winning pass in Turn 2 on the final lap. The event that took place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic stands as the last visit to the track located in the Irish Hills of Michigan.
  • The Boylston, Mass., native adds two Xfinity Series top-five results and a pair of runner-up finishes in the 2007 NASCAR Cup Series events at the track, all of which came with driver Martin Truex, Jr.
  • 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 12 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 the DQS Solution and Staffing 250 at Michigan International Speedway.
  • Last week at Nashville Superspeedway, Perez de Lara finished 19th after losing valuable track position on the final restart of the day.
  • The Mexico City native will make his third career start at Michigan International Speedway and his first in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. In two ARCA Menards Series appearances, the 2024 series champion secured a pair of General Tire Pole Awards and finished in the runner-up position last August, a mere seven-tenths-of-a-second behind race-winner Connor Zilisch.
  • 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 14 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts, 13 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 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 the Rookie of the Year award while finishing fourth in the division’s championship point standings and reaching the series’ version of the NASCAR playoffs.
  • Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-088 will be driven by Perez de Lara Friday night. The truck made its first appearance last month at Kansas Speedway.

Andres Perez de Lara Quotes
You’ve shown speed and put together good runs at Michigan in ARCA. What are your thoughts heading to the track for the first time in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series?
“I am super excited to head to Michigan this week. It is one of my favorite tracks . I had my best results in ARCA there. I was close to the win there last year but came up short in the closing laps. The track is still fresh in my mind and the trucks have not been there in a long time. I think that gives me an advantage. I know the track and I know my team will bring me a fast Telcel Silverado this weekend. I hope we get to show our speed this weekend.”

Through your preparation heading into the weekend, what do you believe are the similarities between the trucks and ARCA cars at Michigan?
“In my simulator time, the trucks and ARCA cars drive pretty similar at Michigan. One thing that will differ is how demanding the race will be. Michigan is one of the most demanding tracks I have raced on, and with the race this weekend being longer, it will be even more demanding. The speeds we will carry in the draft will add to it. I know that Chad (Walter) and the rest of the No. 77 team has built a fast Chevy Silverado that we can go compete with this weekend.”

Atop the No. 77 Box – Crew Chief Chad Walter

  • Walter has called one CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race in Michigan’s Irish Hills. Driver Tyler Ankrum avoided late-race carnage to collect a hard-charging fourth place finish on August 7, 2020.
  • In eight NASCAR Xfinity Series events atop the box at Michigan, the Cornell (N.Y.) University graduate collected two top fives and four top 10s, collecting a venue-best fourth-place result with NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin in 2008.
  • The 51-year-old is no stranger to success at another high-speed two-mile oval, Auto Club Speedway, serving as the lead race engineer for Kyle Busch’s first-career Cup Series win. He led a race-high 95 laps en route to victory in only his 31st start.
  • 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 30, 2025, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.

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.

2026 NHRA GATORNATIONALS TO KICK OFF NHRA’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON ON MARCH 5-8

By
Official Release
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (June 3, 2025) – NHRA’s special 75th anniversary season will open at famed Gainesville Raceway, as officials announced today the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will begin March 5-8 with the 57th annual NHRA Gatornationals at the legendary facility in Gainesville.

It will also serve as the kickoff to the historic 75th NHRA season, one that will feature a yearlong celebration of NHRA drag racing. Tickets for the 75th anniversary season opener in Gainesville will go on sale Aug. 25, while the full 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule will be announced soon.

The NHRA Gatornationals will be chocked full of special items to start the 75th anniversary season, including appearances by NHRA legends, special appearances and displays and so much more. Already one of the biggest and most incredible events on the NHRA tour, fans can expect something spectacular and legendary for the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals in 2026.

“As we prepare to celebrate the NHRA’s 75th anniversary in 2026, it’s very exciting to announce that we will launch this historic season at the Gatornationals — one of the most iconic events in our sport,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “Gainesville has been a cornerstone of NHRA tradition for more than 50 years, and it’s the perfect venue to honor the NHRA’s rich history, our fans and all the incredible competitors who have made up NHRA drag racing.

“This event kicks off our 2026 and also starts a season-long celebration of the NHRA’s rich history, biggest moments and the incredible racing community that has been part of NHRA for 75 years. Starting in Gainesville, we can’t wait to showcase everything that makes the NHRA so special in 2026.”

All the 75th anniversary items, appearances and special events planned for the Gatornationals will be released in the coming months.

The historic NHRA Gatornationals has been synonymous with some of the biggest moments in NHRA history, with the race playing an important role in every driver’s legacy. For more than five decades, winning in Gainesville has been a goal for every NHRA star and that will certainly be the case in 2026 to kick off the 75th anniversary season.

This year, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Chad Green (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won in Gainesville to start what has been a thrilling 2025 campaign.

Funny Car legend John Force has eight wins in Gainesville to lead all Funny Car drivers, while Warren Johnson’s nine Pro Stock wins at Gainesville Raceway are the most for any driver. Top Fuel legend Tony Schumacher and six-time Pro Stock world champ Greg Anderson both have five wins at the historic race.

Three-time NHRA Funny Car world champ Ron Capps has four Gatornationals victories, while other Gainesville winners include world champs Antron Brown, Brittany Force, Erica Enders, Matt Hagan, Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon, J.R. Todd, Cruz Pedregon, Steve Torrence, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Matt Smith and Herrera.

Tickets for the 57th annual NHRA Gatornationals will go on sale on Aug. 25. For more information about the 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.

Iconic Track Renamed EchoPark Speedway

By
Official Release
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HAMPTON, Ga. (June 3, 2025) – Speedway Motorsports and EchoPark Automotive introduced the new identity of Georgia’s only NASCAR track today; the iconic, 66-year-old facility in Hampton, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, is now EchoPark Speedway.

Through a new partnership, the speedway – which hosts two NASCAR Cup Series races annually, including the upcoming June 28 Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart – will carry the EchoPark brand for the duration of a seven-year, multi-million-dollar agreement.

Specializing in pre-owned vehicle sales, EchoPark Automotive is one of three operating segments of Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company and one of the largest automotive and powersports retailers in the United States. EchoPark Automotive operates 17 locations in 13 markets, including Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama, where a majority of Atlanta NASCAR fans travel from each year to visit the historic speedway. From restart zone signage to fan zone activations and race entitlements, the pre-owned car dealership chain has leveraged resources across nine Speedway Motorsports facilities nationwide to activate its brand and reach race fans and potential new customers. Acquiring the naming rights to one of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks is the latest and biggest step in this strategy for EchoPark Automotive.

“We have enjoyed serving guests in the Atlanta metro area since EchoPark Atlanta opened its doors in 2020,” said David B. Smith, Chairman and CEO of Sonic Automotive. “This partnership allows us to share the value of the exceptional EchoPark car-buying experience with more guests in Atlanta and the surrounding area who enjoy the excitement of NASCAR racing at this iconic venue.”

EchoPark Automotive is seen as the number one pre-owned car buying experience, reflected in over 100,000 five-star reviews. Using this iconic sports venue, which is the largest in all of Georgia, will help EchoPark Automotive share the message of the brand to millions locally and nationally through major televised NASCAR events.

EchoPark Speedway’s entire 850-acre facility has undergone a massive facelift in preparation for its upcoming national debut as the opening race for the TNT portion of the NASCAR broadcast schedule and the kickoff event for the new in-season Cup Series tournament. Fans will see the new EchoPark Speedway’s signature green color and the new track logo across track walls, Victory Lane, and throughout the concourse when they attend the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart on Saturday night, June 28, or tune in nationally at 7 p.m. ET on TNT.

The winner of the race will also receive a “nearly new” EchoPark Chevy Silverado and a trailer equipped with an 85th Anniversary, Sturgis Motorcyle Rally Limited Edition Harley-Davidson motorcycle. These exclusive motorcycles can be pre-ordered now at SturgisHD.com, but the very first one of only 26 manufactured will go to the winner of the inaugural EchoPark Speedway race. This incredible prize will be presented to the winner in Victory Lane courtesy of EchoPark Automotive.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase the incredible vehicles we sell at EchoPark and share the exposure with another important entity in our Sonic Automotive family,” said Jeff Dyke, President of Sonic Automotive. “The Sturgis Rally is right around the corner, and we know NASCAR fans and drivers will not only love the new presentation of this track, but also the opportunity to see this limited edition Harley-Davidson presented in Victory Lane.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with an innovative, customer-focused company like EchoPark Automotive as the entitlement partner of our newly named EchoPark Speedway,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “EchoPark Automotive is as committed to exceptional customer service as we are, and we know that together we’ll elevate our fan experience to a new level unmatched for Southern hospitality. This partnership will fuel great experiences for fans attending our speedway for years to come.”

EchoPark Speedway has a storied history in NASCAR, hosting races every year since it opened as Atlanta International Raceway in 1960. The speedway hosted NASCAR’s season finale from 1987-2000, including the epic conclusion of the 1992 campaign which saw “The King,” Richard Petty, compete in his last NASCAR race; future legend Jeff Gordon make his first NASCAR Cup Series start; and Georgia’s own Bill Elliott win the race – narrowly losing the title to underdog owner-driver Alan Kulwicki.

Racing enthusiasts have long celebrated EchoPark Speedway’s high-speed, close-quarters racing action and exhilaratingly close finishes. Since its reconfiguration to a 28-degree banked, superspeedway-style track in 2021, that reputation has only been further bolstered. Three- and four-wide racing with abundant lead changes have become the norm when NASCAR visits Atlanta. In February 2024, EchoPark Speedway saw the closest three-wide finish in NASCAR history with race winner Daniel Suárez eclipsing Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch by just 0.003 and 0.007 seconds, respectively. Earlier this year, a new record was set for most lead changes at the speedway. This month’s Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart is expected to continue that trend of thrilling NASCAR action in Atlanta.

EchoPark Speedway will host two NASCAR national touring series during the spectacular June 26-28 summer event. Schedules, tickets, and camping for the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart weekend, can be found online at www.EchoParkSpeedway.com.

About EchoPark Speedway:

EchoPark Speedway is a premier entertainment venue located about 30 miles south of Atlanta, Ga.

Since 1960, EchoPark Speedway has been a staple of the NASCAR calendar and currently hosts two weekends of racing in the spring and fall each year. When NASCAR isn’t in town, EchoPark Speedway’s versatile facility hosts an assortment of events that attract visitors from near and far, from Monster Jam to the Georgia State Fair and everything between.

For more information on EchoPark Speedway and to see upcoming events at the facility, visit www.EchoParkSpeedway.com.

About Sonic Automotive:

Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is on a quest to become the most valuable diversified automotive retail and service brand in America. Our Company culture thrives on creating, innovating, and providing industry-leading guest experiences, driven by strategic investments in technology, teammates, and ideas that ultimately fulfill ownership dreams, enrich lives, and deliver happiness to our guests and teammates. As one of the largest automotive and powersports retailers in America, we are committed to delivering on this goal while pursuing expansive growth and taking progressive measures to be the leader in these categories. Our new platforms, programs, and people are set to drive the next generation of automotive and powersports experiences. More information about Sonic Automotive can be found at sonicautomotive.com and ir.sonicautomotive.com.

About the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart:

Atlanta’s Night Race returns with the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart on Saturday night, June 28, 2025. Sparks will fly as NASCAR’s best duel under the lights on EchoPark Speedway’s challenging high banks.

The rising stars of the NASCAR Xfinity Series bring the action Friday night in the Focused Health 250 on June 27.

Adding even higher stakes to the weekend is the first running of NASCAR’s $1 million In-Season Tournament. 32 of NASCAR’s stars will be paired against each other in a bracket-style elimination tournament that begins at EchoPark Speedway.

More information on the June 26-28 Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart weekend and ticket availability can be found online at www.EchoParkSpeedway.com.

Ford Looks to Start New Michigan Cup Winning Streak This Weekend

By
Official Release
-

MICHIGAN

Saturday, June 7 — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Noon ET (FOX)
Sunday, June 8 — NASCAR Cup Series, 2 p.m. ET (PRIME VIDEO)

Ford will be looking to start a new winning streak in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway after its nine-race stretch of victories ended last season. There is no track on the NASCAR circuit that Ford has been more successful at than MIS, winning 44 times overall.

This weekend also marks the return of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to the two-mile facility for the first time since 2020.

FORD ALL-TIME MICHIGAN WINS LEADER

Since Michigan International Speedway opened in 1969 there have been 107 NASCAR Cup Series races and Ford Motor Company has won more than half of them (52%). Overall, the company has 56 MIS victories with 44 being Ford and 12 Mercury. David Pearson is the track’s all-time leader in wins with nine (all Mercury) while Bill Elliott has the most Ford wins with seven.

HERITAGE TROPHY SUCCESS

Since Michigan International Speedway began handing out the Heritage Trophy to the winning manufacturer in August 2013, Ford has taken it back to World Headquarters in nearby Dearborn more times than any other manufacturer. Ford has won 11 races since the trophy came into existence while Chevrolet has won six and Toyota two. Joey Logano’s win in the Pure Michigan 400 on Aug. 18, 2013 was his first win with Ford and new car owner Roger Penske, but it also marked the first time the trophy was awarded. Logano, who won the pole and led a race-high 51 laps, passed Mark Martin for the lead with four laps to go after Martin’s car ran out of gas.

3-FOR-3 IN 2025

Ryan Blaney’s victory on Sunday at Nashville Superspeedway means that all three Team Penske drivers have a win this season. Blaney followed Austin Cindric (Talladega) and Joey Logano (Texas) in clinching a playoff berth, and it continues an impressive record for the organization. Since Team Penske went to three NASCAR Cup Series cars in 2018, it has seen each team win at least one race in the same season six times. Overall, Team Penske has won 104 races with Ford and the current lineup of Blaney, Cindric and Logano have combined for 51 of those.

JACK’S BACKYARD

Jack Roush has had ties to the state of Michigan ever since he started working at Ford Motor Company in 1964 after graduating from Berea College. He has called the state his home ever since and that includes Michigan International Speedway, a place where he has had a great deal of success. Roush has seen his teams win 14 times in the NASCAR Cup Series, and five times each in the NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Included in that are victories by Greg Biffle in 2013 that was Ford’s 1000th in NASCAR’s top three series combined, and Kurt Busch’s triumph in 2003 on the same weekend Ford Motor Company celebrated its 100th anniversary.

JOEY LOGANO: IS MORE EMPHASIS PUT ON THE RACE AT MICHIGAN? “No more emphasis than any other race. We try to win them all. It’s not like we say, ‘Ah, this one doesn’t matter. We’ll just coast this one through.’ That’s not who we are. We don’t do that because every race matters, especially with the playoff format we have. Every win, every playoff point that you can get can be the difference at the end of the day, so we don’t really put more into any of them. I will say though that the manufacturers take pride in that trophy that they hand out there to the winning manufacturer, so it’s always a topic of discussion. We go up there early more times than not and go visit Ford headquarters and it’s a topic that comes up. They want that trophy in their main lobby, so when people walk in they can walk by it.”

RYAN PREECE: HOW IMPORTANT IS THE RACE AT MICHIGAN? “When it’s in your OEM’s backyard, you want to be the guy that carries the flag and wins for them. With Jack and everybody with Roush being from Michigan, with Ford and being the guy – like Chris has been super, super fast at Michigan and been able to win – so I think when we go to Michigan as a company at RFK, we want to be the ones that win it for Ford and carry the banner, carry the flag. Obviously, having a teammate like him and Brad, we have a really solid baseline and with Chris doing the test a month or so ago, I feel really confident going in there that we have three really good chances to do that.”

TEAM PENSKE REGISTERS 50TH WIN WITH FORD

Joey Logano started and won from the pole for the second time in his career at Michigan International Speedway when he captured the June race in 2016. Logano finished ahead of Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson with Penske teammate Brad Keselowski ending up fourth. The new aerodynamic package, promising to produce lower downforce, didn’t disappoint as there were 14 lead changes with Logano leading six times for 138 total laps. The win gave Team Penske its 50th Cup win with Ford and produced the 100th victory for Roush Yates Engines in the NASCAR Cup Series.

FOUR STRAIGHT FOR AWESOME BILL

Bill Elliott is the only driver to win four straight NASCAR Cup Series races at Michigan International Speedway, sweeping both events in 1985 and ’86, and he capped that impressive streak in dominating fashion. Elliott led 125-of-200 laps on Aug. 17, 1986 to beat Tim Richmond to the finish line and win the Champion Spark Plug 400. Elliott went on to win seven career races at MIS and currently ranks third on the all-time list, trailing only David Pearson (9) and Cale Yarborough (8).

JARRETT WINS FIRST CUP RACE

Dale Jarrett registered his first NASCAR Cup Series victory in memorable fashion at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 18, 1991. Jarrett, who was in his second season driving for the Wood Brothers, found himself in a furious battle with Davey Allison, who stalked him over the final dozen laps in his No. 28 Texaco Havoline Thunderbird. Allison made a move to the outside coming off turn four and got alongside Jarrett as the two took the white flag together. They took turns exchanging the lead, but never left each other’s side. As they came off turn four both Fords made contact, but it was Jarrett who ended up edging Allison by eight inches at the finish line.

BIFFLE WINS FORD’S 1,000TH

Greg Biffle posted Ford’s 1,000th NASCAR victory when he took the checkered flag on June 16, 2013 in the Quicken Loans 400. The milestone win, which included combined victories in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck, NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Cup Series, was Biffle’s second straight at MIS and fourth overall. The race was shaping up to be a battle between Biffle, who was leading, and a hard-charging Jimmie Johnson, but a flat tire ended Johnson’s chances with two laps to go.

RIGGS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

Layne Riggs continued his recent tear at the front of the field as he finished fifth or better for the third straight race, coming home third last weekend at Nashville Superspeedway. Riggs, who ranks second in the series in stage wins with three and is sixth in the point standings, was second at North Wilkesboro Speedway and fourth at Charlotte Motor Speedway before leading 30 laps and winning Stage 1 on Friday night.

BIFFLE GOES BACK-TO-BACK

Greg Biffle won the first two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races ever held at Michigan International Speedway, taking the inaugural event in 1999 and following that up in 2000. Biffle, who is Ford’s all-time leader in series victories with 16, led the most laps in both events and went on to claim the championship in 2000 after winning five times for owner Jack Roush.

FORD’S NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT MICHIGAN

1969 – David Pearson (2)

1984 – Bill Elliott (1)

1985 – Bill Elliott (Sweep)

1986 – Bill Elliott (Sweep)

1987 – Bill Elliott (2)

1988 – Davey Allison (2)

1989 – Bill Elliott (1)

1990 – Mark Martin (2)

1991 – Davey Allison and Dale Jarrett

1992 – Davey Allison (1)

1993 – Mark Martin (2)

1994 – Rusty Wallace and Geoffrey Bodine

1996 – Rusty Wallace and Dale Jarrett

1997 – Ernie Irvan and Mark Martin

1998 – Mark Martin (1)

1999 – Dale Jarrett (1)

2000 – Rusty Wallace (2)

2002 – Matt Kenseth and Dale Jarrett

2003 – Kurt Busch (1)

2004 – Greg Biffle (2)

2005 – Greg Biffle (1)

2006 – Matt Kenseth (2)

2007 – Carl Edwards (1)

2008 – Carl Edwards (2)

2012 – Greg Biffle (2)

2013 – Greg Biffle and Joey Logano

2016 – Joey Logano (1)

2018 – Clint Bowyer (1) and Kevin Harvick (2)

2019 – Joey Logano (1) and Kevin Harvick (2)

2020 – Kevin Harvick (Sweep)

2021 – Ryan Blaney

2022 – Kevin Harvick

2023 – Chris Buescher

FORD’S NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT MICHIGAN

1999 – Greg Biffle

2000 – Greg Biffle

2007 – Travis Kvapil

2008 – Erik Darnell

2009 – Colin Braun

The Ford Mustang, celebrating its 61st anniversary in 2025, is the world’s best selling sports car. It is also one of the planet’s most popular race cars. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Australian Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 40 Mustang race cars are scheduled to race across all disciplines. Learn more at FordPerformance.com.

Tony Stewart & Matt Hagan Bristol Advance for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

By
Official Release
-

Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage
Top Fuel & Funny Car Drivers
SUPERGRIP NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
June 6-8 | Bristol, Tennessee

Event Overview

Friday, June 6 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

Nitro qualifying session (Q1): 6 p.m. EDT
Nitro qualifying session (Q2): 8:30 p.m. EDT

Saturday, June 7 (Nitro Qualifying & Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

Top Fuel qualifying session (Q3) & Mission #2Fast2Tasty Top Fuel Challenge – Round 1: 12:30 p.m. EDT
Funny Car qualifying session (Q3) & Mission #2Fast2Tasty Funny Car Challenge – Round 1: 1:05 p.m. EDT
Top Fuel qualifying session (Q4) & Mission #2Fast2Tasty Top Fuel Challenge – Finals: 3 p.m. EDT
Funny Car qualifying session (Q4) & Mission #2Fast2Tasty Funny Car Challenge – Finals: 3:35 p.m. EDT

Sunday, June 8 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

Round 1: 12 p.m. EDT
Round 2: 2:15 p.m. EDT
Semi-Finals: 3:50 p.m. EDT
Finals: 5:15 p.m. EDT

TV coverage on FS1

Friday, June 6: Qualifying Show (7:30 p.m. EDT)
Saturday, June 7: Qualifying Show 2 (8 p.m. EDT)
Sunday, June 8: Finals (3 p.m. EDT)

Notes of Interest

The SUPERGRIP NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway hosts the eighth event on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ 20-race calendar in 2025. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) brings its two full-time entries – one in Top Fuel for Tony Stewart and one in Funny Car for 52-time Funny Car winner and four-time champion Matt Hagan.

Coming into Bristol, Stewart is leading the Top Fuel standings, 71 points ahead of Shawn Langdon. Hagan is fourth in the Funny Car standings, 95 points behind leader Austin Prock.

Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage (JHG) is the primary partner of Hagan and Stewart this weekend in Bristol. JHG was formed in 2021 and brings a passion and flare to the automotive world. They aim to inspire, drive and celebrate progress. JHG spans across Jason Johnson’s car collection featuring more than 200 sought after vehicles from classics, to hot rods and supercars. Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage’s mission is to preserve and showcase the automotive industry. The vehicles are driven to and displayed at events by Johnson and his team with the goal of growing interest and keeping car culture thriving. Johnson’s history in the industry began with Mather Auto Dismantler, Mather Mini Trucks and U-Pull It in Northern California. He later held an instrumental role in the growth and success of Copart, Inc., a global provider of online vehicle auction and remarketing services. JHG also serves as a primary sponsor of Elite Motorsports in the NHRA Pro Stock series.

The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will mark Stewart’s 28th career Top Fuel start and his second at Bristol. For Hagan, the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will be his 360th career Funny Car start and his 16th at Bristol.

Stewart is looking for his first victory at the Thunder Valley Nationals and his first No. 1 qualifier at the event. In 2024, he secured the No. 8 qualifying position and ran a 5.131 ET at 148.41 mph in Round 1 of eliminations, which lost to Doug Foley’s 3.878 ET at 301.74 mph.

Stewart is coming off a runner-up finish last weekend in Epping, New Hampshire. He has compiled a 15-3 elimination record in his last five starts and Stewart is the only Top Fuel driver who has advanced past Round 1 in each event this season.

On August 25, 2001, Stewart won his only NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the Sharpie 500.

Hagan has one career win at Bristol in 2015 (4.164 ET at 303.23 mph) when he defeated Ron Capps (4.186 ET at 307.02 mph). He also advanced to the finals in 2016, but his 4.030 ET at 317.57 mph run fell short of the one from Tommy Johnson Jr. (4.038 ET at 313.22 mph). Hagan is seeking his first No. 1 qualifier at the event.

Hagan is the current track record holder at Bristol for speed with a run of 330.34 mph, a mark he set on Oct. 16, 2021. Bristol is the only track that currently hosts an event in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series at which Hagan has never started from the No. 1 qualifying position. He is trying to extend the longest active win streak in the fuel categories. Hagan has won at least one tour event for 11 straight seasons.

By advancing to the Semifinals at the NHRA New England Nationals, Stewart qualified to participate in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge. The challenge brings competitive racing to the qualifying schedule at 13 regular-season events during the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series campaign, pitting semifinalists from the previous race against each other in a pair of rematches, with the two winners then matching up in the final qualifying session. Stewart earned a rematch against Antron Brown in Round 1. There is a bonus purse and bonus points for the Countdown to the Championship on the line.

Stewart will participate in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty autograph session on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. EDT. The session will take place at the Mission Foods Display.

Hagan, Leah Pruett and Stewart will participate in a Dodge autograph session on Friday from 4:45-5:15 p.m. EDT and on Saturday from 11:15-11:45 a.m. EDT. Both sessions will take place in the pits at the Dodge display.

Hagan and Stewart will participate in autograph signings at the Tony Stewart Store merchandise trailer. Stewart will be signing on Friday from 4:00-4:25 p.m. EDT and again on Saturday from 1:45-2:15 p.m. EDT. Hagan will be signing on Friday from 7:00-7:30 p.m. EDT.

Hagan and Stewart will participate in a Fan Fest autograph session following Q4 on Saturday. The signing will take place at the Guest Welcome Tent in the Midway.

American Rebel Beer CEO Andy Ross will be performing a free concert for the fans between Q3 and Q4 on Saturday. The concert will take place in the Midway next to the Dodge display.

Hagan and Stewart will be available to speak with the media on Friday at 3:15 p.m. EDT in the Bristol Dragway Media Center.

Tony Stewart, Driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Dodge//SRT Top Fuel Dragster

You’re representing Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage for their first race as primary sponsor on the Top Fuel Dragster this season. How special will it be carrying their colors?

“Jason (Johnson), Nikki (Johnson) and everyone at Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage are awesome people and they are fun to be around. They are a partner we always look forward to racing with and seeing at the races, even if they aren’t the primary on the car. They know how to have fun, so I’m excited for both Matt (Hagan) and I to be in their colors this weekend. Hopefully we can take them to the Finals again.”

The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will mark the completion of the first half of the regular season, prior to the Countdown. By the end of the weekend, teams will have established their routines, so how will that help you and your crew carry momentum through the second half of the regular season?

“I’m excited with where we’re at. We felt the summer in hot conditions would be our strong suit with where our program is at. But, after last weekend and having cooler weather in New Hampshire, it is encouraging that we were number two qualifier and had respectable runs all day on Sunday. I feel like we’re in a better spot than what I’ve been giving us credit for and I think that’s a good thing. Like I told the guys in Chicago, it’s one thing to get to the top, but it’s another thing to stay there. We have to keep our nose to the ground and keep working hard. It’s hard after a year like we had last year because the guys were catching their breath a little bit. It’s easy to get complacent, so we’re keeping the pressure on the guys and they understand why because they want success also. We can’t ease up and have to keep our foot on the throttle. We had some hiccups at the Charlotte race and the guys have really responded since then and been rock solid. I’m really proud of them. It’s fun showing up at the racetrack knowing we have a good race car. We have great guys working on it and I feel like I’m progressing a little bit as a driver with my lights. We’re all working hard to make ourselves better and we’re all supporting each other. It’s the ‘One Team, All Team’ philosophy, so we’re just going to keep pushing forward.”

Matt Hagan, Driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car

Bristol is considered a home race for you. You also made a visit to Bristol for a customer driving event and NHRA media to promote the event. What makes the event so special?

“Bristol is home with it being two hours down the road, so hopefully we’ll see a lot of people wearing Matt Hagan shirts. I think the last couple years, I’ve outsold Tony (Stewart) on shirts, so that’s kind of cool. I’ve only won there once and it was on Father’s Day, so that was really special to me. We need to pull down a few wins, so I think it’d be a great time to start this weekend.”

The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will mark the completion of the first half of the regular season, prior to the Countdown. By the end of the weekend, teams will have established their routines, so how will that help you and your crew carry momentum through the second half of the regular season?

“I think we are still learning. We have new crew chiefs (Mike Knudsen and Phil Shuler) and a great group of guys. We almost have to take this year as ‘learn mode.’ Any time we roll up to the starting line, it’s the first time Mike Knudsen is making the call at that track. He’s doing a great job and I am extremely proud of him and also Phil Shuler. They’re making great calls. I don’t think you could take a group like that with the new roles they have and ask for any better results than what we’ve had. The car is running really good, we just have to catch a break. Sometimes, the chips have to fall your way and they will, so maybe we’re just saving ours for the later part of the year.”

Julie Nataas to Make Nitro Funny Car Debut in Bristol With Del Worsham

By
Official Release
-

Top Alcohol Dragster Champion Reunites with Airmine for Thunder Valley National

Indianapolis, IN (June 3, 2025) — The wait is over. NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion Julie Nataas will make her Nitro Funny Car debut at this weekend’s Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee, June 6–8. With nearly three dozen NHRA Wallys to her name, the Norwegian racing and reality television star is ready to take on what she’s openly described as her toughest challenge yet—strapping into the 12,000-horsepower Airmine Toyota GR Supra powered by DC Motorsports.

After three months of testing, Nataas finished her Nitro Funny Car license requirements in early May under the guidance of team owner and tuner Del Worsham. With standout runs in Gainesville, Phoenix, and Indianapolis, she now takes the next step in her career—backed once again by longtime sponsor Airmine. The Norwegian climate tech company also supported her 2024 Top Fuel debut, making this return a meaningful continuation of their partnership.

“This is a huge moment, and having a hometown brand with global reach like Airmine alongside me again makes it even more special,” said Nataas. “They’re based just down the road from where I grew up in Norway and are changing the way people understand their allergies. They use satellite data to track air quality and pollen levels around the world and are launching a US app coming up, so the timing is perfect.

The debut marks Nataas’s entry into one of NHRA’s most explosive and demanding categories—Nitro Funny Car—where she becomes the first Norwegian driver to compete in the class. She also joins a very short list of female drivers to hold active NHRA licenses in both Nitro categories: Top Fuel and Funny Car—a rare and elite distinction. With additional credentials in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, Nataas stands as one of—if not the—most versatile and credentialed female drivers in the sport today.

The DC Motorsports Toyota GR Supra has already turned heads this season, with Bobby Bode driving it to career-best runs and a spot inside the Top 10 before returning to his family team for the summer. Now, with another standout like Nataas in the seat, Del and Connie Worsham continue to do what few in the sport are positioned to do—give deserving, talented drivers a real shot in a competitive Funny Car. In a transitional season for DC Motorsports, the Worshams remain committed to building winners and chasing Wallys. Their goal isn’t just getting Julie in the show—it’s putting her in position to win.

“Julie is smart, focused, and fearless,” said Worsham. “She’s alarmingly self-aware and understands the car. She shares feedback from the run like a seasoned veteran.”

The Thunder Valley Nationals, held at the historic Bristol Dragway and nationally televised on FOX, offers the perfect stage for Nataas’s high-profile debut.

About Julie Nataas
Julie Nataas is a third-generation drag racer from Drøbak, Norway, and the 2023 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion. With NHRA competition licenses in Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Top Fuel, and Nitro Funny Car, she is one of the most versatile and accomplished female drivers in drag racing today. Nataas has earned nearly three dozen NHRA wins and is known for her calm presence behind the wheel and her bold pursuit of new challenges in the sport.

About Airmine
Airmine is a Norwegian climate tech company using satellite data and artificial intelligence to provide real-time air quality and pollen forecasts worldwide. Founded in 2018 just outside Oslo, Airmine helps individuals, businesses, and governments better understand environmental conditions that affect daily life. The company’s app is available globally and trusted by users who want reliable data to manage allergies and respiratory health.

About DC Motorsports
DC Motorsports is a family-run NHRA Funny Car team owned and operated by Del and Connie Worsham. A two-time NHRA world champion and lifelong drag racer, Del Worsham brings decades of experience as a driver, tuner, and team owner. Known for running competitive equipment and mentoring rising stars in the sport, DC Motorsports is committed to performance, professionalism, and giving deserving drivers a true shot at success.

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Nashville

By
Jeffrey Boswell
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Photo by Simon Scoggins for SpeedwayMedia.com

Denny Hamlin tops the list of the Power Rankings after the Cup Series race at Nashville.

1. Denny Hamlin: 

Hamlin won Stage 1 but couldn’t best Ryan Blaney for the win and settled for second at Nashville.

“That was my 700th career Cup start,” Hamlin said. “Most drivers will tell you that’s 699 more starts than you need to have a negative interaction with Carson Hocevar.”

2. William Byron:

Byron started second and finished fifth in the Cracker Barrel 400.

“It looks like Carson Hocevar has established himself as a force to be reckoned with,” Byron said. “And I reckon Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. will use force to reckon with Hocevar for wrecking him.”

3. Ryan Blaney: 

Blaney won Stage 2 at Nashville and finally broke through, holding off Carson Hocevar for Blaney’s first win of the season.

“Considering the number of DNF’s I had this season,” Blaney said, “my goal was just to finish the race. So finishing first is just gravy.”

4. Chase Elliott: 

Elliott finished 15th at Nashville.

“Ryan Blaney was awarded a Gibson guitar for winning the race,” Elliott said. “I think Ryan should get up with some people in the Penske Indy Car program and start a band, and maybe call themselves the ‘Modified Attenuators.'”

5. Christopher Bell:.

Bell survived a spin and finished 10th in the Cracker Barrel 400.

“I love going to Cracker Barrel,” Bell said. “When I visit Cracker Barrel, I feel like a kid again, because everyone there is at least 30 years older than me.”

6. Kyle Larson: 

Larson fought an ill-handling car for the duration of the Cracker Barrel 400, but surged late to post a solid eighth-place finish.

“After my experiences last week at Indy and Charlotte,” Larson said, “I think I’ll just stick with the ‘single’ next Memorial Day weekend. I learned that when you swing for the fences, sometimes you hit a ‘double.’ And sometimes, when you swing for the fences, you actually hit the fences.”

7. Joey Logano: 

Logano finished fourth at Nashville as Penske teammate Ryan Blaney snatched the win.

“That means all three Penske cars have qualified for the playoffs,” Logano said. “And I’m happy for just one of them.”

8. Tyler Reddick: 

Reddick finished ninth at Nashville.

“Me and my wife just welcomed a baby boy named ‘Rookie George Reddick,'” Reddick said. “That’s right, we named our baby ‘Rookie.’ He’s going to be the first kid forced to change his name on his second birthday.”

9. Ross Chastain: 

Chastain finished 11th at Nashville.

“I was looking for my second straight win,” Chastain said. “Watermelons were looking for a place to hide.”

10. Chase Briscoe: 

Briscoe started on the pole at Nashville and finished 17th.

“I had an early brake issue at Nashville,” Briscoe said. “My crew chief advised me to pump the brakes before I used them, and it all meant I had to pump the brakes on thoughts of winning the race.”

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

Cadillac at Le Mans: Test Day assignment

By
Official Release
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Four-car factory program aims to quickly work through programs for qualifying, race

DETROIT (June 3, 2025) – The 24 Hours of Le Mans is an evolving story. Quiet moments of contemplation and dreams of glory. Exhilaration powered by teamwork and execution. Emotion fueled by speed and competition.

Each will play out over 10 engaging days with the crescendo June 15. For 12 experienced and championship-winning drivers representing three Cadillac Racing teams and four Hypercars, the journey begins anew this weekend in western France.

Test Day on June 8 is the initial opportunity for drivers to stretch their legs on the 13.626-kilometer (8.467-mile) Circuit de la Sarthe. A pair of three-hour sessions is the allotment for the 21-car Hypercar field until they return three days later for the 90-minute qualifying practice.

The top 15 by lap time in that session advance to the June 12 dual Hyperpole – new for 2025 – in which the top 10 in the 20-minute first stage moves on to compete for the pole in the 15-minute second stage. Cadillac Racing qualified second and third in 2024.

“Test Day is important for us to make sure we understand what the Cadillac wants and doesn’t want for that track,” said Will Stevens, who will team with Alex Lynn and Norman Nato to drive the No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R.

“We’re coming from a good foundation of what they’ve been using for the last few years. It’s just about us learning the car as quickly as we can and building going into race week because once you get to race week there’s only one session before qualifying. I feel we have good momentum on the team coming from Spa and looking to build on that with a good Test Day.”

Earl Bamber, Sebastien Bourdais and Jenson Button will share seat time in the No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R, which is the second full-season Cadillac Racing representative in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

The 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the fourth round of the campaign, offering double points to the top 10-finishing full-time competitors. The No. 12 entry finished fifth and the No. 38 car placed sixth in the most recent race at Spa-Francorchamps.

The No. 101 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R driven by Jordan Taylor, Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque and the No. 311 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R driven by Jack Aitken, Felipe Drugovich and Frederik Vesti are full-season IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship contenders entered to comprise the unprecedented four-car Cadillac Racing factory roster.

Bamber, who also drives the Whelen Cadillac in eight of the nine IMSA races, will see seat time in the No. 311 as Aitken’s time will be limited to the morning session because of a DTM race commitment.

“With all the Cadillac teams working together, it is a real strength to us this year, and I think with that four-car attack it brings us that edge,” Bamber said.

What they’re saying

No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R

Alex Lynn: “Test Day is a crucial day, but at the same time it’s the third year of the car and we have good knowledge of the car around this track. I have to say if there’s one track that is a benchmark for JOTA, it is Le Mans. I’ve raced against them many times in LMP2 and know how good they are there. I have a lot of faith that we’re going to hit the ground running. I know the car well. I know the track well, and I know both of them together as well. We’re going there with good experience and quietly confident and try to put it together. The atmosphere is going to be great and it’s always good fun.”

Norman Nato: “Most exciting week of the year for the 24 hours of Le Mans. First time in Le Mans as a Cadillac driver, we obviously have big expectations as we are a top team, and Le Mans is the main target. We’ve shown great pace on different occasions this season despite the fact we are a new team. Collaboration between JOTA Cadillac is going well but still early process. We’ve consistently improved first couple of races to be ready for Le Mans. Good preparation in the simulator before the test day where it will be important to take as much information as possible before the race week. We feel ready for this big challenge and can’t wait to hit the track.”

Will Stevens: “A lot of preparation has gone into the race already. Le Mans as a whole seems like there’s a lot of track time, but it always ends up being a lot less track time than you think. The Test Day is important for us to make sure we understand what the Cadillac wants and doesn’t want for that track. We’re coming from a good foundation of what they’ve been using for the last few years. It’s just about us learning the car as quickly as we can and building going into race week because once you get to race week there’s only one session before qualifying. I feel we have good momentum on the team coming from Spa and looking to build on that with a good Test Day.”

No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R

Earl Bamber: “I think we had a good Spa race and are going in the right direction. We scored our first points of the year as well, so to grab some points and fight back there was good to give us some momentum. Test Day is going to be a big one. It will be important to get Jenson a lot of laps in the Cadillac V-Series.R around there.”

Sebastien Bourdais: “I think Spa was a good rehearsal for the entire team with the 12 finishing fifth and the 38 finishing sixth. It was not straightforward; we dealt with the situations that were thrown at us. It felt like I raced and got in a bit of a groove. And I think we got some decent directions as well as far as setups are concerned with a car that I was a bit more used to last year. There will be an extensive test program on Test Day, so a lot of get done. If you manage to go through that day with a good rhythm, a good feel with the car and decent pace, then you set yourself up well for the big one. Looking forward to getting back on that awesome track and getting going with the program.”

Jenson Button: “I’m looking forward to returning to Le Mans with JOTA in the Cadillac Hypercar. The team has had great success at Le Mans in LMP2, and we’re quietly confident that the experience we collectively have at the track and with the car will benefit us. Test Day is important because of the limited track time before we move right into qualifying, so working through our program efficiently and effectively will go a long way in setting up the car for qualifying and the race. Le Mans always is a great atmosphere leading up to the race and then we get down to business.”

No. 101 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R

Ricky Taylor: “It’s a big week for the whole team. We have a lot that we want to learn and get out of the team. Everybody on the team has so much to learn. It’s so much to get accomplished in one short day. And if experience tells us anything, you always leave that day wanting more. The track is dirty and there’s normally yellows and red flags, and the plan never works out like you think it will. But at least we kind of know that going into it. We’ll accomplish as much as we can and learn before the big week comes around.”

Jordan Taylor: “For us, as a team going to Le Mans for the first time, getting a day before the race week starts is super valuable. Every lap is going to be important. We’re going to be learning and gathering data. We’ll be trying to get as many laps as possible, just so in those days between Test Day and the race week the guys can kind of dig through data and understand what the car’s doing and what the drivers are asking for. So, it’s probably the most valuable data that we’ll have because it’s the most amount of track time. The track will be a little bit green because obviously no one’s done any laps on it. But we’re going to be learning the car on that track and the team’s going to be adjusting and learning what it’s like to be there, so it’s going to be an important day.”

Filipe Albuquerque: “Test Day is a relaxed day, but at the same time is a super important day. You need to straightaway do work, go through the drivers to get climatized to the track. I know Le Mans very well but, still, it’s going to be with a different car. We have settings on the car to adjust through all the corners. It’s 13 kilometers, so it’s a lot of settings to be adjusting on these complex cars. I’m proud to be part of Cadillac Racing to be working with 11 other drivers and go forward and bring the fight to the other guys. Again, we don’t want to be on a back foot on Test Day. We want to learn as much as we can and be more prepared as well for the race because, if you see the race week, you don’t have so much time to drive because you have one session and then it’s straightaway working for Hyperpole. It’s a long week, but it goes fast.”

No. 311 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R

Jack Aitken: “Testing is very limited at Le Mans with the nature of it being a street circuit rather than a permanent track, so every lap really matters even if the track will be quite dirty. It’s going to be very early in the week and there’s going to be a lot of track evolution as the week goes on, so it’s just to get our feet on the ground, hopefully have a strong start and get into improving the car early on. Laps are precious there and you want to build up a confidence as much as possible before you get to qualifying on Wednesday evening.”

Frederik Vesti: “First of all, Test Day is a really important day. It’s a day where the driver is sort of starting to find that rhythm that you need to carry on into the race and through the race. Obviously, the track will be quite dirty. It’s going to be just about track time and just to find the initial setup on the car as well. For me, obviously, I drove there last year in the LMP2 car, which is already a quick car, but the Cadillac is going to be a step up from there and there will be some track learning and car learning for sure. But I think the three races I’ve done with Cadillac so far has been really good preparation for Le Mans. It’s a huge event, so excited to get started.”

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

5 Maintenance Mistakes Even Hardcore Car Enthusiasts Still Make

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

Even the most passionate gearheads—those who spend weekends under the hood and follow motorsports religiously—aren’t immune to simple car maintenance mistakes. While hardcore car enthusiasts often go above and beyond with performance upgrades, tuning, and detailing, the basics can sometimes fall through the cracks.

Here are five maintenance mistakes even experienced drivers still make—and how to avoid them.

1. Overlooking Brake Fluid

Ask most enthusiasts about their brakes, and they’ll talk about rotor sizes, pad materials, or caliper upgrades. But the brake fluid? Often an afterthought.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air over time. That moisture lowers the boiling point of the fluid and compromises braking performance—especially under stress, like aggressive driving or track days. If you haven’t flushed your brake fluid in the last two years (or after heavy use), you’re risking spongy pedal feel and brake fade.

Pro Tip: Flush your brake fluid every 1–2 years, or immediately after any hard track use.

2. Ignoring Alignment After Suspension Work

Upgrading your suspension with coilovers, lowering springs, or sway bars? Awesome. But here’s where many enthusiasts drop the ball: not getting a proper alignment afterward.

Modifying suspension geometry affects toe, camber, and caster angles. Without a precise alignment, your car might handle poorly, wear tires unevenly, or even become dangerous to drive.

Even if you’re just replacing worn components (like bushings or control arms), alignment should be part of the process.

Pro Tip: Anytime you change major suspension components, get a four-wheel alignment immediately afterward. You can check out Locanto’s automotive services section to find a good shop near you.

3. Forgetting to Clean or Replace Air Filters Regularly

High-performance air intakes and filters are common upgrades. But even washable, reusable filters require routine care. Over time, filters accumulate dust, debris, and oil residue that can restrict airflow, reducing power and fuel efficiency.

Some enthusiasts install an aftermarket intake and forget about it—thinking it’s “set and forget.” That’s not the case. A dirty air filter chokes performance and can let contaminants into the engine if neglected too long.

Pro Tip: Inspect your air filter every 10,000–15,000 miles. Clean or replace it as needed, depending on driving conditions and filter type.

4. Skipping Torque Specs (Or Guessing Them)

Whether you’re swapping wheels, installing a valve cover, or bolting in a strut tower brace, torque specs matter. Too much torque can strip threads or crack parts. Too little, and bolts may back out under stress.

Even seasoned wrenchers sometimes rely on “feel” instead of using a torque wrench. That shortcut can cost you—especially when working on components like cylinder heads, lug nuts, or drivetrain parts.

Pro Tip: Use a torque wrench and follow manufacturer specifications. It’s the difference between precision and guessing.

5. Letting Batteries Go Unchecked

Enthusiasts often park their weekend cars for long periods—especially during the off-season. The result? Dead or weak batteries when it’s time to fire it up again. Many also underestimate how quickly modern electronics (alarms, ECUs, GPS trackers) can drain a battery when a car sits unused.

Battery issues aren’t just inconvenient—they can also damage sensitive electronics if jump-started improperly.

Pro Tip: Use a smart battery maintainer when storing your car. Check voltage regularly, and replace batteries that show signs of weakness (slow cranks, dim lights, corrosion).

Final Thoughts

Being a car enthusiast means more than horsepower and aftermarket parts—it means respecting the fundamentals of vehicle maintenance. The best racers and mechanics in the world know that the small things matter, especially when performance and reliability are on the line.

Whether you’re building a track car, maintaining a weekend cruiser, or just keeping your daily driver sharp, avoiding these overlooked mistakes will keep your machine running strong—on and off the speedway.

Using NASCAR Strategy On and Off the Track

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SM
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Photo by Patrick Sue-Chan for SpeedwayMedia.com.

NASCAR racing is not just about speed and flashy cars—it’s a high-stakes chess match at 200 miles per hour. The strategies employed by drivers and teams during races are carefully crafted to optimize performance, manage risks, and outmaneuver competitors. Interestingly, many of these tactics can be applied beyond the racetrack, offering valuable lessons for business, personal development, and everyday decision-making.

On the Track: Precision and Adaptability

At its core, NASCAR strategy revolves around precision and adaptability. Drivers and their pit crews constantly monitor factors such as tire wear, fuel levels, weather conditions, and track position. Pit stops, for example, are carefully timed not just to refuel or change tires, but also to gain track advantage by avoiding traffic or capitalizing on caution periods. These split-second decisions can make or break a race.

Fuel management is another crucial strategic element. Teams calculate exactly when to pit to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize time lost on the track. Some teams gamble on stretching fuel mileage to avoid an extra pit stop, while others choose the safer route with more frequent stops. Both approaches require deep knowledge of their car’s performance and competitors’ tendencies.

Moreover, NASCAR drivers must understand their opponents’ strategies and anticipate moves. Whether it’s drafting behind another car to reduce air resistance or blocking a rival’s passing attempt, these maneuvers require situational awareness and quick thinking.

Off the Track: Transferring NASCAR Wisdom

The intense focus and strategic mindset of NASCAR can translate well into life and business. For instance, the importance of adaptability in racing mirrors the need to stay flexible in a rapidly changing market environment. Just as teams adjust their race plans on the fly, businesses must pivot when customer preferences shift or unexpected challenges arise.

One of the most relevant lessons is the value of preparation combined with real-time analysis. NASCAR teams spend countless hours preparing for every possible scenario, yet they remain vigilant during the race to tweak strategies based on live data. In the business world, this equates to thorough planning supplemented by agile decision-making as new information becomes available.

Risk management, a staple in NASCAR strategy, also applies off the track. Drivers constantly weigh the risk of pushing too hard against the potential reward of gaining positions. Similarly, entrepreneurs and investors must balance ambition with caution, choosing when to take bold risks and when to play it safe.

Strategic Patience and Timing

Another key takeaway is the power of patience and timing. In NASCAR, not every opportunity should be seized immediately. Sometimes, waiting for the perfect moment to overtake a competitor or make a pit stop can yield a bigger payoff. This idea is equally valuable in negotiations, career moves, or launching a product—knowing when to act is just as important as knowing how.

Technology and Data-Driven Decisions

NASCAR teams rely heavily on technology and data analytics to optimize performance. Telemetry systems provide real-time feedback on engine performance, tire pressure, and driver behavior. This data-driven approach is increasingly important in many industries today, where leveraging analytics can lead to smarter, faster decisions.

For those interested in exploring how strategy plays out in other competitive environments, games and simulations can offer a unique perspective. Platforms like https://www.wolfwinner.fun/en blend strategic thinking with entertainment, helping users sharpen decision-making skills in dynamic settings.

Conclusion

NASCAR strategy is much more than fast cars and daring maneuvers—it’s a sophisticated blend of preparation, adaptability, risk management, and timing. By adopting these principles off the track, individuals and organizations can improve their decision-making processes, enhance performance, and navigate uncertainty with greater confidence. Whether you’re steering a race car or steering your career, the lessons of NASCAR provide a compelling roadmap to success.

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