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The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTA Race Outlook

By
SM Staff
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Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on Sunday, March 2nd, at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX and PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90). On Saturday, March 1st, the NCS practice and Busch Light Pole qualifying can be seen on Amazon Prime at 11 a.m. ET.

This will be the first time the NCS will run the shorter (2.40-mile) track configuration, an equally challenging 2.3-mile, 20-turn National Course. Previously, it was a longer configuration at 3.41 miles, a 20-turn full course layout.

The new reconfiguration will eliminate approximately a mile of the backside of the permanent road course’s traditional layout and is expected to shave roughly a minute off lap times.

EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix
Courtesy of Speedway Motorsports

The world’s top-ranked decathlete and Olympic medalist Leo Neugebauer will serve as Honorary Starter for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix. Neugebauer won a silver medal in his 2024 Olympics debut in Paris. Riley Gaines will provide the pre-race invocation. Gaines was a 12-time NCAA All-American at the University of Kentucky and named the Southeastern Conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year in her final season.

Track Information

Season Race Number: 3 of 36
Next Race: EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix
The Place: Circuit of The Americas
Track Length: 2.40 Mile Asphalt Road Course
The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
The Purse: $11,055,250
TV: FOX, 2:30 p.m. ET
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 228.0 miles (95 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 45), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 95)

Read the Circuit of the Americas–NASCAR Schedule & Highlights for more information on the race weekend at the COTA.

Updated Cup Series Practice and Qualifying Procedure This Weekend

Practice

  • Two practice sessions run with two groups.
  • Each group gets 20 minutes per session.

Qualifying

  • Run with two groups.
  • Each group gets 20 minutes.
  • Times are blended back together after both groups are completed; the field is set fastest to slowest.

Who and what should you look out for at the COTA?

  • Bet on Byron: William Byron held off Christopher Bell by less than a second to win in 2024.
  • Likely pole winners: William Byron captured the NCS pole for the last two races at COTA in 2023 and 2024, Tyler Reddick in 2022, and Ryan Blaney in 2021.
  • Front Row Start Means Something: The race winner at COTA has started on the front row in the last two COTA races.
  • Elliott a Top Pick: With seven road course wins (third all-time), Chase Elliott has won at five different NASCAR Cup Series road course tracks (Charlotte ROVAL, COTA, Daytona Road Course, Road America and Watkins Glen), the most all-time.
  • Larson Has Good Odds of Winning: In 2021, Kyle Larson became the first driver in NCS history to win at three road course tracks in a single season (Sonoma, Watkins Glen, and the Charlotte ROVAL) and has six total road course wins.
  • Most Consistent So Far in 2025: John Hunter Nemechek and Ryan Blaney are the only two drivers who finished in the top 10 in both races this season.
  • Top-10 Finishes: Ross Chastain, Alex Bowman, and Tyler Reddick are the only drivers to finish in the top 10 in all four COTA races.

Young’s Motorsports Circuit of the Americas Team Preview

By
Official Release
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Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Circuit of the Americas | Focused Health 250

Fast Facts

No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:
Driver: Anthony Alfredo
Primary Partner(s): Austin Gamblers
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro
Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott
2025 Driver Points Position: 30th
2025 Owner Points Position: 31st
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Notes of Interest:

● New Faces, New Places: In January, Young’s Motorsports announced that NASCAR Xfinity Series veteran driver Anthony Alfredo would join the team full-time for its sophomore season behind the wheel of the team’s No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the entire 33-race season continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Focused Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

2025 marks the sophomore season for the Young’s Motorsports team in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition after a healthy and competitive freshman season with rookie Leland Honeyman Jr. at the controls.

● About Anthony: A popular driver, Alfredo, a native of Ridgefield, Connecticut, joins Young’s Motorsports with an array of Motorsports experience, including starts in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series, respectively.

The 2025 season will mark Alfredo’s fourth full-time Xfinity Series campaign, and he joins the Mooresville, N.C.-based team after spending the 2024 season with Our Motorsports.

The 25-year-old finished the 2024 Xfinity season 15th in the championship driver standings, collecting an Xfinity Dash 4 Cash win at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway and adding two more top-fives and seven top-10s to his impressive statistics in 120 career Xfinity Series starts.

● All-Aboard!: For the third of 33 Xfinity Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes back Texas-based Austin Gamblers, who will serve as the anchor partner on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 65-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

The Austin Gamblers is one of eight Professional Bull Riding (PBR) teams in the PBR Teams Series. Based in Austin, Texas, it represents the Capital City in the world of Western professional sports and competitive bull riding.

For complete information about who we are, our schedule of events, our partners and sponsors, where to buy Gambler gear and more, visit austingamblers.com.

● Anthony Alfredo Xfinity Series Circuit of the Americas Stats: Saturday afternoon’s first road course of the season will mark Alfredo’s fourth career start at the newly reconfigured 2.3-mile road course.

Alfredo earned a track-best 12th after starting 30th in the 2024 edition of the Focused Health 250 for Our Motorsports.

In his three previous starts, Alfredo has tailed three straight top-16 finishes with a 100 percent lap completion of 142 laps.

With two down and 31 races to go, Alfredo and the Young’s Motorsports team look to punch their ticket toward the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs with a victory in the second race of the year.

The NASCAR Cup Series will follow the Xfinity Series rumble with their main event, the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix, on Sunday, March 2.

After two straight weekends of racing, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will take a breather over the next two weekends before returning to action in Sin City at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway on Friday, March 14, 2025.

The Xfinity Series veteran driver will look to improve his overall Circuit of the Americas average Xfinity finish of 13.7.

● Anthony Alfredo Xfinity Series Career Stats: Entering COTA, Alfredo has 120 NASCAR Xfinity Series races to his credit, earning a career-best third-place finish twice, most recently at Talladega Superspeedway after starting 11th in the 2024 edition of the Ag-Pro 300 for Our Motorsports.

Since 2020, he has earned one pole, five top-five, and 22 top-10 finishes and has an average finish of 19.4.

● Atlanta Motor Speedway | Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 Race Recap: The first of two NASCAR Xfinity Series races from the “Peach State” kicked off on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Without the benefit of practice, Anthony Alfredo stormed to a strong qualifying lap aboard his No. 42 Young’s Building Systems | Randco Industries Inc. Chevrolet, making the field on his qualifying time in the 18th position.

From the drop of the green flag, Alfredo guided his Young’s Motorsports team toward the front of the pack, keeping the team in the hunt for its first top-10 finish of the season.

Unfortunately, 22 laps from the checkered flag, Alfredo was an innocent victim in a multicar accident, which caused terminal damage to his No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro.

Thankfully, Alfredo was evaluated and quickly released from the infield care center, but the team was left with a frustrating 37th-place finish.

After two races, the team is hungry to boost its average finish of 29.5 after a season-high 22nd in the season-opening race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

● Calling the Shots: Guiding Alfredo as crew chief of the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief Andrew Abbott.

On Saturday, he will be crew chief in his 133rd NASCAR Xfinity Series race. In his previous 132 races, he has four top-five and 13 top-10 finishes.

The season’s third race will be his third tango at Circuit of the Americas as crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series at Circuit of the Americas: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ second NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Circuit of the Americas.

The team earned a track-best finish of 20th after starting 34th in the 2024 edition of the 2024 Focused Health 250 with rookie driver Leland Honeyman Jr. behind the wheel.

Also, the Mooresville, N.C.-based team has 11 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts in the Lone Star State.

The organization posted a team-best second-place finish at the track on May 21, 2021, with Kaz Grala at the wheel in the Toyota Tundra 225.

The team also won the Truck Series pole with NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Sheldon Creed in 2022.

Since 2021, the Mooresville, N.C.-based Young’s Motorsports team has had an average starting position of 23.7 and an average finish of 25.8 in 11 Circuit of the Americas Truck Series starts overall between nine drivers.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series History: Since entering the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 35 starts and maintains an average starting position of 27.0 and an average finish of 23.8.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Anthony Alfredo, please visit AnthonyAlfredo.com, like him on Facebook (Anthony Alfredo Racing), follow him on Instagram (@anthonyalfredo) and X | Twitter (@anthonyalfredo).

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

Anthony Alfredo Pre-Race Quotes:

On Circuit of the Americas: “I am excited to go to Circuit of the Americas this weekend, especially with the new layout. I think it will be an exciting race with some new challenges for the drivers.

“I’ve come to enjoy road course racing and feel like it’s a good opportunity to score stage points and bring home a good finish.”

On New Circuit of the Americas Configuration: “Fortunately, with all the laps with Hendrick Motorsports in the simulator, I have gotten a lot of laps on the new layout and feel confident heading to the track this weekend.

“It cuts out a good portion of the track and honestly simplifies the track some but probably gives up a passing zone or two. We will see for sure on Saturday afternoon.”

On Early Season Bad Luck: “Honestly, we have done a good job controlling what’s in our control, and the team has been bringing fast cars to the track. Sometimes, that’s all you can really ask for.

“We will get better results starting this weekend and dig out of this hole. I cannot thank the Young’s Motorsports team for their hard work and our partners’ continued support.”

On The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Season: “My goal this year with Young’s Motorsports is simple: to win a regular-season race and make the Playoffs.

“It’s certainly a tall order, but we can make it happen. We will build this program from the ground up and make that goal a reality.”

Race Information:

The Focused Health 250 (65 laps | 156 miles) is the third of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2025 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., February 28, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The field will take the green flag the next afternoon, Sat., March 1, shortly after 1:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m. ET), with live coverage on The CW Network, the Performance Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. All times are local (CT).

NHRA UNVEILS EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIGITAL MEDIA AND CONTENT CREATORS FOR 2025 SEASON

By
Official Release
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Influencer Justin Nunley at Las Vegas

Cornwell Tools Burnout Box Content Creator Zone and digital media access provide new ways for influencers and media to experience NHRA drag racing

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 27, 2025) – NHRA today announced a pair of exciting opportunities for digital media members and content creators heading into the 2025 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Aiming to change the way influencers, content creators and digital media members experience drag racing, NHRA is working to expand its reach across social media platforms with its Cornwell Tools Burnout Box Content Creator Zone.

The Cornwell Tools Burnout Box Content Creator Zone is an exclusive on-track area that gives social media content creators an unmatched chance to create incredible content near the starting line. NHRA is inviting social media influencers with 25,000 or more followers on any platform to experience this VIP opportunity, helping NHRA reach new audiences.

Influencers across industries are encouraged to apply, allowing them to bring a fresh perspective to the high-powered thrill ride that is NHRA drag racing.

NHRA is also aiming to expand its reach in the digital media world, offering media members – regardless of medium – the opportunity to cover NHRA drag racing at any of its 20 national events across the country.

If it’s a podcast, blog, YouTube, TikTok page or any other form of online digital media or medium, NHRA is eager to provide an exhilarating backdrop to those media members, offering up-close access to the 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph nitro machines on the track and a diverse group of NHRA drivers and stars in the media center.

Digital media members interested in applying for media credentials – which includes access to the driver pits and media center – can apply for specific races by clicking here.

“Our goal is to provide digital media members and content creators an unparalleled platform to capture the unrivaled energy of NHRA events and connect with new audiences,” NHRA Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jeffrey Young said. “We’re dedicated to creating these opportunities for media members across all mediums, while the Cornwell Tools Burnout Box Creator Zone offers content creators an extraordinary chance to capture spectacular content not available anywhere else.”

Interested applicants can click here to apply for either of these opportunities. For more information on NHRA, including the 2025 schedule, 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.

Firestone to continue as title sponsor of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg through 2028

By
Official Release
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 27, 2025) – Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) today announced a three-year extension for its Firestone brand as the entitlement sponsor of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. This agreement with Green Savoree Racing Promotions marks the continuation of a successful relationship that began in 2014. The new deal keeps the Firestone name on the opening race of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season through 2028.

“St. Pete is always an exciting event as we reconnect with fans and wave the green flag for a new season of racing,” said Lisa Boggs, Director, Bridgestone Americas Motorsports. “We take great pride in Firestone’s rich history in the sport, and starting each season at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has become a big part of that. We’re excited to extend this tradition as part of our ongoing commitment to driving excitement and innovation in racing for years to come.”

The renewed entitlement agreement for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg continues to reinforce the Firestone brand’s support for the fastest racing on earth. In September 2024, Bridgestone and Penske Entertainment announced a long-term extension for Firestone as the exclusive tire supplier for all INDYCAR-sanctioned racing.

“Firestone has been an integral part of the growth and success of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg as title sponsor. This latest extension will take our partnership to a remarkable 15-year span,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. “It’s an iconic brand that’s helped champions redefine limits in racing for generations, which aligns perfectly with the energy and excitement that embody this event.”

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding has become a marquee event, combining the excitement of INDYCAR racing with a stunning waterfront backdrop and a unique urban street circuit. This year’s event is scheduled for Feb. 28-March 2 to open the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg marks the start of the 26th consecutive season for Firestone as the exclusive tire supplier. This year is also the 125th anniversary of Firestone’s founding in Akron, Ohio on August 3, 1900. Known for its durability, dependability, and unwavering dedication to quality, Firestone remains a trusted name in tire performance both on the road and on the track.

The brand’s storied history in motorsports began in 1911 with a win at the inaugural Indianapolis 500®, and its roots run nearly as deep in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. Firestone Complete Auto Care opened its first local retail location in 1933 on Kennedy Boulevard in downtown Tampa. For more than 90 years, it has continued to grow and strengthen its legacy as a trusted tire and automotive service provider for the local community.

Both the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the INDY NXT by Firestone development series races on the streets of St. Petersburg will be televised on Sunday, March 2. The INDY NXT by Firestone race will air on FS1 at 10 a.m. ET, and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will make its debut on FOX network television beginning at 12 noon ET.

Bridgestone motorsports activities are leveraged globally as co-creation platforms to help deliver the values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment. This corporate commitment outlines eight areas where the company is focused on contributing to a more sustainable world. The ongoing relationship with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES supports the values of emotion, energy, ecology, and empowerment.

For more company news, visit BridgestoneAmericas.com

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 50,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.

About Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding:

The 21st annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is a race event held during Florida’s spring break season. Traditionally the site of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season-opening race, St. Pete is a destination city hosting this annual motorsports tradition and offering a festival atmosphere with its downtown location. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding airs live on a national broadcast on FOX. FOX Sports named the race one of its “50 Events You Can’t Miss in 2025.” The temporary circuit is a 1.8-mile, 14-turn configuration that uses the streets circling Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, The Dali Museum and extending onto the runway at Albert Whitted Airport, and borders the waterfront of Tampa Bay and picturesque St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is owned and operated by Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC. Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC is owned by Green Savoree Racing Promotions 2, LLC whose other subsidiaries also promote three additional NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (July 4-6, 2025), Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto (July 18-20, 2025) and BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland (Aug. 8-10, 2025).

For more information, visit gpstpete.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page @GPSTPETE or follow the event on X at @GPSTPETE and Instagram at @GPSTPETE using #FirestoneGP.

CORVETTE RACING AT QATAR: TF Sport Nabs Hyperpole Spot

By
Official Release
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No. 81 Corvette to start on LM GT3 fifth row to kick off FIA WEC season

LUSAIL, Qatar (Feb. 27, 2025) – TF Sport’s No. 81 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R will start the Qatar 1812 Km and FIA World Endurance Championship season from the fifth row of the LM GT3 grid following Friday’s two-stage qualifying.

Rui Andrade qualified the No. 81 Corvette ninth in class after teammate Tom Van Rompuy advanced the Z06 GT3.R from the full-field first qualifying session. Van Rompuy, the 2024 Qatar pole-winner in LM GT3, was the ninth-quickest driver in the 12-minute opening qualifying run at 1:56.248 (104.266 mph). Teammate Andrade went faster to 1:55.424 (105.012 mph) in the 10-car Hyperpole session.

The duo will team with Charlie Eastwood in the No 81 Corvette for the second consecutive WEC season. Van Rompuy starts two rows ahead of Ben Keating in the No. 33 Corvette Z06 GT3.R, which just missed moving into the Hyperpole contest. He will drive with Jonny Edgar and Daniel Juncadella.

The 3.37-mile, 16-turn Losail International Circuit was the site of the Corvette Z06 GT3.R’s WEC debut a year ago. Armed with the lessons learned from the venue at year ago plus a win and runner-up finish to start 2025 in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, TF Sport is hoping to continue the momentum from last year’s double-podium finish at the season finale in Bahrain and spring ahead to championship contention in a stacked 18-car LM GT3 field.

TF Sport and the rest of the FIA WEC field will open the season with the Qatar 1812 Km at 2 p.m. Arabian Standard Time / 6 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, February 28.

TF SPORT POST-QUALIFYING QUOTES

RUI ANDRADE, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I feel like our weakness so far has been the low-fuel, new-tire runs. We’ve struggled with it since the Prologue. Besides that, our car is super-strong on the long run with full fuel. We showed it earlier today. Charlie had mega pace in FP3, which is the part of the race where it counts. It’s a long race with a lot of time to move up. Obviously I’m frustrated and wish I could have done a bit better. But we have something to work toward for the next race to see if we can improve a little bit the single-lap balance. Other than that, I’m happy with the balance for this race. There is a long time to go and anything can happen.”

CHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “We’ve been up at the pointy end of things since we got here. The difference from this time last year is astronomical. We are in a pretty good spot. I’d say we’re slightly better when it’s hotter. The weather change hasn’t hindered us but I think it’s brought some of the cars that are using the tires too much closer. The pack actually seems close together, which is nice for the racing. From our side, it’s been seamless the last three or four days. Coming back with Rui and Tom, it’s good that we all know the car and we’ve all driven the car here. You kind of get into the business end of the performance way earlier than you would expect. With that we’ve been making some good steps forward. As always, I think long runs and tire deg are in our wheelhouse so we should be in good shape.”

DANI JUNCADELLA, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It has been straight-forward for us. Last year we were trying to understand the car and what we could do with it in certain scenarios. Now we are fully focused on performance, and that makes a massive difference. Every season we have learned things about setup and trying to go forward. That is what makes such a difference from last year. We have a fully reliable GT3 car that we can push forward as a team.

“Hopes are high. The weather has changed quite a bit since the Prologue. The wind has picked up and the aero sensitives are something that is tricky in the Corvette. It’s such a well-made GT3 car with a big aero platform, and that has set us back a little bit during free practice. We were a bit caught by surprise with how much the wind was affecting our performance in some of the corners. We’re trying to assess those little issues and try to set up the car in a different way. Where we were in the Prologue, we were very confident and now we need to find a way around some of those wind gusts that pick up in some high-speed corners. But we have a strong lineup, a strong GT3 Corvette and a strong team. I’m confident we can score big tomorrow.”

About General Motors
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.

Black’s Tire Celebrates Grassroots Racing with Kaulig Racing

By
Official Release
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Christian Eckes to Drive No. 16 Black’s Tire Chevrolet at Darlington and Rockingham

 LEXINGTON, N.C. (February 27, 2025) – For the third consecutive year, Kaulig Racing has teamed up with Black’s Tire Service (BTS) to celebrate grassroots racing in NASCAR. BTS, a longtime partner in NASCAR, will be the primary sponsor onboard Kaulig Racing’s No. 16 Chevrolet with driver Christian Eckes for the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) races at Darlington Raceway (Saturday, April 5) and Rockingham Speedway (Saturday, April 19).

Black’s Tire, which celebrated its 95th anniversary in 2024, has more than 70 locations in both North and South Carolina and remains a local, family owned-and-operated tire seller and wholesaler. With many of those locations located in the footprint of both Darlington and Rockingham, BTS is partnering with Rockingham Speedway to celebrate the return of NASCAR to this historic track for the first time in over a decade. Black’s Tire will be the title partner for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race and presenting partner for the NXS race at Rockingham.

“On behalf of the over 1,000 team members at Black’s Tire & Auto Service and BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors, we are honored to continue our relationship with Kaulig Racing for these special events,” said Rick Benton II, President of BTS. “Our relationship with team president, Chris Rice, goes back over many years, and we are excited to continue working with the Kaulig Racing family at these grassroots tracks in our backyard.”

While many of the teams within NASCAR’s national ranks stem from grassroots backgrounds, Kaulig Racing has a unique makeup within its race shop, as many of its employees — from at-shop mechanics to team president, Chris Rice — come from the short track ranks. Those humble backgrounds ring true for BTS, which coined the phrase, “Let’s Go Together,” as it ensures that everyone feels like family when they walk through the doors of any of its locations spread across the Carolinas.

“Not only are we excited to team up with the Black’s Tire family for the third year in a row, doing so at two iconic race tracks makes it that much more exciting,” said Rice. “We’re proud to continue this relationship with an organization that puts as much emphasis on family as we do at Kaulig Racing.”

In honor of NASCAR going back to Rockingham, BTS will hold a special BTS Family and Customer Hospitality event at Rockingham prior to the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire on Saturday, April 19th. Coverage for both the NXS race at Darlington Raceway and Rockingham Speedway will be on the CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR: Channel 90.
 
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.

About Black’s Tire

Black’s Tire Service (BTS) was founded as Black’s Service Station by W. Crowell Black in Whiteville, N.C. in 1929 and celebrated its 95th anniversary in 2024. With more than 70 locations in both North and South Carolina, Black’s remains a local, family owned- and -operated tire sales and service and vehicle repair business. In addition to the retail and commercial locations, Black’s also operates 10 warehouse/distribution centers, BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors, a commercial sales division, and a tire-retreading business, Carolina Retreads. Today, the Black’s Tire family includes more than 1,000 team members. To learn more about Black’s Tire or to find a location, visit www.blackstire.com. Follow Black’s Tire on social media: Twitter at @BlacksTire, Instagram at @BlacksTire and Facebook at facebook.com/blackstire.

Neugebauer Named Honorary Starter for Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix

By
Official Release
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World's top decathlete Leo Neugebauer (left), actor Jack Quaid (center) and former All-American swimmer Riley Gaines (right) will be in dignitary roles for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. Photo Credit: Helge Schwarzer (Neugebauer), Alex Harper (Quaid) and Riley Gaines (Gaines)
  • Former University of Texas at Austin track and field superstar Leo Neugebauer to wave green flag for NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of The Americas.
  • Actor Jack Quaid, star of the new Paramount Pictures thriller “Novocaine,” will deliver drivers’ command as Grand Marshal.
  • 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer Riley Gaines to provide pre-race invocation.
  • Editor’s Note: Select dignitary photos, event logos and b-roll to accompany this release are available here.

AUSTIN, Texas (Feb. 27, 2025) – The world’s top-ranked decathlete and Olympic medalist Leo Neugebauer, who starred at the University of Texas at Austin, will serve as Honorary Starter for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).

Neugebauer bolstered his status as one of the world’s best premier decathletes by winning a silver medal in his 2024 Olympics debut in Paris. Born in Germany, he moved to the United States to compete at the collegiate level and landed at the University of Texas.

He won back-to-back collegiate titles at the Outdoor Track and Field Championships (2023, ’24), set NCAA and UT records in the decathlon, and owns both the heptathlon and decathlon school records. Neugebauer has earned multiple awards, including the 2024 Bowerman Award and the 2023 USTFCCCA Men’s Outdoor Co-National Field Athlete of the Year honor. The Bowerman is given to the top male collegiate track and field athlete, and he became the first male from UT to win the award. In 2024, he also broke the 40-year-old decathlon record in his home country of Germany.

Neugebauer will have the honor of waving the green flag to start the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix that begins at 2:30 p.m. CT (TV: FOX, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM). He joins actor Jack Quaid, star of Paramount Pictures’ new high-octane thriller “Novocaine,” in the principal dignitary roles. Quaid was announced earlier as the Grand Marshal and will deliver the starting command to the field of NCS drivers for the third race of the season.

Another former NCAA star athlete will serve in a dignitary role with Riley Gaines providing the pre-race invocation. Gaines was a 12-time NCAA All-American at the University of Kentucky (2019-22) and named the Southeastern Conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year in her final season.

The NASCAR at COTA doubleheader also includes Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) Focused Health 250 that begins at 1:30 p.m. (TV: CW, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM) and the debut of the IMSA-sanctioned VP Racing SportsCar Challenge (IMSA).

Among the dignitaries for Saturday’s NXS race are award-winning singer-songwriter and UT student Brooke Mitchell singing the National Anthem and 2023 Professional Fighters League Light Heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay providing the invocation.

Full pre-race lineup for Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix:

  • Grand Marshal: Actor Jack Quaid, star of the new Paramount Pictures movie, “Novocaine.”
  • Honorary Starter: Leo Neugebauer, the world’s top-ranked decathlete and Olympic silver medalist from University of Texas at Austin.
  • Invocation: Riley Gaines, 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer.
  • Honorary Race Officials: Wendall Scott family; Dino Bernacchi, Chief Marketing Officer for Sonic Automotive, EchoPark Automotive, and Sonic Power Sports.
  • Presentation of Colors: Civil Air Patrol’s Apollo Composite Color Guard Commanded by Captain Alexander Hertzler.
  • American Flag Arrival: Re/Max Skydive Team (Turn One).
  • National Anthem: Rebecca Vermeulen, San Antonio Police Department officer.
  • Fly-By: Four T-6 aircraft from the 47th FTW at Laughlin Air Force Base (from Turn 11 to Frontstretch).
  • Pre-Race DJ: DJ Cassandra.
  • Driver Introduction Announcers: Ray Villarreal and Jose Castillo.
  • Track Welcome: Bryan Hammond, Executive Director for NASCAR at COTA.

Full pre-race lineup for Saturday’s Focused Health 250:

  • VIPs: Larry Cassar, Co-Founder and President, Focused Health; Shawn Holt, Co-Founder Focused Health, Chief Revenue Officer at Bloom; Vicky Finn, VP of Client Partnerships and Strategy; Jon Barian, Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Cigna.
  • Honorary Starter: Kellie Rice, Vice President, National Sales Strategy Officer at Centene.
  • Grand Marshal: Matt Ferret, EVP Sales and Customer Relations at Medical Mutual of Ohio.
  • Presentation of Colors: Civil Air Patrol’s Apollo Composite Color Guard commanded by Captain Alexander Hertzler.
  • Invocation: Impa Kasanganay, 2023 Professional Fighters League Light Heavyweight champion.
  • National Anthem: Brooke Michelle, award-winning singer-songwriter and UT student.

The NCS and NXS will return to the Lone Star State along with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for a May 2-4 visit to Fort Worth and Texas Motor Speedway (TMS). Fans can take advantage of the “Texas Two-Step” promotion between NASCAR at COTA and TMS. Speedway Motorsports will offer ticket purchasers of either NCS race a 20 percent discount if they would like to attend both. Click HERE for more information on the “Texas Two-Step” promotion or to purchase tickets.

Tickets:

Tickets for children ages 12 and under are just $10 for the March 2 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NCS race and free for the March 1 NXS Focused Health 250 and IMSA-sanctioned VP Racing SportsCar Challenge. For individual tickets, weekend packages and camping, fans can visit NASCARatCOTA.com.

Follow Us:

Keep track of all things NASCAR at COTA by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NASCARatCOTA). Keep up with all the latest information on the NASCAR at COTA website and mobile app.

23XI and Upper Deck Expand Relationship with Multi-Year Deal

By
Official Release
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Upper Deck will be featured at select upcoming races with 23XI drivers; memorabilia collection will continue to grow

Huntersville, N.C. (Feb. 27, 2025) – 23XI Racing announced today a multi-year expansion of its relationship with Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in sports and entertainment collectibles. Last year, the collaboration debuted with Upper Deck featured on the No. 45 Toyota Camry at Darlington Raceway, as Tyler Reddick raced his way to the regular season championship. The expanded collaboration will continue to see Upper Deck highlighted on-track with 23XI’s drivers and feature Upper Deck Authenticated memorabilia and race-used collectibles.

Upper Deck’s first race will be this coming weekend at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) with Corey Heim in the No. 24 Toyota GR Supra for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Heim, who was recently announced as 23XI’s first development driver, will be making his first start at COTA in the Xfinity Series. Later in the summer, Upper Deck will be featured on the No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE when Tyler Reddick competes at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The collaboration will again extend beyond the track to include a premium memorabilia collection featuring authentic race-used pieces from all of 23XI’s teams and drivers. Available to fans and collectors, the memorabilia collection will include race-worn items, car-raced items, autographed artwork, and more. When 23XI and Upper Deck partnered last season, it marked the first racing additions to the Upper Deck roster in over 20 years. This season, Riley Herbst and Corey Heim join Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace on that growing roster.

“We’re eager to continue connecting new audiences to the world of racing with a fresh approach, especially after the excitement from our initial collaboration,” said Jason Masherah, president of Upper Deck. “We look forward to expanding on last season’s success and creating lasting memories through unique memorabilia and collectibles.”

Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing, shared, “Following a thrilling start to our partnership last season with Tyler securing the regular season championship in the Upper Deck Toyota, we’re excited to expand our relationship with Upper Deck. We’re always interested in unique ways to connect with fans and this collaboration continues to be a great way to do that. We look forward to generating more memorable moments this year and sharing those moments with fans through the exciting world of collectibles.”

Upper Deck’s 23XI Racing memorabilia collection will be available this year through the Upper Deck Store and Upper Deck Certified Diamond Dealer hobby shops.

About Upper Deck

Upper Deck is a global entertainment company creating trading cards, memorabilia, collectibles, games, and online platforms that deliver the experiences collectors crave. Upper Deck has set the unmatched industry standard for quality, authenticity, and innovation and continues to bring generations of fans closer to their favorite athletes and characters with unique and authentic sports and entertainment product offerings, as well as its digital trading ecosystem. The company prides itself on creating collectibles that produce invaluable experiences for sports and entertainment’s most dedicated and loyal fans, with a goal to deliver excellence to the community across the most coveted properties as a means to develop memorable moments for collectors of all kinds.

Find more information at http://www.upperdeck.com, www.UpperDeckBlog.com or follow us on Facebook (/UpperDeck), Instagram (UpperDeckSports), Twitter (UpperDeckSports), and YouTube (UDvids). 

About 23XI Racing

23XI Racing – pronounced twenty-three eleven – was founded by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin in 2020. With rising NASCAR star Bubba Wallace selected to drive the No. 23 Toyota Camry, the team made its NASCAR Cup Series debut in the 2021 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Wallace made history on October 4, 2021, when he captured his first career Cup Series win, becoming just the second African American to win in the Cup Series, and earning 23XI its first-ever victory. 23XI expanded to a two-car organization in 2022 with Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch driving the No. 45 Toyota Camry. With a win at Kansas Speedway in May of 2022, Busch earned 23XI the team’s first-ever playoff berth. In 2024, Tyler Reddick won the Regular Season Championship and raced to a spot in the Championship 4, a first for both the team and Reddick. 23XI currently features the lineup of Bubba Wallace in the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE, Tyler Reddick in the No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE, Riley Herbst in the No. 35 Toyota Camry XSE and Corey Heim as the team’s development driver. The team operates out of Airspeed, a state-of-the-art facility in Huntersville, N.C. that opened in January of 2024.

Commercial Power Brand Vanguard Joins as the Primary Sponsor in the Toyota Gazoo Racing North America GR Cup Series for #55 Spike Kohlbecker

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Official Release
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Leading innovator of power equipment solutions, Vanguard Commercial Power, partners with Spike Kohlbecker

Milwaukee, WI, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard brand, a leading provider of commercial power solutions, today announces its primary sponsorship of Spike Kohlbecker, a rising star in motorsports from St. Louis, Missouri. Kohlbecker will also serve as a Vanguard Brand Ambassador at select Vanguard brand events throughout North America in 2025.

“This is a significant milestone for Spike and Vanguard,” expressed Farran Davis, team development manager for RVA Graphics Motorsports. “The partnership between a global leader like Vanguard and a talented professional driver like Spike, it’s a perfect match. Vanguard recognizes Spike’s immense potential, and we look forward to welcoming Vanguard to the team.”

“I look forward to representing the Vanguard brand on the racetrack and in the paddock,” added Kohlbecker. “Vanguard engines are well-known for their robust design, performance, and longevity even in demanding environments—qualities that are just as crucial for commercial engines as they are for a professional race car driver!”

“We’ve been following Spike’s motorsport journey since he started in karts, often racing one of our Briggs Racing engines,” said Dan Roche, marketing director for Briggs & Stratton. “His exceptional work ethic, both at the track and in school, aligns perfectly with our employees, OEM partners, dealers, and commercial customers. We proudly support a team and driver who understand that preparation equals results.”

Look for the distinctive and powerful Vanguard engines’ yellow and black livery on Kohlbecker’s #55 Toyota GRCup North America car for the 2025 season:

March 28-30 Sonoma Raceway
April 25-27 Circuit of the Americas
May 16-18 Sebring International Raceway
July 18-20 Virginia International Raceway
Aug. 15-17 Road America
Sept. 5-7 Barber Motorsports Park
Oct. 17-19 Indianapolis Motor Speedway

About Briggs & Stratton

Briggs & Stratton, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, provides innovative products and diverse power solutions to help people get work done. Briggs & Stratton is the world’s largest producer of engines for outdoor power equipment, and is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of lithium-ion battery, standby generator, energy storage system, lawn and garden, turf care and job site products through its Briggs & Stratton®, Vanguard®, Ferris®, Simplicity®, Snapper®, Billy Goat®, Allmand®, SimpliPhi®, Branco® and Victa® brands. Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured, marketed and serviced in more than 100 countries on six continents.

About Spike Kohlbecker

Spike Kohlbecker is a 22-year-old professional racecar driver from St. Louis, Missouri, currently studying at Boise State University’s College of Business and Economics. After just 28 sports car starts in his professional career, Spike was awarded Vice-Champion of the 2024 Toyota GR Cup North American Championship and is now focused on his third season in sportscar racing. For sponsorship opportunities and more information about Spike Kohlbecker, visit SpikeKohlbeckerRacing.com.

About RVA Graphics Motorsports by Speed Syndicate

RVA Graphics Motorsports by Speed Syndicate competes in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and Toyota GR Cup North America. The team got its start in 2007 with an endurance racing program, which led to two championships. More recently, the team made the move to professional sports car racing in 2023, fielding multiple cars in Toyota GR Cup North America. Additionally, the team fosters young drivers, assisting with on and off-track development to further their careers. Fans and drivers interested in securing a driving opportunity with the team can learn more by visiting rvagraphicsmotorsports.com or contacting Team Development Manager Farran Davis at farran@rvagfx.com.

Carrectly: The Future of Car Care in Chicago

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SM
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Photo by José Pinto on Unsplash

Car maintenance often means long wait times, confusing pricing, and the inconvenience of fitting an appointment into your busy schedule. Carrectly Auto Care changes the game by offering a seamless pick-up and drop-off service, allowing you to service your car without ever stepping into a repair shop.

Whether you need routine maintenance, a deep clean, or extensive repairs, Carrectly ensures that your vehicle receives expert care while you continue with your day.

Comprehensive Services for Your Vehicle

Carrectly offers a full range of professional auto services designed to keep your car running smoothly and looking its best:

  • Mechanical Repairs – Oil changes, brake replacements, engine diagnostics, battery replacements, and transmission repairs.
  • Detailing Services – Interior deep cleaning, hand waxing, ceramic coatings, and upholstery restoration.
  • Protection Services – Paint protection film (PPF), ceramic coatings, and window tinting for added durability.
  • Bodywork & Collision Repair – Dent removal, scratch repair, and accident restoration.
  • Aesthetic Enhancements – Leather seat restoration, vinyl wraps, and custom wheel refinishing.

With expert technicians and transparent pricing, Carrectly guarantees a hassle-free experience with no hidden fees.

How Carrectly Works

  1. Schedule Online – Choose your service and set a convenient pick-up time.
  2. We Pick Up Your Car – A Carrectly driver collects your vehicle from your chosen location.
  3. Service by Experts – Certified professionals perform repairs, detailing, or protection services.
  4. Car Returned to You – Your vehicle is delivered back, serviced and spotless.

Why More Chicago Drivers Are Switching to Carrectly

The traditional auto service model is outdated. Carrectly removes the inconvenience by providing a time-saving, professional, and transparent experience.

Instead of waiting at a repair shop, you can continue your day while your car gets the attention it needs. Whether it’s routine maintenance, aesthetic improvements, or accident repairs, Carrectly delivers superior service without disrupting your schedule.

Book Your Service Today

Carrectly makes car care effortless. Whether you need mechanical repairs, detailing, or paint protection, Carrectly brings expert auto service directly to you.

📅 Schedule your service now and experience stress-free car maintenance.

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