High-Performance Polarized Eyewear Brand Teams Up with 23XI, Wallace, and Reddick for Multi-Year Partnership

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (January 30, 2025) – 23XI Racing and Shady Rays – an independent, American-owned adventure eyewear brand – announced today a multi-year partnership between the two dynamic organizations, bringing advanced optical technology to one of NASCAR’s most exciting teams.

The partnership establishes Shady Rays as the official sunglasses provider for the team and two of its drivers, Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, and features the brand as an associate partner on the No. 23 and No. 45 cars at select races during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

“Vision is critical in motorsports, from the driver’s seat to the pit box,” said Steve Lauletta, 23XI team president. “Shady Rays’ commitment to optical excellence and innovative design makes them the perfect sunglasses partner for our driven organization. Their premium polarized lenses give our team the clarity and precision needed to compete at the highest level of NASCAR.”

23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin, who has worn Shady Rays since 2021 and has his own collaborative product with the brand, emphasized the performance benefits: “As a driver, I know firsthand how critical clear vision is to a successful race. Shady Rays’ performance lens technology gives you that extra edge, whether you’re a fan watching from the stands or a crew member executing throughout the race.”

The comprehensive, multi-year partnership will begin by outfitting the entire 23XI team with Shady Rays’ premium polarized eyewear featuring COLORUSH™ color enhancing lens technology. This same optical clarity and color enhancement can be found in many of Shady Rays’ existing lifestyle and adventure eyewear products and will later expand to include a line of Shady Rays x 23XI co-branded performance-inspired shades.

“In racing, split-second decisions demand perfect vision,” Shady Rays Founder and CEO Chris Ratterman said. “Our advanced COLORUSH™ color enhancing technology and premium polycarbonate lenses provide the elite optical clarity that 23XI Racing’s teams need to perform at their peak. This partnership unites two organizations committed to pushing the boundaries of performance.”

Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE, highlighted the practical advantages: “The glare reduction and clarity I get from Shady Rays’ polarized lenses are game-changers, especially during those challenging transition periods when the sun’s low on the horizon. Whether I’m driving on the road or working with my crew in the garage, having premium eyewear that I can trust makes a real difference in my performance.”

Tyler Reddick, pilot of the No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE, added: “The enhanced color definition from Shady Rays’ lenses helps me as I’m analyzing the track. As we prepare to race and the crew focuses on performing at the highest levels, even the smallest visual advantage can make a huge difference.”

Lauletta elaborated on additional partnership benefits: “Aside from providing our drivers and team with stylish, quality eyewear, we also share a common interest in supporting those who make meaningful impacts in their communities. Both our brands seek to put fans first, and throughout the season, we look forward to unique collaborations that will provide great experiences for them.”

“Just like the 23XI Racing team has each other’s backs at 200 mph on the track, we have our customers’ backs every time they put on a pair of Shady Rays,” Ratterman added. “Whether you’re watching from the stands or hitting your own daily adventures, our Lost & Broken protection program means you can focus on what matters most – the moments in front of you. This partnership with 23XI Racing reflects our commitment to not just selling eyewear, but being there for our fans every step of the way.”

The partnership expands Shady Rays’ presence in elite sports, where superior vision and split-second decision-making are paramount. Beyond motorsports, the brand’s premium eyewear is trusted by professional athletes across golf, fishing, volleyball, and other high-performance sports.

About Shady Rays

Shady Rays is an independent, American-owned sunglasses company and one of the fastest-growing sunglasses brands in the U.S. All shades are made with high-quality, polarized lenses in a variety of sunglass frame styles and every purchase goes towards making an impact in our communities through Shady Rays Impact charitable giving. Shady Rays offers the industry’s exclusive Shady Rays Limited Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty and Lost & Broken protection. Shady Rays also sells high-quality lifestyle gear including Snow Goggles, UV Shirts, Prescription glasses, Blue Light glasses, and more. To learn more about Shady Rays and to stay up to date on all the action, visit shadyrays.com and follow us on Meta, TikTok, and X @shadyrays.

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, Tyler Reddick in the No. 45 Toyota Camry and Riley Herbst in the No. 35 Toyota Camry. The team operates out of Airspeed, a state-of-the-art facility in Huntersville, N.C. that opened in January 2024.

• In seven attempts at NASCAR’s annual pre-season exhibition race, Spire Motorsports has made one appearance in the feature event. Corey LaJoie finished 18th in last season’s edition of the Clash at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Mooresville, N.C., organization fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s on NASCAR’s senior circuit with Justin Haley, Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar, respectively.
• The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium will be televised live on FOX Sunday, Feb. 2 beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). The 2025 pre-season race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR Raceday on FOX will take the green flag at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Justin Haley – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

• Justin Haley will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.) Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., as he embarks on his first full Cup Series season with the organization.
• Haley has competed in the three previous editions of the Clash, formerly held at the L.A. Coliseum. An 11th-place finish in the 2023 event marked his best finish.
• The Winamac, Ind., native has one appearance at historic Bowman Gray Stadium, where he started second and finished third in the 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 K&N Pro Series East race.
• The F.O.E. is an international non-profit organization uniting fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills and promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope. The F.O.E. donates more than $10 million a year to local communities, fundraisers, charities and more.
• The black and yellow F.O.E. colors have been featured on Haley’s Cup Series ride 13 times, eight of which were on a Spire Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet. These starts are highlighted by Haley’s Cup Series victory in the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, an upset of practically unprecedented proportions for the then 18-year-old Haley and newly formed organization.
• The 25-year-old is a veteran of 144 Cup Series starts and has notched one win, five top fives, 16 top 10s and led 103 laps in NASCAR’s premier division.
• In total, Haley has made 41 Cup Series starts for Spire Motorsports, with the bulk of races coming during the 2021 season behind the wheel of the team’s No. 77 machine. He made his first Cup Series start at Phoenix Raceway March 14, 2021 where he started 29th and finished 24th.
• Last September, Haley made his return to Spire Motorsports after beginning the 2024 season with Rick Ware Racing. The three-time NASCAR Xfinity Series race winner participated in the final seven events of the year aboard the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet, earning a season-best finish of seventh at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Justin Haley Quotes
How do you feel about the Clash being held at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium?
“I am eager to kick off the 2025 NASCAR Cup season at Bowman Gray Stadium. It’s been enlightening to work with Rodney and the No. 7 group during the off-season, preparing for 2025. What better way to initiate this new chapter than with the loyal group at The Fraternal Order of Eagles? F.O.E. has been with me for 10 years and I’m excited to continue our partnership for many more.”

Atop the No. 7 Box – Crew Chief Rodney Childers

Crew chief Rodney Childers comes to Spire Motorsports after spending the past 11 seasons at Stewart-Haas Racing, leading the organization’s No. 4 team. The first 10 of those campaigns were with 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kevin Harvick.
The Mooresville, N.C., native made two of the three Clash events at the L.A. Coliseum where Harvick finished 12th and 10th in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
In nine editions of the Clash at the highbanks of Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Harvick and Childers earned two top fives and four top 10s.
The veteran crew chief has participated in 676 NASCAR Cup Series races where he’s earned 34 poles, 40 wins, 178 top-five and 298 top-10 finishes, and helped Harvick to the 2014 Cup Series title.
Childers’ 40 wins at NASCAR’s premier level are second-most amongst all crew chiefs in the Cup Series garage

Rodney Childers Quotes
What makes Bowman Gray Stadium unique compared to other Clash tracks you’ve competed at?
“It’s just extremely small and tight. I feel like it’s even tighter than LA was the last couple years. The car is going to need to turn really well and be good when Justin gets back to the gas. And lastly, the history there means so much more to our sport than any other place where we have had the Clash recently.”

Michael McDowell – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

• Michael McDowell will pilot Spire Motorsports’ Workforce Operational Health and Safety Solutions Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray.
• The Arizona native joins Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 team off one of the hottest seasons in his career. During the 2024 season, McDowell, along with crew chief Travis Peterson, combined for a season-best six pole positions, two top-five, and seven top-10 finishes while pacing the field for 256 laps. McDowell and his 2024 team received the Busch Light Pole Award, which is presented to the team with the most starts from the pole position across the season.
• In his last three attempts at the Clash, formerly held at the LA Coliseum, McDowell successfully transferred to the main event each year. He collected a personal-best finish of 16th in the 2022 event.
• Workforce Operational Health and Safety Solutions will serve as the primary partner for McDowell and the No. 71 Chevrolet ZL1 for this weekend’s Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. The blue and white livery will return at Phoenix Raceway in March and again for the Cup Series contest at Richmond Raceway in August.
• The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Occupational Health and Safety Solutions (OHSS) firm will celebrate 30 years of protection across the 2025 season. The Workforce-sponsored machine will carry a special 30th-anniversary decal atop the deck lid throughout the season as the company celebrates three decades of protecting employees nationwide in work injury management, medical bill repricing, and employer services.
• McDowell marked his 500th career start at Martinsville Speedway last fall, a milestone he celebrated at the site of his first Cup Series start in 2008. Now 40-years-old and a father of five, McDowell is set to complete his 17th season competing in NASCAR’s premier division. To date, he has 501 Cup Series career starts on his resume.
• Known to be a road course and superspeedway ace, McDowell and his fellow Cup Series competitors will take on the short track of Bowman Gray Stadium. In the 17 short-track races since February 2022, McDowell has an average finish of 19.4 with two top-five and eight top-10 finishes across races at Bristol Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Richmond Raceway and Iowa Speedway.
• The No. 71 car has a storied history at Bowman Gray Stadium, tied to Buren Skeen, a local driver who won back-to-back NASCAR Modified National Championships at the track in 1964 and 1965. Skeen, a native of Denton, N.C., also made eight Cup Series starts in 1965. Two of those starts were at Bowman Gray, where he earned fifth- and seventh-place finishes against racing legends like Junior Johnson, Ned Jarrett, Wendell Scott, and Cale Yarborough. Tragically, Skeen died later that year at 28 following a crash on the second lap of the Southern 500. This weekend, McDowell will honor the life of the legendary modified driver by placing a commemorative nameplate above the passenger door on the No. 71 Workforce Chevrolet ZL1.

Michael McDowell Quotes
What makes the Clash so special?
“Racing at Bowman Gray Stadium is going to be special. The track has so much history and shows how far we have come in 75-plus years. That said, I am excited to be back on track with a new team and a new chapter in my career. The Clash has always been a great way to work our way back into things and we’ve made the main event the last three years at the LA Coliseum. I am excited to start the 2025 season with a new team, a new manufacturer and to have Workforce on board at Bowman Gray.”

What are you looking forward to in your first season with Spire?
“There has been a lot of change this offseason and Spire Motorsports has been super helpful integrating me into the system. There has been a lot to learn, and I am enjoying the process. It is going to be a slow build while our team gets comfortable but I am excited to see where we can be as the season goes on. We have been very upfront about our goals. We want to win races and make the playoffs.”

Atop the No. 71 Box – Crew Chief Travis Peterson

• Crew chief Travis Peterson joins Spire Motorsports after spending the past two seasons at Front Row Motorsports. He made the move alongside driver, Michael McDowell.
• The 33-year-old reached the Clash at the Coliseum main event with McDowell each of the past two seasons. He was the lead race engineer for Chris Buescher and RFK Racing at the 2022 event.
• The decorated engineer contributed to several victories during his tenure at RFK, Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports, highlighted by clinching the NASCAR Xfinity Series title in 2014 and racking up three Cup Series wins with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and the No. 88 team in 2015.
• Peterson is a mechanical engineering graduate of the Williams States Lee College of Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The West Bend, Wis., native earned his degree in 2012.

Travis Peterson Quotes
How do you find success at a new track with little to no on-track data?
“It makes it super interesting and different than what we normally do, because we have so many good tools nowadays with track scans and experience at tracks, so you try to find things that are similar. Obviously, our Bowman Gray setup is based off what we did at the Clash last year, but every track has a ton of unique little details and we are not going to find those out until we get there. Even the tools that we have used in the past are roughly based on our resources and what we think the track geometry is, nothing too tangible to build the set up on. It makes some of your decisions interesting, because that normal flow is disrupted.”

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

• Carson Hocevar kicks off his second full-time Cup Series effort behind the wheel of the No. 77 Delaware Life Chevrolet ZL1 for Spire Motorsports in Sunday’s Cook Out Clash at Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.
• Iconic Bowman Gray Stadium will host The Clash for the first time in the event’s 46-year history. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum played host to the exhibition event for the past three years after a 42-year run at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
• In last year’s event, inclement weather led to the field being set based on qualifying times. Hocevar qualified 25th, just two spots short of making the feature race.
• Hocevar closed out the 2024 season with one top five, six top 10s and NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors. His best short-track finish of the season was an eighth-place result August 11 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.
• Delaware Life returns to the No. 77 Chevrolet at Bowman Gray. 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 (“Group 1001 Insurance”), their focus is to deliver a seamless experience for advisors. They understand how important it is to find the right fit for every client, every situation, and every individual need. They’re passionate about equipping clients with annuities that give customers peace of mind and a successful future—allowing them to plan with confidence for whatever’s next.

Carson Hocevar Quotes
How do you feel about The Clash moving to Bowman Gray Stadium?
“I’m really excited to see how things go at Bowman Gray. The Clash was at Daytona for so long and we saw it get a different look in LA, but it’ll be good to see it on one of the most well-known short tracks. The racing at Bowman Gray is so intense and I think we’ll be seeing guys use up every inch of the track and maybe some of the grass too. I think it’ll put on a really good show.”

Do you feel more settled and comfortable heading into the start of your second full-time Cup Series season?
“Yeah, it’s a huge difference with how I feel going into this year. I had run a few races in 2023, but when we showed up at The Clash last year I still had a lot to learn about the Next Gen car and the No. 77 team. I feel like we made really good progress toward the end of last season and we can pick up where we left off.”

Is there more of a level playing field for the drivers with this being the first Cup Series race held at Bowman Gray?
“I think so. We already have that with the cars being the same, so it really comes down to the people that you’ve got on your team. Spire has done a great job of adding experienced people to our competition group and I feel like we’re going to see that pay off pretty quickly. The Delaware Life team is already on the right track with me and Luke (Lambert) having already worked together, but having Rodney Childers, Travis Peterson and Matt McCall to bounce ideas off of will make a big impact.”

Atop the No. 77 Box – Crew Chief Luke Lambert

• Hocevar is once again paired with crew chief Luke Lambert. The two first worked together in 2023 when Hocevar was behind the wheel of the No. 42 entry for eight of the final nine races of the year and reunited at Spire Motorsports for the 2024 season.
• The 14-year veteran of the sport has spent time atop the pit box in the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series. He has led the competition efforts for some of the sport’s most notable names including Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler and Chris Buescher.
• In 2014, the Mount Airy, N.C., native led Newman to a berth in the Championship 4, and ultimately a runner-up finish in the Cup Series championship point standings.
• Lambert earned a degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University in 2005. During his time at NC State, he led efforts on the University’s Formula SAE team.

Luke Lambert Quotes
You secured rookie of the year honors with Carson last season. What are this year’s goals?
“Carson is a tremendous talent and he’s proven that he has a lot of potential in NASCAR. I’m here to help him prepare for the challenges that may come along in this sport and develop him as a driver. We have a great opportunity to start the season with a strong run and that kicks off this weekend at the Clash.”
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 April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team will also field the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

Let’s Clash… The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off with the Clash at Bowman Gray this Sunday, February 2 at the narrow quarter-mile oval inside the legendary Bowman Gray Stadium. This weekend’s event marks the 47th running of the annual non-points exhibition race, with the Winston-Salem, North Carolina track serving as just the fourth venue for the event since its inception in 1979.

Richard Childress Racing in the Clash… Richard Childress Racing has earned nine wins in the Clash, six by Dale Earnhardt (1980, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, and 1995) and three by Kevin Harvick (2009, 2010 and 2013). In the last three Clash races – all held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, RCR has had at least one driver claim a podium finish (2022: Austin Dillon – third; 2023: A. Dillon – second, Kyle Busch – third; and 2024: K. Busch – second).

Coming Home… Headquartered in Welcome, North Carolina, Richard Childress Racing is only 14 miles away from Bowman Gray Stadium.

Did You Know? Richard Childress’s humble beginnings started at Bowman Gray Stadium, selling peanuts in the grandstands as a young boy. Childress then began his driving career with a $20.00 race car – a taxicab – competing at Bowman Gray. The now-NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner also raced at the facility in the 1971 Cup Series event and the 1972 Grand National race.

Format Loading for 2025… Although 39 drivers will attempt to make the Clash, only 23 will make it through to the 150-lap main event. Each driver has two chances to qualify for the feature.

There will be four heat races (25 laps each) consisting of 10 drivers each. The top five finishers in each heat will advance to run in the main event, filling 20 positions on the final grid.

Positions 21 and 22 will be set by the top two finishers from the last chance qualifying race (75 laps, only green flag laps count). The 23rd and final starting position is reserved for the driver who finished highest in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series points standings that did not transfer on finishing position.

Catch the Action… The Clash at Bowman Gray will be televised live Sunday, February 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX, with the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 carrying the live radio broadcast.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet at Bowman Gray Stadium… Austin Dillon, the 2018 Daytona 500 Champion, is among the NASCAR Cup Series drivers that will battle in the inaugural Clash at Bowman Gray. In nine previous Clash appearances, Dillon has recorded four top-five finishes and posted an average finish of 7.3.

Homecoming Race… With the Cup Series returning to Bowman Gray Stadium for the first time in his lifetime, Dillon has a new home track on the circuit. Dillon – who grew up in Welcome, North Carolina, a short 18-minute drive from the historic Winston-Salem, North Carolina facility – attended multiple races at the track during his younger years.

New Year, New Face on the Pit Box… This weekend’s event will mark Richard Boswell’s debut as crew chief for Dillon and the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing team. Having grown up in a racing family, Boswell has more than 15 years of professional motorsports experience as a crew chief, engineer, and driver. During his time on top of the box, Boswell has earned one Cup Series victory and nine Xfinity Series wins.

About Bass Pro Shops… Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations, and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops united with Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations, and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.” Bass Pro Shops has a long relationship with NASCAR, dating back to 1998. For more information, visit http://www.basspro.com/.

Welcome, Winchester Ammunition… Debuting for the first time, Winchester Ammunition joins Bass Pro Shops on the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet. Winchester is the leading small caliber ammunition brand for hunting, recreational shooting, and law enforcement, and the largest supplier to the U.S. military. The legendary Winchester® brand, with its 159-year history, is founded on principles of integrity, hard work, and a strong commitment to its loyal customers. As a division of Olin Corporation, Winchester shares Olin’s purpose to deliver materials and solutions that enhance and protect lives. Learn more about Winchester and the responsible use of its products by visiting Winchester.com or connecting with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/WinchesterOfficial.

Meet Dillon… On Saturday, February 1 at 2:45 p.m. ET, Dillon is scheduled to greet race fans and sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the East Lot Fan Zone, located across from Bowman Gray Stadium. On Sunday, February 2 at 4:45 p.m. ET, Dillon is scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session at the NASCAR Experience Stage in the East Lot Fan Zone. Stop by to meet the driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet and pick up new gear prior to the green flag.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

What are your thoughts heading into the inaugural Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium?

“It’s cool for our sport to be back at Bowman Gray Stadium. I love short-track racing. The race is going to be aggressive. With 23 cars on that small of a track, you will see beating and banging. I think the race will be similar to the track at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The turns are a little wider, and we will use as much of the track as we can to make good lap times. Passing is going to be very difficult, and patience will be key. Our No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester team has been working hard on building the best car we can to go out and get a win in front of the home crowd.”

Bowman Gray Stadium has meant a lot to Richard Childress Racing. How special is it to have the NASCAR Cup Series come back to race there?

“It’s very special. Being from here, born and raised in the Winston-Salem area, and watching many races at the track, I’ve enjoyed the entertainment value Bowman Gray Stadium brings to the Triad area. RCR’s beginning is Bowman Gray, where my grandfather used to sell peanuts in the grandstands as a kid. It’s very special to him and our entire family.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 zone Chevrolet at Bowman Gray Stadium… Kyle Busch enters the Clash at Bowman Gray in good company of drivers who have never raced at the quarter-mile oval. Busch has won the season-opening exhibition race twice, both at Daytona International Speedway – on the oval in 2012 and again on the road course in 2021.

Exhibition Wins Not Limited to the Clash… Busch’s success in NASCAR exhibition races extends beyond the Clash. The Las Vegas, Nevada native also has a win in the 2017 NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Busch used an aggressive three-wide pass for the lead to earn his first All-Star victory. The win was the first for him in a NASCAR Cup Series car at Charlotte Motor Speedway and paid a $1 million-dollar grand prize.

Starting Out Strong… Busch has scored finishes of first, second, third and second in his last four Clash races.

Meet the Driver… Busch is scheduled to visit the RCR Merchandise Hauler at 4:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 2. Immediately following, the veteran driver will join team owner Richard Childress and teammate Austin Dillon at the NASCAR Experience Stage for a question-and-answer session at 4:45 p.m. ET.

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KYLE BUSCH QUOTE:

What are your thoughts on heading to Bowman Gray Stadium for this year’s Clash?

“I don’t really know. I’ve never raced at Bowman Gray before. You see some of the highlight reels on TV of all the craziness that can happen, with people wrecking each other and whatnot. I’ve never been there to see a race. I’ve got a few friends that have raced there for years though, including Burt Myers, which is cool, so I’ll lean on some of those guys to figure out how to get around there fast. It’s a place that’s been a part of NASCAR history for many decades and it’s really cool to get a chance to race there. It’s my first time, and it’s going to be fun.”

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety will adorn the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek for 14 races in 2025

STATESVILLE, N.C. / ALPHARETTA, Ga. (Jan. 30, 2025) – LEGACY MOTOR CLUB today announced Pye-Barker Fire & Safety – the largest fully integrated and full-service fire protection, life safety and security services provider in the U.S. – will be a primary partner of the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE entry driven by John Hunter Nemechek for 14 events during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

“Pye-Barker has been a longtime supporter of mine throughout my racing career, dating back to my Truck Series days,” said Nemechek. “I’m thrilled to continue with Pye-Barker at LEGACY MC. I hope to make everyone at Pye-Barker proud when I represent them both on and off the track.”

“I’m excited to see Pye Barker extend and expand with the CLUB,” said co-owner Jimmie Johnson. “The Pye-Barker leadership and team members share the same mindset and vision as we do at LEGACY MC. Additionally, John Hunter is a great spokesperson for their brand, and we can’t wait to deliver for them.”

Every day across the U.S., Pye-Barker Fire & Safety’s team of 8,000 fire and security experts protect their communities by installing, testing and servicing fire suppression systems, extinguishers, fire sprinklers, security systems and fire alarms, and providing 24/7 alarm monitoring. Since its founding in 1946, Pye-Barker has grown to more than 250 locations nationwide, while remaining dedicated to caring for customers and team members like family.

“At Pye-Barker, we’ve built a culture where individual work is rewarded, but your team has your back. That’s a philosophy I see reflected in the sport of racing,” said Bart Proctor, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety CEO. “We admire John Hunter [Nemechek] for his integrity as an athlete, willingness to put in the work, and dedication to his teammates. Our shared values make him a great representative of Pye-Barker and make us proud to continue this relationship with Nemechek and LEGACY MC in 2025.”

Pye-Barker’s tagline is, “Define your legacy here,” reflecting the company’s commitment to upholding its values and culture for current and future team members. At Pye-Barker, individuals are empowered to build a legacy to support their families, grow within the company, and serve their communities with pride.

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety will first appear on the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on Sunday, March 2. Last season, when Nemechek and his green, blue and white-themed Pye-Barker scheme hit the track, success followed. Nemechek scored three victories in the Xfinity Series with the brand and led 16 laps last season in the No. 42 Cup Series entry at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

To follow along with Pye-Barker Fire & Safety on the track, visit pyebarkerfs.com/pye-barker-racing/

ABOUT PYE-BARKER FIRE & SAFETY: The U.S. leader in fully integrated life safety systems, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety provides complete fire protection and security systems nationwide. With over 250 locations and 8,000 team members nationwide, Pye-Barker is an industry leader and ranks No. 849 on the Inc 5000 and No. 8 on the SDM 100.

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